Guyana Chronicle E-paper 07-26-2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

THURSDAY

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26th July, 2018

No.105347

‘We’ll make it do’ -GECOM clarifies statement on LGE funds

Multi-purpose complex for toshaos

…land at Sophia will only accommodate secretariat

Afro-Guyanese prepped for business PAGE

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Young Afro-Guyanese entrepreneurs signing up with the Small Business Bureau during Wednesday's business conference (Samuel Maughn photo)

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Man dies PAGE

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in ‘Highway’ crash

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

Gov’t building multi-purpose complex for toshaos …land at Sophia will accommodate only secretariat

PRESIDENT David Granger on Wednesday announced that his administration will be building a multi-purpose complex for Indigenous leaders here and will go ahead in handing over a 50-year lease for a plot of land to house the National Toshaos Council (NTC) secretariat at Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

The announcement was made when the Guyanese leader engaged the newly elected chairman and executive members of the NTC at a special luncheon to discuss issues affecting Indigenous communities. During the deliberations held at the Baridi Benab at State House, the President announced that the government will proceed with the handing over of the lease, which was prepared several months ago, for the promised plot of land at Sophia to the NTC for construction of the proposed secretariat. Howev-

er, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs together with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) and the NTC, will be working together to identify a larger plot of land for the establishment of a complex that will include dormitories to accommodate Toshaos, conference rooms and other facilities, as envisioned by the head of state.

President Granger said that the plot of land at Sophia caters for only a building; there is no room for expansion. “We want you to have a campus with conference rooms, with accommodation, with benabs, and places where you could relax. We want to give you what Indigenous people deserve, so our plans are grand and we do not want to limit you to that spot and we intend to deliver on our promise,” he said.

GLSC Commissioner Mr. Trevor Benn said that the

commission is looking at three possible locations at which the complex can be built; Diamond and Houston on the East Bank of Demerara and Ogle on the East Coast.

“I know everybody wants to be in the city, but the city can only hold so many people and you can only do so much. The Sophia Exhibition Complex is held under lease by the Ministry of Business and of course, you are limited to what you can do there…,” he said.

During the engagement, President Granger was of-

“It is only by working together with the regions and the central government that we could relieve the Indigenous people of poverty, of poor education, of poor infrastructure,” he said.

The head of state also assured the NTC executives that the government will work toward increasing the council’s subvention, noting that July is the start of the new budget cycle. “I expect that the NTC will get its budget into the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs very soon,

President David Granger addressing toshaos and ministers of government at a special meeting (MoTP photo)

President David Granger along with other ministers meeting with executive members of the National Toshaos Council (MoTP photo)

ficially introduced to the new NTC officials. The 20-member body is chaired by the Toshao of Shulinab Village Mr. Nicholas Fredericks and includes Mr. Paul Pierre as Vice-Chair, Toshao Russian Dorrick as Secretary, Toshao Marbel Thomas as Treasurer and 16 other executive members from the various regions.

President Granger urged the leaders to keep an open door for dialogue and collaboration to take place, especially with the regional administrations, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and central government.

because we present budgets now in November. You just

have 90 days or so to get your budget ready,” he said.

Meanwhile, the toshaos expressed their willingness to work hand in hand with central government and the relevant authorities to advance their work programme. The new chairman said that while at times they might not see eye to eye with government, they are committed to meaningful dialogue and consultations.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the Vice-Chair Mr. Pierre, who said that given the fact that the head

of state has reached out to them in this manner is testimony to his commitment to Guyana’s Indigenous peoples and of the value he places on their contribution to national development.

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon; Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock; Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Ms. Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, were also present at the meeting.

President Granger and his ministers pose with Indigenous leaders following their meeting at State House on Wednesday (MoTP photo)

‘We’ll make it do’

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

-GECOM clarifies statement on LGE funds

By Ariana Gordon

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Wednesday said it had never asked for more money to conduct this year’s Local Government Elections (LGE).

Some $1.2B has been allocated for the hosting of the November 12, 2018 elections which were last held in 2016. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield stressed that GECOM had not indicated that it needs more funds from central government, but sought in a press statement to make it clear that the amount allocated for the hosting of LGE this year stands at $1.2B and not $2.9B as was mistakenly stated by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, recently. “We have never asked for more money,” said Lowenfield, who made it clear that the statement issued by GECOM on July 20, 2018, only sought to clarify what Minister Bulkan was quoted as saying.

“All I was saying in relation to the LGE budget which falls under Programme 2, is that $1.2B was approved and not $2.9B for the elections.

It does not equate to I want more money,” declared the

chief election officer.

“We are not asking for money…we are correcting the minister,” Lowenfield continued. In the July 20 press statement, GECOM through its Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward had said it has noted media reports which suggest that $2.9B was allocated for the conduct of LGE. “Please be advised that GECOM’s entire budget for 2018 is $2.9B, of which the sum for the holding of Local Government Elections is included. $160M was allocated for capital works and items and $1.6 B for the normal operations of the commission.

As such, the remaining sum of $1.2B was allotted for the conduct of Local Government Elections in November 2018.” Additionally, the commission reminded that in 2016, $1.5B was expended for Local Government Elections.

“This means that the amount currently allocated is believed to be insufficient and GECOM will be engaging the Ministry of Finance to discuss supplemental provisions,” the statement read.

GECOM said too that with November 12, 2018 being the date assigned for LGE, GECOM will be moving

ahead with full implementation of all the required activities in keeping with the statutory timelines as enshrined in the laws of Guyana.

When asked whether the above statement does not indicate that the allocated funds are insufficient, Lowenfield said, “There is no issue. We never asked for more money, but if it is too little we will ask for more.” He said that GECOM’s statement was not geared at bashing minister Bulkan, but to correct his statements which were incorrect.

It should be noted that GECOM had made a budgetary request for $3.715B for 2018, but that was slashed to a proposed $2.900B, some $800M less than requested.

The actual expenditure for GECOM in 2016 amounted to $3.098B, the same year Local Government Elections were held after a long hiatus.

Meanwhile, the CEO noted the statements made by Finance Minister Winston Jordan recently on what has been deemed the insufficiency of funds to host LGE. “I think the minister’s statements were a bit overboard… that was not our intention…

We were simply clarifying an incorrect statement,” Lowenfield assured.

Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield

Last Saturday, Minister Jordan said “The last thing we want is GECOM coming and saying they want more money…. It is my heartfelt position that we have enough fiscal challenges, for instance, we must find the money to pay the second half of the severance among other things,” said Jordan.

He said the commission cannot be doing the same thing for many years and

not see any improvement.

The minister believes that there are lots of expenditures which are ‘unnecessary’ and ‘wasteful’, noting that a lot of things have to be considered.

“They have done back-toback elections where billions were given and it was used to acquire infrastructure and consumables, many of which are still in the storage and so on,” Jordan said. GECOM needs to make better use of

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its money and recognise that the government does not have unlimited finance, the minister stated.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Commissioner Sase Gunraj told the Guyana Chronicle Tuesday that he has requested a detailed budget for the conduct of LGE when the full commission met then to discuss its budget. “The matter was raised and I have requested a detailed budget for the conduct of LGE, which I will scrutinise in terms of the cost of running those elections etc.,” said People’s Progressive Party (PPP) nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj.

Gunraj told the Guyana Chronicle that the hosting of LGE this year requires “peculiar expenditure.”

He explained that as with every election, GECOM has to hire additional staff, increase logistic arrangements, as well as procuring special materials that are unique to every election. “I really am unsure as to how the government by virtue of what is being said by the two ministers (Finance and Communities) – how they expect GECOM to conduct these polls in the absence of resources,” the commissioner stated.

Baracara youths to soon Region 10 to get new RDC building benefit from ICT hub at Speightland, Mackenzie

YOUTHS living in Baracara, Region Six, will soon benefit from an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub.

During a recent community outreach, Chairman of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Floyd Levi, told the residents that the unit had previously visited and evaluated the community with the aim of providing effective and efficient delivery of the government’s e-Government service.

“We [NDMA] recognised that the residents in this community do need access to government services…so if we use the technology [ICT hubs] we can have residents here in Baracara using the internet, learning how to use the computer and accessing government services, similarly as those on the coastland.”

He stressed that this initiative will definitely have a positive impact

on the lives of the young people in Baracara. “The education taught today is not the education taught in our time and so if you [public] are not familiar with the computer you

[youths] are receiving less education than your peers who have the computers at their disposal. We realised that the children in Baracara do not have the same opportunities as others due to their location and as such, we will need to bridge that gap.”

According to Levi, the agency will partner with the Ministry of Education and the community’s education officials in order to deliver their curriculum via ICTs. The Ministry of Education has an online programme which is accessible to the public. (DPI)

A TOTAL of $261M has been budgeted for a spanking new Region 10 Regional Democratic Council office and councillors and staff members on Wednesday decided that the building will be located in Speightland, Mackenzie. After much bickering as to where the building should be located, the councillors and staff made a unanimous decision on Wednesday at an extraordinary statutory meeting and voted on the building being constructed at Speightland, while opposing other proposed sites at Bamia and Wisroc.

Councillors and staff voiced their agreement with the Speightland location, since it is more central to Linden’s economic hub and easily accessible to the employees and the thousands of residents who traverse the building to transact

business on a daily basis.

Discussed in the meeting was the economic strain that will be placed upon staff members if the building is placed at Bamia.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian said that the councillors had already made a decision to have the building at Speightland, since it is close to the river, to other schools, the new passport office, the National Library, Linden Mayor and Town Council and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.

“It must go down in record, that this council made a decision and the decision is to take the building there, we come here today to reaffirm their [councillors] support to go there [Speightland].

Councillor Charles Sampson argued that Region 10 is a riverain region and wherever it is placed, it

must be accessible to all residents.

‘You have to put it in a position where accessibility is easy,” he reasoned.

A total of $39M was already paid to the contractor to commence the operations. The building will have a dimension of 260 ×60 and will be two storeys. The building in which the RDC is currently accommodated is more than 50 years old and is now inadequate for the number of staff members employed there.

The current building also has a number of safety and electrical hazards that councillors have been raising time and again. The new building has already been tendered for and construction is expected to commence before the end of 2018.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 26, 2018

Suicide blast kills 31 as Pakistan holds general elections ISLAMABAD (AP) A suicide bomber on a motorcycle rammed into people waiting outside a busy polling station in the Pakistani city of Quetta on Wednesday, killing at least 31 and casting a dark shadow on what was to be a historic day for the country as Pakistanis cast ballots to elect their thirds consecutive civilian government.

The attack in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, underscored the difficulties this majority Muslim nation faces on its wobbly journey toward sustained democracy.

The bombing also wounded 35 people, with several reported to be in critical con-

dition, raising concerns the death toll could rise further, said hospital official Jaffar Kakar, a doctor. Wednesday’s voting for a National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, and four provincial assemblies followed a rancorous campaign marked by widespread allegations of manipulation. Analysts and rights groups have warned of post-election instability and predicted losing parties would cry foul.

The uncertainty of the outcome of the vote — no single party appeared assured of a simple majority win — could also lead to prolonged post-election jockeying that would hamper the forming of the next government.

“Whatever way elections run, I see a lot of instability,” said defense analyst Ayesha Siddiqua, who authored Military Inc., a look at the extensive financial holdings of Pakistan’s army.

A witness to the attack in Quetta, Abdul Haleem, who was waiting to cast his ballot, said he saw a motorcycle drive into the crowd of voters just seconds before the explosion.

Haleem’s uncle was killed in the blast.

“There was a deafening bang followed by thick cloud of smoke and dust and so much crying from the wounded people,” he told The Associated Press.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing but local officials were quick to blame the Islamic State group.

Baluchistan also saw the worst violence during election campaigning earlier this month, when a suicide bomber

blew himself up at a political rally, killing 149 people, including the candidate Siraj Raisani. Another 400 were wounded. Voting in that constituency has been suspended.

IS claimed responsibility for that attack, though Baluchistan has seen relentless attacks, both by the province’s secessionists and Sunni militants who have killed hundreds of Shiites living there.

In recent years, the IS affiliate

in the region has emerged as a major force behind violence, often using local Sunni radicals from the outlawed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi to carry out its attacks.

Citing security concerns, Pakistan’s election commission announced that internet and cellphone services in several Baluchistan districts were suspended. Election commission secretary Babar Yaqub told reporters there were also threats against polling stations, staff and even candidates.

Militants on Tuesday lobbed grenades and opened fire at a military convoy escorting election staffers and

voting material in Baluchistan’s district of Turbat, killing four troops. Pakistan’s military deployed 350,000 troops countrywide at polling stations.

Also Wednesday, shooting between supporters of two opposing political parties killed one person and wounded two in a village near the northwestern city of Swabi. Later, more clashes between rival political parties killed another person and wounded 15 elsewhere in the country.

Early voting was heavy at some polling stations in Islamabad, the capital, and also in the Punjab provincial capital, with several political party leaders standing in line to cast their ballots. Local television reported scattered incidences of police arresting people with pre-marked ballots.

Another concern is the unprecedented participation in these elections of radical religious groups, including those banned for terror links but resurrected and renamed, has also raised concerns — especially for minorities and women — ahead of the voting.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 26, 2018

Paper committals legal under Sexual Offences Act - Court of Appeal rules THE Court of Appeal on Tuesday ruled that the paper committal of rape accused Ray Bacchus is valid and unanimously allowed an appeal mounted by the state in the matter.

Bacchus was charged on January 3, 2014 with the indictable offence of rape of a child under 16 years, contrary to Section 10 (1) (a) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 7 of 2010 as amended.

According to the charge, on August 28, 2013, at St. John Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, he engaged in sexual penetration with a child, namely, a child of the age of 14 years. A preliminary inquiry into the said charge by way of paper committal was conducted by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court and on June 2, 2014, Bacchus was committed on Case Jacket Number 18 of 2014 in the Berbice Magisterial District.

During the paper committal, his attorney Murseline Bacchus was not permitted by the magistrate to cross-examine witnesses whose statements were filed by the prosecution, nor was he permitted to give evidence or to call any witnesses at these proceedings. As such, Bacchus challenged the committal on the basis that the said committal was null, void, unlawful and unconstitutional.

On June 23, 2014, the accused filed an Application for a Writ of Certiorari to be issued against Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus, the director of public prosecutions (DPP) and the commissioner of police, who are Appellants named in the said case. Then Chief Justice (ag.) Ian Chang on November 14, 2014, had ordered that the Order Nisi granted on June 30, 2014 be made absolute, thus quashing the decision of Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus to commit Bacchus to stand trial for the offence of rape on the ground that the committal

was null, void, unlawful and unconstitutional.

In the High Court proceedings, Justice Chang, S.C., found that in so far as paragraph 5 of the First Schedule to the Sexual Offences Act purports to disallow cross-examination of the markers of prosecution witness statements, it is inconsistent with Articles 144 (2) (d) and (e) of the constitution. The court also found that, in any event, the magistrate acted in violation of the rights of Bacchus under Article 144 (2) (d) and (e) when she disallowed crossexamination of the markers of prosecution witness statements tendered against him in the preliminary inquiry.

Justice Chang’s decision was appealed by the state and the appellants argued that the chief justice misdirected himself in law when he ruled that in so far as paragraph (5) of the First Schedule of The Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03 purports to disallow cross-examination of the makers of prosecution witness statements, is inconsistent with Articles 144 (2) (d) and (e) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Additionally, Section 43 of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8; 03, states; “Where a person is charged with an offence under this Act, there shall be no oral preliminary inquiry and instead a paper committal shall be held in accordance with the procedure set out in the First Schedule.”

It was argued that the chief justice misdirected himself in law when he ruled that while it does appear that the amended paragraph (5) to the First Schedule to the Sexual Offences Act does afford the person charged the opportunity of tendering witness statements under the same conditions as are applicable to the witness statements tendered by the prosecution, Article 144 (2) (e) clearly imposes a positive duty on the court to facilitate the

Police drone tracks stolen State SUV to Hell Yard

D ro n e t e c h n o l o g y d e ployed by the Police Air Support Unit, assisted officers of the Stolen Vehicles Squad, in the recovery of a white Toyota Fortuner motor vehicle, the property of the Ministry of Works and Transport, which was reported stolen on Monday.

Officers, under the supervision of Sgt. Christopher Swamber, of the Stolen Vehicles Squad, conducted a joint search

exercise with the Air Support Unit, led by Sgt. Ronny Rampallard, between 8:00am and 10:30am on Wednesday, to locate and recover the stolen vehicle.

Around 10:25am, drone footage showed the vehicle in an isolated area in Phase 5, Hell Yard, Beetham Gardens, resulting in its recovery. The vehicle has since been conveyed to the Central Police Station for processing. (Trinidad Express)

examination of the prosecution witnesses by the person charged, either in person or by his or her legal representative.

Additionally, the state contended that the judge erred and misdirected himself in law when he failed to consider that the Applicant’s constitutional rights as guaranteed by the specific requirements of Articles 144 (2) (e) are satisfied by the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03, which clearly sets out that the accused shall be afforded the same conditions as those applied to the prosecution.

It was also argued that the judge erred and misdirected himself in law when he failed to take into consideration that the Respondent/ Applicant who was represented by counsel, was given every opportunity to provide evidence and failed or declined to exercise his rights during the paper committal proceedings.

The state said too that the judge erred and misdirected himself when he failed to consider that a paper committal proceeding is a judicial process to determine whether in the magistrate’s opinion, there is sufficient evidence to commit the accused for trial or to discharge the accused if the magistrate is of the opinion that there is

insufficient evidence.

Moreover, the contention was that the judge also erred and misdirected himself in law as the procedure utilised by the respondent was flawed, since the constitutionality of legislation cannot be challenged by prerogative writ.

It was submitted that the respondent has to challenge the constitutionality of the legislation not by way of a collateral of that legislation’s constitutionality seeking a prerogative writ which is misconceived and an abuse of the process of the court, but by way of Article 153 of the constitution, which provides for redress by application to the High Court in its original jurisdiction.

In handing down the ruling, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonnette CummingsEdwards, Chief Justice (ag), Roxanne George S.C. and Justice of Appeal Arif Bulkan, found that the prerogative writ filed by Bacchus was wholly misconceived and that it was not for the Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus to make a determination as to the constitutionality of any law, and, further, that the said magistrate did not act in excess of her jurisdiction.

The state had argued that

further in the decision of the Court of Appeal, the court had found that Article 144 of the constitution applied to paper committal proceedings where there is no calling of witnesses in paper committals and Article 144 (2) (d) provides that the accused can defend case himself or with legal representative and Article 144 (2) (e) provides that the accused can dispute evidence in the prosecution’s statements and the court concluded that paper committals must be considered holistically and do not involve violation of Article 144 of the constitution.

In addition, the Court of Appeal found that Section 43 of the First Schedule of the Sexual Offences Act did not take away the right of the accused to cross-examine.

In addition, the court opined that The Sexual Offences Act should be a welcomed reform and the new procedure was not found to be unfair to the accused person because of the restriction of crossexamination. The appellants were represented by DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack; Solicitor-General, Kim KyteThomas; Deputy SolicitorGeneral, Deborah Kumar and Deputy DPP, Diana Kowlessar.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 26, 2018

Working together for an improved city MAYOR of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green’s recent statement: “PSC again stalling meeting on container fees,” as captioned in the Guyana Chronicle July 19, 2018, again reflects City Hall’s challenge with regard to the widening of the Mayor &City Council’s revenue base, with a view to increasing much-needed funds for executing its mandate of making the city clean.

More troubling is the fact that there is an impasse between the private sector, an important and indispensable partner in working with the municipality, for the achievement of its civic goals.

For any city to be successful, in terms of being able to deliver vital sanitation and other services, there

is always the obligation for a good and close cooperative, working relationship between its municipal authorities, and the business and commerce sector. But this should also include law enforcement to make for a very strong city administration.

We are aware of the over two decades travail of the City Council, where its revenue base was never expanded, despite submitted recommendations for such; and which financial situation had been further exacerbated by an unprecedented strategy of non-payment of rates and taxes, by many businesses, and private residents. There was also never a doubt that an orchestrated plan of political retaliation against the council, by the then People’s Progessive Party/Civic(PPP/C), had been a major factor, in a

city that had become the repository of garbage piles and putrid smells.

May, 2015 heralded an outpouring of joint City Hall and private citizens’ efforts, as they set about the task of the restoration of the city to a level of cleanliness that removed the hazardous health threats, which had formerly existed. There were some inputs from the business sector; however, it was central government that mostly picked up the tabs for such a massive clean-up that resulted in thick vegetation being excised from city reserves and other spaces; drains and alley- ways, becoming desilted for the first time in decades, as well as canals cleared of weeds and other hindrances that had contributed to chronic flooding of the city.

But such efforts have

not been any kind of factor which have led to an increase in citizens honouring their civic obligation; for City Hall’s financial situation has not changed.

One has to be realistic about the financial capabilities of any municipality providing sanitation and other services to a city that has expanded in terms of population, businesses, and the inevitable increase of household and commercial refuse that such would bring.

Therefore, it is quite understandable and just for the city to have earlier asked the private sector for a container tax, and a subsequent review for an increase, given the daily frequency that such heavy-duty materials are hauled over city streets, in addition to causing damage to the roadways.

We agree that City Hall

Our priorities must be with our youths and the unemployed Dear Editor, OIL is coming and are we prepared on the Socio/ Community level?

When reading headlines like ‘’Trinidad and Tobago may have the highest murder rate in history this year if the current crime rate continues’’. It is without a doubt that we are heading into a period of prosperity.

Venezuela and Trinidad have shown that if wealth is not distributed equally that we are inviting crime of unparalleled proportions to enter our lives and, in the case of Venezuela, political instability. We seriously need to sit up and look around and learn from the mistakes of others.

With potential wealth coming, which hopefully will be filtered to the economy, careful note must be given to those who will be totally left behind. These persons are at

the bottom of the heap, few are literate, or have any vocation skills, and we cannot expect that they will be happy with their non-participation.

Also, do not expect that there will be no repercussions due to their desperation at being left out. It is an established fact that most crimes are committed by repeat offenders; bearing this in mind, we need to rethink our position.

In order to circumvent and install a preventative crime programme, we must create the social and economic conditions for all our people and especially the economically depressed ones.

These include advanced emphasis on sporting activity in schools, accessible field and track areas , remedial teaching for school dropouts, community centres for vocational skills training for illiterate school drop-outs and sporting activities. Basically, we need to encourage

our youths to be participants in sports and community activities and teach them a trade so they can become useful members of society; anything less is a recipe for disaster.

I am pretty certain that our new friends in the Oil industry might be persuaded to look into this, and what is required is public / private partnership to safeguard our collective futures. Oil investors, by all accounts, have received generous terms. The funds required to strategically plan for the oil wealth and social development to avoid the negative consequences are minuscule compared to the benefits to society, which will be a safer operating environment that will see a reduction on security expenses and also a politically stable environment, unlike Venezuela where foreign companies lost their entire investments.

Our priorities must be with our youths and the un-

employed. We need remedial programmes to teach basic literacy and job skills where none exist, and which, if not addressed, will contribute significantly to our crime situation. We need a tri-partite approach by Government, the oil industry and from all socially concerned citizens and advocates groups.

This needs to be implemented immediately. Time is of the essence to have these programmes implemented before it is too late. For companies and individuals who would like to support this initiative, please email me at roybeepat@giftlandofficemax.com. Let us start this discussion to safeguard our future. Please be advised that this is a non-political and non-pressure movement.

Regards, Roy Beepat Chairman Giftland Group

have had differences of opinions on some very critical issues with citizens, inclusive of the private sector, for which the two sides have been meeting to find solutions. This augurs well for effecting such a mechanism, for resolving thorny issues whenever they do arise, and a future template for cooperation in the best interests of the city.

However, notwithstanding not being able to resolve all the issues, should not be cause, for the two parties not to meet so as to complete negotiations and possible agreement on a final container tax. If the mayor is quoted correctly, then two years are quite some time for such a matter not be completed.

We opine that any discussions between these two important city players ought

to be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect, camaraderie, and consensus.

There should not be any assumed attribute of pre-eminence, because of big money and finance which the private sector represents, and which seems to have given rise to Mayor Chase-Green’s statement, accusing the former of not being interested in working with her council, while further asking, “Why is it that this council has to bend to the private sector each time?”

And if there is the hidden political hand in what appears to be the stalling of such meetings, then it should cease, as there can be no benefit from such an intervention, except the frittering away of opportunities for solutions and for working together between the two sides.

Teachers should be given this job Dear Editor WHY is the Ministry of Education advertising for a consultant to help draft school safety policies? The best educational systems in the world, Finland’s i n p a r t i c u l a r, b e c o m e that way because they placed teachers central to designing all aspects of the education system.

The fact is that no supposed expert knows more about the classroom dynamics and the school environment than the people who are on the frontline day in and day out. Naturally, therefore, it makes sense that in wanting to come up with a safety framework, the Ministry of Education should reach out to teachers in focus groups across the nation. The suggestions

and ideas would address every conceivable aspect of safety and provide a pool of relevant, applicable and pragmatic ideas from which final safety measures can be drafted.

Furthermore, this exercise would be costsaving and would enable teachers to take ownership for safety implementation, monitoring, continual evaluation and necessary changes that may be unique to individual schools. The bottom line is that no ‘expert’ will be more knowledgeable about the issues that need to be addressed and more familiar with the student population that the measures will target than the teachers themselves.

Regards Annan Boodram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 26, 2018

Suicide blast kills 31...

FROM PAGE 4

Jibran Nasir, an independent candidate from Pakistan’s financial hub of Karachi, said he received death threats and even had a fatwa, or religious edict, issued against him after he refused to condemn Ahmadis, reviled by mainstream Muslims as heretics because they believe the messiah promised in Islam arrived over a century ago. Pakistan in 1974 declared Ahmadis non-Muslims.

The leading contenders in Wednesday’s polling are former cricket star Imran Khan and his right-of-center Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party, and the right-of-center Pakistan Muslim League, the party of disgraced Prime

Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is in jail serving 10 years on corruption charges. His younger brother Shahbaz Sharif took control of the party.

Khan’s supporters showered his vehicle with rose petals as he arrived to vote at a polling station near his home suburb in. Islamabad.

After voting, he appealed on Pakistanis to come out and vote in huge numbers “to save future generations.”

The third-largest party in the running is the left-leaning Pakistan People’s Party, headed by Bilawal Bhutto, the son of late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, assassinated by the Pakistani Taliban,

whom she had vowed to eradicate.

Election officials say more than 11,000 candidates are vying for 270 seats in Pakistan’s law-making Lower House of Parliament and 577 seats in four provincial assemblies.

The 85,307 polling stations opened at 8 a.m. and will continue for 10 hours, an hour longer than in the 2013 polls. Voting for two parliamentary seats and six seats in provincial assemblies has been postponed due to attacks on candidates or disqualifications. First results are expected early Thursday.

There are more than 105 million eligible voters in Pa-

kistan, 59 million men and 46 million women.

Pakistan’s election commission reminded candidates their elections will be nullified if the female voter turnout didn’t reach 10 percent. The requirement was imposed after the 2013 elections, when several areas banned voting by women, mostly in Pakistan’s religiously conservative northwest. Some candidates were elected without a single woman marking a ballot.

Veteran rights activist Tahira Abdullah warned on Tuesday that local jirgas, or councils of elders, from 60 areas of the country representing 16 different constit-

uencies, had signed agreements banning women from voting despite the new ruling.

While some areas have refused to relent, others allowed women to cast ballots.

In Pakistan’s deeply tribal and religiously conservative North Waziristan, where Taliban insurgents have found safe havens, women voted for the first time on Wednesday, said Mohamad Ayaz Khan, a government administrator.

“We made history today,” said Khan. “It is the first time that women have come out of their homes to cast their vote.”

Voting is segregated throughout Pakistan with every single polling station

divided into sections for men and women, including separate election officials.

Results will trickle in after polling ends, with the outcome expected early Thursday, according to election officials. International and domestic election observers will monitor the voting. The European Union Election Observation Mission has 120 monitors at polling stations in major centers across Pakistan, with the exception of Baluchistan. Under Pakistani law, separate seats are reserved for women and for non-Muslim minorities, which comprise 4 percent of the population.

Socio-economic development enhances communities Dear Editor, THE historic May, 2015, national elections represented an auspicious moment for the Guyanese people as it illuminated their hearts, for a better country, and a better life.

Who can fault those who exulted, taking into consideration the twenty-three years that had seen so many communities deliberately deprived of basic amenities

such as good roads, potable water, and street lights; just to name a few of the critical essentials of everyday life.

The communities of East Berbice is a specific example of what a change of government and its benefits have brought to the communities in this well- known locale.

For the first time in fifty years, residents in communities from Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, to Islington, and Glasgow Villages, East Bank

Berbice, through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, now have street lights installed.

This coming of light begun on July 9 to July 10.

It was a beautiful sight to observe residents going out for leisurely strolls as they bask in an overdue community comfort. This also is a manifestation of the coalition government’s belief and commitment to carry socio-economic development to all communities, irrespective of

Guyana’s oil on Social Media Dear Editor ALLOW me to express my disappointment with a few articles and videos on Guyana surfacing online and especially on Social Media. These opinions from outside Guyana are juicy to the readers and viewers. The article in the New York Times on Guyana’s oil stirred our guts and few of us had the courtesy to rebut the arguments, although a few opinions are a matter of concern that we need to address.

There are a few videos being circulated on Guyana’s Oil on social media that are damaging the image of our beautiful Guyana.

These video presentations are very interesting but from an outside perspective. I believe that everyone is entitled

to their opinions. Someone else’s opinions must not derail our belief in ourselves as a strong, compact nation.

However, there is no harm in discussing other opinions and if they are true, let us utilize them for the betterment of Guyana.

Some persons believe that once you have a pencil you are a writer or, once you have a camera you are a journalist. This is untruly true in this highly social media-driven world. I mean to say anyone can post anything online and there are always people who buy this with less or no wisdom. That is where we have a problem. Oil is true in Guyana, but it must be a concern for Guyanese and not for others to tell us what we should do or what we will become.

We, as Guyanese, must

be strong at this time and not give in to external pressure.

Whatever people say, we know who we are. Let us stand together as a nation and not as Indo and Afro Guyanese. We are a nation of multiple diversities and let this be our strength during these crucial times. Let us help our leaders, both ruling and opposition to come to the table to guard our wealth and resources. This way, we can truly channel our resources for the betterment of our country. Just ignore anything that is not true and take only what is true. Let us not waste time on ignorance of outsiders; rather, let us believe in our strength. Our strength is their ignorance.

Regards Arun Williams Georgetown

ethnic composition or political affiliation.

This latest example of development around people

further fulfils the ideals of the national motto: ONE PEOPLE ONE NATION ONE DESTINY.

Regards Dillon Goring

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 26, 2018

Court frees man accused of killing Patricia Sanasie RICHARD Stanton, who was in prison for the past t h re e y e a r s a n d t h re e months walked out of the Demerara High Court a free man Wednesday evening after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of the 2015 execution-style murder of Patricia Sanasie.

A relieved and smiling Stanton was surrounded by family members and others were in loud praises to God as he walked out the courtroom after being told by the trial judge that he was free to go. Stanton told reporters that he is feeling good and that God has proven that he is great, since God knows he is innocent of the crime for which he was indicted.

He said, “I am not a criminal and may the family get some justice the right way and you know when

Murdered: Patricia Sanasie.

man disappoint, God does appoint and I love you all.”

He made this disclosure before he was spirited away by his relatives who were more than pleased to shower him with hugs and kisses

on Wednesday night.

H o w e v e r, w h e n t h e forewoman announced the unanimous not-guilty verdict ,Stanton’s sister shouted “yeah” loudly in the courtroom and was asked by the police to contain herself.

Justice Brassington Reynolds said, “Richard Stanton you talk a lot and I hope the experience you have had is a solid one to you, since you were close as it gets to a death sentence.”

The trial judge told the court that ‘only God knows what happened on January 12, 2015’ and it was a close call for him (Stanton) and he hopes he makes good the rest of his life and if he should hear anything about him, it should be ‘good things.’ Justice Reynolds said, “The jury has found you not guilty and you are

free to go.” In response, Richard Stanton with outstretched hands with a Bible in his hands said he was happy to be acquitted of murder.

In presenting the state’s case, Tiffini Lyken told the court that at about 06:45hrs on January 12, 2015, tragedy struck at Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara, in front of the home of the victim, Patricia Sanasie. As she exited her car to open her gate with her daughter inside the said vehicle, a car came up and she was shot five times by a male assailant, who walked to her then back to the car in which he had come and sped off. The mortally injured woman was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Lyken said on January

Freed: Richard Stanton.

14, 2015, Dr. Nehaul Singh p e r f o r m e d a p o s t - m o r-

tem 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.

The state presented seven witnesses in total, while the defence did not produce any witness. The accused in his defence opted to give an unsworn statement from the dock and talked for more than an hour in an effort to convince the 12-member jury that he was innocent of the charge. Defence attorney Mark Waldron made a lengthy closing submission, while the state’s address was crisp and to the point.

The state’s case was presented by Lyken, Narissa Leander and Seeta Bishundial, while the defence attorney was Waldron in association with Keoma Griffith.

Man dies in ‘Highway’ crash Body of crab catcher found

The mangled remains of the car

The damaged truck

An alleged speeding motorist has lost his life after his vehicle crashed into a parked lorry on the Yarrowkabra Public Road, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, Tuesday night.

Police enquiries disclosed that the motor car, PWW 1114, driven by Ryan Wilson, 24, now deceased, of 982 Diamond, EBD, was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway of the road, allegedly at a fast rate of speed, when it collided with the right side front of motor lorry GPP 2777 with trailer TTT 1610, which was stationary along the eastern side of the road facing north.

A bulldozer was loaded unto the trailer of the lorry at the time of accident.

Police said the driver was taken out of his mangled vehicle by by-standers and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre in an unconscious state.

He was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is presently at the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The lorry’s driver, age 40 of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, who was reportedly at the time of the accident standing outside of his vehicle, is in police custody assisting with the investigation.

THE body of 49-year-old Heron Ewart Anthony who fell into the Atlantic Ocean from a ramp of the MMA/ ADA sluice at Trafalgar, West Coast Berbice (WCB) on Tuesday, was recovered on the foreshore not far away Wednesday morning.

The discovery was made by early-morning searchers around 06:00hrs. Reports on Tuesday last stated that Anthony of # 29 Village, WCB, had ventured onto the ramp of the sluice to wash his feet at the end of a hunt for crabs on the Atlantic foreshore, around 09:00hrs.

He had been accompanied by his wife Alicia who had remained on the sluice itself

and was shocked to see him slide on the ramp and fall into the channel leading into the ocean. He had then started swimming in the direction of the left bank of the channel and appeared to be in control and since there was no one else around, she had run to the sluice attendants’ accommodation nearby to request help.

When she returned he had disappeared from view.

Anthony was a mechanic who worked at the RUSAL Bauxite operations at Aroima, Upper Berbice R i v e r. A w o r k p l a c e acquaintance said that he had earlier this week surprised his colleagues when he

announced that he would cut his work period in half and go home, since he wasn’t feeling well.

“He was supposed to work two weeks and then leave the worksite, but he cut short his stay at the workplace half way and came home. Came home to meet his end,” the worker lamented. The body of Anthony, who was said to be a model worker was taken to a local mortuary to await a post-mortem before being handed over to relatives for burial. Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding his demise were up to late yesterday ongoing.

Jagdeo condemns NY Times article OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has viewed in dim light an article headlined “The $20 Billion Question for Guyana” a u t h o re d b y C l i f f o r d Krauss which appeared recently in the New York Times.

“I do believe that many journalists from the developed world come here with the sole purpose of making us look like back water countries and that we are on the cusp of civil war and ethnic conflagration, but in our country we have greater stability than their country,” said Jagdeo during a press conference on Thursday.

The Opposition Leader said the article was unfair

but it was expected because foreign journalists would naturally look for the worst pictures of Guyana.

“I disagree with how Guyana and Guyanese are portrayed abroad and we disagree with any unfair portrayal,” said Jagdeo.

He, however, agreed with the section of the article which highlighted that the legislation to create a sovereign wealth fund lacks sufficient regulatory controls to avert corruption.

Jagdeo said the legislation is needed because Government needs to make the right decisions in order to ensure Guyanese benefit from the oil and gas industry.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in his response to the

article, had said extensive research has been conducted on issues of the “pre-source curse where unrealistic expectations ahead of oil production result in demands for higher wages and government spending, and the other two pitfalls — the resource curse and Dutch Disease.”

“Take a closer look at our country, it’s proud and resourceful people and our resilience in the face of the odds, he urged.”

The minister also urged Guyanese to “reject the article and to look towards the future with hope in our heritage, in the legacies of our ancestors and in the path that is being crafted for us now”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

GECOM to soon roll out public awareness campaign …sets August 29 as deadline for symbols for parties, groups contesting LGE

POLITICAL parties, voluntary groups and individuals hoping to contest the upcoming Local Government Elections have up to August 29 to submit their symbols to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for approval, says its Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward.

On Wednesday, Ward told Guyana Chronicle that the contenders are required to submit their applications for symbols, which must include printed and electronic versions of the emblems, to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.

“Any list of candidates submitted by any political party, voluntary group or individual candidate on Nominations Day, without the pre-approved symbol, will be deemed defective and the defaulting political party, voluntary group or individual candidate will be deemed ineligible to contest the Local Government Elections,”

the commission warned in a statement on Wednesday.

Ward said she does not foresee any hiccups in the process, but said there is a possibility that contenders may submit similar symbols.

If such occurs, she said there is a system in place that allows for preference to be given to the political party, voluntary group or individual candidate who submitted first, allowing for the others to re-submit within a particular timeframe.

In 2016, three political parties, 17 voluntary groups and 63 individual candidates contested the historic March, 18, Local Government Elections in a mixed system of Proportional Representation and First Past the Post.

With just four months left before the November 12 Local Government Elections, the CEO said GECOM will soon be rolling out a comprehensive Public Education and Awareness Campaign.

He said unlike 2016 when

GECOM Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield

GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Warde

the commission partnered with the Ministry of Communities to educate the populace on the importance of such elections, it will only be focussing on the conduct of Local Government Elections and not the benefits.

Lowenfield disclosed that in coming days, the commission will publish in the local press a column under the title “GECOM, Local

Government Elections and You” to provide important information on the electoral process.

Ward, in a separate interview, explained that the columns will focus on the mixed system of Proportional Representation and First Past the Post. Additionally, in those columns, the commission will detail the criteria to become a councillor and the

Hemp advocates take another leap THE Guyana Hemp Industries (GHI) will be hosting a Hemp Lobby Day on August 6 to push for the removal of barriers for the establishment of a hemp industry in the country.

At the event, hemp advocates, farmers, entrepreneurs and other Guyanese will be provided the opportunity to meet with parliamentarians, Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) officials and other stakeholders.

According to a release, GHI intends to rally support for the full legalisation of industrial hemp in Guyana, while educating the public about the sustainable, versatile and profitable benefits of the crop.

To facilitate this, a special booth will be set up on the lawns of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) on Brickdam from 09:00hrs and persons will be able to receive information, view videos and hemp products.

The same is expected to be con-

ducted in other regions of the country.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, July 29, through the compliments of GHI, the Cavalier Sports and Tour Club will host a pre-Emancipation Day 10k Race-Walk at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre from 06:30hrs.

It is the initiative of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GHI, Verman Bedessee, to develop the sport in Guyana and he has met with Minister of Social Cohesion George Norton and other staff to discuss his participation in assisting in such.

On Sunday, other events will take place, such as under-15 and under -7 football competitions beginning at 11:00hrs.

Trophies, medals and other incentives will be up for grabs to all ages and genders.

The GHI was founded in May 2016 and is the first official hemp organisation in Guyana with a focus on building and facilitating the expansion of hemp industries, both locally and internationally.

requirements for voters.

The PRO said it is important for eligible Guyanese to participate in the upcoming elections, and GECOM will play its part to ensure that they are knowledgeable of the process.

She said as the country moves closer to the elections, GECOM will intensify its Public Education and Awareness Campaign by utilizing print, television and digital media to “ensure that the information reaches the population in a clear and concise manner.”

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Communities will intensify its awareness campaign for both councillors and voters ahead of the Local Government Elections. The Ministry is targeting various levels of existing and prospective candidates of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) across the country.

In June this year at the

launching of a public awareness campaign on the lawns of Parliament Buildings, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan said local government organs are critical in nation-building, noting that integral to the approach is a better resourced and organised local government system; one that is effective in the discharge of its functions.

The awareness campaign is also intended to improve voter turnout by highlighting the benefits of such elections which are designed to empower those on the ground. In 2016, only 43 per cent of the persons listed as eligible, turned out to vote. It is hoped that with a strategic awareness campaign in place, the turn out would significantly improve. Government has budgeted $2.9B for the hosting of Local Government Elections.

To know or not to know

-Accused said he was not aware gun was loaded when he squeezed trigger and shot his friend

IN leading his defence before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury, Allister Woolford told the court that he did not intend to harm his friend Devon Howell in any way when he squeezed the trigger and his friend was shot. He did not know the gun was loaded.

He opted to remain in the box where he made an unsworn statement on Wednesday in the Demerara High Court, after the state closed its case in the 2014 manslaughter trial.

He said, “Your Honour, when I had the firearm I squeezed the trigger at Devon I had no intention of harming him in any way. I was only joking around and doing it for fun. I trusted my squaddie (Jonathan Williams.) I trusted him so much I didn’t know he woulda hand me a loaded weapon and I honestly believe that the firearm was empty.”

Before the state closed its case on Wednesday, the final witness, Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh

testified after being deemed an expert in the area of forensic pathology, that he performed a post-mortem on the body of Devon Howell on December 10, 2014.

He related that the body had a circular wound on the right side of the neck. The bullet exited through the left side.

Dr. Singh gave the cause of death as respiratory failure as a result of fractures.

The defence had no witnesses and attorney Compton Richardson made his closing submission in which he told the court that it was a tragic case -- a mistake made by the accused Allister Woolford, a former member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

He stated that the accused was not aware that the firearm was loaded when he pressed the trigger and shot his friend, Devon Howell.

Meanwhile, State Prosecutor Mandel Moore in his closing address, said that it was ‘by playing too much and making joke’ that caused Howell to lose his life when he was

shot by the accused.

He added that sufficient evidence was produced in court to support the case in which the deceased was unlawfully killed, since there is no degree of doubt that it was the accused who pulled the trigger of a loaded gun.

Moore said it was an “unlawful and grievous act” that caused Howell to lose his life.

According to State prosecutor Mandel Moore, the accused Allister Woolford was indicted for the December 8, 2014 manslaughter of Howell at D’Andrade Street, Newtown, Kitty.

He told the court that on November 21, 2014, the accused, while armed with a gun allegedly shot and killed his friend, Devon Howell, who succumbed to his injury on December 8, 2014, while a patient at the GPHC. Justice Sandil Kissoon will sum up the case on Monday at 09:00hrs after which the 12-member jury will retire to the jury room to deliberate for a verdict.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

GECOM chair appointment

AG says PPP appeal is a challenge to upcoming LGE ATTORNEY General (AG) Basil Williams, SC, on Wednesday argued that an appeal of the High Court ruling on the validity of the appointment of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Justice (ret’d) James Patterson amounts to the questioning of validity of upcoming elections.

Williams was at the time responding to oral submissions presented by Anil Nandlall, attorney representing Executive Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Zulfikar Mustapha. Nandlall before the full court argued that an appeal should be heard and determined expeditiously in the public interest and also to facilitate a last-resort appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the country’s final appellate court. The case is before Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices, Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud.

Back in June, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire ruled that the appointment of Justice Patterson was constitutionally done by President David Granger. The state represented by Williams, SC. Deputy Solicitor-General Beverly Bishop-Cheddi and State Counsel Coleen Liverpool

argued that since November 12, 2018, has been identified for the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGE), the application filed by Nandlall amounts to a challenge to the validity of the elections.

Williams, SC, noted that there are myriads of cases which support his arguments.

He submitted that if there is a challenge to the validity of an election, then it has to be done via an elections petition subsequent to the holding of elections.

“If you are challenging the decision of the appointment of the chair of GECOM and you are saying that it is a life-and-death issue ---you are challenging the validity of the appointment and if it is a life-and-death issue that it be heard before the holding of the November 12 elections, is tantamount to saying we cannot have a valid elections,” declared the attorney general.

Given the state’s position, Williams requested an opportunity to present to the court cases in support of his submissions. “We cannot have a valid election with Justice Patterson as chair and so he is challenging his appointment because his appointment would lead to invalid elections,” Williams stressed.

However, with the LGE’s date already named and Gen-

eral and Regional Elections slated to be held no later than August 2020, Nandlall argued that the matter must be heard expeditiously, even as he stressed that Justice George-Wiltshire erred and misdirected herself in law in construing Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana by failing to give effect to the intentions of the framers of the said article.

“It is of paramount public importance and I can’t over emphasise those words, that the issues which the appeal raises be resolved conclusively before those elections,” he said, noting that the matter must be heard and determined in a timely fashion to ensure that there is room for an appeal to the CCJ. “We must recognise realistically the virtual certainty of that resort and therefore your honour it is imperative that we hear the matter in such a timeframe that would allow the ultimate and complete disposal of the issue within the legal system of Guyana. This appeal, I respectfully submit, ought to be heard so early so as to permit any challenge of its decision to be completed before the CCJ before the elections,” Nandlall stressed.

Nandlall referenced the CCJ ruling in May, in the case of the St. Lucian Pro-

Attorney Anil Nandlall

fessor Eddy Ventose being allowed to register to vote in Barbados. In that case, Professor Ventose, a St. Lucian national residing in Barbados for more than three years, was prevented from being registered by the Chief Electoral Officer to vote. The professor had satisfied the requirements of Section 7 of ROPA so as to be qualified to be registered as an elector for a constituency. That matter was heard and determined expeditiously, given that Barbados was heading into elections.

“The entire matter was heard within a few weeks, the CCJ sat on a Sunday and heard and determined the matter,” Nandlall stated, while noting that “the court didn’t sit with the matter and allow the entire litigation process or legal process to be futile, but rather heard the matter.”

As such, he called on the Court of Appeal, to “emulate” such an approach in this case. He noted that he can obtain all necessary records that were filed in the High Court and those consist of applications, submissions and exhibits.

“The facts of the matter are absolutely undisputed; the case simply involves the interpretation of a paragraph in our constitution or an article in our constitution that is less than a quarter of this page. The appeal will turn on the interpretation of a singular provision of the constitution of Guyana- Article 162,” he stated.

He said that the submissions made in the High Court were “copious” and as such not much would have to be

Attorney General Basil Williams, SC

added by himself or the state, but for “a few commentaries on the chief justice’s ruling”.

Nandlall also referenced the ruling in the Gaskin case, which also dealt with the interpretation of the Constitution of Guyana.

“The chief justice articulated much of these issues and wrote copiously on them, but in these proceedings it is my respectful contention your honour fell into error.

So I am saying all of that simply to articulate before the court and put on the record that there is absolutely no good reason why this appeal should not be fixed early. There are a million reasons why it should be fixed early-- preparation of the record of appeal can be done in a matter of hours, the issues involved do not require any review of evidence other than what is contained in the affidavits, and it is all questions of law paramount to our democracy for the peace, order and good governance of the country,” argued Nandlall, as he called for a date to be fixed urgently for the hearing of the appeal.

THE BURDEN ON YOU Nandlall stressed that the AG, whose affidavit in answer was filed only on Tuesday, a month and a half after the Notice of Appeal was filed, ought to care for a speedy hearing and determination of the case. But Williams noted that the burden is on the applicant to show that he has an arguable case.

“We don’t believe there is any urgency and the applicant is not prejudiced in this matter,” the AG said, while noting that he does not be-

lieve “the case would go beyond submissions.” The state in its affidavit in answer, argued that Mustapha has not established that he has an arguable appeal and that Justice George-Wiltshire erred in exercising her discretion to refuse orders sought in the lower court.

The state stressed that President Granger acted constitutionally, of necessity, to uphold the rule of law, to prevent the creation of a legal vacuum with grave consequential chaos and in the interest of good governance. That he said, is indicative of the monies expended by GECOM. It was also contended that the court with scarce resources is burdened with a number of appeals and as such, it is incumbent on the appellant to establish that the appeal has reasonable prospect of success and exceptional circumstances to cause the court to exercise its discretion to abridge the time in his favour. The state argued too that Mustapha must establish urgency to warrant a grant of his application for the matter to be heard before other appeals which are first in time. The Affidavit in Answer also states that in the circumstances, “the application is absurd, misconceived, void of merit and ought to be dismissed with substantial costs. The case has been adjourned to July 27 to allow the AG to amend his affidavit in answer which would then be served.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

Foreign service being retooled

EVEN as efforts are continually being made to ensure that the country’s foreign service is operating at its optimum, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has noted that his ministry continues to struggle when it comes to the widening of skills there.

“We are still struggling to widen the intake of skills that the ministry needs, but a good part of the work has to be done on those who are already here,” Greenidge said Monday in response to questions posed by the Guyana Chronicle.

He explained that while continuous training is on-going, his ministry is in need of

persons skilled in the area of law, chemical warfare, the economy, as well as languages. “We are fighting that battle on a range of fronts,” the foreign affairs minister stated, while admitting that the process of retooling “has been going with some difficulty.”

Greenidge made it clear that his ministry cannot be effectively retooled if the Public Service Commission (PSC) continues to send large numbers of persons to the ministry for employment in the same discipline. “…they unloaded them on us the week before they demitted office -- this is what I regard as completely irresponsible behaviour,” the foreign affairs minister de-

clared.

But notwithstanding the challenges, Greenidge told the Guyana Chronicle that his ministry has been trying to cope with that which exists. The retooling efforts he disclosed have been supplemented by the approval given

by Cabinet to source persons with the necessary skillsets.

“Cabinet has given us, in exceptional circumstances and failing the PSC to recruit a range of skills to treat with for example the lawyers, we have been asking for lawyers for years and we weren’t able to recruit any,” he stated.

The hiring of lawyers, he said, has been done under exceptional circumstances, but

other skills are needed. “Work is being done trying to supplement the trade department; we have also tried to ensure that those who are here undertake more training. So, you have a diplomatic programme that some of them are attending in Austria in August; this is in mainstream diplomacy -- issues to do with law, strategic issues etc.,” he said, while noting that the United Nations addresses a number of issues with which foreign service personnel at all levels ought to be au fait.

Additionally, Greenidge noted that many experts, including professors of law out of Canada, the United States and the United

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge

Kingdom from time to time visit Guyana to conduct lectures via the Foreign Service Institute. Also, continuous courses are being offered not only to staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but also other public servants in the foreign languages. Thus far, much emphasis has been placed on Spanish with assistance being provided by Colombia and Chile. Currently, a number of staff of the ministry are part of a Dutch class and classes in Portuguese are also slated to begin soon. “We try to do as much as we can in the difficult circumstances,” said Greenidge.

Region 10, GWI officials insist no mining in Demerara River

REGION 10 regional and municipal officials remain firm that no mining--whether gold or diamond--should be done in the Demerara River, since it will destroy what thousands of people use for their sustenance.

This decision came on the heels of a diamond-mining company establishing its operations in the Upper Demerara River after two huge ‘water draggers’ were discovered aback Watooka last week and miners were subsequently arrested.

After seeing documents issued by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) giving the miners permission to mine gold and diamonds in the Demerara River, regional officials met with the representative of the mining company Ezron Landry on Monday. The officials, including Regional Chairman Renis Morian, Deputy Mayor Wainwright Bethune, Linden Manager of the Guyana Water Incorporated Rawle Friday and Municipal Councillor Lennox Gasper, related that while licences were granted, no environmental impact assessment was presented. They alleged too that the company was employing workers without work permits.

Morian on Tuesday said that no inclusion or consultation with the local agencies was done, and therefore he is questioning where the power of the local agencies lies. “We are either saying there is no need for the local government agencies and GGMC could just come in or just give out land, there are three local government bodies, you need to come and sit and have discussions with them because they represent the people,”

Morian posited.

Deputy Mayor Wainwright Bethune said that the residents are in no way resisting economic development as is being peddled, but are putting the interest and well-being of the residents first, since such mining could have serious environmental and health implications.

GWI Linden Manager Rawle Friday said that over 18,000 residents are receiving water from the Demerara River via three plants and if the water is polluted, the health impact will be astronomical.

“These three plants that we have serve around 18,000 persons, so we have to be very careful in taking care of our most precious source.

This kind of operation that can have this kind of effect on our communities in terms of our water, increasing the turbidity, increasing the amounts of metals and other contaminants in the water, can affect adversely the residents.”

The officials were concerned about the Indigenous residents living up the river, in communities in proximity to where the mining will take place. These residents rely on the river for all domestic purposes and could be directly affected.

“Most importantly… we have several communities residing on the banks of the Demerara River. GWI’s focus right now is to bring equity of service to all people of Guyana; and so there should not be no [sic] disparity with what happens on the coast as to what happens on the hinterland or the interior regions,” Friday said.

Morian said, “Because of unregulated mining, we have that issue at Coomacka, where ¾ of the river is closed and

where today the cost to correct is over $550M.” The regional chairman related that he is presently

engaging ministers on the way forward and is pleading with them to understand that the residents’ health

and well-being are at risk.

“We will not compromise that position, together we stand, united, we stand

against this situation” the safety and well-being of our residents come first,” Councillor Gasper said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

Tenants in condemned apartment building want betterment

TENANTS of a property located at the corner of Waterloo and Quamina Streets in Georgetown and which was condemned by the Guyana Fire Service as unsafe for habitation, are complaining that their landlord has been refusing to do any form of remedial work to the property despite collecting a weekly rent of $5000 or $20,000 a month.

On Sunday, a 400-gallon

water tank which the man had on a step some 20 feet above ground came crashing down almost injuring two of the tenants. During a visit to the location on Monday, one tenant, Naomi Natasha Younge, told the Guyana Chronicle that the condition of the place she has been calling home is in dire need of repairs and the landlord seems not to care less.

She said that in the case of the black tank, it had been

sitting on the landing for some time now and whenever the tank is filled with water, the water would be dripping on the landing and the stairs which accelerated rotting of the steps. Another issue for the tenants is the issue of electricity, which they receive on two tranches per day: there is the day-time electricity and the night-time electricity.

There are wires for the electricity in the day and when

night falls, the man switches the wires.

All the electricity to the nine rooms in the building comes from the top quarters where the landlord lives. The tenants are now expressing concerns about their safety and the need for the house to be rewired. But Monday when contacted, Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle indicated that the fire service condemned the building since in 2010 and it is now on City Hall to act swiftly and do some level of enforcement.

When rent at the facility is paid to the landlord, no receipts are issued and added to that, there is no binding contract between the landlord and any of his tenants. A porous roof, a sinking house and foundation, collapsing ceilings, exposed wires and leaking toilets and so many other deficiencies are features of the house, which is divided into rooms and rented as apartments. The tenants all have their groceries and other items locked in their rooms.

For the persons living on the ground floor, they are required to share one washroom area and that also goes for the persons who are living upstairs and

The electrical wiring at the condemned apartment

The dilapidated apartment building on Quamina Street

in the middle flat; they too are required to use one washroom and kitchen area.

When the Guyana Chronicle attempted to speak with the landlord, he began to curse them out saying that she should go and check a doctor to see what sickness

they have how they have AIDS. He also accused them of trying to mess up his operations and that they envy him for what he has: an old condemned house with several deficiencies and faults which clearly put the lives and limbs of persons at risk.

P.I. involving death of GDF officer’s wife winding down THE preliminary inquiry (PI) involving the death of former Guyana Defence Force captain, Orwain Sandy, who is charged with the murder of his reputed wife, is winding down as the final six witnesses are expected to take to the witness stand.

The PI is being conducted

by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman with evidence being led by Police Prosecutor Corporal Shawn Gonsalves.

Sandy is being represented by attorney James Bond.

Detective Corporal Kevin Hubert testified during Wednesday’s hearing and the matter continues today (July 26.)

Sandy, who served as Special Assistant to the Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, is currently on remand for the murder of Reona Payne on March 31, 2018 at First Street, Alexander Village.

According to reports, Sandy, after committing the act, surrendered to police at the Ruimveldt Police Station

Former Guyana Defence Force captain Orwain Sandy.

on Saturday, March 31. A post-mortem report revealed that Payne died from 14 gunshot wounds to her body– 13 to her chest and one to the head.

The police have confirmed that Sandy used his service firearm during the shooting. Police sources also

related that the soldier had on one occasion lodged his firearm at the police station during a domestic dispute.

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

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

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

Indian consultants working on design for Ogle-Diamond bypass road GUYANA'S High Commissioner to India, Dr. David Pollard says relations between Guyana and India will be strengthened through a number of projects, one of which is the Ogle-Diamond bypass road.

The High Commissioner made the statement during a courtesy call to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo Wednesday morning at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Dr. Pollard told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that there are several areas with which his office will be dealing. He noted that one of his main mandates is to have Guyana assess

all the Lines of Credit that were extended previously and to explore the option of having a new line of credit to assist Guyana in the area of renewable energy as part of the Green State Development Programme.

“We are looking at working with India on Sustainable Development Goals and renewable energy. We think that India has a lot to offer in terms of the technology and skills to implement our Green State Development Strategy and build on the deep cultural ties that exist between the two countries, which have been quite helpful in building the friendly relations that we have.”

Highlighting the other areas of cooperation, the high commissioner noted that the by-pass road that will run from Ogle to Diamond, “… is the biggest single project in this slew of projects. I am pleased to say that a team of Indian consultants are in the country at the moment working on the detailed design of that road, so that we can review costs. I think the costing might be a bit more that than currently estimated. They are envisaging a four-lane road.”

Among the other projects mentioned that will see collaboration between the two countries are, the rehabilitation of the Suddie, West Demerara and

Doctor calls for help at Baramita DOCTOR Narash Torrez is calling on the relevant authorities to look into the situation at the Baramita Health outpost in Region One, as a shortage of medication and equipment plagues the institution.

Baramita, which is located in Barima-Waini (Region One) is about 20 miles west of Matthews Ridge and home to more than 450 residents.

Torrez explained during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle that his love for the job was being badly threatened, firstly by the situation at his living quarters to impure drinking water or even a working refrigerator.

“I love my job…. I love helping people, but the situation is overbearing,” the doctor said, as he pointed out that there were only six

Doctor Narash Torrez

medical workers stationed at the Baramita Health Outpost.

He added that there were insufficient medical supplies at the outpost and several times patients have to be airdashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

However, he said if his

outpost had the medications, the patients could have been treated on site.

Additionally, the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) which is attached to the medical hospital has been down for months and is in need of servicing. With the only means of transportation at the outpost, home visits to sick patients are impossible because of the terrain in the hinterland.

“I want persons to know what is going on,” Torrez stressed, as he explained that persons would blame the doctors at the medical outpost when they can’t be provided with the treatment or service, but fail to enquire whether that medical institution has the medication or equipment to do so.

Trio accused of breaking into ‘Chinese’ store

Troy Holmes and Martin Murry

THREE men charged with stealing over $4.6M worth in items from a Regent Street ‘Chinese’ store were

on Wednesday released on $75,000 bail each by city Magistrate Fabayo Azore, after denying the

break and enter and larceny charge.

Martin Murry, 41, Troy Holmes, 41, and Paul Roberts, 36, were jointly charged for breaking into the business place of Zhen Yeng Fu between July 20, 2018 and July 21, 2018 at Alexander and Regent Streets and stealing the items valued at $4.6M. They were unrepresented and the prosecution made no objection to the men being granted bail.

Magistrate Azore released the men on $75,000 bail each and adjourned the matter until August 15.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Guyana’s High Commissioner to India Dr. David Pollard, in discussion (DPI photo)

the Bartica Regional Hospitals; installation of more drainage pumps along the coast, more specifically mobile ones to assist during the rainy season and the modernisation of the Lady Northcote Ferry with a modern design. Dr. Pollard

noted that India possesses a wealth of experience in the building of these vessels.

During the courtesy call, Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Dr. Pollard discussed cricket, culture and other areas where the two countries can strength-

en relations. Both officials are hopeful that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit Guyana later this year. Dr. Pollard is also High Commissioner to Indonesia and Sri Lanka and was recently accredited to Bangladesh.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

Floodwaters receding GRA seizes 20 cases rapidly in Kwakwani of smuggled whisky

Floodwaters have receded significantly in Kwakwani

AFTER over one month of living under water, residents of Kwakwani can now set their eyes on the soil and even walk on it, as the water has significantly receded within the last two days.

The communities of Waterfront, Lamp Island, Aroima and Ginger Island have been affected by a widespread flood causing significant damage. The almost 300 residents had to divert to using the canoe as their main transportation, because the access roads were under eight feet of water. These access roads are

now drained off almost completely and the lives of these residents can return back to normal. Regional Vice-Chairman Elroy Aldolph, said that it is only areas very close to the river that are still a little under water, but the majority of the other areas are draining off. The residents are remaining optimistic that there will not be any heavy rainfall in the coming days that can likely reverse the situation. They are continuing to take health precautions, even as the water is rapidly receding.

Residents last week re-

ceived food hampers from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC); each hamper weighing over 55 pounds. This was to assist the residents from having to traverse the floodwaters to access food.

This was deemed a burden on their pockets, because the cost of living in the community has spiralled because of the flood. Several farms were also destroyed.

The residents are calling for systems to be implemented so that future flooding will not affect their access and livelihoods as much. Resident of the Waterfront, Cort Simeon, suggested that the levels of the access roads be raised, so that even during the flooding, transportation will not be an issue, since they are often exploited by the canoe operators and taxi drivers.

Residents also called for the areas to be properly irrigated, so that farms will not be too much affected. Residents continue to thank the CDC for coming to their aid in time of need and doing so promptly and reliably.

Adolph said that the regional officials will continue to monitor the situation.

The smuggled Johnnie Walker whisky which the GRA officers discovered on Wednesday.

FOLLOWING a tip-off, drug enforcement officers attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) stumbled upon more than 20 cases of smuggled Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky in several barrels at a city wharf on Wednesday.

The bust was made at a wharf on Water Street in Georgetown on Wednesday morning. Reports are that the GRA officers received information that the importer of the barrels may have provided false information on consign-

ment documents.

The enforcement officers were on Wednesday attempting to locate the importer, a task made difficult, since false addresses were placed on relevant documents.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

Broomes to help rebuild home of Kitty fire victim

MORE than five months after an early-morning fire ravaged her home while completely destroying two other buildings in the process, Angela Demonick is putting the pieces back together but the journey, thus far, has been a rough one.

The widow and her three children – ages 10, 14 and 18 – have been living in what is left of the charred Pike Street, Kitty two-storey building. With the upper flat of the building badly burnt, tarpaulins and carpets have been converted to improvised walls to protect them from the elements as they occupy small sections.

Demonick, however, told reporters that during heavy downpours, they are reminded of their reality. “When the rain falls plenty my daughter does got to move,” the 46-year-old mother said as she pointed to a makeshift room in which her 14-yearold daughter sleeps. To further keep out the rain, zinc sheets, given to the family

by GAFOORS, have been placed in a sloping position over the bed.

The situation is not different for her two other children, Demonick said, while further pointing out that though she sleeps in the lower flat, she too is affected. “Where I am right now, it is wet all over, because of the rain. I have four buckets catching water but I am still getting wet,” she posited. While they have access to the basic necessities including water, electricity and food, Demonick told

Forty-six-year-old Angela Demonick describing the conditions under which she and her children have been living since the fire last March

Chandini (only name given), speaking to reporters shortly after presenting Angela Demonick with an undisclosed sum of cash to assist with rebuilding

The charred building that remains the home of Angela Demonick and her three children (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, being showed the badly damaged roof of the building, which will soon be rebuilt with the help of Chung’s Global Enterprise

reporters that her children are affected psychologically.

“My children, everybody is frustrated, especially the boy, because he keeps saying that he is not accustomed to this kind of life…I believe is because of this situation they are not really functioning properly in school, especially my son…everything is affecting him,” she explained.

But as if the situation is not bad enough, Demonick alleged that her late hus-

band’s children appeared on a number occasions with the police to have them evacuate the building, although the matter is engaging the attention of the court.

“Even after the fire they came back with the police to tell me they want to repair this house and I must move out of the yard. So I said to them, how could I move out of this yard, where y’all want me to go with my children, when y’all know that we be-

long here,” she recalled.

Demonick is determined to rebuild her family home, and with the help of the government, the corporate community and public-spirited citizens; she believes it can be done.

On Wednesday, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, visited Demonick’s home, and announced that she will be partnering with Chung’s Global Enterprise

GPL begins installing new services for unserved consumers THE Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) has embarked on the installation of new services for unserved consumers.

Metering and Loss Reduction Manager, Wayne Watson, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that efforts have been intensified to secure adequate materials to execute the task. “We had some constraints with materials; all efforts were made to ensure

we have adequate material now and we are currently pursuing all outstanding new services, throughout the coast, including Berbice, West Coast Berbice, East Coast Demerara, West Coast Demerara, central Georgetown, Essequibo, all over where we have to provide services.”

He indicated that GPL is also working to improve the delivery of services to regular customers. All reported

and proven defective meters in households are being replaced. “We are still changing the defective meters; either those that consumers reported and were proven to be defective, or where the crew go out and find the meters defective in our loss-reduction initiative.”

The Loss Reduction Department is also addressing load increases and shifting of customers’ meters as well as the replacement of

placing deteriorated lines.

Customers are urged to give their fullest support and allow access to their premises to GPL technicians and engineers when necessary. Customers are also advised against hiring unauthorised persons to conduct illegal works to either slow down, shift or bypass the meter. For any queries, customers are advised to visit any GPL commercial office.

to replace the roof of the building. Chung’s Global has agreed to provide free construction services, while Minister Broomes will provide financial aid with support from other persons.

“We are trying to see if we can assist them in fixing the roof to bring about a change in the situation. I think it would be safer for them; then they will be able to piece by piece get themselves back together, but for

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now I am going to assist her with some support from persons,” the minister said.

Minister Broomes had opened her home to Demonick and her family when the fire struck on March 7, 2018. One of Demonick’s neighbours, Chandini (only name given), has been assisting the fire victims. “I had a home that I bought, a land up the road, an old house, I told them they could utilise it…subsequently they did so,” she told reporters. On Wednesday, in the presence of the minister, Chandini presented Demonick with an undisclosed sum of cash to assist her with the rebuilding of her home.

To date, the family has received support from Minister Broomes, the Ministry of Social Protection, Food For The Poor, GAFOORS and a number of public-spirited Guyanese.

Demonick and her children were among close to 30 persons who were affected as a result of the fire which destroyed three buildings. According to reports, the fire originated in the southern half of Lot 185 Pike Street, Kitty, completely gutting an old wooden house which housed seven apartments.

The fire quickly spread to nearby houses located both east and west of the said property. No one was injured, neither was there any loss of life.

North West man on $350,000 bail on rape charge CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday released a 25-year-old North West District man on $350,000 bail for alleged rape.

Stephan Belle, of Water Front, Port Kaituma, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on July 14, 2018, at Kaituma, he engaged in sexual activity with a 12-year-old girl.

He was not represented by an attorney and was

subsequently released on $350,000 bail. The matter was transferred to the Mathews Ridge Magistrate’s Court for August 7.

According to reports, the teen and Belle were known to each other and she was lured to his Port Kaituma home. It is alleged that the child was forced into having sex with Belle and she later told her social worker who reported the matter to the police.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

Collective work vital for stronger businesses – One-Stop Business Conference hears

By Lisa Hamilton HUNDREDS of business-oriented Afro-Guyanese turned out to a free One-stop Business Conference on Wednesday to learn how they could position themselves to thrive in the business sector.

The event was hosted by the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly of Guyana (IDPAD-G), in conjunction with the African Business Roundtable (ABR) and the Nile Valley Economic Community (Nivalecom).

It took place at the Critchlow Labour College auditorium, which could have scarcely accommodated the large number which turned out.

The small-business owners and self-employed had the opportunity to meet and pose questions to several representatives from agencies critical to business ventures in both the public and private sectors.

Some of the agencies present included the Small Business Bureau (SBB); the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); commercial banks and credit unions; the Commercial Registry; Lands and Surveys; the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA), the National Insurance Scheme (NIS); the New Building Society (NBS); and

President of the African Business Roundtable (ABR) Eric Phillips (Samuel Maughn photo)

International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly of Guyana (IDPAD-G) Chairman Vincent Alexander (Samuel Maughn photo)

Hundreds of Afro-Guyanese at the One-stop Business Conference hosted at the Critchlow Labour College auditorium on Wednesday (Samuel Maughn photo)

representatives of the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture

and Natural Resources.

Delivering opening re-

marks, Chairman of IDPAD-G, Vincent Alexander,

told the gathering that the time is now for African-Guy-

anese to change their setbacks in the business sector through knowledge-sharing.

“We know that one of the areas that African-Guyanese have been disadvantaged is in the area of business and we have got to repair that.

We have got to fix that during this decade. We are hoping that today’s activity is a small step in that direction…. What we’ve done today is to bring you together, to share with you the knowledge of what are essential requirements if you’re going to be engaged in business,” he said.

Alexander made it clear that the event was not one to distribute funds, but rather to educate Afro-Guyanese on how they can best position themselves to acquire such.

“Today you’re not going to get loans, today you’re not going to get grants, but today your eyes are going to be opened to the possibility of loans, to the possibility of grants.

“We are saying to you, today, that we are committed to working with organisations and with the government to make it easier, hereafter, for you to get grants and for you to get loans, because that has been a major obstacle for African businesses,” he said.

Meanwhile, President of the ABR, Eric Phillips, encouraged the audience to be aware of their Afro-economic heroes both locally and abroad, Turn to page 18►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

Over 70 VSOs for hinterland communities

By Lisa Hamilton THE Education Ministry and Peace Corps Guyana have signed a seven-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see over 70 volunteers providing educational services to several hinterland communities for the first time.

The Peace Corps volunteers will be addressing educational needs in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Six, Seven, Nine and 10, living with host families and working alongside teachers in primary and secondary schools.

The signing of the agreement marks the renewal of bilateral partnerships between Guyana and the organization, which dates back to 1966. From then to now, over 900 Peace Corps volunteers have served in the country.

At the ministry’s boardroom on Wednesday, Education Minister Nicolette Henry said the relationship between the Education Ministry and Peace Corps Guyana has been cordial. Both organisations have worked to achieve mutual goals and objectives.

She said the agreement will help to strengthen the capacity and capabilities of the country’s school systems; the mutual relationships between agencies and Education Ministry’s main goals.

“When we come together and we forge strong partnerships and collaborations only good things can happen; and in this instance our common goals and objectives are clearly mapped out in this document,” Henry said.

The minister added that with continued reinforcement of the ministry’s focal areas, the existing disparity of learning between students in the hinterland and coastal regions will eventually be reduced.

The new partnership will see the volunteers serving as Primary Literacy Promoters for grades One to Four, teaching children to read, enhancing the learning environments and supporting parents and guardians.

Meanwhile, secondary schoolchildren between ages 10 to 14 will be taught how to adopt lifeskills and healthy behaviours and will be exposed to youth camps and clubs.

At the same time, environmental volunteers will work in primary schools to co-deliver the national science curriculum, while focusing on learning through

enquiry and collaboration with community members to establish wildlife clubs.

In addition, the Peace Corps volunteers will work to advance the ministry’s National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) pilot Literacy Project, Education and Sustainable Development Project and the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curriculum.

FRUITFUL CONSULTATIONS These new additions arise as a result of a yearlong reviewing and updating of the previous MoU through consultations with a variety of stakeholders to determine possible improvements.

When questioned about the absence of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) in the list of regions Peace Corps Guyana intends to target, Country Director Kury Cobham said that this is a result of the challenging infrastructure.

“It’s not that we don’t want to go there, it’s just our ability right now. The infrastructure for Region Eight has been a challenge for us to ensure that we’re able to provide the support for volunteers there… but we hope to do so in the future,” she said.

The Peace Corps has made arrangements to attend a session in October with representatives from the National Toshaos Council (NTC) to further discuss their ability to return to the region.

Making remarks, too, was the US ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway, who stated that the new MoU comes at a pivotal time as Guyana seeks to strengthen its quality of education countrywide.

He also encouraged Guyanese youths, as oil approaches, to position themselves to meet the demands which will increase for educators as the government invests more in the development of schools.

“We’re here to stay, if we’re welcomed to stay, and I want to thank the ministry and her team, because without their efforts we could not do any of this,” he said.

Peace Corps currently has 40 volunteers in the country, while 37 more will be sworn in on August 15, 2018, following their 10week training on the Essequibo Coast The work of the volunteers is guided by a logical

Education Minister Nicolette Henry accepts the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from US ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway. They stand along with Peace Corps Guyana Country Director Kury Cobham (left) and Deputy Chief Education Officer of (Admin), Ingrid Trotman (Samuel Maughn photo)

project framework which stipulates the rationale, goals, objectives and activities they will undertake over a period of time.

This year, along with the objectives of the Education Ministry, Peace Corps volunteers will assist the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of the Presidency with projects in adolescent health and well-being; maternal and child health; environmental education; and natural resource protection.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday July 26, 2018

Police say man tried to ‘pull a con’ on house owner

A 64-year-old man Wednesday appeared before a city magistrate on a fraud charge The charge alleged that on September 18, 2015, at

Robb and Oronoque Streets in Georgetown, Wesley Cornette obtained money by false pretense, claiming that he was the owner of a property located at 27-32 Aubrey

Barker Street, North Ruimveldt.

The construction worker, who resides at Stevedore Housing Scheme, denied the charge that was read out to

him in court by the senior magistrate.

The police prosecutor said the defendant told the virtual complainant that he was the owner of the property

which rightfully belonged to Romeo Devonish. He tried to sell the building for five million dollars but didn’t succeed. A report was made and the defendant was arrested.

The prosecutor asked that

substantial bail be granted to the defendant.

Bail was granted by Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the sum of $150,000 and the matter was adjourned to July 30, 2018.

From to page 16 ►

Collective work vital ... referring to the race as the “world’s first business people.”

NOTHING NEW “Economic power is nothing new to us. We’ve been deprived of it for a lot of reasons and during this decade we need to come together and create economic wealth, not just economic wealth, but generational wealth,” he challenged.

He also urged the public to prepare for Guyana’s oil economy by branching out into new markets and “to work in clusters” to achieve even more.

“We have to look within this oil economy, we have to look within the existing economy and create our own vision. Too many of us are growing the same things, too many of us are doing the same things, that cannot create wealth,” he said.

He added: “We need to work in clusters, too many of us are working individually, we can’t do that. Our culture from the village movement is about working in corps, working collectively.”

Addressing the conference too was SBB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lowell Porter, who told the gathering that while grants have been exhausted due to the completion of recent projects, the bureau is still making itself available to provide assistance in helping businesses to acquire loans.

Porter said there are only two banks, one locally owned and one internationally-owned, which support the SBB and, as such, called for the government to be involved in the push for a change in this tide.

“We only have two banks that said ‘we will support the small businesses’… maybe the government should make it that in some way when these banks come to operate in Guyana, [ask] how many of them are interested in supporting small businesses. We have to push that agenda,” he said.

The CEO also used his time to promote the services available at the SBB and encouraged those present to visit the office to know how they can be assisted in any way.

Speaking too was head of Nivalecom, Patrick Zephyr, who informed the gathering about the organisation registered in July 2018 to serve as a bridge for Guyanese to access business services and benefits.

In his remarks, he said the black community is still “haemorrhaging money” which ought to be circulated throughout communities for their benefit.

“The black community is haemorrhaging. It is losing money all the time. When money comes into this community, it passes through, it is not staying there and circulating and developing and strengthening the community,” he stated.

Zephyr said this would not change unless Afro-Guyanese learn to work together to support themselves, their businesses and their communities collectively.

GRA representatives, the Commercial Deeds Registry and Citizens Bank also addressed the attendees, giving them information on how to become compliant, register their businesses and acquire loans.

As the opening ceremony concluded, clearing the way for the public to visit the various booths available, the Guyana Chronicle spoke with a few persons who came out to the event.

They suggested that the next conference be held at a larger venue and more information be provided on the acquisition of loans and grants.

Meanwhile, others commended the initiative as one which would assist them in launching their businesses and forming joint partnerships with others for greater profits.

The conference is one of three to be convened in the country, as the second will be held in Linden on Saturday, July 28 and, the third, at Rose Hall in the coming week.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 26, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 26, 2018

Hetmyer’s brilliant 125...

At that stage, Hetmyer, the former Windies youth captain looked in good touch, and together with Powell, gave the innings the much-needed boost.

The two paced their innings well as they looked to build a partnership. They slowly accelerated the run-rate between the 30th and 40th over, striking five boundaries, including Hetmyer’s first six, pulled over midwicket.

The left-hander then struck three more sixes, but was put down on 79

by Shakib Al Hasan in the 43rd over, which saw the ball popped over the fielder’s right shoulder for a six.

After Powell’s dismissal, the Windies lost their last five wickets for 47 runs, but not before Hetmyer smashed 22 in the 48th over from Rubel Hossain.

Bangladesh bowled well in patches, with Hossain finishing with figures of 3 for 61. Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman took two wickets each while there was one each for Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mortaza, who started very well with the ball once again.

The tourists’ openers Anamul Haque and Tamim Iqbal took the attack to the Windies pacers by flaying three fours and two sixes in the first two overs.

Haque struck two fours and a six in his 9-ball 23 before he was bowled by Alzarri Joseph, at 32-1.

Tamim Iqbal had stepped it up after Anamul’s wicket, along with Shakib Al Hasan in rotating the strike well, to register Bangladesh fastest fifty in ODI cricket off just 28 balls.

FROM BACK PAGE The pair set about the task of seriously challenging the target, and their cause was assisted considerably by some poor bowling from the Windies.

At the end of the 15th over, the run rate had dipped but it was still above six. The required rate on the other hand, was well under control, and Bangladesh’s seasoned campaigners --Shakib and Tamim -- utilised the momentum from Anamul’s cameo.

They pair shared 97 runs for the second-wicket and in the process, Tamim registered his fifty, but the momentum of the game continued to shift from one side to the other.

For a moment, the pair was looking extremely ominous, but the introduction of Devendra Bishoo in the 25th over provided Windies with the crucial breakthrough which changed the course of the run chase significantly.

The wily leg-spinner had Tamim stumped for 54, but Bangladesh then had two lbw decisions overturned – one by Shakib Al Hasan and the other

by Mahmudullah. However, the Windies two spinners – Bishoo and Ashley Nurse--got tremendous assistance from the pitch, resulting in Nurse claiming the wicket of Shakib for 56, to finish his spell with figures of 1-34 off his ten overs, while Bishoo had 1-39 off his ten.

Rahim(68), then shared in two important partnerships – an 87-run fourth-wicket stand with Mahmudullah (39), and then 32 for the fifth-wicket with Sabbir Rahman, but the tourists came up short at the end.

SCOREBOARD

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES innings C Gayle lbw b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 29 E Lewis lbw b Mashrafe Mortaza 12 S Hope †c Sabbir Rahman b Shakib Al Hasan 25 S Hetmyer run out (Mehidy Hasan Miraz/†Mushfiqur Rahim) 125 J Mohammed c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Rubel Hossain 12 R Powell b Rubel Hossain 44 J Holder (c) st †Mushfiqur Rahim b Shakib Al Hasan 7 A Nurse c Tamim Iqbal b Mustafizur Rahim 3 K Paul c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Rubel Hossain 4 D Bishoo b Mustafizur Rahman 0 A Joseph not out 1 Extras: (lb 6, nb 1, w 2) 9 Total: (all out; 49.3 overs) 271 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-55, 3-77, 4-102, 5-205, 6-224, 7-236, 8-241, 9-242, 10-271 Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 9-044-1, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 10-340-1, Mustafizur Rahim 8.3-0-44-2 Mosaddek Hossain 4-0-31-0, Shakib Al Hasan 9-1-45-2, Rubel Hossain 9-0-61-3

BANGLADESH innings Tamim Iqbal st †Hope b Bishoo 54 Anamul Haque b Joseph 23 Shakib Al Hasan c Paul b Nurse 56 Mustafizur Rahim c Paul b Holder 68 Mahmudullah run out (Nurse/ Holder) 39 Sabbir Rahman c Hetmyer b Paul 12 Mosaddek Hossain not out 3 Mashrate Mortaza not out 1 Extras: (b1, lb4, w7) 12 Total: (six wickets; 50 overs) 268 Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-129, 3-145, 4-232 Bowling: Joseph 6-0-55-1, Holder 10-0-66-1, Nurse 10-0-34-1, Paul 7-0-43-1, Gayle 7-0-26-0, Bishoo 10-0-39-1.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 26, 2018

Thomas close to Tour de France title as Froome cracks in stage finale

By Julien Pretot

SAINT-LARY-SOULAN, France (Reuters) - Britain’s Geraint Thomas extended his Tour de France lead as Chris Froome’s hopes of a record-equalling fifth title were hanging by a thread after the defending champion was dropped in the finale of yesterday’s 17th stage.

Colombian Nairo Quintana attacked at the foot of the final climb up to the Col du Portet to snatch a prestigious victory, 28 seconds ahead of Ireland’s Dan Martin, but all eyes were on yellow jersey holder Thomas and four-time champion Froome. Froome, attempting a first Giro d’Italia-Tour double in 20 years, cracked two km from the finish when Dutchman Tom Dumoulin attacked, and slipped from second to third overall.

Thomas, who took third

place 47 seconds off the pace, now leads Dumoulin by 1:59 and Froome by 2:31 and is widely expected to hand Team Sky their sixth Tour title in seven years.

F r o o m e ’s h o p e s a r e hanging by a thread after he crossed the line 1:35 off the pace as he does not seem to have the legs to overturn the deficit and might not be allowed to by his team after Thomas emerged as the clear leader in the British squad.

Froome’s last hope appears to rest on whether Thomas cracks in the last mountain stage tomorrow, which seems unlikely after the Welshman proved stronger in all three summit finishes.

Organisers had set up a grid start at the foot of the first climb but, while it often brings excitement in Formula One, it was a for-

who strengthened his lead in the mountain classification.

Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas of Britain celebrates on the podium, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey.

(REUTERS/Stephane Mahe)

gettable moment here, with the peloton being well-organised after a few hundred metres.

Team Sky controlled the pace as several riders at-

tacked in the Montee de Peyragudes, a 14.9-km ascent at an average gradient of 6.7 percent.

Among them was France’s Julian Alaphilippe,

BARDET CRACKS Romain Bardet’s AG2RLa Mondiale team upped the pace in the second climb, the Col du Val Louron Azet (7.4km at 8.3 percent), to shake up the peloton and hoped to drop several Team Sky domestiques but they failed.

Those tactics even backfired in the last ascent, a 16-km effort at an average gradient of 8.7 percent, as the Frenchman cracked and had no team mate left to help him.

At the foot of that last effort, Quintana jumped away in impressive style followed

by Martin who quickly found himself unable to sustain the pace of the twice Tour runner-up.

With 14km left, Slove-

nia’s fourth-placed Primoz Roglic also attacked and was immediately followed

by Froome. The duo opened a small gap before being reined in by the yellow jersey group thanks to the work of Dumoulin protecting his podium place.

Froome started to suffer and he was briefly distanced 2.5km from the top on another Roglic attack.

Dumoulin’s acceleration then buried Froome, who even had trouble holding his team mate Egan Bernal’s wheel. Thomas finally made his point, accelerating with about 400 metres left to drop Dumoulin and Roglic.

World champion Peter Sagan suffered a spectacular crash in the descent from the Col du Val Louron but remounted his bike and made the time cut, his jersey torn to pieces.

Serena alleges victim of ‘discrimination’ over drug tests (REUTERS) - Serena Williams has accused anti-doping authorities of “discrimination” because of the frequency with which she has been selected for random drug tests.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner had previously described her treatment by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) as shocking and raised questions about the number of times she had been tested this year.

Williams expressed her frustration again on Tues-

Serena Williams returned to tennis in February after a year out, during which she gave birth to her first child.

day after a visit from doping officials. “... and it’s that time of the day to get “randomly” drug-tested and only test Serena,” the 36-year-old wrote on Twitter.

“Out of all the players it’s been proved I’m the one getting tested the most. Discrimination? I think so. At least I’ll be keeping the sport clean.”

A report published by website Deadspin in June revealed Williams had already been tested on five occasions

Ex-England & Middlesex wicketkeeper John Murray dies aged 83

John Murray played 21 Tests for England between 1961 and 1967, scoring one century.

EX-Middlesex and England wicketkeeper John Murray has died at the age of 83.

Only Bob Taylor (1 649) has claimed more wicket-keeping dismissals in firstclass cricket than Murray (1 527), who played 21 Tests for England. Murray was taken ill after watching Middlesex beat Warwickshire in a County Championship game at Lord’s on Tuesday.

He played 508 firstclass games and 147 oneday matches for Middlesex, who described him as “one

of its greatest cricketers”.

Middlesex president John Emburey added: “He is undoubtedly the finest wicketkeeper in the history of the club.

“He was a Middlesex man through and through and he continued to serve the club magnificently after retirement as a committee man, confidant and, most of all supporter.

“In many ways, it was fitting that his last day was spent at Lord’s enjoying a Middlesex victory.” (BBC Sport)

in 2018 while other American players had been tested once or not at all.

Williams, who gave birth to daughter Olympia 10 months ago, is working

American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Modem Race 2 Generalist Race 3 Quality Time Race 4 Summer Fling Race 5 Imperatore Race 6 Tigalalu Race 7 Riverboat Gambler Race 8 Hollywood Handsome Race 9 Long Haul Bay

her way back on tour and her remarkable run to the Wimbledon final ensured she returned to the world’s top 30 in the WTA rankings this month.

English Racing Tips Sandown 08:50 hrs Venedegar 09:20 hrs La Pelosa 09:55 hrs Mt Augustus 10:25 hrs Flight Of Fantasy 11:00 hrs Fannie By Gaslight 11:30 hrs King’s Slipper 12:00 hrs Duke Of North

South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:30 hrs Petite Aime 09:05 hrs Poormanslady 09:40 hrs Jubilee Line 10:15 hrs Wottahottie 10:50 hrs Mount Keith

Doncaster 12:15 hrs Vicenzo Coccotti 12:50 hrs Midnight Sands 13:25 hrs Its’Afreebee 14:00 hrs Island Cloud 1430 hrs Raaqyah 15:00 Right Direction 15:35 hrs Jonboy

Irish Racing Tips Leopardstown 12:30 hrs Cedars Of Lebanon 13:00 hrs Crockford 13:35 hrs Goddess 14:10 hrs Anthony Van Dyck 14:40 hrs Rince Deireanach 15:10 hrs Bandua 15:45 hrs Siempre Amigos

Newbury 12:35 hrs Duke Of Yorkshire 13:10 hrs Legends Of War 13:40 hrs To The Moon 14:15 hrs Tahreek 14:45 hrs Leading Spirit 15:20 hrs Power To Exceed 15:50 hrs Ragstone View

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 26, 2018

Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets win super-over thriller against Blairmont Blazers

By: Colin Bynoe

THE Roy Fredericks Floodlight Cup ‘REVOLUTION’, organised by the Blairmont Centre Cricket Club (BCCC), ended in high drama with a last-ball hit in the super-over encounter that burst the fingers of the long-on fielder of Blairmont Blazers and which eventually resulted in a six, last Saturday evening under floodlights at the historic Albion Sports Complex.

The day’s action saw Albion Cricket Club (ACC) do battle against Port Mourant Titans (PMT) in match one with the home team Albion easily getting the better of their counterparts.

Titans won the toss and elected to field, and home team Albion wasted no time in the 10-over affair, as they dished out 101-3 off their 10 over allotment with S. Chaitraine top-scoring with 29.

In reply, Titans could manage only 79-7 when their overs expired.

In match two, Rose Hall

Town Gizmos & Gadgets (RHTG&G) batted first against Young Warriors and rattled up a very challenging score of 131 off their 10 overs with A. Naidu blasting a top score of 42, supported by Troy Matterson 34.

When Young Warriors took the crease they found the going rough as Keith Simpson and Larose stifled their reply with two wickets apiece. The Young Warriors team eventually ended with 82-7 off 10 overs.

In match three, Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) beat the Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club (RHCCCC) by seven wickets. RHCCCC took first strike and churned out a modest score of 74-6 in 10 overs. UCCA reached the total with ease 76-3, M Lalu scoring 49 not out.

In the first 15-over-perside semi-final, Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets defeated Albion Community Centre by 43 runs. Batting first RHTG&G made a testing score of 114-9, Albion were

Winners of the 2018 edition of The Roy Fredericks Floodlight Cup ‘REVOLUTION’ Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets

reduced to 71-7 with Keith Simpson again being the main destroyer with 2 for 9.

The second semi-final saw Blairmont Blazers go up against Upper Corentyne Cricket Association. The Blazers won by 27 runs and entered into the grand final.

Blazers took to the crease and blasted a demanding total of 154 with Imran Khan pummelling an attractive 67 with good support form Kevon Jawahir 32.

UCCA managed only 127

when their overs ended, as D. Budhoo and P. Persaud showed some resistance with 45 and 25 respectively.

The highly anticipated final resulted in a much-talked about super-over encounter.

In the coin toss RHTG&G won the toss and opted to take first strike, Eon Hooper and Troy Matterson had scores of 32 and 27 to take their team to a workable total of 99 for the loss of six wickets when their 10-over allotment ended. Bowling for Blairmont

Blazers, Shabeer Baksh and Deven Clements took 2 wickets each.

In reply, Blairmont Blazers may have thought that a score of 100 would be chased with ease.

They started their reply in high spirits but disciplined bowling from tournament-leading wicket-taker Keith Simpson 3 for 15 and clever support form Eon Hooper stalled Blairmont’s charge. They ended the 10over affair tied on 99/7. Imran Khan blasted his second half-century in as many games - 59 for the Blazers.

The tie meant that a super over will have to break the deadlock.

In the super over Blazers scored 11. RHTG&G responded with a last-ball six that eluded the fielder on the boundary and went for six.

This sent their supporters into frenzy. The RHTG&G held their nerves to take home the Roy Firebricks ‘Revolution’ 2018 winning Trophy.

At the presentation Awards were given to players who performed well: MAN-OF-THE-MATCH FINAL: KEITH SIMPSON (ROSEHALL) IMRAN KHAN (BLAIRMONT) BATSMAN OF TOURNAMENT

IMRAN KHAN 135 RUNS

BOWLER OF TOURNAMENT

KEITH SIMPSON 7 WKT

MOST SIX

IMRAN KHAN (13)

BEST CATCH

PARMANAND RAMDHAN

India recover to close on White ball Inter-county softball 322-6 after sticky start set for Keele Top on Saturday

ham a day earlier than planned, with the Test at Edgbaston starting next Wednesday.

With the match shortened, India have all 18 members of the squad available to bat and bowl in what is no longer a first-class fixture.

They struggled against the new ball. Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara edged behind in successive Matt Coles overs, while Essex dropped Dinesh Kartihik was unbeaten three slip catches off Vijay and on 82 at the close.

Ajinkya Rahane.

INDIA recovered from a sticky However, the tone changed start on the first day of their after Rahane nicked Matt Quinn, warm-up match against Essex signalling the arrival of Kohli. at Chelmsford.

The skipper instantly looked in A week before the first Test fine touch, his calmness rubbing against England begins, the off on Vijay. tourists were reduced to 5-2 and Their stand ended when 44-3.

Vijay was bowled by left-armer But they were steadied by Paul Walter. Soon after, it was a classy 68 from captain Virat a surprise when a loose Kohli Kohli, who added 90 with opener drive at Walter resulted in an Murali Vijay (53). edge to first slip.

KL Rahul pushed his Test Still, from 147-5, any sugclaims with 58, while Dinesh gestion of an India wobble was Karthik ended unbeaten on 82 quashed by a stand of 114 beas India closed on 322-6. tween Rahul and Karthik.

The match was reduced from After Rahul was caught in four days to three at the request the deep from the left-arm spin of India, who were concerned off Aron Nijjar, Karthik made about the hot weather and the serene progress to the close in tight nature of their schedule. the company of Hardik PanThey will travel to Birming- dya. (BBC Sport)

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – The second annual white ball Inter-county tournament, featuring Demerara, Berbice, Essequibo and a select Canadian All Stars combination, is set for Saturday at Keele Top, North York, Toronto starting at 12:30hrs.

The brainchild of former Guyana captain and Canadian national Damodar Daesrath, the 20-over affair is expected to once again provide much excitement and spectacular performances.

According to the released fixtures, Berbice will clash with Essequibo while Demerara and All Stars battle simultaneously on adjoining grounds.

The two winners will then meet in the grand final.

Last year’s winners Canadian All Stars will once again be led by former West Indies one-day and Guyana all-rounder Royston Crandon, whose heroics spurred them to a crushing seven-wicket victory over the much-vaunted Berbice line-up.

Crandon, who plies his trade during the summer in Canada, has been in fine form for both Vikings in the Toronto & District Super 9 League and Hawaiian Arctic in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Elite division this season.

In a brilliant all-round performance in the inaugural tournament, Crandon took two for 16 from 2.3 overs and scored an undefeated 33

as his team romped to an easy win.

Organiser Daesrath, who pointed out that a lot of planning has gone into the tournament, is quite confident of its success. Daesrath himself will skipper the Berbice side and feels his side has what it takes to emerge tops this time around.

The tournament has as its main sponsors Canadian Surplus Guyana, Caribbean Lyme Restaurant, JDG Tooling, Dent Wizard, S&G Glass Insulation, PGI Limited, 24 Hours Glass System, T/S Enterprise, IR Construction, Tropical Nights Restaurant, Caribbean Sensation and Santa Maria.

The winners are set to take away Cdn$2 000 and the Canadian Surplus trophy while the runners-up will take home Cdn$500 and the Dent Wizard trophy. Several other incentives are up for grabs and these include the most valuable player (MVP) in the final Tropical Night Restaurant trophy; most runs in the final - Caribbean Sensation trophy; most wickets in the final - S&G Glass Insulation trophy; most runs in the tournament - JDG Tooling trophy; most wickets in the tournament - Caribbean Lyme Restaurant trophy; highest individual score - PGI Ltd trophy; best catch in the tournament - T/S Enterprise trophy; MVP Berbice vs Essequibo 24 Hours Glass System trophy; MVP Demerara vs Canadian All Stars - IR Construction trophy and batsman with

the most sixes in the final - Santa Maria trophy.

Following are the teams: Berbice -- Damodar Daesrath (captain), Riaz Kadir, Farouk Hussain, Harrienarine Chattergoon, Hemnarine Chattergoon, Yadram Bogh, Andy Persaud, Nishal Dais, Aftab Shamsudeen, Muniram Karran, Fizul Haniff, Anil Kumar, Lindon Persaud and Anil Seecharran.

Azad Lall (manager). Essequibo - Ravin Babulall (captain), Raja Pooran, Javed Parsram, Wasim Parsram, Raymond Isahack, Imtiaz Moursalien, Javed Gaznabi, Devon Ramnauth, Narindra Mandolall, Steve Ramdas, Anand Munilal, Anil Veerasammy and Richard Mahase. Bobby Ramlagan (manager).

Canadian All-Stars - Royston Crandon (captain), Looknauth Ramsuchit (vice-captain), Shaun Deonandan, Reyaz Prahalad, Rishi Samuel, Surujnarine Kandasammy, Rawle Scott, Rabindra Diaram, Zakir Khan, Randy Roopnarine, Bolanauth Sukhu and Terrance Van Sertima. Iqbal Rahaman (trainer), Danny Sukhnandan (coach) and Pream Punwasi (manager).

Demerara -- Troy Gobin (captain), Parmanand Vernon, Zaheer Haniff, Uniss Yusuf, Avinash Sookdeo, Anil Mahadeo, Surujpaul Deosarran, Krishna Deosarran, Eon Katchay, Satrohan Balkarran, Richard Dias, Ian Baldeo, Gavin Glasgow and Ramo Malone. Orin O’Neil (manager).

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 26, 2018

‘Reds’ Perreira tells MSC Academy students: hard work brings success

HARD work was the overriding theme yesterday when St Lucia-based Guyanese Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira addressed close to 100 participants at the Malteenoes Cricket Academy in Thomas Lands. as he concluded his one-week stay in Guyana.

The 79-year-old Reds spoke to children between the ages of 6 and 18 for just over 30 minutes and emphasised the importance of hard work and dedication in order to achieve success not only in cricket but also in whatever they do in life.

Reds told the large gathering that as a boy living in the Pomeroon River in Essequibo, he had no TV or cell phones but he would listen to cricket on a small transistor radio before coming to the city to start his commentary

career.

The former adviser to Sport Minister Shirley Field-Ridley in the Forbes Burnham Government, told the students, which included several girls, that they are the lucky ones to be growing in a time when there are all sorts of gadgets including phones, Ipads, tablets and computers.

“Having these things is a good thing and a bad thing since while it will give you more opportunity to learn it also reduces the time you spend speaking with each other,” said Reds, after all had raised their hands when asked how many of them owned cell phones.

“People sit next to each other and chat on WhatsApp while young children spend all day on the internet (on YouTube) which could affect their school work and phys-

West Indies to make first full tour of Bangladesh in six years WEST Indies are set to visit Bangladesh in November and December this year for their first full tour of the country since 2012.

There will be a twoday practice match before the tour kicks off with two Tests. Three ODIs and three T20Is follow.

West Indies’ visit means Bangladesh will have a packed home season, with Zimbabwe touring in October and the Bangladesh Premier League scheduled in January.

The November-December window had been left empty due to the general elections scheduled in the country at that time, but, as things stand now, the West Indies series will happen alongside the elections.

The last match West Indies played in Bangladesh was during the 2014 World T20. Their last bilateral tour of the country was in

2012-13. West Indies had blanked Bangladesh 2-0 in the Test series then, but the home side fought back to take the ODI series 3-2, while West Indies ended the tour with victory in the solitary T20I. The two sides are currently playing each other in the West Indies, where the home side brushed Bangladesh aside 2-0 in the two Tests but the visitors came back to win the first ODI of the ongoing three-match series. The teams will also play three T20Is.(ESPN Cricinfo).

TOUR ITINERARY 1st Test, Nov 22-26, Chittagong 2nd Test, Nov 30-Dec 4, Mirpur 1st ODI, Dec 9, Mirpur 2nd ODI, Dec 11, Mirpur 3rd ODI, Dec 14, Sylhet 1st T20I, Dec 17, Sylhet 2nd T20I, Dec 20, Mirpur 3rd T20I, Dec 22, Mirpur

Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira talks to students yesterday, at the Malteenoes Cricket Academy.

ical activities. Parents must ensure that their children live a balanced life and it is very good that you have brought your kids here,” said Reds.

The veteran cricket commentator said that educa-

tion is very important even if they become successful cricketers since there is life after cricket and encouraged them to stay in school, do their homework and work hard on their cricket devel-

opment.

“There are s o many things you could learn here apart from cricket skills but focus on what the people that come to teach you things say, and pay attention to and have

respect for your coaches.”

He interacted with the participants and asked questions about what he had said and when the students were told to raise their hands if they were honest only one boy did not do so.

“It’s good that you are honest about not being honest but you have to start trying to be honest from today if you want to succeed,” Reds, who commentated on 147 Test matches.

“You have worked with each as a team and don’t be selfish, respect your teammates, those you play against and the umpires. You can win every time and when you lose try to learn from what you did wrong,” added Reds who ended by asking what brings success?

“HARD WORK” everyone shouted in unison.

Smith to join Barbados Tridents for upcoming CPL STEVEN Smith is set to play his second T20 tournament after being axed from Australian cricket for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal.

Smith has now signed with Barbados Tridents for the upcoming CPL season after he played the Global T20 Canada tournament earlier this month.

S m i t h w i l l re p l a c e Shakib Al Hasan in the Tridents squad as the Bangladesh all-rounder is no longer available for the tournament.

“It is a huge blow to lose Shakib for the tournament but in Steve Smith we have a truly world-class replacement who can help to bring power to our batting lineup,” Tridents coach Robin Singh said. “As a man who has played cricket at the highest level all over the world we are very confident that Smith will be a big success with the Tridents.”

David Warner, who was also banned for one year from Australian cricket like Smith, is going to represent St Lucia Stars in the CPL. After Smith was banned

by Cricket Australia in March, he returned to competitive cricket in June to represent Toronto Nationals

Steven Smith

in the Global T20 Canada tournament and scored a half-century in his first match. Even though his team finished last overall, Smith played six innings and scored 167 runs with two fifties at an average of 33.40 and strike rate of 119.28.

On his return to the field, Smith had spoken about how he had been making “horrible decisions” in the aftermath of last summer’s Ashes series, culminating in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal.

Last month, Darren Sammy had asked the media to get off Smith’s back because of the heightened attention he attracted since

the ball-tampering fiasco. A day later, Smith’s compatri-

ot Shane Watson stated he wanted Cricket Australia to allow Smith and Warner to play in the Big Bash League if they were participating in other leagues.

Tridents had an unimpressive season last year when they finished second-last with four wins from 10 matches. This season, they will be led by Jason Holder, who will take over from Kieron Pollard.

The CPL will run from August 8 to September 16 this time, with Tridents’ first match on August 13 against Guyana Amazon Warriors. (ESPN Cricinfo)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday July 26, 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 Tuesday’s quiz: (1) Kingstown, St. Vincent, 2004 (2) 10 ODI games Today’s Quiz: (1) What has been the result of the second ODI of the current WI/BANG series?

(2) Who was voted Man of the Match at the end of the second ODI of the Current WI/BANG series?

Answer in tomorrow's issue

26 26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 26, 2018

Gold is Money vs Tiger Bay should be a gem DEFENDING champions West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ will take on Tiger Bay in the feature game of tonight’s final stanza in Round-of-16 action in the GT Beer/Keep Your Five Alive’ Indoor Competition which is being played at the National Gymnasium.

The reigning title holders have looked a bit shaky in defence of their crown and tonight’s clash against a strong Tiger Bay unit will definitely provide a stern test and possibly give the best indication as to what shape they are in.

Tiger Bay, who had been plagued by defections over the past year, have witnessed many of their marquee players’ return to

the fold and could be at full strength for the all-important engagement against the champs, especially with a quarter-final spot up for grabs.

In the opening encounter, Linden’s Silver Bullets square off against the experienced Back Circle side and this matchup should provide the perfect start for the night which is anticipated to be packed with exciting action.

This game will be followed by Ol Skool Ballers versus Future Stars and this is a clash between two young teams that will be looking to produce the next star in the shorter format.

The next game has all the makings of a scorcher when Albouystown, another

Downes beats Fagundes for Male GBTI Open title … Fraser is Women’s champion

Jonathan Fagundes in action during the GBTI Open Men’s final. (Samuel Maughn photo)

THE Guyana Lawn Tennis Association’s (GLTA) biggest championship on its calendar - the 2018 GBTI Open - came to a close on Tuesday evening as Anthony Downes downed Jonathan Fagundes to claim the Men’s title while Cristy Campbell was forced to forfeit the Women’s title to Kalyca Fraser.

With intermittent showers flooding the courts, the Men’s final was reduced to ‘Super Sets’. Downes, however, defeated the multi-talented athlete, Jonathon Fagundes, in two sets of 4-0; Fagundes who is better known for his exploits in athletics and

cycling had eliminated top seeds to get to the final.

Earlier in the evening, cramps plagued the in-form Campbell who was forced to forfeit the Women’s final to Kalyca Fraser.

Meanwhile Downes teamed up with Leyland Leacock to overcome Sandeep Chand and Andre Lopes in the Men’s Doubles in sets of 6-1, 6-3.

The GBTI Open started in the 1980s, but due to measures beyond control, it was halted. The tournament restarted in 2010 and the GLTA reported that it has grown bigger every year.

Recent Futsal action at the National Gymnasium

team with players returning to the fold, take on North

East La Penitence.

This could be the most

entertaining game of the night as the latter have al-

ways shown the potential to be a top contender, but discipline has been their Achilles heel and once they can curb their instincts fans are assured of a riveting contest.

Albouystown are known for their consistency and have been knocking on the door for a title and maybe this tournament is the one they get over the line.

A number of exhibition matches are planned, but what is certain is that the battle for quarter-final spots will provide fireworks.

Other sponsors on board are: 94.1 Boom FM, Star Party Rentals, Fireside Grill N Chill, Ravi Investments and Colours Boutique.

Triple Crown winner Justify retired from racing

(REUTERS - Justify, the undefeated winner of U.S. thoroughbred racing’s coveted Triple Crown this year, has been retired from racing, his connections announced yesterday.

The 3-year-old son of Scat Daddy won all of his six career starts, most notably the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes to become only the second Triple Crown winner since 1978.

“Justify had some filling in his ankle, and he is just not responding quickly enough for a fall campaign,” said Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. “We all wanted to see Justify run again, but ultimately it is my responsibility to make sure he is perfect. Without 60-90 days, I can’t be definite.”

Justify broke the ‘Curse of Apollo’ in May when he triumphed at the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, to become the first horse

since Apollo in 1882 to win the Run for the Roses without starting as a 2-year-old.

From there, Justify, ridden by Mike Smith, never looked back as he fended off all challengers to record a wire-to-wire victory at a foggy Preakness Stakes before winning the Belmont Stakes by 1-3/4 lengths.

“Like everyone else, I am disappointed he won’t run again, but I am thankful he came into my life,” said Hall of Fame rider Smith.

“There was never a time when I rode him that I felt like I was going to get beat.

There was no horse who could run with him, without sacrificing themselves, and there was no horse who could come get him. He truly is a gift from God.” Campaigned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners LLC, and Starlight Racing, Justify was pur-

Justify, with jockey Mike Smith aboard, wins the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, U.S., June 9, 2018. (REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo)

chased for $500 000 in 2016 and went on to amass earnings of $3.8 million.

“The timing is bad for another start in 2018, and therefore, we have to retire him,” said WinStar Farm’s Elliott Walden.

“We can’t take the risk of running Justify as a 4-yearold. We all wanted him

to finish his career in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (in November), but it was not meant to be.”

Walden also said there is a possible sale of Justify, who will parade at Del Mar racetrack in California on Saturday, in place that a deal will not be finalised until a later date.

Brazil head coach Tite re-signs until 2022 World Cup TITE will continue as Brazil head coach until the 2022 World Cup, despite the country’s quarter-final exit in Russia.

Brazil were one of the favourites to win the World Cup but the South American giants were surprisingly eliminated 2-1 by Belgium in the last eight at Russia 2018.

However, the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) has opted to stick with Tite heading into the next tournament, which will take place in Qatar.

The CBF has also retained coordinator Edu Gaspar for the same duration.

“They (Tite and Gaspar) have shown alignment

to values we hold dear at CBF, such as talent, competence and dedication,” CBF chief executive Rogerio Caboclo said in a statement yesterday.

Tite replaced Dunga in June 2016 and the 57-yearold has overseen 20 wins, four draws and just two losses in 26 matches.

“I believe CBF has given us the conditions to build an atmosphere of union and extreme professionalism, and that’s what we’ll keep doing,” Tite said.

“It’s a great challenge, and we’re happy to face, already focusing the next matches and competitions.”

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 26, 2018

CAC Games 2018

‘Superman’ Lewis wins opening bout, hockey men through to semi-finals

By Michelangelo Jacobus

GUYANESE boxer Colin ‘Superman’ Lewis beat Nicaraguan Onealdt Mayorga in convincing fashion in their light welterweight (64kg) bout while the Guyana Men’s National hockey team demolished Guatemala 8-0 to book their semi-final spot as the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games continued.

Lewis, who had raucous support from the few Guyanese present, outclassed Mayorga using his greater reach to much effect. In the opening round Lewis came out guns blazing, looking to be the aggressor and landed several thumping head shots. However the Nicaraguan did not back down and replied with a few well-timed punches of his own.

The second round was where Lewis was at his most devastating, landing some crunching body shots which took the fight out of Mayorga who had a standing eight-count.

The third round was just

Guyanese boxer Colin ‘Superman’ Lewis (red) lands a punch on his Nicaraguan opponent Onealdt Mayorga during their light welterweight (64kg) bout.

as entertaining with both fighters trading blows but when the bell rang, all five judges had scored in favour of Lewis.

Lewis will now face Mexico’s Gomez in the quarter-final tomorrow while Keevin ‘Lightning’ Allicock will also take to the ring to face El Salvadorian Christian Jimenez in their Bantamweight (56kg) quarter-final.

HOCKEY After suffering a 2-0 loss

to Mexico on Monday, the Guyanese men rebounded superbly to thrash Guatemala 8-0 sealing their semi-final spot in the process.

The Guyanese played cautiously in the first two quarters notching up a 2-0 lead; Meshach Sargeant opened proceedings in the 15th minute before Randy Hope doubled the lead in the 22nd.

However, a late flurry of goals saw the Guyanese home begin with Jeranzo Bell who

The Guyana Men’s National hockey team qualified for the semi-final of the Male competition in Barranquilla, Colombia.

scored the first of his three goals in the 31st minute.

Aroydy Branford was next to get in on the act netting in the 44th minute before Bell completed his hat-trick in the 46th and 52nd minutes respectively.

Guyana captain Robert France hauled in a late brace to complete the rout finding the back of the net in the 59th and 60th minutes.

The Guyanese will now have to face the top seed (Cuba) from Pool ‘A’ tomor-

RHTYSC assists students with cycles under Patron’s 73rd birthday programme

A representative from VNET Communication hands over one of the bicycles.

THE Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS last Friday provided bicycles to 20 youths as part of an effort to assist them to stay in school and obtain a sound education.

The donation was made under its Patron’s Fund as part of President David Granger 73rd birthday celebration.

The presentation was sponsored by CEO of VNET Communication Sharaz Sherrifudeen and the 10 cricket

teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster in remarks at the presentation stated that last year the club assisted students and sports organisations with millions worth of bicycles, exercise books, cricket balls, sports gear and school bags, while the second edition of the Green Economy Cricket tournament saw $1M in prizes shared out to the top

winners.

This year the BCB is expected to organise the second edition of the Green Economy Trophy while the RHTY&SC would assist youths with school bags, cycles and cricket bats, as part of its countywide ‘Say Yes to Education and Sports’ Campaign.

President Granger, the long-serving Secretary/CEO, stated, has been a remarkable and inspirational Honorary Patron to every member of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation and as such the club is delighted to assist youths to fulfil their potential in sports and in the classroom.

Assistant secretary Simon Naidu stated that the donation was made possible by VNET Communication, who contributed most of the funds, while the teams also assisted financially. He urged the students to cherish the donation and to use them for the intended purpose, which is to attend school.

The students drawn main-

ly from Rose Hall Town, Port Mourant, Hampshire and Williamsburg, expressed gratitude to the RHTY&SC, VNET Communication.

They also expressed 73rd birthday greetings to the President. CEO of VNET Communication Sharaf Sherrifudeen expressed his company’s pleasure to be associated with the RHTY&SC, its cricket teams, and most importantly to assist youths to get to school.

Most of the students were selected by the cricket coaches of the RHTY&SC after attending the club’s 28th Annual Cricket Academy, while the others were nominated by schools in the township.

The RHTY&SC cricket teams would next distribute cricket bats to Under-15 cricketers based on recommendations from clubs around Berbice. Persons who want to nominate youth cricketers can email foster_hilbert@yahoo.com or call the office on 3374562.

row in their semi-final.

The Guyanese women will face Jamaica today as they hunt their first win at the Games.

SQUASH Despite losing to Jamaica, the Guyanese Men’s squash team of Sunil Seth, Nyron Joseph and Jason-Ray Khalil qualified for the quarterfinal of the Team competition when they faced Mexico.

However, they surrendered to the Mexicans 2-0; Sunil Seth lost to Cesar Salazar in sets of

11-8, 11-9, 11-5 while Nyron Joseph was beaten by Alfredo Avila Vergara in sets of 11-1, 11-6, 11-3.

Meanwhile, swimmers Andrew Fowler and Jamila Sanmoogan competed in the Men’s and Women’s 50 metres freestyle but failed to progress beyond the heats despite solid performances.

The 23rd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, which is being hosted in Barranquilla, Colombia, began on July 19 and will run until August 3.

COURTS donates $200 000 in trophies to GPF Athletics Championship

Marketing Manager of COURTS Guyana Inc., Pernell Cummings, hands over the sponsored trophy to the GPF representative.

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) is currently hosting its annual Athletics Championships and COURTS Guyana Inc. is once again pleased to be on board with this event which is one of the most anticipated and exciting championships each year.

This event will feature the best athletes of the Guy-

ana Police Force as they compete with other athletes from Police Forces across the Caribbean.

COURTS, yesterday, at their Main Street, Georgetown headquarters, presented $200 000 in trophies to the mega event as the company advocates for healthy lifestyles through sport.

Hetmyer’s brilliant 125 sets up Windies serieslevelling win

By Rajiv Bisnauth SHIMRON Hetmyer’s composed hundred laid the platform for West Indies’ three-run win over Bangladesh in the second one-day international last evening at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Victory saw the hosts level the three-match series 1-1, ahead of Saturday’s finale at Basseterre, St Kitts.

With eight runs required off the last over, Jason Holder removed top scorer Mushfiqur Rahim off the first ball, and conceded only four runs thereafter, as the hosts held their nerves superbly in a nail-biting finish.

Earlier, Hetmyer gave a reminder of his immense talent, hitting an imperious 93-ball 125, and was the cornerstone of the hosts’ total of 271.

The hundred, his second in ODI cricket, was a combination of clever use of the feet, admirable timing and strokes all around the ground.

At 21, the Berbician engineered a 103-run fifth-wicket stand with Rovman Powell, who contributed a 67-ball 44, which proved crucial, as the Windies blasted 89 off the last 10 overs.

Hetmyer, who brought up his hundred in the 48th over, hit seven sixes and three fours en route to the highest individual ODI score by a Windies batsman at the venue.

He combined with the lower-order after Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Shai Hope and Jason Mohammed failed to give Windies a good start.

Fielding an unchanged team, Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bowl; a decision which may have been influenced by the weather. West Indies, on the other hand, were forced to make one change, with Keemo Paul replacing the injured Andre Russell.

The tourists then capitalised on the toss by removing both openers, Gayle and Lewis inside the first 15 overs.

Lewis (12) cleared the boundary once, pulling Mortaza over square leg, before he was given out leg before wicket by Englishman Richard Illingworth, but he immediately asked for a review of the decision.

However, third umpire Sundaram Ravi of India, after several minutes’ study, decided Illingworth’s verdict should stand.

Gayle, the tall Jamaican, decided to weigh his options. He took calculated risks, hitting three fours and a six, and in the process tried to pace his innings to perfection in order to aid his side, but it wasn’t a typical Gayle innings. The left-hander made 29 off 38 balls when he fell to an ill-advised sweep to off-spinner Mehidy Miraz.

Hope (25) and Mohammed (12) both failed to impress much. Hope checked his drive too early and was taken at extra cover off Shakib Al Hasan, while a circumspect Mohammed was cramped for room and space, to be taken behind the wicket in Rubel Hossain’s first over, as Bangladesh continued to chip away at 102-4.

CONTINUE ON PAGE 22

Shimron Hetmyer celebrates after reaching his second ODI hundred. (Adrian Narine photos)

‘Superman’ Lewis wins opening bout, hockey men through to semi-finals 27 PAGE

The West Indies players celebrate their victory, to level the series 1-1.

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THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2018