Guyana Chronicle E-paper 08-03-2018

FRIDAY 3rd August, 2018

No.105355

President David Granger receives the report into the Lindo Creek massacre from Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, Justice (ret'd), Donald Trotman (Samuel Maughn photo)

Question Jagdeo, Rohee ‌ Lindo Creek CoI recommends

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Man found President

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Gregory Frank

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at Kuru Kururu

backs Bynoe ‌says new energy head has PAGE

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Bandits torch Wismar Post Office

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

President backs new energy head … says Dr. Bynoe has intelligence, experience to manage sector

By Lisa Hamilton PRESIDENT David Granger says that his pick to head the newly created Department of Energy Dr. Mark Bynoe has the necessary intelligence and experience to best manage the impending oil sector.

The President made these remarks on Thursday at State House when he was questioned by the media about Bynoe’s seeming non-experience in the petroleum sector. In response he stated: “We had been researching and we decided on a person who is experienced not necessarily in petroleum but who has the intelligence and the experience to find people who are experienced and who can administer that important industry,” President Granger said. Critics of the government have already lined up to discredit the appointment of Dr. Bynoe.

But on social media, former Minister of Natural Resources under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Robert Persaud said Dr. Bynoe’s appointment

President David Granger speaks with the media about the appointment of Environment and Resource Economist Dr. Mark Bynoe as head of the new Department of Energy (Samuel Maughn photo) is welcomed. “Based on my interactions--in my capacity as a government minister--with Dr. Bynoe, I have always found him to be a consummate professional with a deep sense of commitment to country and the tasks before him. His academic qualifications and wide professional experience speak

for themselves and need no elaboration.”

Persaud chided utterances by many which suggest that Dr. Bynoe lacks the requisite experience to head the department as Guyana prepares for firstoil in the first quarter of see page 8

Question Jagdeo, Rohee about Lindo Creek

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

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…CoI recommends compensation for families

By Lisa Hamilton

THE Commission of Inquiry into the Lindo Creek massacre has recommended that former President Bharrat Jagdeo and former Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee be questioned regarding the action they took following the killings. The CoI has also recommended compensation for the families of the victims.

The announcement was made when Chairman of the Commission, Justice Rtd, Donald Trotman handed over the report to President David Granger at State House. Trotman told the media that while it is not the Commission’s position to hold anyone guilty for the eight slain

public. Other titles named include former Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee and former Commissioner of Police Henry Greene, now deceased.

On June 21, 2008 at Lindo Creek in the Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice region, the charred remains of miners Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Horace Drakes, Bonny Harry, Lancelot Lee, Compton Speirs, Nigel Torres and Clifton Berry Wong were discovered.

Other recommendations coming out of the report include compensation in various ways for the surviving relatives of the deceased which Trotman justified by stating: “The basis for recommending compensation is that many of the families

ommendations are to be implemented and said that after he takes a look at what was presented, he will do so in due time. However, he did note that this his government will not sit idly by in the midst of uninvestigated assassinations or massacres as every citizen of Guyana has the “right to life”.

He noted that during the period of the “troubles” between the years 2000 to 2008 it was a terrible time of 1,317 murders and 7,865 armed robberies which must never be forgotten. As such, he noted that through a series of upcoming investigations, the Government is determined to ensure that the “truth about the troubles” is uncovered and that this results in enhanced public trust in offi-

faded so we don’t want to have an inquiry based on hearsay but we will be looking at all of the massacres,” the President stated.

Other upcoming inquires include the slain Guyanese fishermen on Surinamese territory which the President said is one which will take “high priority” after which smaller individual crimes will be looked into.

“That one we’ll give high priority. I’m not saying it will be the next but we certainly will give high priority to it. Some people are even uncertain how many people are dead. Numbers such as 11, 12 and 14 are being mentioned but my idea is that any events in which such a large number of Guyanese are killed must be investigated.

President David Granger receives the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report from Chairman of the Commission, Justice (ret’d) Donald Trotman (left).

Also present in the photograph are other members of the CoI who attended the ceremony at State House on Thursday morning (Samuel Maughn photo) miners, the body has identified several persons of interest for additional questioning.

“It is not for us to have found anyone culpable but we have identified some persons who in their official capacities, performing their duties as public officers, should be inquired into so that some explanations be given by them as to their conduct and actions or their non-actions during the material times of 2008 and following.”

“That would include persons who were performing the duties of President, Commissioner of Police, Minister of Home Affairs, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and other relevant officers around the particular time,” Trotman said.

During this period Jagdeo served as President while former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds served as acting President at the time when the killings became

have suffered financially from the deaths of their husbands or fathers who were at the time supporting them, they were dependent and now that they have gone, there is no economic and financial support. So we feel that compensation should be given to them and that has been so recommended.”

Meanwhile, the report also recommends the re-opening of some parts of the investigation which took place prior to the Commission being formed which the CoI Chairman said would allow for better access to the truth. “[This is necessary] so that proper measures will be taken which had not been taken in the Commission’s view into getting the truth of some of these allegations that were made and some of these actions that were done,” he said.

Ultimately, the President will have the judgement of selecting which rec-

cers who are responsible for upholding the law.

“My Government will spare no efforts to expose the intellectual authors or the perpetrators of such deadly violence. The truth of the troubles must be determined in order to reinforce a regard for the sanctity of life, respect for the constitution of the law and restoration of public trust,” he said.

Later in an interview with the media, the President continued: “I think most Guyanese are distressed at the number of massacres that we had during that period. I have received a request of a blood relative of Minister Satyadeo Sawh [assassinated] to have that massacre [investigated]. We have to look at the removal of evidence and the removal of witnesses over the years.

“Even this Lindo Creek inquiry might have suffered from the fact that people have migrated or people’s memories might have

“We must not go through as Guyanese citizens sweeping these multiple deaths under the carpet. People must learn to respect one another and we must feel confident that we can live in safety,” he said firmly.

During his presentation speech, Trotman said that while the six-month inquiry was a challenging one, with the help of his devoted team, the commission searched and travelled for truth that could lead to justice.

“This report would not have resulted without the help and cooperation of some committed persons who put service before self and duty before leisure,” he said, later thanking the President, too, stating: “You, Mr. President should feel gratified that you have done the right thing at the right time by authorising the appointment of this Commission.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Emmerson Mnangagwa wins election President Emmerson Mnangagwa has won Zimbabwe’s presidential election, according to the country’s electoral commission.

With all 10 provinces declared, Mr Mnangagwa won 50.8% of votes to 44.3% for opposition leader Nelson Chamisa. Police removed opposition officials from the electoral commission stage

when they rejected the results.

The chairman of Mr Chamisa’s MDC Alliance said the count could not be verified.

By narrowly winning more than 50% of the vote, Mr Mnangagwa avoids a second run-off election against Mr Chamisa. The president said he was “humbled” on Twitter, and called the result “a new beginning”.

Mr Chamisa has insisted he has won the presidential poll, telling reporters earlier on Thursday the ruling Zanu-PF party was “trying to bastardise the result”, something that “we will not allow”.

But the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) said there was “absolutely no skulduggery”.

Opposition supporters

protested in Harare over alleged vote-rigging, which led to six deaths on Wednesday.

The elections were the first since long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, 94, was ousted in November last year. The polls were intended to set Zimbabwe on a new path following Mr Mugabe’s repressive rule.

Harare was a ghost town on Thursday following Wednes-

President Emmerson Mnangagwa

day’s violence, as troops patrolled the city centre ordering people to “behave”.

Mr Mnangagwa said the government was in talks with Mr Chamisa to defuse the crisis and proposed an independent investigation to bring those who were behind the violence to justice. “This land is home to all of us, and we will sink or swim together,” Mr Mnangagwa said in a series of tweets.

What happened after the vote?

The day after the election, the MDC Alliance said Mr Chamisa had won the presidential vote, pre-empting an official announcement and prompting its supporters to celebrate in some areas of Harare. When Zec announced that Zanu-PF had won the parliamentary vote by a landslide on Wednesday, things turned nasty. The opposition supporters were are also angered by the delay in announcing the presidential results.

Home Affairs Minister Obert Mpofu said the government would not tolerate such protests.

The opposition “are testing our resolve, and I think they are making a big mistake”, he said. A spokesman for Mr Chamisa condemned the deployment of soldiers and the subsequent loss of life. “Soldiers are trained to kill during war. Are civilians enemies of the state?” he asked. “There is no explanation whatsoever for the brutality that we saw.” (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

‘I’m a patient man’

–– President says as Jagdeo yet to respond to offer for meaningful dialogue PRESIDENT David Granger on Thursday said he is “a very patient man” and even if Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo wants to stall meaningful dialogue with the Government until after Local Government Elections (LGE), he will not retract his offer for talks.

Since assuming office, the coalition Government has remained open for talks with the Opposition but it was not until Jagdeo received a phone call from former US President Jimmy Carter that there seemed to be a new blossom of hope for such.

Carter had telephoned the Opposition Leader after he heard the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had refused the offer to engage in amicable talks with Government.

Jagdeo had said he has

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

President David Granger no objection to talks but was uncomfortable with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo leading the talks. The President, on his part, agreed to lead the talks.

“It takes two persons to talk, otherwise it’s a monologue. If it is to be a dialogue, he has to be ready and if that’s what he said, that’s what he said.

We were ready in 2015, as you know, but he explained the circumstances under which the talks were not started,” the President said.

Asked whether he would wait until after Local Government Elections which is scheduled for November 12, the President responded: “I’m a very patient man”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Bad road practices FOR the past couple of days there have been at least one reported case of a fatal accident on our roadways-something which of course would be of great concern to our police and every Guyanese citizen.

Where lives are affected, destruction to vehicles and roadways, this nation can ill afford to let this pattern of conduct, which is now becoming a way of life, continues. Accidents don’t happen, they are caused. There are reasons that are contributing to the upsurge which the police should be able to identify in order to target the sources, develop requisite strategy, and allocate needed resources. At the end of June this year police reported there was a 4.3% decrease in fatal accidents. Serious, minor and damage accidents had also been decreased by 17.1%, 32.4% and 18.4% respective-

ly. The total number of deaths stood at 47. Since June to now there have been several other fatalities.

Police in their report had broken down the causes of fatal accidents from January-June, with speeding accounting for 25 of the 47 deaths. The combination of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol accounted for six deaths; pedestrians crossing in the path of approaching vehicle--5; inattentiveness-- seven; and failure to confirm to road signs-- one.

Without this newspaper having the benefit of scientific data to determine the propensity of particular road behaviours, what cannot be denied is the need to look at road usage through holistic lens. Starting from the process of training and licensing of drivers, it may be important to revisit these

with a view of strengthening understanding of signs, road usage, and greater awareness of the responsibility of every driver. A motor vehicle is a weapon in the hands of the wrong driver.

Discourtesy is a prevalent feature. Some motorists accelerate when the light is amber; don’t want to wait for the light to turn green; are intolerant to observers of traffic laws and would incessantly blow their horns for them to get out of their way.

There are drivers who refuse to stop at pedestrian crossing or convey the impression they won’t, even though persons are standing at the crosswalk or walking across. In some areas the speed limit offers incentive to be reckless, particularly in two-lane roads and populated zones such as schools and residential districts where homes are in close proximity to the road.

Bad road practices and discourtesies are also evident among pedestrians. Some are known to cross the streets with little or no regard for their safety or courtesy to drivers, and at times would even dare motorists to hit them. These road users are also guilty of practices such as jaywalking, wearing earplugs or on their cell-phones while ignoring proper road use and etiquette.

Then there are the connected and those who drive officials-- government and diplomatic-- that feel the rules of the roads and responsibility of drivers are not applicable to them. These persons can be seen driving above the speed limit, parking inappropriately, and ignoring other rules of the road. Where drinking is considered social, the legally required blood alcohol content to drive must be rigidly enforced, given the

intertwined relationship with alcohol and accidents.

It is important to ensure traffic lights are always working and when they are not, such be considered deserving of priority attention. In the meanwhile, traffic officers should be placed at the affected areas to ensure orderly movement of road users, pedestrians and vehicles. The police may find it useful to have more road signs and install more cameras at areas, particularly where speeding occurs.

The traffic department could revisit penalties. Fines can be increased where they become meaningful deterrent that could ensure compliance with the rules of the road.

Suspension of licence, having repeat offenders return to the classroom and engage in community service are worthy of consideration. Increasing insurance after each

accident as a deterrent could be explored.

An ignored, though important consequence of bad road usage is that of economic loss such as earnings to families, be it through destruction of vehicle, injury or death that people do not usually cater for and understandably so.

Frankly, this society has developed a culture to road usage that is rude, reckless and unbecoming. All and any effort to curb this destructive behaviour need to be examined and where practicable, implemented.

The police are encouraged to engage stakeholders such as local government authorities, the minibus and hire care associations, and the National Road Safety Council to solicit their opinions and support in crafting a wider strategy to address road usage.

Clifford Krauss is not the problem Dear Editor, ALMOST every person of Guyanese nationality welled up with fury at the ‘’alarming’’ description of Guyana by the American, Clifford Krauss. Who is he to denounce a country he wasn’t born in? Well, like all outsiders, Mr. Krauss sees Guyana as an underdeveloped, uncivilized and corrupt nation.

He didn’t consider that Guyana’s geographic location renders it ‘’a watery wilderness.’’ He didn’t consider Guyana’s unfortunate political past. Why should he consider Guyana’s setbacks?

These are matters of no importance to him. He sees Guyana exactly how most or all international people do.

Do you think he cares that Guyana is a ‘cook up rice’ and ‘chicken curry’ nation?

No, he doesn’t. His focus is on our political structure, our economic status, our government policies and programmes, and our progressive ideas and plans for the future.

Upon the release and circulation of Krauss’s article, almost every Guyanese became distracted and offended by his representation of Guyana that they missed the underlying questions.

Is Guyana equipped to manage oil opulence?

Will the leaders mismanage the ‘’incoming wealth?’’

Will corruption exacerbate?

Will there be the creation of Swiss Bank accounts?

Will criminal activities escalate?

Will the money be squandered and stolen?

Will the wealth be unequally distributed?

Will the wealth be hoarded by only the powerful and influential?

Will the political environment be facilitative for foreign investment?

There are so many more questions arising when there is oil wealth on the horizon.

Although these questions were not directly asked by Mr. Clifford Krauss, his analysis of Guyana’s political, social and economic environments gave the implication that these are some of the questions to be asked.

He wrote,’’But there are obstacles. If history is any guide, countries that discover oil often waste their opportunity, as the resource blends seamlessly with corruption.

Countries with weak political institutions like Guyana are especially vulnerable.’’

What untruth can be found in those statements?

He then quoted Guyana-born finance professor, Floyd Haynes, who is a consultant to the business ministry. Haynes said,’’ You have an alignment of money and power in the hands of the state, so the party in power controls the resources, and the money is usually squandered, misapplied or downright stolen.’’

So, really, what Krauss did was present a very objective and analytical article.

So why the pettiness? Why the written attacks? What is the purpose of them? Does Guyana appear more couth to international spectators?

This solves nothing.

As a country of resilience, commentary like that of Krauss’s should elevate our nation to greater heights, to dream and do bigger things. Guyana [has] been set back for too

long and yes, we’ve made tremendous progress as a nation but we are still way behind. We who live here see it as nothing because we are accustomed to it, but to those on the outside, it is something; something to not sit comfortably with.

At this turning point in our country’s economic landscape, we have the opportunity to install the policies to facilitate growth in every sector, to suppress corruption, open our economy to rewarding investment deals and to create the route to development for every citizen. The world is rapidly advancing and Guyana needs to be included in the race. Guyana’s future can be gleaming with smart cities and automation. We need the environment to realise this.

Mr.Krauss’s dissection of Guyana appears nega-

tive but the truth has been overlooked. Guyana has not experienced the wealth that is now imminent and as history reveals, poor countries having grasped and tasted the rewards of oil discovery often become victims of the enricher.

Another point to note is with the rise of renewable energy and climate policy agreements, the oil industry can become a falling one. So excitement is accompanied by contemplation. It is now left to Guyana to prove herself; to rise in her glory. She is poised to accelerating growth but she has to be erudite in her executions. So instead of expressing bitterness to Mr. Krauss, thank him and prove him wrong, Guyana.

Regards Althea Hoodith

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Emancipation came after decades of struggle Dear Editor, ON August 1, we celebrated 184 years of the abolition of slavery in Guyana. This significant event is better known as the period of emancipation and is widely acknowledged for the celebrations and festivities that surround it.

The abolition of slavery came centuries after our ancestors were ripped from their homeland in Africa, brought thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean to this part of the world, sold into a system called slavery and there after worked and lived in the most inhumane conditions there ever was.

The achievement of emancipation came after decades of struggle, enduring hardships, privation, demoralisation, torture and death at the hands of the

slave masters. All of their freedoms were taken away, stripped of their identity, removed from the status of a human being and lowered to that of an animal. Hence, it was with great jubilation that they welcomed the dawn of August 1, 1834.

It could be said that it was this sad and dark era of history that influenced the conceptualization of the Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948; 114 years after emancipation.

Enshrined in this declaration are 30 articles, five (5) of which speak to the right to various forms of freedom. Article 1 – Innate freedom and equality; Article 13 – Right of freedom of movement; Article 18 – Right of freedom of thought and religion, Article 19 – Right of freedom of opinion and

expression and Article 20 – Right of freedom of assembly and association. Of these five rights, article 19 in particular states that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression and this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

No one can denounce the fact that these rights were withheld from our ancestors and it was for these very rights that they fought for on many occasions via uprisings and rebellions against the slave masters. In the early 1920’s, it was one of their offspring, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, who continued the struggle for these rights, which led in later years to the attaining of another right as is enshrined in Article 20

which states 1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

It is this particular right that helped to advance the work of the trade union movement. The attainment of Independence and Republican status over the decades was achieved by way of struggles in various forms. However, 184 years later, we the descendants of those noble men and women are seemingly engaged in another form of struggle.

This time around we are fighting to maintain our democratic freedom at various levels of work and representation.

During this period of emancipation there are many songs that are reflected upon as they point to the many injustices experienced by our ancestors. The most popular

is “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley. “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, only we can free our mind”.

At this point in time in our history, these words hold fast to present day experiences and outcomes. At times it would seem that we are still to remove the shackles from our minds which keep us in a subdued position. Time and again, we are psychologically whipped by present day Massa’s, whose whips are their token positions and authority, which are used [to]“keep us in our place”.

It is these present day plantocracy cabal that are guilty of violating our fundamental rights to freedom of expression and opinion by seeking to muzzle us by driving fear, using various tactics that does not augur well for our and the nation’s well-being.

Therefore, it is with much hope and expectation that as the descendants of our distinguished foreparents, we strive to emulate their values, hard work, sacrifices and togetherness, which paved the way for their removal from the harsh and inhumane conditions of slavery and into a world where freedom was opportune.

As we celebrate emancipation 2018 with songs, dances and all the festivities relating to this auspicious occasion, let freedom reign in our hearts and minds. Let it become the mantra of nation-building, a process that began 184 years ago.

Happy Emancipation.

Regards Gillian Burton-Persaud Member of Parliament

GPSU: Our appetite to serve the nation must remain undiminished THE responsibility of constructive coexistence in a multi-racial, multi-cultural society does not excuse the peoples comprising that melting pot from reflecting on their own heritage, their own history and what they bring, in their own right, to the melting pot in which we, as Guyanese, belong.

This is the assertion of the Guyana Public Service [Union] (GPSU) in its Emancipation message. The union said it is the same with African Guyanese as

it is with those other races that make up our society. In that context, Emancipation Day holds a particular significance for our people of African descent. It is, in the first instance, an occasion on which to remind ourselves of the particular contributions which Africans have continually made to the evolution of the Guyanese society in every sphere of our country’s development; so that while we cannot afford to be unmindful of the multi-ethnic reality of our country, Afri-

can Guyanese must continually remind themselves of their particular worth, both as Africans and as Guyanese.

For once we lose sight of who we are, we run the risk of self-marginalisation from which it will be difficult to recover.

As we contemplate our own unique and hugely significant contributions to the growth of our country, it is important to remember the particular role that we have played in the public services, in teaching, in law

enforcement, in the health sector and in the conventional Civil Service, among others. Those, the Guyana Public Service Union submits, have been among the critical building blocks in our society. When we speak of nation-building, it is to those institutions that we point as some of the critical pillars of which our Guyana has been built.

One can argue that the journey towards self-emancipation, that is to say, adding a greater measure

of individual and collective economic achievement to our accomplishments in the public services remains to be realised. It is therefore to our economic emancipation that we must look in the years ahead, not, of course, being unmindful in the process of our patriotic duty as part of a cosmopolitan society but mindful of our duty to ourselves, our families and our tradition as a people who are part of a culture that is rich in the pursuit of business

and entrepreneurship. At the same time our appetite for giving selfless service to the nation in the various areas of public service must remain undiminished.

We wish, on behalf of the executive and the entire membership of the Guyana Public Service Union, to extend our very best wishes to all of Guyana for a reflective Emancipation Day. Regards Guyana Public Service Union

Raising the profile of differently-abled students Dear Editor, TRADITIONALLY, Guyana, like the rest of the Caribbean, does not have a good track record of how it treats its disabled people.

This issue only affects you when you have a disabled person in your family.

Besides the guilt that you feel, you realise very soon that your disabled child is

exactly the same as any other child and your love for them is just as urgent and unconditional as that of your able-bodied children. However, you do worry about their future and how they will be able to navigate the modern world, especially as an adult.

This is not a sad story though, because I have no-

ticed a real change in the education system that will go a long way in providing disabled children an opportunity to learn and perform just as well as their contemporaries.

The Ministry of Education seems to be putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to their mantra “Quality Education for ALL”.

I have noticed some significant changes: (1) The Ministry of Education’s work for differently-abled: (2) The appointment of Special Education Needs officers in regions 1,2,8 & 9; (3) The assimilation centre in the grounds of the Cyril Potter College. This is the Caribbean-wide early childhood diagnostic headquarters for

the training of special needs teachers and two nurseries opened recently--Eastville and Diamond No. 2 nursery that now includes places for special needs children.

All of these efforts prove that at last we have a government that sees disabled children and understands that they have the right to be educated and therefore

have the opportunity to work in the real world and contribute to our society.

If Sudha Chandran, Ray Charles, Whoopie Goldberg and Stephen Hawking can overcome their disabilities, then with the right support so can mine.

Regards Leon Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Rosignol man killed in road accident Ramjattan performing duties of PM

A 26-year-old male pedal cyclist died on the Rosignol Public Road, West Bank Berbice, in the wee hours of Thursday after being involved in a collision with a motor car.

Dead is Lildar Jaggernauth of 81, Murphy Dam, Rosignol, who was said to be a porter.

Relatives said that Jaggernauth, a father of one, had left his home on his bicycle around 18:30hrs on Wednesday, saying he was going to buy a phone card from a nearby shop.

He, however, did not return home soon after as was expected. They became aware that something was amiss after he had not returned home, and it was

Lildar Jaggernauth past midnight. It was around 01:00hr on Thursday they said that they were contacted by police who informed

them that the man had been involved in a collision with a motor car and had died on the spot.

Meanwhile, reports about the manner in which the accident happened were sketchy due to the paucity of witnesses on the road which is usually deserted at that time of the night.

A relative said that he was told that Jaggernauth had been under the influence of alcohol at the time and may have fallen on to the roadway, causing the collision with the motor car. The driver of the vehicle, PLL 7562, was taken into police custody.

Investigations into the accident were ongoing up to late yesterday afternoon.

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan was sworn in on Thursday by President David Granger to perform the functions of Prime Minister. Mr Nagamootoo has temporarily left the country to attend to private matters. (Samuel Maughn photo)

President backs...

From page 2

2020. “He’s a young, brilliant Guyanese and we all must be proud that we can find someone, amongst us, who can be tasked with this responsibility. Unlike a few ‘experts’ (who now populate the newspapers with their advice and doomsday predictions) and were away for decades enjoying their cushy jobs, (as is their right) including with oil majors and did little or nothing in the initial period when we were preparing for a sustainable oil-and-gas sector, Dr. Bynoe was offering his expertise in moulding environmental and natural resources professionals at UG, among other contributions,” the former minister stated.

He added that it is important that Guyanese be given an equal opportunity to contribute to a sector that is new.

“We must be able to give our own a chance, rather than rushing to doubt their skills and abilities to rise to the occasion,” Persaud stated, while cautioning that the success of Dr. Bynoe and his department is dependent on “how involved all stakeholders will be and given an opportunity to contribute to the success of the management of Guyana’s oil-and-gas sector.”

FINDING THE RIGHT PEOPLE President Granger said of Dr. Bynoe “he knows he doesn’t do everything but he knows where to find people who know enough to make that sector functional and we feel that he is a fit and proper person to do that.”

The Department of Ener-

Head of the Department of Energy Dr. Mark Bynoe gy was gazetted with effect from August 1st, 2018 which means that its responsibility was formally transferred from the Ministry of Natural Resources to the Ministry of the Presidency. This transfer comes following the recommendation of Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman which led to Cabinet’s examining of the state of the industry for the last seven months.

Bynoe will now take over the duties of the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Petroleum Unit and has the responsibility of embarking on a “four phase programme” for the establishment of the department.

The first two phases include an administration through which Bynoe will assemble a team to work in the department and rationalisation which will ensure the efficiency of the new department.

Speaking on the second phase, the President said: “There is a Petroleum Unit in the Ministry of Natural Resources and there may be

other persons in the Government of Guyana right now who have experience in that sector, so some parts of some ministries may have to be transferred to the Department of Energy.”

The third stage includes the operationalisation of the department while the final stage of implementation, the President predicts, will begin by the beginning of September. “A lot of work has to be done. We have to advertise for experts all over the world and we have to look at drafting legislation, we have to look at financing and we have to look at all other aspects of the operationalisation of the department,” he added.

President Granger hopes that during the month of August the parties working to achieve this will accomplish much more than they were able to in that last seven months.

Bynoe is an Environment and Resource Economist and the former head of the Project Development and Management Unit of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC).

He is the holder of several academic degrees including a Doctorate, Master and Bachelor’s degree as well as a Postgraduate Diploma and other certificates mainly in the areas of Environmental Economics, Resource Management and Monitoring and Evaluation.

In his position as head of the Department of Energy he will receive direct guidance from the President as he works to place specialised attention on the petroleum sector and the management of its resources.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Tap into our judicial services … CCJ President tells local business community

By Svetlana Marshall

PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Adrian Saunders has urged the local private sector to tap into the judicial services provided by the CCJ to ensure their rights under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) are protected.

Speaking at a Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Business Luncheon at the Pegasus on Thursday, Justice Saunders said only a few companies and individuals have taken their cases to the CCJ under the RTC despite the provisions catered for under Article 222.

He said the CSME, which was established on the RTC, fully recognises “the potential of micro, small and medium enterprises to contribute to the expansion and viability of national economies of the Community and the importance of large enterprises for achieving economies of scale in the production process”.

As the guardian of the Treaty, the CCJ is crucial to the success and survival of the free trade area, Justice Saunders said. “The CSME rests upon the principle that the free movement of capital, people, services and enterprise between CARICOM states, will lead to a situation in which various contributors in the economic sphere, can maximise their talents and resources, thereby leading to greater efficiency and increased profits and prosperity throughout the region. This single economic space will create investment opportunities, for companies and businesses.

“The CCJ through its interpretation and application of the RTC is therefore the hub around which the CSME would develop into a rule-based system that citizens, companies, investors etc. may make reference to in order to determine their rights and responsibilities under the RTC,” he told those present.

Pointing to the case “Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) and TCL Guyana Ltd v The State of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana (2009),” Justice Saunders said the court, in its interpretation of the RTC, has been very progressive in recognising the rights of private business entities in the original jurisdiction.

Once certain criteria under Article 222 of the RTC are met, he said companies and individuals are free to

GMSA President Shyam Nokta seek a remedy for any prejudices to their rights under the Revised Treaty. However, the CCJ President said he is saddened that more private entities have not taken the mantle to help the court further develop its original jurisdiction.

“The rights conferred by the Treaty are designed to enable greater intra-regional trade and international trade, all geared towards creating a stronger Caribbean economy which directly affects and benefits the persons in this room. A number of claims can be derived from the RTC. For example, the inability to sell goods in another member’s state or unfair trading practices or issues related to regional exportation such as of import licenses restrictions,” the CCJ President pointed out.

Turning his attention to the future outlook of the country, Justice Saunders said Guyana is well positioned for serious economic take-off as he alluded to its wealth of resources including oil and gas. And while the country could very well become the envy of the region, he said the country would require prudent management of its resources to ensure that the development is felt at all strata of society. “That progress can be significantly enhanced with good governance and faithful adherence to the rule of law. The rule of law in this sense implies legal accountability, fairness, respect for minorities, the observance of human rights, judicial independence, the separation of the powers, equality before the law and the absence of arbitrariness,” the CCJ President said.

At the level of the CCJ, appropriate standards must be set in treating matters that are likely to arise. “… the courts will have a special responsibility to ensure equality of treatment. Ad-

herence to the rule of law will increase business confidence, attract investments and ensure respect for and enforcement of property rights and freedoms.”

GMSA President Shyam Nokta said, in recent times, Guyanese have been paying close attention to the work of the CCJ and its decisions. He noted that judicial independence and judicial expediency are crucial to national development, and for these and other reasons the CCJ becomes very important.

“By providing a second tier of appeals, the CCJ, since its establishment, has played an important role in upholding the rule of law,” he posited.

Apart from the case involving the TCL, Nokta

pointed to the case involving RUDISA Beverages of Suriname and the Government, noting that in addition to addressing the issue of the Environmental Tax, it brought into focus the rules of the CSME. Like, Justice Saunders, the GMSA President said the CSME is designed to facilitate free trade; however, it is a work in progress. He said access to some markets within the region has proven to be challenging.

Former Presidents, Donald Ramotar and Samuel Hinds; Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes; and former Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony were among the officials present.

CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders delivering the keynote address during GMSA Business Luncheon at the Pegasus

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Power Company staff joins fight against domestic violence

FIRST Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger on Thursday engaged staff of the stateowned Power Producers and Distributors Incorporated (PPDI) on the vexing issue of domestic violence at a special staff meeting held at the Herdmanston Lodge.

Mrs. Granger called for a concerted effort to tackle the scourge, as she noted that domestic violence knows no face, race or age, the Ministry of the Presidency said in a release.

Speaking to an audience of predominantly male partic-

The First Lady and Power Producers and Distributors Incorporated’s (PPDI) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Arron Fraser

The staff members of Power Producers and Distributors Incorporated (PPDI) pay close attention as the First Lady delivers her address on domestic violence in Guyana. female victims as opposed whether a spouse, brother, ipants, Mrs. Granger said to 467 males. Of a total of father or other relative or that domestic violence re3,243 in 2013, 2,737 were non-relative must become mains a challenge in Guyfemale. In 2014, there were more conscious of how ana as she provided statis2,467 female victims out of they approach the mattics and shared experiences a total of 3,067 while there ter of domestic violence. in an effort to sensitise the were 2,089 female victims The First Lady said that audience on the severity of out of a total of 2,588 in in many instances, many the issue in Guyana.

2015. Out of a total of Guyanese maintain a tradi“Domestic violence 2,109 in 2016, 1,756 were tional “don’t get involved” in Guyana cuts across all women and in 2017, there approach and this must be ages, all races, all regions were 1,764 female victims changed. and all religions. While out of a total of 2,118. In both males and females Meanwhile, in an invitessence, over 80 percent of ed comment, PPDI’s Chief are victims, the majority of the victims are females,” Executive Officer, Dr. Aarvictims tend to be female. the First Lady said.

In 2011, of the 3,892 reon Fraser, explained that She noted that wom- the organisation recognises ported cases of domestic vien deserve to be treated the issue as one of critical olence, 3,243 were female. with respect and males, importance and particularly In 2012, there were 2,267 in the past few months and it felt that action had to be taken. “We’ve recognised that it’s a prevalent ill in society so we thought that we should be proactive and deal with the issue head on instead of being reactive and waiting until one of our employees suffers from domestic abuse or perpetuates domestic abuse so that was the objective of having the First Lady speak on this topic today,” he shared.

Mrs. Granger also engaged the audience in a question and answer segment where staff members were afforded the opportunity to ask her questions and share comments related to the topic of discussion.

Power Producers and Distributors Incorporated (PPDI) is a state-owned enterprise contracted to operate and maintain four power plants on behalf of the Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Food and Drug Dept to crackdown on unlicensed water processors

THE Government Analyst-Food & Drug Department is calling on all water processing factories to confirm to all the department’s requirements as it relates to the sale and distribution of treated water in five gallon bottles.

Manufacturers and distributors must have a valid license, issued by the department which is an indicator of their compliance to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s). Also bottles used must be properly cleaned, sanitised, labeled and sealed, the department said in a press

release on Thursday.

Additionally, the department said no funnel should be used to transfer water to bottles prior to sale and/or distribution and advised consumers that when purchasing treated water from various water processing factories to ensure they are properly labeled and sealed and to report any company that fails to comply with the department’s requirements as it relates to the sale of treated water to the general public. Consumers making purchases should demand to see a valid license issued by the Food

and Drugs Department.

“Again premises that are involved in the processing, distribution and sale of drinking water particularly in five gallon bottles must be in possession of a valid license.

The department said it recently conducted an exercise over a six-month period where 87 water samples were collected and submitted for analysis from 29 water processing facilities in the Georgetown and Greater Georgetown areas.

Samples were analysed for microbiological and chemical parameters to

Mining stalwart Edward Shields passes away FORMER executive secretary and founding member of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Edward Anthony Shields, passed away in the USA after a period of illness.

Shields, a former Vietnam veteran, was 72 years old. He joined the mining association in 1984 and served it faithfully until his passing, according to a release from the association.

The release also said: “The GGDMA mourns the loss of this mining stalwart.

His guidance and tenacity will be missed. He was a friend of the miners and a champion for miners’ rights in Guyana.”

Former President of the GGDMA, Patrick Harding, shared with the Guyana Chronicle that he and Shields practically grew up together as young men. He fondly remembered the contributions of his friend whom he called Tony. “Tony was his own person,” Harding shared.

“I think he was the most knowledgeable person in the industry.”

Harding also shared that Shields was instrumental in drafting all the regulations

of the association since it was founded and more than that was Shields’ involvement in the negotiations among the industry’s stakeholders. He reflected: “Tony was always at the forefront of the negotiations.”

Another outstanding quality of the man was that he was very impartial to all persons in the industry, Harding said. And according to him, the association was able to move from strength to strength, because of the neutrality exhibited. And until his passing, Shields was an instrumental part of the association. In his final days, he was a consultant to the association, according to current President of the GGDMA, Terrence Adams.

Adams also highlighted that Shields possessed vast amount of institutional knowledge that is fundamental to the GGDMA. Complementing Shields’ institutional knowledge was his fortitude in the sector, according to Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes Broomes shared that from her many years of working with Shields, she admired his distinguished style of

Edward Anthony Shields work. He was not a ‘yes man’ and was willing to challenge decisions which were not productive for the miners, the Minister said, adding that that was very critical to the development of the sector. “Mr. Shields has his unique style, I cannot deny,” Broomes said and affirmed, “He always fights for the miners and [he was] actively involved in the sector and its people.” She expressed her sincere condolences to the family and stressed that the mining sector and Guyana has lost a great man.

Shields will be cremated in the USA and a memorial service and wake will be held in Guyana at a date to be announced later.

verify compliance with safety requirements. Of the twenty nine facilities that samples were taken from, eleven were found to be operating without the necessary License from the Department.

Of the eighty seven samples submitted for analysis, fifteen (15) or 17% were found to be unsatisfactory. “The department is therefore calling on all water processors to ensure that they are in possession of a valid License from the Govern-

ment Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) for the current year and to ensure that they observe Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’S) to guarantee consumers that water being processed and sold to the general public is safe. Processors who insist on operating without a valid License will be asked to cease operation and in the coming months this exercise will be repeated and a list of approved facilities will be published.”

Additionally, efforts and communication will be had at our upcoming National Food Safety and Control Committee (NFSCC) meeting to be hosted on 7th August, 2018 in the department’s boardroom, where Environmental Health Officers (EHO’s) in the respective regions and areas outside of Georgetown and Greater Georgetown will be asked to initiate similar inspection, sampling and submission exercise.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

'A close call' for Rambhajue

By Gabriella Chapman

ON Thursday, August 2, 2018, Sudesh Rambhajue left the Georgetown High Court with a broad smile,

after being declared “not guilty” of charges for alternative counts.

Rambhajue stood before Justice Brassington Reynolds to face charges on the

alternative counts; attempt to commit murder and felonious wounding in attempt to cause grievous bodily harm, allegedly committed on the 18th day of September 2015,

Sudesh Rambhjue against his father-in-law, Latchman Narine Persaud.

The state prosecutor Seeta Bishundial, brought before the court four witnesses, to testify in assisting in the jury’s decision. They were: Sherwin Greene, Detective Constable from Leonora Police Station, assigned to the Criminal Investigation Department, Latchman Narine Persaud, the victim of the alleged crime and Moohmatti Persaud, wife of Latchman Narine Persaud and the doctor that first attended the victim.

In the victim’s testimony, he stated that the ac-

cused resided in the bottom flat of his home along with his daughter to whom the accused was married. He added that the accused had a drinking problem and he was never employed and made no financial contributions to his residence.

He stated that on the afternoon of September 18th, 2015, he returned home from his farm, parked his bike and he saw his son-in-law on the road. He told him he didn’t want him in the yard and as he was heading to lock the gate, Sudesh ran into him and stabbed him in the lower right of his abdomen.

Latchman said he started screaming for his wife, “dis bai bore meh. Hire one car quick.” He felt his belly burning him. He told the court that the accused “rushed into me like one bad bull” and he didn’t notice a knife in his hand. He also said that Rambhajue threatened to burn the house down.

Rambhajue led his defense since he explained to the court that he was not in a financial position to afford legal representation. His testimony was quite contradictory to that of the victim. He stated that he and his wife

resided in the bottom flat of the victim’s house for over 10 years and he was always disliked by his in laws. He explained that on September 18th 2015 he was armed with a knife only because he was peeling golden apple and eating while he was walking home.

While approaching the gate of his home, Rambhajue said he was attacked and lashed with a wood by his father-in- law. It was then the father- in -law saw the knife in his hand and tried to retrieve it, and the two were tugging and pulling with the knife and it accidentally bored Latchman in his abdomen.

After two hours of deliberation, the 12-member jury found Sudesh Rambhajue not guilty of the charges against him.

Justice Reynolds stated this was a close call for Rambhajue and he accepted and respected the judgment of the jury.

He urged Rambhajue to use this opportunity to make the best of his life, starting first by getting an honest job and keeping a distance between him and his in-laws.

FAO commits $40M to build resilience in Agri-sector ... UG Centre for Tropical Agriculture to conduct studies

THE United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN/FAO) has committed $40Million for Guyana to undertake baseline studies for developing a full proposal to address Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Building in the Agriculture Sector.

A Climate Resilience Workshop was hosted on Thursday to kick-start the discussions.

Head of Office of Climate Change (OCC), Janelle Christian said the Government is looking to advance actions that were committed under the National Determined Contributions (NDC) to the Paris Agreement. Under the NDC, agriculture was identified as the main medium for adaptation to climate change challenges. “The other focus within our NDC is mitigation for Forest and energy, however this workshop today and continuing tomorrow, will be looking at addressing those particular challenges within the agriculture sector,” Christian explained.

The government, she said, has conducted groundwork in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, related agencies and other sub-sectors to address challenges

in the sector. According to the OCC head, “one case in point as it relates to our water resource challenges in Region Nine, is that not only the Ministry of Agriculture, NDIA [National Drainage and Irrigation Authority], but also the Ministry of Natural Resources have been working to address those particular challenges.”

The government, with resources from its multilateral partners, has commenced the improvement of drainage and irrigation infrastructure across the country. Actions are also being undertaken at the community level, working with farming groups to ensure lands are accessible for agricultural purposes.

This is being financed under the Caribbean Development Fund (CDF).

There is support too from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). While these initiatives have been focusing on particular geographic locations, Christian added that the GCF project, which is being conceptualised, will take a holistic approach. She noted that this “takes into consideration everything else that is happening and really addresses the gaps in the current solutions

Head, Office of Climate Change, Janelle Christian that Government is advancing.”

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) recently approved some GYD $140Million (US$697, 183) for Guyana’s second Readiness Support for the Agriculture sector.

The University of Guyana (UG) Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) are tasked with completing the baseline studies.

A Concept Note for the Full Proposal to address climate change adaptation and resilience building within the Agriculture sector is the expected outcome.

(DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Find a way to break the deadlock …CCJ President urges on appointment of chancellor, chief justice

AFTER years of political gridlock in appointing persons to the substantive posts of chancellor of the judiciary and chief justice, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Adrian Saunders said Guyana must now seriously consider whether the formula being used is appropriate.

According to Article 127 of the Constitution of Guyana, “The Chancellor and the Chief Justice shall each be appointed by the President, acting after obtaining the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition.” However, successive presidents and

opposition leaders have not been able to have consensus on these appointments over the years.

Last February, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo rejected President David Granger’s nominees for positions of Chancellor and Chief Justice. President Granger had nominated Justice Kenneth Andrew Charles Benjamin as Chancellor of the Judiciary and Madam Justice Yonette Decina Cummings-Edwards as Chief Justice following recommendations from a panel of eminent jurists who had conducted interviews with a number of candidates

for the posts. Jagdeo said after conducting the requisite due diligence he was unable to offer his support to either candidate.

On Thursday, on the sideline of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Business Luncheon, the newly appointed CCJ President said the country’s inability to appoint a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice is a major concern. “This is unfortunate,” he told Guyana Chronicle.

Justice Saunders said while the Guyana Constitution provides for full agreement between the President and

Man found dead at Kuru Kururu UP to late Thursday afternoon police in ‘A’ Division were working around the clock to solve a homicide which took place at Kuru Kururu on the Soedsyke Linden Highway.

Early Thursday morning, a driver discovered the remains of 46-year-old Gregory Frank, who works as a legal clerk to a city lawyer.

Police said in a statement that the man was found in the living room of his one flat house. The release from the police indicated that the man was found with a swollen forehead.

His entire house was said to have been ransacked and the back door to the house opened. It was reported that valuables which the man was known to have were

Gregory Frank not found in the house at the time.

It is unclear when Frank was last seen alive. His employer Attorney, Abiola Wong-Inniss said that he was a very dedicated worker

who made the work of her office easy. According to the attorney at law, she did make some enquires of the police about the development in the case but those were not immediately available as ranks were still doing their investigation. Asked if there was anything that the young man might have been working on through the line of his work that could have caused persons to want to harm, the legal mind responded in the negative. She also clarified that he never took any of his work or documents from the office to his home.

Frank, who has been married once, has no children.

He is survived by one sibling and lost his mother last year.

There has been no arrest in the matter just yet.

The medical certificate that took so long A FATHER of three on Thursday appeared before a city magistrate charged with unlawful assault.

The charge alleged that on July 30, 2018, at Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara, the defendant unlawfully assaulted his common-law wife causing actual bodily harm. The resident of Little Diamond pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge that was read out to him in court

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

According to the facts given in court by Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, on the day in question, the virtual complainant returned home after hanging out with friends and discovered the doors locked. She called the defendant on her cellphone and asked him to open the door.

He responded by opening the door, pushing her down the steps, and dealt her sever-

al slaps and lashes about her body with a piece of wood .

The matter was reported and the defendant was arrested.

The man explained to the court that he and his wife were living together for three years and had three children.

He had never hit her during that time, but he was very annoyed that night because she had left to go to the hospital to collect a medical certificate.

The man told the court that he waited up hours for her to return home. He said she came home after one in the morning, sitting on the steps talking on her phone telling someone: “I reach home safe and what we did was wrong.’’

Upon hearing that, he asked her where she had been so long and she said she was hanging out with friends at the seawall. He got annoyed and slapped her behind her head and lashed her with a

piece of wood on her feet.

The man told the court: “I want a better life for my children. We will have our time to party, but for now I just want to focus on getting the things we need in life, not want.’’

After listening to his explanation, the magistrate asked the virtual complainant if what the defendant explained to the court was true.

The woman answered: “Yes, your honour.”

The magistrate then told the virtual complainant: “You can’t be married and single at the same time. He has no right to hit you because it’s considered domestic violence and he will face the consequences for his action. At the same time both of you have to keep the balance.’’

Magistrate McLennan then placed the defendant on a bond for six months or, in default, six months in prison.

Opposition for the appointment of both the Chancellor and Chief Justice, there has not been that unanimity.

“That formula is always likely to throw up this kind of situation and so perhaps, some attention should be given to whether that is an appropriate formula, and if the formula is to be kept, what other mechanisms should be put in place to break a deadlock but for the country not to have a chancellor,” the CCJ President said.

Justice Saunders said

it is not for him to indicate what measures should be put in place to break the gridlock, but reiterated the need for an early resolution to the decade-old problem, warning that it has implications for the functioning of the courts here.

Former President of the CCJ, Sir Dennis Byron, had also called for the swift appointment of a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice.

He had hinted that a judicial intervention might be needed to address a regulatory or statutory lacuna if it does indeed exist. “This situation has moved well beyond what

ought to be acceptable in a modern democracy where respect for the rule of law is maintained. The constitution envisages the judiciary of Guyana to be headed by officials who are substantively appointed and enjoy all the legal and institutional mechanisms to secure their tenure.

Anything otherwise is, to my mind, a violation of the spirit and intent of the constitution,” Justice Byron had said.

Guyana’s last substantive Chancellor, Desiree Bernard, retired in 2005 and took up the post as judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

PPP steps up preparation for LGE

AS the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) prepares for Nomination Day on September 21 for Local Government Elections (LGE), the party has adopted special criteria for selecting its candidates, its

leader Bharrat Jagdeo has said.

Jagdeo also told a news conference on Thursday at his office, that while the party has some concerns regarding the precise boundaries being established for the new

areas which will be created following the elections in November, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has made a commitment to share more information with the party and it will make these known when the elec-

toral body updates the party.

In June this year, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan noted that the November 12 LGE polls will see eight new Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) being formed as well as a new town. At the time, he said that the participating order was issued and is in the process of being gazetted.

On Thursday, Jagdeo said he finds it “unacceptable” that there are no precise boundaries in various constituencies including those being merged and according to him; no process of con-

sultation has been embarked upon. He said that there are two constituencies where the PPP has large support, which he noted will be merged.

As regards its preparations, he said that the PPP has defined a set of criteria that will guide its structure in selecting candidates to represent the party at the polls. He said the party is looking at having a balance, having an average of 50 percent of its candidates coming from the party and 50 percent from the community. “Not necessarily party members,” Jagdeo said.

He said one of the key

issues the party has been experiencing is commitment from its elected representatives to attend meetings. He explained that the party found that some persons after being elected councilors are busy earning a living. He said the party plans to ask upfront of its candidates if they have the time to serve and volunteer, if not the work of the municipality and the NDC will suffer.

Jagdeo said the party will up the ante and have more campaigns in more areas soon.

Accused of ramming father-in-law with boat A BOAT captain who allegedly drove his vessel into the body of his 67-year-old father-inlaw, causing the man to fall into the Canal Back, Port Kaituma River and drown, was on Thursday charged with murder.

George Vansluytman, 36, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the indictable offence.

The charge read that on July 28, 2018 at Canal Back in the North West District he murdered Dennis Welcome.

Police Prosecutor In-

George Vansluytman spector Gordon Mansfield disclosed to the court that about 03:00hrs on the day in question Vansluytman arrived home where he lives with his wife.

Mansfield noted that the defendant was under the influence of alcohol and threatened his wife that he was going to kill her then placed a spoon to her neck.

The woman raised an alarm and her father, who lived nearby came to her rescue. Welcome took her daughter to his home and about 07:00hrs the father was in his boat when it is alleged that Vansluytman purposely crashed his vessel into him.

The prosecution noted that due to the crash, Welcome fell overboard and drowned. His body, which bore injuries to the head was later recovered.

Police say man went on crime spree at Port Kaituma CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded a 26-year-old Essequibo resident, who allegedly went on a crime spree in the Port Kaituma area.

Ronaldo Benn denied that between June 30 and July 1 at Trail Line, Port Kaituma he stole a quantity of items valued $190,000 property of Cleveland Conway.

He also denied that between July 10 and July 17 at Fitzburg, Port Kaituma he broke and entered the home of Shantel Profit and

Ronaldo Benn stole two fuel pumps valued $700,000.

He further denied that

between July 6 and July 7 at One Mile, Port Kaituma he stole a quantity items amounting to $520,000, property of Steven Wong.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Gordon Mansfield objected to the defendant being granted pretrial liberty on the grounds that the accused had given different places of abode to the police and to the court.

The Chief Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favor and remanded Benn.

His matter was transferred to the Mathews’ Ridge Magistrate Court for August 6.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Bandits torch Wismar Post Office … hundreds of pensioners affected … RDC steps in to fund emergency repairs

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE Wismar Post Office in Linden is now an empty shell as bandits completely torched the inside of the lower flat in what is considered a spiteful act, since they were unable

to successfully gain entry into a safe in which millions of dollars were being kept.

Ranks from the Wismar Police Station, which is in close proximity to the post office, said they noticed smoke emanating from the

building around 04:00hrs on Thursday and on investigating the circumstances, realised that the post office was burglarised. The Guyana Fire Service was immediately notified and successfully put out the blaze, which had threatened to burn down the The Wismar Post Office which was torched by bandits

Regional Chairman Renis Morian and regional councillors addressing the media on scene

entire building. While media representatives were not allowed inside of the compound, Regional Chairman Renis Morian said that everything inside of the building has been destroyed. The equipment, furniture, and documents are all lost to the fire and documents that were not burnt, were waterlogged by water from the fire tenders, Morian reported. The only thing that remains is the safe that the bandits were

unable to break in to.

The criminals apparently gained entry into the building by breaking the grillwork with a crow bar.

They then broke away a concrete wall where the safe was kept behind. “What they didn’t know is that the safe is within a safe, so they cut through the first layer, but the other layer is pure iron, so they couldn’t get through that, then the other thing is, the safe is

so heavy so they couldn’t get it through the window,” Morian related. The bandits are aware that armed police are normally stationed at the post office before 08:00hrs when its pension day and so they made sure they had sufficient time to execute their act.

Commander of ‘E’ Division, Anthony Vanderhyden, said that his ranks responded promptly to the scene and investigations

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

A broken window that was destroyed by the fire are ongoing in an effort to tion needs to move to have catch the perpetrators. security huts like the bank, NBS and other agencies. It NO SECURITY is too much of vital service Thursday’s attack on to the community for every the post office is the fourth time persons doing things to in recent years, yet no se- bring this service down, we curity mechanism has been depend on the services that implemented to properly this post office is rendering secure the premises. to the community,” he said.

There are no cameras, no As a result of the event, security guards stationed at hundreds of pensioners livthe building and no modern ing on the Wismar shore reinforced security barriers have been inconvenienced as at the entry points. Morian Thursday was pension day. said that for a facility where Many were turned away, and millions of dollars are being had to journey to Mackenzie kept, there needs to be a to uplift their pension while Pensioner Thomas Tudor paradigm shift in the way others were not even able to who was turned away the post office is secured. do so because of not having from uplifting his pen“The Post Office Corpora- the transportation fare to sion

travel.

One pensioner, Thomas Tudor, who was turned away, expressed his disappointment that after so many burglaries, the post office is not properly secured. “I came to uplift my pension and they told me about the robbery and so I can’t get my pension. I have to go till across to Mackenzie, I might be able to do it, but what about the many persons who can’t move around or don’t have money to go across, what will happen to them,” Tudor told the Guyana Chronicle.

Unfortunately too, the pensioners would have pooled their very pensions together, as little as it may be, to purchase fans to be used in the section where they sit in and often have to wait long hours.

Today was the day the fans were to be presented to them, but they (fans) were also torched by the fire.

EMERGENCY REPAIRS In light of this major inconvenience, Morian said that the RDC will be intervening to commence emergency repairs, so that the Wismar Post Office can be up and running in

a short while.

The regional engineer visited the building to prepare a bill of quantities. Morian said that the RDC will have to appropriate emergency funds to have the repairs done and he will be writing the Minister of State and the Minister of Finance concerning the issue, since the Mackenzie Post Office cannot accommodate the amount of pensioners and other services assigned to the Wismar Post Office. “We are looking to get the service of the post office entity up and running at the shortest possible time,” Morian said.

Chairman of the Region-

al Welfare Committee, Denise Belgrave, described the incident as an unfortunate one and said that her major concern is the many senior citizens who have been adversely affected.

Belgrave visited the Mackenzie Post Office to render support to the staff.

“I trust that with the intervention of the RDC, even the welfare that we are a part of, that we will be able to accommodate them in some way and even on a wider aspect to see how best we can support them, offer them other forms of having this service that is disrupted there.”

A sign was posted at the gate of the post office

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s ’ a n a y Gu

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Zena Bland takes First Runner-Up

Miss United Nations Pageant

PAGEANT veteran Zena Bland was at it again this month and last Saturday copped the First Runner-Up spot in the Miss United Nations 2018 pageant, held in Kingston, Jamaica.

The 26-year-old UKbased Guyanese finished behind Miss United Nations Asia, Khuahhish Sharma, a fitness instructor and Bland was both shocked and honoured by the placement and the chance to represent her country.

“Overall I feel very proud and accomplished to have represented my beautiful country Guyana on the international stage,” Bland commented in an exclusive interview with The Buzz. “I enjoyed the sister and brotherhood of the pageant the most; meeting men and wom-

en from across the globe; learning their cultures; tasting their national dishes and seeing their wonderful traditional wear. I feel like I’ve had a mini trip around the world and I’m more of a rounded individual now.”

Held annually since 2010, the Miss United Nations pageant is one that came into being with the objective of identifying and showcasing “the world’s best tourism-cause ambassadors; those who have the skills, talents and personalities best suited to promote their respective countries in furtherance of tourism, international goodwill and cultural harmony.”

It is also aimed at supporting environmental protection via strategised programmes and features both queen and king sections.

For the women, the pag-

Guyana’s Zena Bland finished First Runner Up at the Miss United Nations 2018 pageant

eant entailed cultural wear, high fashion wear, evening wear and two interview cat-

egories, that the delegates were evaluated and promoted based on. For Bland, it was

the evening wear segment that really gave her an opportunity to sparkle, thanks to the massive preparation and work she got to put in.

“For me, evening wear was the easiest segment. After receiving catwalk coaching from Alicia Bess in Guyana and Reuben Joseph in London, I walked confidently and was able to shine inside and out,” Bland said.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

“The interview segments were challenging because I didn’t expect them.

I wouldn’t say they were difficult because I am always my authentic self. The challenging part was overcoming my anxiety because I know how important the interviews are,” she explained.

This was Bland’s fourth time competing in a pageant.

Starting in 2012, she was a Miss Guyana UK contestant, taking First Runner-Up. In 2014, she competed again in the pageant and went on to take the title.

In 2016, she tried her hand at the Miss Universe Guyana pageant, finishing third runner-up. And while she was considering hanging up her sash and leaving her pageant days behind her after this Miss United Nations, as fate would have it, the offers are still coming in.

“Initially Miss United Nations 2018 was my last pageant. However, following my performance on coronation night, one of the judges approached me and asked if I would be interested in representing Guyana in another international pageant. This is still to be confirmed,” she stated.

The Summoning

Heavy Metal band Celestial Burn debuts Demo IN Guyana, heavy metal music is not among the most popular genres but it has quite a following in our neighbouring countries and in the Caribbean.

While there isn’t much of a commercial scene for

the music locally, however, this has not stopped young ambitious musicians from following their dream of playing in a rock/ metal band. And over the years there has been, many names have popped up on

the local scene. Some of these bands are no more, while some remain. Amongst the few active bands keeping the heavy metal flame alive Celestial Burn.

Celestial Burn was formed in 2011 by musicians Zaheer Baksh, Roodi Balgobin and some other friends.

However, after playing a debut show, the band quickly broke up due to difficult work schedules. In 2017, Baksh decided to re-launch the band and change the direction of their music.

After one-year, Celestial Burn has produced a Demo CD, played a few live gigs and has lots more in store for the future.

“Our music is of a dark, ambient kind of sound. The vocals are dark and heavy.

The guitar gives a very atmospheric sound with some symphonic vibes to it which makes us stand out from the regular heavy metal sound,” Baksh told The Buzz. “We are trying to bring a differ-

Celestial Burn performing at ‘A tonne of Metal’

ent genre of metal into the heavy metal arena in Guyana because most of the bands over the time were cover bands. But we came forward with our originals - we were confident in writing our own music and in the sound. That was what we put out into the public for our debut show

and it was well received.

We knew then we were on the right track. Even persons who were not heavy metal fans commented on our music and they enjoyed it because it is different.”

The musician stated that the band is trying to set the bar for young persons and

to encourage them not to be afraid to venture into unorthodox subgenres of heavy metal once they love playing it. Tomorrow, the band will host its anniversary and demo launch party, called “The Summoning” at the Grill and Fun Park, located in the YMCA Compound. There will be live performances for several bands, including a Brazilian rock band.

The gates open at 20:00hrs with free admission. The live performance starts at 21:30hrs. There will be band merchandise on sale, which includes t-shirts, demo CDs and more. The show will also feature a performance by the band Alcateia which will give the local crowd a taste of Portuguese hard rock. Baksh stated that the music being performed by his band will also be heard for the first time and is not included on their demo.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Lady Gaga Mourns Loss of ‘Born This Way’ Co-Star Rick ‘Zombie Boy’ Genest to Suicide LADY Gaga is grieving the sudden death of her friend and muse, Rick “Zombie Boy” Genest.

According to reports, the Canadian model died from an apparent suicide at the age of 32. Authorities told iHeartRadio Canada that his body was found on Wednesday at his apartment in Montreal.

Genest, who was famous for his head-to-toe tattoos and living skeleton appearance, starred in the music video for Gaga’s 2011 smash hit, “Born This Way.” She took to Twitter with an emotional message about their relationship and the importance of mental health advocacy.

“The suicide of friend Rick Genest, Zombie Boy is beyond devastating,” the pop star wrote. “We have to work harder to change the culture, bring Mental Health to the forefront and erase the stigma that we can’t talk about it.”

“If you are suffering, call a friend or family today. We must save each other,” she continued.

Alongside several black and white photographs from their time on set, Gaga shared in another tweet, “Science

tells us that it takes 21 days to form a habit, if you are suffering from Mental Health issue I beckon for today to be your

first day or a continuation of the work you’ve been doing.

Reach out if you’re in pain, and if you know someone

who is, reach out to them too.”

Gaga also pledged her commitment to raising awareness for mental health issues, tweeting, “Kindness and mental health aren’t one time practices. They aren’t just to do list items. This fall, in partnership with @btwfoundation, I’ll explore the power of habits to build cultures of kindness and wellness.”

First cast in a Thierry Mugler campaign, Genest forged a successful career in the modeling industry and appeared in magazines such as Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair.

He also became L’Oreal’s first male spokesperson. The late star walked his last red carpet at the 2018 Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards in April.

Our thoughts go out to his loved ones. Genest would have turned 33 next week.

Shepherd and Dorris take delicious win at cook up competition

One of the contestants was all smiles as she presented her cook up to the judges (Tamica Garnett photo)

AFTER having a fun time cooking a big pot of cook up, Elvis Shepherd and Linden’s Waveney Dorris each walked away $100,000 richer after they were adjudged to be the best of the best at the Chief Cook up Competition that was held in the National Park Tarmac on Wednesday last, as part of the Emancipation celebrations.

Dorris and Shepherd were part of 20 contestants who participated in the annual competition which featured two categories: the no meat cook up and the obstacle cook up, which allowed the contestants to add just about anything they wanted to in their cook up.

The contestants were judged on a 20 points system based on the food’s aroma, it’s presentation, and of course, the taste.

The four-man judging panel included HJ’s Feliz Robertson and Gordon Moseley along with comedian Odessa Primus.

Entered in the no meat category, Dorris, who was assisted by her daughter, was all smiles as she presented her well decked out, mouthwatering plate of veggie-cook up to the judges. The plate was so well decorated with provision salad, cheese and potato, steam ochroes, achar and a side of banana bread, that a meat eater would’ve hardly missed the meat.

Shepherd won the obstacle cook up category, where he vied against 15 other entries and faced really difficult competition as each contestant really went all out in making their pots as varied and delicious as possible. Some of the meat utilised by the participants included chicken foot, salted beef, tripe, oxtail, smoked fish, smoked chicken, pigtail and so much more.

Some of the contestants really tried to outdo themselves in the decorations of their Judges (from right) Feliz Robertson, Gordon Moseley and Odessa Primus plates, as well. had a fun time sampling the entries (Tamica Garnett photo) “It was very difficult to come to a winner,” commented Robertson. “Everyone put so much effort into preparing first time judging a food competition and I was very pleased, their cook up the right way so it wasn’t an easy task, however, it was just such a wonderful experience.”

The competition was sponsored by Ansa McAl under their I think the right people won at the end of the day. It was my Chief seasoning brand and celebrated its second hosting. Each participant was provided with the rice, peas and Chief cook up Seasonings but they were responsible for bringing their own variety meats and other ingredients. Each participant was also allowed one assistant as the dish had to be cooked on site.

As part of the festivities, onlookers got to be a part of the sampling with the food being shared out to the crowd as participants were not allowed to take the food home.

Nonetheless, none of the contestants left empty-handed as the second and third place winners in each category received $30,000 and $20,000 respectively while all of the contestants received Ansa McAl hampers.

Representing Ansa McAl at the event was Chief Brand Manager, Tammi Ramsay, who was overjoyed to see how the competition has developed since its initiation last year and looks forward to seeing more growth in the years to come. “This particular event has definitely grown from last year and next year we are looking for continued growth and possibly an addition of a metemgee category,” Some of the contestants preparing their plate to take to she said. the judges (Tamica Garnett photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Are we our brother’s keeper or just desperate hunter-gatherers?

POLITICAL ‘will’ cannot easily change or evolve fossilised thinking and extended practices. In the majority, we have decent people administrating this country, but there will always be ‘Shirt (SHUT) buttons’ callous opportunism

and ‘de belly full but hungry’ crowd. Nature does not discriminate. There will always be all kinds in our human jungle to invoke every facet of extreme emotion across the expanse in our days on earth. When the brutal beating, then killing

of Marlon Fredericks a 33-year-old man and a drug addict occurred, I protested the savagery of that act, without knowing that worse was yet to come. The obvious mentally unstable constable who had shot a man not posing a threat was

charged. The consciousness of the Council did not even reflect the social issue of the drug addict problem in the capital city that they are supposed to be managing when they pledged support for Constable Gregory Bascom and reflected no public acknowledgement to the travesty of Fredericks death. Then to read in the June 10 issue of the Stabroek News that the courts had granted the constable bail on the sum of a meagre $800,000. How is the value of Frederick’s life assessed?

Wasn’t the full context of the act weighed? Or is the conscience of the court no longer a factor? This is one case study of the task that this administration has before it. The PPP had given up managing the humanity of this country. They threw their hands in the air and let everyone do what they wanted, with themselves in the lead, resulting in severe long-term damage.

This is the closest that we have come to a national Government. The Minister of State pleaded with our senior bureaucrats this past February, that “You’re not pen and paper pushers, ensure Government projects are implemented [...]”, but can/will he be heard? The question seems to be the chronic indifference of people who haven’t paid attention for a long time; who are suddenly asked to come up to the blackboard and write in the answer to the question on the blackboard before an attentive class.

Back then, we paid attention because the teacher always had a new ‘wild cane’.

There are homeless people, drug addicts and some at an obvious stage of mental deterioration who sleep at the sides of the Post Office.

Something is wrong with the Board and Management of that institution to think that a sprinkler will be a deterrent to a human being whose mind has lost the cognisance of its own hygiene and vanity. We’re at a mental stage that the first world was in during the early 19th century when the poor and the physically helpless were by that condition social sinners, and even some churches advocated Euthanasia. We must become more aware and proactive in the holistic reaction to the issue of people, and to effectively do this requires a knowledge base as the pretext to public utterances, especially on the new radio stations.

I use minibuses to travel around town. I’m not sure which radio, but last week, one example was talking about youth not wanting to work, one voice said that they were smoking too much, the other voice trivialised it by saying, “Oh is not that they’re smoking but is what they smoking.” One passenger grimaced; another sucked his teeth. We understood that you can’t sound philosophical by saying foolishness.

Another example was again on youth, this time some months ago, a familiar young woman with a nice voice was

addressing the topic of youth in trouble. She dropped the ball when she said that young people get into trouble because they’re not loved at home. A woman blurted out, “She ain’t got children.”

The driver reinforced, “Yuh ain’t hear nothing yet.”

With a quick reference to the Bible, John 9: 2-3, Christ was purported to have said in a query about a blind man, “And his disciples asked him, saying, master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be manifest in him.” Once you’re in mass communication you have got to know your subject matter and equip one’s self with relevant references. A Degree in Communications or the right contacts will not equip you to compete with the competition who with possibly just CXC English or more important, a natural talent for fluent substance packed topics as a presenter, will erase your memory as a lousy has-been. Back in the day, there was a top voice at GBC. His only qualification was English at GCE, but he was an ardent reader, and conscientious of his environment, with a passion for cross investigation. That media voice is now somewhere in North America. These were young talents who paid keen attention to the guidance of their more experienced peers, then improved their ideas along the way.

A history of media in Guyana should be written by someone like Margaret Lawrence or Ron Robinson who were there in the period of my reference.

The holistic appeal of this article is the necessity that, in persons and groups in positions of authority that affect the lives of others or in media and authorship, you owe it to posterity and necessity to practice diligence. The priority to read across the relevant spectrum and research and cross research shouldn’t be a big thing if it’s what you do as a career rather than add your flawed decisions and obvious need for learning to the stress and misfortunes of others.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 3, 2018

Beyonce, Rihanna make Vogue History

Rihanna

It’s the weekend and you know what they say: all work and no play make Jack a dull boy. So get out there and have some fun!

Don’t be cooped up at home.

TODAY The Guyana Animation Network Inc. is hosting its Comic Art Summer Camp Comic Con-Themed Launch Party and Auction 2k18.

This is going down at Education Lecture Theater, University of Guyana. Come dressed as your favourite character!!

TOMORROW Celestial Burn is celebrating its ONE YEAR anniversary of being a band and is also officially launching their DEMO EP. For this special occasion, which will be held at the YMCA Ground, they have put together a small event for all the great and wonderful supporters out there, who have received the band, well in their first year’s adventure of METAL! So don’t be left out, come and join the wonderful celebration. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Live Performances

by Alcateia (Brazilian Hard Rock) Event begins at 20:00hrs Starlight Entertainment Presents “North and South Village Day”. This is going to be epic! Bring out the kids to have fun. Prizes to be won and sound system by Notorious. This will be going down at North Ruimveldt Lions Lawns, Festival City.

S . D . J P re s e n t s “ A f t e r F u n D a y Bashment” at Joery Place Mocha. This party is going to be full of entertainment! Music by evolution and DJ magnum Extra Beer brings to you “Plaisance Village Day”. It’s a fun day so bring out the entire family and enjoy a spectacular afternoon and evening hang. This event will be going down at the Eddie Grant Research Centre.

It’s the party called “Laugh out Loud & Wine in time”. Ladies this one is for you, come out in your numbers. Special prizes will be giving away to the best dancers. It’s all happening at the Fort Wellington Ground.

SUNDAY Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club presents the three-hour Endurance Race. All the fans of car racing you can head down at Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club.

The Wendell Meusa Chess Foundation will be hosting its 1st Chess Funday & Bar-B-Que at The Grill Fun Park, Thomas Land & Camp Street opposite Queen’s College and all are invited. Tickets are $2,000. There will be slides, rides, jumping tent, face painting and much more for the kids as well as activities for the adults, so come out and have a great time.

Refreshments will be on sale as well.

Who is Kiki in Drake’s In My Feelings song?

If you haven’t asked yourself who Kiki is this summer, you clearly haven’t listened to Drake’s new track In My Feelings. ‘Kiki, do you love me’, is the highly repetitive and therefore highly catchy lyric used in the song. And it’s left fans wondering who Kiki is and why Drake wants her to love him so badly. Well, the mystery woman’s identity may have been revealed.

Drake, who IS Kiki?

What if the identity of ‘Kiki’ has been in our face all along? Fans are speculating that the woman in question is actually Keshia Chante, former presenter of BET’s 106 & Park and Drake’s childhood friend from Canada. The former couple have actually been pretty open about their romance over the years. During his appearance on 106 & Park in 2013, Drake, 31, and Chante traded fond memories of their past relationship. According to Chante: ‘We go way back.

We were 14.’

Yes, Drizzy has indeed used Chante as his lyrical muse several times. On his Born to be Successful mixtape track Fallen, Drake raps: ‘Keshia, Keshia, do you remember the old us? You just hold it down for your boy until the plaques arrive that’s why I love you.’

It seems Drake was also close with Chante’s mother Tessa, rapping on Deceiving: ‘What up Tessa, I love you like my own mama, and your daughter’s getting grown, mama. And me, I’m just here working, waiting, patient for her to be ready to love and leave alone drama.’ And judging by the lyrics on In My Feelings, Drake might still be waiting for Kiki’s love.

Rihanna is putting in work, work, work, work, work as the first black woman on the cover of British Vogue’s coveted September issue in its 102 year history.

Fresh on the heels of reports about a Beyoncé takeover of September ’s American Vogue, Rihanna is being celebrated for breaking a barrier.

“I’m so honored to be on the cover of your first September issue with British Vogue @edward_enninful

Thank you for considering me,” Rihanna tweeted.

Enninful explained his choice to feature Rihanna in his letter from the editor.

“No matter how haute the styling goes, or experimental the mood, you never lose her in the imagery.

She is always Rihanna,” he wrote. “There’s a lesson for us all in that. Whichever way you choose to dress the new season, take a leaf out of her book and be yourself.” The issue goes on sale today.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 3, 2018

Moore’s invitational track meet set for August 11 in Essequibo

By Elroy Stephney HISTORY will be made when promoter Wayne Moore hosts Essequibo’s first-ever Athletics invitational track meet on August 11 at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground.

Both athletes and fans are already buzzing with excitement given the historic nature of the event and the huge incentives that will accompany each race.

Over $1M in medals and trophies will be distributed as prizes to each category of both male and female winners. The range of races will span from Under-10 to 19 100 metres as well as Open 100-200 metres, Under 10-19 200 metres along with 400 metres for Under 1319 and Open.

The meet will also include Over-40 100 and 400 metres, Over-50 80 metres and Over-

Promoter Wayne Moore

60 80 metres races. There will also be an 800 metres Open race as well as novelty triathlon, sack-race and limeand-spoon 30 metres races.

In total there will be 25 races the first of which will get on the way from 10:00hrs with the Under-10 100 metres display.

Meanwhile, promoter Wayne Moore has expressed delight with the response as he envisages a successful and memorable day of events.

He further disclosed that the aim of the meet is to inspire the young minds to be competitive in sports and to lend support to athletes who can be identified to represent the district, country as well as international meets.

Registration is free as Moore is encouraging all prospective athletes to grasp the opportunity and register early. Athletes can also register as individuals, villages or as schools. He is appealing to the corporate community to support the event by donating cash or trophies.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has already pledged its support and will be donating the medals while overseas-based Guyanese Compton Williams will be identifying special talent from the meet and will present them with footwear and uniform.

For further information contact can be made with Wayne Moore on 628-4873, 672-9876 or Cheryl Moore on 651-2172.

Historically Essequibo is known to have produced some outstanding longand short-distance athletes including Professor Dr Kimani Nehusi, Dr Colin Roach, Prince Holder, Julian Holder, Kurt Stephney, Carl Joseph, the late Junior Johnson and female sensation Reona Cornette.

The invitational meet comes in the wake of the Government’s stated intention to build a synthetic track in Region 2.

It is expected that the president of the Guyana Athletics Federation Aubrey Hudson and regional officials will attend.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 3, 2018

Kohli’s masterful 149 leaves Taharally, Adams first Test finely poised secure ...

From back page

Sam Curran snaps up three wickets before the lunch break as India slip from 50 for 0 to 59 for 3 (Getty Images)

By Saikat Chatterjee BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) - Virat Kohli scored a gritty 149 to rescue India and leave the intriguing first Test finely balanced, as England were left to rue several missed chances before they ended the second day 22 runs ahead yesterday.

With England’s pace bowlers running through India’s much-vaunted top order to leave them reeling on 1005, it was left to captain Kohli to string together a series of partnerships as he seemed to be on a one-man mission to overhaul England’s first-innings total of 287.

Making the most of the two dropped catches by England at 21 and 51, Kohli let out a huge roar in celebration after belting the ball off Ben Stokes for a boundary to bring up his century.

He was soon slipping off his wedding ring from around his neck and kissing it in a defiant message to his critics who had blamed marriage for his poor form during the 2014 England series, when he averaged just 13.40, to his now wife Anushka.

He continued to punish

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the England bowlers to notch up 22 boundaries and a six during his 225-ball knock.

India’s last two wickets added 92 runs before Kohli was finally last man out after he misjudged leg-spinner Adil Rashid’s delivery and was caught by Stuart Broad at point.

His dismissal gave England a slim 13-run first-innings lead after they bowled out the visitors for 274.

Such was the dominance of the 29-year-old captain, the next top scorer for India was opener Shikhar Dhawan with 26.

“At one stage, we were staring down the barrel and Virat’s innings has narrowed down the gap between the two teams immensely,” assistant coach Sanjay Bangar said at a press conference. “The game is very finely poised now.”

In their second innings, England lost Alastair Cook to the day’s final ball as they closed on 9-1.

EARLY BLOWS India had got off to a solid start in the morning as openers Murali Vijay and Dhawan chalked up a half-century partnership but

the visitors were then rocked by three swift strikes by left-arm swing bowler Sam Curran.

Curran, playing in only his second Test, dismissed Vijay, Dhawan and Lokesh Rahul in the space of nine runs.

Though India limped to 76 for three at lunch, the post-lunch session bought no respite with all-rounder Stokes picking up two wickets to reduce the visitors to 100-5.

James Anderson was England’s most economical bowler with 41 runs off 22

overs while Curran bagged four wickets.

England only managed to add two runs to their overnight total yesterday following their dramatic collapse in Wednesday’s final session.

The hosts, playing their 1000th Test, had lost six wickets for 67 runs as they limped to the close on 285 for nine on Wednesday.

Skipper Joe Root had top-scored with a fluent 80 but his run-out from a brilliant throw by Kohli led to their demise.

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings Alastair Cook b Ravichandran Ashwin 13 Keaton Jennings b Mohammed Shami 42 Joe Root run-out Virat Kohli 80 Dawid Malan lbw Mohammed Shami 8 Jonny Bairstow b Umesh Yadav 70 Ben Stokes c & b Ravichandran Ashwin 21 Jos Buttler lbw Ravichandran Ashwin 0 Sam Curran c Dinesh Karthik b Mohammed Shami 24 Adil Rashid lbw Ishant Sharma 13 Stuart Broad lbw Ravichandran Ashwin 1 James Anderson not out 2 Extras: (b-9, lb-4) 13 Total: (all out, 89.4 overs) 287 Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-98, 3-112, 4-216, 5-223, 6-224, 7-243, 8-278, 9-283.

Bowling: Umesh Yadav 17-2-56-1, Ishant Sharma 17-1-46-1, Ravichandran Ashwin 26-7-62-4, Mohammed Shami 19.4-2-64- 3, Hardik Pandya 10-1-46-0.

INDIA 1st innings Murali Vijay lbw Sam Curran 20 Shikhar Dhawan c Dawid Malan b Sam Curran 26 Lokesh Rahul b Sam Curran 4 Virat Kohli c Stuart Broad b Adil Rashid 149 Ajinkya Rahane c Keaton Jennings b Ben Stokes 15 Dinesh Karthik b Ben Stokes 0 Hardik Pandya lbw Sam Curran 22 Ravichandran Ashwin b James Anderson 10 Mohammed Shami c Dawid Malan b James Anderson 2 Ishant Sharma lbw Adil Rashid 5 Umesh Yadav not out 1 Extras: (b-4, lb-11, nb -4, w-1) 20 Total: (all out, 76.0 overs) 274 Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-54, 3-59, 4-100, 5-100, 6-148, 7-169, 8-182, 9-217.

Bowling: James Anderson 22-7-41-2, Stuart Broad 10-2-40-0 (nb3), Sam Curran 17-1-74-4 (w-1), Adil Rashid 8-0-31-2, Ben Stokes 19-4-73-2 (nb-1).

ENGLAND 2nd innings Alastair Cook b Ravichandran Ashwin 0 Keaton Jennings not out 5 Extras: (b-4) 4 Total: (one wkt, 3.4 overs) 9 Fall of wickets: 1-9.

Bowling: Mohammed Shami 2-2-0-0, Ravichandran Ashwin 1.4-05-1.

Taharally who was the first Guyanese athlete to compete, had a combined total weight lifted of 355Kg in the Raw Masters 1 category. She had a best Squat of 130Kg, Bench Press of 65Kg and a 160Kg Deadlift.

Her Total Wilks points was 355.85 which was good enough to land her the Gold Medal ahead of Mexico’s Luisa Torres.

In the Women’s 72KG Raw Master’s Open, Taharally was pipped by Costa Rica’s Kimberly Lara to the Silver medal and had to settle for Bronze while Aurora Perez (Mexico) copped Gold.

Taharally lifted a total of 355Kg with a Squat of 130Kg, Bench pressed 65Kg and Deadlifted 160Kg. Perez had a total of 432.5Kg while Lara’s total of 357.5Kg was good enough to land her the Silver.

Meanwhile, another female Guyanese athlete, Grace Babb, also gave a good account of herself in the same category, finishing fourth overall. She had a total of 307.5Kg lifted with a Squat of 107.5Kg, Bench press of 60Kg and a Deadlift of 140Kg. Adams who was the only male Guyanese athlete to compete on the opening day won a close battle with Panama’s Jose Garcia Rodriguez to clinch the Gold medal.

Adams whose new Personal Best (PB) Deadlift of 262.5Kg sealed his victory, had a total weight of 617.5Kg lifted, with his

best Squat at 215Kg and Bench press of 140Kg. Garcia Rodriguez lifted a total of 615Kg with a best Squat of 235kg, Bench pressed 137.5Kg and Deadlifted 242.5Kg for his Silver Medal.

Meanwhile Costa Rica’s Alejandro Irias Quesada took Bronze with a total of 510Kg lifted, his best Squat was 182.5Kg, Bench press 110Kg and deadlift 217.5Kg. The Championships continue today with the rest of Guyanese athletes in action.

The athletes are as follows: Grace Babb (Women’s Classic Open, 72kg) Nadina Taharally (Women’s Classic Open and Women’s Classic Masters I, 72kg) Paul Adams (Men’s Classic Open, 83kg) Franklyn Brisport (Men’s Equipped Open and Men’s Equipped Masters II, 66kg) Carlos Petterson (Men’s Classic Open and Men’s Equipped Open, 93kg) Nairanjan Singh (Men’s Equipped Open and Men’s Equipped Masters IV, 83kg) Erwyn Smith (Men’s Equipped Open, 93kg) Frank Tucker (Men’s Equipped Open and Men’s Equipped Masters III, 105kg)

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28

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 3, 2018

Thirty-six swimmers selected for Barbados Goodwill Swim Meet SOME 36 swimmers, including multiple gold medallist Aleka Persaud and silver medallist Daniel Scott, have been selected by the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) to represent the country at the upcoming Goodwill Swim Meet, which will be held in Barbados from August 17 to 19.

The swimmers and the accompanying coaches and chaperone will represent the largest team to travel outside of the country to participate at the meet, where Guyana will be matching skills against seven other countries.

Aside from the core members Trinidad, Suriname, Barbados, St Lucia, The Bahamas and Grenada, this year will see Jamaica participate at the event as a guest team. Each team is allotted a maximum of 40 swimmers.

However notwithstanding Guyana’s large size, the team is not without challenges.

Noticeably missing from

this year’s team are several longstanding stalwarts, some of whom have aged out of the competition’s age category.

As well, multiple gold medallists and competition record-holder Leon Seaton can no longer participate at the meet by virtue of having made it to a final at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships. Because Goodwill is a developmental meet for emerging swimmers, those who perform well at official regional meets are barred from performing at Goodwill.

Another star swimmer for Guyana, Noel Raekwon, is also off this year’s Goodwill team for the same reason.

The team faces serious loss in the Girls’ 15-17 category, where there is not a single swimmer, as top swimmers Nikita Fiedtkou, Kenita Mahaica and Accalia Khan have all aged out of the category.

Also noticeably missing from the team are the George twins - Danielle and Jadyn,

Daniel Scott

and Donna Carter who might have been able to fill that void.

These swimmers are said to have missed out on participation at the selection meet which was held back in April.

These losses come at a time when the country will be hard-pressed to continue on the road to improvement, after finishing third overall last year, with 60 medals.

Goodwill Swim Meet gold medallist Aleka Persaud

This was after usual powerhouse Barbados ended up slipping to fifth. However, with Barbados having home pool advantage this year, it will be an added strain on the Guyana side to live up to expectations.

On the good side, the make-up will at least allow the athletes to be in the majority of the relays, a specific

area where Guyana have continually fallen short, and heavily contributed to the continued low standing over the years.

Outside of the 9-10 and Girls’ 15-17 groups, all of the categories have at least four swimmers. And according to the team manager Jennel Ramsook preparations have been coming along well.

“Plans are coming along great; they’re training hard, morning and afternoon. Great expectations! We are doing some fundraisers. We received some sponsorship but we need more persons to come aboard with sponsorship,” Ramsook said.

Everyone is hopeful that more sponsors from corporate Guyana as well as the government will come on board to assist the team and make it possible for everyone to make it to the meet.

The full team is as follows GIRLS: 8-and-under: Nia

Burch-Smith, Shareefah Lewis, Zara Crane, Ariel Rodrigues, Jasmin Allen, Jessica Sookram 9-10: Kayla Hardy, Kayle Hardy 11-12: Monique Watson, Patrice Mahaica, Aleka Persaud, Althacy Hunte 13-14: Latisha Blair, Sofia Pinol, Giselle Crane, Amber DeGoeas BOYS: 8-and-under: Macaiah Enoe, Ricardo Spencer, Dean Spencer, Karsten DeJonge 9-10: Jeremy Sookram, Jeron Sookram, Hashim Mohammed 11-12: Paul Mahaica, Micah Chichester, Vladimir Woodroffe, Ethan Gonsalves, Jaleel Anderson 13-14: Sekhel Tzedeq, Sion Jeffers, Vidjas Mohammed, Joseph Matthews 15-17: Daniel Scott, Fitzroy Thom, Andrew Jordon, Antonio Rodrigues

Regional Under-19 competition bowls off today

Forbes wins 200m, earns Jamaica’s sixth gold medal

GUYANA will look to start their defence of the threeday title of the Regional Under-19 Championship strongly, when they face Leeward Islands in the opening round of matches today, at Arnos Vale Cricket Grounds.

Other first-round matches will see Trinidad and Tobago clash with the Windward Islands at the Park Hill Playing Field, while Barbados and Jamaica face off at the Sion Hill Playing Field.

The second round of matches in the three-day component of the 2018 championships will be played August 7-9. Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago will meet at Sion Hill Playing Field, Jamaica and the Windward Islands at the Arnos Vale Cricket Grounds, while Barbados and the Leeward Islands battle at the Parkhill Playing Field.

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia (CMC) – Sprinter Shashalee Forbes helped Jamaica make a clean sweep of the women’s sprints when she stormed to victory in the 200 metres at the Central American and Caribbean Games here on Wednesday night.

After watching teammate Jonielle Smith capture the 100 metres on Monday night, Forbes comfortably raced to victory as Caribbean athletes swept the first three positions.

Forbes clocked 22.80 seconds, ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s (T&T) Semoy Hackett (22.95) and fellow Jamaican Jodean Williams, who finished a close third in 22.96.

Forbes, who was running with a hamstring injury, said she was elated to win gold in the event.

“I didn’t run like I wanted to, but I came out here

The third and final round of matches in the three-day event will be played August 11-13. Jamaica will clash with Trinidad and Tobago at the Arnos Vale Cricket Grounds, Barbados and Guyana will meet at the Park Hill Playing Field, while the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands do battle at the Sion Hill Playing Field.

The six traditional teams will contest the three-day championships, while the one-day tournament will be contested by seven - Canada being the seventh team. The One-Day tournament commences on August 16.

There will be no grand finale this year, as both three-day and one-day components will be played in a round-robin format.

See full fixture:

with a lot of pain so to finish first is very exciting,” she said after the race.

“Because of the (right hamstring) injury, I didn’t want to push too hard in the first part of the race, but then I saw the opportunity, so I took it.”

In the men’s 200 metres finals, T&T’s Kyle Greaux finished third in 20.26 seconds and Jamaica’s Rasheed Dwyer fourth (20.41) The race was won by Colombia’s Bernardo Baloyes in a time of 20.13 seconds, while Panamanian Alonso Edward finished second in 20.17.

There was glory for T&T in the women’s shot put when Cleopatra Borel-Brown won the event with a distance of 18.14 metres.

Cuba’s Yaniuvis Lupez finished second with a throw of 18.02 metres and MarÌa Orozco of Mexico grabbed third with 17.88 metres.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 3, 2018

A motorsport review

How invested in safety are we?

By Stephan Sookram

THE Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) this week announced that it began preparatory works for its launch-pad and full quarter-mile drag strip at the South Dakota Circuit as it gets ready for the club’s King of the Strip 3 International Drag race set for August 26.

While it brings smiles to some, it brings many more questions, paramount of which is safety.

No one wants the conversation on safety. Most think it’s a waste of time because, well, “duh could neva bai!”

It cannot be overstated that motor racing is dangerous. Spectators, drivers and even officials know this very well; but it is the reduction of this degree of danger that can mean the difference between life and death.

There are a couple of things that I hope will be taken into consideration with the completion and installation of the new launch-pad and drag strip.

SPECTATOR FENCING DOWN THE STRIP This is a sore point. Many have raised it and, many have brushed it off. Earlier this year a competitor turned turtle after flipping his car several times and ending up chewing through one of the fences at the bottom end of the strip. It showed us how easy it is for a car to rip through the obsolete fencing along that stretch.

what is required here and maybe it’s time to go private instead of going public.

Something that should be more of an eye opener is the fact that during that incident that car, almost at rest, managed to tear down the fence, so imagine what could happen in full motion; I shudder at the thought.

Now I’m not one to criticise and not offer a fix. The recommendation for this is a two-tier fencing, featuring both inner and outer fences.

While this may be tough for a cash-strapped committee, the short term alternative to this is a well-strapped tyre barrier along the full strip.

If both could be done, then the safer the spectators will be; also ploughing of the sand along the strip (though I am informed this is usually done).

SPECTATOR CONTROL ON THE START LINE Another sore point, the dangers of which people don’t often understand is (I understand) fans want to be as close to the action as possible but it is also a point

of real danger. While the earlier part of a drag meet is managed well, the ranks of the enforcement agency either wander off, become spectators or are ill-equipped to handle the task in the afternoon.

The real danger that people can’t seem to fathom is that should a car lose control on the start, or during its ‘warm-up’, then those around it become targets.

It must be said that no driver goes to the line with the intention of causing harm but straight commonsense will tell you that nothing is 100 percent guaranteed all the time.

In addition, many spectators when they crowd at the line tend to block the ambulance and other emergency vehicles and should anything happen, they tend to want to be first responders on the scene, directly impeding the qualified personnel.

Gated spectator areas could be a solution to this, in addition to the one mechanic and the driver rule. A stronger enforcement arm is also

CAR ELIGIBILITY This one is by far the sorest of the set. personal safety.

While the club cannot control the build of a drag car, they can obviously enforce certain rules. I’ve seen cars barrelling down that strip at over 100mph with the driver using a pair of rubber slippers, a helmet with the buckle flapping in the wind and a regular seatbelt. I kid you not!

Millions of dollars’ worth of engine parts and modifications but the driver has on a regular seat belt. Mind you, I understand that a lot of the cars are daily drives (especially in the 15-11) second class but the lack of proper gear is inexcusable. In addition to that, many of those lower time bracket cars have little or no roll cages should things become even more disastrous.

Of the few that have, even fewer can pass an actual safety test, let alone a crash. But hey, they are allowed to race in the interest of letting the show go on. One of these days, it may be shorter than a few people expect.

I don’t think I need to state fixes for this particular issue as they are as plain as day. Still, the idea here is not to seem like the harbinger of issues that face drag racing, but rather to highlight some things that should be addressed to enhance the sport locally. (ssookram@ guyanachronicle.com)

FIFA reduces ban on Derrick by two years

ZURICH, Switzerland (CMC) – FIFA’s Appeal Committee has reduced the ban on former Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president Gordon Derrick from six years to four years.

The reduction means he has three years and six weeks left on his ban.

Derrick, the former General Secretary of Antigua’s Football Association, had initially been given the sixyear ban by a FIFA’s Ethics Committee back in September 2017, following an investigation which began in March 2015. He has denied

wrongdoing.

He had also been barred from contesting the 2016 election for the CONCACAF presidency that saw Canadian Victor Montagliani take the job.

FIFA’s appeal committee said it agreed with the original verdict that Derrick had violated rules on offering and accepting gifts and other benefits, conflicts of interest, loyalty and general conduct.

“These breaches were confirmed by the FIFA Appeal Committee,” it said in a FIFA statement.

It did not agree, however,

Gordon Derrick had his six-year ban reduced to four years by FIFA.

with the ethics committee’s findings that Derrick had failed to collaborate with

the investigation or disclose information.

It therefore decided to “reduce the sanction imposed on Derrick, following its finding that fewer (ethics code) articles had been infringed, and taking into account all mitigating circumstances of the case.”

The appeal committee said it had also halved an original fine of 30 000 Swiss francs ($30 300). Derrick now has the option of taking his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Amazon Warriors to begin pre-tournament camp today DESPITE unfavourable weather conditions, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will commence their pre-tournament camp under the guidance of head coach, former South African all-rounder Johan Botha, and his technical support team at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The camp, a customary practice for teams preparing for competitions, is a vital one for the local franchise, who will look to stuff a heavy workload into the next few days with the aim of getting to peak condition for the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Under Botha, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will be looking to win the tournament for the first time, having played in three of the five finals to date.

Guyana Amazon Warriors head coach Johan Botha.

Guyana will host seven games this year, including the two playoff matches. The local franchise is set to play St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on August 9, St Lucia Stars on August 11, Barbados Tridents on August 12, Jamaica Tallawahs on September 8 and Trinbago Knight Riders on September 9.

The playoff matches are billed for September 11 and 12.

Sarwan to play ‘huge’ role with Tallawahs – O’Donnell

Ramnaresh Sarwan having a chat with a Tallawahs squad member, at Sabina Park on Wednesday

HEAD coach of the Jamaica Tallawahs, Mark O’Donnell, has high expectations of his assistant coach Ramnaresh Sarwan.

The 38-year-old former Guyana Amazon Warriors and Windies batsman was appointed assistant coach earlier this year just prior to the CPL draft. He comes into the job with tons of experience.

He captained the Guyana Amazon Warriors in 2014 after serving the Windies with aplomb over a 13-year career in which he played 87 Tests and scored 15 centuries. He also scored five tons and 38 half-centuries in 181 ODIs. O’Donnell expects these attributes will be key to the success of the Jamaican CPL franchise. “Huge! Massive experience, I want the players to draw on that, really

much from a mentoring point of view, with the young West Indian players,” the New Zealander told SportsMax. TV on Wednesday as the Tallawahs prepared for their one-week camp at Sabina Park.

In fact, O’Donnell said, Sarwan’s importance is already being felt within the Tallawahs set-up.

“Having said that, the young man played three years ago and he was in Trinidad not that long ago, so it is very important that the guys, who have played in the modern era and played in and around the T20 setting, offer a lot.

“He has been brilliant in the two days we have already had it’s been a lot of very, very good casual, useful discussions in and around that and that’s the right way to do it.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 1, 2018

Garrett gains Louisiana State University Alexandria scholarship JEREMY Garrett, the 18-year-old ‘defensive maestro’ will depart Guyana shortly for the USA, after gaining a scholarship to the Louisiana State University Alexandria.

The school, which competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) system, is one of the premier football schools at that NAIA level, and Garrett said that he’s more than ready and excited for his new journey in the sport.

“For me it all started in terms of balancing the academics and sport at my home club; we run a summer programme every year and that’s where it started for me. I’m thankful for the opportunity presented to me and I’ll look to make full use of it and make Guyana proud,” Garrett said.

A former student of Chase Academy, Garrett excelled at the Caribbean Secondary Education Cer-

tary of the Fruta Conquerors Football Club where Garrett played his entire life, said much of the player’s success

GOOD LUCK! Jeremy Garrett, flanked by GFF president Wayne Forde (first right) and secretary of the Fruta Conquerors football club. (Rawle Toney photo)

tificate (CSEC) examination, as well as Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

Daniel Thomas, secre-

and his getting a scholarship, has to do with attention given at Chase Academy, since the school set the platform for the defender to excel

academically.

According to Thomas, Garrett’s journey has been ‘long’, for the charismatic defender, but as a club, Fruta Conquerors are more than happy to assist in whatever way possible.

Meanwhile, president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde, upon wishing Garrett well, reasoned that “almost five months ago, the GFF started

a level of engagement with coaches within the university structure of the United States. We determined that some of the players will be challenged to access opportunities in some of the higher-ranked universities while others might be suited for community colleges and academic institutions.”

“The Federation was required to offer certain assurances on behalf of

Jeremy, but in the final analysis, it is pleasing to us that Jeremy will be able to access this opportunity. I think Jeremy will be leading the charge for many young players who will follow him subsequently.

“The goal of the Federation is clearly to open up these opportunities to as many young players as possible,” Forde said.

ExxonMobil is main sponsor of Guyana Amazon Warriors OIL giant ExxonMobil has been confirmed as the main sponsor of the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The official unveiling of the partnership between the company and the franchise will take place today at a media launch at the Marri-

ott Hotel in Georgetown at 10:30hrs.

ExxonMobil replaces last year’s main sponsor GTT. During the 2017 tournament, ExxonMobil was also part of the franchise set-up.

Guyana Amazon Warriors have played three finals, finishing second-best on all three occasions, and two

semi-finals.

The tournament will run from August 8 to September 16. Apart from five Guyana Amazon Warriors home games, Guyana will also host the two playoff matches for the first time in the tournament’s history.

Eugene again to host U.S. Olympic Trials

(REUTERS) - The U.S. track and field trials for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be held in the Eugene, Oregon stadium being built for the 2021 world championships, officials announced yesterday.

The selection marks the fourth consecutive time and seventh overall that the trials will be in Eugene. However, it will be the first time that it will be staged at the $200M Hayward Field stadium that will replace a nearly 100-year-old facility by the same name that has been the centre of U.S. athletics for decades.

More than 1 000 athletes are expected to participate in the first major competition in the stadium, which is scheduled for

completion in the spring of 2020.

“No domestic event is more important to athletes and fans than the Olympic Trials,” USA Track and Field (USATF) Chairman of the Board Steve Miller said in a statement.

“Having continuity in location as we move from the Olympic Trials into 2021 will enhance and amplify everything around the sport in the United States, from marketing and promotions to operational efficiencies.”

Eugene was selected over Sacramento, California, and Austin, Texas for the competition which is considered the world’s top track and field meeting outside the Olympic and world championships.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday August 03, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Bangladesh won the series 2-1

(2)

Tamin Iqbal

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored most runs for Bangladesh in the recent ODI series against the WI? (2)

Who scored most runs for the WI? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

The trials were originally awarded to Mt San Antonio College in southern California but the USATF board in May reopened the bidding, citing concerns over litigation surrounding the construction of a new stadium there and possible delays.

The college chose not to bid again.

Eight days of competition are scheduled over 10 days with the first three finishers outside the marathons selected for the July 24-August 9 Tokyo Olympics, provided they have met qualifying standards.

The U.S. marathon trials are set for February 29, 2020 in Atlanta.

The driving force in bringing previous major meetings to Eugene, Vin Lananna, last month stepped down as president of TrackTown USA, the trials’ local organisers, to devote more time on the future of the sport in the United States.

Lananna, who was also chair of the 2021 world championships organisers since February, has been on temporary administrative leave from his position as president of USA Track & Field while the U.S. Department of Justice investigated the 2021 bid.

He has denied his resignation was connected in any way to the DOJ investigation, and Eugene organisers have said they had adhered to all ethical and legal standards in pursuing the bid.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 3, 2018

‘Jackie Chan’ fires Sparta Boss into semi-finals; Gold is Money also advance GREGORY ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson scored twice and was pivotal in Sparta Boss reaching the semi-finals of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ National Championships, following his side’s 3-1 win over Trafalgar, on Wednesday evening at the Haslington tarmac.

Richardson banged in a double in the sixth and 13th minutes, while Cleyon Forrester scored in the 16th minute.

For the losers, a consolation goal in the form of a fortuitous own goal was recorded in the 14th minute. In their second fixture, Sparta Boss dismantled Paradise 7-0.

The gulf in quality was evident from the opening whistle, as Courtney Britton recorded a brace in the sec-

ond and third minutes.

He then returned in the final moments to record a Guinness Goal (GG) (a goal scored in the final three minutes counts as two) in the 18th minute.

Also registering a (GG) in the 19th minute was Dennis Edwards, while Forrester made his presence felt once more in the 15th minute.

On the other hand, Gold is Money, the Georgetown champions, edged East Coast Demerara title-holders Uprising 1-0. Deon Alfred volleyed home a left-foot strike in the 15th minute.

Gold is Money then sealed their final-four berth without breaking a sweat, following a walkover victory against Bent Street, who failed to take the playing area.

Eleven Guyanese cyclists qualify for Senior Caribbean Championships in DR

Paul DeNobrega

Jamual John

ELEVEN Guyanese cyclists have qualified for the Senior Caribbean Cycling Championships which will be held in the Dominican Republic (DR) from October 12 to 13.

The 11 cyclists are Andrew Hicks, Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith, Curtis ‘Chappy’ Dey, Deeraj Garbarran, Jamual John, Romello Crawford, Silvio Innis, Hamzah Eastman, Paul DeNobrega, Briton John and Alonzo Ambrose.

However, the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) has since released a circular stating that only five cyclists can represent the ‘Land of Many Waters’ at the Championships.

A notable absentee from the list is Raynauth Jeffrey, despite his being the National Time Trial (TT) champion.

Meanwhile Team Coco’s Jamual John should be a ‘shoo-in’ as he has consis-

tently been on the podium in Guyana in both road and park races. He is young, growing in confidence and the outside experience could only help develop him further.

Another cyclist to watch is DeNobrega who has the quality and patience required to win big races and as a former Junior Caribbean Champion he would bring experience to the team.

Just back from the CAC Games in Colombia, Romello Crawford is in a purple patch of form, he’s a brilliant sprinter and racing on the USA Circuit has added to his experience.

Curtis Dey, who is currently in his first season as a senior cyclist in Guyana, is the reigning National Road Race champion and should also make the cut.

Within the next two weeks, five of the 11 listed cyclists will be selected to represent Guyana.

With the wins, Sparta Boss will now oppose Linden champions Silver Bullets, while Gold is Money will battle National champions Dave & Celina’s All-Stars in the semi-finals tomorrow at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The eliminated teams are Bent Street, Buxton Diamond, Melanie-B, Paradise, Trafalgar and Uprising.

Guinness Football

Part of the action between Sparta Boss and Trafalgar on Wednesday evening in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ football tournament

IPF/NAPF Regional Championships

Taharally, Adams secure two Gold and a Bronze for Guyana

By Michelangelo Jacobus ON the opening day of IPF/NAPF Regional Power Lifting Championships in Mexico City, Mexico, the ‘Golden Arrowhead’ flew high as Guyana’s Nadina Taharally won a Gold Medal in the Women’s 72KG Raw Masters 1 category Nadina Taharally poses and a Bronze Medal in the with her Women’s 72KG Women’s 72KG Raw MasRaw Masters 1 Gold and ter’s Open while Paul AdWomen’s 72KG Raw Master’s Open Bronze medals. ams won Gold in the Men’s Classic Raw Open 83Kg category. Continued on page 27 ►

Paul Adams during his Dead Lift at the IPF/NAPF Regional Championships in Mexico City, Mexico.

Kohli’s masterful 149 leaves first Test finely poised See story on page 27 Virat Kohli celebrates his 22nd Test century as he helps India add 92 for the last two wickets to be all out for 274, 13 runs short of England’s first-innings total. (Gettyimages)

Forbes wins 200m, earns Jamaica’s sixth gold medal

PAGE

28 Shashalee Forbes wins gold for Jamaica in the 200 metres at the CAC Games.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018