Guyana chronicle e paper 07 03 2018

TUESDAY 3rd JULY, 2018

No.105324

‘Exxon’ to invest US$10M

…in training locals, funding conservation projects 03 PAGE

MOVING

on up

The much-talked-about elevators at the overhead crossings along the East Bank Demerara have been installed! (Delano Williams photo)

Legalise it

…Caricom Commission recommends decriminalisation of marijuana 02 PAGE

4 nabbed

with GRA boat

PAGE

03

Legalise it 2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

… Caricom Commission recommends decriminalisation of Marijuana … CARICOM Heads of Government to consider report

By Svetlana Marshall in Jamaica A REGIONAL Commission on Marijuana has made recommendation for the decriminalization of marijuana across CARICOM Member States but in controlled and regulated amounts as in the case of alcohol.

The call to legalise marijuana in the region forms part of a menu of recommendations that will be placed under the microscope when the Thirty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is held later this week at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Jamaica.

At a press conference on Monday at the Jamaica Pegasus, CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque told journalists that the Report of the Marijuana Commission will be presented to the Regional Leaders by the Chair, Professor Rosemarie Belle-Antoine of the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies. The Regional

CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque addressing journalists at the Jamaica Pegasus on the Report of the Regional Commission on Marijuana In the report, the Commission on Marijuana reaching recommendations was established by the de- with regards to the decrim- commission also made cision of the Twenty-fifth inalisation of the canna- a case for legislation to Inter-Sessional Meeting of bis. The recommendations be put in place to allow CARICOM Heads of Gov- are also based on extensive for research on medical ernment in March 2014 consultations in Antigua marijuana.

“Certainly the commiswith a mandate to investi- and Barbuda, Barbados, Besion encourages in addigate the use of marijuana. lize, the Bahamas, Guyana, Ambassador LaRocque Montserrat, St. Kitts and tion to the decriminalisasaid the 10-member com- Nevis, St. Vincent and the tion of marijuana, freeing up marijuana for scientific mission, which is made up Grenadines and Suriname. of experts in the fields of “They are recommend- proposes for medical use, medicine, medical and social ing the decriminalisation within that context I would imagine that one could alresearch, law, education, of marijuana. psychiatry and criminolT h e y a r e r e c o m - low for trade for medicinal ogy, analysed the social, m e n d i n g t h a t i t b e marijuana,” he explained.

Ambassador LaRocque economic, health and legal deemed a substance that issues surrounding marijuana is controlled and man- told the Guyana Chronicle use, and has made some far aged as alcohol,” the that in compiling the reSecretary General said port, the commission led while noting, however, by Professor Belle-Anthat there is some con- toine took into considcern about controlling eration existing laws in it in terms of youth and some Member States that are cause for concern. adolescent use.

“One thing that I read in the report that stands MEDICAL out in my mind so much MARIJUANA is that there are in some

Member States where the penalty for a small amount of marijuana is sometimes more than some of the other more heinous crimes in the community. Now how can that be? How is it that you can have a youth with a small amount of marijuana or anybody, with small amounts of marijuana and the penalty for such a thing is higher,” Ambassador LaRocque reasoned while noting that it defies logic.

Last February, the Antigua and Barbuda lower house of parliament voted in favor of the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill – a move which paves the way for decriminalizing the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis.

In Jamaica the possession of as much as two ounces or 56 grams of marijuana was amended to a petty offence in 2015.

Other Caribbean islands have also moved to decriminalise small quantities of the plant but in countries like Guyana it remains illegal.

Just recently, the jailing of a father of three for the possession of eight grams of marijuana had stirred up much debate with the Alliance for Change (AFC) calling for the removal of custodial sentences for small amounts of the herb.

The party, which is part of the coalition government, said it is time legislators move with alacrity to upgrade the laws of Guyana

to ensure that custodial sentences for small quantities of marijuana are removed from the books in their entirety. “Custodial sentences serve, in large measure, to criminalise young people, particularly young men who have been caught with small quantities of marijuana – an offence which is a mere error in judgment and not representative of criminal behaviour,” the AFC said.

AFC Member of Parliament, Michael Carrington, since 2015 had tabled a bill in the National Assembly for debate but it has since been languishing on the order paper, being deferred time and time again. “The time to act is now. We must no longer sit idly by and allow our young men and women to be sentenced to several years of jail time alongside hardened criminals, murderers and rapists.

“We will not be found complicit in destroying the lives of our young people and wounding our society rather than acting to heal it,” the AFC said.

In Guyana more than five grams of cannabis can land a person in jail for three years.

The Guyanese Rastafarian Council is also advocating for marijuana-related laws to be reformed, contending that the Rastafarian community uses the herb for religious and meditative purposes.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

‘Exxon’ to invest US$10M in training locals

3

–– and funding community-led conservation projects

THE ExxonMobil Foundation announced Monday it will be entering into a new partnership, to the tune of US$10M over the next five years, with Conservation International (CI) and the University of Guyana (UG).

The money, the company said in a press statement, will be used to train locals for sustainable job opportunities and to expand community-supported conservation.

It is also intended to support the government’s ‘Green State’ Development Plan, a 15-year programme that is aimed at, among other things, diversifying the economy and balancing economic growth with sustainable management and conservation of the country’s ecosystems. Part of the money, Exxon said,

will initially be used to fund a feasibility study led

by CI through its affiliate, Conservation International Guyana (CIG), to further define the details of the programme.

Once the programme is defined, CIG and the University of Guyana will deliver the education, training, research and retention programmes that will help ensure that economic growth reinforces Guyana’s environmental development goals, the company added.

The investment is also intended to expand conservation areas in the Rupununi Wetlands, aid mangrove restoration and its management, support the work of UG’s Greening Research and Innovation Centres and support improvements to community-based fishing on

Guyana’s coast, a sector the Government of Guyana has identified as critically important to the wellbeing of the Guyanese people.

According to Kevin Murphy, President of the ExxonMobil Foundation, “This partnership will support the highest conservation priorities for the country, as well as education and training for sustainable employment.

“It reinforces the government’s objectives as outlined in its ‘Green-State Development Strategy’, and demonstrates the value we place on our long-term relationship with the citizens of Guyana.”

Jennifer Morris, President of CI, couldn’t agree more, as she sees Guyana as standing at a critical crossroad in its development.

She believes that by in-

vesting in both people and nature, this proposed new partnership with Exxon will play an important part in helping Guyana execute its vision for a ‘green’ future.

Professor Nigel Harris, Chairman of the University of Guyana Council said, “A central feature of Guyana’s development plans is it’s ‘Green-State Development Strategy’, which envisions a commitment to a ‘green’ economy, sustainable development and protection of its forests and fresh-water resources aligned with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.”

Funding support for a collaborative effort between Guyana’s leading university, Conservation International and ExxonMobil Foundation promises a critical opportunity

to build relevant teaching, research and outreach capacity at our university that is necessary to underpin Guyana’s 2030 Vision for an inclusive, ‘green’ and prosperous state.

At this stage, Conservation International anticipates that training will be focused on environmental innovation and sustainability, and on entrepreneurship in nature-based sectors.

Conservation International will tap its partnerships with key international universities, such as Arizona State University in the United States to help develop the programmes.

Conservation International is the grantee and the University of Guyana a key beneficiary. CI with over 20 years’ experience in Guyana, will take the lead in managing project

objectives and implementation, including success measures as well as financial and reporting requirements of the multi-year partnership.

The organisation has been working in Guyana with over 50 communities to protect nearly three million acres of indigenous lands, while also improving livelihoods.

ExxonMobil has also placed emphasis on supporting local priorities, including business and employment opportunities as well as broader community programs in Guyana.

The company has spent about US$39M to date with local suppliers in Guyana through 2017 and first quarter of 2018.

Approximately 68 per cent of ExxonMobil’s current in-country employees are Guyanese.

Gov’t seeking forfeiture of over $203M from businesswoman JAMAICA GLEANER - THE Assets Recovery Agency is seeking the forfeiture of over $203 million dollars from businesswoman Lan Yan which it alleges she obtained by illegal means.

The agency has filed a pecuniary penalty order against her pursuant to section 5 of Proceed of Crime Act (POCA) in the Home Circuit Court.

The matter is to be heard on July 15.

Already, the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court Civil Division has granted an order for the forfeiture of $2,100,000.00 to the government from the businessman which were seized by the police in 2015.

That order was made on Thursday, June 14, by

Senior Parish Judge Opal Smith.

At that time, her attorney Hugh Wildman indicated that his client plans to file an appeal.

The agency says the monies were cash seized on Thursday, April 30, 2015, when its personnel and members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Constabulary Financial Unit conducted a search operation at the businesswoman’s home.

It says the cash was found in four different locations of an upstairs bedroom hidden in black plastic bags.

When questioned by the police as to the source and intended use of the cash, she indicated that the cash was from her business and was intended to be used in her business.

The cash was seized by the police under POCA on the suspicion that it had derived from unlawful conduct.

The judge held that the businesswoman failed to effectively challenge the evidence presented by the agency and found

that there was sufficient evidence upon which to conclude that the cash had been derived from unlawful conduct.

The search of her home arose out of an earlier operation by personnel from the police’s Counter Terrorism and Organ-

ised Crime Investigation Branch and the Jamaica Custom’s Enforcement Unit on March 17, 2015.

On that day, the officers raided Kay’s Superstore Limited, a downtown-Kingston business owned and operated by the businesswoman.

The search resulted in the seizure of over 34,000 pairs of counterfeit footwear.

She was arrested and charged for multiple counts of unlawful use of trademark and on April 6, 2016, she pleaded guilty to the offences.

4 nabbed with GRA boat

FOUR men from Annandale, East Coast Demerara, were arrested Monday after they were found in possession of a wooden boat that is owned by the Guyana Revenue Authority.

The men are said to be assisting with the investigation. Reports indicate that the 55 feet wooden boat was moored at the marine wharf and was last seen at 1:30hrs by a security guard employed with the GRA. The boat was later recovered in the vicinity of the Muneshwers Wharf.

The GRA boat that was recovered

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 3, 2018

Merkel to fight another day after settling migration row BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives settled a row over migration that threatened to topple her fragile governing coalition late on Monday evening, after talks with her rebellious interior minister led him to drop his threat to resign.

Emerging after five hours of talks, Horst Seehofer, leader of Bavaria’s Christian Social Union (CSU), told reporters he would remain in his post after a deal with Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) that he said would stem illegal immigration.

The deal, which brought

Merkel’s government to the brink of collapse just three months after it was formed, keeps her in office. But the woman who has dominated European politics for 12-1/2 years appears greatly diminished, raising questions over whether she will serve out her term.

The euro currency wobbled on several occasions during the weeks-long row, which stretched to breaking point a 70-year-old alliance between the two parties.

It was the latest aftershock from Merkel’s 2015 decision to open Germany’s borders to more than a million refugees

from war in the Middle East and Africa.

That decision convulsed European politics, fueling the rise of anti-immigration parties including the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which now threatens to unseat the CSU in October’s regional elections.

Under the deal migrants who have already applied for asylum in other European Union countries will be held in transit centres on the border while Germany negotiates bilateral deals for their return.

Missing Thai boys found alive in cave A DOZEN boys and their soccer coach were found alive inside a flooded cave in Thailand on Monday, nine days after they went missing.

A British diver participat-

ing in the international rescue mission appears on a video to be one of the first two divers to have reached the boys, who all seemed responsive and happy to be found.

The initial encounter was

posted on the Thai Navy SEAL Facebook page. In it, the boys are barefoot, wearing red and blue soccer jerseys, and are huddled together on the side of a steep rock.

One of the first English phrases that can be heard is a chorus of "Thank you."

The diver confirms that all 13 are still alive before a tall lanky boy asks if they will be getting out on Mon-

day night.

"Not today," the diver responds, adding several words of reassurance. "We are coming. ... Many people are coming. We are the first," and finally, "You are very

strong."

The diver also tells them more Navy SEALs will be arriving with food and medical supplies today.

(AP)

Crews scramble to protect homes from fierce California wildfire (REUTERS) More than 2,000 firefighters aided by water-dropping helicopters battled a wind-driven wildfire raging out of control in Northern California on Monday, threatening homes and other structures as thick black smoke drifted across the San Francisco Bay Area.

The so-called County Fire, which broke out on Saturday afternoon in rural Yolo County, west of Sacramento, has already blackened more than 60,000 acres of grass, brush and dense scrub oak and was only five per cent contained as of Monday evening afternoon.

Scott McLean of the California Department of Forestry and Fire protection said the job of hand crews and bulldozer operators trying to cut containment lines was made more difficult by high winds, which were blowing embers and starting new spot fires.

Tuesday, July 03, 2018 –– 5:00 hrs

DATE: DATE: 26/11/2016 30/06/2018 26/11/2016 30/06/2018

4 8 14 1 12 9 13 18 19 14 25 26 02 N F 11

06 5

13 6

14 7

21 11

24 15

26/11/2016 30/06/2018

04 1

07 5

03 9

26/11/2016 30/06/2018

05 1

04 1

01 2

26/11/2016 30/06/2018 02 1 709 1010 111114131814 2018

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Tuesday July 3, 2018

CARIMAC contracted to develop online course on preparing for natural disasters KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) has been contracted to develop a new online course aimed at training people in the Caribbean region on how to prepare for natural disasters, and to manage communication in the aftermath.

Offered by the Disaster

Risk Reduction Centre of the Institute for Sustainable Development at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, the contract calls for the development of a course named, 'Communication Planning and Media Relations for Disaster Risk Reduction'.

The announcement was made in CARIMAC's Lecture Room on Monday,

during the opening session of the Communication Planning and Media Relations to Support Disaster Risk Reduction two-day training workshop for disaster risk-reduction practitioners.

Director, Institute for Sustainable Development, UWI, Dr. David Smith, said CARIMAC was chosen to develop the course because the institution has the ex-

pertise for new course development, which includes Disaster Risk Management.

He added that other new courses are also being looked at for CARIMAC to develop in the future.

“The obvious choice was CARIMAC [as] it works throughout the Caribbean and does excellent work in training people how to work in communications and how

A flood of water and garbage TRINIDAD EXPRESS The rainfall that swept across Trinidad on Sunday arrived in Port of Spain at around 4p.m. And within an hour, rivers were running through main streets, the flood waters stalling vehicles as it carried countless tonnes of garbage dumped by citizens.

In San Fernando, the Cipero River, recently dredged, was able to contain the deluge but residents say the watercourse was choked with bottles and non- biodegradable debris that flowed from upper reaches of the river.

By nightfall, there were reports of widespread flooding Diego Martin, Tunapuna/

Piarco, Chaguanas , Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, San Juan/Laventille, and Sangre Grande.

There were reports of fallen trees in Tunapuna, Port of Spain and Diego Martin, and reports of flashes in Port of Spain, Chaguanas, Couva/ Tabaquite/Talparo and Diego Martin.

The affected areas in Port of Spain included Belmont, Wrightson Road and the vicinity.

Members of the public are being informed that that due to flooding and damage caused by heavy rainfall. Several government buildings had to remain closed on Monday.

A roadway turned river in Trinidad ( Express photo )

to work in media,” Dr. Smith said.

He said CARIMAC was also contracted because the institution is the premier media training facility in the Caribbean, and the disaster risk-reduction practitioners pursuing the course need training on how to communicate through the various media outlets about disasters and their country's action

plans.

“Communication and Disaster Risk Management is an absolute necessity.

Effective communication can save lives and reduce loss from disasters. It can make sure that people are able to get back to their jobs as quickly as possible with minimal disruptions,” Dr. Smith said.

Haitians apply for Chile’s ‘humanitarian visa’

SANTIAGO, Chile (AFP) — Haitians living in Chile began a process on Monday that will facilitate the reunification of family members, thanks to a new “humanitarian visa.”

Haitians can apply for the 12-month visa if they already have family living in Chile.

The measure was announced in April as Chile looked to grapple with an influx of migrants, mostly from crisis-hit Venezuela and Haiti.

It will issue 10,000 such humanitarian visas a year.

Chile has actually tightened the rules for Haitians, cancelling a previous tourist visa-on-arrival and imposing a new system that requires Haitians to apply for a 30-

day visa in their capital Portau-Prince.

But for those already with family in the South American country, citizens from the Caribbean island nation can now benefit from a measure aimed at reuniting children with their parents.

“The importance of this document is to allow children to not be separated from their families, as well as to give them protection, dignity and well-being,” said Chancellor Roberto Ampuero, in quotes carried by El Mercurio newspaper.

The measures were announced to find a solution to the wave of undocumented foreigners arriving in Chile over the last four years.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 3, 2018

The results will only get better

THE results of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) released last Thursday were commendable and reflected generally marked improvements in the overall performance of students.

Though there was a drop in Mathematics after it had moved up last year, the significant increased performance in the hinterland must be good news to the Ministry of Education. In announcing the results last week, Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, pointed out that some 153 hinterland students are heading to President’s College having attained marks above 495.

She attributed this to a number of interventions by the government.

For his part, Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson said: “We have been trying to bridge the gap by rolling out hinterland development projects…but we have to find a way to significantly close the gap

and we believe that technology is one way to bridge the gap between the coast and hinterland.” Although the Ministry of Education has been consistently training teachers, the CEO believes that they have to look at ways to use technology to ‘touch’ the hinterland areas.

From the information provided by the media, the results over the years in the core subjects offered at the examinations, namely Mathematics, English, Science and Social Studies have been way below expectations. The results this year again show a positive turn with English Language climbing to 60 per cent - the highest ever and this is improvement.

Again, Minister Henry attributed this to the rolling out of several interventions and initiatives such as education reform, curriculum reform and things that are all linked. “It is the vision of the

President to prioritise education…you are seeing improved performances in many subject areas but we will need more strategic leadership and so forth to see results,” Henry said.

The overall results in terms of improvement tell a positive story, but it also shows that more than 50 per cent of pupils in the primary school system still fail to obtain a pass grade (50 per cent) in Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.

While the marked improvement is a cause to celebrate, it must be tempered, since going forward in order to keep up the trend of success, there must be no room for complacency. Parents and teachers must from early motivate their charges to make their best leap forward in next year’s examinations.

From reports in the media, the success at this year’s examinations appears to have stemmed from team

work with parents encouraging and supporting their children and teachers improving their quality of delivery in the classroom. And of course the government had stepped in, engaging the Caribbean Examinations Council to improve the quality of the grade assessments and subsequently launched the Emergency Mathematics Intervention Plan.

Under this well thought-out strategy, teachers were trained in content and methodology and regular cluster meetings were held in each administrative region. Mathematics coordinators and monitors were also recruited, officers and school administrators were trained to supervise the teaching of mathematics and a diagnostic assessment was done on pupils in the hinterland regions. These results indicate that through collaborative efforts a strategy can work.

That said, now that the results are out, there is no time for the ministry to relax as its focus now should be to upgrade as many as possible of the 40 per cent and 62 per cent of students respectively, who failed to grasp the basic concepts of literacy and numeracy at this year’s NGSA, to secondary school standards. This approach is necessary if students are to do better in Mathematics and English at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), where performance in these two subjects remains poor. However, like Minister Henry said, with the right interventions and strategies the results will only get better as the government’s programmes that are geared in this direction take root.

We must live a life of high moral standard and ethics

Dear Editor,

I have decided to pen this letter on moral standards and ethics from personal experience with people in Guyana, as well as those out of Guyana.

The word 'ethic' can be defined as follows: ''a set of moral principles, especially ones relating to or affirming a specified group, field, or form of conduct, as the basic concepts and fundamental principles of decent human conduct. It includes study of universal values such as the essential equality of all men and women, human or natural rights, obedience to the law of land, concern for health and safety and increasingly, also for the natural environment. '' Let me begin with work ethic with the question: How many people in Guyana go to work on time? How many managers, supervisors, CEO'S and clerks can you meet at 8:30am in their offices? I have visited several offices in Guyana and observed most workers going to work late and the bosses are never in office on time.

I also observed that many workers just idle their day away collecting the government money by false pretense, including their bosses.

If you call many offices to talk to a person in position, they are always

in a meeting or not in office or too busy to take your call. They never return a call or replied to your email, Facebook or Whatsapp messages etc.

I have seen these activities in most of our offices in Guyana more than 35 years now. Over two months ago I saw a vacancy at the University of Guyana. I sent an application online and I got a reply after four days that my application was received. After a month I sent them an email of inquiry about my application. They replied in a few days saying that my application is still under consideration. It's over two months now, I sent them another inquiry in a week, I got no reply. Here is the highest academic institution of learning taking months to process a job application, and don't have the moral standard to write to me to say if my application was NOT accepted or to go for an interview. I may suffer a heart attack if they invite me for an interview.

My next experience is with the Ministry of Legal Affairs, they wrote me a letter dated 28th November 2017 informing me that my ''Application of Appointment as Justice of Peace and Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits is now at The Minister of State for Final Deliberation.''

That letter was only sent to me because I wrote about it several

times in the newspapers, questioning why my police report took over two years to be sent to the Ministry of Legal Affairs. After several inquiries by calls to the office of the Minister of State, to date, it's about eight months now and I have not received an email, phone call nor letter pertaining to the status of my appointment. This procedure of my application started since 2003, since the PPP administration, it’s about 15 years now to date, it would be better if I was told I am not appointed and reasons were given. (I did over six police interviews in those years) What I have discovered in this country is that, simple matters that can take a week or month will take years because of incompetence and lack or morality and ethics. Sometimes managers and ministers are in their offices but they refuse to answer calls, they just tell their secretaries to say they are not in office.

What are they telling their secretaries in simple terms is ''to lie for them''. a gentleman told me in Brazil you can buy a property and get the paper work done the same day or less than a week. Here in Guyana it is months and years and the royal run around at the GRA for the Compliance. In Trinidad you get your Birth Certificate same day here is weeks and

months.

I wrote a book and sent it to my publisher 1:35 am I got a reply in five minutes. I sent Warwick University an email and I got three replies in 10 minutes back and forth. How do we compare ourselves with these institutions abroad? Why can't we be competent like them?

I haven't seen the great change of this country since modern technology, all over you go is tons of old books and papers that should be replaced by CD'S and Flash Drives.

We don't have much work ethics in Guyana. We are always late and used terms like ''it's better to be late than never'' we go to work late, watch TV late, wake late, and laze around our jobs doing nothing and people in this country have a real drinking problem they are always drunk even on their jobs. Most times people are pushed into offices because of political affiliations and they get `FAT CAT’ salaries for doing absolutely nothing. We must ask ourselves many questions like, how competent is this person holding this office? What did he/she ever run efficiently before? Are they honest? Are they punctual? Can they run this office? Do they have a stable family life? Are we very principled when it comes to keep our WORD AND TIME with people? You are

a manager, you invited an applicant for a job interview at 9 AM but you showed up at 12 noon. What example are you setting for that new applicant? NONE! You need to be fired.

Simple evaluation of people should not take us long. But in this country people `dragged their feet’ on their jobs, even our schools have teachers who need teaching themselves because they are never in class and they can never complete the CXC exam syllabus on time.

Our character, morality, integrity, punctuality and speaking the truth at all times are keys to the foundation of a person of exemplary character and attitude. Mahatma Gandhi had this to say about character: ''In times to come people will not judge us by the creed we profess, or the label we wear or the slogans we shout, but, by our work, industry, sacrifice, honesty and purity of character.''

It's about time that we as a people wake up to these truths about morality and ethics and inculcate more efficient work ethics.

Regards, Rev. Gideon Cecil

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Tuesday July 3, 2018

Jagdeo’s challenge to the President to a debate on race Dear Editor, BHARAT Jagdeo has a self-anointed perception of himself as that of a political media star; and how much he loves the limelight, as he tries desperately to sanitise and re-invent himself and party fortunes via a daily deluge of political deceptions, lies, and misleading information, and the usual resort to race as a means of ensuring constituent support. Such will continue to be his political offense mechanism as he prepares his party for the 2020 national and regional elections.

To say the least, the nation has not benefitted from such an egregious behaviour since it has not added any intellectual content in terms of finding solutions to the many national challenges, chief of all, the issue of race. And this is because Jagdeo is all about the reclamation of power, at all costs and through any conceivable means. For him any means would justify his selfish ends.

Challenging the President to a debate on race in Guyana and comparing the 28 years of PNC government to that of the 23 years of PPP/C governance, and the current three years of coalition government rule in terms of economic opportunities for

African Guyanese, is a ploy to continue Jagdeo’s deceptive and pointless narrative.

Is this not some sick joke, deceptive too, and designed to create the appearance of Jagdeo, being genuinely interested in removing the race thorn that he has been continuously sticking in the nation’s side, opening the racial wounds deeper? And if he is seeking to elevate the GECOM issue as a basis for his case, then it is a none-starter because of the constitutional body’s management structure that had served his party and government for several elections which they had won, without the then opposition complaining – and which the latter subsequently inherited as government.

Overwhelmingly, most of those African Guyanese who would have made advancements in their business endeavours, would have done so with their own money.

Many, especially those who have invested in the hotel and banqueting hall businesses, were overseas-based and who would have brought home their hard-earned money.

And even if they had received concessions from the PPP/C regime, such would not have been any different to those granted by that government for Guyanese wishing to invest in legitimate

business.

Those hundreds of smallsized African business persons, such as stall holders, poultry rearers and some farmers, would have accessed loans from the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), Scotia Bank, and the traditional box hand, to start up and re-stock their specific business concerns.

These are the African Guyanese whose stories would be revealing, should they go public about their attempts to access loans from some known commercial banks.

Jagdeo does not have to be reminded as to where the opportunity was for making a dollar. It was in the procurement, and contracts for state projects that were not accessible to African Guyanese. Granted, that there were a paltry number of African contractors who got some money, but the latter were mere crumbs in comparison to the billions that went the way of the PPP/C supporters, friends, and cronies.

Many Indo-Guyanese became overnight contractors because of their ethnicity and party affiliation, and they made hundreds of millions for doing shoddy and incomplete work! It was a dice loaded in their favour, since many of them were subsequently able to gradually build the capacity

Flag at Stabroek Market Square not ours Dear Sir, PLEASE refer to a letter which appeared in your Guyana Chronicle issue of June 30, 2018 p 5, by Roseanne Rodgers - “City Hall didn’t get the memo”.

The council wishes to make it clear that the flag, at Stabroek Market Square, does not belong to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

However, the council did inform the agency, whose flag

it is, about the importance of the day and the need to fly the flag at half-mast.

Also, it must be noted that, the council has always been very happy to listen to the wisdom and follow the strong leadership of His Excellence, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Mr. David Arthur Granger and his administration, particularly in areas of empathy and respect for

the rights of citizens. The council has never been more proud than it is today, of its national government that continues to demonstrate an abiding interest in the welfare and wellbeing of all of the people of Guyana.

Regards, Debra Lewis Public Relations Officer Mayor and City Council

that eventually made them eligible in accordance with procurement terms. It is an imbalance that until now, still militate against many African Guyanese contractors who bid for contracts.

There is no magic wand that could create the much-needed socio-economic balance in just three years, as Jagdeo would want Guyanese, especially the African segment, to believe.

It is a dishonest narrative that comes from his book of jumbie economics. Besides, the current government from its socio-economic programme, is about creating an enabling environment for all Guyanese to prosper. There are mechanisms already fashioned to accommodate the different levels of entrepreneurship, thus giving every class of Guyanese a choice of economic participation.

The Jagdeo administration, by a deliberate and well planned policy, ensured the enrichment of Indo-Guyanese by a variety of means, the legitimate pathways of

which were inaccessible to Afro-Guyanese. Since 2015, it has been gradually revealed as to the conditions that existed, for the theft of and transferal of state assets, to friends and cronies, and even to overseas climes, which evidence according to SARA has been received.

Of course, there were socio-economic problems that existed during the Burnham regime; but he would have never tolerated the profligacy, unbridled ostentation and shameful corrupt practices, much less to have death squads operating on behalf of the government, as what had occurred during the Jagdeo government. It is well-known that many high state functionaries were prosecuted, found guilty and jailed during his era. In fact, the corrupt practices of that phase, paled in comparison to that of the 23 years.

Finally, the Burnham policy for socio-economic was that of cooperative socialism, conceptualised to engender individual

self-sufficiency; and not about the looting of state resources. In fact, this was the socialist ideology of that time, and one shared by the then PPP opposition, Dr. Cheddi Jagan. I stand to be corrected when I state that Dr. Jagan did not like big business; was always suspicious of their capitalist ideology, given his known Marxist-Leninist outlook, and even though he had won the presidency, there were concerns about his policy towards the private sector. One should note the complete disavowal of all that Jagan stood for, after he died. It became a free for all with the State’s resources. How many times the grand man of the PPP must not have turned in his grave!

Regards, Earl Hamilton

Word to Guyanese writers: Just keep writing, already Dear Editor, AS a writer myself, I would naively assume that writers are best at writing while leaving the politicking to politicians.

Apparently, this word had not gotten out to our Guyanese writers, at home or abroad, so unless the motives are possibly, to garner greater attention to themselves and book sales, or testing the political waters, this series of vitriolic letters in the local newspapers, ought to end as quickly as it started, since it would eventually show a seamier side to the self-righteous protestations of its writers.

The strong suit of all

writers is to write, and hopefully, write good stories. This feat can best be accomplished whether one is living in a Trump Towers penthouse on Manhattan, NY, or in a lean-to in Plastic City, ECD. If one is writing for a target audience, the reception and sales will be much different than if one is writing for a universal audience.

Of course, consideration must be paid to the quality of work and capital invested, with the hope of turning a profit, through book sales, and that is as sure a venture as buying a lottery ticket.

The point I am trying to make here is, faux pas by Hon. Minister

Dr. George Norton,to the contrary, that writers should seek a loftier means of getting their point across, if the objective is to have a well-respected and organised Guyana Prize for Literature. Hon. Minister Dr. George Norton must have realised by now, that getting a consensus from writers is like a small puppy trying to follow two small boys running in opposite directions, at the same time.

To him I say, best of luck.

Regards, Albert R. Cumberbatch Ph. D (Educator/ Environmentalist/Author)

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 3, 2018

Exploring the Birth of Reggae

JAMAICA GLEANER International Reggae Day was celebrated on Sunday in Jamaica , and again, tribute was paid to the pioneers who made it possible.

The idea of IRD was conceptualised in 1993 by Andrea Davis, following a speech by Winnie Mandela, wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela, while the couple was on a visit to the Island that year.

Davis, a music administrator and a member of the Toots and The Maytals' management team, was inspired when she heard Mrs Mandela declare that reggae music gave the people of South Africa inspiration in their fight against apartheid. Davis immediately saw a vision of reggae music spreading to all corners of the globe and thought that dedicating a day to the genre would be the ideal vehicle for its propagation.

Media houses were invited to dedicate a day to reggae music, and the following year, a full-day celebration was launched.

And so as we look at the work of the pioneers, we recall that Desmond Dekker and The Aces, were the first Jamaican artistes to make the world stop and look at Jamaica as an emerging powerhouse in reggae music when they hit the United Kingdom's (UK) charts in 1969 with the recording - Israelites. The song became his-

toric after it climbed to No. 1 on the UK singles chart, becoming the first Jamaican record to have done so. Other hits by Dekker 007, Shanty Town and A It Mek, consolidated the group's position as a top act in the UK. First Reggae Recording Back home a year earlier, Nanny Goat, by Larry and Alvin; Bangarang, by Stranger Cole and Lester Sterling; No More Heartaches, by The Beltones; and Baby Why, by the Cables were vying for the title of being the first reggae recording, and the one that laid the first cornerstone in the building of the reggae genre. Most musicologists tend to agree that Nanny Goat led the way.

It was a timeless masterpiece of sheer musical artistry that included an innovative shuffling organ piece, played

by Jackie Mittoo, which transformed a seemingly rocksteady song into something that sounded different.

It was, however, not the first time that the name reggae was being used in relation to a Jamaican recording.

Frederick 'Toots' Hibbert of the Maytals, although not accepting credit for doing the first reggae recording, claims that he was the first to mention the name in the recording Do The Reggae in 1968. Record producer-recording artiste Clancy Eccles, challenged that position and went further by claiming that

he coined the name 'reggae'.

According to Eccles in the liner notes from one of his albums, it happened on a dance night when he jokingly used the rhyming slang "Hey Streggae, come make we reggae"! (Streggae referring to a so-called female 'regular' at dances, and Reggae referring to dancing).

Bangarang, featuring Lester Sterling (saxophone) and Stranger Cole (vocals) was another of the earliest Jamaican recordings that demonstrated the rudimentary reggae rhythm, and laid the foundation for the genre.

A number one song in Jamaica in 1968, it was fortuitous, as Cole related to me in an interview some years ago.

"I was passing by Treasure Isle Studios one day, and producer Bunny Lee a very good friend of mine - called me upstairs, where he was doing an instrumental recording called Bongo Chant with saxophonist Lester Sterling.

He asked me if I could put some words to it, and I just came up with 'Mumma no wan bangarang', and the rest is history."

Baby Why, by the Cables, with its horns-driven instrumental introduction, was a huge favourite even before it was released to the public.

The very astute record producer Clement Dodd, sensing its huge popularity, held the recording for four months for

THE BIRTH OF REGGAE Although no proper documentation has been done something that has plagued Jamaica's early music - it

is widely accepted that the birth of reggae occurred in mid-late 1968. Many musicologists believe that it was a spontaneous occurrence, occasioned by the will of some musicians to experiment with the existing rocksteady beat. "The ska riff on top of a slowed-down rocksteady bass line, with a touch of mento," was how one critic described it. In my mind, The Beltones' No More Heartaches, also in 1968, completes the quartet of recordings that represented the earliest pieces to define the reggae genre.

Among the earliest musicians that were central to the transition were guitarist Lynn Taitt; bassists Jackie Jackson, Brian Atkinson, Boris Gardiner; keyboard players Winston Wright, Jackie Mittoo, and Gladstone Anderson; percussionists Bongo Herman and Noel 'Skully Simms; drummers Glen Adams, Count Ossie, Winston Grennan; hornsmen Tommy McCook, Lester Sterling, Vin Gordon, Roland Alphonso; mouth-organist Charlie Organaire and melodica player Augustus Pablo.

Also among the pioneers who laid the foundation for reggae music were producers Clement 'Coxson' Dodd, Arthur 'Duke' Reid, Leslie 'Beverley's' Kong, Bunny 'Striker' Lee, and Sonia Pottinger the only female in the business.

These are known as the skin and hair nuts. Selenium in these nuts accelerates cell turnover and improves skin health. Vitamins A and E increase the production of collagen, opposing the effects of ageing and zinc, omega 3, and fatty acids assist with skin dryness.

Portioning is everything Regardless of their popularity I would not recommend peanuts and cashews because they are quite energy dense and are easily overindulged, however, all nuts are beneficial to your diet in proper portions.

Nuts are truly energy

dense. Each seed has enough energy stored to develop a plant with stems and leaves until it grows usable roots, so you don't want to overdo it. A weekly serving of nuts is five one-ounce portions or 30 grams.

A one oz or 30g serving is roughly 30 pistachios, 20 almonds, 15 cashews, 20 hazelnuts, or eight walnuts.

But don't get too worked up about exact measurements, one ounce is roughly one handful and no more. Don't go overboard, as one ounce of nuts/one handful, is roughly 160 to 190 calories.

So, enjoy having your healthy, salt-free or saltless nuts and allow them to nurture and heal you.

Just watch those portions.

You can take yourself in the right direction by incorporating nuts, seeds and legumes gradually into your daily diet, easing away from the animal proteins, at least on occasion.

Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert has said that he was the first to mention the name reggae in the recording ‘Do The Reggae’ in 1968. ( J’ca Gleaner photo )

exclusive play on his sound system, eventually building a huge demand for it. With an equally popular B-side - Be A Man, the record became one of the biggest selling-ones in Jamaica during the 1960s.

Go nuts!

WE seldom stop to think about the actual benefits of nuts. Many of us will tear through a tin or bag of peanuts, cashews or mixed nuts but, as with all things, the healthy quantity is the last thing on our minds, not to mention how much good they can do for us and which ones are better than others.

“Nuts” refer to the general group of foods which includes: • Legumes (a pod which can be split in half containing edible seeds, such as peanuts, peas, beans); • Tree nuts, which are true/botanical nuts (fruit and seed surrounded by a permanent hard shell, such as hazelnuts, chestnuts); • Drupes (tree nuts with fleshy fruit surrounding a hard-shelled nut such as almonds, pecans, pistachios,

cashews).

If you do not have peanut or tree nut allergies there is a wealth of nutrients and healing benefits to harvest from nuts.

Instead of having processed snacks, you can replace them with healthier options like easy-to-find, packable and tasty nuts.

Nuts are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin E, magnesium, copper, the amino acid arginine — which helps lower cholesterol and the risk of hypertension, and unsaturated fats that are invaluable for lowering the risk of heart disease.

According to the Journal of MBC Medicine, eating nuts daily reduces the risks of heart disease, cancer, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes by 30 per cent, 15 per cent, 50 per cent, and 40 per cent, respectively. A serving of

nuts also contains three to eight grammes of protein.

TOP PICKS FOR HEALTHIEST NUTS. Walnuts Walnuts are the all-time nutritional superstars of the nut kingdom. They contain rare, invaluable phytonutrients such as the anti-inflammatory tannin tellimagrandin and the flavanol morin. These decrease the risk of several cancers, including breast and prostate.

If that isn't enough, they also contain high levels of magnesium — which has been identified as a depression fighter, zinc, manganese, phosphorous, and selenium.

Recent studies are also showing that walnuts may contribute to brain health and guard against dementia.

Pistachios

Because pistachios are relatively low in calories they are a favourite of mine, giving more nuts per serving.

Almonds Almonds contain fibre for digestive health and weight management; vitamin E for skin health; and trace minerals like magnesium and phosphorus, which are critical for maintaining strong teeth and bones.

They contain riboflavin and L-carnitine, good for brain activity and the development of new neural pathways, and the boosting of immunity and energy.

Brazil nuts

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

LEN looking to spread its wings –– with expansion of business centre

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) has expanded its business centre, providing 18 more rooms to be utilised by entrepreneurs and other commercial entities.

This expansion was welcomed by the Ministry of Finance, of which LEN is a subsidiary.

Commending the company at Friday’s launch for taking such a bold initiative was Finance Secretary Dr. Hector Butts, who said that the expansion is a testimony of the management’s commitment to provide more services for Linden, and that it comes at a time when the town is in dire need of growth and development.

“This extension comes at a prudent time in the growth and development of our economy, in which we are looking towards low carbon development strategy while at the same time looking towards exploiting growth, based on revenue coming from hydrocarbon,” Dr Butts said, in obvious reference to plans afoot to have the entire expanded complex utilise solar panels as a form of renewable energy.

To undertake the project, LEN was given a total of $51M between 2017 and 2018, and 90 per cent of the materials used on the building were sourced from Linden, which is another move to allow the monies to circulate within the town.

Pledging the ministry’s continued commitment to LEN, Butts urged the company to continue spreading its wings and providing the kind of services that will get Linden back on its feet.

“The Ministry of Finance will continue its best efforts to commit to Linden and Region 10,” Dr. Butts said.

LEN’s mission is to provide micro-financing to small business in Linden, especially those into agro-processing, in an effort to diversify the economy.

Dr. Butts said that even with the promise of oil, diversification is necessary and therefore LEN must not lose sight of its role. “We must not lose sight that oil cannot replace the need for continued diversification;we should not only focus on the resource development, but on other development to sustain us such as manufacturing, value added, agriculture,” he said.

The LEN business centre at Linden He also touched on Linden’s tourism continue along the path of transparency and sector and urged LEN to think seriously about accountability, and its stakeholders in Linden moving in that direction. to keep them in check.

He is optimistic that LEN’s expansion of In addition to the provision of business assets will be so great that it will soon have incubators and micro-business loans,LEN subsidiaries of its own. last week launched its low-income housing “LEN would grow so big that it would project. not be able to manage what it has,” Dr Butts The organisation also provides techsaid, adding: nical and other support to entrepreneurs “As such, it may be possible for LEN to and farmers. Since 2015, the government invite the private sector to become share- has been pumping millions of dollars into holders.”

LEN. Prior to that, it was basically survivIn closing, he urged the company to ing on its own.

How the DLP lost its way

BARBADOS NATION The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) got a 30-0 whipping from the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in last General Election because it was no longer “for the people”.

And for it to be resurrected from the political ashes, the party must bury some of its old leadership baggage.

That was the frank assessment from outgoing High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Reverend Guy Hewitt, as he addressed the annual general meeting of the DLP’s United Kingdom branch in London on Sunday.

He attributed the May 24 defeat to a “most egregious, homophobic, boarding (sic) on misogynistic, election campaign, [that] created a serious and fatal disconnect between the Government and the governed”.

The Anglican cleric also took a swipe at the leadership.

“Political leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, inspiration and integrity. Impact involves getting results, influence is about creating and spreading a vision, inspiration is to get others to follow you, and integrity is the means to ensure that what is done, happens in a just and compassionate manner.

“If and when a political leader senses that he has run his course, he has a duty and responsibility to share that

faithful in London that the DLP was “far from dead”, but it had to drop the “baggage”.

“This baggage was created following the death of Errol Barrow and then got piled upon thereafter. First it

Barbados outgoing High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Reverend Guy Hewitt (B’dos Nation photo) well in advance with those he contained simplistic errors leads, and where necessary, and was issued after the spemake way . . . ,” he added. cial electors had voted.

But Hewitt said the party He declared that he was hierarchy and candidates had not a member of the DLP, to take some responsibility nor was he speaking “as high “for their failure to act when commissioner . . . nor as a they should have known bet- priest . . . but as a fellow ter”.

Barbadian”.

“Between 2008 when the Hewitt, who was ruDLP was elected to office moured to have been inand 2018 when they were terested in running for the routed at the polls . . . there St. John seat, said the party was a sense amongst the losing nearly every box in populous that the DLP were every constituency, and no no longer ‘for the people’,” candidate coming within 500 said Hewitt, who noted he votes of the nearest winner, was asked to give his opinion “says it all”. on the results.

“However, nothing was Other factors he stressed more symbolic of the disconincluded: the seeming failure nect between the DLP and of the last administration to the people of Barbados than communicate effectively and the inconceivable loss of St. account to the people; the im- John, the former seat of . . . position of an unmanageable Errol Walton Barrow, and the tax burden; the ignoring of spiritual home of the Demorumours of corruption; and cratic Labour Party.” the release of a manifesto that He however told party

was the split in the party with the emergence of the NDP [National Democratic Party] which caused the loss of a significant cadre of leaders; then the leadership crisis in the early 1990s, the no-confidence in Parliament, the loss of a further cadre of leaders and the election defeat that followed.

“Then came the leadership crisis in the late 1990s, the emergence of Owen [Ar-

thur], the politics of inclusion and in 1999, another major electoral defeat and the further haemorrhage of future leaders. This confluence of events gave rise to the millennial DLP with a depleted core leadership and which, to some onlookers, seemed to have lost its way and possibly its soul.

The consequence of all this culminated in the May 2018 political slaughter.”

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Holder urges farmers to invest in drones … useful tool for crop analysis, improving productivity

By Rabindra Rooplall DRONE technology and robotics in agriculture can be extremely useful in improving farmers’ productivity, and this is being encouraged by the government as it will definitely add to the sector, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder has said.

Drones known as remotely piloted aircraft or (unmanned aerial vehicles) UAVs can basically be boiled down to four segments when it comes to agriculture benefits: Crop field scanning with compact multispectral imaging sensors, GPS map creation through onboard cameras, heavy payload transportation, and livestock monitoring

with thermal-imaging camera-equipped drones.

“Our current system of agronomic practices in many sectors is not very efficient given the growing demand for certain commodities. For example, in the rice industry, persons with a smaller cultivation are still manually applying insecticides, fertilisers, etc.,” Minister Holder said in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

He explained that although larger farmers can, or are using aircraft to carry out these activities, smaller farmers cannot use an aircraft to do these things because of the regulations put in place when using an aircraft for these purposes around residential

areas. In these circumstances, he said that drone technology can be extremely useful in improving the productivity of these crops.

“Many farmers do not have the correct information about their cultivation size. Drones have the ability to conduct surveys and tell farmers exactly how many acres are under cultivation.

With this information, farmers would know how many bags of fertiliser are needed, how many seeds are needed, etc. So overall, the use of drones in agriculture is welcomed and it can definitely improve the sector,” Holder underscored.

Recently, at an IDB-led digital transformation work-

making sustainability a priority. Drones are part of the solution; there must also be closer collaboration among governments, technology leaders, and industries,” Mohan noted.

Mohan, who resides in the US, underscored that the number of farmers adopting the use of drones in their farms in developed countries is growing steadily. Drones

Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder shop, themed “How technology and innovation are improving people’s lives,” Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes said, that robotics in agriculture will be a game changer in the industry.

She explained that Guyana can grow exponentially through the right investments in technology, “imagine such an area can be robotics in agriculture and everybody that is interested in agriculture and the development of robots for agriculture could be coming to Guyana. And that is a whole industry that we can develop.”

Meanwhile, President of STARR Computer, Mike Mohan who has been in the technology business for over two decades, said the introduction of drones for agriculture as suggested by the agriculture minister and Minister Cathy Hughes is an incredibly great idea for Guyana, which can create employment, increase foreign exchange and help the world’s food shortage crisis. He explained that “agricultural drones” increase agricultural productivity by over 70 per cent in soil and field analysis, planting, monitoring, spraying, irrigation, health assessment, and ease of deployment.

“Technology is changing the way we live, work and think. Therefore, agricultural producers must embrace revolutionary strategies for producing food, [and] increasing productivity, while

costs significantly. Drones can be used to develop time series animations to show precise crop development, which reveals production inefficiencies hence better crop management,” he said.

He added that some drones are capable of scanning crops using visible and near infrared light. On-board light processing devices are then able to identify the amounts of green and near-infrared light reflected by the plants. This data is then used to develop multi-spectral images, which depict the plant health.

“These images can be used to track crop health and to monitor remedied treatment if any sickness is discovered. While extreme weather conditions are on the rise and the world’s population is expected to reach nine billion people by 2050, agricultural demand will increase by up to 70 per cent.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes offer them a low-cost aerial camera platform, this way farmers can cost-effectively monitor their crops. Drones are also used to capture images which are later processed using software to create a reflectance map of the crops on the farmland, he explained.

He said that the Drone’s 3-D maps conduct soil analysis on soil property, moisture content, and soil erosion. This is very important in planning seed planting patterns and even after planting, such data information is useful for both irrigation and the management of the nitrogen level in the soil.

Adding that manufacturers are perfecting the technology for planting shooting pods containing seeds and plant nutrients into the already prepared soil, Mohan said this process significantly reduces the planting costs.

“Instant crop monitoring of vast fields has replaced the current manual process, which we deploy on Guyana. This modern monitoring process reduces maintenance

President of STARR Computer, Mike Mohan Meeting the world’s food demand is a major challenge for most leaders worldwide,” Mohan said.

Mohan concluded that this demand could create huge foreign exchange earning opportunities for Guyana. With a large land mass and small population, “Government needs to create incentives to encourage more farmers and investors to embrace agricultural drone technology, along with affordable land lease opportunities.”

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

No giving up on Shondell –– US doctors determined to make her see from both eyes, whole again

By Navendra Seoraj

SHONDELL Williamson has endured unimaginable pain and suffering since she was brutally burnt with corrosive acid by her reputed husband, an attack which has left her consumed by hospital stays, numerous surgeries and seemingly endless doctor’s visits.

But with the help of the Saving Hands Emergency Aid, Inc. (SHEA) Foundation, she has found the strength to get her life and some of her vision

over the opening of the other eye, they have been unsuccessful. But they are not giving up.

“There is a strong chance of improving her vision further, but it will require at least one more complex surgery, involving two very skilled surgeons. And we are working to make this happen,” the Foundation said.

Also, Shondell is undergoing extensive facial reconstructive surgery, particularly to her nose, which was dissolved in the acid attack.

Shondell Williamson as she looks today after 17 months of treatment (Photo courtesy SHEA Foundation) back, so that she can raise her two children and be an advocate for victims of domestic violence.

According to a post on the SHEA Foundation’s Facebook page, Shondell underwent vision correction surgery, and her sight was restored in one eye, but the extent of her injuries was so extreme, that despite her doctors’ numerous attempts to keep scar tissues from growing

According to SHEA, this is an extremely lengthy process, where a bone from her rib was used to graft her nose. She is now healing from that surgery.

But despite all her difficulties, SHEA says it remains committed to seeing Shondell through the completion of her treatment.

“Shondell has now been under our care for 17 months, and will be

in active treatment for several months to come,” the Foundation said, adding, that in order to keep this up, it is kindly asking persons for whatever help they can give.

It was on January 19, 2017 in New Amsterdam that Shondell’s jealous

boyfriend disguised himself as a woman to get close to her so he could douse her with the substance that disfigured her entire face and upper body.

On December 15, 2017, she underwent a gruelling eight-hour surgery. It was a difficult one that almost

never happened.

The man responsible for her condition, Alfred De-Jonge, had journeyed all the way from Linden to Berbice to commit the act after Shondell had finally summoned the courage to end the abusive 10-year relation-

ship. And as he bathed her with the acid, he had the gall to scream, “If I can’t have you, no one will!” He then escaped in a waiting car.

He is now facing attempted murder and remains behind bars, awaiting trial.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 3, 2018

Sophians want better for their community – but squatters scuttling plan

Before and after work was done on 11th Street Eastern Canal on the Main Road, Pattenson-‘B’ Field Sophia by the South Liliendaal Progressive Development NGO

By Lisa Hamilton THE South Liliendaal Progressive Development Group has pinpointed squatting as the main cause for several health hazards and safety issues experienced in their area, also called Block ‘X’ Liliendaal or ‘A’ Field, Sophia.

Listed among the main repercussions of squatting are the illegal utility connections, crime, and flooding due to improper waste management.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Group President James Hermanstein, a pensioner, he told of their efforts to reverse the present negative realities in the community.

Hermanstein said he and a few others came into South Liliendaal as pioneers in 1992 and did their own land

clearing, canal cleaning and demarcations as community members for the benefit of all.

But all this would soon change, Hermanstein said, when, after about 30 years, the canals which were once so clean that they were used for bathing, cooking and washing became overrun by vegetation and garbage.

Since then to now, he said, not much has changed, which is why the group of some 15 members, young and old, male and female, has organised themselves as an NGO to restore the community to its former glory.

“We decided to see if we could motivate people again to have this kind of self-help development in our area,” Hermanstein said.

“We decided that we are going to get people who are serious about community

development, and are willing to give their time and energy for its development.” he explained.

Some of the works completed by so far by the NGO, include the clearing of the eastern and western canals where ‘moco-moco’ bushes had grown some 15 feet high.

This was done with the help of Chief Sea and River Defence Officer Kevin Samad, of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, who lent them a machine to do the job.

But for all their efforts to positively influence their community, Hermanstein said, squatters who mainly occupy dams in ‘A’ and ‘B’ Field Sophia-Pattenson, continue to contribute to consequences, even dangerous ones, affecting the safety of the residents.

“Some places the machine couldn’t go because of squatters when really the machine is supposed to run on the dams, but because of the squatters occupying those dams, the machine could not have gone,” he said, adding: “Before 2015, there were about 15 of those squatters; now they’re 65 and they’re building still at this present time. And that’s why the crime has increased in this area, because some of these people that they call ‘poor people’ their shacks have TV, fridge and the likes and they use illegal current and water 24 hours a day.”

Hermanstein said that following the clearing of a nearby area, an entire illegal “pipe network” was discovered, while the NGOs working to clear the bushes near the Sophia Primary School revealed a series of illegal electric wires which are hazardous to the children traversing nearby.

“One of our major dangerous issues is the illegal wires that they attach to their homes… Because we cleared the place, the children now want to take shortcuts and they run through these illegal wires,” he said.

President of the South Liliendaal Progressive Development, Mr. James Hermanstein

Added to this, he said that some squatters have built shops over the canals and they habitually throw their waste in plastic bags into the canals which causes flooding. Also while many shacks are used for “pleasure purposes” and “places to harbour thieves”.

He also highlighted the issues of the illegal erecting of buildings for renting purposes; deplorable street conditions; and the non-functioning of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) setup in the area in 2015.

With the foregoing issues in mind, Mr. Hermanstein is now calling on

the relevant authorities to take action and to execute existing laws to prevent the area from becoming “a shanty town”.

“My ultimate call is for the authorities to listen to what we are saying in the community; to look into the serious situation and not to encourage the squatters to continue there; to help us to get the whole area to become beautiful and a better place where everybody can be comfortable. We will work with them if they allow us to,” Hermanstein said.

In the meanwhile, the NGO is constructing a 35ft x 4ft walkway from Block ‘X’ to Pattenson, as the present make-shift one is unsafe for crossing. Persons have also been robbed there because of the overgrown bushes.

Hermanstein said the construction all came about, thanks to Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who back in May gifted the development group with a $200,000 donation from his own pocket. The money was used to assist in the purchase of material for the completion of the bridge.

Photo at left shows the make-shift bridge which the group intends to rebuild, at right, is the area in South Liliendaal that is being cleared of the moco moco bushes, some as high as 15 feet

Farmers indebted to MMA slowly paying up

FARMERS who owe the Mahaica/Mahaicony/ Abary-Agriculture Development Authority (MMA/ ADA) large sums of money have recently begun paying up their debts which, a few weeks ago, stood in excess of $700M. According to MMA/ADA General Manager Aubrey Charles, the amount which is owed for drainage and irrigation and land rental charges, is slowly reducing and it now stands in excess of $670M. However, with several agriculture areas in a deplorable state due to the rainy season, the MMA/ADA is calling on the rest of farmers to visit their office and pay up

in a timely manner. “Within the past four to five months,

that but they still owe a large amount…so once the money

General Manager of the MMA/ADA, Aubrey-Charles

farmers have been paying up. I compliment them for

comes in we’ll be able to do more for the farmers, we’ll

be able to meet our obligation and that is providing an effective drainage and irrigation service to our farmers,” he said.

Charles added that the Agriculture Development Authority understands the unpredictable challenges that farmers may face, and is willing to work out payment plans that best suit each farmer.

“I would like to appeal to those farmers to come forward and pay. We don’t expect farmers who owe three or four hundred thousand dollars to pay all at one time, but they can visit the office and work out a payment plan… they can always come and

reach me or the supervisor for that division and we could work together,” he said.

For maintenance services and other capital-related works, the MMA/ADA must rely on rates paid by farmers as the government is no longer responsible for funding of capital works undertaken by the agency.

The body is a semi-autonomous agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and is responsible for the management, operation and maintenance of all drainage and irrigation works in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice).

It supports nearly half of the national rice production, about 30-35 per

cent of all livestock, mostly cattle production, and 1015 per cent of the national sugar production. In addition, Charles says that works which commenced on the construction of a new $400M sluice at D’ Edward Village, West Bank Berbice, are progressing and the completion of the 4-door sluice is earmarked for the new year. It is being undertaken by the Courtney Benn Contracting Company Ltd. and will serve as the main drainage sluice in the Abary, Berbice area, in helping to improve the drainage system in the region.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Tuesday July 3, 2018

LIAT launches flight connecting Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua

The tourism delegation at Shirley Heights in the National Park (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

By Samuel Maughn LIAT Airlines on Sunday made its inaugural flight connecting the Eugene F. Correira International Airport (Guyana) to the Piarco International Airport (Trinidad) and V.C. Bird International Airport (Antigua).

This unique route is likely to encourage further travel between the two Islands and Guyana. Antigua’s Minister of Tourism, Economic Development and Investment, Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez, was present among those at the VC Bird Airport in Antigua to welcome a tourism delegation comprising persons from Guyana, Trinidad and Antigua. Speaking exclusively with the Guyana Chronicle, Minister Fernan-

dez highlighted several key ways this connectivity will be beneficial.

He noted: “first and foremost this move of bringing Guyana, Port of Spain and Antigua closer together in terms of flight availability and travel time is bringing another step in regional integration.”

He said this will afford the business community the opportunity to actually spend the day constructively getting their business done and going back the same day. “For example, anyone can now leave Guyana on any given morning arriving in Antigua at about 10hrs and can leave the same day at about 17hrs. This is extremely important, especially for persons in situation where time is critically important,” the minister explained.

The minister added that prior to this it would usually take almost an entire day to get from Georgetown to Antigua, but now this has changed to only four hours and this is also good for tourism he noted. “When you go on a vacation you don’t want to have to go through a torturous route to get to your destination”.

Fernandez referred to Antigua as being a “Melting Pot”; he said “we have a number of our citizens who have family in Guyana and to a less extent in Trinidad, so this also affords the opportunity to spend some time with family. Likewise, Antiguans who have family in Guyana will find it a lot easier now to reciprocate and go back to visit their family and friends.

In addition to that, the entire aspect of making travel easier between the three ports is going to create a closer link between the countries and their people.”

Walter Christopher (Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Tourism in Antigua), also stated they will be taking advantage of this faster travel route to facilitate medical services out of Trinidad and business services in Guyana LIAT Airlines is now looking in the near future to roll out multi-destination packages and will look to partner with other stakeholders to accommodate visitors locally.

Antigua’s Minister of Tourism, Economic Development and Investment, Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

Passengers arriving at the Piarco International Airport on LIAT’s inaugural flight to Trinidad on last Sunday (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

Ogle Airport reports significant int’l passenger movement in 2017 OGLE Airport Inc. has seen a significant increase in international passenger movement in 2017, a statement from the airport said recently.

According to Ogle Airport Inc. there were 5,138 outgoing passengers and 3,705 incoming passengers in 2017, while the airport experienced a decrease of domestic passenger movements with outgoing passengers decreasing by 14,190 and incoming passengers decreasing by 2,9490, said Chief Executive Officer, Col.

(Ret’d) Anthony Mekdeci, in his Annual 2017 Report.

Mekdeci was at the time speaking at the airport’s June 20, 2018 Annual General Meeting. Additionally, he noted that domestic departing cargo increased by 1,409,926 and incoming domestic cargo increased by 99,055.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) also reported an increase in international departing cargo of 56,208 lbs and incoming cargo of 41,309 lbs.

Mekdeci reported too on a number of substantial

development works being carried out at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport (EFCIA) by OAI during 2017. Those works include the concreting of the extension of the taxiway to facilitate aircraft traffic movement to the JAGS and Hopkinson locations and completion of a fully air-conditioned solar powered building to house the installation of Distant Measuring Equipment (DME) to be installed and operated by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The CEO disclosed that

the main terminal building has benefitted from upgrades to improve its security capabilities at the airport as well as the continuous upgrading and maintenance of the airport’s perimeter fence.

“Consistent with the government’s Green Guyana Policy, the EFCIA terminal building has benefitted from the installation of a 20KWH solar system at the airport from the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), on an experimental basis to demonstrate the reliability of solar power generation,” said Mekdeci.

Moreover, he said airport staff, which included managers, duty officers and security, along with rescue and firefighting personnel, as well as airline operators underwent extensive Emergency Response Training.

“The airport also successfully completed a Full Scale Emergency/Contingency and Tabletop Exercise involving the simulation of an ATR72 aircraft accident and hijacking situation,” he reported.

A fire safety audit of all the airport’s facilities was also conducted by US based

Firefighting and Emergency Response consultant, Capt.

Jack McGovern while the airport has established its Runway Safety Team (RST), inclusive of all stakeholders, for the purpose of developing an Action Plan.

Meanwhile, at the said AGM, seven directors were elected. They are Michael O. Correia (Jnr.), Nicole Correia, Anthony Mekdeci A.A, M.S; Ronald Reece, Marcel Gaskin, Malcolm Chan-A-Sue, A.A; and Timothy Monroe Jonas, LLB.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 3, 2018

River-front living never felt better

– as hundreds descend on Linden to savour its simple pleasures

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE curtains came down Monday on the annual Linden River-Front Festival after four hectic days of fun activities with a regatta and family fun-day.

The two events drew crowds from all over Guyana to witness and participate in the water sports and other recreational activities.

Persons travelled to Linden by boat through the Demerara River from Georgetown, as well as from villages further upriver, to take part in the annual event which aims at showcasing the beauty and diversity of the Linden river-front.

Good weather allowed for water lovers to indulge in several competitive events such as the fishing, swimming, speed-boat and the kayaking competitions.

And for those who were not into competing, water rides were available with the kayaking and well as speed boats. Good music permeated the atmosphere, bringing the cool afternoon alive for party lovers, while children enjoyed rides and other family-oriented activities.

Most important about the day’s activities, however, was the highlight of the plethora of uses the Upper Demerara River has, since the intent is to transform it into an aqua-tourism hub for Linden.

The festival brought patrons from all walks of life to get a glimpse of the calming treacle-coloured beauty which meanders her way through the town, literally dividing it into east and west.

This is the fourth year the festival has been held, and each year, the support and appreciation for the grandeur of the river gets greater.

This will be a big boost for Linden’s tourism, something that was discussed at length by major stakeholders in Linden at the Linden River-Front Forum that was held on Friday. Participating for the first time in the Festival was the recently-established Linden-based tour operator, Kara Kayaking Adventures.

Member of the company, Deon Anderson said that the demand was so overwhelming for them to be a part of the festival, that they made it their duty to be a part of the day’s proceedings.

“We are happy to launch our couple’s package of the

of beautiful trees so that young people can enjoy the environment.”

Founding and executive member of the Linden River-Front Festival, Samuel Wright is optimistic that this year’s activities with drive home to all and sundry that the river is one of Linden’s best bets to the development of the tourism industry.

Scenes from the Linden River-Front Festival 2018

river tour, which is also available for groups as well,” Anderson said. He believes that the beauty of the Demerara River should be exploited to its fullest.

And what better way to do that than by boat. “You

get to observe the life of the creek, the villages along the way, plus a lunch stop at one of the private gardens along the creek to be treated to some roasted meat and local beverage, along with other experiences,” he said.

MUCH TO OFFER Wright, who is also an environmentalist, believes that the river-front should be developed and maintained, since it is home to such major stakeholders as churches, schools, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC), the municipal market, boat services, clubs and restaurants.

“If you want to get a sense of what Linden’s river-front is all about,” he said, “all you need do is take a good look; all the important things of Linden are there, so it should be developed.

“This festival is an attempt to bring people’s attention to the river-front; its purpose is to showcase and develop the river-front.”

Wright said that this is

very important for the development of Linden’s tourism industry. The development of the river-front commenced years ago with the initiating of the River-Front Development Project. This saw the construction of the Egbert Benjamin Centre and the construction of a boardwalk on the river-front.

Wright believes that had the project gotten more support from the leaders, it would have come a long way by now.

“The river-front never really got the whole-hearted support from the key players, but we kept doing it anyway,” he said, adding that given the vast expanse of the river-front, there is need for a massive and thorough strategised plan.

“We can do all kinds of things on the river-front; restaurants, fishing piers...

“There are so many stakeholders on the river-front,” he said, “no one group should be deciding what happens on it.

Let’s sit and decide how we will develop it; we are looking to form the river front alliance.”

Wright said that the development of the river-front 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 river-front developed. He said, “I would like to see all of these waterfronts develop, 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

GOOD FOR TOURISM 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 pushing for the development of the Linden river-front, and has even shared with regional officials a blueprint of what it could look like.

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, adding: “It must be a clear vision, not just building some place 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 river-front 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.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Alleged rapist ends life in lock-ups

A 61-year-old MetenMeer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD) resident was found hanging in the Leonora Police Station lock-ups after being taken into custody on Sunday for allegedly raping a 12-yearold girl.

Dead is Bagatram Jailall of Ocean Garden, MetenMeer-Zorg, WCD. Police have since launched an investigation following the death that occured about 05:30hrs Monday. Reports indicate that the man was discovered hanging from the window grill by his shirt. Four other prisoners were in the said cell. Police confirmed that the alleged rape occurred in MetenMeer-Zorg on June 29, 2018.

The man’s niece who gave her name as Shalima, said she was visited by a police rank on Monday morning who told her she was needed at the station. On her way there, the rank related

15

Five held for illegal gun at Mazaruni

The illegal shotgun that was found

Relatives of Jailall gathered at the entrance of his residence after they heard of his demise that her uncle committed suicide. She later learned that the body was taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour.

She gave a statement at the police station.

Further, the woman and her family are of the opinion that Jailall was very sickly

and could not have handled the circumstances in the lock-ups. Relatives said that Jailall was a security guard at the Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

Another relative said that since other persons were in the cell, they will

be expecting the police to carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jailall’s demise. Relatives said that the 12-year-old lives in an East Bank Essequibo village with her mother.

FOLLOWING the discovery of a shotgun and a large quantity of pellets at Mazaruni on Sunday morning, five persons were taken into police custody.

Reports indicate that about 08:00hrs, ranks attached to the police “F” Division were on an ATV patrol in Kurubang Backdam,

Mazaruni, when they came upon a camp at the location.

The ranks conducted a search and a 12-gauge single barrel shotgun with approximately 100 pellets were discovered.

As such, the suspects, who were utilizing the camp, are being questioned as investigations continue.

Police, TIP unit raise awareness on human trafficking in Essequibo

The Police Major Crimes and TIP team which educated and spread the awareness sessions along the Essequibo Coast.

THE Guyana Police Force Major Crimes Unit in partnership with the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Unit, conducted an awareness campaign over the weekend on the Essequibo Coast where hundreds of persons were educated.

The teams also visited 130 homes and had several direct interactions with villagers and a large gathering at

Wyaka Village (Mainstay), where over 700 persons were told about TIP, especially in identifying vulnerability and means of reporting.

Flyers with additional information on TIP and phone numbers were also distributed.

The team then visited a residence at Colombia Village where there was a motivational Satsang with about 400 persons in attendance and they were also en-

lightened on the team’s work.

Further, the Major Crimes and TIP units also did a presentation on four types of TIP which includes: sexual exploitation, forced Labour, domestic servitude and forced begging which are more prevalent in Guyana.

In all their visits on the Essequibo, the team discussed indicators to look for in identifying trafficking victims

while many persons who benefitted from the awareness sessions praised the initiative.

Guyana’s fight against Trafficking in Person (TIP) has seen it maintaining its Tier One status in the US Department of State’s TIP report for 2017.

The recently-released report showed that Guyana has been making significant strides in the fight

against trafficking in persons. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, said the increased efforts of anti-TIP agencies have resulted in much success.

According to Minister Ramjattan, while the government is happy that Guyana has maintained its Tier One ranking, the recommendations included in the report did not go unnoticed.

A section of the gathering at the Satsang in Colombia village that benefitted from the TIP campaign.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

CDB urges significant reform, transform regional aviation industry

PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Wm. Warren Smith, is calling for a new paradigm in the aviation industry, defined by connectivity which is convenient, flexible, and reasonably priced.

Speaking at Aviation Day Caribbean on June 29, Dr.

Smith noted that transforming the Caribbean airline industry will demand significant reforms and actions by regional governments, but will also lead to a better overall customer experience and to aviation making an even bigger contribution to regional economic activity.

The CDB President said that

the cost of intra-regional travel is a major deterrent to travel, saying that in many instances, high taxes have made fares uncompetitive.

He noted that a reduction in these costs could lead to an increase in travel.

“Intra-regional fares have risen steadily to the point where it is often cheaper to

fly to the Eastern Seaboard of the United States than it is to fly to neighbouring Caribbean islands. […] Studies commissioned by CDB, confirm that air travel is price elastic, so that reductions in these imposts should lead to increased travel, which in turn, should lead to additional tax revenue flow to replace some

of the revenues foregone.

Additionally, one should expect secondary benefits to government revenue arising from the in-country spend associated with the larger number of visitors,” said Dr. Smith.

Specific measures recommended by the CDB President to revamp the aviation industry included harmonising regulation across the Caribbean, adopting and implementing a comprehensive open skies agreement, and strengthening the internal operation of Caribbean airlines.

CDB partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) to host Aviation Day Caribbean, which was held at the Hilton Barbados Resort. Regional Vice President, The Americas for IATA, Peter Cerdá, said that air transport is vital to supporting sustained economic development in the Caribbean. He noted however, that while the global aviation industry is doing well, the profit per passenger in Latin America and the Caribbean region is less than half the global average.

“The lack of growth in Caribbean connectivity is due to a combination of high taxes, fees and charges in air transportation, as they add to the cost of travel and make the Caribbean an expensive region to operate in; regulatory barriers, including the lack of liberalization in air services and an inefficient and aging infrastructure.”

Mr. Cerdá added that while many countries consider raising taxes and fees to be a quick revenue generator, the long-term impact is not often considered.

“According to a study published by IATA, each $1 of ticket tax could lead to over 40,000 fewer foreign passengers, $20M of reduced tourist expenditure 1,200 fewer jobs. While we understand the budgetary challenges facing many governments in the region, imposing heavy fees and taxes on aviation and air travel directly affects levels of tourism and business travel—the

Dr. Warren Smith, President of CDB very things required for a vibrant economy.”

Minister of Tourism and International Transport for Barbados, Hon. Kerrie Symmonds, who also spoke during the opening ceremony, outlined several new revenue measures adopted by the Government of Barbados, including a new tax on air travelers. He said that the government intends to use the additional revenue to enhance the airport facilities, by, among other things, introducing automated passport control kiosks and upgrading the departure lounge.

“While we accept that there has been some disquiet, and while we, with the greatest possible reluctance, have gone to the point of institutionalising the increases in departure tax, […] we believe that we can treat this as an investment towards making the airport experience and all that has gone with it traditionally, a completely different and enhanced one as we go forward into the future,” said Minister Symmonds.

Aviation Day Caribbean brought together experts in air travel, tourism and economic development, as well as government authorities, to discuss how aviation can deliver even greater benefits to the region.

CDB also released a study titled Air Transport Competitiveness and Connectivity during Aviation Day. The study raises awareness about the options available to improve the competitiveness of the regional air transport sector.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

NIS clerk robbed of valuables in Agricola

A 50-year-old clerk of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) was robbed of cash and jewellery on Monday morning at Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Reports indicate that the woman of Eccles, EBD, was robbed of her gold chain, two gold rings and cash by two bandits on separate bicycles who were armed with a handgun.

According to information, the clerk and her friend were in a car when they stopped at a vulcanizing shop on the public road to patch a tire. While her friend, who was the driver was inside the vulcanizing shop, the bicycle bandits rode up to her while she was in the car and grabbed onto her, seizing the valuables in her possession.

As she attempted to fight off one of the men, his accomplice drew a handgun from his waist and discharged a round in the air before making good their escape.

The police were summoned and one .32 spent shell was recovered as investigations continue.

17

New baggage restrictions on flights entering the US CARIBBEAN Airlines (CAL) on Monday announced that there will be new baggage restrictions on flights entering the United States.

This new restriction bars travellers from placing powder-like substances with the exception of baby formula, medically prescribed powder-like substance and human remains into their carry-ons and cabin luggage.

“Specifically, any 'powder like substance' with the exception of baby formula,

medically prescribed powder-like substances and human remains will now be forbidden in carry-on and cabin luggage if the quantity of the substance is over 350 milliliters, 12 ounces or 350 grammes. The same limitation applies to the capacity of the container which cannot be over 350 milliliters,” CAL

said in a statement posted on its Facebook Page.

The Trinidad and Tobago-based airline said the new restriction took effect on June 30, 2018 following a directive to airlines from the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and that the new carry-on baggage restrictions are

in effect for all passengers flying to the United States of America.

As such, all passengers flying to the USA must “give up any ‘powder-like substance’ over this amount and place it in their checked baggage for transportation in the baggage hold of the aircraft.”

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Neymar dazzles and disappoints as Brazil reach World Cup quarters

By Toby Davis SAMARA, Russia (Reuters) - Neymar barged his way into the World Cup limelight with a goal, an assist and another helping of histrionics as Brazil roared into the quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Mexico on Monday.

The Paris St Germain forward was both architect and executioner for Brazil, who inflicted a seventh straight last-16 exit on the central Americans, sliding home in the second half and then teeing up Roberto Firmino late on.

Yet the less attractive side of his game was also on display, as he writhed on the floor, seemingly in agony, after Mexico’s Miguel Layun had made the slightest contact with his ankle, before making an immediate and miraculous recovery.

That should not overshadow his generally positive performance, however, as the five-times champions beat an otherwise stubborn Mexico, whose World Cup began with such promise with a victory over champions Germany, but ended in familiar fashion in the first knockout round.

It was the seventh World Cup running that Brazil have reached the last eight, where they will now face Belgium or Japan, while Mexico have not made it to that stage since they hosted the tournament in 1986.

Mexico, who enjoyed an enviable recent record against Brazil having won seven of their previous 15 matches against them, were a threat on the counter in the first half but then faded without ever really being put to the sword.

For all their quasi-mythological attacking traditions, this Brazil side have a pragmatism that keeps them in check in such a way that you cannot see them ever truly cutting loose at this tournament.

Having kept clean sheets in seven of their previous eight games, they were never going to commit men forward and allow Mexico to pick them off in the same way that Germany did in the group stage.

That is not to say that they were not under the cosh

in the early stages, however, as Hirving Lozano had an effort blocked after two minutes, as did Hector Herrera, but as the first half wore on, Brazil got on top in the stifling Samara heat.

G L A R I N G S P O TLIGHT A glaring spotlight had been on Neymar after his opening three performances saw him miss a litany of chances, frequently squander possession and spend far too long on the turf.

Yet he answered a number of questions with his display and a decisive finish early in the second half from a move that he had started himself.

It began when he darted across the edge of the area before a perfect backheel released the excellent Willian, whose low cross fizzed into the danger area where Neymar slid in to turn the ball home for his second goal of the tournament.

It was a choking blow for Mexico, who had been the better side for the opening half an hour, but it was not the manner of defeat but Neymar’s habit of constantly hitting the deck that most irked the Mexico coach.

“Unfortunately, and it is a shame for football, we wasted a lot of time because of one player,” Juan Carlos Osorio said.

“It is a shame for all the people watching, all the children watching... There shouldn’t be acting. I think this had an impact on our pace and style.”

Brazil, who will have to do without defensive midfielder Casemiro in the quarters after he picked up his second booking, had to wait until the 88th minute to put the match to bed.

Neymar was the architect, crossing for Firmino, who is becoming something of a ‘supersub’ for Brazil, to tap the ball home.

Brazil coach Tite was unsurprisingly supportive of Neymar, dismissing accusations of playacting, while preferring to talk about his improving side, who seem to be finding their rhythm after a third successive 2-0 victory.

“The team still has to grow,” he said. “I wanted to repeat the standard of the last match and grow and that happened.”

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Federer and Serena Williams win on Wimbledon day one ROGER Federer and Serena Williams both won their first-round singles matches on a day temperatures soared at Wimbledon.

Swiss top seed Federer, who is 37 in August, began his bid for a record-extending ninth men’s title with a 6-1 6-3 6-4 win over Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic.

American Williams, 36, battled blustery conditions to reach the second round with a 7-5 6-3 victory over Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus. British wildcard Katie Swan reached the second round for the first time as she beat world number 36 Irina-Camelia Begu 6-2 6-2.

A packed Centre Court was dominated by Federer fans - wearing branded hats

and clothing, and faces painted with Swiss flags.

The world number two’s supporters were rewarded with a clinical performance by 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer, who needed just 79 minutes to see off Lajovic.

“I felt good from the start, which was not the case when I played him last year,” Federer told BBC Sport. “I felt at home.”

Seven-time champion Williams, playing her first match at the All England Club since 2016, did not quite progress so easily.

“I’m happy to get through that. I didn’t play my best but I will get there,” said Williams, who is returning after the birth of her first child.

Fourth and fifth seeds fall

Serena Williams

Roger Federer

US Open champion Sloane Stephens and fifth seed Elina Svitolina were the biggest casualties on the opening day.

American Stephens lost 6-1 6-3 to world number 55 Donna Vekic of Croatia while Svitolina fell to Germany’s world number 57 Tatjana Maria 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-1.

Five-time winner Venus

Williams overcame a sluggish start to clinch a 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 6-1 victory over Sweden’s Johanna Larsson but second seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark only needed 59 minutes to beat American Varvara Lepchenko 6-0 6-3.

Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska, the 2012 runner-up, then supplied the late night drama, saving six match

points to beat Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3 4-6 7-5.

Men’s third seed Marin Cilic, the 2017 runner-up, eased to a comfortable 6-1 6-4 6-4 win over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, while three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, now ranked 224th because of injury, overcame sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov in four sets.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray withdrew from the tournament with a “heavy heart” on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Scot said it was “too soon” to play five-set matches after his comeback from hip surgery, so the British challenge in the tournament would have to

come from elsewhere.

That baton was initially taken up by 19-year-old Swan, who defied her ranking of 204th in the world to claim an impressive straight-set victory against 27-year-old RomanianBegu in 56 minutes on Court 14.

Harriet Dart, 21, gave seventh seed Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic a scare but her Wimbledon debut ended in a 7-6 (7-2) 2-6 6-1 defeat.

Fellow wildcard Liam Broady was beaten 7-5 6-0 6-1 in straight sets in the men’s singles by Canada’s Milos Raonic while Slovenian Aljaz Bedene beat 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 Cameron Norrie in a gruelling match. (BBC Sport)

James agrees to four-year, Stanlake burst sets up crushing Australia win $154 million deal with Lakers Ohio for an incredible four seasons,” the fourtime NBA most valuable player, and 14-time All Star, said on his “This will always be home.”

His agency revealed he was heading for Los Angeles.

“LeBron James, four-time NBA MVP, three-time NBA finals MVP, 14-time NBA All Star, and two-time Olympic gold medalist has agreed to a four year, $154 million contract with the Los Le Bron James has been Angeles Lakers,” to nine NBA finals in total, Klutch Sports Group said winning with Miami in 2012 on Twitter. and 2013, and Cleveland in The decision by the 2016 game’s best all-around (REUTERS) - Three- player to leave his native time NBA champion Ohio for Los Angeles, LeBron James bid fare- where he has a home, will well to Cleveland on make the Lakers an instant Sunday after agreeing to contender in the Westa four-year $154 million ern Conference where the contract with the Los Golden State Warriors Angeles Lakers. have won three of the last The 33-year-old for- four NBA titles, defeating ward leaves the Cavaliers Cleveland each time. to join an iconic franchise The other title, for the that has won 16 NBA ti- 2016 season, went to the tles but is rebuilding after James’ led Cavaliers. posting a losing record for Originally signed by five consecutive seasons. the Cavaliers in 2003, James bid farewell to James, who grew up in Cleveland via his Insta- Akron, left Cleveland in gram account.

2010 to join the Miami “Thank you Northeast Heat and led them to four

consecutive NBA Finals, winning in 2012 and 2013.

He returned home to the Cavaliers the next season and ended a championship drought for Cleveland with the NBA title in 2016.

But despite claiming the Eastern Conference crown for a fourth straight year, James was given a blunt reminder of how far short the Cavs are of a championship caliber team when they were swept 4-0 by the Warriors in the Finals.

Speculation about James’ future began in advance of last season with the 76ers and Rockets rumored to be suitors, while the Cavs had hoped to keep him in Cleveland.

The Knicks and Clippers were also mentioned as possible destinations but in the end James opted for Los Angeles, who are run by former Lakers great Magic Johnson.

James enjoyed perhaps his most influential season in Cleveland to carry the team to the Finals, and finished the regular season averaging 27.5 points per game, 9.1 assists and 8.6 rebounds while playing in all 82 contests.

BILLY Stanlake ripped through Pakistan to spoil Shoaib Malik’s record-breaking 100th Twenty20 international appearance as Australia stopped the rot with a crushing nine-wicket victory in Harare.

Pakistan beat hosts Zimbabwe in the opening match of tri-series on Sunday, but they were consigned to an emphatic defeat a day later. Australia had suffered 10 consecutive defeats in all formats, but Stanlake took 4-8 - the second-best T20I figures for an Australian bowler - from four outstanding, hostile overs as Pakistan were dismissed for only 116.

Captain Aaron Finch smashed an unbeaten 68 from only 33 deliveries to get Australia home with 55 balls to spare on a day which saw Shoaib become the first player to feature in a century of T20Is. Stanlake set the tone when

American Racing Tips Finger Lakes Race 1 Lovely Lanie Race 2 Patella Race 3 Debutant Girl Race 4 Town Tart Race 5 New Material Race 6 Magic Roy Race 7 Risky Analysis Race 8 Dublin Express

he had Mohammad Hafeez caught by Finch at first slip with a rapid, rising delivery from the third ball of the innings and the skipper took a superb catch to get rid of Hussain Talat in a devastating burst from the towering paceman.

Fakhar Zaman edged behind and a diving Finch clung on to another superb catch to get rid of Sarfraz Ahmed, Stanlake’s fourth wicket leaving Pakistan in the mire on 24-4 in the seventh over.

Asif Ali (22) lofted Ashton Agar and Marcus Stoinis over the ropes before the latter removed his off stump, while Shoaib was run out following a mix-up and, although Shadab Khan (29) took Pakistan into triple figures, their total never looked like being enough.

Hasan Ali snared D’Arcy Short for 15 to end an opening stand of 35 from only 3.2 overs,

Chepstow 13:15 hrs Wahab 13:45 hrs Pot Luck 14:15 hrs Shaybani 14:45 hrs Coachella 15;15 hrs Final Rock 15:45 hrs Timoshenko 16:15 hrs Circling Moon

Pacer Billy Stanlake took 4-48.

but the powerful Finch struck 16 off three deliveries from Shadab (0-41) and reached his half-century by pulling Usman Khan for three.

The clean-striking opener launched Shadab for a huge six and ended a one-sided match with a boundary from the following delivery, Asif Ali spilling a regulation chance at long-on and watching on as the ball crossed the ropes behind him. (Yahoo Sport)

Hamilton 09:15 hrs Xtra 09:45 hrs Where’s Jeff 10:15 hrs Boundry Lane 10:45 hrs Regulator 11;15 hrs Ingebly Hollow 11:45 hrs Logi 12:15 hrs Etienne Gerard

English Racing Tips Brighton 09:00 hrs Noteworthy 09:30 hrs Global Wonder 10:00 hrs Sharag 10:30 hrs Roy Rocket 11:30 hrs Enzo South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:30 hrs Evolver 09:05 hrs Samarra 09:40 hrs Copper Jay 10:20 hrs Image Award 10:55 hrs Some Song

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Fung A Fat, Arjoon share spoils as Rainforest Waters Senior squash concludes ‒ Junior CASA team to be named today

THE curtain came down on the Rainforest Waters Senior National Squash Championships with Mary Fung- A- Fat and Alex Arjoon taking top honours in the female and male classes.

Twenty-eight players stayed hydrated throughout the week with ‘Rainforest Waters’ from sponsor’s Banks DIH, and they certainly needed to hydrate with the lengthy rallies and intense play that took place during the competition.

The finals brought forth a new level of squash as the seniors, veterans and a few newcomers, hoping to gain much-needed experience, met, sparred, won and lost.

In a close battle, it was the women’s final that held the crowd as Mary Fung –AFat and Taylor Fernandes vied point for point to take

the crown. In the first game, neither was ready to concede as they fought to a 17/15 score. Mary pulled out first to win 3 points followed by Taylor taking back her own 3, then surging ahead with a run of 7 more. At game point for Fernandes 10/3, Fung A Fat dug deep and answered with her own run of 8 points to edge ahead 11/10. In a nail biting finish, Fernandes pushed through for a 17/15 victory.

The ensuing games took the same vein as both players displayed decisive, expert placement and excellent retrieval skills, but in the end, the experience and patience of Fung-A-Fat won out in the four setter for a 15/17, 13/11, 12/10, 11/8 win.

In the other main final, Alex Arjoon kept ahead of the experienced Rich-

ard Chin with clean, precise shots which worked Chin around the court. Despite the expertise of Chin, Arjoon managed to keep in control of the measured rallies and was triumphant in another four setter final with an 11/7, 8/11, 11/7, 11/4.

All the players showed great spirit, skill and improvement during this year’s Senior Nationals. The mix of play and style gave the audience real thrills, and the younger spectators some valuable lessons; an important part of the ethics of the game.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Squash Association will today name its junior team that will head to Jamaica this weekend for the Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) tournament.

Mary Fung-A-Fat

Sunday’s Results: Alex Arjoon beat Richard Chin 11/7, 8/11, 11/7, 11/4 Shomari Wiltshire beat Regan Pollard 11/7, 12/14, 11/1, 11/4.

Damien DaSilva beat Robert Fernandes 11/5, 5/11, 11/4, 11/9.

Jonathan Antczak beat Samuel Ince-Carvalhal 6/11, 11/7, 4/11, 13/11, 11/8

Jason Van Dyk beat Adam Alves 11/9, 12/10, 5/11, 11/6.

Mary Fung-A-Fat beat Taylor Fernades 15/17, 13/11, 12/10, 11/8.

Ashley Khalil beat Abosaide Cadogan 11/6, 8/11, 11/8, 11/5.

Kirsten Gomes beat Sarah Lewis 11/4, 11/3, 11/4 Madison Fernandes beat Tian Edwards 11/2, 11/2, 11/2.

The full lists of winners are as follows

Men – Final Winner -- Alex Arjoon Runner-up -- Richard Chin Third place -- Jason Khalil Fourth place -- Nyron Joseph Men- Classic Plate Winner -- Shomari Wilt-

shire Runner-up -- Regan Pollard Third place -- Damien Dasilva

Men- Plate Wi n n e r - - J o n a t h a n Antczak Runner-up -- Samuel Ince-Carvalhal Third place --Jason Van Dyk

Women Winner -- Mary FungA-Fat Runner-up --Taylor Fernandes Third place --Ashley Khalil

Women- Classic Plate Winner -- Kirsten Gomes Runner up -- Sarah Lewis Third place -- Madison Fernandes

Allen fireworks hand Windies B second straight win Grimmond selected for CWI TORONTO, Canada, (CMC) – Jamaican all-rounder Fabian Allen smashed an astonishing half-century to haul West Indies B out of trouble and fire them to a sensational three-wicket victory over Edmonton Royals in the Global T20 Canada league here Sunday.

Languishing on 66 for six in the 10th over in pursuit of 156 for victory at Maple Leaf North-West Ground, Windies B were bailed out by the 23-yearold Allen who unfurled a spectacular 75 not out off 30 balls, as they crossed the line with two overs to

spare to record their second straight win.

The right-hander needed a mere 17 balls for his half-century, crunching four fours and eight sixes overall, as he bullied the Royals bowling.

More importantly, he put on 55 off just 21 balls for the seventh wicket with Shamar Springer who made 15, before adding a further 38 in an unbroken eighth wicket stand with Jeremiah Louis (eight not out).

Irishman Kevin O’Brien had earlier top-scored with 49 as Royals, sent in, were bowled out for 155 with

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday July 03, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & Cummings Electrical Company Ltd. 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) WI 1, SL 1 (1 Draw) (2) Shane Dowrich Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored most runs for the WI in the justconcluded Test series against SL? (2) Who scored most runs for SL in the recent Test series against the WI? Answer in tomorrow's issue

Jamaican all-rounder Fabian Allen

two balls remaining.

They were 67 for five in the 12 th over but O’Brien punched three fours and five sixes in a 17-ball stunner, fuelling a 64-run, sixth wicket partnership with South African Farhaan Behardien who made 29.

Twenty one year-old left-arm seamer Obed McCoy was outstanding with four for 22 while left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge (218) and seamer Sherfane Rutherford (2-25) finished with two wickets apiece.

In reply, Windies B

lost wickets steadily to find themselves staring at defeat before Allen marched to the crease to single-handedly transform the innings.

He smashed the first ball he faced to the long on boundary and then ripped into the same bowler, leftarm spinner Hassan Khan in his next over, belting a four and a pair of sixes as the over leaked 21 runs.

In the very next over from veteran leg-spinner Shahid Afridi, Allen extracted 22 runs including three sixes off the last three deliveries.

Allen raised his half-century with a boundary backward of point off seamer Sohail Tanvir and fittingly struck the winning runs for Windies B when he clobbered Hassan Khan for the second six off the 18th over.

In the other game played, superstar Chris Gayle suffered the ignominy of a four-ball ‘duck’ but Vancouver Knights – featuring Andre Russell who hit two sixes in a seven-ball unbeaten 21 – went down by six wickets to Winnipeg Hawks after chasing down 157.

training camp in Antigua

NINETEEN-year-old Shenetta Grimmond has moved one step closer to donning the WI maroon when she was selected for a Cricket West Indies (CWI) training camp in Antigua “Never saw myself as a cricketer. I started playing very young; then I started to love the game more and more as I play more games”, said the ecstatic Shenetta Grimmond.

The young all-rounder, who was first introduced to the game at Grade 6 where she played windball cricket for her school, Kildonan Primary, got the news of her inclusion from a Guyana Cricket Board executive on Thursday last.

When contacted, the exciting Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports female cricketer shared, “The feeling when I got the call was great. I had my best performance this year in the Women Super50 cup. The people who saw the talent in me would encourage me to play cricket.

I started working hard on my game and I believe I could do it once I work”.

The 19-year-old also highlighted that her years at Secondary School (Central Corentyne Secondary) allowed her to appreciate the game more; she would play

in the male team and would always perform well.

Grimmond, who is in her second year for the Guyana senior female team, is highly regarded for her hard-hitting batting and is also a good fielder. She has been a regular as an Under-19 player with a top score of 68, making her debut in 2016.

In addition, she can be called upon to bowl some effective off breaks, an area where Grimmond has shown much improvement of late.

Grimmond captured seven wickets in the recently concluded Women Super50 Cup, a performance which may have influenced the decision of the Windies selectors with a best of 4 for 45.

On being called up for training, Grimmond said, “I’m really excited about it because I always believe I will be selected at some time for the West Indies, but I was waiting on my time”.

Shenetta Grimmond, along with Shemaine Campbell and Shabiki Gajnabi, all RHTYSC players, left on Saturday for a Cricket West Indies (CWI) Training Camp in Antigua which will run from the 2nd to the 16 th of July. (Colin Bynoe)

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Dey is Guyana’s new senior Ball-tampering National Cycling Champion will now attract

Trojan’s Curtis Dey is the 2018 GCF Senior National Road Race champion.

IN his first season as a senior cyclist, Berbician Curtis Dey of Trojan Cycle

Club (TCC) became the new Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) road race

champion, beating a field full of experienced cyclists on Sunday.

He beat a field of 22 top cyclists in a tough 110-mile ride which commenced at 07:30hrs outside the National Sports Commission (NSC) building on Homestretch Avenue, headed up to the Linden-Soesdyke Highway and headed back to the point of origin for the finish.

The 18-year-old powered to victory in four hours, 51 minutes 37.25 seconds, ahead of Andrew Hicks, Romello Crawford, Paul DeNobrega and Jamual John who finished second, third, fourth and fifth, in that order.

In what may be a first in the history of the sport, the 2nd and 3rd place positions were also filled by cyclists from Corentyne, Berbice--Andrew Hicks (United We Stand Cycle Club) and Romello Crawford (PSL

T&T). Paul De Nobrega ended fourth and Jamal John, fifth.

Dey’s victory was largely due to smart riding and tactics in which he stayed with the peloton, picking the right time to make his move and finishing strongly.

Earlier last weekend, Warren ‘Forty’ McKay (Veterans U-50), Clair Fraser-Green (Women) and Briton John (Juniors) all won their respective categories, while on June 23, Raynauth Jeffrey (Seniors), Fraser-Green (Women), Jaikarran Sukhai (Masters) and John (Juniors) successfully defended their Individual Time Trial (ITT) titles.

Championship jerseys to the respective road race winners along with gold, silver and bronze medals were presented to the top three finishers for both the road race and Individual Time Trials.

Windies selectors keep faith with Smith and Cummins ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – West Indies selectors have kept faith with veteran opener Devon Smith and fast bowler Miguel Cummins for the two-Test series against Bangladesh starting here tomorrow.

B o t h w e r e Tu e s d a y named in a Jason Holder-led 13-man squad, which sees the return of Shimron Hetmyer who was ruled out of selection for the recent third Test against Sri Lanka in Barbados through illness.

The left-handed Smith, recalled following a threeyear break, managed just 91 runs from six innings at an average of 15 against the Sri Lankans. While he scored a half-century in the first innings of the second Test in St Lucia, the 36-year-old managed single digits – 1, 2, 0 – in his last three innings.

Smith ironically was part of a mis-firing batting group, with Roston Chase (123), Shai Hope (114) and Kraigg Brathwaite (104) all struggling for runs.

Their under-performance

Fast bowler Miguel Cummins

meant wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich came to the fore, topping the scoring charts with 288 runs to be adjudged Man-of-the-Series.

In a Cricket West Indies statement, the Courtney Browne-led selection panel said they expected more from the specialist batsmen, noting they wanted to “see them return to the focus and discipline we know they are capable of in the upcoming series against Bangladesh.”

Hetmyer, a part of the squad for the first two Tests without being able to secure a spot in the starting XI, enhanced his chances of a recall with a stroke-filled hundred against Bangladesh in a drawn two-tour match here last week.

Cummins, meanwhile, proved the weak link in the attack against Sri Lanka, taking three wickets across the three Tests at 73 runs apiece.

Those three wickets came

in the first innings of the first Test in Trinidad as he came up empty-handed in the remaining Tests.

His place could be under threat from Guyana Jaguars seamer Keemo Paul who was called back from Windies A tour of England for the third Test in Barbados, when Hetmyer was forced to return home.

The impressive 20-yearold has already played four One-Day Internationals and Twenty20s, and could be seen as an attractive option because of his ability to also bat.

West Indies face Bangladesh in the opening Test at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground before travelling to Sabina Park in Jamaica for the second Test starting July 12.

SQUAD – Jason Holder (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith.

a ban of up to six Tests-ICC

ICC Chairman Shanshank Manohar

STRINGENT sanctions to curb ball-tampering and personal abuse were agreed upon at the ICC’s annual conference that concluded in Dublin on Monday .

The ICC board supported the recommendations of the Chief Executives’ Committee and Cricket Committee for changes to the code of conduct, including the introduction of new offences such as Personal Abuse and Audible Obscenity while increasing the level of punishment for “changing the condition of the ball” to Level 3 from Level 2.

The maximum sanction for a Level 3 offence was also increased from 8 suspension points to 12 - translating into a 6-Test or 12ODI ban.

The same change was applied to a Level 4 offence. It was also decided that match referees will henceforth hear any charges from Level 1 to 3 while a Judicial Commissioner will only hear Level 4 charges and appeals.

Attempting to gain unfair advantage (i.e. any form of cheating other than ball tampering) and Personal Abuse were the latest offences which carried Level 2-3 charges while Audible Obscenity and Disobeying An Umpire’s Instructions were the other new codes which were categorised as Level 1 offences.

The ICC also decided to change the guidelines for stump microphone, allowing for the audio to be broadcast at any time, including when the ball is dead.

In addition to that, ICC also agreed to consider how

the member boards could he held liable when the indiscretions by its players crosses a certain threshold.

The changes will be incorporated into the Code of Conduct for adoption later this year, it was decided during the ICC meet.

“It has been a productive week of meetings here in Dublin and it has been good to have all ICC Members in attendance at our 75th Annual Conference. I and my fellow Board directors were unanimous in supporting the recommendations of the Cricket Committee and Chief Executives’ Committee to drive improved behaviour across our sport,” ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said.

“It is vital that there is a strong deterrent to both players and administrators to ensure we have high standards of conduct in our game. We have more than a billion fans and we must not give any of them any reason to doubt the high levels of integrity within our sport,” he added.

World Test Championship The Chief Executives’ Committee approved the Playing Conditions for the World Test Championship, including the points system.

The ICC stated that the full playing conditions will be drafted in the coming weeks and published in due course.

The committee also confirmed that all World Championship matches will be five-day encounters while allowing the members to continue pursuing four-day cricket, which will not be part of the championship.(Cricbuzz).n:

Neymar dazzles and disappoints

as Brazil reach 20 World Cup quarters PAGE

Brazil’s Neymar, top, celebrates with team mate Paulinho after scoring his side’s opening goal.

(Hindustan Times)

Chadli’s last-gasp goal completes stunning Belgium comeback

By Julien Pretot ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia (Reuters) - Belgium threw caution to the wind to reach the World Cup quarter-finals when substitute Nacer Chadli scored in the dying seconds as they beat spirited Japan 3-2 on Monday to set up a mouthwatering clash with five-time champions Brazil.

The distraught Japanese, who went 2-0 up with goals by Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui early in the second half, fell to the turf after Chadli poked the ball home from Thomas Meunier’s cross four minutes into added time at the Rostov Arena.

Much-fancied Belgium, who had taken a conservative approach to the game, got back into contention with late goals by Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini before Chadli struck in a demonstration of coach Robert Martinez’s tactical nous.

“That’s what happens in the World Cup. It was a test of character and a test of the team. It tells you everything about this group of players,” said Spaniard Martinez.

Japan coach Akira Nishino, whose side agonisingly failed to reach the last eight for the first time, added: “We were leading, we were going to win but I didn’t expect this kind of reversal of the result.

“I thought this is a World Cup, and we

Red Devils rally to stun Japan in the final seconds - CBSSports.com

were faced with the strength in depth of Belgium, that’s how I felt at the end of game.”

One of the most exciting teams of the group phase, Belgium faced an embarrassing exit but finally clicked to become the first team to win a World Cup knockout game from two goals down since West Germany beat England 3-2 after extra time in 1970.

Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ have now scored 12 goals in four games in Russia ahead of a last eight clash on Friday with Brazil, who beat Mexico 2-0 earlier on Monday.

BEELINE

With centre back Vincent Kompany back in the lineup for the first time since picking up a groin strain in a warm-up game, Belgium had looked safe at the back but uninspired up front during a first period when they were on top but toothless.

Both teams fought a tight midfield battle but their forwards froze in the area and Belgium’s wide players, Meunier and Yannick Carrasco, did not take risks going forward, effectively turning a 3-4-3 formation into a more conservative 5-2-3 system.

Japan got closest to a goal in a dull first half

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

when Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois let the ball slip from his hands and between his legs but recovered before it crossed the line.

The Japanese were ahead soon after the break, though, when Haraguchi beat the offside trap and ran into the area to beat Courtois with a cross-shot in the 48th minute.

Belgium responded but Hazard’s shot rattled the post and Japan doubled their tally in the 52nd when Inui picked up the ball 25 metres out and fired a missile into the back of the net.

The Red Devils were still struggling but they pulled a goal back after 69 minutes when Vertonghen looped a header from a high clearance back across goal into the far top corner.

The momentum had shifted and in the 74th, Eden Hazard’s cross was met by Fellaini, who equalised from close range with a powerful header within 10 minutes of coming on.

Belgium continued to push forward and both Chadli and Lukaku forced Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima into spectacular saves with powerful headers four minutes from the end.

Keisuke Honda’s 30-metre free-kick was parried away by Courtois in stoppage time before the keeper launched the ball to Kevin De Bruyne to make a beeline upfield before finding Meunier, whose cross was met by Chadli for the winner.

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018