Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 07-11-2018

WEDNESDAY 11th July, 2018

NO WAY! No.105332

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Gov’t shoots down proposal to massively increase Berbice Bridge tolls 03

Guyoil slashes fuel 12 prices PAGE

Pandit Deonarine Lilah

Suspicious plane held at CJIA

Omkar Liliah

Father, son 09 found dead PAGE

...Venezuelans, local businessmen fingered 02 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Suspicious plane grounded ––Venezuelans, local businessman fingered at CJIA SEVERAL persons are in police custody helping with investigations into the landing of a private chartered aircraft with a suspicious-looking registration number at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Monday afternoon.

The Beechcraft 200 aircraft, which landed around 15:20hrs Monday, is reportedly linked to a local businessman who runs an

airline service.

According to reports, the flight originated in Barcelona, in northern Venezuela, and that on Tuesday morning, four passengers on the aircraft presented themselves at CID Headquarters of their own accord.

They were followed shortly thereafter by the arrival of the aircraft’s two pilots accompanied by ranks from the Customs Anti-Nacotics Unit (CANU).

According to the police, all six men, two of whom are lawyers, are Venezuelans.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the police said that in keeping with enhanced security postures and intensified collaboration with management of the various units and agencies operating at the airport, CANU ranks were alerted to the arrival of the aircraft and on conducting a preliminary inspection of it discovered certain irregularities which were promptly reported to the higher authorities.

They said that further investigations would later reveal that all six Venezuelans were invited here by one Mr. Michael Brassington, who was at the airport to receive them, and that

The illegal aircraft at the CJIA the “Handling Permission According to sources, and maintained they never Form” had Roraima Airways Brassington, who has a intended to hurt anyone.

Inc. Listed as the aircraft’s checkered past in aviation The two brothers were handling agent. circles abroad, is the former convicted in November 2010 Y e t f u r t h e r e n q u i - president of a luxury charter after the jury found that they ries would reveal that the company whose jet had bar- had put profits ahead of YV2593 registration number relled off New Jersey’s Te- safety in a scheme designed on the aircraft might very terboro Airport runway back to overload their aircraft with well be false, as another in 2005, injuring 14 persons cheap fuel. aircraft reportedly belonging in the process.

The older of the two to the Venezuelan military For that incident, he was brothers, Michael, who has that identical number, reportedly sentenced in 2011 besides being president also as confirmed by the “Data to 2½ years in prison, since served as the company’s Plate” which contains some according to the judge, he chief operating officer and very vital information. did not believe the crash chief pilot, was portrayed This latter bit of infor- was as a result of regulatory by prosecutors as the archimation has reportedly raised violations. tect of a scheme to defraud questions about the flight, if Media reports in the U.S. passengers, charter broindeed it is true. say that the man and his broth- kers, the Federal Aviation A high-level team of lo- er, Paul, both of whom oper- Administration (FAA) and cal officials, among them ated the now defunct Platinum other stakeholders in the heads of aviation bodies, Jet Management LLC out aviation industry by mison Tuesday travelled to the of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, representing his company’s CJIA to help with investiga- apologised to the judge and compliance with safety regtions into the incident. the 14 victims of the crash, ulations.

Brazilian Foreign Minister to meet with President

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Aloysio Nunes Ferreira Filho, is expected to visit Guyana on July 12th, 2018.

During the visit, he will pay a courtesy call on President David Granger. Minister Filho will also meet with Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge to discuss mutual areas of interest relating to the bilateral agenda.

Guyana and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1968 and continue to share strong relations.

The two countries often collaborate on trade, health, agriculture, and technical cooperation, among a number of areas. Additionally, Guyana and Brazil have collaborated to develop a link between Linden and Lethem.

The Honourable Aloysio Nunes Ferreira Filho (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brazil) Following the signing on December 21, 2017 of a Complementary Agreement to the memorandum of understanding (MOU), which created the Joint Commission for the Development of Infrastructure Projects, Guyana and Brazil established a Transportation Technical

Committee tasked with assessing several facets of the pavement of the MaburaLethem phase of the road project.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

No way!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

–– Gov’t shoots down proposal to massively increase Berbice Bridge tolls

have also suffered significant losses from the delayed commencement of its operations due to inadequate provisions for capital works and incompletion of the access road.

The current tolls are subsidised in two parts, one internally by the company, as it has not charged the toll as per the arrangement and the other by

ly operate and maintain the bridge, including the timely servicing of its 39 pontoons under the bridge and have resulted in the company defaulting on its obligations to its investors,” said Persaud.

Although the company confirmed that they have adopted alternatives to maintain the bridge, they still believe that the increase is necessary to

By Navendra Seoraj GOVERNMENT has shot down a demand from the management of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) to astronomically increase the tolls paid by users/ commuters.

“Government stands by its decision to reduce tolls in fulfilling a campaign commitment and will continue to work with the company in ensuring that the bridge is sufficiently maintained and safe for vehicular and marine use,” a press statement from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) said on Tuesday.

The BBCI had written Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson requesting that the tolls be increased, as determined by the Toll Adjustment Formula which is prescribed in the Concession Agreement of June 12, 2006.

The proposed increases include the car toll moving from $2,200 to $8,040; pickups from $4,000 to $14,600; 4WD from $4,000 to $14,600; minibuses from $2,200 to $8,040; small trucks from $4,000 to $14,600; medium trucks from $7,600 to $27,720; large trucks from $13,600 to $46,900; articulated trucks from $32,000 to $116,680; freight from $460 to $1,680 and the toll for boats moving from

The proposed increase in tolls $110,000 to $401,040.

“The toll adjustment is an essential requirement to ensure that the bridge company can continue to execute its mandate, including meeting its obligations to its financers. The sad reality is that the bridge company has applied for this adjustment on three separate occasions,” said BBCI Chairman Surendra Persaud during a press conference at the National Communications Network (NCN) on Tuesday.

Persaud said the failure by government to approve toll adjustments, in accor-

dance with the concession agreement, has compounded the required toll adjustment in years 2014-2018.

“The total charges are significantly below the charges which are provided for in the toll adjustment policy had they been applied,” he said.

SIGNIFICANT LOSSES The company has not only been forced to subsidise its day-to- day operations because of inadequate cash flows, he said, adding that they

the government, which has subsidised the old toll prior to the adjustment, in accordance with the agreement of June 2, 2006, to enable BBCI to execute its obligations.

“The cumulative result of the government’s failure to implement the contractual agreement has led to the bridge company now accumulating a loss of $2.8B and the company now faces bankruptcy.

“The accumulated losses and shortfall of cash flow have compromised the bridge company’s obligation to efficient-

sustain their efforts.

Prior to the recent request, the company made three requests for an adjustment in the toll, one on March 25, 2014, another on August 6, 2015 and the last one in January 2016.

From 2009 to 2013, no adjustment was required as outlined by the financial model of the agreement.

NO INCREASE “Toll charges have never been increased in spite of being applied for on three separate occasions and in order to

account for inflation and other legitimate expenditures, as determined by the toll adjustment formula,” noted the chairman of BBCI. The company, was contracted to own and operate the bridge for a period of 21 years after which “a fully operational” bridge will be transferred to the government and people of Guyana, at no cost.

“Despite that, the contractual obligations of a public/private partnership have not been met on the government’s part and if not corrected, is likely to affect the willingness of [the] private sector to partner with the government in future infrastructure projects like, for instance, the New Demerara River Bridge and the recently announced power plant to utilise some of the gas offshore,” the chairman warned.

The government in its statement however contended that the bridge agreement places obligations on all parties, which include scheduled maintenance and associated upgrades.

According to the statement, any request for toll increases must take into consideration a wide array of factors and cannot solely be on the basis of recouping operational costs and profits on dividend.

Government believes that the bridge provides a critical service to the public and tolls must remain reasonable and cannot be arbitrarily hiked to oppressive and onerous levels.

The MoPI on behalf of the government has promised to continue to take practical decisions in the interest of the people of Guyana and the provision of quality services.

Fuel trader drowns in Waini River A THIRTY-six-year-old man who sells fuel in the Mabaruma sub-region fell off a boat and drowned in the Waini River, North West District on Tuesday after-

noon.

Dead is Oswyn Gaye called “Red Man” or “Mark”.

Reports are that the man left the town of Mabaruma to buy fuel

from boats moored off the Waini Coast on Tuesday afternoon and around 15:30hrs he reportedly fell off the boat in which he was travelling.

Persons in the area

made desperate attempts to save him but to no avail.

The man was also said to be a carpenter, plumber and a “hussler” who plied his trade at Mabaruma.

Gaye is said to be

from Georgetown and his peers at Mabaruma are asking his relatives to make contact with the authorities in the Region One town regarding the incident.

Oswyn Gaye

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Criminals also business-minded

‒U.S. envoy says concerted effort needed to keep them at bay

By Rabindra Rooplall OIL and gas does not attract crime, but brings more people and money to a country, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway told the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Limited (GMSA) business luncheon on Tuesday.

Speaking to the business community at the Pegasus Hotel, the U.S. ambassador however pointed out that criminals are also business-minded people who are interested in profits and transnational criminal organisations.

As such, he said, money launderers, gold smugglers and human smugglers are serious threats to the rule of law and basic ways of life.

Under the theme, “Crime and Security, a Regional and National Perspective and Implications for Economic Development”, the U.S. envoy said while it is okay for the UK and US to assist with development programmes in Guyana, it must be supported by the government, civil society and the private sector.

“It takes political will and I don’t mean that at just the politician’s level, everyone has to decide that this is something we want to deal with and put our money and energies to it, to build institutions,” the ambassador said.

Noting that Guyana’s budget on security in the Region is lower in comparison

GMSA President Shyam Nokta to others, Holloway said in order to prevent crime from ramping up, more money will be needed to address various issues.

“You can’t have the police, GDF or other officials going after 21st century criminals with 19th century equipment and institutions, this just can’t be done. I think everyone has their heart in the right place and the previous and current government has spent a lot of monies on crime and security and the U.S. government has invested a lot in security in the Region, but it’s always a game of three steps forward and two steps backwards,” he explained.

NO SILVER BULLET Ambassador Hollo way said criminals are not afraid of the police and there are always counter-

actions and Guyana has to be prepared, since there is no “silver bullet” to solve all the problems.

Pointing out that Colombia has come a far way in its development, the U.S. envoy who was once stationed there said it is essential for all state institutions and law enforcement agencies to work together.

“It’s not just for security institutions, it’s also for the Ministry of Education which plays a key role in giving a good education to people, and also educating students to become good citizens, to respect rule of law, to let people know when they see a crime and things like that,” Holloway said.

He also noted that the Ministry of Public Health also has to play its part in assisting drug addicts and keeping society healthy.

President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), Shyam Nokta, said within the last decade, there has been a notable increase in all aspects of crime.

He said crime thwarts development, foreign investments and disrupts tourism, while noting that a 2017 IDB study states that the Caribbean suffers from a high level of violent crimes.

Nokta said inter-regional drug trafficking is a main force behind violence and crime in the Region and Central and South America have displaced drug cartels

U.S. envoy to Guyana Perry Holloway during his address at the GMSA business luncheon (Samuel Maughn photo) that are moving into the Caribbean.

Adding that geographically Guyana is situated strategically as a transshipment location, Nokta said addressing drug trafficking and the violent crimes that come with such acts needs to be addressed, since it is a growing problem.

“Guyana is not exempt from the scourge of increased crime in the Region. Over time we have witnessed fluctuations of the crime level, as well as varying degrees in their severity,” he said.

Underscoring that all forms of crime have a negative impact on society, the GMSA President said that the 2018 safety report on Guyana by the U.S. State Department indicates that crime can pose a significant challenge in the country’s development.

IMPACT “Crime has certainly influenced private sector activity, affected livelihoods and families. Crime is certainly having a direct and indirect impact on the overall economic development

in Guyana and increasingly larger allocations have been made to deal with this, in Budget 2018 approximately $30 billion was allocated to the public security sector to implement several initiatives,” he said.

These initiatives, Nokta said, includes the expansion of prisons, modernisation of the Guyana Police Force and security sector reform, which has been a major discussion over the years He explained that crime is being driven at the domestic level, but circumstances in the Region and close to the borders also pose a threat to national security.

“Whether it is cross-border movement of illicit drugs or the threat of criminal gangs, our porous borders leaves us vulnerable. Could this be exacerbated as we move towards an oil and gas economy? Experience from other developing oil- producing countries including our neighbours have shown the shrinkage of agriculture and manufacturing sectors, resulting in loss of jobs and economic activities in this sector,” Nokta said.

He said volatile oil prices can also create macro-economic shocks and decline in investments and social programmes which can become too dependent on revenues in the oil sector.

Adding that a UK study has revealed that there was a positive correlation between the oil and gas sector and the increase in crimes, Nokta said as Guyana moves into this phase of oil development, it is imperative that the country learn of the good and bad, while implementing preventative measures to tackle crime in the future.

“As a sparsely populated developing country, how do we grapple with this, as crime and the threat it poses influence how our international partners are shaping their agenda with security and related forms of cooperation being at the top of the list… there are no easy answers, it may require not only domestic action, such as demanding more from our leaders in politics, the church, the media and in business who can see the consequences of inaction,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

‘We have to do better’

Make-up and self-esteem BOTH men and women who use make-up oftentimes are mistaken to have low self-esteem, confidence and an overall undervalued selfworth.

I’d like to be one of the first of many to say that this is not always true. Growing up, I have always admired my mother as she blushed her cheeks and apply the most vibrant, coloured lipsticks.

Whether her mood was bold, chic or even casual, I have seen her transform her face to suit them as they varied every day.

Yet, my mother loves every bit of herself and the confidence I have today stems from her.

I, myself, as a teen now enjoy doing the same; transforming into my moods with the rainbow over my eyelids and a sharp eyeliner.

‘The lipstick effect’ is a term I’m sure many of you may have never heard before.

It is a psychological phenomenon which can give individuals a confidence boost by making them feel more physically attractive, increasing feelings of self- esteem, attitude and personality by using make-up.

While many will argue that we should be comfortable in our own skins, if make-up makes someone feel confident, then who are we to take that level of confidence away from them?

While we use make-up as a daily/occasional routine, we also have our faces as canvases to create spectacular pieces. One perk of it, is that the canvas can be used over and over again. Art can be defined as the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form. Now, I ask those of you who would always question make-up and its use; Isn’t it a form of art then?

Perhaps I’m not convincing enough that it’s not only a fun and good thing to do, but how about a Christmas tree without the little added decors on it?

It’s still a Christmas tree and it is still beautiful, but with a little sparkle, dash of colours and creativity, it can become a super, extra-looking Christmas tree. It’s safe to use that exact comparison towards our love-hate relationship with make-up.

Studies have shown that 50-80% of women wear make-

up -- at least occasionally.

That surely includes me and my mother. Make-up is not just another layer added onto our faces, even skin-tone and bright colours, but it is an expression of who we are and what we feel. From Cleopatra and her famous Egyptian eyeliners, pink rosey cheeks in the 1800s, Marilyn Monroe and her red lips in the 1950s, Grunge in the 1990s or Kim Kardashian’s contour in the late 2000s; women have always found a way to express themselves in their given time.

Horror and other special-effect movies would not have been as successful by using only computer- generated imagery. Make-up brings to life the wildest and most unlikely appearances of the human physique. Guyana has developed a liking for the use of make-up and its trends. The trending job/profession at the moment if you would ask me is now that of a make-up artist. There are many make-up courses available nationwide that offer recognised certification and there are also many Guyanese ‘making a name’ for themselves, both nationally and internationally. The use of make-up within our society is still controversial in many ways, but our youth are breaking barriers with breathtaking projects and dramatic looks that are being featured all over social media for all to see.

I can tell you one thing: as a freelance artist, I’ve learned that make-up has surely made me appreciative of the uniqueness and beauty of humanity even more. Working close up with very different faces, enhancing their lines and symmetry brought out the effect of diversity. No two eyes, nose, lips or faces are the same.

We’re all different, but yet beautiful in our own way.

When it’s used for the right reasons and not abused, makeup can be very helpful. I am already beautiful on the inside, but I am just trying to match that beauty onto my outside appearance. The same goes with all my other feelings.

The famous Colombian singer Shakira once said, ‘The greatest make-up one can wear is confidence.’

I say, ‘life is too short, why not wear both!’

ROSE HALL, St James ( Jamaica Gleaner) — Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley says the time has come for CARICOM to activate the Single Domestic Space for intra-regional travel and to introduce the long-discussed Caribbean Community multi-purpose identification card, for which costs can be met not just by governments and ordinary citizens, but by the business community who will be among its major beneficiaries.

“In 2007, we put great effort into creating a single domestic space for our visitors to move freely within CARICOM during Cricket World Cup. All the relevant security measures were in place, and still are, to monitor that space effectively, and the groundwork was laid to make this a legacy project for the benefit of CARICOM citizens. Yet, a decade later, the momentum

Barbados PM pushes for intra-regional travel at CARICOM Summit

seems to have been lost. We did it for those external to our region and yet we seem incapable of doing it for ourselves,” she argued.

Mottley, Barbados’ first female prime minister, whose Barbados Labour Party swept to power in a historic landslide victory in that country’s May 24 General Election, pointed out that travel and interaction among Caribbean people create understanding, reinforces common purpose and ultimately strengthens regional integration.

“A Single Domestic Space for hassle-free travel, in a sense, presupposes the existence of a Single Domestic Space for transportation,” she stressed. “Something is therefore fundamentally wrong when travel to Miami or New York is more accessible and cost-effective for our people than travel to their nearest Caribbean neighbour. We simply have to do better.

“As the major shareholder in LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport), my Government commits to working assiduously and urgently with its other partner governments to enhance LIAT’s operations and profitability, while providing an affordable and reliable service to enable our citizens to move throughout the Caribbean,” she argued.

Mottley, who was delivering her remarks at the opening ceremony for the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community at the Montego Bay Convention Centre last Wednesday night, further argued that to get the full benefit of “our common space in the movement of people, cargo and vehicles”, renewed and focused leadership is also called for to translate the much-studied inter-island ferry service from concept to reality.

New Evidence -Appeal Court allows fresh evidence in Kartel case JAMAICA GLEANER - THE credibility of the main witness in the murder trial of Vybz Kartel and Shawn Storm came under scrutiny on Monday, as lawyers for the imprisoned entertainers successfully argued that they should be allowed to introduce fresh evidence in their quest to have their clients’ convictions tossed.

Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, and Shawn Storm, whose real name is Shawn Campbell, were

convicted of murder in 2014, along with Kahiro Jones and AndrÈ St John, for killing Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams at a house in Havendale, St Andrew, in 2011.

They were all given the mandatory sentence of life in prison, with Kartel ordered to serve 35 years before he is eligible for parole. Campbell, Jones and St John were each ordered to serve 25 years before they became eligible for parole.

Among the new evidence the attorneys lobbied for was

the handwritten statement that the main prosecution witness gave police investigators on August 24, 2011, eight days after Williams was killed. Over the objections of prosecutors, the Court of Appeal ordered that the witness’ handwritten statement should be included in the hearing.

The court also ordered that two affidavit, filed

by Shawn Storm and attorney-at-law Kimberli Whittaker, should be part of the appeal.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

The Toshaos elections THE recent elections for Toshaos, have demonstrated the coalition government’s commitment to electoral democracy, particularly as it relates to Indigenous peoples being able to elect their community leaders, in a manner free from political interference.

The latter, an essential practice of governance, recently saw PPP/C alleged attempts to derail this very democratic process. What had been reported in the media amounts to the traditional pattern of gross interference by a party that believes that it owns this entire country, inclusive of its six peoples.

For the PPP/C to continue such a practice against the Indigenous peoples, amounts to bullyism, and dictatorship.

It is a practice that is peculiar

to its manner of treating our Indigenous peoples, such as speaking to them in very derogatory terms, as was the reported manner on occasions, of at least two very senior functionaries from the old regime of the PPP/C. What the PPP/C must understand is that the days for such disrespect have ended, for Indigenous peoples are no longer treated as lesser light than their fellow Guyanese, by being given outboard motors, chainsaws, and other trinkets. Such could never have been any proper, durable programme for empowerment of hinterland communities and sustained livelihoods for its peoples as formerly carried out by the then past administration.

In similar manner, like the then PPP/C government

treated the nation’s sugar workers – as mere electoral conveniences, Indigenous peoples were perceived and treated as such. But those days are over, and Indigenous peoples and their communities are now being truly respected and treated as a people with the right to choose their leaders, and what is best for them. It is their right.

In effect, what is being unfolded since 2015 has been a detailed 10-Point Hinterland Development Programme that is the platform for hinterland empowerment, and subsequent growth and development. These are development pathways that ensure Indigenous inputs into their socio-economic lives.

For example, there are no longer so-called Community Support Officers (CSOs) who

were in effect young people doing political work for the PPP/C, for a monthly stipend.

Such was a waste of precious human capacity, in addition to taxpayers’ hard-earned money. Instead, since 2015, and in keeping with a coalition government plan of harnessing the creativity of the young Indigenous segment, the Hinterland Employment and Youth Services (HEYS) initiative has been providing skills training, aimed at enhancing human capacity for employment purposes.

This means that Indigenous youths are being prepared to participate in the growth and development of their respective hinterland regions, and their communities.

We see this as very vital for the creation of capital towns, the visionary concept

that has begun to unfold, with some public services that have already commenced in these regions and their communities. In fact, such skills that are now being facilitated by HEYS will be among those that are going to be pivotal in the plan to make the capital towns, the centres of regional socio-economic development. In other words, the hinterland and its Indigenous peoples are part and parcel of the transformational process that have commenced in their geographical locales.

Thus, it is no mere accident or coincidence that there are now five community radio stations that are broadcasting to residents in their communities, giving them the right to national information. Then there are the 170 communities that will be able to access more than 200 ICT hubs over a five-year period. In fact, many hinterland schools now have WI FI and internet services, in addition

to residents who have since commenced accessing internet services.

Introducing the ICT revolution to the vast outreaches of the hinterland, signals that the hinterland and its Indigenous peoples have for too long been kept out of Guyana’s socio-economic development, and that it is time that this grave injustice and anomaly be corrected.

It is time, too, that the PPP/C accepts the fact that genuine democracy is about people making their own decisions about who their leaders must be, and not having any political party foisting candidates upon communities, as it has been attempting to do within Indigenous communities.

Not only is such a grave interference in the individual liberty and freedom to choose, but also a denial of a citizen’s right of choice.

It is another undemocratic example of the PPP/C’s brand of politics.

GCB not representative of Guyana's ethnic make-up Dear Editor, WHEN I penned my most recent column (Dictatorship and Racism in Guyanese Cricket—Can we talk about this, Mr. Jagdeo?), I anticipated that there would be quite a stir from the usual suspects. Guyana has some of the most hypocritical and barefaced people when it comes to the issue of race and ethnicity.

Bias by the opposite ethnic group is always seen as discrimination and racism, but when it’s perpetrated by our group, its meritocracy.

The major point of my column is two-fold. First, that control of decision-making in cricket was part of the

PPP’s programme of ethno-political domination.

Second, such domination has consequences for the larger society. In the case of our cricket, it determines who are the key decision-makers, how and where resources are allocated, and who gets selected to national teams.

Cricket is our national sport—it is played by members of all ethnic groups. So, it is logical to expect that the decision-makers and team selection would generally reflect that multi-ethnicity.

However, that is not the case in Guyana. If the PPP’s executive consisted of 90 per cent Indian Guyanese, it wouldn’t bother me, since the PPP’s

membership is mostly of that ethnic group. But the same logic cannot hold for our cricket.

Not for the first time I have been called the worst racist for merely saying what we all know and are either too afraid or hypocritical to say. The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) , the governing body of cricket has 11 members—nine Indian Guyanese and two African Guyanese.

All the major office holders on that executive are Indian Guyanese. The two Cricket West Indies (CWI) directors are Indian Guyanese.

The two representatives on CWI are Indian Guyanese.

This information is there on the Guyana Cricket Board’s

website. For the benefit of the public, this is the GCB executive which is taken from that organisation’s website.

Executives of the GCB Mr. Drubahadur – President Mr. Fizul Bacchus – Vice-President (Administration) Mr. Anand Sanasie – Secretary Mr. Virendra Chintamani – Assistant Secretary Mr. Anand Kalladeen – Treasurer Mr. Colin Europe – Competitions Chairman Mr. Rajendra Singh – Marketing Manager Mr. Andy Ramnarine – Public Relations Officer Mr. Rayon Griffith –

Chairman of Senior Selectors Mr. Nazimul Drepaul – Chairman of Junior Selectors Mr. Anil Beharry – President of the Berbice Cricket Board Directors on CWI Mr. Anand Sanasie Mr. Anand Kalladeen Guyana Representatives on CWI Mr. Drubahadur Mr. Rajendra Singh This is the decision-making face of Guyana’s cricket.

Is it surprising then that the recent Under-15 team was disproportionately Indian Guyanese? During my engagement of this matter, I have heard countless stories of Black boys and a few non-conformist Indian boys

whose careers have been destroyed or severely hampered by this state of affairs. This ethnic bias has been reproduced over the last decade as there have been no open elections to the GCB during that period. The member-boards which are multi-ethnic are excluded from participation.

The matter has occupied the attention of the courts, the parliament and the cabinet.

So, I am not inventing anything or stirring up trouble.

All I am doing is lending my voice to a campaign to de-racialise and re-democratise cricket management in Guyana.

Regards, David Hinds

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

MoE has been engaging CXC More needs ‒in all NGSA subject areas since 2016 Dear Editor, THE Ministry of Education (MoE) has noted a letter in the Sunday, 1st July edition of Stabroek News written by a Mr Hydar Ally, captioned ‘CXC should be asked to help with poor Maths results for Grade Six’.

Editor, the Ministry of Education strongly believes that Mr Ally has failed to check his facts with reference to the collaboration between the MoE and CXC with regard to the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

So for the benefit of Mr Ally and the populace, since 2016 the MoE has been receiving technical support and guidance from the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) to ensure that the NGSA meets international standards and that exam-writing and assessment are of the highest possible standards.

Additionally the exam is also administered by the CXC. What is strange is that Mr Ally did not hear the Minister of Education, the Hon Nicolette Henry on the day that the NGSA results were announced, when she said the

following, “For this year’s (2018) examination, the Ministry of Education has continued its collaboration with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) to improve the quality of all primary grade assessments. Teachers, subject specialists and test development officers developed the test items with the technical guidance of the Caribbean Examinations Council, addressing key areas such as item construction, weighting of items, sampling and other psychometric elements.”

The MoE like the Government of Guyana (GoG) has always and will always advocate for freedom of speech.

However, Mr Ally of all people should know that as a public official it is important that facts are checked before issues are ventilated in the

press that turn out to be very erroneous.

The MoE has noted this year’s Maths results and it is important that we continue to work on those initiatives which saw the Maths results moving from 13.85 percent in 2016 to 45.6 percent in 2017 and 38.3 percent in 2018.

Editor, the evidence of the turnaround in the education sector is in the statistics. In 2009, the overall pass rate for English Language in the hinterland was pegged at 7.51 percent; this year the hinterland region achieved an overall pass rate of 30.36 percent in the same subject area.

Science moved from 4.59 percent in 2009 to 20.97 percent. The MoE is cognisant that there is much more to be done in all subject areas, so that the nation’s children have the best possible opportunity to do well.

For the same period, Social Studies moved from 7.75 percent to 24.20 percent in 2018. In addition to the above mentioned, the number of students from the hinterland region gaining places at senior secondary schools in Georgetown

has significantly increased.

When numbers decline, there is this tendency to panic and look for new strategies, but this cannot be the approach. As the largest ministry in the government, we will continue to work to ensure that our children are given the best opportunity to realise their potential.

Finally, in Mr Ally’s letter, he said: “The slide in students’ performance, especially in mathematics and English, must be arrested without delay.” The MoE is not sure where Mr. Ally obtained his information, because it is a mystery why such an utterance was made

by Mr Ally. At this year’s NGSA English Language, 60.6 percent of the children that wrote that subject passed, the highest percentage ever achieved for any subject at the NGSA. Regards Public Relations Department Ministry of Education

to be done for customers Dear Editor

ALLOW me some space in your newspaper to vent my frustration with GTT. It has been over a month since my landline service was disrupted because the telephone pole upon which the GTT cables were mounted, fell. Numerous calls to GTT to remove the cables from the road proved futile. Three weeks later, my frustration turned into desperation and I made a complaint to the Public Utilities Commission seeking recourse. Within three days the cables were removed, however my landline service was not restored.

Daily calls to GTT’s customer service have proved hopeless, since the only person who can assist me in getting my service restored is the mythical fault supervisor, who as it seems is never available /in office to take my call. I find this lack of customer service from GTT utterly disrespectful as a paying consumer. More needs to be done for customers and I fully support the Honourable Minister Mrs. Cathy Hughes’ call for the liberalisation of telecommunications in Guyana. Guyanese deserve better!

Regards Frustrated Customer

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

EPA to test new ‘Gold Board’ facility ––before gold-burning starts

GENERAL Manager of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), Ms. Eondrene Thompson said on Tuesday that the entity will be seeking the assurances of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that its newly-installed mercury abatement system is safe and functioning as intended before resuming gold-burning operations.

The ‘Gold Board’ recently took up residence on Crown Street, Queenstown, and although the entity is functioning from the new location in terms of its administrative responsibilities, it is still, for the time being, purchasing and burning gold at a licenced gold dealer located in the city.

According to Thompson, she, along with GGB

Guyana Gold Board General Manager, Eondrene Thompson Chairman, Gabriel Lall met with some of the entities and residents of the surrounding Queenstown neighbourhood to apprise them of plans to ensure that

the highest consideration is given to their safety, health and environmental concerns.

“We met with the two schools; we met with the officer-in-charge at the Alberttown Police Station; with a cafetería manager and a number of residents in the area,” she said.

In a bid to assure all parties concerned that the EPA will be part of the process, Ms Thompson said, “We will have the EPA; they will come in and do their tests, and be able to verify the readings on the equipment to say whether or not the Guyana Gold Board is ready to resume its gold-burning operations.”

She noted that while the facility should have been up and running two weeks ago, the key focus is to be sure that there will be zero

The new Guyana Gold Board office located on Crown Street, Queenstown emissions of mercury when operations commence.

“We must be fit to operate in this community; we will take no chances,” Thompson said. And,

touching briefly on the new mercury abatement system, she said it is a completely new piece of equipment with “layers of protection” to prevent the escape of mercury-laced vapours.

She said, too, that the equipment is fitted with indicators which can signal that emissions are occurring, thereby triggering a shutdown of operations to facilitate remedial actions.

SAFETY FIRST Thompson said that there will be a zero- tolerance policy with regards to the use of protective clothing during the gold-burning operations.

This, she said, goes not only for the staff of the Guyana Gold Board but also the clients whose gold is being burnt.

“We will move a step further in having one recommendation by the PAHO/WHO persons who

were here,” Thompson said.

“They recommended that we have the partition of the room made out of glass, so that the client will be able to observe the burning from afar.

“If we cannot move in time to do that, it is also recommended that they be at one location in the building, where they can view the burning via monitors,” she added.

However, she is cognisant of the challenges these arrangements will present.

“This will be a feat for us, because clients like to see their gold each step of the process; each step of the way,” she said, adding: “We will have to do a lot of educating of the clients and to let them understand the dangers of them being right there when the gold is being burned; but this may be in the medium-term.”

The new mercury abatement equipment being worked on Tuesday at the GGB’s new location

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Father, son found dead

THE decomposed bodies of 29-year-old Omkar Liliah and his 62-year-old father Deonarine Lilah, a Pandit were on Tuesday

while the young man was found dead in the hallway of the house. Police sources confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that the bodies which bore

Omkar Liliah

Pandit Deonarine Lilah

morning found dead in their Craig Street, Campbellville home in Georgetown.

The elder Liliah was found in his bedroom

multiple marks of violence might have been in the house for just about three days.

Decomposition is said to have been rapid since

Car, paintball gun recovered in failed robbery

The abandoned car that was recovered

the house was locked up.

This newspaper was told that there were no signs of forced entry to the property. The father and son grinded spices for a living at the location and have been doing that for some time now.

Tenants who live in the lower flat of the home which is owned by the senior Lilah indicated that on Tuesday morning they began to observe a stench coming from the house and they made contact with the police and other relatives of the men who live overseas. Local relatives received a call from overseas indicating that something was amiss at the home and when they arrived, they found the place secured by police ranks. According to information police are looking for at least two persons.

At the scene on Tuesday, the relatives of the men said they had no issues with anyone. RefPOLICE are on the hunt for three men who attempted to rob a Zeelugt, West Coast Demerara family on Tuesday night and in the process wounded the victim in the head.

According to a police report, the bandits attacked in the evening and the residents retaliated. The armed men fled the scene empty-handed in an Allion motorcar which they abandoned at the Zeelugt Sea Dam after it got stuck.

Several documents, a cellphone phone and a paintball gun were found in the vehicle.

The paintball gun that was recovered

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Police inspectors and other persons at the scene erence was made to the recent hospitalisation of the younger Lilah and it was being rumoured that he might have inflicted a wound on his father

and then taken his own life. However, when the bodies were examined by the police they concluded that the injuries were consistent with that of a

sharp object and not necessarily inflicted by the younger of the deceased.

The police are conducting their investigation into the matter.

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By Ronald Austin Jr ALONG the northern coast of South America the small nation of Guyana rests beautifully between the south of Venezuela and north of Brazil.

This nation, which is geographically part of South America and socially, culturally, historically part of the Caribbean, has long been touted as the land of great potential. This is the home to the indomitable 270 million hectares of natural formation, the Guiana Shield, which has global significance and is crucial to the planet’s survival.

It is His Excellency President Granger and other no-

table environmentalists and technical people who are most sensitised by this fact. I am struck by the lack of alarm and awareness by large sections of the population on this issue.

During the 1990s, four Asian economies: Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan maintained exceptionally high growth rates and emerged as highly industrialised nations. This growth was so rapid, observers coined this phenomenon, the ‘The Rise of the Asian Tigers.’ It is hoped that one day global commentators will have no choice but to write about the rise of Guyana.

When one considers that a nation such as Japan with no

significant natural resources and being the largest importer of oil, yet having a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 4.939 USD, the economic rise of Guyana is long overdue. This is the nation with vast resources and a small population, often referred to as the ‘Land of the Jaguar’, the time is really nigh for the economic rise of this country.

Our excuses for the lack of being a South American economic giant have become less believable with the discovery of oil. What we will say to the world now? We are literally out of excuses.

Ever since the first oil discovery was made, the world has turned its attention

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Rise of ‘Land of the Jaguar’ overdue to Guyana. Once confused with Ghana and hardly noticeable to the major global financial centres, we are now the talk of the world markets.

The revenues expected from oil are expected to bring guaranteed transformation. To put all of this into perspective, Guyana’s GDP, as of 2016, stood at 3.4 billion U.S. dollars. An increase of 2000% will see this skyrocketing to 68 billion U.S. dollars.

As of 2016, Jamaica’s GDP stood at 14.03 billion U.S. dollars, Trinidad and Tobago 20.99 billion U.S. dollars and Panama 55.19 billion U.S. dollars. The time is now, this opportunity cannot be missed.

For decades, our people have

endured sitting on ignoble immigration benches, receiving unfair treatment from our Caribbean brothers and sisters who are more economically endowed, this will soon be a thing of the distant past.

The naysayers, doubting Thomases and prophetesses of doom will say this will not happen. They will argue that our politics will continue to hinder this development.

They will argue that even with the prospect of oil revenues, we will struggle to see development. These negative sentiments are expected, but I am of the view that the rise of the ‘Land of the Jaguar’ is inescapable.

In 2015, Guyanese

demonstrated that they were willing to break from the politics of the past and elect leadership with clean hands who will protect the people’s money. They showed the world that they prefer a post-racial Guyana with a political system that is based on coalition politics. Lee Kuan Yew’s ‘From Third World to First’ should be national compulsory reading.

Lest we forget, the great economic Asian power, Singapore, started as an independent nation in 1965 with no natural resources and emerged in the 1990s as a major economic global power. The rise of the ‘Land of the Jaguar’ is inevitable.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

The search for role identity of Guyana’s former presidents

By Dr. Ken Danns

TUESDAY June 6, 2018, was a propitious day for Guyana’s fledgling democracy. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) made the highly significant ruling that Guyana’s two-term presidential limit is constitutional and does not infringe on the rights of any citizen to choose a president of his or her choice. The CCJ’s ruling struck down both the Guyana High Court and the Guyana Court of Appeal rulings respectively against presidential term limits and affirmed that Section Two of the Constitution (Amendment) (No 4) Act of 2000 was a constitutional amendment to Article 90 of the Constitution of Guyana.

The CCJ’s edict safeguarded Guyana’s democracy by institutionalising a check and balance against an executive presidency that when unleashed in the past readily functioned as a constitutional dictatorship. Former Speaker of Guyana’s Parliament Ralph Ramkarran affirmed, “The decision was a monumental victory for Guyana’s democracy, from whose people the horrifying threat of a potential life presidency has been lifted.”

By their exercise of the authoritarian powers of the office, Guyana’s executive presidents have been primarily responsible for the retardation or advancement of democracy in the nation for almost four decades. The tenures of Guyana’s executive presidents served as landmarks of the country’s struggle to liberate itself from undemocratic rule.

President Forbes Burnham was the architect of the executive presidency and it has been readily adopted and sustained in turn by President Cheddi Jagan, President Samuel Hinds, President Janet Jagan, President Bharrat Jagdeo and President Donald Ramotar.

Like his predecessors, current President David Granger retained the awesome powers of the presidency, but in practice is much restrained by the multiple political parties of the APNU+AFC coalition government he currently heads.

Further, the CCJ’s ruling is settled law and a guarantee that neither President Granger nor any future President will be able to rule or run for the office for more than two terms.

A major implication of the ICJ ruling is that a President who had served two terms would probably be precluded from holding the office of prime minister or vice-president (or arguably even that of a Cabinet minister). This is

because of the likelihood that by holding such offices, a previous two-term president may possibly succeed once again to the office of the executive presidency. At any rate, an incumbent demeans the office of the presidency if after demitting that office, he or she accepts a lesser position in the cabinet of another President.

The presidency of Guyana is not only an executive office in the government. It is a national institution that enshrines an incumbent with exceptionally great, unparalleled and pivotal power.

The Guyana constitution provides for an office, staff and allowances for former Presidents. The intention is that former Presidents must be able to continue to live with dignity deserving of their service to the nation at the highest level and the exceptional stature of the office they once occupied. The intention is also to empower former Presidents to engage in pursuits befitting their status and of their choice.

Former Presidents are alumnae of a highly selective fraternity of power and national leadership. They are therefore enduring symbols of nationhood, whether they are alive or deceased. While they are alive, former Presidents have a responsibility to spearhead the symbolic preservation of their heritage in office. After they would have passed away, their heritage should be sustained and institutionalised by their foundations and or the government. The careers of Guyana’s past Presidents, glorious or inglorious, are landmarks of the country’s history. For that reason, they must be preserved as lessons for posterity.

The dilemma for former Presidents is that they are creatures of ambivalence. They transition from having the awesome power and command of the presidency to becoming regular citizens. Becoming President was the ultimate status and power-high. They have been to the mountain top and must now make life in the valley of the regular. They experience a crisis of identity and of existence and are faced with the challenge of finding a purpose for being without any established norms to guide them.

What then should former Guyanese Presidents do? They can resolve this ambivalence of identity best by dedicating their lives to chronicling and preserving their legacies; becoming repositories of experience and advice; and, by pursuing altruistic projects that benefit their fellow citizens and humankind. By so doing, they can remain illustrious

leaders rather than to crawl back like leeches into the narrow and contentious folds of the political parties that spawned them. By actively continuing to engage with their political parties in leadership positions, former presidents may stifle change and democratic succession within these, if not also the whole country.

Because of who they were, former Presidents are ill-suited to occupy lesser roles in government or leadership in political parties. By doing so they can become socially radioactive and induce disquiet and uncertainty among others who are unsure how to deal with them. Importantly, they discredit the office of President from which they descended.

Former presidents often create presidential libraries and establish foundations to pursue national regional or even global projects. In the United States, for example, former Presidents such as Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton exemplify the continued national and global contributions that can be accomplished. There are however, no traditions for former Guyana Presidents to follow. No Guyanese President has written a book after leaving office. The President Cheddi Jagan’s Research Centre is an emergent example that has been set. It must be the newness of our young nation, since Guyana’s former Presidents, either deceased or alive, have no presidential projects and are seemingly content to be political party operatives.

Five former Guyana Presidents have passed away. President Arthur Chung (March 17, 1970 – October 6,1980) was Guyana’s first ceremonial or non-executive president. He served with dignity as head of state of an independent Guyana and passed away quietly in 2008 without much fanfare.

The Arthur Chung Convention Centre, built and recently renovated by the Chinese Government, has been named after him.

President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham who served as Guyana’s first executive president from October 6, 1980 to August 6, 1985 died in office. He was interred in a mausoleum in the Botanical Gardens and his life is mainly celebrated on the anniversary of his death. The Town of Linden and several streets around the country were named after him. The enduring contribution of the Burnham presidency was the establishment of the institutions and instruments of Guyana’s nationhood.

President Desmond Hoyte served from August 6, 1985

to October 9, 1992. He died in 2002 and very little, if anything at all, has been done to celebrate his service to the nation. Nothing has been named after him, although he was very instrumental in restoring free and fair elections to Guyana, press freedom and the primacy of the private sector.

President Hoyte was Guyana’s only President who elected to remain in his own humble home rather than occupy the official residence of the head of state.

President Cheddi Jagan ruled from October 9, 1992 to March 6, 1997. He died in office. He was cremated at the Babu John cemetery and his ashes scattered over the Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo Rivers. The Cheddi Jagan Research Library is a physical reminder of his life and service as is the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

President Cheddi Jagan’s tenure in office was underlined by the fact that he never sought to change the institutions of nationhood put in place by President Burnham and maintained

by President Hoyte. Rather, he ratified and granted legitimacy to these. Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s role in Guyana’s history is more documented than any other President, because of the numerous books he and others have written about his life and service to the nation.

President Janet Jagan was elected as President and served from December 19, 1997 to August 11, 1999. She was Guyana’s first and only female president and its first female prime minister, but very little has been publicly done to commemorate her service to the nation. Her accession to the presidency and tenure in office was plagued by unrest over the fact that she was not born in Guyana and whether she was eligible to become President of the country.

There are currently three former living executive presidents. President Samuel Hinds (March 6, 1997 to December 19, 1997); President Bharrat Jagdeo (August 11, 1999 to December 3, 2011); and President Donald Ramotar (December 3, 2011 to May 16, 2015) – all three derived from the former PPP/C government.

None of these have so far created a presidential library or are seemingly doing anything to cement their places in the nation’s history as its former paramount leaders.

Neither their party of origin, the PPP/C, nor their families and supporters have seemingly done anything to publicly memorialise their service. All three of these former Presidents are reportedly actively

involved in opposition party politics.

Former President Samuel Hinds served as President for only nine months and is eligible to run again if his party selects him as their presidential candidate. What distinguished his career was that he was a place-holder President.

As then prime minister, he constitutionally served out the remaining nine months of President Cheddi Jagan’s term after the latter died in office.

President Hinds was the only one of Guyana’s executive presidents to have never been a presidential candidate for his party. President Hinds also had the unparalleled distinction of having served as Guyana’s prime minister for a remarkable 22- plus years.

His place-holder status was further underlined when he resigned as President Janet Jagan’s prime minister for two days from August 9- 11, 1999 to enable Bharrat Jagdeo to replace him. President Janet Jagan then resigned August 11, 1999 after less than two years in office and was succeeded by her newly appointed Prime Minister, Bharrat Jagdeo.

President Donald Ramotar served for one term and is legally eligible to run for another if selected by the PPP/C. His tenure as President was highlighted by the fact that he used the autocratic powers of the presidency to prorogue or dissolve the Parliament, in order to preempt debate on the likely passage of a No-Confidence Motion against his government. Further, President Ramotar was the only incumbent to have won the presidency and not have majority representation in the nation’s Parliament.

Former Presidents should probably not run again for that office. President Desmond Hoyte, for example, served for seven years and then lost the 1992 election to Cheddi Jagan. He served as leader of the opposition PNC and competed for the next election and lost to Janet Jagan. He never became President again.

These electoral defeats may have diminished his image as a former President in the eyes of the Guyanese people.

President Bharrat Jagdeo ruled Guyana for almost 12 years and was the longest-serving President of the nation. As current leader of the opposition in Parliament and the general secretary of the PPP/C, he was reportedly bent on contesting the upcoming 2020 Elections as his party’s presidential candidate until the CCJ ruling restored the two-term limit. While serving as executive president, Bharrat

Jagdeo had given his stamp of approval of the two-term constitutional amendment which was unanimously passed in the nation’s Parliament. As current leader of the opposition however, he was allegedly behind the legal machinations to repeal the two-term limit, so he could run again. President Jagdeo may have tarnished his legacy as the longest- serving executive president in Guyana’s history by seeking not only to run for office again, but also to erode the trajectory of democracy of the nation.

This former president has however, defiantly vowed to retain control of the leadership of his PPP/C party and remain a force to be reckoned with in the day-to-day politics of his party and the country. This ex-president could best serve the nation by liberating the PPP/C of his domination so that it could find fresh leadership; establishing his presidential library; and, embarking on a broader and altruistic presidential project than can benefit Guyana, the Region or the planet. When compared to other members of the living former Presidents’ Club, this former President has a credible track record of leadership in international endeavours and would do well to continue these.

Former Presidents can retire with grace and live with dignity as did President Arthur Chung. Or, they can engage in uplifting pursuits that would bring honour to the heritage of the great office they once occupied and to themselves. The nation’s Parliament should pass a bill which will provide resources to enable our former presidents and prime ministers to at least be able to afford to establish libraries. A library for all past Presidents, should be established as a service to this nation. All of Guyana’s Presidents have made significant contributions to this nation in one form or other.

It would be opportune for the APNU+AFC coalition government that advocates so strongly for national cohesion and emphasises nationhood to put in place a presidential project to institutionalise for posterity the contributions of its past presidents and prime ministers to this nation.

The APNU+AFC coalition government already have plans to launch commemorative stamps in the names of Cheddi Jagan and Arthur Chung. They were also instrumental in renaming the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. These symbolic gestures and practical actions are nation-building endeavours.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

More drugs being trans-shipped through the Region

– US envoy

THE production of cocaine is soaring through the roof in Colombia and that means all trans-shipment routes that includes Guyana, Venezuela and Panama will be targeted as more drugs pass through the entire region.

This is according to United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway during his address at the Guyana Manufacturing and Service Association Limited (GMSA) business luncheon on Tuesday at the Pegasus Hotel.

“The amount that will be moving out of Colombia

is increasing and it already has and one of the horrible things that happens is that people are being paid with cocaine and once that local person receives 10 kilos for helping out moving the shipment through a country, then all of a sudden they have to do something with that drug and they don’t

have an international distribution network, so they start selling it locally,” Holloway explained.

He also said, as the demand goes up locally and more persons become addicted, their money runs out and they turn to all sorts of criminal activities.

Ambassador Holloway said there will be more drugs coming through the entire Region and Guyana’s law enforcement agencies must be prepared.

“We will continue as a US government to put millions of dollars a year in security in Guyana and tens of millions in the Region, but then again our money only helps if there is political will and everyone else is willing to invest their time and energy,” Holloway said.

He explained that there is a role for civil society to educate and instill morals in the various communities to

let the population understand the detrimental effects of drugs and breaking the law.

The envoy said an ounce of cocaine is more valuable than an ounce of gold and more than half the population is under the age of 26.

Adding that this age group looks for instant gratification, Ambassador Holloway said government must find a way to keep the young people focused while providing job opportunities.

He said port security has to be enhanced and the US Government had donated computerised Identification Card reader equipment that would enable such.

The Transportation Workers Identification Card system (TWIC) which was handed over June last will improve security standards at the various port facilities, in accordance with the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code, which was ad-

US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway opted here in 2004 following the 2001 terrorist attack.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is expected to hold sensitisation programmes with owners and operators of the various port facilities before implementing the ID card system.

Guyoil slashes fuel prices THE Guyana Oil Company Ltd (Guyoil) has announced a reduction in prices for Gasolene and Gasoil (LSD) with effect from today.

In a release Guyoil said Gasolene will move from $230/litre to $226/litre and Gasoil (LSD) from $219/litre to $215/litre.

The price reductions were possible due to declining acquisition costs and

the savings are now being passed on to customers. Guyoil recently celebrated their 42nd Anniversary under the theme “42 is Because of You”.

“Guyoil is committed to maintaining competitive prices and any savings as a result of declining acquisition cost will at all times be passed on to the customers,” Guyoil said.

SARA working to retrieve state assets

–– $200B lost between 2010 and 2014 from corruption – SARA CEO THE State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) is working tirelessly with the Ministry of Legal Affairs to retrieve over $200B in state assets lost through corruption between 2010 to 2014.

This is according to SARA Chief Executive Officer, Aubrey Heath-Retemyer, who was at the time addressing a gathering at a recent Anti-Corruption Sensitisation Seminar in Region Seven, hosted by the Ministry of Legal Affairs. “We have been losing between $28B and $35B every year between 2010 and 2014 by procurement fraud, in illicit capital flights--$90 billion and in the underground economy (drugs) -- about $100 billion.

Corruption allows people to steal and if we reduce it much of the friction around election time will stop, because everybody will get their fair share of the pie.”

The three major forms of corruption are: procurement fraud – fraud related to the purchase of goods, services, or commissioning of construction projects; illicit capital flight – money, commodities, (gold) or other assets, whether legally obtained or otherwise by residents, which are intentionally transferred, smuggled, or sent abroad without the knowledge of the Guyana Revenue Authority

(GRA), or other regulatory authorities; and the underground economy – corrupt transactions that are prohibited by law and/or are undertaken by unauthorised providers.

The CEO pointed out that SARA is working on a number of activities to change the culture and behaviour of people as they relate to corruption. He added that the anti-corruption legislation will be strengthened, since corruption is corrosive and impairs good governance. To date, over two million acres of lands have been retrieved; there was also the seizure of some amount of gold and the underground economy is almost non-existent, Heath-Retemyer said.

“Some people complain that they [government] should let the drugs flow, because they would get jobs, etc. But, if drugs were allowed, and the underground community continued to flourish, you could have lost your sons and daughters to kidnapping and ransom. We were at the point where there would have been serious problems.

The international community also informed us that the country was losing 15,000 ounces of gold per week, so the efforts to reduce corruption are well worth it.” (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Suspected bandit caught changing number plate

The Toyota Spacio motorcar detained by police THE police are hunting two suspects after apprehending a 28-year-old suspected bandit who trailed a Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident and robbed him after he withdrew cash from a commercial bank.

The suspected bandit was arrested by police after he was caught in the act of changing his vehicle licence plates on the railway embankment.

Reports indicate that the victim allegedly withdrew a sum of cash from an ATM on the East Coast of Demerara when he was ambushed by three men who stole the money and made good their escape in the Spacio motorcar.

The matter was immediately reported to the police who responded promptly and were able to intercept the car.

The driver was identified as a South Ruimveldt, Georgetown resident. However, police were unable to recover the stolen money.

Two youths on robbery with violence charge

TWO boys appeared on Monday July 9, 2018 before Magistrate Judy Latchman on a robbery with violence charge.

The charge alleges that on July 8, 2018 at Croal Street, Daniel Bollers and Amzel Bacchus robbed Danish Pooran of $10,000 in cash. Additionally, sometime before, during or immediately after the robbery they both used violence against him Seventeen-year-old Bollers who resides at Middle Road, La Penitence and 18- year old Bacchus who lives at Duncan Street, Kitty denied the charge that was read out to them in court by the magistrate.

The police prosecutor objected to bail based on the seriousness of the offence and the penalty it attracted.

According to evidence given to the court by the Prosecutor, on July 8, 2018 the victim was walking along Croal Street heading to the Universal Church when Bollers slapped him and took away his money and the victim ran screaming for help. A police patrol was passing at the same time and the two defendants were arrested.

Bail was refused by Magistrate Latchman and both defendants were remanded to prison until July 30, 2018.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Atlantic Gardens execution-style murder

Daughter testifies via SKYPE

By Michel Outridge

LONE witness, Romona Senassie, daughter of the deceased on Tuesday testified via SKYPE from New York, USA as the Patricia Senassie murder trial continued in the Georgetown High Court. Richard Stanton is before the High Court for the offence.

The witness told the court that in January 2015 she was residing at Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demer-

ara and the deceased was her mother.

She recalled that on January 12, 2015 she and her mother left home at about 09:00hrs to go to the Timehri Kali Temple because her mother had a religious function there.

Romona Senassie added that she was unable to go into the temple because she was ‘unclean’ and she returned to their vehicle which was parked in the compound until her mother

was finished.

The witness in her evidence-in-chief said they left the temple for home at about 17:45hrs and she was at the wheel. When they arrived at their Lot 129 Atlantic Gardens home her mother collected the bunch of keys and exited the vehicle to open the gate.

Romona Senassie said she remained in the driver’s seat of the vehicle and soon after she observed another vehicle speeding in their

direction. The vehicle then parked behind her vehicle.

She told the court that the vehicle that pulled up was a metallic silver grey Raum and a man exited from the back seat and walked past her side of the vehicle and looked at her briefly.

“He had a gun in both hands” pointing it at her mother as he walked up to her. “At that time she was bent over trying to put the key into the padlock,” Ro-

The deceased: Patricia Senassie mona Senassie said.

She noted that the man did not shoot at her mother right away but when she looked up it was clear she was in shock because her mouth was open when she saw him. She looked at me then back at him again and it was then he started to shoot in rapid succession.

Romona Senassie said her mother then made two steps backwards and fell to the ground and she and the man made eye contact because she was able to see him clearly from the street light and the lights from neighbouring houses. The place was adequately lit.

The witness related that she saw the man properly for a few seconds since her car lights were on inside before he jumped into the vehicle he came with, which sped off.

Romona Senassie told the court that when the man left she exited her car and went to her mother who was alive but bleeding from bullet holes in her neck which she tried to cover with her hands.

The SKYPE witness added that she screamed out for help because she felt helpless and neighbours came “rushing” out and surrounded them but one man, a neighbour she only know as ‘Chico’ went to her and another man who placed her mother in the back seat of her car.

She stated that she went into the back seat with her mother while a woman ‘Sattie’ got in the front passenger side along with ‘Chico’ who was also in the back seat and a guy name ‘Joseph’ drove them to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Upon arrival at GPHC, Romona said her mother was taken inside to be attended to while she remained in the waiting area and about 10 minutes after a doctor told her that her mother was pronounced dead on arrival.

She was taken to see her mother’s body and at that point they were counting the bullet holes on her body.

Romona described the man, who shot her mother as being big-built with a fat or high stomach about 5-7 feet tall, black with

high cheek bones who was dressed in a doo-rag on his head, army looking boots, and dark clothing with a black bullet proof vest.

She added that the man had on a stocking under his ears to his mouth and he was of African descent.

Romona recalled that on January 14, 2015 at 20:14hrs she went to GPHC where she identified her mother’s body to Dr. Nehaul Singh in the presence of two female relatives and a police rank.

On January 26, 2015 the witness said her mother’s body was cremated in New York and on April 25, 2015 she attended an identification parade at CID HQ at Eve Leary.

The 2015 murder trial of Patricia Senassie continues in the Georgetown High Court before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a 12-member jury.

According to the state, it is alleged that on January 12, 2015 at Atlantic Gardens, Patricia Senassie was murdered by the accused Richard Stanton.

As the indictment was presented the accused pleaded not guilty and his interest is being represented by defence attorney Mark Waldron.

In presenting the state’s case, Tiffini Lyken told the court that at about 06:45hrs on January 12, 2015 tragedy struck Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara, in front of the home of the victim, Patricia Senassie.

As she exited the car to open her gate, while her daughter remained in the vehicle, a vehicle came up behind them. A man, identified as the accused, exited the vehicle, walked up to Senassie, shot her five times then retreated to the vehicle he came in which sped off.

The mortally injured woman was taken to GPHC where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

State prosecutor, Tiffini Lyken said on January 14, 2015 Dr. Nehaul Singh performed a post mortem and gave the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds.

She related that the police conducted an investigation and the accused was charged for the offence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

USAID building capacity of local HIV/ AIDS & LGBTI NGOs

SEVERAL Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Guyana are being trained to improve their advocacy strategies following the launching of a US$8M Local Capacity for Local Solutions Project on Tuesday.

The Project is being spearheaded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with Research Triangle Park (RTI) International, the Caribbean Policy Development Center (CPDC) and the Government of Guyana.

It involves nine other countries in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (ESC) region which include Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The launching of the project in Guyana took place at the Cara Lodge Hotel and kick-starts a 4-day regional workshop on advocacy for the some 25 attending NGOs. Through the project, the NGOs will also be taught strategic planning, financial management, institutional governance, resource mobilisation, networking and managerial and organisational capacity.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott, spoke of the Government’s satisfaction to see the launching of the project which he said will impact regional programmes and activities in Guyana.

He commended the project’s involvement of NGOs which focus on HIV/AIDS,

gender, the environment and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and intersex (LGBTI) issues.

“Every individual is accorded certain rights and the rights of one person should not and must not collide with the rights of others. That is the platform on which we, as Government, are able to set an impeccable human rights record,” Scott said.

He revealed that this year will mark over 51 years of fruitful bilateral relations between Guyana and USAID and further commended the priority focus being placed on NGOs in support of youth.

“Our Government is always concerned and passionate about any initiative that can impact youth and their development and for that and other reasons, a National Youth Policy was laid in the National Assembly not so long ago and an examination of your programme line leads one to conclude that the key activities and expected results [of the project] are impressive,” he stated.

Speaking too was USAID ESC Mission Director, Christopher Cushing who said that the project is utilising a “demand-driven and customised methodology” shaped by the priorities of NGOs. He revealed that through the project, scholarships will be provided for online accredited courses in non-profit management and selected NGOs can receive comprehensive capacity grants to support improvements in their organisation.

“By responding to specific needs we will help organisations improve their service

Representatives of several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) attended the launching of the USAID Local Capacity for Local Solutions Project at the Cara Lodge on Tuesday. Seated from left to right are: Chief of Party USAID Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland; Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott; United States Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway and USAID ESC Mission Director Christopher Cushing (Samuel Maughn photo) delivery and build greater synergies and networking capacity to promote learning exchanges and best practices,” Cushing said, adding: “RTI and CPDC designed this workshop to import, in part, the concepts and principles of effective and constructive advocacy and to leave you with the strategies and tools to better achieve your goals.”

Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway said that the US Embassy-supported project represents the US Government’s commitment to promoting more resilient and prosperous communities in Guyana.

“Guyana is privileged to boast a very active NGO presence and I am happy to report that the US Government has enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership with many local NGOs…over the next few days you can expect to share best practices and develop strategic and innovative partnerships at national and regional levels to advance your advocacy goals,” he said.

At the end of the fourday workshop the NGOs will present on a developed advocacy strategy to a panel of experts which will include politicians, private sector representatives and development experts who will all provide constructive feedback.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Holder lauds local seafood industry for contributions to economic growth - urges creative promotion of ‘wild caught’ shrimp internationally

Minister Holder with Gopie Investments Inc. Managing Director Raoul Gopie (left) and his father

THE FISHERIES Department will soon be collaborating with the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) for further research in the conversion of shrimp waste into value-added agricultural commodities and integrate it into the value chain.

Although, Guyana’s fisheries sector contributes between US$70M to $80M annually to the economy, the country’s seafood sector has seen a contraction in exports to the United States, with the introduction of new legislations put in place to promote US farm-raised shrimp.

These interventions have seen many local seafood companies suffering due to the reduced demand for their wild caught products. Agriculture Minister Noel Holder recently toured the operations of a number of seafood companies and assured officials, that his ministry is working to acquire additional market opportunities and to ensure that their products are recognised for their quality.

Although it might not be seen as a major difference, present day health conscious individuals are positing that wild caught shrimp has far more health benefits than consuming farm raised shrimp.

Dr. Joseph Mercola, a certified US physician and nutrition specialist, in his newsletter titled ‘The Un-

savory Aspects of Farmed Shrimp’ stated that farmed shrimp tends to be far more contaminated than wild-caught shrimp.

In the article, Dr. Mercola explained that farmed shrimp can contain a wide variety of contaminants, including hazardous drugs, chemical residues from cleaning agents, pathogens like Salmonella and E.coli, along with other contaminants like mouse and rat hair.

Another concern relates to chemicals purposefully used on shrimp.

In 2009, scientists discovered that 4-hexylresorcinol, a preservative used to prevent discoloration in shrimp and other shellfish, acts as a xenoestrogens and can increase the risk of breast cancer in women and reduce sperm counts in men. Xenoestrogens have been associated to a number of human health effects.

The Ministry of Agriculture, through its Fisheries Department, has been working closely with local seafood organisations not only to develop mechanisms to showcase the health benefits and promote the consumption of wild caught shrimp, but also to implement traceability policies to ensure our industry is protected.

Minister Holder, while in dialogue with seafood officials, stated that he understands how international trade works and urged the suppliers to continue to produce quality products.

“With the information presented to me, I understand that international buyers are protecting the interests of their economies and their economic growth.

This means that we have to be creative with our delivery of our products. We know the negatives that come with consuming farm raised shrimp. The research is there. We have to be creative and show our consumers the benefits of using wild caught as against using farm raised.” Minister Holder said.

dicate that they are in the process of acquiring a license to export to European territories.

Another major player in the seafood sector in Guyana, Noble House Seafood cited many challenges with security and stated that measures had to be put in place to reduce the incidences of theft and losses.

Noble House Seafood’s O p e r a t i o n s M a n a g e r, Richard Jodah, stated that they have had instances where employees would sell their produce to smaller fishermen.

He stated that with this legislation in place, traceability and accountability within the sector will be improved.

SHRIMP WASTE In Guyana, seafood organisations are reporting that over 3000lbs of shrimp waste is disposed of daily. While they have all managed to find environmentally friendly means of disposing of this waste, studies suggest that shrimp waste can be transformed and reintegrated into other sectors of agriculture.

“Shrimp shells are rich in chitin, the second most abundant natural biopolymer on earth. Unlike most other forms of biomass such as cellulose, chitin contains nitrogen compounds which are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, carbon dioxide fixation, textiles and beyond and are crucial for modern life.” Mr. Gopie said.

In Australia, dried shrimp shells are valued at a mere US $100–120 per tonne. These shells can be ground down and the powder used as an ani-

Minister Holder, officials from Noble Houses Seafoods and other Ministry of Agriculture officials

Managing Director of Gopie Investments Inc. Raoul Gopie, said that even though his organisation has received a lot of cooperation from the Fisheries Department, the change in the demand for wild caught shrimp in the US has affected his operations.

“My largest clients are in the US. In 2017, we shipped about 70 containers of shrimp to various states. With the new legislation in place to protect US shrimp producers, who I must add are mostly supplying farm-raised shrimp, my business has been negatively impacted.” Mr. Gopie said.

Gopie did however in-

“Often times we find out employees are selling portions of the catch to smaller fishermen. Even with the installation of security systems, although this has been reduced, it still remains a problem.

We need measures put in place to mandate these ‘road side’ seafood venders to say where they are getting these amounts and quality of produce from, because we know they do not have the vessels to go out and catch these fish and shrimp themselves.”

Mr. Jodah said.

Minister Holder noted that his ministry is currently working with sister agencies to ensure the Food Safety Bill is passed.

Shells harbour useful chemicals such as protein, calcium carbonate and chitin, a polymer similar to cellulose, but which contains nitrogen. The potential value of such shells for the chemical industry is being overlooked. Internationally, scientists are working to develop sustainable ways to refine crustacean shells. As such, governments and industries are encouraged to invest in using this abundant and cheap renewable resource.

Mr. Gopie spoke about the scientific make-up of shrimp waste and the great nutritional value it has if processed and added into agricultural practices.

mal-feed supplement, bait or fertiliser.

Minister Holder said that shrimp waste is rich in protein, which is a key component in the minerals added to cattle feed in the livestock industry.

“We need to look into using shrimp meal as animal feed as part of waste management in the shrimp industry. Shrimp powder can be produced by sun exposure or drying. The raw materials can also be boiled or steamed before drying.

Shrimp meal has also been seen as a livestock feed for dairy value with no adverse effects on milk quality.” Minister Holder said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

First Lady opens ICT workshop for Region Three youths

FIRST Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger on Monday launched yet another Information Communication Technology (ICT) training programme; this time, in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region (Region Three), to provide youths with skills in the areas of information technology, literacy and numeracy, entrepreneurship, sexual reproductive health, STEM subjects, and other soft skills.

The programme, which is being executed through a collaborative effort between the Office of the First Lady, the Ministry of Social Protection and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), will run for four weeks and caters for 30 participants. Training sessions are conducted at the Leonora Secondary School, West Bank Demerara.

In brief remarks, the First Lady congratulated the participants for making the decision to be a part of the programme and told partici-

pants that the workshop does not only focus on ICT, but is also designed to prepare them for the world of work.

“You are living in an age of technology and if you want to participate in a meaningful way in the world you are going to inherit, you have to have the knowledge of ICT,” she said.

Mrs. Granger also expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Social Protection and the BIT for their continued support. “The beauty about this Board of the Industrial Training workshop is that it has a recognised certificate…This is why I want to challenge you to do your best to make yourselves employable… With the skill that you need to get ahead,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Richard Maughn encouraged the participants to embrace the opportunities afforded to them through the smart use of ICT to become productive citizens.

“As individuals, you need to

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and other officials pose with the participants of the programme be able to make good use of information in this the age of ICT… information technology can empower your lives and it is our intention to make sure that every one of you achieve success,” he said.

Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Denis Jaikaran who

also addressed the gathering, took the opportunity to thank the First Lady for her efforts to empower youths and expressed gratitude for having the programme launched in Region Three. He also pledged to award all students with a 90 per cent attendance rate, with prizes on behalf of

the regional administration.

In an invited comment, participant, Ms. Tamara Dey said that the training affords her the opportunity of self-improvement and will help her to become an independent young individual “I’m hoping to gain the skill which I currently lack in in-

formation technology and I plan to use what I will learn to get employed,” she said.

Mr. Stavon David, another participant, said that he plans to use the workshop experience to enrol in a technical institute to further his education in the field of engineering.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Holness urges more support for RRM

THE member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have

been urged to promote and maintain the Regional Response Mechanism

(RRM) coordinated by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in light of increasing threats of natural disasters.

Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holnesss, said in addition to promoting the RRM, the heads of government have been encouraged to lobby the International Community to align its support with the mechanism, including early recovery.

Disaster Management and Climate Change were among critical issues at the centre of discussions when the regional leaders converged at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Jamaica from July 4-6 for the 39th Regular Meeting of Conference for the CARICOM heads of government.

In reviewing the Region’s Disaster Management and Recovery Programme, the leaders took note of the vulnerability of CARICOM member states to national hazards, ac-

knowledging that the effects of climate change remain key challenges to sustainable development and that innovative approaches were required in the era of superstorms.

In a statement issued by the CARICOM Secretariat, it said that the heads of government also acknowledged that the building of the Community’s resilience involved the interaction of social, economic and environmental policies, while enhancing physical infrastructure. They emphasised that Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) remains core to the achievement of a resilient Caribbean Community.

“They noted that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) had a key role in facilitating national governments to have full control of the emergency response and early recovery phases of a disaster and that sustainability of the agency was therefore of vital importance, given its mandate and the range of post-disaster sup-

port member states require,” the secretariat explained in the statement.

The leaders also urged the various Councils of the Community to give special consideration to regional sectoral programmes, designed to build resilience with the intention of expediting implementation of recommended actions.

In August, 2018, a Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Mid-Term Review of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action Pathway (S.A.M.O.A. Pathway) will be held in Belize.

The Small Island and low-lying coastal Developing States (SIDS) Framework had its origin in the Barbados Programme of Action of 1994, further complemented by the Mauritius Strategy of Implementation (MSI) of 2005 and the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway (Samoa Pathway) of 2014.

This places specific focus on the unique vulnerabilities of SIDS and provides the basic framework for international cooperation.

A TWENTY-seven-yearold porter was on Tuesday released on $40,000 bail

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on the charge of attempting to commit a felony.

Ravi McTurk of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank

Demerara denied that on July 7, 2018 at Port Kaituma Compound, North West District he broke and entered the home of Shondel Jagan.

The Police however say that on the day in question McTurk was allegedly caught red-handed in the woman’s

home and when confronted, he told her: “I just come for a taste.”

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield made no objection to McTurk being granted bail.

His matter was transferred to the Mathews Ridge Court for August 7.

Ravi denies he broke home ‘for a taste’

While expressing concern over the slow pace of implementation of the SAMOA Pathway, the regional leaders agreed to work closely with the International Community in the 2019-2024 period to strengthen implementation.

They also used the platform to express appreciation to Mr. Milo Pearson for his contributions. Pearson retired after serving 11 years as Chair of the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIFSPC).

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the 24th Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP\ 24) in Poland. Ahead of this conference, the heads of government issued a declaration on climate change as a guide. In that declaration, the leaders committed to accelerate efforts regionally by ensuring that all CARICOM member states take the necessary action to ratify the Paris Agreement at the latest by December 2018, when the COP 24 is to be held.

Ravi McTurk

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Security officers freed of $3.2M larceny charge

THREE security officers attached to Massy Security Limited were on Tuesday freed from a $3.2M simple larceny charge by City Magistrate Dylon Bess due to the lack of evidence.

Clarence Patterson, 50; Shawn Good luck, 44 and

Cosmo Chichester, 48 were jointly charged last March for allegedly stealing two Republic Bank tamper proof money bags with $1M cash along with $2.2M in cheques, all property of Marics and Company Limited on November 13, 2017, at Char-

lotte and Oronoque Streets, Georgetown. The men had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Bess on Tuesday found that there was insufficient evidence against the men since the money was discovered missing a month later and

State closes case against Westford, secretary

THE State on Tuesday closed its case against former Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Manager Margaret Cummings who are on trial for allegedly defrauding the Government of more than $600M. The women are charged with stealing $639,420,000 belonging to the Government of Guyana, which they allegedly received by virtue of employment between the period of October 19, 2011 and April 28, 2015, while being employed with the former Public Service Ministry.

It is also alleged that between 2011 and 2015, Westford signed 24 memorandums amounting to $639,420,000 and sent them to the permanent secretary at the Office of the President to be signed and approved.

The money was said to have been requested for activities to be conducted in the 10 administrative regions.

State prosecutor Teshanna Lake closed her case before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, after the final witness took the stands on Tuesday. The matter is adjourned until July 31for defence counsel, Dexter Todd to make his submission.

Westford of Victoria Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Cummings, a mother of three, of Section A Diamond, EBD are being represented by a team of attorneys – Rexford McKay, Neil Boston, Keisha Chase, Eusi Anderson, Bibi Shaddick, Brandon Glasford and Dexter Todd More than 50 witnesses were called by the state in the trial of Dr. Westford and Cummings.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had assigned State Prosecutor Teshana Lake and Natasha Backer to the case.

Clarence Patterson, Cosmo Chichester (in yellow) and Shawn Goodluck there was no proof of the trio acutely handling the money.

According to reports, the three men were employed by Massy Security as ‘Cash in Transit Officers’ responsible for collecting daily sales

from various businesses and depositing it in the bank.

On the day in question, the security officers allegedly collected the money bags with the cash inside from Marics and Company Limit-

ed to be deposited at Republic Bank.

However, the company later discovered that the monies were not deposited and reported the matter to the police.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Umtiti’s header propels France to World Cup final

By Simon Evans

ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) - Samuel Umtiti’s 51st-minute header sent France into the World Cup final with a ruthless 1-0 win over Belgium in an absorbing first semi-final on Tuesday.

Didier Deschamps’ side will face England or Croatia in Moscow on Sunday as the French look to lift the trophy for the second time following their triumph on home soil in 1998.

In an enthralling, albeit highly tactical rather than incident-packed match, it was once again a set-piece that proved decisive with Umtiti’s near-post header from an Antoine Griezmann corner settling matters.

Having gained the lead, France showed the defensive nous to nullify the threat from Belgium’s Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne, closing out the game for a win that sent them to their second straight major tournament final, following their loss to Portugal in Euro 2016.

It had been suggested

that France needed to step up a level in quality to get past the Belgians and they did just that even if their disciplined, professional performance hardly set the pulses racing.

But the worrying factor for Croatia or England is that France still look to have another gear to move into.

“We showed character and mentality, it was very hard for us tonight. We worked hard defensively, we needed to take advantage a bit more in the counter-attacks but congratulations to my players and my staff,” he said.

EARLY CONTROL Belgium took early control of midfield with France content to sit deep and eliminate the threat of counter-attacks Hazard and De Bruyne.

But it was by no means a purely negative approach as the French offered their own danger on the break, perfectly illustrated when Paul Pogba’s delivery sent Kylian Mbappe racing towards goal and Belgium were thankful their keeper Thibaut Courtois was

alert to snuff out the danger.

The first real opening came in the 16th minute when De Bruyne hooked the ball into the path of Hazard whose shot was just wide of Huge Lloris’s far post.

Hazard was dangerous again moments later when he cut in from the left and unleashed a rasping drive which clipped off the back of Raphael Varane and just over the bar.

From a Belgium corner, Toby Alderweireld tested Lloris with a smart shot on the turn but as the half progressed France began to create more.

Olivier Giroud flashed a header just wide and Mbappe set up Benjamin Pavard whose low shot was kept out by the outstretched leg of Courtois.

It was a fascinating first half and all that was missing was a goal but one came soon after the break.

From Griezmann’s corner, Umtiti beat Marouane Fellaini at the near post and powered a header home to put France ahead.

Martinez brought on Dries Merteens for Moussa Dembele in an attempt to liven up his attack but France were now focussed purely on frustrating Belgium’s creative pair.

With Ngolo Kante marshalling the effort, France were on De Bruyne and Hazard like a flash, snuffing out the slightest opportunity for them to probe the French defence.

The nearest Belgium came to a leveller was a header from Fellaini which flashed just wide and a fierce strike from distance by Axel Witsel which the impressive Lloris parried away.

France can begin to prepare for the final at the Luzhniki Stadium, eager to avoid a repeat of 2006 when they were beaten by Italy on penalties in Berlin and the pain of the loss to Portugal on home soil in 2016.

“Two years ago, I remember what happened two years ago,” Deschamps said. “We will go into this final to win it as we have still not gotten over the (2016) final.”

Pollard, Brathwaite lead teams to Global T20 victories TORONTO, Canada, (CMC) – Keiron Pollard and Carlos Brathwaite both produced good performances to lead their respective teams to victory when the Global T20 Canada competition continued on Sunday.

Pollard grabbed one wicket and scored a quickfire 37 from just 21 balls to help his Toronto Nationals record a sensational one-wicket win over the Montreal Tigers off the last ball of the innings.

The Tigers, led by half centuries from George Worker (62) and Moises Henriques (50), posted a challenging 1764 from their 20 overs.

The Nationals found themselves in some early trouble at 27-3, but were able to make a recovery American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Patriotic Endeavour Race 2 Suas Race 3 White Flag Race 4 Wise Strike Race 5 Congruity Race 6 Satisfy Race 7 Blurred Line Race 8 Dr. Shane South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:50 hrs Pearl Tiara 09:25 hrs Royal Kaitrina 10:00 hrs Valedictorian

thanks to a 93-run partnership between Anton Devcich (43) and Nitish Kumar who made 46.

But following their dismissals, Pollard, who struck three fours and three sixes, took the Nationals to the brink of victory, before he was the ninth man out with the score on 174 with three balls remaining.

Kesrick Williams then hit a boundary off the last ball of the match to grab victory for the Nationals.

Brathwaite produced a brilliant bowling spell, ending with four wickets for 21 runs from his four overs, as Kent recorded an easy eight-wicket win over Somerset.

His efforts helped reduce

Somerset to 159-6 in their 20 overs.

Kent then romped to 163-2 in only 16.3 overs, with Manof-the-match Heino Kuhn smashing 67 from 42 balls.

Daniel Bell-Drummond ably assisted with 58 from 39 balls.

Exiled West Indies cricketer Dwayne Bravo contributed with bat and ball, but it wasn’t enough to stop Middlesex from going down to Gloucestershire by six wickets.

Bravo hit the topscore of 34 to help Middlesex to 160-7 in their 20 overs. His 27ball knock contained three boundaries and one six.

He then returned to grab 2-24 with the ball, but it was not enough to stop Gloucestershire from romping to 165-4 from 18.4 overs.

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Juventus paying Real Madrid 100 million euros for Ronaldo MADRID (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Italian champions Juventus from Real Madrid on a fouryear contract for 100 million euros (26.55 million pounds) signalling the end of nine years at the Spanish giants filled with trophies and goals.

The two European giants on Tuesday announced the much-anticipated deal for the five-times world player of the year who joined Real from Manchester United in 2008 for a then world record 80 million pounds ($106 million).

The 33-year-old Portugal forward is the Spanish club’s all-time top scorer with 451 goals in all competitions and won two La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies with them.

The signing of the latest Ballon d’Or winner and top scorer in the Champions League for the last six seasons represents a major coup for Juve, who have had a stranglehold on the Italian title since 2012 but have not won Europe’s top prize since 1996.

The signing also strikes a blow for the profile of Serie A against La Liga, which has now lost two of its three most famous players in the last year after Paris St Germain signed

Neymar from Barcelona for a world record fee last August.

Real paid tribute to Ronaldo, who is the all-time top scorer in the Champions League, in a lengthy statement on their website and said the player had asked to be transferred.

proved to be the best in the world and has carved out one of the most brilliant eras in the history of our club and world football.

“Beyond all the trophies and matches he won on the pitch during these nine years, Cristiano Ronaldo has also

Cristiano Ronaldo has completed his move to Juventus.

“Real Madrid announces that it has agreed to transfer Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus FC due to the will and desire expressed by the player,” the European champions said.

“Today Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude to a player that has

been a role model in commitment, hard work, responsibility, talent and a desire to always exceed himself.”

REMARKABLE CONSISTENCY Despite his remarkable consistency, Ronaldo often

appeared unsettled at Real and had threatened to leave on several occasions, first airing his dissatisfaction with the club’s hierarchy in 2012 by saying in a post-game interview: “I’m sad and the club know why”.

Reports emerged last year that Ronaldo was again upset with the club’s President Florentino Perez over a pay dispute and was intent on leaving, although he stayed on to lead the club to a third successive Champions League triumph.

Ronaldo, however, soured the celebrations immediately after the 3-1 win over Liverpool in the final in Kiev by indicating he had decided to leave, saying in a post-match interview “It was beautiful to play for Real Madrid.”

T h e P o r t u g a l i n t e rnational scored two goals against Juventus in Real’s 4-1 win in the 2017 Champions League final and earlier this season struck a jaw-dropping bicycle kick against the Italians in a 3-0 win in a quarter-final firstleg game in Turin which prompted Juve supporters to give him a standing ovation.

The Portuguese converted a stoppage-time penalty in the second leg to knock the Italians out 4-3 on aggregate.

Kerber to face Jelena Ostapenko in semi-finals

Angelique Kerber

ELEVENTH seed Angelique Kerber reached the Wimbledon semi-finals with a 6-3 7-5 win over Russia’s Daria Kasatkina.

Two-time Grand Slam winner Kerber, the highest-ranked seed left in the women’s competition, dominated the first set as Kasatkina struggled with nerves.

Fourteenth seed Kasatkina, 21, grew in confidence but Kerber came through to win on her seventh match point.

The German, 30, will face Latvian 12th seed Jelena Ostapenko on Thursday after she beat Dominika Cibulkova 7-5 6-4.

In the other half of the draw, Serena Williams is through to her 11th Wimbledon semi-final after beating Camila Giorgi in three sets and she will face Julia Gorges, who beat Kiki Bertens 3-6 7-5 6-1 to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final.

After taking the first set, Kerber broke to go 3-1 up in the second before Kasatkina levelled for 3-3 only for another double fault to put the German back in control.

The Russian, who thrilled the crowd with some superb returns and passing shots, broke back again for 4-4 but her opponent replied immediately.

With Kerber serving for a place in the last four, Kasatkina earned two break points with a forehand and levelled the scores before again failing to hold her serve.

(BBC Sport)

Roy Fredericks cricket Pakistan opener Shehzad set for July 21 at Albion charged over positive test - PCB THE Blairmont Centre Cricket Club will be hosting its fourth annual fundraiser, the Roy Frederick’s Floodlight Cup dubbed ‘Revolution’, at the Albion Community Centre on July 21.

in volleyball and dominoes.

Action will commence at 09:00hrs and conclude under floodlights. Twotime defending champions Blairmont Blazers will put their title on the line against six

Inderjeet Persaud

According to the club, the day/night event will feature some of the leading cricket clubs in Guyana, and apart from the cricket action there will be rivalry

other teams, namely Albion Cricket Club, Demerara Cricket Club, Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Port Mourant Cricket Club,

Young Warriors and Upper Corentyne Cricket Association.

Among the activities during the day would be tassa drumming, bowl-off, spectator catch, cartoon characters and live commentary by international commentator, Inderjeet Persaud.

“The club’s executive and members are seeking sponsorship and welcome any contribution towards the success of this event.

Proceeds will go towards the intended purpose, which is to maintain and develop the cricket club.

The club’s main project is to build an indoor cricket facility for the club and other non-members to combat the rainy season. For more information, please make contact with Assistant Secretary Ameer Rahim on 626-2563,” the club said in a release.

(REUTERS) - Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad has tested positive for a banned substance and will be charged later on Tuesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said.

The PCB announced in June that a player had failed a doping test but refused to reveal the name of the team member or the charges they faced until a chemical report was completed, as per the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) regulations.

“Independent Review Board Report on doping case has been received by PCB. Cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has tested positive for a banned substance. PCB will issue charge sheet today,” the governing body said on its verified Twitter account.

Shehzad, 26, has struggled to nail down a place in the Pakistan squad in recent years but played in the twomatch Twenty20 series at Scotland in June, where he scored a combined 38 runs as the visitors recorded commanding victories.

Ahmed Shehzad

Royal Tape Ball Cricket Academy to hold cricket competition

THE Royal Tape Ball Cricket Academy will be executing their fourth annual End-of-Term Schoolboys’ Tape Ball competition at the Durban Park tarmac on Saturday July 30th, 2018 at 08:30hrs.

The competition will be a six-overs a side and knockout. Trophies and medals will be at stake and complementary prizes for the runner -up and outstanding performances. All teams are asked to be prompt.

Teams can contact Mr. Mohan Ali, coordinator on 231-6004.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Serena keeps calm and carries on past Giorgi for semi-final place

Wimbledon tennis...

By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) - For 35 minutes on Centre Court Serena Williams was knocked off her stride by a feisty Italian who looked as though she had ripped a page from the American’s tennis manual.

Playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final, unseeded Camila Giorgi went toe-to-toe with the seven-time champion and became the first player to take a set off her so far.

All eyes were on 36-yearold mum Williams to see how she would respond to such a challenge to her supremacy at Wimbledon, where she is unbeaten since 2014.

The answer was emphatic.

Williams raised her intensity level, added some velocity to her groundstrokes and some decibels to her growls and powered back to win 3-6 6-3 6-4 — a scoreline that was a touch closer than what actually transpired on court.

Williams has fallen 13 times in Grand Slam quarter-finals — more than in any other round — but was never

Serena Williams of the U.S. in action during her quarter final match against Italy’s Camila Giorgi. REUTERS/ Peter Nicholls

panicked.

“It’s weird. Sometimes I feel, ‘man, I’m in trouble’.

Sometimes I feel, I can fight.

For whatever reason, today I was so calm. Even when I was down the first set,” Williams who ended with 24 winners and only nine unforced errors, said.

“I never felt it was out of my hands. I can’t describe it. I just felt calm. Hoping I can channel that all the time.”

Considering she went through a difficult childbirth nine months ago and played only a handful

of matches this year before her 18th Wimbledon, her physical condition has been impressive.

“I’m not tired at all,” said Williams, who has avoided any seeds in reaching 11th Wimbledon semi-final.

“When I was out there today, not once was I out of breath.

“Maybe it’s because there weren’t many long points, but, hey, got to look at the positives, right?”

There were many of them — not least her mighty serve.

She lost only four points on it in the opening set, all of them in the sixth game when a courageous Giorgi rifled a backhand deep into enemy territory to snatch a break out of nowhere, setting the Centre Court crowd abuzz. It stung Williams and she went 0-40 in the next game, but Giorgi showed real steel to hold for a 5-2 lead.

When Williams hit a forehand long to hand Giorgi the set, it looked possible that her quest for a 24th and possibly most remarkable Grand Slam title might be in peril.

Even when Giorgi held for 1-1 in the second with an ace though it seemed a matter of

Tour de France cycling...

Gaviria secures second win in thrilling stage-four finish COLOMBIA’s Fernando Gaviria held off Peter Sagan and Andre Greipel in a thrilling sprint finish to win stage four of the Tour de France cycling in Sarzeau.

The Quick-Step Floors rider, who also won the Tour’s first stage, had to kick twice to deny Greipel after the German edged in front close to the line.

Sagan nipped in for second as Greipel faded after the peloton finally caught a four-man breakaway with 1km to go.

BMC Racing’s Greg van Avermaet retained the leader’s yellow jersey. The Belgian, who took the overall lead on Monday, avoided a crash that split the peloton with 5km to go.

His team-mate Tejay van Garderen is second in the general classification, with Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas three seconds back in third.

Four-time winner Chris Froome finished safely in the bunch to remain 52 seconds further adrift, although he moves up one position to 17th after Katusha-Alpecin’s Ilnur Zakarin was caught behind the late crash. Mark Cavendish was caught out of position in the final stages and unable to contest the sprint.

Today’s fifth stage is the

first mountainous one as riders travel 204km from Lorient to Quimper.

Gav the new Cav? Gaviria continues to make one of the most assured Tour de France debuts by a sprinter - he has won two of four stages, including taking the first yellow jersey of the race.

After a period in which Grand Tour sprints were dominated by Cavendish, Greipel and latterly Marcel Kittel, the 23-year-old’s performances so far suggest he is capable of sprint supremacy.

This was more impressive than his opening stage win, taking the sprint out but still finding the power to kick again as Greipel threatened to blitz past.

With Gaviria also benefiting from the strength of his Quick-Step team, his early success here is reminiscent of how Cavendish, then also 23, announced himself with four stage wins at the 2008 Tour.

And with potentially five more sprint finishes to come, the other sprinters in the race face a daunting task to deny Gaviria more glory.

In contrast to Gaviria, Cavendish has looked short of form and confidence as he tries to add to his 30 stage wins in pursuit of Eddy Mer-

ckx’s record of 34.

The Briton did not feature on the opening two stages, when he or his Dimension Data team-mates got caught up in late crashes, but still could not contend despite avoiding the chaos here.

With the four-man breakaway - Dimitri Claeys, Anthony Perez, Guillaume van Keirsbulck and Jerome Cousin - threatening to outwit the peloton, Cavendish’s team took responsibility on the front to make the catch and lead the race on the left of a long drag to the finish.

But Cavendish soon found himself swamped and without a team-mate to follow as the race splintered in the final 500m, outflanked on the left by Quick-Step’s lead-out train and then ultimately cut off by Dylan Groenewegen.

Cavendish threw his hand up in protest at the Dutchman, but the leading trio had already surged well clear.

The hills arrive on stage five Today’s fifth stage is the first hilly one of the race as riders tackle five categorised climbs over 204km from Lorient to Quimper.(BBC Sport)

time before the match turned.

The next time Giorgi served, it did. Williams unleashed some savage forehands that rocked the Italian then secured her first break with a crosscourt winner.

There was a controlled fury about Williams’s play and when she conjured an off-balance backhand winner to break in the third game of the decider, the outcome was inevitable.

Giorgi hung in gamely to at least make Williams serve to reach her 35th Grand Slam semi-final and 11th at Wimbledon.

Williams stepped up to the line at 5-4 and brought up match point with an ace before completing victory, her 91st here, when Giorgi pushed a forehand into the net.

She will face Germany’s

Julia Georges next — a player she beat at the French Open last month before injury curtailed her first Grand Slam tournament since returning from giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia last September.

“That was four or five weeks ago. That doesn’t matter. This is a whole new match, it’s a new surface, it’s everything. We’re starting from zero,” Williams said.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Croatia facing defensive headache for today’s England semi-final ENGLAND’s chances of reaching the World Cup final could be given a major boost before they even face Croatia in today’s semi final in Moscow.

Croatia could be facing a defensive injury crisis with major doubts over goalkeeper Danijel Subasic and rightback Sime Vrsaljko heading into the match.

An injury cloud is also hanging over central defender Dejan Lovren, but the Liverpool defender is likely to face the Three Lions.

Subasic played all 120 minutes of Croatia’s penalty shoot-out win over Russia, despite a hamstring issue which flared up in injury time in the Sochi clash.

He stayed on for the duration of the match, but the injury was severe enough that he couldn’t take goalkicks in extra time, and he missed training on Monday, along with Lovren and Vrsaljko.

Star fullback Vrsaljko is battling a knee complaint

and is unlikely to be fit for the showdown, the defender himself saying today that the team is “physically and emotionally tired”.

Dalic will be forced into shuffling his defence, which should open the door for England.

Vrsaljko’s likely re-

Dejan Lovren (left) and Sime Vrsaljko are both major injury doubts for Croatia’s Word Cup semi final against England.

If, as expected, the Atletico Madrid fullback is unable to feature manager Zlatko

placement would be 32-year-old Vedran Corluka, which would push

Domagoj Vida from the centre-half role he’s been playing out to right-back.

With Corluka partnering Lovren in defence, and Subasic not 100% fit, it would leave Croatia dangerously short on pace at the back, which should have Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling licking their lips in anticipation.

Meanwhile, England have no such concerns with Gareth Southgate confirming his Three Lions team have a clean bill of health.

Midfielder Jordan Henderson had been in doubt for the match with a slight hamstring niggle, but he has been cleared to play.

“We have every player available,” Southgate said.

“We have almost had every player fit for every training session.”

Southgate named the same starting XI for both the games against Colombia and Sweden and he is expected to do the same for the clash with Croatia.

Brooks leads from the front with unbeaten 121 in Windies A 301 for 9

TA U N TO N , E n g l a n d , (CMC) – A fighting century from West Indies A captain Shamarh Brooks led a West Indies A fightback, but honours were left evenly shared at the end of the opening day of the second four-day “Test” against India on Tuesday.

Brooks led from the front, stroking an unbeaten 121 as the Windies closed on 301-9 after winning the toss and electing to bat at the Cooper Associates County Ground.

His knock was one of the few bright sparks, as no other Windies batsman made 50, and only two made more than 20.

Brooks was the mainstay of the innings, having batted for one-minute shy of five hours and faced 224 balls. He has so far struck 15 boundaries.

With the Windies struggling on 222-8 and in serious danger of being bowled out, the skipper found an unlikely partner in Sherman Lewis.

The two added 70 valuable runs in a ninth-wicket partnership which helped to carry the Windies to relative safety and frustrated the Indian bowlers in the process.

By the time Lewis was dismissed for 18, caught behind off the bowling of Mohammed Siraj, the score had grown to a respectable 292.

Oshane Thomas (2), is the other unbeaten batsman.

Earlier, the West Indies had wasted a decent start from John Campbell and Devon Thomas, who added 49 in an opening partnership.

Once Thomas lost his wicket for 27, it led to a mini-batting collapse with the Windies losing three wickets for 65 runs.

Campbell was bowled for 41 by Vijay Shankar, and soon after the wickets of Jermaine Blackwood (12) and Sunil Ambris who made a duck, soon followed to leave them on 114-4.

Vishual Singh didn’t last long either, making just eight, as Raymond Reifer (11), Romario Shepherd (5) and Jomel Warrican (5), followed in quick succession.

B ro o k s a n d L e w i s though steadied the ship to see the Windies batted through the end of the day.

Shahbaz Nadeem has been the pick of the Indian bowlers so far having taken 3-42, while Mohammed Siraj ended with 3-67.

Sharmarh Brooks scored an unbeaten century to lead a West Indies A fightback

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES A 1st innings J Campbell b Shankar 41 +D Thomas c Vihari b Gurbani 27 J Blackwood b Nadeem 12 *S Brooks not out 121 S Ambris lbw b Nadeem 0 V Singh c Nair b Yadav 8 R Reifer c Nadeem b Siraj 11 R Shepherd b Siraj 5 J Warrican c Pant b Nadeem 5 S Lewis c Pant b Siraj 18 O Thomas not out 2 TOTAL: ( 9 wickets, 90 overs) 301 Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-86, 3-114, 4-114, 5-166, 6-210, 7-216, 8-222, 9-292.

Bowling: Siraj 22-4-67-3, Gurbani 20-3-53-1, Shankar 6-0-20-1, Yadav 20-1-79-1, Nadeem 22-4-42-3.

Joseph named as replacement for injured Roach

Alzarri Joseph has been called up to replace the injured Kemar Roach

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – A hamstring injury has forced West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach to miss the second Test against Bangladesh which begins tomorrow at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

In his absence, Alzarri Joseph has been named in an otherwise unchanged 13man squad, which will look to wrap up the series with a win in the final Test.

Roach, who has been ordered to rest, produced a sensational spell of fast bowling on the first day of the first Test, finishing with the impressive figures of 5-8 from five overs, as the Windies dismissed Bangladesh for their lowest ever Test score of 43.

However, he picked up the injury and was unable to bowl in the second innings as the home side won by a mammoth innings and 219 runs, their fifth largest margin of victory.

The 21-year-old Joseph’s recall comes following a lengthy layoff where he was recuperating from a stress fracture.

He made an instant impact on his return to in-

ternational cricket, grabbing 4-53 from 15 overs for a President’s XI side which faced Bangladesh in a two-day warm-up game just under two weeks ago.

A series win for the Windies would see them move up one spot to eighth in the ICC Test Rankings.

There were also some positive movements in the ICC rankings for several players. Roach, 20th and Kraigg Brathwaite, 16th are now in the top 20 in bowling and batting respectively, while captain Jason Holder moved up two places to 52nd in the batting rankings and to 23rd in the bowling.

Kieran Powell also moved up five places to 61st in the batting rankings and fast bowler Miguel Cummins moved up 12 places to 55th.

T h e s q u a d re a d s : Jason Holder – (Captain), Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Shai Hope, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Devon Smith.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday July 11, 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) 13 catches (2) 9 catches Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the lowest team total made in the WI prior

to Bangladesh’s 43 made in the first innings of the first Test

of the current series?

(2)

How many overs Bangladesh faced in their paltry innings of 43?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Forde ‘double down’ on GFF’s position of Elite League players

By Rawle Toney WAYNE Forde, president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), is doubling down on his federation’s decision to prohibit players involved in the ‘Elite League’ from participating in tournaments outside of the country’s premier senior men’s football tournament.

It is a well-known fact of the GFF’s issue with the players participating in the Elite League and featuring in the various futsal and ‘street football’ tournaments, which usually are played amongst community-based teams.

In a letter dispatched to the 10 members of the Elite League, the GFF pointed to Article 2.26 of the league’s rules and regulations, stating that “players are not permitted to compete in any competitions outside of those sanctioned under auspices of the Elite League.”

The missive also stated “the GFF wishes to state emphatically that any Elite League registered player found participating

in any other tournament other than the League, without prior and express approval of the Federation, will be promptly sanctioned as deemed necessary.”

The Federation’s move received mixed reactions from football fans, with many, especially on the social media platform Facebook, sounding their voices and sharing their opinions.

While it found favour with some, more so those in the diaspora, the move was also deemed as a form of dictatorship, since it is believed that the GFF is not taking into consideration that players look forward to participating in the other tournaments as a means of income, since the prizes are usually very attractive.

Speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport, Forde said it was unfortunate “that people will label something like that as a form of dictatorship; I think you would have to question the motive and the judgement of that individual.”

According to the GFF president “this is simply a case of

“This is simply a case of the GFF making an effort to protect its interest, which is first and foremost the players and its investment.” the GFF making an effort to protect its interest, which is first and foremost the players and its investment. We may not be offering a professional salary, but each player enjoys $3500 as a match fee which is more than doubled what they have been paid in the beginning of the Elite league and they are given a meal at the end of the game.”

“On the one hand you’re going to have some people saying it’s a form of dictatorship, but on the other hand you’re going to have those same people criticising the quality of the league and if we’re making an effort to improve the quality of the league, then the players have to show up and practice. This is not a ‘scrubby’, this is a league

and while Guyana has ventured into professional football without putting certain fundamental in place, I think we are doing everything to make this work.

“We were providing that meal by having it catered, but we are now giving it to the club so to avoid the issue of timing on delivery which were some of the challenges we had to deal with in the first leg of Season Three,” said Forde, while making it known that “we’re a small federation, we have many programmes to develop and we’re really making a lot of investment into this programme and I think we have a right to demand what should be a very natural expectation.”

GFF president Wayne Forde

Four newcomers in Windies T20 training KFC Guyana behind National Table Tennis players Romain and Datt squad for World Twenty20 Championships NINE-year-old Deja

S T J O H N ’s , A n t i g u a , (CMC) – As the West Indies women continue their preparations for the upcoming Women’s World Twenty20 Championships, four newcomers have been added to a 20-member squad currently in training.

The regional outfit will be looking to defend their title when the Championships gets underway in the Caribbean from November 9 and runs until November 24.

Trinidad and Tobago’s duo of Shania Abdool and Karishma Ramharack, along with Aria Fortune of the Windward Islands and Guyana’s Sheneta Grimmond, are included in the squad which is currently in Antigua taking part in a high-performance program.

Natasha McLean, Chinelle Henry, Akeira Peters and Shabika Gajnabi have also made a return to the squad.

The Windies women have been in two high-performance camps since April 30, but took a working break in June where they represented their national sides for the Women’s Championship.

Up to July 16, the squad of 20 will be in Antigua for another high-performance

program which will include on and off the field sessions including yoga, nutrition and mental conditioning, along with the simulation of game conditions and other cricketing techniques. In May, the women in camp were also exposed to the UNICEF Child Protection course.

ward Islands, Aria Fortune – Windward Islands, Shabika Gajnabi – Guyana, Sheneta Grimmond – Guyana, Chinelle Henry – Jamaica, Qiana Joseph – Windward Islands, Kycia Knight – Barbados, Hayley Matthews – Barbados, Natasha McClean – Jamaica, Anisa Moham-

Guyana’s Sheneta Grimmond is one of the four newcomers included in the squad for the Women’s World T20championships

The squad will have a warm up in September when they host South Africa.

The 20-member squad in camp reads: Shania Abdool – TT, Merissa Aguilleira – TT, Shemaine Campbelle – Guyana, Shamilia Connell – Barbados, Britney Cooper – TT, Deandra Dottin – Barbados, Afy Fletcher – Wind-

med – TT, Chedean Nation – Jamaica, Akeira Peters – Windward Islands, Karishma Ramharack – TT and Shakera Selman – Barbados Captain, Stafanie Taylor is unavailable due to other commitments and will play for the Western Storm in the UK in the Kia Super League which ends in August.

Datt and 17-yearold Nicholas Romain have received the support of KFC Guyana as they prep a re t o re p re s e n t the ‘Land of Many Waters’ in the Dominican Republic at the Caribbean Table Tennis Federation (CRTTF) Mini and Pre Cadets Tournament and the Pan American Junior Table Tennis Championships.

Datt will be participating at the CRTTF Mini and Pre Cadets Tournament in August, while Romain begun his quest at the Pan American Junior Table Tennis Championships yesterday.

Wendy Fernandes, General Manager of the Vlissengen Road location handed over the cheque to Datt and her coach Dwain Dick.

Wendy Fernandes, General Manager of the Vlissengen Road location hands over the cheque to Ms. Deja Datt and Coach Mr. Dwain Dick.

Shivon Martin the Supervisor for the Vlissengen Road location, is handing over the Cheque to Mr. Nicholas Romain.

France’s Samuel Umtiti celebrates with teammates after heading in the first goal, that eventually proved to be the match-winning goal, during the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final against Belgium at Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Tuesday.

Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Umtiti takes France to World Cup final See Page 27

Wiltshire, Alphonso take honours at 2018 Junior CASA

By Stephan Sookram SHOMARI Wiltshire and Michael Alphonso flew the Guyana flag high as they were the dominant forces in their respective classes at the 2018 junior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) in Jamaica.

Wiltshire picked up the boys U15 title and Alphonso the U13 after serious competition in the Reggae Island.

Alphonso had an easy win over Barbados Aidan Parris winning in three sets (11-3, 12-10,11-3). He had earlier beaten Barbados Alex Stewart in the semis and Jamaica’s Aman Dhiman in the quarters.

Nicholas Verwey made it to the quarter finals before he was ousted by Parris, as did Ethan Jonas who lost to Trinidad’s Seth Thong and Mohryan Baksh who lost to Stewart.

Verwey finished fifth, however, after beating out Dhiman in their game while Ethan Jonas finished seventh and Baksh eighth. Louis Da Silva won the consolation game after fellow Guyanese Quinn Lilico retired.

In the Boys U15, Wiltshire was in fine fettle and used his first round bye to rest and later

overcome Pierce Terry of the Cayman Islands, before beating Bermuda’s Matthew Elliot in the semi and the Barbados Darren Benn in the final. Samuel Ince-Carvalhal finished third after beating Elliot in the third place play off.

In the girls U11, Christina Fernandes finished third with Barbados Phoebe Gittens winning ahead of Taliah Wade after a round robin phase. Fernandes finished with three points, same as Wade but lost out on averages. Gittens had four points.

Fernandes had a first round bye, and lost the second but won the next three on the hop before losing her final game.

In the boys U11 Shiloh Asregado had a first round bye before losing to Jayden George in the quarter finals.

He went on to win the consolation round by beating Trinidad’s Nicholas Le Quay in the final to finish fifth. Chad De Abreu also had a bye on the first round but beat Barbados Nikolas Greig in the quarter finals, before losing to [Eastern Caribbean] ECA Jaydon Williams at the semi-final stage. He finished fourth after losing the playoff to the ECA. In the Girls U13 Georgina Fernandes finished fourth

after beating Celia Robinson (Bahamas) in the quarter finals but lost to Trinidad’s Sigourney Williams in the semis. She lost to Barbados’ Rebekah Nichols in the third place play off.

In the Girls U15, Guyana’s Abosaide Cadogan finished second after losing the final to Sururra Suleman 1-11,115,11-5,4-11,9-11. Kirsten Gomez beat Madison Fernandes in an all Guyana third place playoff.

In the Boys U17 Daniel Islam finished fourth after losing the third place playoff to Kai Bentick of the Eastern Caribbean. He lost in the main draw to Barbados’ Khamal Cumberbatch who was slated to play Bermuda’s Taylor Carrick in the final last evening.

In the Boys U19, Rithew Saywack finished third ahead of Alexander Cheeks as both players lost their semifinal match. Barbados’ Josiah Griffith and Jamaica’s Jhonatan Walker contested the finals last evening.

In the girls U19 Rebbeca Lowe finished fourth after losing the playoff against Trinidad’s Marie-Clarie Barcant while Sarah Lewis finished sixth. (ssookram@ guyanachronicle.com)

From left, Boys U13 Champion Michael Alphonso and U15 Champion Shomari Wiltshire 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 WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2018