Guyana chronicle e paper 06 21 2018

THURSDAY 21st June, 2018

No.105312

Exxon in 8th oil strike

…announces plans for third drill ship 03 …eyes additional development southeast of the Stabroek Block PAGE

GWI to ramp up service delivery

…several projects planned PAGE for coast, hinterland 02

GEA 12 inspector dies in road accident Bartica students reaping benefits of SBB start-up 12 PAGE

Chief-of-Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West, decorating a newly promoted cadet officer to an ensign (See story on page 8)

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PPP accused of rigging toshaos …ministers point to “glaring evidence elections of political interference”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

GWI to ramp up service delivery

By Lisa Hamilton ON the back of an approval

for it to raise water tariffs, the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) says that it is in a

state of readiness to meet the deadlines for improvement set by the Public Utili-

…several projects planned for coast, hinterland ties Commission (PUC) and announced a range of projects it intends to roll out to improve service delivery across the country.

The increases were approved by the PUC in an order released on June 7, 2018, but in return the GWI must meet a series of targets which include reducing unmetered customers; reducing non-water revenue; increase the collection of rates on annual billings and more.

In an interview on Wednesday, the GWI Managing-Director (MD), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles said that he remains positive that GWI will meet the deadlines set. “It is imperative for us and we’re happy we’re aligned with the PUC on this matter to ensure that we can certainly reduce the non-revenue water…we’re confident we’ll meet the deadline,” he said.

When questioned about changes made to their application by the PUC, he said: “We’re happy with it. I think the PUC has been fair and I wish to publicly express our thanks to them…we were satisfied in the requirements put to us, in the responses from

that do not have adequate service…,” he said.

GWI Managing-Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles

the public, so we have no complaints at this junction.”

The managing-director noted that the GWI still has much work to complete, even as he highlighted some of the company’s ongoing and upcoming plans. “The reality is that we want people to have an adequate service. I think it is safe to say we’ve gone through a period, slightly unplanned, in which no adequate analysis was conducted between demand and supply.

So, we still have pockets, for example, of communities

TREATMENT PLANTS Future plans include three treatment plants to be completed by October 2019 at Uitvlugt, Sheet Anchor and Buxton, while the Department of Public Infrastructure is looking into works at a treatment plant in Friendship, East Bank Demerara.

Wells are currently being drilled in Port Mourant, Region Six, while others are set to be drilled this year in Pouderoyen and Westminster on the West Bank of Demerara; Madewini on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and at Bartica and Ituni.

In addition, the GWI has requested supplementary support for wells at Fyrish in New Amsterdam; Lusignan on the East Coast and at Farm, even as the company hopes to build capacity to construct more wells in Regions One, Seven, and Eight.

Also, the company predicts that residents of Linden will soon receive better quality water through the refurbishment of water treatment plants at West Watooka and Mackenzie.

In outlying areas, there are plans to treat the water at Mabaruma coming from the Hosororo Falls, as well as water at the Port Kaituma River through water filters.

“We’ve had some discussions with a company in Trinidad Turn to page 8 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

Exxon in 8th oil strike U.S oil giant ExxonMobil Corporation made its eighth discovery offshore Guyana at the Longtail-1 well, much to the satisfaction of the Government and people of Guyana.

In making the announcement on Wednesday, ExxonMobil disclosed that plans are in the pipeline to bring a third drillship to operate in Guyana’s waters – a move that has received the agreement of the Guyanese Government.

In a statement on Wednesday, ExxonMobil said it encountered approximately 256 feet (78 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir at the Longtail-1 well. “The well was safely drilled to 18,057 feet (5,504 meters) depth in 6,365 feet (1,940 meters) of water. The Stena Carron drillship commenced drilling on May 25, 2018,” the U.S oil company explained, while noting that the discovery is within close proximity to the Turbot discovery southeast of the Liza field.

It is believed that this new discovery creates the potential for additional resource development in the southeast area of the Stabroek Block.

President of ExxonMobil Exploration Company Steve Greenlee, however, noted that drilling results from Longtail are under evaluation.

“However, the combined estimated recoverable resources of Turbot and Longtail will exceed 500 million barrels of oil equivalent, and

…announces plans for third drill ship …eyes additional development southeast of the Stabroek Block

will contribute to the evaluation of development options in this eastern portion of the block,” Greenlee explained.

The discovery will add to the 3.2 billion oil-equivalent barrels which have already been discovered in seven previous reservoirs: Liza, Payara, Liza Deep, Snoek, Turbot, Ranger and Pacora.

It was only in February 2018 that the 7th discovery was made in the Pacora-1 well, offshore Guyana. The Pacora-1 well is located about four miles from the Payara-1 well in the Stabroek Block.

In early January, the U.S. oil company had also discovered oil offshore Guyana at

its Ranger -1 well, adding to its previous discoveries since 2015. The Ranger -1 well encountered approximately 230 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing reservoir, located some 60 miles northwest of its Liza phase one project within the Stabroek Block.

Presently, ExxonMobil is currently making plans to add a second exploration vessel offshore Guyana in addition to the Stena Carron drillship, bringing its total number of drillships on the Stabroek Block to three. The new vessel will operate in parallel to the Stena Carron to explore the block’s numerous high-value prospects.

Meanwhile, shortly after the announcement was made, the Government, in a statement, congratulated ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Guyana and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum, on the new discovery. Attributing to the recent developments including the move to bring a third drillship into Guyana’s waters, the Government said these are clear indications and demonstration of ExxonMobil’s confidence in Guyana’s vast offshore reserves.

“This 8th discovery at Longtail-1 is yet another verification and validation of Guyana’s massive offshore oil reserves. All Guyanese

More contraband found in Lusignan Prison RANKS of the Joint Services on Monday conducted a three-hour search of the Lusignan Prison during which a number of contraband items, cell phones and improvised weapons were unearthed.

The prohibited items found were: eight cellphones, 10 cellphone batteries, five cell phone chargers, two Sim cards, two memory cards, 31 improvised weapons, 11 pieces of metal pipes, nine pieces of wood, seven phone cards, three ziplock bags with cannabis, one small bottle of cannabis seeds, one packet of cigarette, one tattoo machine,

cause once the officer is not mentally strong, they can be easily persuaded by prisoners “to do wrong things” in terms of being involved in the trafficking of contraband.

Illegal items found

ink; one small cannabis plant and a quantity of ziplock bags.

Acting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels had called on Prison Officers to recognise the dangers in which they place them-

selves, society and inmates by engaging in the trade of contraband within the walls of the penitentiary.

Samuels also said the prison service is ensuring new recruits are properly vetted and monitored be-

will be brimming with further excitement of this historic news which reinforces that in the near future Guyana’s share of profit oil will allow for national infrastructural, economic and social transformation hitherto unimaginable,” Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman said.

The Natural Resources Minister said the people of Guyana can be assured that under the Coalition Government the country would remain in stable, responsible and judicious hands that would ensure the effective and sustainable management of the resources.

“There are those who have expressed the desire for Guyana to begin embarking on an irresponsible spending and borrowing spree but we urge all Guyanese not to be baited by these pie-inthe-sky enticements and to understand that a sensible approach is what is required and advisable as we stride confidently towards first oil in May, 2020,” Minister Trotman said.

It is believed that the sound policies of the David Granger Administration are being vindicated despite some naysaying, uninformed pseudo-analysis and public posturing.

ExxonMobil said presently the Noble Bob Douglas is in the process of completing initial stages of development drilling for Liza Phase 1. It was explained that Phase 1 will consist of 17 wells connected to a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel designed to produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day. First oil is expected in early 2020. Phase 2 concepts are similar to Phase 1 and involve a second FPSO with production capacity of 220,000 barrels per day. A third development, Payara, is planned to follow Liza Phase 2.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometers). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is an operator and holds 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

Trump backs down

in cages and an audiotape of wailing children had sparked anger in the United States from groups ranging from clergy to influential business leaders, as well as condemnation from abroad, including Pope Francis. Trump, a frequent viewer of cable television newscasts, had recognized the family separation issue was a growing political problem, White House sources said.

First lady Melania Trump, in private conversations with the president, urged him to do something, a White House official said.

“The first lady has been making her opinion known to the president for some time now, which was that he needed to

do all he could to help families stay together,” an official said. Wednesday’s move marked a rare instance since Trump took office in January 2017 in which he has changed course on a controversial policy, rather than digging in.

Trump has made a tough stance on immigration central to his presidency. In recent days, the Republican president had insisted his hands were tied by law on the issue of family separations and had sought to blame Democrats, although it was his administration that implemented the policy of strict adherence to immigration law. The Republican-controlled U.S. Congress is also considering legislation to address the issue.

The House of Representatives planned to vote on Thursday on two bills designed to halt the practice of separating families and to address other immigration issues.

But Republicans said they were uncertain if either measure would have enough support to be approved. Trump told House Republicans on Tuesday night he would support either of the immigration bills under consideration but did not give a preference.

Scientists have created pigs that are immune to one of the world’s costliest livestock diseases.

The team edited the animals’ DNA to make them resist the deadly respiratory disease known as PRRS - a move that could prevent billions of pounds in losses each year. However, consumers have traditionally been reluctant to eat genetically altered animals and crops. This poses a significant barrier to farmers owning gene-edited pigs. And because genome, or gene, editing (GE) is relatively new, the absence of regulation currently prevents their sale anyway.

GE is different to the more widely used technology of genetic modification. The former involves the precise alteration of an organism’s DNA, while the latter is characterised by the introduction of foreign genetic sequences into another living thing. The pig research also raises animal welfare issues.

Critics say that creating disease-resistant animals will discourage farmers from improving the welfare of their livestock. Some think that the way the animals are kept can make them less prone to contracting the virus that causes PRRS. PRRS, which stands for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, can cause breathing problems and death in young pigs.

Why don’t consumers want to eat genetically altered foods? In the past, there have been fears (unsupported by scientific evidence) that GM foods might cause harm to human health.

Among those concerns are that the products of modified crops or animals might trigger allergies or that genes inserted into the food would get into human DNA. But GM foods have been available for decades and no adverse effects on humans have ever been reported. In its guidance, the World Health

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

…signs order to end family separations at U.S. border WASHINGTON (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump backed down on Wednesday on an immigration policy that sparked outrage at home and abroad, signing an executive order to end the separation of children from their parents when immigrant families are caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.

The order requires that immigrant families be detained together when they are caught entering the country illegally, although it was not immediately clear for how long.

It also moves parents with children to the front of the line for immigration proceedings. The order does not end a “zero tolerance” policy that calls

for criminal prosecution of immigrants crossing the border illegally.

ily arranged Oval Office gathering.

Videos of youngsters

U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order on immigration policy in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., June 20, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis

“It’s about keeping families together while at the same time making sure that we have a very powerful, very strong border,” Trump said as he signed the order in a hast-

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Organization (WHO) says: “No effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved.”

SO, WHAT DID THE SCIENTISTS DO? Researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute used gene editing to delete a small region of pig DNA. But this relatively small edit prevents the PRRS virus from gaining a foothold on the surfaces of pig cells.

The scientists then exposed four of their gene-edited pigs to the PRRS virus. Writing in the Journal of Virology, they report that none became ill.

Research leader Dr Christine Tait-Burkard stressed that no foreign genes were inserted into the pig. She added that tests so far showed that the animals are not weakened or affected in any other way by the process.

“The animals are all pig… with just a tiny section snipped out. The main thing that this edit will do is… benefit animal welfare because the animals will not get a very devastating disease,” she said. The genetic edit is permanent, so disease resistance will be passed down the generations through natural breeding.

WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE? Helen Browning of the Soil Association believes that this approach deals with the symptoms of a problem, rather than addressing the root causes. She has kept pigs for 30 years on her organic farm in north Wiltshire. Ms Browning says that keeping them outdoors and having higher welfare standards makes the animals less prone to disease. “If gene editing is being used for disease resistance and it is not encourag-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

Jamaican parliament adopts report to review relations with CARICOM The House of Representatives has adopted the Report of the Commission to Review Jamaica’s Relations within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) Frameworks.

The Commission was charged with evaluating the effects of Jamaica’s membership in the regional body on the country’s economic growth and development, with particular reference to trade in goods and services, investment, international competitiveness and job creation.

In his address to the lower house on Tuesday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, said that since tabling the report in February of this year, the entire region has awaited the Government’s final position on the document. “I think it only appropriate that they be granted the requisite bipartisan consideration, so that

they may be duly shared with my CARICOM colleagues for discussion at the upcoming Regular Meeting of the Conference in July.”

He informed legislators that the Report has 33 key recommendations, which boldly project a way forward in addressing aspects of regional relationships that are not fully meeting their intended objectives. “Our extensive review of the report has identified recommendations at various stages of readiness for implementation, including some that may not be within our reach at this time for various reasons,” Holness said.

Among the recommendations in the report are full free movement of people throughout the Community, subject only to exclusions for security and public health reasons; harmonisation of customs laws, regulations and procedures, especially in the treatment of perishable

UN to facilitate training workshop on fissile material cut-off treaty consultative process

The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), in cooperation with its Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America, are organising a training workshop on the high-level fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT) expert preparatory group consultative process.

The workshop will take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from 21 to 22 June 2018. Caribbean government officials working in the area of weapons of mass destruction and/or nuclear security issues as well as representatives from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) will participate in the workshop.

The workshop aims to facilitate dialogue at the sub-regional level among member states and regional organisations on the implications of a future

treaty and its relationship with already existing global and regional instruments. It will also allow for sharing of knowledge and information on issues relevant to banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices and will provide an opportunity to exchange views, and discuss challenges and ways ahead in relation to a future treaty. The meeting will also address potential components of a future FMCT and will thereby increase the capacity of States to participate in potential future FMCT negotiations.

The workshop is made possible with financial support from the European Union pursuant to Council Decision 2017/2284 “to provide support to States in the African, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and Caribbean regions to participate in the high-level fissile material cutoff treaty expert preparatory group consultative process.”

goods; and agreed protocols on sanitary and phytosanitary standards and procedures.

On the matter of integrated capital markets, the Prime Minister said it is believed that an agreed protocol for cross-border regulatory cooperation is essential to any custom union. “In this regard, we support the view that this recommendation is attainable within the next three years. However, we are also mindful that many member states are currently at various stages of reform to bring their regulatory landscape in line with institutional standards.

Consequently, there may be need to apply some flexibility with respect to the timeline for full implementation by all member states,” the Prime Minister added.

On the right of establishment, as well as the services market, Holness said these recommendations are well founded, as member states

participating in the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) have an obligation to remove restrictions on the right of establishment and the right to provide services across the region. “In relation to the right of establishment, all member states are to pass the requisite Regulation to facilitate the movement of managerial, technical and supervisory staff. Jamaica is also assessing its implementation of the regime, to ensure that no further restrictions exist. Jamaica has enacted the Caribbean Community Establishment, Services, Capital and Movement of Community Nationals Act 2004.”

“From a legal perspective, the Commission’s proposal . . . on the full free movement of persons throughout the Community, which is subject only to exclusions for security and public health reasons, is quite feasible and consistent with the rulings of the Caribbean

from page 4 Gene-edited farm ...Continued

ing companies to change the way they keep their pigs so they don’t get disease in the first place, then it becomes a problem rather than a solution,” Ms Browning said.

WHEN CAN I TUCK INTO A GENE-EDITED BACON BUTTY? That’s still several years away. While the technology is almost in place, the regulations are not and some are calling for a public debate first. “First and foremost we need a broader conversation on the acceptability of gene-edited meat entering our food chain, to help inform political leaders on how these techniques should be regulated,” Dr Tait-Burkard told BBC News. “If these studies are successful and the public are accepting of this technology, we would then be looking to work with pig breeding companies to

integrate these gene edits into commercial breeding stocks.”

What else is gene-editing being used on?

The PRRS-resistant pig project is one of several research efforts across the world to create gene edited animals for livestock production. Among them is a project to make domestic pigs more resistant to African swine fever. Researchers are also trying to increase the muscle mass of sheep and cows by deleting a small section of DNA. They are trying to mimic a trait that occurs naturally in Belgian Blue cattle.

WHAT’S THE CATCH? There is a tension between the needs of the producer and of animal welfare.

In 1989, researchers working for the US Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, Maryland, added a gene into the DNA of a pig that would

Court of Justice (CCJ),” he added.

The Prime Minister explained that it would now be a matter for the organs and bodies of CARICOM, in consultation with the respective members states, to decide whether these goals may be attainable within a five-year time period. As it relates to the removal of all non-tariff barriers to trade, Holness said CARICOM has done considerable work in its efforts to implement a myriad of harmonisation protocols and policies to minimise obstacles to trade in this area.

These, he said, include the establishment of various regulatory mechanisms, namely the Caribbean Agriculture, Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) and CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). “Notwithstanding the existence of these mechanisms, as well as the various

monitoring frameworks, there are still significant challenges being experienced as manifested in on-going disputes among member states,” the Prime Minister argued. For his part, Leader of the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP), Dr Peter Phillips, welcomed the report, noting that it is an “extensive and representative national effort,” which involved widespread consultations, not only within Jamaica but across the Caribbean.

“I think it represents an important and good starting point, and what I would propose is that it become the template that we should ask the assembled Heads of Government of CARICOM to utilise, as they collectively embrace the need to move forward to implement the single market and economy, and to review other aspects of the CARICOM experience,” Phillips said. (CMC)

produce a human growth hormone. The expectation was that the animal would grow faster and be leaner than normal pigs. The researchers were successful: weight gain increased by 15%, feed efficiency by 18%, and carcass fat was reduced by 80%. But the animals suffered from several unanticipated health problems, including kidney and liver problems, uncoordinated walking, bulging eyes, gastric ulcers, heart disease and pneumonia. The catastrophic failure of the now infamous “Beltsville Pig” resulted in a voluntary moratorium on growth hormone experiments on mammals in the US. Because gene editing is more precise, those work-

ing in the area believe that it is much less likely to lead to unanticipated side effects.

Dr Tait-Burkard cited the example of double-muscled livestock, a trait which can be introduced through genetic modification or editing or through regular breeding - as in the Belgian Blue cattle. “Whilst making animals resistant to diseases by genome editing will automatically also aid productivity it presents immediate benefits to animal welfare. However, when we look at traits such as the double-muscled [attribute in] animals there are no real upsides but mostly downsides to animal welfare,” Dr Tait-Burkard explained. (BBC)

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

CARICOM and its food security agenda

WHEN food is available and people cannot have access to or purchase same, it contributes to hunger.

Food was -- and continues to be -- used as a weapon, resulting in wars, famine, divisions in society, disintegration of values and groups, and other socio-economic and political ills.

It is said that ‘he who feeds you controls you by determining your taste and influencing how you think.’

The early pioneers of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) understood this truism and sought to guard against it, given the implication of newly-independent societies trying to make their mark in a global economy, and the concern of subjecting the peoples to other forms of colonisation or dependency.

It is to Guyana’s credit that the policy of promoting and substituting local products in preference to those that originated outside of CARICOM was embraced during the administration of Forbes Burnham, one of the Founding Fathers

of CARICOM. This was a step in the direction of strengthening the nation’s independence and security, and empowering the people. This policy not only set in train employment and economic opportunities, but created potential for further technological advancement through research and development, niche markets for Caribbean foods in the global economy, and boosting the Gross Domestic Product, local and regional.

The earlier sense of camaraderie in pushing among member-states the acquisition of goods and services from within the Region was considered a necessity. For instance, Guyana took a deliberate decision to purchase soap from the Commonwealth of Dominica at a relatively higher price than what obtained in the European market. While on the surface this decision may elicit questions, it should not be overlooked that, in the first instance, the money Guyana used to purchase the product remained in the Region, consequently creating opportunities in the Common-

The PSC under Boyer has shown its colours royally Dear Editor, THE main reason that the Giftland Group keeps its distance from the Private Sector Commission (PSC) cocktail circles and other such organisations is due to the heavy politicisation of these agencies to follow narrow political objectives and not for the broader good of its members.

The PSC under Boyer has shown its colours royally, the commission standing up for Movie Towne is understandable up to the point where commissioner of the GRA spoke highlighting that fraud and breaches to the laws of Guyana had transpired. At that time it needed solid, thoughtful, independent, non-partisan and intelligent leadership; Boyer failed miserably on properly analysing the situation and making responsible decisions and actions.

Instead of attacking me and defending Movie Towne, Boyer should have hit the pause but-

ton, listen and digest what the commissioner was saying, then come out and state categorically to let the Forensic Audit and investigations proceed. Making a statement perhaps to the effect that the PSC would stand behind whatever is right and if these breaches have occurred as described by the commissioner, then these were wrong and that the Giftland Group has proper cause for concern. Boyer has failed to understand that he represents a greater cross-section of the business society who are no longer cowed and intimidated , and who will not be forced to go along narrow political ends.

The PCS election is on Thursday 21st June. I await to see if he has the backing of his membership with his reckless assault on the Giftland Group.

Regards, Roy Beepat Chairman Giftland Group

wealth of Dominica for the maintenance and improvement of the company and its product, with consequent employment and economic opportunities for persons and other companies.

Given that CARICOM and institutions of a similar nature are built on the desires and aspirations of the member-states and their peoples, it augurs well when decision-making does not lose sight of the collective.

As, over the next few days, the leaders deliberate, it is expected that uppermost in the deliberations would be the ballooning and unsustainable food bill of the Region. It is hoped that, as a matter of necessity, a programme will be conceptualised and developed to drastically reduce this bill, which presently stands at over US$4.5B. Reducing this bill can see the Region’s scarce foreign exchange being diverted to other crucial areas that beg for attention, such as education and health services.

A 2013 Food and Agriculture Organization Report warns that “A continuation

of the current CARICOM food import bill trends can only lead to further nutritional and economic impoverishment for the people of the Region for generations to come.” What is also disturbing is that some of the foods imported into the Region can be produced here. Moreover, some of these foods are processed or over processed, are low in nutritional value, and have health implications attached. Non-communicable diseases, which are on the rise in the Region, are manifested in obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure -which are based on lifestyle choices, including consumption of foods that are high in saturated fats, sugars and sodium, which are prevalent in processed foods. Longevity is also threatened with a sustained pattern of poor nutritional intake.

The Region has all the natural resources it needs to produce its own foods and supply the global market with health foods -- which are the new crave, given their value to nutrition, health and longevity. This Region -- notably Guyana,

Belize and Suriname – have more than enough land mass, potential and possibilities to carve a niche in the organic foods market. In the increasing global demand for herbal food supplements and medicines, many of the products are grown, or can be grown, here. What is required are sustained efforts and support to see them enter the market. The responsibility to eliminate hunger; provide appropriate education and health services; construct roads, highways and bridges; create and maintain equity and equal opportunity, and ensure the enabling environment for employment and economic opportunities is that of the government, not the private sector.

Where the view was once held or encouraged that governments have relinquished their roles to the private sector via neo-liberal policies, such has been the major contributor to the global recession. Governments, more notably those in developed countries, have since moved to assume their rightful roles through laws, policies, programmes, checks and balances, and oversight institutions. CARICOM governments have to prioritise addressing the Region’s food import bill if the Region is to develop and compete in the global marketplace, and if its people are to be assured of health and longevity.

Jagdeo feels very comfortable with his heinous political plot of crying rigged elections Dear Editor, AS expected, the PPP/C and its leader Bharrat Jagdeo have decided to intensify their hostile campaign of lies and misrepresentation of facts directed in part against GECOM’s Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson, and those commissioners in GECOM not under the control of the PPP/C. With no justification, they are raising the often repeated “red herring” of GECOM/PNC rigging of elections.

Mr. Jagdeo and his party are well aware that the 1992 elections, which resulted in the PPP/C’s return to power, marked the end of the PNC dominance and control of Guyana’s election process and that party’s ability to rig elections. Equally important, the changed international political situation i.e. the end of the Cold War between the

USA and the USSR that saw political leaders in countries such as Guyana who were previously aligned to one of the two superpowers, primarily on ideological, economic and political self interests, and presumably, in the belief that their country’s sovereignty was guaranteed by the country they chose to align with, conveniently and opportunistically switching their support to new political masters in pursuit of their political ambitions. The Marxist PPP party under Dr. Cheddi Jagan was able to arrive at an accommodation with the US State Department, which guaranteed that country’s non-interference in the 1992 elections, thereby paving the way for 23 years of the PPP’s vicious hegemony of the political process in Guyana.

In those 23 years of the PPP regime, rigging at election time became a more sophisticated art that was

practised by the new controllers of GECOM’s machinery. While it is true that the Elections Commission was no longer the commission of the old days, it is important to note that its senior staff for the greater part of that period, was dominated by persons of Indian-Guyanese origin, while the composition of staff members at the lower levels was and are the same.

Unlike what Robeson Benn claims, the composition was not then and is not now 90% African-Guyanese. It is also important to note that the confusion around the results of the elections from 1997 to 2011 must be blamed on those who controlled the process at GECOM for that period. Almost all of whom were PPP/C members and supporters.

The present reality, locally, regionally and internationally, militates against any attempt to rig elections. Any

government which chooses to go in that direction will invite the collective wrath of all the international agencies and governments which now express their abhorrence for rigging (except in their satellite states) and consider a change at the governmental level as a fundamental right of citizens around the world.

The APNU+AFC coalition government, even if it so desires, cannot successfully rig the upcoming Local Government Elections, more so, the 2020 General and Regional Elections. The eyes of the world are on them.

The question Guyanese need to ask is – why, in spite of these known facts, is Jagdeo and his party ramping up the cry of “rigged elections”? The answer, I believe, is three-dimensional and is rooted in what has

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

City Hall responds to Stabroek News editorial Dear Editor,

PLEASE refer to the Stabroek News editorial of June 19, 2018, “Town Clerk’s food safety licence lament.” For us at City Hall, the management or administration of the citizenry’s affairs is never a cloistered virtue; we do not disdain helpful critical comments.

The Stabroek News editorial is neither helpful nor accurate. It reminds us of a tale told by a funny person, full of sound and fury signifying nothing. The editorial is inaccurate in both the suggestions that this municipality is (i) “incapable of delivering the services that go along with its licensing of eating houses”, and (ii) the town clerk’s lobby for the municipality to retain the licensing prerogative if allowed would “interfere with the passage of the Food Safety Bill.” It is an absurdity. How could this negative notion of interference by lobbying ever

have any credibility when the very nature of the Select Committee process anticipates, facilitates and indeed encourages lobbying and representations even at that stage in the legislative process? It is not about some jaundiced notion of interference. On the contrary, it is about stakeholders (like this City Council) having both a legal and moral right to have been consulted (during the drafting stage of the Food Safety Bill) on a matter of such importance, significance and revenue ramifications. Lobbying for us, at City Hall, is about the discharge of our duty to the citizenry of Georgetown to manage the city’s affairs in their best interest and if that requires lobbying for inclusion in the Food Safety Bill, measures that would be beneficial to the citizenry of this municipality, then so be it. We are resolute as we are entirely convinced in the rightness of that cause.

For us at this Georgetown municipality, we do not con-

sider the internationalisation of food safety standards as the exclusive responsibility of the central government. Neither do we question the financial and human resources capacity of central government. But we argue the case for shared responsibility between the central government and this municipality in this matter.

Where the central government leads, we at this municipality can, and will follow, if allowed to. And so even if in the discharge of that duty “Mr. King finds himself ailing more or less alone, against what he does as a threat to his revenue base …” (an extract from the editorial) then I do so with the satisfaction that an added justification is my endeavour (even if “alone”) to secure what is, already, a grossly inadequate, and demonstrably insufficient, very narrow revenue base, for this Council. The simple truth, which must not be trivialised (editorially), is that a capital city cannot be efficiently and

effectively administered and kept green, clean and healthy without its own revenue base.

And whereas the Food Safety Authority (under the Food Safety Act) would be financed entirely out of the Consolidated Fund (as of right) as a budgetary matter; the City Council enjoys no such assurance of operating revenues. For us, it is a case of generate your operating revenues, or perish.

So, surely, there is a compelling argument for us here at the Council to be entitled to those registration and licensing revenues in respect of eating houses and street-selling in the Council Area. But what is the argument on the other side, in the editorial?

Nothing but empty usual bashing of the Council’s administration. That is not helpful. The Stabroek News editor seems conveniently indifferent to the legal hurdles (such as injunctions, the recent burial ground pig-rearing matter is a classic example,

compliance with legal rules of natural justice such as affording even a flagrant defaulter/ offender some hearing etc) which bedevils this Council in its management/administration of the Council’s affairs. Even as fairness does not permit an editor to approbate and reprobate, the editorial would rhetorically accuse use of “naked bullyism” when we seek to beautify and lend ambience and excellence to the capital city by enforcing the by-laws against street vendors; and of administration failure when we act with statutory procedural propriety in serving “violation letters” against offenders.

Editor, we do not accept, and, in fact, reject outright the nuanced notion of the Stabroek News editorial that this municipality is somehow, institutionally incapable of internationalising the food safety standards as regards street-selling on the Council’s streets (this being, inter alia, one of the objects of the Food Safety Bill). Using

Jagdeo feels very comfortable ... gone before. First, I will submit here that historically, the PPP leadership has, when in opposition, always sought to use the cry of rigging as one of its primary methods to mobilise its traditional base in the population. This approach for that party has proven to be an effective political/racial weapon in the context of Guyana’s politics.

Secondly, while some may be of the view that Jagdeo’s ranting and raving of the possibilities of the forthcoming elections being rigged is just about him rehearsing from the PPP/C playbook, this is a simplistic view of the PPP/C leader’s intentions. Jagdeo is an ex-

tremely cunning, devious and vicious political person and is not averse to adopting certain approaches to achieve his objectives. He believes that there is a growing political disconnect and apathy in the APNU+AFC constituency and is seeking to exploit what he sees as a great opportunity to create more problems in the coalition’s support base.

By raising the spectre of election-rigging by the coalition camp, he is also attempting to lure coalition supporters into a sense of complacency and the belief that the results of both the 2018 Local Government Elections and the 2020 General and Regional elections have already been

determined in the coalition’s interest and as a result, there is no need for them to organise their communities to take the ongoing registration exercise seriously, while putting themselves in a state of readiness to turn out and vote in large numbers in those elections.

Thirdly, I believe that Jagdeo’s descent into his expressions of racial bile and hate mongering is deliberately designed to force his arrest by the security forces on some kind of charge. The arrest he believes will force those in his traditional support base who continue to be skeptical of his intentions, to finally line up behind him,

thereby providing him with the solid support base he is in search of. To neutralise Jagdeo’s behaviour and the PPP/C’s propaganda, the APNU+AFC has to (a) counter with its own campaign to convince its supporters that every vote is needed to win the 2020 General and Regional Elections; (b) craft a message that election-rigging is not an alternative.

This message must be clear, concise and consistent; (c)

the subsidiary legislation– making powers, which we have under the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, it is entirely within our capacity to make such by-laws as are necessary for the internationalisation of our standards. Nor, are we somehow inherently incapable of their implementation (as the Stabroek News editorial would seem to suggest).

Finally, just as with the politically orchestrated resistance (protests, injunctions and all) to our efforts to internationalise the method of vehicular use of Council’s streets by the introduction of parking meters, we, at City Hall, are under no delusion that criticisms of our lobbying efforts is nothing but naked political machinations.

Such criticisms are useless.

Regards Royston King Town Clerk, City of Georgetown

Continued from page 6

coalition supporters must be told what are the objectives of Jagdeo’s and the PPP’s propaganda blitz; and (d) the coalition government must ensure that it does not fall prey to the trap that Jagdeo is setting for it, by arresting him. That matter will eventually resolve itself.

Jagdeo and his cohorts who dominate the PPP/ C’s leadership feel very comfortable with their heinous political plot of crying

rigged elections as a way of defeating the APNU+AFC. In their opinion, this will guarantee victory in the forthcoming elections and particularly in 2020. While seeking to demobilise the APNU+AFC base with the false cry of rigged elections, Jagdeo in so doing may also succeed in demobilising his party’s base.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

8

PPP accused of rigging Toshaos …ministers point to “glaring evidence elections of political interference” MINISTERS of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock and Valerie Garrido-Lowe are calling out the Parliamentary Opposition for allegedly blatantly disregarding the Amerindian Act 2006 and interfering with the results of the just concluded National Village Council Elections.

According to a release the ministers in a joint interview on Wednesday cited the Moruca Sun-district, Region 1, Mainstay/Whayaka Region 2 and Moraikobai in Region 5 as areas opposition elements were campaigning during the said elections.

Minister Allicock said in Moraikobai for example “the Toshao told us that the Regional Chairman went to help, but neither he nor his councils had any knowledge he was in the area and being the chairman he should have announced he was going to be there, but that’s the disrespect that the opposition has for the communities.

According to information, they campaigned and they took persons there who they wanted to get on the list to vote but they had no ID and they were told they have to have an ID to vote and they were upset about it,” Alli-

Ministers of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock and Valerie Garrido-Lowe during the interview

cock related.

The minister noted that “as a result the REO held back the results but subsequently had the swearing in but we had to write, because that is according to the law, and we stuck to the law.” The opposition was fighting to have one of its members, a former Toshao elected which will further influence the agenda of the National Toshao’s Council and upcoming conference scheduled for late July.

Speaking on the Mainstay elections Minister Garrido-Lowe refuted claims that Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Furger-

son campaigned while on a visit there. Minister Garrido-Lowe said while government did not in any way influence village elections “we had the opposition interfering in every way, they campaigned all over and they are not supposed to do that and they were in every region. Right here in Pakuri barefacedly, ensuring that their people were chosen and many of them were not chosen. Toshao’s whether they are PPP or not, decided that they want to go pro-development rather than party politics and they are working with us,” Garrido-Lowe said.

She said what was also

GWI to ramp up... through a local representative, we’re going to be doing a pilot project of putting a water purifier on a truck to take water from the river, purify it and distribute,” he said.

In addition, GWI’s C2 filters have also already been installed at hospitals in Mabaruma, Baracara, Kako and Kamarang, with one to be established at Smith’s Creek. “We have a number of communities in the hinterland that require attention.

We’ve submitted about 30 communities; we haven’t gotten the funds as yet, but we’re looking at different initiatives to raise the funds to address those needs,” he said.

customers at Sheet Anchor to address leaks. Dr.Van-West Charles also spoke about recent works to tighten the network at Sheet Anchor by reducing the operation of one pump station, which will see the company saving some $US 60,000 per annum in electricity costs. “We’re also, internally, seeking to improve our managerial processes. We want to ensure that we improve the timeliness of delivery of our bills, the accuracy of the reading of our meters to our customers.

We want to get to the stage where we have less complaints and a better quality of service,” the GWI MD said.

MAINTENANCE Also, the company will soon acquire a crane to assist with timely maintenance, as well as a special type of vehicle to ensure well maintenance occurs much faster and more efficiently.

Meanwhile, GWI said it is working on addressing waste-water systems in Kwakwani and Three Friends and is now engaging with

BUXTON DEBTS In the community of Buxton, where residents owed the GWI some $116M in tariffs, the GWI MD said that over 50 percent of persons from the community have come forward to have their services regularised. “We’ve had some reasonable responses.

Those who have got to go to the court have been handed over to Mr. Nigel Niles, our

From page 2

corporate secretary and his team, while others have been disconnected.” However, he added that the community has not been singled out, stating: “This not for Buxton alone, this is across the country. If you haven’t paid us for the last 100 days, we’re removing the service.”

The GWI thanks its customers for the recent increase in general understanding for the need of timely payments and assures that there will be high levels of transparency when utilising funds from the increase in rates. “I would want to say to customers that they will know where this money is going to be applied to. Because we’ve zoned the country and we will say to you, ‘In Region Six, Zone 1, the fixed charge will be applied to a, b, c and d’. And every customer will then know,” he explained.

To reduce the burden on consumers, the PUC has approved that these increases will be implemented in two phases beginning on1st October, 2018 and again on 1st October 2019.

brought to the forefront was the opposition telling residents not to cooperate with, nor support the Government, …but the indigenous people are thinking for themselves and they know what is required in order to foster development.”

Both ministers agreed that the Government will continue to promote unity nationwide despite opposition elements attempting to bring discord among the nation’s first people.

Meanwhile, ninety nine percent of indigenous villages across the hinterland have completed the National Village Council Elections as mandated by the Amerindian Act of 2006. Some one hundred and fifteen villages (115) and forty six satellites went to the polls from May 15 to June 15. One village located in the Mabaruma sub-district is expected to go to the polls on June 21.

Thirty four Toshaos were re-elected, with one hundred and two being males, fourteen women were elected to lead their respective villages, while nine female councilors have joined the ranks. Two villages that were recognised for their traditional practices of choosing their leaders were Masakenari Village in Region Nine and Cashew Island Village in Region Six. The residents of the two villages confirmed that their current leaders are recognised as their true representatives and would not vote for another person until a successor is acknowledged by the community. All elected Toshao and senior councilors are scheduled to gather for the 2018 National Toshao’s Council Conference from July 16-20 at the Arthur Chung International Conference Center, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

28 cadet officers promoted to ensigns TWENTY-EIGHT cadet officers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) and the Belize Defence Force were on Tuesday promoted to the rank of ensigns at Base Camp Stephenson Drill Square, Timehri.

Addressing those gathered for the passing-out parade, Chief-of-Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West, said the newly promoted ensigns have the capability to propel Guyana’s development. Brigadier West said the officers, who completed the first year of the Standard Officers’ Course number 50, were exposed to training to support national development in Guyana’s changing contemporary environment.

“All of these skills which we have built into you will make you a force to be reckoned with individually and collectively. A force that will be versatile, adaptable,

competent and able to be deployed in any area of this force or in Guyana” the brigadier underscored.

He added that the course was re-organised to push officers to greater heights.

The first year of the course comprised 70 percent military training and 30 percent academic. The second year will consist of 70 percent academic training and 30 percent military. The academic training is that of a Degree in General Studies through the University of Guyana.

The brigadier said the aim of the course is to produce officers who can serve as ambassadors of the force beyond the borders of Guyana. The Standard Officers’ Course began with 50 cadet officers and saw 28 completing the course.

Among the 28, four ranks are from the Belize Defence Force and two ranks from the Guyana Prison Service.

(DPI)

Extradition battle over ex-GRDB accountant continues THE battle for the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to have former accountant of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Peter Ramcharran be brought before the court in Guyana and answer to a $400M fraud charge, continues.

Ramcharran was responsible for ‘signing off’ on a number of questionable transactions that were traced to the six officials who were recently charged and others caught up in the GRDB probe.

The matter was recalled before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, when it was disclosed by SOCU special prosecutor Patrice Henry that Ramcharran was not yet arrested in Canada and brought back to Guyana.

However in Canada, Ramcharran is challenging the extradition in courts, the prosecutor noted.

In June 2017, five charges of falsification of accounts were filed and sworn to in court by an investigating rank. However, Ramcharran was not present in court, since he reportedly fled the jurisdiction to Canada during SOCU’s investigation.

The allegation was made against Ramcharran during SOCU’s investigation in

which six former GRDB officials were charged and released on $500,000 bail each for failing to make a proper entry into a register of a company.

The six officials charged are former GRDB head, Madulall Ricky Ramraj; former General Manager Jagnarine Singh; former GRDB board members Dharamkumar Seeraj; Badrie Persaud; PPP Parliamentarian Nigel Dharamlall and former Deputy Permanent Secretary (Finance) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Prema Roopnarine. They are currently on trial before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly for this matter.

During SOCU’s investigation, Ramcharran is accused of falsifying accounts at the GRBD of over $400M between the years of 2011 to 2015 while being the accountant at the company.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

Local content policy sound …but expert warns against hurdles to local equity ownership of joint ventures EVEN though the second draft of Guyana’s local content policy framework has received good reviews from local content expert Dr Michael Warner, he has warned that some aspects of the said policy must be examined carefully as they could result in several risks being taken.

He was at the time addressing private sector representatives at a lunch meeting held at the Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday. Dr Warner, who has about 20 years’ experience in the area of local content, explained that it is his personal view that the policy for the most part is sound.

He spoke to the existing limitations of the local economy and the uncertainty of the industry, upgrading Guyanese firms, individuals and institutions to meet industry standards, increasing and sustaining the value retained in the local economy from employment and provision of goods and services, and partnering mechanisms for technology transfer.

However, Dr Warner expressed concern about the mandated minimum requirements for local equity ownership of joint ventures; supplier certification. He noted that there would be project risks if international and local joint ventures are hurdles to market access. “Be careful not to set hurdles…think about it carefully,” said the expert, who called for more attention to be paid to this particular aspect with respect

Members of the private sector present at Wednesday’s local content discourse held at the Pegasus Hotel (Adrian Narine photo)

to the potential risks.

“It is a small economy; it is going to be a lot of work, a huge amount [of] opportunities for local firms,” the expert said, noting that the problem would not be under-demand but over-demand. As such, he stressed that suppliers would have to raise their game and meet the international standards needed.

Another area he believes needs to receive greater attention is the management rather than avoidance of project risks of new local suppliers.

“Some risks are going to be taken to ensure that local or Guyanese suppliers get maximum opportunities in the market. He said identifying scale of risks is critical, while noting that same can be mitigated through, inter alia, supplier upgrading, TVET programmes, on-the-job training, international and local partnerships, evidence-based bundling, or unbundling and major contract LCPs. That aside, Dr Warner posited

that the policy-implementation strategy is rooted in a pragmatic and collaborative approach, as he pointed to reporting mechanisms which seek to assure objectives and goals of the policy are achieved. “The policy is absolutely heading in the right direction, but the question now is how to implement the policy framework.”

He referenced quotes taken from pages 23 and 24 of the policy, which speak to limitations and uncertainty as to the future potential level of activities and the demand for goods and services that will be required, as well as investments to facilitate and support capacity-building for Guyanese to participate in the budding oil and gas sector, it was noted that there is need for a well-considered, strategic and flexible plan, which can adapt to changing circumstances around the state of the petroleum resource base, activity levels and the capacity of the local supply chain.

The expert then pointed to the five principles for implementing the policy framework: well-considered, strategic, flexible, pragmatic and staged. “The implementation of the policy does not need an external adviser to come along and say how to implement…they are written in the policy,” said Dr Warner.

In considering the five principles, the local content expert said, the policy’s use of the term, “well-considered” means everything will be based on evidence and a collaborative approach. As it relates to a strategy, he said the framework speaks to a balance between achieving local content policy, national economic or fiscal policy[ revenues and the avoidance of the Dutch Disease], competitive investment climate, a stable and enabling petroleum sector.

There must be flexibility to activity levels and opportunities for the local supplier and labour markets as well as changing circumstances.

“Flexible…is a key lesson for any frontier country… things are moving very fast here. Whatever the design of the policy, it needs to be flexible,” said the local content specialist.

“This is a changing sector, a changing economic environment here. The sector will affect the rest of the economy here and so there needs to be flexibility in the implementation of the policy,” he told the gathering of private sector officials.

In implementing measures in a pragmatic and staged manner, the Government of Guyana will be making risk-based decisions. Dr Warner noted placing safety first and the issuance of timely visas as well as setting realistic targets. Additionally, there ought to be a staggered implementation of policy instruments, supply and demand forecasts, supplier development, TVET, reporting systems, local content plans, procurement processes, targets and mid or downstream

Dr Michael Warner, Local Content Specialist (Adrian Narine)

investments.

Turning his attention to what he calls “instruments for implementation” of the policy framework, Dr Warner said demand and supply forecasts, local content plans and measurement, procurement, workforce and training must all be thoroughly be examined.

Dr Warner is the Director and Founder of Local Content Solutions Ltd; former Local Content and Supply Chain Sustainability Manager for BG Group; former Coordinator for World Bank Business Partners for Development Programmes, Extractive Industries; and former Research Fellow with Economic Group, Overseas Development Institute.

His presentation Wednesday was facilitated

by DAI, the development company which manages ExxonMobil’s Centre for Local Business Development.

Two new health centres opened in Region Five RESIDENTS of High Dam and Cotton Tree villages both in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) were on Wednesday given full access to improved healthcare services with the opening of two newly-built “smart” health centers in the heart of their communities.

The two health centres which were built at a cost of over $50M by the Administration of Region 5 were declared open by Minister of Public Health Ms. Volda Lawrence at two separate ceremonies. They both replaced buildings which had become aged and badly in need of repairs. The new centres contain facilities such as a ramp for access by disabled

The new health centre at Carlton Hall

persons, washroom facilities for handicapped persons, lots of natural ventilation, adequate fire protection, as well as green economy concepts such as installation of LED light bulbs in the buildings instead of the traditional fluorescent lamps.

The gathering at the

opening of the Cotton Tree Health Center included residents, staff of the health care services in Region 5, PPP/C, PNC/R and AFC Councilors of the Regional Democratic Council of Region 5. In declaring the facilities open Minister Lawrence stressed that access to

healthcare is important for overall physical, social and mental health, prevention of disease, detection and treatment of illnesses, quality of life, preventable death and increased life expectancy.

She said the centres have been constructed in keeping with the vision of the Government to ensure easy and convenient access to health services by residents particularly those in rural areas, within walking distance of their homes.

Minister Lawrence stressed that the spanking new facilities represented a qualitative evolution in the services provided.

“We didn’t just do these two the regular old way.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence declaring open the Cotton Tree Health Centre

These are smart health centers and they are designed to provide a better quality of service to persons seeking medical care, than those previ-

ously built,” she said. She added that the Government was committed to continuous improvement of the quality of health care services countrywide.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

Ex-GDF officer Oliver Hinckson dies FORMER Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant Oliver Hinckson was still thinking of resuming efforts to have restored to him the US $10,000 prize money and a prestigious award from the Cuban literary house, Casa de las Americas.

But the former soldier died on Wednesday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 74-years-old.

In his early 30s, Hinckson had won the first prize for literature in the organisa-

tion’s international literary competition from a field of 760 entries from 23 countries in 1978 with an unpublished book, Enemy Within.

Shortly after the results of the competition were announced, the prize was withdrawn from Hinckson who was then on the run from the Guyana police. The Cubans said he had breached the rules of the competition by using a nom-de-plume and by not disclosing that he was in trouble with the law.

Hinckson acknowledged

that he wrote under a pen name – that of his son Kacey Hinckson. But he claimed that the Cubans knew that he had used his son’s name on the manuscript and that they had told his relatives that they were not concerned with the troubles he had been having with the police.

Hinckson could not pursue the matter for some time, because just around then he decided to give himself up after over two years on the run and accompanied by his lawyer, he reported to the

police in September 1978 to begin serving a sentence imposed two years before.

He wrote Casa de Las Americas through the Cuban Embassy, asking that the prize be reinstated.

Hinckson quit the GDF, having been a paratrooper and intelligence officer who was trained in Britain at the prestigious Mons Officer Cadet School.

His troubles with the local police began in 1973 when, according to him, he was charged with being in

Oliver Hinckson

possession of a house-breaking implement – a hammer.

After a court battle, he was sentenced in 1976 to two years and nine months imprisonment, but made a daring escape from custody.

It was during that period when he was in hiding, mostly in Guyana, that he wrote Enemy Within. It took him two months. He was faced with a series of other police

charges, pleaded guilty, and had sentences of nine months imposed on him, to run concurrently with the one he had been serving.

Hinckson was at one time charged with advocating a terrorist act, possession of arms and ammunition, and sedition. After being remanded to prison for one year, he was freed in 2009.

Man accused of wounding girlfriend on $50,000 bail APPEARING in court before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday was 32-yearold gym instructor Darious Ramsammy, charged for wounding his girlfriend during an argument.

Ramsammy was released on $50,000 bail after denying that on June 16 at Castello Housing Scheme, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Danita Bobb.

His attorney, Everton Lammy-Singh, during an application for bail told the court that his client acted in self-defence and it was Bobb who attacked him.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne made no objection. The court was told that on the day in question, there was an argument between the couple when

Darious Ramsammy

Ramsammy became annoyed, armed himself with a knife and stabbed Bobb to the chest.

Magistrate Azore adjourned the matter until July 18.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

Hike in water rates approved

THE Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved increase in rates and tariffs by the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) but has given the company several deadlines to improve its water services to international standards.

In an order released on June 7, 2018, the PUC approved the rates increase be implemented in two phases beginning on October 1, 2018 and again on October 1, 2019 to alleviate the financial burden on consumers.

These changes come after GWI indicated that its revenue streams are insufficient to meet its operating costs and the utility was still operating under the 2005 tariff regime.

The PUC arrived at its decision following a series of hearings between GWI, the Consumers Association and members of the public in the months of February and April.

Beginning October 1, 2018 metered residential consumers will pay a monthly fixed charge of $250 and a monthly consumption charge of $86 per m3 for those in the $60.90 category while all

others will pay $112 per m3.

From October 1, 2019, all metered residential consumers will pay a monthly fixed charge of $500 and a monthly consumption charge of$112 per m3.

For unmetered residential consumers, there will be a monthly fixed charge of $250 in 2018 to be increased to $500 in 2019 while the monthly consumption charge for 2018 stands at $1,100 which will be increased to $1,450 in 2019.

Metered non-residential consumers in 2018 will pay a monthly fixed charge and a monthly consumption charge of $250 and $125 per m3 respectively and $500 and $150 per m3 respectively for 2019.

Unmetered non-residential small commercial and small industrial consumers will be billed monthly fixed and monthly consumption charges of $250 and $2,200 respectively in 2018 and $500 and $3,000 respectively in 2019.

Meanwhile, unmetered non-residential medium commercial and medium industrial consumers will pay $250 and $5,700 for monthly fixed and monthly consumption

charges in 2018 and $500 and $8,000 for the same in 2019.

Unmetered Non-Residential large commercial and large industrial consumers will both pay a $250 monthly fixed charge in 2018 and $500 increase in 2019.

However, unmetered non-residential large commercial and large industrial consumers will respectively pay $13,000 in 2018 and $15,000 in 2019; and $21,000 in 2018 and $24,000 in 2019.

Metered and unmetered pensioner consumers will pay no monthly fixed charge but metered pensioners will pay $74 per m3 for the first 10 m3; $86 for each m3 from 2018 and $112 for each m3 from 2019.

Meanwhile, unmetered pensioners will pay $740 per month. The body did not approve the different tariff bands proposed by GWI for sewerage and, as such, the monthly charges for residential, pensioners and non-residential consumers stand at $417, $417 and $2,860 respectively.

ANCILLARY CHARGES There were also tariff increases made to category

of ancillary charges which include reconnection fees, tamper fees, charges for damaged meters and more.

In the order, the PUC stated: “The commission directs that there should be strict compliance with the rates attached to each category.”

However, in return for the increase of rates, the PUC said that the GWI will be required to meet a series of targets and must report its performance to the commission bi-annually beginning January 1, 2019.

The order took note of where in 2004 GWI failed to meet commitments to improve service standards and to have its tariffs be sufficient to cover operation and maintenance costs as Schedule 1 of its license prescribes.

It highlighted, too, that despite tariff increases in 2005 and government subventions from 2005 to present; the company has been unable to cover its operations, maintenance and depreciation charges.

As such, new requirements set by the PUC state that non-revenue water should be reduced in 2018,

2019, 2020 and 2021onwards respectively by 1.5 per cent, 2.5 per cent, 3 per cent and 4 per cent until accounting for less than 15 per cent of total production.

METERED CONSUMERS The water company must also meter un-metered consumers in the order of 5,000 consumers in 2018 between October 1 and December 31 and 12,000 consumers in 2019 between January 1 and December 31.

From 2020 and onwards, GWI will be required to meter 20,000 un-metered consumers each year, thereafter until 100 per cent of all services are metered.

“A positive consequence that should emerge from the granting of GWI’s request for increased rates is heightened activities in metering and non-revenue water programmes which will generate additional cash flows and/or reduce the operating cost to the company.

“It is hoped that this cycle would be progressive to the point where the consumer would receive water in compliance with WHO [World Health Organisation]

standards while placing the company on a stable financial base,” the order said.

Added to this, the PUC stipulated that the consumer database should be continuously sanitised to reflect legitimate debtors no later than June 30, 2019 and that collection rates on annual billings be increased yearly to 96 per cent by December 2020.

Also, all disconnected consumers which have not been legitimately reconnected should be revisited within 60 days of being disconnected to rule out illegal reconnections and the collection outstanding balances should be rigorously pursued.

The PUC said that as a part of its functions and duties, it must ensure that the standards and quality of service of any public utility is met while balancing both the interest of investors and consumers.

The body adds that even with the rates increase, this will not “return the company to profitability” and to achieve its current 2017-2021 Strategic Plan, government subventions may still be needed.

Guyana seeks support to combat filariasis Phone card vendor

shot dead in yard

…Min Cummings tells forum in India GUYANA is seeking greater collaboration with its global partners in vector bionomics research, vector control strategies and acceptability of the mass drug administration (MDA) exercise, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr Karen Cummings told the just-concluded 10th meeting of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF) in New Delhi, India.

“It is important to note that the Government of Guyana sees the elimination of lymphatic Filariasis as a national, regional and global priority and pledges its continued support to the successful implementation of this exercise,” Dr Cummings told the forum.

She emphasised that “Guyana is interested in continuing to work with partners at the regional and international levels to gain further support, as it strives

to achieve elimination of lymphatic filariasis. Areas for collaboration include research on vector bionomics, vector control strategies, as well as acceptability of the mass drug administration exercise,” Minister Cummings further stated.

The three-day meeting was held under the theme, “Celebrating progress towards elimination: Voices from the field on overcoming programme challenges” and Director of Vector Control Services, Dr Horace Cox and National Supervisor for the Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Campaign in Guyana, Dr. Allena Hercules, also represented Guyana.

Cummings was amongst several high-level officials who spoke during the opening ceremony and she highlighted Guyana’s progress in the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis and the country’s commitment to helping eliminate the disease as a global

India’s Health Minister JP Nadda with Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings

health problem by 2020.

Dr. Cox in his presentation, outlined the challenges and the respective solutions that Guyana undertook to achieve its first successful Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in 2017.

Some of the solutions, Cox said, included use of the Tool for Integrated Planning and Costing (TIPAC); introduction of micro-planning at the level of health centres; and implementation of new service-delivery strategies.

Participants at the 10th GAELF were also involved in various working group

sessions which covered, inter alia, aspects of LF elimination such as, best practices in MDA; Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E); Morbidity Management; and Disability Prevention.

Future focus on LF elimination in Guyana will target ending the spread of infection through largescale annual treatment of vulnerable groups in the 10 administrative regions and alleviating the suffering caused by lymphatic Filariasis by providing patients with the recommended basic package of care.

POLICE are investigating the circumstances under which a 37-year-old phone card vendor was shot dead on Tuesday night by a lone gunman who also robbed him.

Dead is Ron Mansfield of Westminster, West Bank Demerara (WBD). Police said that the shooting occurred shortly before 21:00 hrs. Reports indicate that Mansfield left home with his motorcycle to sell phone cards in the area and upon returning home he was shot by the gunman before he entered his home.

According to his wife, she was in the kitchen area of their home when she heard the sound of his motorcycle. Shortly after she heard a loud explosion and upon venturing outside to enquire she saw a man running into a bushy playfield nearby.

She then looked around for her husband and saw his motorcycle parked in the yard and noticed his motionless body almost 30 feet from the motorcycle on

Dead: Ron Mansfield

the parapet of a neighbour’s yard. The woman related that neighbours assisted her in placing him in a car and rushed him to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His wife said it appeared to be a robbery since the gunman grabbed the haversack in which her husband was carrying the phone cards and cash.

12

Bartica students reaping benefits of SBB start-up GRADE 10 students of Bartica Secondary School (BSS) are reaping the harvest from their small businesses started with the help of the Small Business Bureau (SBB) of Guyana.

SBB launched an entrepreneur programme for Grade 10 students of BSS last November. The programme was established to encourage students from an early age to be entrepreneurs so as to break cycles of poverty. Ten students were selected from the areas of Building Technology, Agricultural Science, Commercial Food Preparation and Principles of Business. These 10 students were given a sum of $30,000 to start a business of their choice. They were tasked with producing reports as well so teachers can keep track of their progress.

Of the 10 students, quite a few were outstanding in their businesses; Akila Hopkinson, Olivia Bobb, Shyla Khan, Barbara Cambridge, and Kevin Johnny. This information was provided to this newspaper

by Head of the Agriculture Department at the said school, Sandra Gibson. Gibson said

the students were enthusiastic about the programme and they came up with impressive ideas for their businesses and they have been managing them well.

One of the most impressive results thus far was that of Akila Hopkinson, who invested just $5,000 GYD into planting lettuce and gained a sum of $33,000 GYD profit.

Ms. Hopkinson expressed to this newspaper how beneficial this programme has been for her and her family. “The money gained from this programme will come in so handy to pay for my CXC subjects and relieve my parents of that

financial responsibility,” Hopkinson said.

Another outstanding one was Olivia Bobb who invested in broiler production. In total she gained $54,000 GYD profit which she used to purchase text books for school and a cellular phone to do research online.

The remaining money she reinvested in her business.

Mrs. Gibson also commended Shyla Khan who earned a profit of $41,420 GYD in her frosty business and Kevin Johnny who gained so much he was able to build his own bond to sell fuel. “It was a really great initiative that SBB came up with to give them the opportunity to earn money and groom them into becoming responsible adults. I’m very much impressed with what the

students have produced thus far and it is really helping them financially to purchase stuff for school, printing SBA’s etc,” expressed Ms. Sandra.

The students have committed themselves to keep their business ongoing so that when they finish school they will have a financial start in life.

The Small Business Bureau (SBB), was established under the Guyana’s Small Business Act (2004) to enable sustained growth and uniformed diversification within local sectors, with a view of creating positive measureable impacts through expert guidance, effectively channeled resources, comprehensive networking and provision of a supporting environment for maximised performance.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

PI for ex-GDF captain set for June 27

Former Guyana Defence Force captain, Orwain Sandy

Olivia Bobb receiving award from Head of Akila Hopkinson receiving award from Agricultural Science Department, Sandra Head of Agricultural Science department, Gibson Sandra Gibson

GEA inspector dies in road accident AN early-morning accident at Zorg Village in Region Two, Essequibo Coast, has claimed the life of 23-year-old, Shankar Ram, an inspector attached to the Guyana Energy Agency. Ram was being accompanied by another staff member who sustained injuries.

Ram is a resident of Mon Repos Housing Scheme, The ill-fated GEA vehicle that crashed into the utility pole

The broken lantern post at Zorg Village in Region Two

East Coast Demerara. Injured in the accident was Donitta Ramlackhan, also an inspector of GEA. She is being treated at the Suddie Public Hospital.

In a statement, police said Ram who was driving a vehicle registered to the GEA crashed into a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) pole on the Zorg Public Road, Essequibo Coast, about 00:15hrs.

An investigation revealed that the motor van PJJ

1069, which is owned by the Guyana Energy Agency was proceeding north along the western side of the road when it collided with the lamp pole and turned turtle.

During the process, the driver was reportedly flung from the vehicle and was discovered on the parapet by police ranks on patrol. They were both rushed to the Suddie Hospital in an unconscious state; Ram was pronounced dead on arrival and Ramlackhan was admitted.

“We heard a loud impact and by the time we ran out we saw the lantern post broken and the vehicle upturned. It appeared as though the vehicle’s tyre blew out and the driver lost control, we immediately tried to as-

The deceased Shankar Ram

sist,” eyewitness Garbarran related to this newspaper.

When this newspaper visited the scene of the accident on Wednesday morning, officers attached to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) were fixing the electrical wires that were disrupted. The accident plunged the entire community of Zorg into darkness; however, GPL up to late Wednesday afternoon was working to restore electricity in the area. Only last week a bus conductor, Hardat Sahadeo, lost his life on the Spring Garden Public Road. He was struck down by a forestry officer who has been granted bail.

COME June 27, the preliminary inquiry against former Guyana Defence Force captain, Orwain Sandy, who is charged with murder of his reputed wife, is expected to commence before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Magistrate Latchman made this decision when the matter was called before her for additional statements.

However, police prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves did not have the documents.

Although the magistrate had given the prosecution a week’s adjournment to file the three additional statements, they failed to have it in court when the matter was recalled.

“Unfortunately the three outstanding statements are not yet available from the prosecution,” Magistrate Latchman told Sandy in court.

“We have to make a start,” the magistrate said, as he ordered the prosecutor to have his witnesses ready for the commencement of the PI on the next occasion, with or without the three additional statements.

Also on the last court date, defence attorney James Bond had told the court that they managed to send the psychiatrist’s report by Dr. Bhrio Harry to their own independent psychiatric specialist for evaluation overseas, but due to flight arrangements, the psychiatrist could not make it to court.

However on May 2, Dr. Harry had deemed Sandy mentally fit to stand trial in court for the offence.

The attorney requested that statements be filed for the matter to proceed in court, since he will be sav-

ing their own psychiatrist to testify as a witness during Sandy’s defence.

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

According to reports, Sandy, after committing the act, surrendered to police at the Ruimveldt Police Station on Saturday, March 31. A post-mortem report revealed that Payne died from 14 gunshot wounds to her body– 13 to her chest and one to the head.

The police have confirmed that Sandy used his service firearm during the shooting. Police sources also related that the soldier had on one occasion lodged his firearm at the police station during a domestic dispute.

One source said the soldier had suspected that Reona Payne was being unfaithful and was conversing with someone from overseas. It was reported that Sandy had planned to drop Payne off at her place of work when she received a phone call from the same person from overseas.

When the soldier questioned her and asked her to desist from railroading their relationship, an argument ensued and in the vicinity of the masjid in First Street, Alexander Village, Reona grabbed the soldier’s firearm and threw it out of the car.

According to the source, Sandy stopped the vehicle to retrieve the weapon and Payne exited too, and after picking up the gun he fired in her direction, emptying the entire magazine.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

Linden set to sell beauty of ‘fave’ hotspot

C

--during annual Linden Riverfront Festival

OME June 29 to July 2, the place to be is on the Linden water- front where the annual Linden Riverfront Festival promises to be even better than it ever was.

With its objective being to highlight the richness and diversity of the Linden waterfront, which straddles both the eastern and western shores of the former bauxite-mining community, the event’s promoters have in store a wide array of family-oriented activities, ranging from sports to entertainment and the religious.

Best of all, these activities will be held at venues all along the scenic Linden riverfront.

According to founding and executive member of the Linden Riverfront Festival, Samuel Wright, he is optimistic that this year’s event will be spot-on, as opposed to the last three years where the organisers were still grappling with some loopholes in the organising of the event.

For instance, whereas last year the annual Linden Riverfront Development Forum saw the spotlight being placed on the development of all riverfronts across Guyana, this year’s focus will be slightly different, in that it will dwell specifically on all those who in some way benefit from the Linden riverfront. The objective here, Wright said, is to brainstorm ideas so as to create a collaborative strategy for the development of the riverfront.

With things set to get off to a grand start next Friday, Wright says the opening ceremony will follow the forum in the evening.

As for the boxing competition, which is also billed for Friday, event coordinator, Orlon ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers said that this year will see participation from more gyms across the country, and as usual, competition will be even fiercer.

And among gyms slated to be in the lineup are the Guyana Prison Service’s Forgotten Youth Foundation and Pocket Rocket, with the face-off slated to take place at the Wismar Market tarmac.

Said ‘Pocket Rocket’: “We are looking for the region to come out and support us.”

And while a boat parade and Burnham Drive lime are also slated for Friday, the following day has been earmarked for the holding of a riverfront health walk, river swim, market day and plant sale, street football and ‘river-wall’ jam amongst other activities.

A church service will commence Sunday’s activities, followed by river tours, an exhibition of historical riverfront photographs and a jazz show and party.

Bringing the curtains down on CARICOM Day, Monday July 2 will be the signature regatta and family fun day.

by now.

Said he: “The riverfront never really got the whole-hearted support from the key players, but we kept doing it anyway.”

Given the length of the riverfront, he feels there is need for a massive and thorough strategised plan.

“We can do all kinds of things on the riverfront: Restaurants, fishing piers...

“There are so many stakeholders on the riverfront, no one group should be deciding what happens on

Scenes from the 2017 festival

MUCH TO OFFER

Environmentalist and riverfront development and tourism enthusiast Samuel Wright believes that the riverfront is very important to Linden, since it’s home to such major stakeholders as churches, schools, the RDC, the LMTC, the market, boat services, clubs and restaurants.

“If you want to get a sense of what Linden’s riverfront is about,

GOOD FOR TOURISM

there are all the important things of Linden there, so it should be developed,” Wright said.

“So the festival is an attempt to bring people’s attention to the riverfront; its purpose is to showcase and develop the river front,” he added.

The development of the Linden riverfront commenced years ago with the initiating of the Riverfront Development Project. This saw the construction of the Egbert Benjamin Centre as well as a boardwalk along the riverfront.

Wright believes that if the project had more support from the leaders, it would have come a long way

it,” Wright said, adding: “Let’s sit and decide how we will develop it; we are looking to form a riverfront alliance.”

Wright said for him, the development the riverfront development is not just about recreation, but tourism, economics and even religion.

Back in April, President David Granger during a visit to Linden, told Lindeners that he desires to see the riverfront developed.

He said, “I would like to see all of these waterfronts developed, so that young people could go strolling at night safely; with solar lights, good food, music...

“I would like to see this western shore like a boulevard; every town in Guyana must have a boulevard, full of beautiful trees so that young people can enjoy the environment.”

Noting that developing the Linden waterfront is good for tourism, the president went on to say: “Visitors will always remember the black water of the Demerara River.”

Taking up this call was Minister of Natural Resources Simona Broomes, who is rooting for the riverfront to be developed and has even shared a blueprint of what she has in mind with regional officials.

According to Minister Broomes, by developing the Linden waterfront, not only will the municipality be able to rake in revenue from booth holders, but the main beneficiaries will be the citizens at the grassroot level seeking empowerment.

“It is a whole vision in terms of opportunities; it is a lot,” she said. “It must be a clear vision, not just building someplace and putting some people in it; it’s about bigger growth and development for Linden… It’s creating opportunity for businesses in Linden.”

Warming to the topic, Minister Broomes said that persons will be able to sell their locally-made art and craft; small-scale cooks can be able to establish their businesses; smoothie, icecream and confectionery vendors can set up shop; and young fashion designers can have an outdoor showroom.

On the Wismar shore, where the business atmosphere is somewhat bleak, Minister Broomes said that developing the riverfront on that side of the river can revitalise the Wismar business community, including the Wismar Municipal Market.

“I see it as really opening up a lot of opportunities,” she said. “There is a market there; for business in the market, it will bring back that life, because the traffic in the area will develop.

Such development, the minister stressed, is giving power to the local people, and therefore consultation will be held with the residents of Linden in relation to their choice of design, name and other logistics.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

From ‘Dollar Wings’ to fine dining

--a dream come true for mama’s little helper NOTICEABLE development continues to occur in the town of Linden, especially in the hospitality industry with the establishment of two restaurants in one year.

indusry. The restaurant and movie theatre are located at the Toucan’s Mall in Amelia’s Ward, Linden and is nothing short of magnificent; a real upgrade to what was available in the town.

a dream he had since he was a little child.

“It was always my desire to do business on a large scale,” he said. “It was always my desire to become a businessman with at least 20

The ornate interior of Kingdom Style Restaurant

This is indeed a plus for Linden. It’s like a way is being paved for better things; preparation for people traffic when the Linden to Lethem road commences, or maybe the time has come for Linden to enjoy the niceties of dining so they don’t have to travel to the capital city to do so.

Kingdom Style Entertainment is a first-class restaurant and movie theatre that opened its doors on Sunday to the public.

Its grand launching saw in attendance various stakeholders who were indeed honoured to see Linden moving places in the hospitality

Lindeners can now dress up in their Sunday best and dine in grandeur with their knives and forks in an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere.

Owner of the restaurant, Kellon Nedd promises a quality second to none in both service and food. His two chefs, who both have international experience, as well as the waitresses and other staff members are ready to serve with dignity and panache.

Nedd said that the story behind the establishment of the restaurant is one written in faith, prayers, tears and sweat, and the realisation of

employees.

“I grew up with my mom, who was a caterer for years; I am the eldest child for her.

She used to sell at some schools, and I am always in the kitchen with her. Since then, I have always had this passion for cooking.”

LEAP OF FAITH Knowing the economic dynamics of Linden, Nedd took a leap of faith and started a roadside chicken business called ‘Dollar Wings’ in Mackenzie, which soon became all the rage in the town.

Lindeners were allowed to purchase a piece of chicken

wing for $100, a serving of fries for $200, and two pieces of original chicken nuggets for $200. “I always believe in selling quality stuff at an affordable price, especially when it comes to food,” Nedd

partner.

Most of these women cannot even afford the cost of transportation to Georgetown to benefit from such facilities available there. Therefore, they choose the lesser of the many evils, which is to stay under an abusive shelter or face the cold streets, which does not offer any form of protection either.

This situation was of grave concern to newly appointed Mayor of Linden,

Waneka Arindell who has made it her duty to bring about some semblance of change in this regard since taking office.

With her first overseas trip focussing on this venture, there is now a proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, as come 2019, the construction of a safe-house and empowerment centre will commence and be fully financed by the United States Armed Forces under a project called New

ery bar will have available such delights as ice cream, popcorn, soda and candies.

Nedd is optimistic that the restaurant will prosper, since it’s the materialisation of a vision from God.

Kellon Nedd and his wife, Sharalyn

said, adding: “You buy whatever you want to buy; we don’t programme you; we don’t tell you how much to buy from $100 up.”

Seeing that Lindeners bought into the cheap fastfood concept, Nedd soon opened a second branch in Amelia’s Ward at Toucan’s Mall.

Then opportunity knocked, and he now owns two chicken outlets, a restaurant and a movie theatre. And he now has 19 employees; just one short of the 20 he’s always longed for.

Said he: “God has bless-

Linden to have own safe-house STATISTICS have shown that the town of Linden has been ranked high in the area of domestic abuse, and that it affects both women and children.

But one of the major missing pieces in the puzzle of finding a solution to this particular problem is the fact that these women and children have nowhere to go when abused; no safe-house for them and their kids to seek shelter from their abusive

ed us so much that we see the increase rapidly; He has opened the door that we have been moving, moving and moving, and seeing the increase that we could have employed people by the

Horizons.

Arindell would have highlighted the need for a women’s home during a previous visit to Linden of representatives of the United States Armed Forces. So during her soujourn to Arizona in the USA a few weeks ago, further discussions were held on the construction of the building.

“They are going to construct a women’s home, and they are going to do two community centres; one in

month.”

Kingdom Style Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, which latter item comes as a three-course meal. The cuisine is a mixture of local and international dishes. Persons can also order take-outs such as steaks, ribs, pork chops and other American soul foods.

Reservations can be made, and the restaurant will also be hosting events such as birthdays and weddings, as it can accommodate as many as 180 persons at a time.

The movie theatre will be showing week-old premier movies, while the confection-

“I do believe it will be well supported, not only from Lindeners but for all Guyanese and foreigners,” Nedd said.

“This venture, I didn’t do it on my own; it is God who directed me towards this venture. If you watch the name, Kingdom Style, it reflects the Kingdom of God,” he added.

He would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who would have come on board to ensure that he realised his dream, especially his wife, Sharalyn, who left her dream job as a nurse to help him make the business a success.

--courtesy US gov’t for abused women, children Amelia’s Ward and another in Blue Berry Hill.

“The reason why the Council would have chosen those two communities is because Amelia’s Ward is the largest growing community in the Caribbean, and Blue Berry Hill was chosen because of the distance from access to public,” Arindell revealed.

TIME TO ACT

Given the aforementioned statistics of Linden having

the highest rates of abuse of women and children, coupled with the upsurge in domestic murders, the USAF decided that it is time to act now.

“We jumped on it,” the mayor said. “We were in Arizona in May to do the first planning session; we were able to design the structure of the home and the centres, so we got to see what they looked like, so construction

Turn to page 15

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

‘Linden Bricks’: A cheaper alternative --for helping house the small man

AT a time when construction material is very expensive, thus making it almost impossible for the small man to own a home, a British-based Guyanese has decided to do something about it.

Robert Cameron is the man behind the Linden-based company, ‘Linden Bricks’ which has been in operation for close to two years, providing a cheaper alternative for building houses by making construction blocks out of laterite.

‘Linden Bricks’ is located in Amelia’s Ward, and has in its employ eleven Lindeners who provide the labour for not only the manufacture of the laterite blocks but the pavers as well.

The laterite is sourced right in the mining town, which also helps keep production costs down, while cement and sand are used as stabilisers.

Explaining the economic and other benefits of this new concept of block-making, Cameron said: “This is something I looked at over 20 years ago, but at that time, they didn’t have the moulds for that sort of thing; now they have machines to do that.

“I am retired; so I returned home to do the business. You worked all your life, and one day, you are finished; so you have to do something.

“I had to do something, and I decided that this is what I will do.”

It was a tsunami that also helped motivate Cameron to get the company started, after seeing how millions

of persons were displaced after their homes were destroyed. He was determined to manufacture blocks that can endure natural disasters, and save persons the agony of losing their homes.

But while machines are used to manufacture the blocks, several parts of the process involve careful hand-crafting techniques and day-by-day procedures to ensure that they the blocks they make are compact enough to be rated high-quality.

AUTOMATICALLY INTERLOCKED And because the blocks can automatically interlock, houses are built faster thereby cutting up to 20% of the cost, since most of the other material are not needed to plaster the blocks. The houses are also cooler, since the bricks are very dense, thus heat takes a longer time to penetrate them.

They are also sound and bullet proof, and there’s also no need for paint, since the bricks already have a natural artsy finish about them.

“You don’t have to paint it,” Mr Cameron said. “You can just add a nice clean lacquer

to it.”

Entities such as the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) have been utilising blocks from ‘Linden Bricks’ for construction projects. LEN is answering the

Mr Robert Cameron, Founder of ‘Linden Bricks’. Behind him are samples of finished pavers ready to hit the market Laterite, the main material being used in the making of a novel type of low-income construction blocks

A low-income house of out laterite blocks being constructed in Amelia’s Ward

call of low- income earners who desire a modest house but are unable to access the financing to build it, since they do not meet the requirements to pre-qualify at financial institutions.

LEN is collaborating with ‘Linden Bricks’ to construct two-bedroom houses in Amelia’s Ward for $3.5M. LEN Chairman, Orrin Gordon, told the Guyana Chronicle that it’s not only the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) that has bought into the initiative, but lending institutions such as New Building Society as well.

“They are basically interested in the solution, because people coming to them and cannot qualify,” Gordon said.

“So if you can pre-qualify, it means then that you

Linden to have own ... commencement will happen in July-August of next year.”

At the moment, the mayor said, the municipality is sifting out the plethora of benefits to be derived from the building, so it will not only function as a rescue shelter but more importantly an empowerment setting where these abused women will not leave empty-handed, but will be financially, mentally and emotionally empowered.

“We are going to be connected with NGOs who will give us support, so the onus is on us as a municipality to see what the Home will entail,” she said, adding: “Outside of being just a Home, we want it to be a home and a training centre.

So, let’s say for example, you have women involved in empowerment sessions, cake making, teaching women

trades if they don’t have.”

As such, she’s now calling on all requisite stakeholders in the social arena to lend their support in making this project a holistic success.

“Whenever the women leave there, they must leave there fully developed,” she said. “They must be able to get into a job, and if women are displaced with children, they should be able to move back into a setting where they can be able to survive outside of that Home.”

MAXIMUM SECURITY

A location, which is yet to be revealed, has already been chosen. The Home is expected to have maximum security, as well as a resident caretaker. Arindell said that as a female mayor, she is overwhelmed that such an

Linden Mayor, Waneka Arindell

opportunity is being materialised.

“This is a wonderful initiative! I am pleased, because I have seen some women who just need a place to get themselves settled, and to find who they are and to be brought back into society,” she said.

“This would encourage women to be able to speak out, because there is something here to give that assistance, so I am happy to be a part of this and I hope the entire community comes on board,” Arindell said In 2017, Region 10 was identified as the region with the highest general rate of abuse, with Linden having the most recorded cases of abuse, with neglect being the

will be under pressure; we don’t want that to happen,” he added.

Now, not only will low income earners be able to pre-qualify, but their mortgages will also be affordable. Gordon is projecting a mortgage payment of between $15,000 to $20,000 per month as opposed to $50,000.

This, he said, will suit the pockets of most public servants whose salaries are approximately $50,000 to $70,000 per month.

Noting that those employed in the private sector work for a minimum of $44,200 per month and in some cases less, Gordon said: “We need to help them in terms paying $15, 000 a month as against $50,000 with the higher solution.”

Continued from page 14 highest form of this scourge, followed by sexual abuse.

Director of Children’s Services, Ann Greene said that the statistics will be able to pave the way for instituting measures to tackle this social phenomenon. “It helps us in our programme planning; we will be looking at Linden and how we can better things,” Greene posited.

Poverty was deemed as one of the highest causation and low income groups were deemed necessary for targeting.

Greene said that one aspect of the work set out for Linden is to continue raising the level of awareness, so that more reports of abuse will be made.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

Pushing the ‘green economy’

--one family at a time at One Mile Extension

T

HE Community Development Council (CDC) of One Mile Extension, a growing community on the Wismar shore of Linden, is answering the President’s call for a ‘green economy’ by encouraging every household to turn to the soil.

With agriculture being widely recognised as the one sure-fire way of turning around the fortunes of the once prosperous bauxite mining community, the CDC is pushing the concept from the ground up, in the hope of getting all hands on board its seedling nursery project; even single-mothers.

The community’s seedling nursery is manned by two brothers, namely Oliver and Cleveland Tappin, and former educator Wonda Richmond, who has herself diversified by applying her classroom skills to the fields.

The nursery was initiated in 2005 with funding from the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP). And with the formation later of the Region 10 Farmers Association, the main players, the Tappin brothers, have kept the venture going to this day, reaping many successes along the way.

As the brothers told the Guyana Chronicle recently, their love for farming goes way back to their childhood days when their mother would encourage them to become involved in subsistence farming.

“We used to take empty bottles and cut them, and we used to put we seed inside,” Cleveland Tappin said.

“That is how we start on we farm. But as we get involve with the Association, we developed more.”

Through the Association, the brothers were able to go to Trinidad to see nursery development and best practices up close, which was a real eye-opener and turning point for them.

They said the trip to Trinidad also afforded them the opportunity of visiting one of the Caribbean’s best nurseries, which helped open their eyes to the long journey they still have ahead in perfecting their skills.

laboratively, with the LEN. Seedlings are freely distributed to residents to encourage them to turn to the soil and to practise “green” economic strategies.

“The President would come and talk about the ‘green economy’, so we are answering the call,” Cleveland Tappin said.

The brothers, like teacher Wonda, are involved in cashcrop, citrus, herbs and other types of seedling production.

you, so we give you freely. And then we have our senior citizens and single mothers that we give freely too.”

Not only are residents buying into the seedling initiative, she said, but farmers as well, since it is a quicker process, and it helps them to meet the demands of the residents for food grown right in Linden.

The farmers are also certain that a seedling will turn

now boast of having received quite a number of orders from farmers who are happy that they no longer have to travel to other regions for stocks but can source them right in Linden.

LEN has been pushing seedling production, especially that of pepper, to meet the growing demand of agro-processors in Linden who make pepper-related

Sections of the One Mile Extension seedling nursery

“That is what trigger we,” Cleveland said, adding: “And the owner of the nursery came to Guyana to do a workshop, and we were a part of the workshop, so we went through a training.

And from then on, we start to improve in our production.”

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

The brothers have since decided that their mission in life should not just be about making money by selling seedlings, but by encouraging everyone in the community to plant, which is how they came to be involved in numerous seedling drives, both independently as well as col-

The National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) also helps with the One Mile Extension CDC Seedling Nursery, and is currently overseeing its purple cabbage, ginger and sweet corn projects.

According to Teacher Wonda, the demand for seedlings is on the increase, and that persons are now turning more and more to the soil.

“The demands are getting greater,” she said. “We go out every Friday in front of LEN; we have been encouraging persons to get on board, and people are excited and motivated to do so.

“It is increasing all the time; we are encouraging

Caretakers of the seedling project, Wonda Richmond (centre), and the Tappin brothers, Oliver (left) and Cleveland

into a plant when it is bought.

One such farmer is Peirce Ifill of ‘Fresh from the West’, who said that it is better to take the seedling route since it is faster, more certain and helps you to constantly have products to meet the demand of the market. Today, Ifill is one of Linden’s most established farmers.

Many of the seedling producers who participated in the recently-held Linden Exposition and Trade Fair

and other culinary products.

Two seedling drives where hundreds of seedlings have been distributed to farmers to meet this demand have been held to date for the year.

The Tappins and Teacher Wonda also visit farmers who would have bought their seedlings to ensure they are getting maximum results.

Teacher Wonda describes it as an interchange of encouragement when they visit

farmers, and when residents meet them and tell them how beautiful their seedlings would have developed.

TENDER LOVING CARE

According to the trio, seedling production requires a whole lot of TLC for them to germinate and flourish.

You have to be patient and loving to the plant to see results, and some plants, such as the celery, for which there is a huge demand, take up to two-and-a-half months before they are ready to be transplanted into the soil.

“It entails patience; it kind of calms you,” they all agreed. “It has to get tolerance; you have to be very gentle. Everything is a tender touch, because you can break the plant and lose the root also.

“So you must be tender...

You talk to your plants; you smile with your plants. You even romance them...”

The Tappin brothers and Teacher Wonda are calling on all Lindeners to heed the call of subsistence farming, since it can not only save the environment but their pockets as well.

A typical Market Day outside LEN’s every Friday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

Linden Hospital Complex battles high number of abandoned patients

THE Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) is battling a high number of patients who have been abandoned at the hospital, which has affected the institution’s capacity to effectively accommodate patients who are in dire need of admission.

At a press conference held on Wednesday, LHC Social Worker Laurette Smith Gray, bemoaned the situation with Lindeners abandoning their

relatives. For 2018, there have been eight persons abandoned at the hospital and most of the cases are elderly persons, but Gray noted that minors are also being abandoned by their parents; the latest being a differently abled child. Gray noted that the patients are still at the hospital months after their discharge. “It therefore means they are no longer under medical management, but they fall as social patients, the

hospital does not have the capacity to hold persons who are not patients that are not in dire need of medical attention,” the social worker said.

As a result of this situation, the hospital is finding it difficult to serve active admissions. “When we have patients as social cases, it then puts the hospital in a situation where we are pressed for space, where we may have to turn away some persons,

where we may have to send persons away without fully assessing their conditions before they are fully discharged, so what we would like is for family members to take up their responsibility and to look into the care of their relatives.”

While there is no official procedure to deal with these issues, Gray said she tries to get the elderly into the Palms, while the Child Protection Agency deals with minors.

There are no institutions however for middle-aged persons.

ABUSE OF AMBULANCE SERVICE Touching on another sore

Public Relations Officer Toshanna Allicock (right) and LHC Social Worker Laurette Gray (left)

issue, Gray said recently residents have been using the ambulance service to transport their relatives to the hospital, when they are fully aware they are not in need of medical attention. Some persons are even sending their relatives to the hospital with taxis, but when it is time for them to return home, no one is usually available. Gray said she is now left to find permanent accommodation for these social cases. Gray said that while some of the abandoned patients are also middle-aged, most are incapacitated or terminally ill.

She believes that relatives

are finding it hard to care for them, but stressed that it is not the hospital’s responsibility to do so. “We are not responsible for keeping persons, as long as they have not met the criteria for admission, the relatives are expected to take their relatives home and provide for their continued management.”

Public Relations Officer Toshanna Allicock, is also calling on the relatives to take up their responsibility and care for their loved ones, so that the hospital can focus on serving sick patients and not abandoned ones.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

Memorial service held for Lindo Creek victims FATHER Terrence Montrose bemoaned society’s apparent callous attitude towards the senseless killing of young men, during a Memorial Service held to mark the 10th Death Anniversary of the murdered Lindo Creek miners.

In his Homily at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception (Brickdam) on Wednesday, Father Montrose said too many young men have died for no reason at all.

“Our society somehow seems to be callous at the death of

Father Terrence Montrose conducting the memorial service as some relatives hold framed photos of the murdered miners (Photos by Samuel Maughn) Jacklyn Arokium – mother of Dax Arokium – weeping as she reflects on the life of her son during the memorial service

so many young men,” he said.

In the case of Cedric Arokium, Dax Arokium,

Compton Speirs, Horace Drakes, Nigel Torres, Bonny Harry, Clifton Wong and Lancelot Lee, whose charred

Chairman of the Lindo Creek Massacre Commission of Inquiry (COI), Justice (Ret’d) Donald Trotman and staff of his Commission at the Memorial Service

remains were discovered at a mining camp at Lindo Creek on June 21, 2008, their perpetrators are yet to be brought to justice.

According to Father Montrose, there are so many unanswered questions.

“Ten years later we are still enquiring who, why, how but these brothers of ours, these sons of ours, these fathers are gone. For 10 years we have tried to understand and we mourn and we cry out for justice,” he said.

Committing the men into the hands of God, Father Montrose expressed the hope that one day the story would be told allowing for closure.

“We can make no sense of their deaths but only faith will carry us on, hoping that one day justice will prevail,” he added.

Wednesday was the first time relatives and friends of the eight murdered miners gathered for a joint Memorial Service. In a somber atmosphere at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Father Montrose carried on the service, with prayers and biblical scriptures being read along with the singing of several hymns.

Prior to the service, relatives of the miners read tributes, sang songs of comfort and read poems as they celebrated the lives of their loved ones.

Natalie Mc Donald, the aunt of Horace Drakes was the first to take the podium.

Mc Donald said her nephew was known as the “jack of all trade” due to his ability to work in varying fields in his

quest to acquire an honest dollar.

“He was a quiet, humble and hard working person,” she said while noting that he was among the main breadwinners of the family. Reflecting on the massacre, Mc Donald contended that the murderers must have been “heartless” to commit such gruesome act.

Dax Arokium’s mother, and sister-in-law of Cedric Arokium, Jacklyn Arokium broke down as she recited a poem in remembrance of her loved son, and brotherin-law.

Kimberly Arokium – the daughter of Cedric Arokium – in giving her tribute, said her father would have been 62-years-old if he was not murdered in 2008. Still saddened by his ‘untimely’ death, Kimberly said her father was a fun loving individual as she too broke down in tears.

Yonette Torres, mother of Nigel Torres; and 80-year-old Carmen Gittens – Compton Speirs’ sister, were among those who also offered tributes.

Though no government official was present during the memorial service, chairman of the Lindo Creek Massacre Commission of Inquiry (COI), Justice (Ret’d) Donald Trotman; the Commission’s Attorney, Patrice Henry; co-owner of the Lyken Funeral Home, Dr. Dawn Stewart; columnists Dr. David Hinds and Freddie Kissoon were among those who were present aside from relatives Turn to page 19 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

Memorial service...

and friends.

In offering brief remarks, Dr. Stewart told those present that, though she was not related to the victims, she had the opportunity as a mortician to prepare and maintain the remains of the miners.

Dr. Stewart assured relatives of the remains of their loved ones were “well taken care of” during the four years they were kept at the Lyken Funeral Home.

In March, 2018 Stewart told the Commission that the country’s then Crime Chief, Seelall Persaud had ordered back in 2012 that the charred

remains of the Lindo Creek victims be lumped into a single coffin and buried, but she objected.

On September 11, 2012, the remains were prepared for burial, but only after consistent queries by the Lyken Funeral Home, Dr. Stewart said, noting that it was the longest period the parlor in its 95 years of existence, had ever kept human remains.

The remains were placed into three different coffins, a small home-going service was held by the funeral home for the miners before interment at the Le Repentir

From page 18

Cemetery.

Today, a Memorial Walk will be held in remembrance of the miners, and a renewed call for justice. From 10:00hrs, relatives and friends of the Lindo Creek Massacre victims will assemble at the Square of the Revolution dressed in black and white, before moving off at 10:30hrs south of Vlissingen Road unto Cemetery Road, before culminating at the Le Repentir Cemetery, where wreaths will be laid and helium balloons released into the air.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday June 21, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday June 21, 2018

Knicks to play Wizards in NBA Global Games series (BBC) - THE New York Knicks will play the Washington Wizards in London as part of next season’s NBA Global Games series.

The Knicks last played in the UK in 2015 while the Wizards will make their London debut on Thursday, January 17.

It will be the ninth regular-season NBA game to be played at London’s O2 Arena.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said: “Over that time the games and the surrounding festivities have grown into the equivalent of an NBA All-Star experience transported to Europe.”

The Wizards reached the Eastern Conference play-offs last season but the Knicks missed out after finishing 11th.

The first regular-season games in London were held in 2011, with the New Jersey Nets beating the Toronto Raptors twice, while Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers in last season’s event.

All eight previous games in London were sold out and tickets for next season’s game will go on sale in the autumn.

Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers at London’s O2 Arena on January 11.

Liberty extends Spa contract

(BBC) - THE move secures the immediate future on the calendar of one of the world’s classic race tracks - Spa-Francorchamps in the Ardennes Mountains.

The track first hosted a grand prix in 1925 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest challenges for a driver.

Chloe Targett-Adams, F1’s director of promoters, said: “F1 was born in Europe and the future of the sport needs to maintain its solid roots.”

F1’s new owner Liberty Media said when it bought

the sport in January 2017 that it was determined to protect the major historical races.

The Spa renewal is the first new deal with such a track since Liberty took over and ousted former boss Bernie Ecclestone.

But the future of many other classic races remains up in the air.

The contract for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, regarded by some as the greatest challenge for drivers, expires this year.

The German Grand Prix has returned to the calendar

this season after an absence in 2017 but its contract also expires at the end of 2018.

The British Grand Prix has only this year’s race on July 6-8, and next year’s before it, too, is out of contract, after Silverstone decided last year to exercise a break clause because hosting the race was becoming too expensive.

Liberty is keen to expand the calendar into new territories in addition to protecting historical races.

F1 is close to securing a new race in Miami, Florida, which is expected to take

Britain’s Lewis Hamilton won the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix.

place for the first time in 2019 and would make a second grand prix in the USA, in addition to the US Grand

Prix in Austin, Texas.

There has also been talk of a street race in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi.

Beaumont’s ton powers England to world-record (ESPNCRICINFO) - IT’S been a week of scarcely credible run-scoring feats - starting with New Zealand Women’s twin demolition of Ireland (490 team runs in one innings, 232 individual runs for Amelia Kerr in another) and continuing on Tuesday with England Men’s ODI-record total of 481 for 6 against Australia at Trent Bridge.

But on a ludicrous day of run-feasting at Taunton, England’s women might just have taken the biscuit. A matter of hours after watching New Zealand add the highest T20 innings total to their records-chest, with a Suzie Bates-inspired total of 216 for 1, Tammy Beaumont and her team-mates marched out to the middle to obliterate that mark from the annals.

Twenty overs after winning the toss against the same hapless South African opposition, England had amassed an extraordinary 250 for 3. Their effort was powered by a 47-ball century from Beaumont - her third for England in as many innings after her ODI-series-sealing knocks last week.

With five overs still to come, she had the individual record at her mercy as well,

when she miscued a return catch to Stacy Lackay to depart for 116 from 52.

At the top of Beaumont’s innings, Danni Wyatt had offered a high-octane supporting role with 56 from 36 balls in an opening stand of 147 in 13.1 overs, whereupon Nat Sciver, with 33 from 15 and Katherine Brunt, 42 not out from 16, applied the finishing touches with a murderous series of blows.

It was brutal, compelling, and - for South Africa - utterly soul-destroying, as they limped away from the field having conceded 466 runs in the space of 40 overs across two (non)-contests.

Even Beaumont, whose 116 from 52 balls had contained four of England’s nine sixes and 18 of their 33 fours, later admitted some sympathy for a side who had drawn the short straw in having to play twice in one day in this fledgling round-robin competition.

On this evidence, England will be itching not only for the rematch against South Africa - on this same ground on Saturday - but for their first encounter with the New Zealand big guns later that same day.

Doubtless encouraged by the ruthlessness shown

by Bates and Sophie Devine in their morning stand of 182, England’s ball-strik-

ing was clean and awesome from the start - and to think they had been suffering from power failure only a couple of years ago!

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday June 21, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Drawn Game (2) Shannon Gabriel (WI) Today’s Quiz: (1) What are the best bowling figures in an innings by a WI in an overseas Test?

(2) What are the best bowling figures in a match by a WI in an overseas Test?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday June 21, 2018

American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Carrick Race 2 Potomac Race 3 Tiz No Bluff Race 4 Brie’s Lucky Charm Race 5 Cookie Crisp Race 6 Awsum Roar Race 7 Global Positioning Race 8 New Money Honey South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:30 June hrs Seventh Of 09:05 hrs Donny G 09:40 HRS River Ayre 10:15 hrs Sail For Joy 10:50 hrs Stop And Stare Irish Racing Tips Leopardstown 13:00 hrs Heavenly Rainbow 13:30 hrs California Daddy 14:05 hrs Spanish Point 14:35 hrs So Enjoy 15:05 hrs Christopher Robin 15:35 hrs Elegant Drama 16:05 hrs Circling Moon English Racing Tips Chelmsford City 08:45 hrs Revich 09:20 hrs SANAM 09:55 hrs Victory wave 10:30 hrs Nathan 11:05 hrs Hollydaze 11:45 hrs Elysees 12:20 hrs Sugar Coating

Costa saves Spain (REUTERS) - A scrappy second-half goal by Diego Costa broke a Persian stonewall and lifted Spain to a 1-0 win over a courageous Iran in a nerve-jangling World Cup clash yesterday.

Costa claimed his third goal of the tournament in the 54th minute at Kazan Arena but the striker hardly knew about it, the ball deflecting off his legs from an attempted clearance by hapless Iran defender Ramin Rezaeian.

The result left Spain joint top of their group with Portugal on four points, with Iran close behind on three going into the third and final set of games. After two defeats, Morocco are out.

After a match played out to a deafening blare from vuvuzela horns from a huge army of Iranian fans, Spain will feel relieved to have emerged with maximum points.

Iran were brilliant in defence for much of the night but also made a number of telling incursions.

A goal by Saeid Ezatolahi was ruled out offside after being reviewed by the video assistant referee (VAR), while Karim Ansarifard had earlier hammered into the side netting.

Iran fans all but tore their

hair out late on when Vahid Amiri brilliantly nutmegged a defender to send a cross into Mehdi Taremi, but the forward sent a very gettable header from six yards out sailing over.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz had rung in the changes, dropping captain Masoud Shojaei and forward Alireza Jahanbakhsh to the bench, while recalling holding midfielder Ezatolahi from suspension and promoting Taremi.

The expectation that they would play well back was unfounded, however, even if they kept their shape superbly, restricting Spain to a handful of chances in the first half.

David Silva sent a free kick straight into the arms of keeper Ali Beiranvand in the 25th minute for Spain’s first shot on goal.

Silva was in the thick of it again at the half hour, with a pirouette and a volley over the crossbar at the end of a string of looping headers.

Silva found a rare metre of space just before the break and was denied again by a deflection off a player.

Spain seemed rejuvenated after the interval, with Sergio Busquets unleashing a searing long-range strike

Denmark players pay for jet so defender can see new-born daughter

Ascot 09:30 hrs Shang Shang Shang 10:05 hrs Key Victory 10:40 hrs Wild Illusion 11:20 hrs Stradivarius 12:00 hrs George Of Hearts 12:35 hrs Dubhe Ffos Las 13:10 hrs Nikki Steel 13:40 hrs Jeu De Mots 14:15 hrs As You Like 14:45 hrs The Bottom Bar 15:15 hrs Bodgea 15:45 hrs St John’s 16:15 hrs Silk Run

Jonas Knudsen has won three caps for Denmark.

(BBC) - DENMARK’S players paid for a private jet so defender Jonas Knudsen could fly home and see his new-born daughter after the World Cup win over Peru.

The 25-year-old’s wife Trine gave birth to a girl several weeks earlier than expected, after he had arrived in Russia for the tournament.

“We wanted to look at the human side,” said goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

“There are lots of fathers in the squad. You have to

remember we are human beings as well as footballers.”

He added: “As a father myself I cannot imagine how hard it was for Jonas getting that message and not being there.

“We wanted to do anything for him to see his daughter.”

Denmark beat Peru 1-0 in Group C on Saturday.

Ipswich left-back Knudsen rejoined the squad on Monday. Denmark face Australia in Samara at 13:00hrs BST today.

Andres Cunha disallows Iran’s first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group B match against Spain at Kazan Arena yesterday in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

that forced Beiranvand into a brilliant double save.

Minutes later, however, Ansarifard latched onto a poor clearance and unleashed

a withering shot that fired just wide of the left post.

Costa, who grabbed a brace in the 3-3 draw against Portugal, was in the

right spot at the right time, his lucky deflection leaving the masses of Iran fans at Kazan Arena groaning in disappointment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday June 21, 2018

Ronaldo to the rescue!

(REUTERS) - A below-par Portugal were again rescued by Cristiano Ronaldo’s eye for goal, as they stumbled to 1-0 victory over Morocco yesterday that meant the unlucky North African side become the first to be eliminated from the 2018 World Cup. Ronaldo headed his fourth goal of the tournament after four minutes, following his last-gasp equaliser in a hat-trick in the 3-3 draw with Spain, to take the European champions to four points and top of Group B. Iran have three points and Spain one ahead of their meeting later yesterday.

Morocco, who had a real go at the Luzhniki Stadium but failed to convert their chances, are pointless having also lost 1-0 to Iran and cannot progress to the second round.

Portugal struggled to impose themselves and ended up defending for long spells, leaving coach

Fernando Santos unimpressed.

“We have to look at this, we lost control of the game,” he said.

“We misplaced a lot of passes, we lost confidence ... it was inexplicable. If in a match against players like they have, if you don’t have the ball, they wear you down and you get into trouble.”

Despite their battling display, Morocco will rue the unforgivable defending that made all their subsequent good work irrelevant though they claimed a Portuguese foul was at the root of it.

They qualified for the finals without conceding a goal in six matches yet somehow opted against marking the most dangerous attacker at the tournament in the six-yard box when Joao Moutinho swung in a cross from a short corner and Ronaldo duly buried the header.

It was his 85th international goal, taking him beyond Hungarian Ferenc Puskas’s European

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal scores the first goal of his team during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group B match against Morocco at Luzhniki Stadium yesterday in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Jam Media/ Getty Images)

record, with only Iran’s Ali Daei ahead of him on 109.

Morocco coach Herve Renard said he was unhappy at what he felt was a foul by Pepe on Khalid Boutaib that opened the way for the goal.

“We put a man at the front post and when there is a crude foul on this man who is prevented from getting to the ball, it passes over and it’s Cristiano Ronaldo who pops up,” he said.

Suarez finds form to hand Uruguay first World Cup win (REUTERS) - LUIS Suarez marked his 100th international cap by sending Uruguay into the last 16 of the World Cup as the striker benefited from some poor goalkeeping to eliminate Saudi Arabia with a 1-0 win yesterday.

Suarez tapped in midway the first half after keeper Mohammed Al-Owais failed to grab the ball on a corner. The goal put Uruguay second in Group A with a maximum six points behind hosts Russia.

Saudi Arabia, who have not won a World Cup game since their debut in 1994, have zero points, just like Egypt, who lost 3-1 to Russia on Tuesday.

Depending on the result of their last group game against Russia, Uruguay will take on either Spain, Portugal or Iran, who are still on course in Group B for a place in the quarter-finals.

Suarez’s goal was by no means pretty, but it did the trick.

“All we wanted to do was to win and qualify for the next round. Today was another demonstration that it is very difficult to win a game in a World Cup,” said man-of-thematch Suarez.

“This World Cup is proving that what matters most is the result, and we’re very proud to have reached the last

Luis Suarez of Uruguay celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A against Saudi Arabia at Rostov Arena yesterday in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

16 for the third time in a row.”

At least Suarez, who missed three sitters in Uruguay’s 1-0 opening win against Egypt, was his vintage efficient self with his 52nd international goal although he will not have dismissed fears he was not 100 percent fit.

Saudi Arabia, who suffered a minor scare when an engine on their plane caught fire before landing on Rostovon-Don on Monday, instead have not found the back of the net in their last four World Cup outings.

After a 5-0 drubbing by Russia in the tournament’s opening game, they were

more playful but ultimately comparatively toothless at the Rostov Arena before 42 678 fans.

With temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius, twotime world champions Uruguay and Saudi Arabia got off to a cautious start.

Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani wasted numerous chances, including one in the 14th minute when he skied a half volley over the bar.

The Russian fans were the loudest, chanting “Russia, Russia” as the rest of the arena appeared to doze off.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday June 21, 2018

ICC to introduce World Test Championship (CMC) – THE International Cricket Council (ICC) will be introducing a World Test Championship as well as an ODI League as part of its Future Tours Programme (FTP) from 2018 to 2023.

Nine top-ranked sides will participate in the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship, which will run from July 15, 2019 to April 30, 2020.

The sides will play six series in the two-year cycle on a home and away basis against opponents they have mutually selected. The two top-ranked sides will then progress to the June 2021 final to decide the World Test champions.

Additionally, the 12 Test-playing nations, along with the Netherlands, will participate in the 13-team ODI League, which will run from May 1 2020, to March 31, 2022. All sides will play eight series over a twoyear cycle on a homeand-away basis against mutually agreed opponents.

The ODI League will also act as a qualification pathway for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, which is set to be held in India. The hosts, along with the seven highest-ranked sides in the ODI League as of March 31, 2020, will qualify directly for the tournament,

while the bottom five will have to play in the ICC’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

The West Indies’ opening series in the World Test Championship will be against India at home in July 2019, and their first ODI series in the League will be against Netherlands in the Netherlands in July 2020.

In a release, the ICC said the new tournaments came about as a result of a significant collective effort from the members, with support from the ICC. ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said, “Bringing context to bilateral cricket is not a new challenge, but with the release of this FTP, our members have found a genuine solution that gives the fans around the world the chance to engage regularly with international cricket that has meaning and the possibility of a global title at the end.”

Chief Executive of CWI, Johnny Grave, said the initiative was an important step in developing greater context, competition and interest for Test matches and ODIs. “We hope that this next four-year cycle will see international cricket extending its appeal here in the Caribbean and around the world,” Grave said.

BCB batting clinic set for Sunday TWENTY-FIVE promising young batsmen from the Ancient County will be a part of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)-organised batting clinic, scheduled for Sunday at the Albion Cricket Club ground.

The one-day clinic is part of the countywide Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh coach programme. The clinic would be held from 13:00hrs to 16:00hrs.

Clubs are invited to send their players to the clinic in proper cricketing attire. It would be compulsory for the following

players to be present: Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Javed Karim, Johnathan Rampersaud, Zeynul Ramsammy, Abdul Ramsammy, Seon Glassgow, Marvin Prashad, Vettori Latchman, Chanderpaul Govindhan, Alex Algoo, Steve Deonarine, Garfield Benjamin, Keith Simpson, Leon Swammy, Tommani Caesar, Ramnauth Rampertaub, Darius Joseph, Kevin Sewraj, Fawaz Gafoor, Ricardo Ramdehol, Jaron France, Mahendra Gopilall and Chandra Saffiek.

Rahman out of West Indies series

Shakib Al Hasan has made his return to the Bangladesh team and will captain the side on the upcoming tour of the Caribbean.

(CMC) – BANGLADESH will have to do without the services of star fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman for their upcoming tour of the Caribbean after he was left out of the 15-man squad for the Test series.

The 22-year-old left-arm pacer has struggled to recover from a toe injury he sustained in the recent IPL while playing for the Mumbai Indians and will miss the two Test matches in the Caribbean.

The injury also forced Rahman to miss the recent three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.

“Barring a miracle he is unlikely to be fit before the second Test, so we left him

out from the squad,” Bangladesh chief selector Minhajul Abedin said while announcing the squad.

In Mustafizur’s absence, right-arm pacer Abu Jayed has been handed his maiden Bangladesh Test call-up after previously appearing in three T20Is. Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who missed out on the Sri Lanka Test series, with an injury, has made a return to the side and will take over the captaincy duties once again.

This is the visitors’ fourth bilateral tour of the West Indies. They have won two of the eight Tests played and won three ODIs, but have never won a T20I in the

Guyana humiliated 24-112

by Dominican Republic GUYANA suffered an 88-point blowout (24-112) at the hand of tournament favourites, Dominican Republic, in their final game at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) women’s Caribbean Championship in Suriname on Tuesday.

Mariam McKenzie, Guyana’s leading scorer in the tournament finished the game with 12 points while Genille Ifill was the next best scorer with four points and eight

rebounds.

Andreina Paniagua scored a game-high 28 points in the win for Dominican Republic who played The Bahamas in the second semi-finals last evening and Cuba and Barbados battled it out in the other semi-finals.

The Guyanese women will now return home after failing to impress at the tournament, which brought together some the best basketball players in the Caribbean.

region.

Bangladesh will play two Tests, three ODIs and as many T20Is on their tour of the West Indies. The first Test at Antigua gets underway on July 4 with the team to depart for the Caribbean on June 23.

Two of those T20Is will be played under the lights at the Central Broward Regional Park (CBRP), Fort Lauderdale.

The West Indies have previously played four matches at the CBRP, winning three, while the other ended in a no-result.

“We are delighted to include the matches in Fort Lauderdale on the schedule for the Bangladesh tour,” said

CWI CEO Johnny Grave.

“Both matches are scheduled for the weekend and will be played under the lights, so it’s a great opportunity for Windies fans in North America to see the team play against a very competitive Bangladesh side.”

BANGLADESH TEST SQUAD Shakib Al Hasan (C), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Kamrul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Abu Jayed, Nazmul Hossain and Shafiul Islam.

BCB to host spinners clinic on Saturday AS part of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) off-season programme, the board will host a spinners clinic on Saturday at the Albion Community Centre ground from 13:00hrs.

All clubs are invited to send their spinners properly attired. It is compulsory that the following Berbice spinners attend.

They are: Nigel Deodat, Seon Glasgow, Kevin Umroa, Kevin Sinclair, Keith

Simpson, Johnathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy Sandia, Matthew Pottaya, Karran Arjpaul, Zeynul Ramsammy, Ramnauth Rampertab, Dorasammy Mahadeo, Pavendra Ganesh, Gourav Ramesh and Alex Algoo.

Junior cricketers are reminded that attendance is compulsory for those seeking to represent the Ancient County in 2019.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday June 21, 2018

15-member team for IPF/NAPF Regional Powerlifting Championship THE Guyana Amateur Power-lifting Federation (GAPLF) has wasted no time in naming a 15-member team for the 16th Annual IPF/NAPF North American Regional Power-lifting Championship in Mexico City, Mexico set for August 1.

Among the members of the team are seasoned veterans such as Nadina Taharally, Paul Adams and Carlos Petterson.

Meanwhile Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Federation, Runita White, told Chronicle Sport; “We have a great team for this competition - persons who have gained recognition

while competing locally and have competed internationally before.

“We have two new persons on the team who will be competing on the international scene for the first time, but we believe they are going to do well.”

Of the team of fifteen, 11 are athletes while one of the four referees will also be competing.

White explained; “We have 11 athletes heading to Mexico for the championship, along with 4 referees one if whom is also an athlete.

Ms Kathleen Paul, the team’s physiotherapist is also heading to Mexico with

the team to ensure that the athletes are taken care of.”

While sponsorship and funding for such overseas trips are always a challenge for sport associations in Guyana, the GAPLF is getting by a bit smoothly but still needs further assistance.

White told Chronicle Sport; “Funding for the team is coming along steadily. We have approached the government for support, as well as private business entities. It’s never an easy task to fund an entire team, but we continue to make an effort in order to ensure these athletes have a chance at representing their country.”

She also urged persons to

support the GAPLF on this venture, as they are confident of their athletes doing Guyana proud and coming back with hardware.

Organisations, who are willing to contribute to the trip to Mexico, are asked to kindly contact the general secretary Andrea Smith at 6620048, the treasurer Colin Austin at 6418621 or PRO Runita White at 6508508.

The athletes are as follows: Paul Adams Grace Babb Demetri Chan Franklyn Brisport-Luke Carlos Petterson Nairanjan Singh

Nadina Taharally is in the team that will be heading to Mexico for the 16th Annual IPF/NAPF North American Regional Powerlifting Championship set for August 1.

Erwyn Smith Joseph Stoll Nadina Taharally Frank Tucker Officials: Fazim Abdool (team coach)

Colin Austin (team manager) Franklyn Brisport-Luke Kathleen Paul (team physiotherapist) Gordon Spencer (team referee)

West Indies Sports Complex supports Key meeting tomorrow over Malteenoes Cricket Academy hosting of CPL 2018 matches … Stadium booked, paid to host matches

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Raifeena Ganie presents the sponsorship to MSC treasurer Troy Lewis.

THE West Indies Sports Complex on Robb Street has offered their support towards the two-week Malteenoes Cricket Academy, which starts on July 23.

On Tuesday, Raifeena Ganie presented to MSC’s treasurer, Troy Lewis, two pairs of batting gloves for the best male and female batters of the Academy in addition to a quantity of rubber balls to be used by the younger students.

Lewis thanked West Indies Sports Complex for their support of youth development.

Ganie said Feroze Khan, the late owner of the Sports

Store, which is now run by his sons, played first division cricket for West Demerara and was a big supporter of sports.

She added that West Indies Sports Complex was pleased to support the development of youth through Sports.

The Academy caters for males and females, 6-12 years and 13-18 years, and runs from 09:00hrs to 15:00hrs each weekday.

Registration fee is $3 000 with forms available at the Thomas Road club from 15:00hrs until July 20.

The Academy will include classroom and field

work, which will provide the tools to become cricketers, umpires, scorers, journalists and broadcasters, all of which can provide well-paid careers.

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.

Inculcating discipline in the students will be a critical aspect of this year’s Academy. Parents are encouraged to register their children early. For more information, call MSC on 225-6509.

OPCO, the local office for the Guyana Amazon Warriors and stadium officials are set to meet tomorrow to finalise the hosting of CPL matches here although there is no firm commitment by either the Guyana Government or the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

A reliable source told Guyana Chronicle yesterday that the Guyana National Stadium at Providence was booked and paid for to host matches this season but this could not be verified by a senior official at the stadium.

Guyana is in danger of losing the opportunity to host its leg of the much-anticipated T20 cricket tournament, since the paperwork of the home facility for training and hosting matches has been delayed by key stakeholders.

Since the inception of the tournament in 2013, the signing agreement has been

an annual feature, but the delay this year could very well be deemed a political one, according to the source.

The source contended that the failure to give any firm commitment to the hosting of matches here could definitely be a massive blow to the cricket-starved Guyanese populace, and the array of spin-off benefits to local businesses.

Last week the CPL released the official fixtures for the 2018 tournament, with the proposed Guyana Amazon Warriors home games set for a venue to be confirmed.

According to the fixtures, the local franchise will play St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on August 9, St Lucia Stars on August 11, Barbados Tridents on August 12, Jamaica Tallawahs on September 8 and Trinbago Knight Riders on September 9, but the venue for those five games are yet to be confirmed.

More so, CPL over the weekend through their Twit-

ter account has posted photos of five teams and their “home” matches with Guyana once again absent.

However, Head of PR and Communications for the CPL, Peter Miller, confirmed to Chronicle Sport last week that there is nothing to be worried about.

According to a correspondence from the CPL, it is all a matter of paperwork that needs sorting out.

Sport Minister Dr George Norton had confirmed to Chronicle Sport that no agreement has been signed, since no document was sent to his office.

The hosting of the CPL T20 games has largely been considered a successful venture for Guyana over the years with figures from 2017 showing that US$14M or G$2.8B was made while hosting four matches.

The games always attract sold-out crowds, and for Guyana not to be a host venue this season will definitely be disappointing.

The league will enter its sixth year and the Amazon Warriors have played in three of the five finals to date but are yet to lift the title.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday June 21, 2018

National cyclist laid to rest IN a fitting farewell, National triple-gold medallist Beyoncé Ross was laid to rest at her hometown cemetery in Rose Hall Town in Wednesday.

Over one thousand persons, including Minster of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, Director of Sport Christopher Jones and others gathered at the Area ‘H’ Ground to pay final respects and offer support to the family of the young woman.

Tears flowed freely as Beyoncé’s aunt Carla read the emotional eulogy detailing the life of the young lady who left an indelible mark on

anyone she came in contact with.

Her fellow national athletes decked in their regional coloured sweat-suits stood at the four corners of the gold casket reminiscing the times they shared with her.

In brief remarks Minister Norton who offered condolences on behalf of His Excellency President David Granger and the Government of Guyana stated that Beyoncé despite her conditions was a fighter until the end much like the champion she was and hopes that the family understands that she has left a legacy that they should be

proud of.

“It is said if you burn brightly before you die you will be brightly shining for all time and that is the case for Beyoncé, while we cry because her life is over we can also smile and I encourage you to smile because you have had a chance to know Beyoncé”.

Meanwhile an emotional older brother, Jamal Ross made a plea to not let his sister’s legacy and untimely death be in vain as he called on all the relevant agencies and organizations including the government to help set up a foundation in Beyoncé‘s

name.

“I don’t want another family to go through what we had to go through especially losing your only sister at such a young age, we want her to always be remembered and we want to set up a foundation where others that may be suffering in similar situation won’t have to go through what we did and get the help in a timely manner” Chairperson of the proceedings Gladwin Allicock assured the family that the foundation will be set up in addition on to other events that will be held in her honour.

Earlier in the day a cycle race was held in her honour, while a marching band led the procession from her home to the Area H Ground before the hearse from the Arokium funeral home took the body to the final resting place at the cemetery.

As tributes poured in at the service many remembered her as a vibrant young lady who was full of potential.

A representative of the Lower Corentyne Secondary, the school Beyoncé attended before she passed recalled that Beyoncé was one who excelled and never hesitated

to participate in any activities at the school.

Fifteen year old Beyoncé fell ill in February and was diagnosed with a brain tumour in March.

Her heath quickly deteriorated as she subsequently died at Georgetown Public Hospital on June 11 after was admitted a few days earlier. Her family related to this publication she suffered a seizure and was pronounced brain dead.

Rose to captain Guyana at CBC Championship in Suriname

By Rawle Toney

Stanton Rose Jr in action for Colts during the GABF National Club Championship. (Delano Williams photo)

EIGHTEEN-year-old point guard Stanton Rose Jr will become the youngest player to captain Guyana at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship, after he was named as the leader for the side selected by the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) yesterday.

Rose, who led Guyana to a first-time series win (2–1) against Barbados two weeks ago in their warm-up for the CBC Championship, is hoping to turn the tide for the Guyanese, whose highest placing in the regional basketball showpiece was second place, achieved in 1994 (Georgetown).

The Kwakwani native, Rose, will lead US-based Anthony Moe, Kevon Wiggins and Denzel Devonish, along

GBA Schoolboys & Juniors tourney continues Saturday THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Schoolboys and Novices tourney will continue at the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis Boxing Gym on Saturday with another 12-fight card from 13:30hrs.

Like the initial card which was held at the same venue on June 9, this Saturday’s card, the second of a five-day tournament, promises to be equally exciting.

Alongside bragging rights, the pugilists are trying to capture the selectors’ eye to be named in a squad of boxers who will face the rest of the Caribbean in the Third Annual Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Championships set for here in Guyana mid-August.

According to GBA president Steve Nin-

valle, this series of tournaments is being used to concentrate on its nursery in the next two months.

The tournaments are being organised by AIBA’s three-Star qualified coach Sebert Blake.

Ninvalle said the other dates of the preparation programme will be July 7, 21 and August 4 and all of these programmes will be held at the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis Gym. Meanwhile, the GBA is expecting boxers from St Lucia, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Suriname, and for the first time, French Guiana, Turks and Caicos Islands and Cayman Islands will take part in the Caribbean Championships.

with Felix Hamilton (Antigua), Ray Victor (BVI), Olan Glasgow (Royals), Harold Adams (Royals), Travis Burnett (Kobras), Shaine Webster (Colts), Timothy Thompson (Colts) and Travis Belgrave (Eagles) at the June 24-30 in Paramaribo.

Junior Hercules is the

side’s head coach, while Dennis Clarke is his assistant and GABF president Nigel Hinds will serve as the manager.

The players will depart for Suriname on June 22 and play their first game two days later against Grenada at the Anthony Nesty Indoor Stadium.

At the CBC tournament

in Suriname, the Guyanese Men are in Group A, with hosts and rivals Suriname, St Lucia, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, while Group B comprises Barbados, Bermuda, Antigua & Barbuda, Haiti and Montserrat.

FIFA World Cup Fixtures Denmark vs. Australia 8 a.m. Samara France vs. Peru 11 a.m. Yekaterinburg Argentina vs. Croatia 2 p.m. Nizhny Novgorod

Key meeting tomorrow over hosting of CPL 2018 matches … Stadium booked, paid to host matches

PAGE

26

In this handout image provided by CPL T20 is a view from the party stand during Match 17 of the 2017 Hero CPL between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders at Guyana National Stadium on August 19, 2017. (Photo by Randy Brooks - CPL T20 via Getty Images)

Guyana humiliated 24-112

by Dominican Republic 25 PAGE

National cyclist laid to rest PAGE

27

Beyoncé Ross was laid to rest yesterday. During the moving ceremony, her fellow national athletes stood at the four corners of her casket.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018