Guyana Chronicle E-paper 08-04-2018

SATURDAY 4th August, 2018

No.105356

GWI REVENUE ‌ but owed over $3B by AT $2B delinquent customers PAGE

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Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally (left) delivering aid to the victims of a devastating fire that destroyed their home on Wednesday at Kingelly Village West Coast Berbice

Warders foil

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192 countries

coming for escape plot aviation confab PAGE

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at Lusignan Prison

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

192 countries coming for aviation confab …Field says 16 hotels booked, Guyana all set

GUYANA is all set to host for the first time the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Air Transport Meeting from November 21-23, 2018, with several large companies indicating sponsorship of the event.

The conference will see discourse on maximising economic benefits of avia-

tion, harmonising air transport regulatory framework, liberalisation of air cargo in the Region and globally, air transportation and tourism, and stimulating investment.

Moreover, on the final day of the three-day event, Guyana will also host an African Diaspora Conference which will speak to promoting air linkages to

the African states and the diaspora, along with trade and infrastructure.

Director-General, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Field speaking at a press conference Friday, said some 192 signatory states of ICAO are expected to participate in the meeting which is to be

held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal.

He explained that preparations for the meeting, themed, “Promoting connectivity for sustainable air transport development” are advancing according to plan and revealed that thus far several major companies, including Caribbean Airlines and SOL Aviation

Silver, Bronze and Lite.

He noted that emphasis will be placed on tour, entertainment, coffee break, and stationery sponsors to name a few.

Caribbean Airlines and Sol Aviation Inc. are two of the meeting’s largest sponsors thus far, though major ground handlers out of JFK Airport, Swiss Port and MSN Aviation Ser-

Director-General, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Field (Adrian Narine photo)

General Manager, SOL Aviation Guyana, Liz Wyatt hands over a cheque for $1M to Franklin ‘Bobby’ Vieira, Director of Marketing and Operational Support on Friday (DPI) Inc. have signed on as Platinum and Silver Sponsors respectively.

“We are looking to host a conference that is of international standards,” said Field, who disclosed that since the signing an agreement with ICAO to be host country, an ICAO scout visited Guyana to inspect the identified venue and a website has been created. Thus far, some 16 hotels have been locked in by the meeting’s secretariat, interpreters have been identified and a permanent secretariat is being set up.

Currently, a temporary secretariat is housed at the GCAA office, High Street, Kingston.

Meanwhile, Franklin ‘Bobby’ Vieira, Director of Marketing and Operational Support, told reporters that there are five categories of sponsors: Platinum, Gold,

vices are also sponsors.

“ICAO is helping to gather sponsorship,” Vieira said, noting that the meeting will have international sponsors as well. He disclosed that a 40-page conference magazine will be published and distributed to the expected 600-plus delegates, who are to participate in the international meeting. Sponsors will be able to showcase their businesses therein.

Caribbean Airlines’ Head of Marketing, Alicia Cabrerea, said the airline as a platinum sponsor is pleased to be affiliated with the ICAO meeting.

“We were very honoured to be considered as a sponsor. To showcase our commitment, we jumped to the opportunity and we are happy to say that we are a platinum sponsor committed to consistent

service,” CAL’s head of Marketing stated. Similarly, CAL’s country manager Carl Stuart made it clear that CAL has the capacity to transport large numbers of persons coming for the conference, while noting that CAL has always provided a reliable service, not only to Guyana, but across the Caribbean and farther afield.

Other airlines such as American Airlines, which is scheduled to start operations here in November, will also be relied upon to transport participants to Guyana.

Meanwhile, Sol Aviation Inc. has donated $1M to the GCAA for the meeting. Its country manager, Liz Wyatt, in brief remarks said “It is going to be a marvellous opportunity.”

“SOL Guyana is the wholesaler of petroleum products; the one area of business we are not in, in Guyana right now is aviation,” said Wyatt, who noted that it is her company’s intention to enter the aviation sector.

She said health, safety and the environment are paramount to her company as “you don’t want to have bad fuel while 30,000 feet in the air.”

She said the meeting will showcase Guyana and all it has to offer and will provide an “amazing opportunity.”

GWI revenue at $2B

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

… but owed over $3B by delinquent customers

By Navendra Seoraj THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has recorded an increase in its revenue for the first half of the year but the company is still owed over $3 billion which it hopes to recover by taking delinquent customers to court.

At the end of June 2018 the company had recorded over $2 billion in revenue which reflects an increase of over $200 million when compared to the corresponding period last year, said Executive Director of Commercial Services and Customer relations, Marlon Daniels during a

press conference at GWI on Friday.

According to Daniels, the company has been recording consistent increases in revenue since 2016.

“This is owed to the fact that the company was able to split itself into zones so we can liaise with customers and remind them that they have to pay on time… even customers on contracts are reminded,” he said.

Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard VanWest Charles elaborated more on the disaggregation of customers into zones, noting that they are able to easily identify the customers who pay within the

required timeframe and the delinquent consumers.

The company’s Corporate Secretary, Nigel Niles said, they have started to issue demand letters to customers who owe over $100,000.

“If they do not respond to us in a positive manner we file action against them… we started the process in Berbice and recently and three judgments were handed down against customers who owe in excess of $100,000,” said the corporate secretary. GWI has been able to prepare a list of over 1000 customers who owe in excess of the targeted figure. The list comprises persons from

Berbice, the East Coast of Demerara, Georgetown, Anna Regina and the West Coast of Demerara.

Just about 200 of the 1000 persons are from Georgetown. Niles said those persons will be served with notices soon.

CREDIT INFO In an earlier presentation, Dr. Van-West Charles said the company has started to share information with Credit Info so that lending institutions would know who bad debtors are.

“Once you go to the bank or courts to have access to credit your name will come up as a bad cus-

tomer once you owe a certain amount to GWI,” he said. The system has been working for the company but, the managing director said he prefers the “soft approach” of encouraging customers to pay on a timely basis.

Dr. Van-West Charles said the more harsh method would be to use new devices to plug a customer’s water supply until the company receives the necessary payments. In addition, he explained that any customer who owes the company for over three years will be removed from the system and would have to apply for a new service which would not be easy.

Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard VanWest Charles As was said in the past, GWI will continue to monitor customers by ensuring that all customers, particularly commercial users, are metered.

Running feud ends in tragedy –– as one friend shoots another to death

By Leroy Smith AN alleged long-standing feud between two friends ended on Thursday night with a 21-year-old being shot twice about his body by his assailant.

Dead is Ronsley Alphonso Clarke of Fire Station Area, Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

Clarke’s sister told the Guyana Chronicle during an interview at the Turkeyen Police Station that she was at home when she received word that her brother was injured.

She said the first caller

told her that her brother was fine, and was being taken to the hospital, but shortly thereafter she received another call saying that he was dead.

The young woman explained that she travelled all the way from Timehri to meet with the police in town and provide them with a statement about what she knows of the attacker, as he was spotted on several occasions in Timehri.

Asked whether she knew about an alleged feud between the two men, she claimed she knew of

no such thing, nor does she know her brother and the suspect to be friends.

However, a man who gave his name as Jason and claimed to have been with Clarke when he was shot, said that the deceased and the assailant were friends, but had on-and-off fights over some kind of issue which neither of them ever spoke about.

Recalling what occurred on Thursday night, Jason said that he and Clarke were at a party at a place in ‘C’ Field Sophia called ‘Pocket Corner,’ when the assailant came

Ronsley Alphonso Clarke, who was shot dead in Sophia running towards them and opened fire.

He further recalled that

there were more than 30 persons around at the time of the incident.

Jason said that after the shooting, the assailant ran towards a motorcycle which was parked a short distance away, and calmly rode away from the scene.

The police has since issued a press release in which they’ve identified Clarke as being a mason.

They have also put the time of the shooting at around 19:30hrs and the place where it happened as ‘C’ Field Access Road, while confirming that the two men were indeed ac-

quaintances.

According to the release, the deceased was in the company of his girlfriend when the shooting took place.

He was reportedly shot in the right side of his body, and while his girlfriend was at the police station on Friday, she did not speak with this publication as she claimed she was too distraught to do so.

The suspect, whose name has been given as ‘Short Boss’, is said to be still in hiding as the police continue their hunt for him.

Cyclist dies after collision with minibus AN unidentified cyclist of African descent who was reportedly struck down by a Georgetown-bound Route 44 minibus, on the Industry Railway Embankment Road on Thurs-

day succumbed to his injuries later in the evening.

The accident occurred around 13:15hrs on Thursday while the man died about 19:00hrs, at the Georgetown Public Hospi-

tal (GPH). Police said that the 29-year-old driver of the vehicle BWW 283 of South Vryheid’s Lust, ECD, who took the injured but conscious victim to the hospital, is in custody assisting

with the investigation. He has passed a breathalyser test.

The bicycle has been removed from the scene of the accident by person(s) unknown. The minibus

driver told police that whilst proceeding west along the southern carriageway, the cyclist suddenly rode out of a southern access road, turned west and then north into his path, but because

of the short distance, the bus collided with the bicycle and the cyclist fell onto the roadway and sustained injuries.

The body is currently lying at the GPH morgue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

ExxonMobil’s third drillship headed to Guyana basin

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XXONMOBIL has added a third drillship to its Guyana basin with the Noble Tom Madden to join the Stena Carron as the oil major ramps up exploration activities.

The announcement came by way of Noble Corporation’s second-quarter report, which stated: “Following the close of the second quarter, the drillship Noble Tom Madden was awarded a contract for work offshore Guyana, which includes two firm wells, plus three optional wells. Re-activation of the rig from its warm-stacked status has begun, with the contract expected to commence in October 2018.”

The Noble Tom Madden is currently moored in an area in the Gulf of Mexico, just south of New Orleans where rigs not in use are stored. With a lot of capacity in the industry, many drill ships are currently

warm-stacked or cold-stacked, awaiting contracts. This will be Noble’s second rig under contract to ExxonMobil in the Guyana basin. The Noble Bob Douglas is currently developing the Liza 1 Field for production with first-oil expected by early 2020. ExxonMobil says it has 19 targets to drill in what has become a world-class oil field.

To date, ExxonMobil has made eight discoveries out of 10 wells drilled. They are as follows: Liza, Payara, Liza deep, Snoek, Turbot, Ranger and Pacora. The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres) and located approximately 120 miles (193 kilometres) offshore Guyana. Total reserves to date now stand at 4B barrels.

Oil production is planned to begin in early 2020, with revenues for the country to begin being used for development projects soon after.

Local operator ExxonMobil’s affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) is operator of the Stabroek Block, holding a 45 per cent interest. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil-and-gas industry. The company owns and operates one of the most modern, versatile and technically advanced fleets in the offshore drilling industry. Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of 24 offshore drilling units, consisting of 12 drill ships and semisubmersibles and 12 jackups, focused largely on ultra-deep water and high-specification jackup drilling opportunities in both established and emerging regions worldwide.

ExxonMobil’s third drillship, Noble Tom Madden

Harvey Weinstein seeks to dismiss case based on accuser’s emails (BBC) Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein is seek-

DATE: Wednesday, July 31, 2018

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court.

On Friday, his lawyers filed a defence motion citing dozens of “warm” emails they say Mr Weinstein received from one of his accusers after an alleged rape.

His team argue prosecutors should have shared the evidence with the Grand Jury that indicted him.

Mr Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to six charges involving three different women.

The accuser in question has retained her anonymity.

Mr Weinstein’s lawyers say the case should be dismissed in its pre-trial stage.

In their motion, they included “dozens of emails written by the anonymous accuser, who sent extensive warm, complimentary and solicitous messages to Mr Weinstein immediately following the now claimed event and over the next four-year period.

“These communications irrefutably reflect the true nature of this consensual intimate friendship, which never at any time included a forcible rape.”

The New York District Attorney’s Office has not yet commented.

Where did these emails come from?

Friday, August 3, 2018

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After Mr Weinstein was fired by his company last year, the emails were turned over to his legal team, according to the LA Times.

The judge dealing with his separate bankruptcy case issued an order saying the private messages could not be released, because the accuser could lose her right to anonymity.

actresses - came forward with allegations, ranging from rape to sexual harassment. They sparked a solidarity movement known as #MeToo. The allegations of three of the women underpin the criminal case: former actress Lucia Evans, former production assistant Mimi Haleyi and the anonymous accuser.

One of the charges against him - predatory sexual assault carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Mr Weinstein has consistently denied any non-consensual actions. He is currently on a $1m (£770,000) bail bond and wears an electronic tag.

He also faces a raft of civil lawsuits.

In April, actress Ashley Judd sued him, claiming he damaged her career after she rejected his sexual advances.

Mr Weinstein has denied the allegations.

London’s Metropolitan Police have also been investigating claims against him, some of which date back to the 1980s.

Unlike in the US, there is no statute of limitation on sexual abuse cases in the UK, meaning incidents from decades ago could still go to court.

Harvey Weinstein

On Thursday, that same judge conceded the correspondence could be used in Mr Weinstein’s motion against the criminal case, as long as the woman’s identity was protected.

What are the cases against him?

In 2017, dozens of women - including many famous

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

Autopsy finds...

Lawyer’s clerk was strangled THE post-mortem on the remains of 46-yearold Legal Clerk Gregory Frank, has found that he died as a result of asphyxiation due to compression injury to the neck, compounded by blunt trauma.

What this means in layman’s terms is that he was not only strangled, but also suffered a blow to the head.

This was according to the report given to the police by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehal Singh, after the procedure was done on Friday.

It is believed that whoever killed Frank choked him until he was dead or until he blacked out, and when they released him he fell and hit his head on the ground, which contributed to his death.

When his body was discovered on Thursday morning, a swelling was reportedly evident on his forehead, according to police sources.

Meanwhile, the police in ‘A’ Division have reached what appears to be a temporary snag as they continue to probe

Communities, private developers partnering of model village FOLLOWING a partnership between the Ministry of Communities, New Amsterdam Municipal Council and private land developers, a symbolic sod turning ceremony was held to signal the commencement of a model village, where sixty houses will be erected at Savannah Park, a stone’s throw east of the Tutorial Academy Secondary School.

Mayor Winifred Haywood revealed that the land, which constitutes of sixty house lots, was donated to the government by the council, and, with an understanding that infrastructure development will be undertaken jointly

by Reliant Building Consortium INC, Guyana Premier Development Group INC, Icarus Construction & Development INC, Rasco Inc, and Amazonia Development Foundation Trust.

It was noted that the plotted land was initially earmarked to be an industrial site, but, with the passing of time, plans were changed to accommodate the growing need for housing amongst the populace.

Meanwhile, Mr. Robert Forrester, Chairman of Reliant Building Consortium, and also representing the consortium of companies, said, the US$3M project which was in the pipeline for a very long time, could only have been executed through partnership , which would allow for the development of communities.

The initiative, the first for New Amsterdam, will have all the basic facilities, including housing units for low, middle and high income earners, which will allow home owners to have a better life.

However, it was emphasised that with the limited spots available, just a specific number can be accommodated, and the successful applicants will be screened, and will also have to engage with the relevant lending institutions before being allocated lots on which they must build within a specific period.

Forrester noted too that while a Police outpost will also be erected, the Companies will assist with design and building, commercial spaces, green areas, and a mall which will have all essential services.

Gregory Frank the death.

Up to late on Friday

evening, there was no arrest made in relation to the murder, although the detectives are continuing to work aroundthe-clock to bring the perpetrators to justice for the crime.

Frank, who lived alone at Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, but worked in Georgetown, was found dead on his sitting-room floor by the taxi driver who would normally pick him up each morning for work.

His entire house was said to be ransacked

and the back door to the house was open. It was reported that valuables which the man was known to have were not found in the house at the time.

It is unclear when last Frank was seen alive.

Contacted today, his employer said that he was a very dedicated worker who made the work of her office easy.

Frank, who had been married once, has no children, but is survived by just a sibling, having lost his mother last year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

A land for all Guyanese, wherever

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U YA N A , d e scribed as the land of many waters, is also the home of the country’s six races, thus making it a unique multi-racial society, because of its many strands of cultural diversities that have given the nation its rich tapestry as a people.

It must be reminded, and be re-emphasised, that five of these races came under two categories of circumstances: Africans, who were transported here in the very first instance as slaves, which means that they came under involuntary circumstances from their homelands to a geographic part of the world, unknown to them.

The other four, namely East Indians, Europeans, Portuguese, and Chinese came to this land via a system of Indentureship, which was a negotiated and agreed-upon contractual arrangement, which did not amount to them being chattel slaves, and giving their labour under such brutalities.

This means that all of the above would have met

the Amerindians as the First Peoples already inhabiting Guyana. This underlines the fact that the five races were strangers in a land from which they did not originate, although it can be strongly contended that because of the length of time that Africans were brought to this part of the world, and the brutal, bloody, dehumanised, and thankless labour which they gave to the land, that they can rightly lay claim to having indigenized the Land.

It has been a journey, with an experience that has resulted in the sad realisation of racism and ethnic challenges as our bugbear – proven to be the stumbling block for unity and prosperity - in a nation filled with talent and natural resources.

Further, characterised by a period of social strife in the pre-independence years of the 1960s, and intermittent phases of tension, particularly on occasions of the exercise of the national will. These have been examples of how complex it is to co-exist in a multi-racial society, especially when it is divided by race, and not

helped by seekers of political power, whose constant resort to the divisiveness of race, runs counter to efforts of fostering one people.

However, despite the tensions and fears, we have remained distinctly Guyanese, as is best manifested by the numerous examples of inter-racial communities with their unique human products, coupled with the many life-long friendships between so many members of, particularly, the two largest race groups. Therefore, the report in the Guyana Chronicle of August 02, “De Willem promoter home invaded” has to be disturbing in its content of an incident that is first, patently racist, and extremely dangerous for its demeaning sentiment, implicit of a very serious physical threat.

It is quite clear as to the insular and ignorant mindset of the author(s) of such racially crude messages, scrawled on the walls of the apartment of the occupant of that West Coast Demerara village, in addition to the lacing of a pot of food with what resembles a poisonous

substance. The victim of this overt act of hate/racism, only “sin” is that he had chosen to reside in a village that does not reflect a majority of residents of his particular race.

But it cannot be a sin, or a wrong, or an infringement of any known written national law, that prohibits, or causes to be prohibited, or prevents any Guyanese of a particular race or colour, from residing in any community of his/her choice, even one that does not have a significant representation, or majority of his/ her particular race group.

And if it is an unwritten law that resides in the socio-ethnic understanding of any such community in Guyana, it is not supported by any known written law of Guyana, and is therefore illegal, and must therefore unequivocally be condemned by all peace-loving and harmony-minded Guyanese.

It is abominable, hitherto shameful, that such a dark pattern of anti-national behaviour could still be enacted in any region of Guyana, especially one that had experienced its fair share of communal incidents of the

early 1960s that resulted in citizens of a particular ethnic group being forcibly made to leave certain locales where they had lived all their lives.

It is a sad commentary too, that such an incident has not as yet been condemned by the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). But notwithstanding such, it must be repeated as a national reminder that Guyana as a sovereign nation is one and indivisible, that is home to its six races, and will always be; where they all are free to choose the region and community therein as their place of residence of choice, free from any form of discrimination, and racial harassment. This is the Guyana that must be for all peace-loving Guyanese.

We hope that the authorities will investigate the threats uttered to the occupant, and ensure his protection, while also bringing the perpetrator(s) to the courts.

As a nation desperately seeking to haul itself back from the precipice of racism, such an incident must not be allowed to replicate itself in

any other community.

Unfortunately, such an incident is a reminder to those whose past tenure of governance has served to institutionalise the practice of racism, and who have continued to promulgate such dangerous stanzas for selfish ends, that such an act is a result of their dangerous brand of nationalism that they have continued to foster and support.

We the Guyanese people need to be reminded that, it is out of this gathering of six peoples, brought here from their individual former spiritual homes; residing in proximity to the other, in coastal villages from the 1830s, through colonialism, when we were known as British Guiana, to independence, that have come to forge what has since been known and recognised as the Guyanese nation. Finally, it is incumbent upon us as a nation to begin with the urgency of working together for a better understanding of all our peoples, for a land of unity, and one free from fear.

City Week an opportunity for businesses to showcase local products I am confident Dr. Bynoe will deliver Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

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SEE Dr. Mark Bynoe has returned to continue his contribution to nation-building .Dr. Bynoe is a proven professional, unquestionable patriot, brilliant academic and a humble gentleman. In addition, he is highly respected by Guyana’s private sector.

I recall him providing invaluable service to their umbrella organisation some years ago. Many in the leadership of the Private Sector Commission lamented his departure.

Incidentally, I notice a

gentleman from the legal fraternity whom I’m told like Mark, is a decent individual, is acknowledged with deference in several quarters as an authority on oil and gas; following a relatively brief specialised exposure to the discipline.

M y s i m p l e u n d e rstanding of management is, it’s a science which is artfully applied to achieve stated objectives. I am confident Dr. Bynoe will deliver to the satisfaction of his employer and stakeholders.

Regards Derrick Cummings

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EGAL historians will tell us that in the British Colony of then British Guiana, on the 21st August, 1843, there was an etymological change from “Town” to “City”: Georgetown the town became Georgetown the city.

Our capital city Georgetown was, on that day, 175 years ago, birthed. And so, on the 21st August, 2018, our capital city will anthropomorphically speaking, have grown to 175 years.

Through these 175 years of growth it has as of 6th October, 1980, constitutionally become the capital city of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; as of 28 April, 1970, acquired a City Council by the name and style of “the Mayor and Councillors of the City of George-

town” (previously known from 1860 as “The Mayor and Town Council of Georgetown”); and, geographically, it has grown to an area that comprises the border of the Atlantic Ocean in the north to Plantation Rome in the south, Cummings Lodge in the east to the Demerara River in the west.

Fellow Guyanese, Georgetown is not, and it will always be not just a city: it is our CAPITAL city. Every year as a country, and people, we, in the month of February commemorate and celebrate the birth of our republic; three months later, in May, we commemorate and celebrate the birth of our independence. That is right.

That is glorious. But it must be equally right that the commemoration and celebration of the birth of this our capital city is an idea whose time has come. And so, for us at the

council, beginning August 19, the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown will be holding a week of commemorative and celebratory activities: GEORGETOWN CITY WEEK. Not unexpectedly, some of our friends are of the view that we should not celebrate. For them, we should not in our state of financial indebtedness be commemorating and celebrating! How wrong can they be?

So, let us not be dissuaded in the conviction of our righteousness. As I told the council, at its statutory meeting on 23rd July; “not a single cent” of council’s revenue will be used to finance Georgetown City Week. Nor is it that it would have been inappropriate, or unjustified, or somehow contrary to law were City Week to have been financed with council revenue (wholly or partly). And yet,

City Week’s expenditure is not purely some indulgence in philanthropic extravagance.

Yes, we will have our free sports, cultural and other forms of social entertainment. Also, an opportunity for the business community to showcase local products.

But also in this City Week, Her Worship the Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green will host a special ticket dinner and a cocktail, at which events a restoration fund for the aged and much disrepaired City Hall building (built between 1887-89) will be launched. For us at the council, it is difficult to conceive of a cause more noble and deserving than the restoration of this iconic architectural masterpiece.

History will judge us harshly if we allow this building of Turn to page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

City Week an ... such historic vintage to remain in its state of exacerbating disrepair. Historians tell us that City Hall is an interpretation in wood of the masonry construction “fancy dress” style Gothic Revival Architecture prevalent during the Victorian era in Great Britain. Surely, it must be a national trust building of “historic interest or national importance” under the National Trust Act, Chapter 20:03. And so, even if City Week serves only to bring into sharp focus and national attention and action and response to City Hall’s much-needed restoration the result will be all beneficial.

Still, there is more to the argument, on our side, in favour of City Week. We remind ourselves that it is Parliament itself which in, and by, the Municipal And District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, has mandated the council to promote and foster “Social Development.” Parliament did so in these clarion words: “The City Council shall appoint and at all times maintain” a Social Development Standing Committee. We do not treat these words lightly as mere parliamentary rhetoric or pious aspirations. For us at the council, they encapsulate the

Continued from page 6

national importance accorded to matters of social development at the level of the council.

For us at council (at any rate the overwhelming majority) it is axiomatic that the concept of social development embraces and envisages an event such as Georgetown City Week. I repeat: it is an idea whose time has come.

Finally, editor, permit me to publicly recognise the shared conviction of our corporate and other business sponsors and friends in the righteousness of Georgetown City Week. To all those who have already contributed (but seek no public acclamation or disclosure; nor any quid pro quo), and to those, who are intending to contribute, please accept our most sincere expression of unreserved gratitude. And by this letter let me publicly invite all Guyanese to join us in our activities during Georgetown City Week.

A glorious, inspired and blessed City Week.

Regards Royston King Town Clerk City of Georgetown

Aeronautical engineering school expanding curriculum AS the Art Williams & Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School celebrates 25 years, new programmes will be introduced to broaden its curriculum.

Director General for the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Retired Lieutenant Colonel Egbert Field told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that international instructors will lend their knowledge to the new programmes.

availability of trainers. “One of our challenges I’d say is getting personnel to be part of the management establishment of the school. I’m now in the process of training individuals to become instructors in the school. Every instructor or teacher has to go through their programme of instructing.

Since its debut, the Aeronautical Engineering School has become an ISO accredited tertiary institution and

The Art Williams & Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School

“We will invite instructors from overseas to run their programmes and courses under the offices of our school.

For instance, I’m working on a programme to invite some United States instructors to come and teach certain elements of air navigation services to our air navigation staff,” Field explained to DPI. The school was designed mainly to produce highly trained local aircraft maintenance engineers through a programme designed specifically for people interested in building a career in aircraft maintenance. According to the GCAA’s Director, the biggest challenge has always been the

has acquired an $85Million state-of-the-art simulator.

The Art Williams & Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School began operating in 1993 and falls under the purview of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. It is approved and certified by GCAA, Trinidad & Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA), Civil Aviation Safety Authority Suriname (CASAS) and Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA). The School is also a long-standing member of the Flight Safety Foundation and the International Federation of Airworthiness, United States of America. (DPI)

The risk of accidental or intentional use of nuclear weapons remains significant Dear Editor,

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N 6th August 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima by the United States Air Force. This was the first time a nuclear weapon had ever been used. The fireball created by the bomb destroyed 13 square kilometres of the city, and those who died as a result numbered up to 180,000 human beings.

Three days later, a second atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki, killing 100 people. Hiroshima stands on a flat river delta, with few hills or natural features to limit the blast.

The bomb was dropped on the city centre, an area crowded with wooden residential structures and places of business. These factors meant that the death toll and destruction in Hiroshima was particularly high.

The firestorm in Hiroshima destroyed about five square miles of the city. Almost 63 per cent of the buildings in Hiroshima were completely destroyed and many more were damaged. In total, 92 percent of the structures in the city were either destroyed or damaged by blast and fire.

Estimates of total deaths in Hiroshima have generally ranged between 100,000 and 180,000 out of a population of 350,000 . Tens of thousands died immediately and many more in the days and months that followed.

Due to the hilly geography of Nagasaki and the bombing focus being away from the city centre, the excessive damage from the bombing was limited to the Urakami Valley and part of downtown Nagasaki. The centre of Nagasaki, the harbour, and the historic district were shielded from the blast by the hills around the Urakami River.

The nuclear bombing did nevertheless prove devastating, with approximately 22 per cent of Nagasaki’s buildings being consumed by flames, but the death toll and destruction was less than in Hiroshima. Estimates of casualties from Nagasaki have generally ranged between 50 and 100, with many dying instantaneously and others dying slowly and agonisingly as a result of burns and radiation.

These two events still resonate to this day and serve as the greatest warning of the devastating effects of nuclear weapons.

As well as the high death toll, those that survived the initial detonation and firestorms quickly became ill with radiation poisoning, with symptoms ranging from severe burns, hair loss, nausea and bleeding. This was compounded by the fact that 90 per cent of medical staff in both cities were either killed or disabled and what medical supplies existed quickly ran out. Long after the bombings, survivors were still suffering from increased susceptibility to leukaemia, cataracts and malignant tumours, with many also being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder later in life.

This suffering goes beyond

the survivors. Future generations either born to survivors or born to those living in Hiroshima for years to come had increased chances of small brain sizes, delayed development, blindness and increased susceptibility to leukaemia and other cancers.

The bombings of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki represent a human tragedy which should never be repeated again.

The survivors of the bomb have campaigned for many years to have the impact of nuclear weapons acknowledged. They have educated generations on the subject, a contributing factor in the growing international momentum focused on the humanitarian impact of these weapons.

In 2010, the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference’s final document officially expressed ‘deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons’ for the first time. Following this, a group of countries began delivering joint statements on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons: . This movement was the precursor to demands at the United Nations for a global nuclear weapons ban.

The historical experience from the use and testing of nuclear weapons, including at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has demonstrated their devastating immediate and long-term effects.

No political circumstances can justify their use. And of course, today’s nuclear bombs are many times more powerful than the ones used on Japan in 1945.

The International Red Cross has identified further humanitarian consequences of a nuclear explosion, including widespread famine and the destruction of medical facilities and personnel. The organisation has stated that the global humanitarian community would never be able to effectively respond to the aftermath of a nuclear conflict.

An International Red Cross report recently stated, ‘We are not talking about the possibility of another Hiroshima and Nagasaki, horrendous as they were. We are facing the prospect of something much, much worse.’

Increasing awareness of the impact of a nuclear bomb, building on what we know from the attacks in 1945, contribute to a growing sense of urgency in the international community

about securing an end to nuclear weapons.

The risk of accidental or intentional use of nuclear weapons remains significant. No state or international organisation has the capacity to address or provide the short and long-term humanitarian assistance and protection needed in case of a nuclear weapon explosion again. When the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, the cities were obliterated.

By 1950, over 340,000 people had died as a result and generations were poisoned by radiation.

Today, about over 15,000 nuclear weapons still threaten the survival of the world, even though the majority of people in the world and their governments want to negotiate an international ban on their development and use. As we commemorate the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, let’s remember what a nuclear bomb can do and pledge to work together to make sure no other towns suffer the same pain and devastation.

Regards Rooplall Dudhnath

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

Guyana’s deforestation rate remains low …difficult to access carbon trading markets due to low deforestation – committee hears

G

UYANA is not likely to significantly penetrate the Carbon Trading Market because its deforestation rate is extremely low, Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) Head of Planning and Development Pradeepa Bholanath said.

Bholanath was part of a team of state officials led by the Head of the Office of Climate Change (OCC) Janelle Christian, who appeared before the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations on Friday at the Public Buildings.

pointed out that under the Forest Protection Agreement with Norway inked in 2009, Guyana over a period of five years, was set to benefit US$235M. “So this was ours, we owned it, we didn’t have to borrow money from anybody, we earned it,” the opposition chief whip emphasised, as she made a case for trading carbon under a model similar to that of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). “Is the country’s failure to tap into this market an indication that we are shifting the policy?”

Teixeira questioned.

Bholanath, in response,

of deforestation rate, it really would be a non-starter for us to target those markets,” Bholanath explained.

The GFC official emphasised that because the country’s deforestation rate is low, it does not have a substantial amount of carbon emissions to reduce. “The only option we would have to reduce anything substantial to be able to be an active part of these markets would be if we start to ramp up deforestation rates,” she added.

act as a guide to effectively facilitate carbon emissions trading.

Christian told the parliamentarian that Guyana has been taking stringent steps to fulfil its commitment under the Paris Agreement, simultaneously addressing its vulnerability and increasing its resilience.

It was noted that the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is now being transitioned into the Green State Development Strategy

jection at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, likewise, the CDB has provided the resource for the preparation for the strategic plan for the Office of Climate Change.

This contract is also pending no- objection at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board,” she reported.

The CDB is also financing the National Climate Change Communication Strategy and Implementation Plan.

With funding from the Government of Japan, and support from the United

among the first CARICOM countries to access the readiness support under the Green Climate Fund for strengthening of the National Designated Authority (NDA)…

This first NDA strengthening project would have built our capacity, helping us to understand the framework modality for accessing resources through the GCF and it also helps us to identify our priority and prepare what is called the country’s work programme for accessing resources,” the OCC head explained.

In June, the OCC received approval from the

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) Head of Planning and Development Pradeepa Bholanath

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, the Chairperson of that Parliamentary Sectoral Committee, had grilled the team on why Guyana is of the belief that the carbon trading market does not present viable opportunities for the country.

Carbon emissions trading is a common method countries use to meet their obligations specified by the Kyoto Protocol, namely, the reduction of carbon emissions in an attempt to reduce (mitigate) future climate change.

Teixeira in putting her question to the officials,

said that Norway back in 2009 had agreed to pay Guyana for avoided deforestation, once certain performance indicators are met, and not emissions reduction, which is in high demand on the global market.

“All the existing carbon trading markets that have been out there internationally as well as regionally are paying for emissions reduction.

Now for a country with high forest cover and low deforestation rate, it really means that unless we start to rapidly deforest like Brazil and other countries around the world that have shown high levels

Bholanath had, in her presentation to the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee, pointed out that the Lowest Rate for Annual Assessments reported as 0.05 per cent in 2015 and 2016. It was noted that all forest concessions previously issued under the 4th parallel have now reverted to the Forestry Commission, and is now available to be part of the 2 million hectare conservation area.

Ahead of Bholanath’s presentation, OCC Head Janelle Christian, while presenting on “The Paris Agreement – Progress on Implementation of Guyana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC),” had pointed out that the Paris Agreement Rule Book is being crafted and when completed, would

(GSDS), which places emphasis on low emissions and decarbonised development across all sectors.

As the country advances its National Strategic Initiatives on Climate Change focus, it is working with key partners such as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to develop a National Climate Change Policy, a Strategic Plan for the OCC and a National Climate Change Communication Strategy and Implementation Plan.

“The Office of Climate Change has been able to mobilise resources from the CDB for the preparation for a new National Climate Change Policy. We have advanced this process, and the contract is pending no-ob-

Head of the Office of Climate Change (OCC) Janelle Christian

Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Guyana is preparing a National Adaptation Plan. The contract was signed approximately two weeks ago according to the UNDP, and a team is expected in Guyana in October.

She also updated the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on the Green Climate Fund initiatives. The Green Climate Fund is financed by developed countries to assist poor and developing countries to address their climate-change related issues.

Guyana is among developing countries benefiting from this fund. “Guyana was

GCF for readiness support to the amount of $697,000US to address capacity-building and readiness within the agriculture sector. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO) is assisting in this process.

GUYANA signed onto the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2016.

The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which deals with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance, starting in the year 2020.

Church bus driver found guilty of rape

T

HE mixed jury, on Friday afternoon returned a majority verdict convicting Wazir Ali of sexually penetrating a 17-yearold girl, who is mentally challenged.

Presiding Judge Jo Ann Barlow remanded Ali to prison for three weeks until a probation report is made available.

A plea of mitigation will be advanced by defence lawyer Charrandas Persaud, prior to sentencing.

Meanwhile, Wazir Ali, also known as Ali, ‘Bucko’ or ‘Electrician’, was found guilty by a jury vote of 11-one for the offence, which was committed between March 26, and April 7, 2015, in the County of Berbice, during which time he engaged in

sexual penetration with a 17-year-old girl without her consent.

The victim had attended church during the Easter period when Ali, a driver attached to the church, was tasked with transporting members to their respective homes after the service.

But, instead to dropping the teen off at her stop, Ali proceeded to take the other

occupants to their homes, before stopping minibus PHH 5246 in a desolate area and asking the victim for sex.

She responded by slapping his face, even as he jumped over the front seat to where she was seated behind the driver’s seat, and asked her to perform oral sex, telling her it was like ‘ sucking a large lollipop’.

Thereafter, he pulled off

her underwear and engaged in sexual penetration.

However, the victim did not confide in her family members after returning home. It was until days later, during a one-on-one discussion with her teacher and other students, that she revealed what had transpired.

Consequently, the matter was reported to the police and the charge was instituted.

In his defence, Ali claimed he was at Bartica visiting his grandmother, whilst working with an electrician.

But when called to testify, the certified electrician said Ali did not work with him during that period and the witness supported his testimony with his worker time book.

State Prosecutor is Ms. Tuanna Hardy.

‘Ambitious, but hard to achieve’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

–– says OCC head of gov’t plan to go fully ‘green’ by 2025

By Svetlana Marshall GUYANA’S commitment to have a full 100% supply of renewable energy by 2025, though ambitious, is difficult to achieve within the stated timeframe.

That’s according to Head of the Office of Climate Change (OCC) Janelle Christian.

Christian, while responding to a plethora of questions posed by the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations, said Guyana’s transition to 100 per cent renewable energy would require a substantial amount of financial resources and infrastructure development, not forgetting a change in the legislative framework.

“I believe that given the extensive research done over the last three years or so, it is clear that we cannot reach the goal of 100 per cent by

2025,” Ms Christian said.

As a signatory to the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Guyana has a responsibility to ensure that it has 100 per cent renewable energy supply by 2025.

Ms Christian noted that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will be assisting Guyana in reviewing its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Shevonne Wood of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) told the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee chaired by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira that the government has been putting the necessary framework and systems in place to reduce the country’s dependency on fossil fuel.

Back in December 2016,

the government drafted the National Energy Policy and

by March 2017, an Energy Transition Roadmap was established, along with a Framework of the Guyana Green-State Development Strategy and Financing Mechanisms. The GreenState Development Strategy is currently being developed.

“There is a ‘green’ public sector initiative that would have public buildings being retrofitted or installed with solar PV systems,” Ms Wood pointed out, adding that since the programme commenced in 2017, already 70 buildings are being powered by some 0.96MW of renewable energy.

“And additional 1.94MW rooftop solar PV panels will be installed at 90 government buildings by the end of 2018,” she assured the Committee.

Small hydropower systems, she posited, will be

constructed at suitable locations, and will include the rehabilitation of the 0.7MW Moco-Moco Hydropower Station in Region 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Ms Wood disclosed that the project will be funded through the United Arab Emirates Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund (UAECREF), and that presently, the Geo-technical study is being funded by the IDB under the Sustainable Energy Programme.

The Kato Hydropower Station, which is expected to generate 0.15MW of electricity, is being funded by the IDB, according to Wood.

She told the Parliamentary Committee that an invitation for bids was advertised on July 25, 2018.

Approximately four other locations are being considered for the construction of hydropower stations in Regions One

(Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine.

Wood said that legislative framework has been altered to facilitate and encourage the use of renewable energy for the generation of electricity. “In 2017, Government amended legislation to allow for exemptions on the importation of items for wind and solar energy investment. One-off tax holiday of two years for companies involved exclusively in such importation; exemptions of customs duties and taxes on machinery and equipment to setup charging stations for electric vehicles; lower excise tax on hybrid and electric vehicles,” she noted.

The GEA is also encouraging the use of bio-digesters, and energy-efficient wood stoves are being installed in the Hinterland.

GWI finds high levels of mercury –– forced to dig new in Kaituma River well at Turn Basin

By Navendra Seoraj DUE to the finding of high levels of mercury in the Kaituma River in Region One (Barima-Waini), the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has been forced to shut off the water intake from that source.

Based on a recent investigation, the company believes that effluents from mining operations at Port Kaituma are what caused the intrusion of mercury into the river.

The company had recently received reports that the water source could have been contaminated, so a team was dispatched to assess the situation.

Since the team’s discovery, the company has been working closely with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to “grapple” with the situation, said GWI Head of Water Quality, Deon Anderson during a press conference on Friday.

GWI has also taken samples from different parts of the river to determine the spread of the mercury. Those samples have been sent to the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) here, and a company in Trinidad for testing, the result of which

should be available within two weeks.

Company Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles said that since one of its sources of water has been compromised, the GWI has started to drill a new well at Turn Basin, also in Region One. “Emergency actions have been taken to drill another well; it is expected to be completed within another three to four weeks…

When done, residents would have a significant relief,” Van-West Charles said.

Given the recent discovery of mercury intrusion in the Kaituma River, the company intends to test other water sources in the Region, especially those in areas where population exists along the rivers.

GWI is also considering the possibility of distributing filters to residents in communities close to creeks and rivers. The filters would be used to ensure that the water is safer for usage.

According to Dr. Van-West Charles, the company has also considered watershed management so as to ensure that water is safe.

National Toshaos Council (NTC) Chairman Nicholas Fredericks had during the

recent conference told the Guyana Chronicle that there are three mining areas close to the village of Parabaram in the South Rupununi from where it is believed mercury originates.

He said the findings of a study undertaken by the South Rupununi District Council and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) brought to light the issue recently.

Mercury is used in the gold-mining industry and can be a threat to human health and the environment.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the substance is toxic to human health, posing a particular threat to the development of the child in the uterus and early in life. Human beings are expected to have a normal level of 10mg of the substance in their bodies.

In 2010, a study was done in several villages in the country’s hinterland, and it focused mainly on pregnant and lactating women.

Methyl mercury, a form of the substance, is of special concern for fetus, infants and children, because it impairs the development of their brain and nervous system.

9

Taxi driver has near-death, carjacking experience A TAXI driver was on Thursday morning stabbed several times about the body and had his car almost hijacked by two males and a female around 04:00hrs.

According to persons close to the investigation, the driver picked up two identifiable males and one female on the instruction of the dispatcher of a taxi service on ‘C’ Field Sophia.

The taxi driver, whose name was not immediately released to the Guyana Chronicle, claimed that when he went to make the pick-up in his car HC 5989, he saw that there were three persons instead of one as advised by the base.

He said one of the males jumped into the front seat of the car, while the female and the other male entered the back seat.

And shortly after entering the vehicle, he said, the man in the front seat whipped out a knife and began stabbing him about the body, while the two passengers in the back seat not only choked him, but pulled his jersey over his face and stabbed him too.

The suspects then pushed the driver out of the vehicle and attempted to drive the car away, but it became stuck in a swampy part of the road shoulder, so they abandoned it and sprinted away.

The driver quickly got back into his vehicle and drove to a nearby police station where a report was made and a statement taken, before he was sent off with a medical form to the nearest hospital to seek medical attention.

The cops, meanwhile, are looking for the suspects so that they can probe the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

Warders foil escape plot at Lusignan Prison

PRISON officers of the Lusignan Prison have foiled the escape plot of two inmates committed to stand trial in the High Court.

The action by the prison staff between Thursday and Friday morning thwarted the bid by the two prisoners who are charged with murder.

According to reports, the discovery was made during a routine search of the facility, when a steel bar was found to have been cut, and attempts made to do likewise with another.

Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels has said that from observation, the cutting of the second bar was to allow easier exit.

Due to the nature of the housing unit and the Standard Operating Procedures, he said, the two would-be escapees should not have been in possession of a cutting tool, moreso being allowed to actually use it.

The police have since been called in to investigate the matter fully, while the security classification of the two felons has been upgraded.

Additional layers of security have also been put in place, Samuels said.

On July 24, 2017, 13 prisoners had escaped from the Lusignan Prison through a makeshift underground conduit.

The men were discovered missing

An aerial view of the Lusignan Prison

The hacksaw blade that was found by prison officials

when a head count was made. Reports were that they’d dug a hole in the ground at the pasture within the confines of the prison, and covered the area to avoid detection by prison officials.

Then when the time was opportune, the men continued digging the hole until they were able to flee the prison.

“And how they do it, police nor soldiers nor the prison authorities could have seen how it happen, because they do it in

an angle,” a police source had told the Guyana Chronicle at the time.

Around that time, prisoners had been moved to the Lusignan facility after the Camp Street Prison was set on fire following a riot which was started by inmates on July 9, 2017.

During the ensuing melee, a prison warder was killed, while several inmates escaped. Some were later recaptured or killed by lawmen.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

Minister Harmon pledges $500,000, personal support to Beacon Foundation

MINISTER of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon on Friday visited the Beacon Hospice on Thomas and New Market Streets, where he made a personal pledge of $500,000 and other forms of support to the charitable organisation, which provides home-care, counselling services and other forms of support services to

travelling and the associated costs. All services are provided free of cost to the patient (s) including accommodation and meals.

As well as paying the wages of its employees, the entity puts all the profits from its food catering operations into funding its programmes and takes pride in the fact that it is the only

counselling to his sibling.

The Minister of State noted that even though some time has elapsed since then, he is inspired by the Foundation’s work and believes that the nurses and care-providers of the organisation are “the unsung heroes.”

“I believe that you all are the unsung heroes because many times we see acts of

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and staff interacting with the officials of Beacon Foundation persons, who are diagnosed with cancer.

The Hospice, which is run under the Beacon Foundation brand, caters primarily to women and children, who travel out of town for treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and other privately run hospitals, with the aim of reducing the burden of

totally self-sustaining charitable organisation in the country.

During his visit, Minister Harmon said that he first learnt of the Foundation several years ago after his brother was diagnosed with cancer. The Foundation at that time, provided nurses, who not only administered treatment but also provided

charity being publicised but this organisation has not been one to do so but yet your work is out there and that is because of the difference that you are making, it speaks for itself. Quietly you have been working,” he said.

The care-givers travel every week to five regions, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three)

Ex-soldier freed of rape charge –– VC opts not to give evidence

EX-soldier Leonard Bristol facing several charges for rape, was freed on one count after an alleged victim opted not to testify before Justice Jo Ann Barlow at the Berbice Assizes.

He was unrepresented by counsel.

The teenage victim said that she was not threatened, but has decided not to testify against the accused. However, State Prosecutor Ms. Tuanna Hardy said the private/hire car driver, aged 26 years of Lot 37 Bristol Street, Cumberland, East Canje, is alleged to have fondled a 12-year-old girl, whom he was transporting to a secondary school in New Amsterdam in 2014 .

At the time of the incident, the virtual

complainant, a First Form student, had joined the defendant’s car, which was expected to take her to the Berbice Educational Institute.

However, after the defendant dropped off the other passengers, he diverted from the intended route and drove to a desolate area at Palmyra Village, where it was alleged that he fondled the juvenile’s privates.

Subsequently, the child was taken to her school, where an observant teacher noticed her lateness and questioned her about the reason for being late.

The child then confided in her class teacher, who in turn contacted the child’s mother, who then reported the matter to the police.

Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five), East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) and Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region Ten) to provide welfare support and pain medication to clients at least once per month or the hospice provides

care for 86 cancer patients currently.

Senior Nurse at the facility, Ms. Bibi Salim, said that the organisation tries at best as possible to ensure that patients are treated with love and care during their times of pain and struggle as Director, Dr. Kian Jabour said that it

operates with the motto, “No cancer patient should die in pain or it should be minimal pain.”

The Foundation already benefits from an exemption of corporate taxes as well as support from the Ministry of Public Health. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

UNICEF plugs $6.2M to help fleeing Venezuelans

… funds to aid in shelter, water, sanitation

THE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is collaborating with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to provide US$30,000 in much needed relief supplies to Regions 1, 7, and 9 to help Venezuelans who have crossed the borders in search of food and shelter.

In a joint statement to the media Friday, the partners said the CDC with support from UNICEF will preposition relief supplies to enhance the capacity of the said regions to provide basic assistance to those in need as the influx of Venezuelans here increases.

Relief supplies for Shelter, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene are being procured within Guyana to the value of US $30,000 (GY $ 6,226,562).

“The CDC will deploy the relief supplies within the coming weeks to the Regional Administrations for storage and distribution. The relief supplies would benefit an estimated sixty families per region with a total number of persons benefitting estimated at 900,” the statement said.

In partnership with UNICEF, the CDC remains committed to building Guyana’s disaster risk management capabilities through stakeholder engagement.

Meanwhile, earlier this week government disclosed that it is in the process of

establishing a homestead settlement area for the 260 confirmed Venezuelans, who are occupying areas in Barima-Waini (Region One. According to the Ministry of the Presidency’s Public Information and Press Services Unit, Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix at the conclusion of the third multi-agency coordinating committee meeting said the resettlement area will allow the Venezuelans to be self-reliant.

“It is intended that we [will] develop something like a homestead where families are accumulated and eventually we can move them into cash crop farming. We can encourage that so that in the first instance they can feed themselves and if they have surpluses they can sell.

We are looking at crops for their sustenance and their immediate needs. Once you get that...going then the next thing is to guide them into areas in which they can sustain themselves. The immediate outcome is that we want to see them properly settled and they must be able to sustain themselves…,” he said.

The economic turmoil facing Venezuela has resulted, in the past few months, in many Venezuelans seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Many are in search of food and housing.

The minister noted that the agencies on the committee will continue to play their

roles in lending whatever assistance is necessary to those in Region One while assessing the migration of Venezuelans into CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven).

“In the meantime, the Ministry of Health is continuing its vaccination [efforts]…

[The Department of Immigration is continuing the registration and support work…

The Police [are] also following through with the support work to this committee.

So, all agencies, locally, are locked into this committee to provide services and support for the Venezuelans in Guyana. We are also exploring the situation in Region Seven [in order] to find out where [the Venezuelans] are and what numbers we have to [cater for],” Felix stated.

The multi-agency coordinating committee has also been working alongside the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Human Rights’ Council (UNHRC) to determine areas of collaboration and support.

Rather than criminalise the Venezuelans, Minister Felix said that the Committee and by extension, the Government, have chosen to respond to the situation in a humane manner, with concern for the safety, health, and accommodation of the migrants.

$18M in scholarship grants to combat domestic violence IN the fight to eradicate domestic violence in Guyana, the American University of Peace Studies is donating G$10 million that will allow 200 persons across the country to participate in a six-month Training of Trainers Programme for the prevention of abuse and conflict in relationships, what they believe will lead to a significant decline in domestic violence.

Dr. Eton Simon, Chief Executive Officer of the American University of Peace Studies, stated that the programme is very comprehensive and it covers all aspects of transformation that any human being can embrace to bring about the shift in consciousness and train others to do the same.

He believes that mind and consciousness are the root causes of our behaviour and having a new conscious awakening will bring us to the realisation of who we really are.

The six-month programme is designed to bring about that new conscious awakening that will assist participants in making better decisions. Dr. Eton shared that this will be done by conducting research and outreach programmes and studying the mind, as he believes that everything starts in the mind.

The American University of Peace Studies, a Higher Learning Life Skills Based Educational Institution, was established to promote Life Skills teachings to

serve as a means to empower people in challenging situations to acquire knowledge, and to develop attitudes and skills, which support the adoption of healthy behaviours.

It was established in April 2002, and has attained status from the National Accreditation Council for operating an educational institution in Guyana under the provisions of the Accreditation Act of 2004.

The institution believes education is one of the key defences against conflict, violence, abnormal behaviour, HIV/ AIDS and ethnic discrimination. A critical response to these challenging issues is to ensure access to compulsory Life Skills Based Education must be considered part of a quality education.

Its programmes serve as useful tools to assist humanity in making decisions and taking positive actions to change behaviours and environments to promote health and safety, and to create a more peaceful world.

Persons eligible for the scholarship grants are those 18 and above, who have the urge and the desire to make a difference in society.

Interested persons can make contact with the university on 592 231-1284 on or before August 15, 2018, to indicate their interest in accessing the grants to participate in the training.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

A bite, a slap and robbery of four chains

A

N Albouystown resident appeared Friday before a city magistrate charged with robbery with aggravation.

The charge alleged that Lennord Allicock on July 29,2018, at Hill Street, Albouystown, while being in the company of others, robbed Christopher Gonzales of four silver chains valued at $74,000 and at the time or immediately after the robbery, he used personal violence.

The 30-year-old man who works at Guyana Fisheries denied the charge that was read out to him in court

by the magistrate.

The police prosecutor objected to bail on grounds that personal violence was used and the penalty the charge attracted.

According to the prosecution, the virtual complainant and the accused were known to each other and they both resided in the same village. On the night in question, the victim was ‘liming’ on Hill Street when the accused went up to him. They had a confrontation and as a result, Allicock dealt Gonzales a slap, bit him on his left ear, snatched the chains off his neck and made his

escape.

The matter was reported and the accused was

Lennord Allicock

Remanded for ‘robbery under arms’

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21-year-old man was Friday remanded to prison on a robbery under arms charge.

the company of others and armed with a gun, Odingo Haywood robbed Ayake Kadir of one gold chain valued at $300,000 and a

Odingo Haywood

The court heard that on July 16, 2018, between Drysdale & Ketley Streets, Charlestown, while being in

cellphone worth $200,000 .

The labourer denied the charge, but the police prosecutor objected to bail

being granted due to the serious nature of the offence and the fact that a gun was used.

The police say the virtual complainant and the defendant are known to each other. On the day in question, the victim was wearing his chain at a shop with his friends when the defendant came with a piece of gold to sell. No one seemed interested and as they were about to disperse, the defendant went up to the virtual complainant, pulled a gun out of his waist and robbed him. The matter was reported to the police and the defendant was arrested.

Bail was refused by Magistrate Fabayo Azore and Haywood was remanded to prison until August 17, 2018.

Marijuana right under cops’ noses

A

35-year-old man was Friday remanded to prison by Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore for possession of marijuana.

It is alleged that on August 3, 2018, at Brickdam Police Station, Damion Evans had in his possession 134.3 grammes of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The man, who resides at Norton Street, denied the charge. The police prosecutor objected to bail being granted due to the serious nature of the offence.

According to police facts on August 1, 2018, ranks from the CID Brickdam were on patrol around the Leopold Street area when they noticed two motorcycles in front of a house. The occupants of the house were home and they identified one of the motorcycles.

When asked about the other motorcycle, they denied knowledge. As such, both motorcycles were taken to Brickdam Police Station where they were lodged. Sometime after, the defendant went to the station and claimed ownership of the said motorcycle. The defendant opened the motorcycle with a key to show the ranks the documents for the motorcycle.

When the compartment was opened, the rank smelled what was suspected to be cannabis.

A search was conducted and a black plastic bag with several ziplock bags containing leaves and stems were found under a black helmet. The defendant was then arrested and charged.

Bail was refused and Evans was remanded to prison. The matter was adjourned to August 17, 2018.

arrested.

Bail was refused by the Senior Magistrate Fa-

bayo Azore and Allicock was remanded to prison until August 17, 2018.

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Sparta fire leaves family of four homeless

AN early-morning fire of unknown origin on Friday reduced to rubble a Sparta Bamboo Dam residence, leaving its owner to suffer losses in the millions of dollars.

The fire, which reportedly started at around 01:00hrs, took place at the two-storey, concrete home of Essequibo resident, Bissessar Mohan.

Fortunately for the

Mohans, however, no one was at home when the fire started, as according to reports, the family of four is presently holidaying in the USA. Its caretaker, Raveena Persaud, Mohan’s sisterin-law, told the Guyana Chronicle she was awakened at around 01:30hrs by a neighbour calling by telephone to tell her about the fire.

She said that on learning what had happened, she immediately ventured to the scene, where she saw firefighters battling the raging flames.

“When I meet, the flames were huge; the firefighters were pumping water onto it in an effort to extinguish the fire,” Persaud said.

Persaud said her brother-in-law and his family left

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

What is left of Mohan’s home after Friday’s fire Guyana three months ago, leaving her to oversee the property.

She said that every night ever since, two lights are usually left on for security reasons, but when asked when last she visited the home, she said it was approximately two weeks ago.

And while she could not put a figure to the damage, Persaud said it could run into the millions, since everything was lost, including household items such as refrigerators and other kitchen appliances,

beds, televisions, washing machines, and jewellery.

Asked further whether the owner has been informed about the fire, Persaud replied in the affirmative, saying the news has left him in a state of shock.

The matter is currently being investigated by the Anna Regina Fire Station.

As recently as in June, a fire of electrical origin gutted a family home at Windsor Castle, on the Essequibo Coast.

It was the second fire in the community.

Violence over a bus ride to Plaisance AN 18-year-old ‘drinks’ vendor was on Friday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a bus driver to the neck with a pair of scissors.

Orwain Smith of South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on July 30, 2018 at Avenue of the Republic he caused grievous bodily harm to James Abrams with intent to commit murder.

According to the facts presented in court by police prosecutor InOrwain Smith spector Neville Jeffers, on the day in question Smith had asked his friend for $100 to pay his bus fare to go home.

His friend told him to ask the bus driver, Abrams for a drop to Plaisance. However the bus driver declined to take Smith.

Upon hearing this Smith became annoyed and pulled out a pair of scissors and stabbed Abrams to his neck.

Inspector Jeffers objected to bail being granted on the grounds that Abrams was still hospitalised and his injuries are said to be life threatening.

Smith was remanded to prison until August 8. 2018.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

Economic transformation in Linden beckons –– with new Wismar Bridge, Linden to Lethem Road

By Vanessa Braithwaite

LINDEN officials are bubbling over with gratitude that a new Wismar bridge will in the near future become a reality and will complement the Linden-Lethem Road which together will bring tremendous benefits to the town.

Construction of the Linden-Lethem Road is expected to commence in 2019.

The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved funding to the tune of US$4.4 million to help Guyana enhance its transportation sector and support the development of interior communities.

Included in the many plans for the funds is the financing of the construction of a new bridge at Wismar. The Mackenzie-Wismar bridge was constructed 51 years ago and has just one lane. On average, approximately 3,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily, which results in traffic congestion. It is a major connection point between interior locations and the coastland.

The bridge was something talked about for years, more so a few months ago when the current bridge was deemed a hazard.

It was included in the Region’s five-year Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD), but with the lack of funding for PARD, nothing systematic was forthcoming for its construction.

The bridge became inadequate to facilitate the amount of traffic and during peak hours, commuters are forced to wait long periods to cross, causing much frustration.

It is also closed once a week to facilitate maintenance works, given its over 50 years existence.

Speaking to Guyana Chronicle on Thursday was President of the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development, Victor Fernandes. He said the new bridge will definitely be a positive for Linden as it will complement the Linden to Lethem Road, given the amount of traffic the road will attract from Brazil and even other parts of South America, through Linden.

Fernandes said recently that the new bridge will also complement all of the current developments happening in Linden which are attracting investors, many of whom would have expressed interest in using Linden as a hub for their business ventures.

“All this would impact the economic growth and development for Linden. We are looking forward to this moving from a plan to a reality.

We know that it will bring tremendous benefit for us,” Fernandes said.

HAND-IN-HAND Mayor of Linden Waneka Arindell believes that the bridge will also support the Linden to Lethem Road, since more transportation is expected to be passing through Linden.

It makes no sense there is a new road with an old bridge that cannot facilitate it and so for the Government to see the wisdom in allowing the two to go hand-inhand, will bring great economic benefits to Linden.

“I am happy to see that the project is now becoming a reality,” Arindell said.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian said a new bridge was promised to Linden more than three decades ago and it is more than a tremendous feeling to see a campaign promise by the present administration being fulfilled.

“This was a campaign promise to the people of the Upper Demerara and Berbice Region that will facilitate vehicular traffic in a more smooth way and will bring safety to the people,” Morian said, adding that it is a good milestone and testimony to development happening in Linden.

Region 10 Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira believes that the new bridge is an expression of Linden flapping its wings, meeting a new horizon which means that the town will fully benefit from the Linden to Lethem Road.

He reflected on development being stagnated in Linden during the previous administration and now to witness Linden finally getting attention is more than a satisfying feeling to him and to the residents.

TOO LONG MARGINALISED “Linden was for too long marginalised and left out of the national pie; it is good to see things happening in the town, in the entire Upper Demerara-Berbice region.

While Guyana awaits the glory days ahead from the oil, Linden can look forward for two things: the oil, as well as the road from Linden to Lethem, so we are building our economy with double blessings,” the MP said.

The terms of reference for the construction of the road by the Guyanese and Brazilian governments will be ready next month, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This breakthrough was publicised following a brief visit by Brazilian Minister of External Relations, Aloysio Nunes Ferreira to Guyana. Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, held talks with his Brazilian counterpart, when the construction of the road was high on the agenda.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson who also attended the meeting, noted that the terms of reference for the Linden to Lethem Road Project will be ready

by August of this month. Phase one of the project covers approximately 125 kilometres of the road (Linden to Mabura Hill) and includes a bridge across the Kurupukari River.

Development has also been noted in the town, especially in the area of hospitality with the establishment of a first class restaurant, mere months after another one was established. There is a noticeable influx of new businesses in the town also.

In addition to the two restaurants, within a year, over seven supermarkets have opened their doors, along with a gas station, an insurance company, several sports bars, a tourism company and several guest houses.

Lindeners can now be proud to say that their once-labelled gloomy town is now attracting investors and entrepreneurs.

These businesses can now cushion the town’s main employer: Bosai Minerals Group Guyana which has in its employ approximately 600 residents.

The current one-lane Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

‘Robotics and computer science are the future of education’ F

-First Lady tells Leonora ICT workshop graduates

IRST Lady, Mrs. S a n d r a G r a n g e r, on Friday attended the closing ceremony of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Training programme in Leonora, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region (Region Three), where she emphasised the importance

vide youths with skills in the areas of information technology, literacy and numeracy, entrepreneurship, sexual reproductive health, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, and other skills.

“Robotics and computer science are the future of education and any job you go into

you have employment,” the First Lady said.

Mrs. Granger also used the opportunity to express her desire to expand the reach of these ICT workshops to rural parts of Guyana. As a matter of fact, the First lady will be opening a similar workshop at the St. Ignatius Secondary School on next Monday while

First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, hands over a trophy to the Information Communication Technology (ICT) programme’s valedictorian, Ms. Sheria Peters

of robotics and computer science to the 36 graduates.

The programme, which is executed through a collaborative effort between the Office of the First Lady, the Ministry of Social Protection and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), seeks to pro-

now, you will need to know it. Take in your ICT, take in your knowledge of robotics because, as I’ve mentioned before 60 per cent of the jobs will be done by robots. So if you are the persons writing the programmes for robotics or making the robots, you know

a Robotics camp will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday at the West Demerara Secondary School.

Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Denis Jaikaran, in his remarks, commended the First Lady for developing a programme of this nature,

which contributes to youth development as he noted that the programme is ‘rounded’. “We have completed this course of study. We have been engaged in a number of activities and this course of study provided an opportunity for us to explore a number of areas, some of which you were able to do for the first time. And there-

he shared.

Also speaking at the ceremony was the Board of Industrial Training’s Vice Chairman, Mr. Donald Ainsworth, who congratulated the graduates and highlighted the benefits of working and studying in the ICT field. “ICT opens all kinds of opportunities and what you have here [makes]

ful thing is we’re on the cusp of joining the modern, global economy with all this oil and gas and the concomitant service industries that will come on board. There all kinds of possibilities out there for you and you need to take advantage of it,” he urged.

The 36 graduates all received certificates that

One of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) graduates conducts a demonstration using a robot built by the group during the course of the workshop

fore, having said that, that can only have been possible through the intervention of our First Lady, Her Excellency, Sandra Granger… Education is dynamic and once we would provide that education to our young people, we are helping to mould this nation,”

the world become your playground. You have to be prepared to work hard and explore what is there. We are members of an ulterior society and the more knowledge and information you have, the greater are your opportunities for success. And the wonder-

have been accredited by the Board of Industrial Training and accepted locally and regionally. Additionally, the graduates also received backpacks with stationery and other essential school supplies.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

BIT to accredit Linden ICT graduates -receives more computers and equipment to assist youth

THE Board of Industrial Training (BIT) has committed to accrediting the Linden youth who would be participating in the 12 week ICT workshop conducted by the Linden Youth Network (LYN).

This is a NGO formed out of the recently concluded BIT facilitated ICT workshop in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady.

The 37 youths, after realising that they were significantly empowered by the ICT workshop, created the NGO to pass on the skills learnt to other youth residing in various communities in Linden. The movement has made significant headway and has even attracted many sponsors and donors who believe that with its success, Linden youth can be truly transformed.

On Emancipation day, Professor Joyanner Agnes made a significant contribution of five Lenovo laptop computers, an

HP printer and a backup surge protector amongst other items to the youth group. She was approached by LYN member, Monisa Niles and immediately made the contribution while giving her commitment to providing continuous support and guidance to the NGO. A few weeks prior, the youth group also received computers from members of the Diaspora.

LYN mentor Deron Adams said that the NGO is extremely grateful for the contributions and support as a number of youth have expressed interest in ICT training. “LYN wants to expand the perspective of young people to make them aware of life’s possibilities and so our focus is to empower youth in establishing goals and following through on commitments,” said Adams. Adams also expressed appreciation to BIT for demonstrating interest in accrediting the youth who will be facilitated

by LYN. “A number of persons

who would have been a part of the first training are today employed and we believe that by having BIT on board, it seals the [destiny] of Guyana’s future.”

The Linden youth will be trained in office ethics, public speaking, micro enterprise,

Mathematics, English, sexual and reproductive health, Microsoft programmes, social work and robotics.

Johanna Allicock, the valedictorian of the batch, told the Guyana Chronicle that the workshop has been a great expe-

rience for her, since it enhanced her knowledge on computers and the way they work. Allicock is an aspiring teacher and plans on using her training as she pursues her career path. “As an aspiring teacher, this training will prepare me for the field of

The LYN participating in the ICT training in the ICT hub at LEN’s Business Centre

work. Many things that I did not understand in school relating to computers, I was able to get a better knowledge of,” she attested.

Selina Joseph, another graduate, said that the workshop benefited her a lot because she is now certified and will be using that certificate to apply for jobs. She was appreciative of the knowledge gained in computer programming but more so, the knowledge to adapt to the world of work. “I learned a lot of things in ICT such as mouse basics, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher and so forth, but most importantly, I learned to enhance my business ethics and so forth for when I am applying for a job.”

Knowledge must be shared Upon the completion of the first 12 week workshop, LYN will be venturing into the various communities where ICT hubs are available to engage young people.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

Ministry of Social Protection and Region 5 rally behind WCB fire victims

THE Ministry of Social Protection and the Administration of Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) on Friday continued to rally behind the victims of the fire at Kingelly Village West Coast Berbice which left 13 persons including 11 children homeless on Wednesday.

Social Protection Minister Amna Ally who had visited the scene of the fire on Wednesday and commiserated with the victims returned to Kingelly on Friday with mattresses, stoves, pots, pans, clothing, items of furniture and other household necessities which she said her Ministry had been able to put together in the 48 hours after the blaze.

The Ministry had sent food items to the victims on Thursday. During her stop and interaction with the victims yesterday, Minister Ally extended sympathies to the victims not only on her own behalf but on behalf of President David Granger.

Minister Ally also handed over the sum of $500,000 to a local lumber dealer which will allow the victims to purchase building construction materials.

With respect to construction the Regional Administration of Region Five also chipped in with assistance giving the victims a quantity of construction materials mainly from demolished buildings of the RDC which they

could use.

Minister Ally told the victims that they could expect continued assistance this weekend in the form of sand, stone, cement and hollow blocks.

Regional Executive Officer of Region Five Mr. Ovid Morrison said that the materials donated by his administration are of good quality and would help them substantially in their efforts to build a new home.

Those present at the handing-over of the relief items yesterday included Regional Coordinator of the Community Development Councils and People’s National Congress / Reform Region Five Official Ms. Carol Nurse; Probation Officer in Region Five Ms. Nerissa Semple and other functionaries of the Ministry of Social Protection.

A thankful owner, Shellon Long said yesterday that the support from the Ministry and the Regional Administration had been a source of considerable relief to her and her husband.

They can now take steps in getting their lives back to normal as a result of the support.

The fire at the wooden house at Kingelly occurred around 10:00 hours on Wednesday last, razing the house in a matter of a few minutes.

No adult was at home at the time of the fire. The cause remains unknown.

Receipt for $500,000 worth of building materials being handed over to fire victim Ms. Shellon Long

18 months to restore wash plant … or serve 18 months in jail

AN interior businessman was on Friday fined $100,000 after being found guilty by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for a $10M simple larceny charge.

Vickram Singh, 32, after trial was found guilty of the charge which read that between February 1, 2018 and February 15, 2018 at King Street, Republic Park, East Bank Demerara, he stole a

wash plant(a wash plant is a piece of equipment used for gold mining), valued $10 million property of Mario Ferreira.

According to the facts presented to the court by

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers, Singh had paid a truck driver $200,000 to uplift and transport the $10M in equipment which was parked in an empty lot next to Ferreira.

Ferreira, who was in the interior at the time of the incident, returned home on February 15 and noticed his wash plant was missing.

Ferreira made a report to the police station and based upon his own investigation was able to get the truck driver who removed the wash plant.

The truck driver told him that he was paid by Singh

to transport the wash plant in his vehicle to Mahdia.

On February 19 Singh was arrested by police at the Sherima Crossing, Essequibo River.

Singh was fined $100,000 or he will have to spend 18 months in jail. He was ordered to repay Ferreira for the damage caused to his wash plant and to transport it back to Georgetown.

Beware of persons requesting personal information- GECOM THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Friday cautioned citizens about providing personal information to persons purporting to

be representatives of the Commission.

In a statement to the media, GECOM said caution must be exercised when answering tele-

phone calls from persons claiming to be from the entity.

“Several persons have contacted the Commission to query the nature of

the exercise after receiving anonymous telephone calls requesting personal information. Please be advised that the Commission is not engaged in any

such exercise,” declared GECOM. As such, GECOM is urging citizens to be “extremely cautious” and not to provide any

information to the callers who are pretending to be from the Commission as their motive is unknown and can be potentially harmful.

Teen went on robbery bonanza, police allege

A YOUNG man was on Friday remanded to prison after he was slapped with four robbery-under-arms charges when he appeared before two different magistrates in two different courtrooms.

The first charge against Shamar Charles alleged that on July 27, 2018 at Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD), while being in the company of others and armed with a gun he robbed Devindra Persaud of one Samsung

Galaxy 8 cellphone valued at $120,000 and $50,000 cash.

The youngster denied the charge that was read to him

by Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

The police prosecutor objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offence and the fact that a gun was used.

Bail was refused by the magistrate and Charles was remanded to prison. The matter was adjourned to August 17, 2018.

Meanwhile, on the same

Shamar Charles

day, Charles appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on three robbery-under-arms charges.

It is alleged in the first of the charges, that on July 25, 2018 at Bagotstown, EBD, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, Charles robbed Debby Atwell of a quantity of gold jewellery valued at $230,000.

It was also alleged that on July 24, 2018 at Eccles, while being in the company of others and armed with

a gun, he, Charles, robbed Ellis Valenzuela of one blue cellphone valued at $14,000.

On the third charge, it is alleged that on July 24, 2018 also at Eccles, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, Charles robbed Weifins Wong of a quantity of jewellery, cash and a cellphone, all valued at $2.6 million.

The accused denied the charges against him as read out by the chief magistrate.

Police Prosecutor Gordon

Mansfield in objecting to bail being granted to the defendant, cited the seriousness of the offence, the penalty the charges attract and the fact that a gun was used to commit the alleged offences.

As a result, bail was refused by the chief magistrate and Charles was remanded to prison.

The matter was adjourned and transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court to be heard on August 13.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 4, 2018

PAHO pushes breastfeeding …says babies should be breastfed within the first hour of life

BREASTMILK is the best source of nutrition for newborns and babies up to 2 years of age yet just half of all babies (52%) in Latin America and the Caribbean are not breastfed within the first hour of life.

In 2017, an estimated 78 million babies – or three in five – were not breastfed within the first hour of life, putting them at higher risk of death and disease and making them less likely to continue breastfeeding, say UNICEF and WHO in a new report. Most of these babies are born in low- and middle-income countries.

The Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) recommends breastfeeding newborns within the first 60 minutes of life; breastfeeding babies exclusively until the age of 6-months; and breastfeeding as a supplement until the age of 2-years.

“Latin America and the Caribbean is among the regions with the highest global averages for breastfeeding, yet much remains to be done if we are to achieve the goal of exclusively breastfeeding 50% of all babies during the first 6 months of life,” said Ruben Grajeda, PAHO’s Regional Advisor in Nutrition. Currently, just 38% of all babies are breastfed exclusively until 6 months of age in the Region, and just 32% continue breastfeeding for 2 years.

Breastfeeding is vital to a child’s lifelong health, and reduces costs for healthcare systems, families and governments. Breastfeeding within the first hour of birth protects newborn babies from infections and saves lives.

Infants are at greater risk of death due to diarrhea and other infections when they are not breastfed at all or when they are only partially breastfed.

Breastfeeding also improves a child’s IQ, school readiness and attendance, and is associated with earning higher income when they reach adulthood. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of breast cancer in mothers. In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, from the 1 to 7 of August, the new report urges governments, donors and other decision-makers to adopt strong legal measures to restrict the marketing of infant formula and other breastmilk substitutes. PAHO is also calling on governments in the Region to continue efforts to strengthen those measures already in place to protect, promote and support the right to breastfeeding.

These measures include the adoption and monitoring of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (The Code) and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly resolutions; the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI); the implementation of a policy on maternity rights in line with the Convention and Recommendation of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on maternity protection; and specialized assistance for the feeding of infants and young children.

“These measures have not yet been scaled up to a national level or consistently implemented and enforced, and this really prevents growth in breastfeeding rates,” said Grajeda. “It is therefore vital that these measures are enforced so that the Code can be properly implemented and monitored, and that parents and caregivers are protected from inappropriate and misleading information.”

This year, the slogan for Breastfeeding week, which is led by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is “Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life” – In a world filled with inequality, crises and poverty, breastfeeding is the foundation of lifelong good health for babies and mothers.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUPPORT BREASTFEEDING In April this year, WHO and UNICEF published a ten step guide to successful breastfeeding in order to support healthcare centers that offer maternity and neonatology services.

Breastfeeding all babies for their first two years would save the lives of more than 820,000 children under the age of 5 each year. The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding also emphasizes the importance of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative, launched by WHO and UNICEF in 1991.

The practical guidance not only encourages new mothers to breastfeed but also informs health workers on how best to support breastfeeding. (PAHO)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 4, 2018

American Racing Tips

Race 7 Sailing By

Saratoga

Race 8 El Tormenta

Race 1 Souper Tapit

Race 9 Turbo Driven

Race 2 All American Hero Race 3 Cuarenta

English Racing Tips

Race 4 Vitsal

Chelmsford City

Race 5 Precieuse

08:10 hrs Aquarius

Race 6 Alkhaatam

08:40 hrs Thammin

Race 7 Larceny

09:10 hrs Procedure

Race 8 Minit To Stardom

09:45 hrs Sacred Path

Race 9 Mind Your Biscuits

10:20 hrs Margub

Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Marquette Race 2 Ault Race 3 Sandy Bay Race 4 Tricky Magician Race 5 Red At Last Race 6 Unbounded Spirit

10:55 hrs Branscombe 11:30 hrs Spring Praise 12:05 hrs Angel Of The North Goodwood 08:50 hrs Militia 09:25 hrs Platitude 10:40 hrs Gifted Master 11:15 hrs Duke Of Hazzard 11:50 hrs Zap 12:25 hrs Kassar Newmarket 09:05 hrs Crimson Rosette 09:40 hrs Ginger Nut 10:15 hrs New Jazz 10:50 hrs Talaaqy 11:25 hrs Phantasmic 12:00 hrs Team Decision 12:35 hrs Perisher Irish Racing Tips Galway 09:00 hrs Broome 09:30 hrs Astronomer 10:35 hrs Truffles 11:10 hrs Cmlann 11:45 hrs Shanning 12:20 hrs Triplicate 12:55 hrs Good Scent South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:35 hrs Diamond In The Sky 09:15 hrs Sea Bean 09:50 hrs Red Special 10:30 hrs Rock A Bye Baby 11:05 hrs Timkat

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 4, 2018

Regional Under-19 Championship

Sinclair, Umroa spin Guyana on top

Kevin Sinclair

SPINNERS Kevin Sinclair and Kelvin Umroa, shared seven wickets to engineer a dramatic Leeward Islands batting collapse that propelled the Guyanese on top at the end of the opening day of round one of CWI Regional Under-19 three-day Championship in St Vincent.

Sinclair (4-19) and Umroa (3-28) got support from pacer Joshua Jones (2-27), as the Islanders were bowled out for just 116.

In reply, the Guyanese were 58-2, trailing by 58 runs with eight wickets in hand. Sachin Singh is unbeaten on 23. Javin Spencer has so far taken the two wickets.

Lusignan Open makes return after 25-year absence THE Lusignan Open makes its grand return to the Lusignan Golf Course after more than 25 years of absence.

In what is expected to be the largest turnout of the year, all the top golfers in Guyana will vie for titles in three categories over the next two days.

Current Lusignan Open champion, Papo Haniff, will be ready to defend his title against the best in the 0-9 Flight, but it will not be an easy task since the likes of current Guyana Open champion Avinash Persaud, Kevin Dindanauth, Richard Hanif, Patrick Prasad, William Walker, Kassim Khan, Munaf Arjune, Mohanlal Didnanauth, Mike Mangal,

Margo Seecharran, Rishi Sukhram, Sam Harry, Dezo Ramsudar, Krishna Jagroop, Deosarran and Chandra Lakeraj will all try to put their names in the history books!

In the 10-18 Flight are Haresh Tiwari, Pandit Ravi Persaud, Gavin Todd, Mahesh Shivraj, Aasrodeen Shaw, Robin Tiwari, Panko Ramsundar, Max Persaud, David Harry, Fazil Hanif, Brian Hackett, Ian Gouveia, Paton George, Ayube Subhan, Kalyan Tiwari, former Guyana Open women’s champions Dr Joann Deo and Shanella Webster, Rabindra Harry, Pur Persaud, Jax Harry, Bholaram Deo, Romel Bhagwandin, and Club Champion points leader Aleem Hussain.

In the 19-28 flight will be Maurice Solomon, Dr Philbert London, Mark Lashley, Danny Mangra, Prakash Deonarine, Troy Cadogan, Deno Bissessar, Anasha Ally, Rohan Albert, Imtiaz Subhan and Carlos Adams.

According to captain Chatterpaul Deo, the format will be medal play in Flights 0-9, 10-18 and 19-28. Prizes for the top three positions in each category, along with the Best Gross in each category, will be awarded. On the final day, fans will be treated to the Long Drive and Nearest to the Pin. Gates will open from 10:00hrs on both Saturday and Sunday and Barbecue tickets for just $1 000 are available on Sunday.

Manchester City striker signs contract extension until 2023 MANCHESTER City striker Gabriel Jesus has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2023.

Jesus, 21, arrived at Etihad Stadium from Brazilian club Palmeiras for £27M in January 2017 and scored seven goals in 11 games in his debut season.

He netted 17 goals as City won the Premier League and the Carabao Cup last term.

He started every game as Brazil reached this summer’s World Cup quarter-finals,

where they lost to Belgium.

Jesus has struggled with injury at City, breaking a metatarsal in his foot and suffering a knee injury.

He has described joining the club as the “best decision I’ve made in my life”.

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain added: “Gabriel is undoubtedly one of the best young forwards in world football.”

City face last season’s FA Cup winners Chelsea in the Community Shield, on Sunday (15:00hrs BST kick-off). (BBC Sport)

Gabriel Jesus helped City win the Premier League and EFL Cup last season.

Meanwhile, summarised scores from the first day of the other opening round of matches are.

At Sion Hill: Rain ended play prematurely.

BARBADOS 175 for five (Shian Brathwaite 87, Nico Reifer 39, Kadeem Alleyne 35; Raewin Senior 4-43) vs JAMAICA. At Park Hill: T&T trail by 237 runs with all 10 first innings wickets intact.

WINDWARD ISLANDS 238 (Teddy Bishop 79, Kimani Melius 53, Johnel Eugene 37; Navin Bidaisee 3-29, Justyn Gangoo 3-34, Jayden Seales 2-36) TRINIDAD & TOBAGO one without loss.

Kelvin Umroa

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 4, 2018

Kohli stands firm with Test on knife-edge ENGLAND’S first Test against India is set for a thrilling finish after Sam Curran’s counter-attack dragged the hosts back into the game on the third day at Edgbaston.

Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed England’s top order and Ishant Sharma took three wickets in an over to leave England in disarray on 87-7.

However, Curran hit an enterprising 63 to help the hosts reach 180 and set India 194 for victory.

Stuart Broad took two wickets as India slipped to 78-5, but captain Virat Kohli ended the day unbeaten on 43 with his side 110-5, requiring a further 84.

It was another disappointing showing with the bat for England, the same problems

of lack of patience and poor technique plaguing the top and middle order.

But Curran, 20, kept them in the game and Ben Stokes, Curran and James Anderson claimed a wicket apiece to take the game into a fourth day.

India require their highest run-chase in England to take a 1-0 lead in the series, surpassing the 174 they made at The Oval in 1971.

Their chances largely lie with Kohli, who has scored 50% of their runs in this match and seems determined to put his dismal tour four years ago behind him.

Under the Edgbaston lights and supported by a sell-out crowd, England produced their most impressive bowling performance for some time.

Ishant Sharma then found his zip with a furious burst, starting with Dawid Malan's wicket. (Getty Images)

There were errors again in the field - Dawid Malan put down his third catch of the match when he dropped Murali Vijay at second slip

- but Broad produced an energetic spell to strike twice in two overs.

He and captain Joe Root encouraged the crowd to make more noise, as Vijay was trapped lbw offering no stroke, before Broad found the outside edge of Shikhar Dhawan’s bat as he attempted an expansive drive.

England kept the pressure on India and were rewarded when Stokes found movement away off the seam to end KL Rahul’s uncomfortable innings for 13.

India tried to rebuild but wickets fell regularly, with Ajinkya Rahane edging Curran behind before Ashwin, promoted up the order, did the same to Anderson.

Kohli, however, remains. His unbroken 32-run stand with Dinesh Karthik steadied India’s innings and leaves the game finely poised.

With England reeling on 87-7 and Ishant - who finished with 5-51 - finding seam movement, left-hander Curran gave himself time to get used to the pace of the pitch.

As Adil Rashid struck out, Curran rotated the strike and played defensively against Ashwin as the two put on 48 - helped by Dhawan putting both players down at first slip on 13.

Once Rashid fell for 16 after a brief delay for bad light - his middle stump knocked out of the ground by Umesh Yadav - Curran began to play more offensively.

He hit Ashwin for six down the ground and clobbered the next ball for four over long-on, before Ishant was flat-batted for six over extra-cover as Curran reached his maiden Test half-century.

Such was Curran’s confidence that in his second Test he protected Broad - appearing in his 119th - from facing the seamers.

They shared a 41-run stand before Broad attempted a flat-footed drive and sent an outside edge to first slip.

Curran was left annoyed when he attempted to run Yadav down to third man and was caught by wicketkeeper Karthik, but he was given an ovation by the crowd and Kohli.

Off-spinner Ashwin, who removed Alastair Cook with the final ball of the second day, tormented England’s top order.

Keaton Jennings fell for eight - a leading edge flying, well held at gully by Rahul - before Root was left in disbelief as, on 14, he turned a regulation delivery straight to leg slip.

The middle order crumbled in a period of smart swing bowling from Ishant, who moved the ball away

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 2nd innings A. Cook b Ashwin 0 K. Jennings c Rahul b Ashwin 8 J. Root c Rahul b Ashwin 14 D. Malan c Rahane b Sharma 20 J. Bairstow c Dhawan b Sharma 28 B. Stokes c Kohli b Sharma 6 J. Buttler c Karthik b Sharma 1 S. Curran c Karthik b Yadav 63 A. Rashid b Yadav 16 S. Broad c Dhawan b Sharma 11 J. Anderson not out 0 Extras: (b-10, lb-2, nb-1) 13 Total: (all out; 53 overs) 180 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-18, 3-39, 4-70, 5-85, 6-86, 7-87, 8-135, 9-176.

Bowling: Mohammed Shami 122-38-0, R. Ashwin 21-4-59-3, I. Sharma 13-0-51-5, U. Yadav 7-120-2.

INDIA 2nd innings M. Vijay lbw b Broad 6 S. Dhawan c Bairstow b Broad 13 K. Rahul c Bairstow b Stokes 13 V. Kohli (c) not out 43 A. Rahane c Bairstow b Curran 2 R. Ashwin c Bairstow b Anderson 13 K Karthik not out 18 Extras: (b-1, lb-1) 2 Total: (for five wickets, 36 overs) 110 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-22, 3-46, 4-63, 5-78.

Bowling: J. Anderson 11-2-331, S. Broad 9-1-29-2, B. Stokes 10-1-25-1, S. Curran 5-0-17-1, A. Rashid 1-0-4-0.

from the right-handers.

Malan, Jonny Bairstow and Stokes fell in similar fashion: tentative against Ishant, they were caught in the cordon off thick edges.

Jos Buttler’s dismissal, caught behind attempting to drive the second ball after lunch, was Ishant’s third wicket in the over and left England in serious danger of losing inside three days.

Curran helped them to a decent total but, with five Tests in six weeks, they will need to find a way to stop these collapses happening.

(BBC Sport)

GBA’s final Caribbean Boxing championship trial set for today THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), will stage its final trial with the aim of selecting a squad of boxers to represent Guyana at the third Annual Caribbean Juniors and Schoolboys Championships, August 17-19, at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

Today’s trial will commence at 13:30hrs at the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis Boxing Gym, situated at the corner of Independence Boulevard and Callender Street, Albouystown.

Fifteen bouts are carded for the day, after which the selection committee of the GBA will name its representatives for the Caribbean championships. Grenada, St Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago have already registered their boxers for the muchawaited championship.

Results from the previous trials, which were held over the past two months show that the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) Gym, have secured more victories

than any of the other gyms so far, but today, things can change as boxing gyms from the hinterland are expected to be on show, as their fighters seek to make their mark for possible selection on the Guyana team.

According to information received by this publication, boxers from Regions One, Three, Six, Seven, Nine and Ten are expected to participate, so much excitement and thrilling bouts are anticipated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 4, 2018

Ramdhani elected 2nd vice-president of CONCECABA GUYANA National Badminton coach, Gokarn Ramdhani, was elected to the post of second vice-president of the Central America and Caribbean Badminton Federation (CONCECABA), when elections were held in Colombia during the ongoing Central America and Caribbean Games.

Ramdhani, who is also the vice-president of the Caribbean

Regional Badminton Confederation, will serve in the position until 2022. He had served as the General Secretary of CONCECABA for the last four years.

Mexico’s Francisco Javier was elected as president, while Castillo Generoso of Dominican Republic will serve as first vice-president with Cuba’s Alexis Gonsalez as the secretary.

Executive Committee and members of the Central America and Caribbean Badminton Federation (CONCECABA)

Preparations for the Karibee Sprint Classic horse race meet well on stream PREPARATIONS for next Sunday’s Karibee Sprint Classic horse race meet are well underway and the organisers are confident that the day’s activity would be a success as most of the country’s top racehorses have been registered.

With over $4M in prize money is up for grabs. The Nand Persaud Group of Companies-organised event, through its Sky Plus Inc. Promotions, will stage a seven-race programme with horses competing over 660 yards and 880 yards at its racing facility, situated at #36 Village, Macedonia Estate, Corentyne, Berbice.

Among the events listed for the day is the `D’ and Lower for animals over 880 yards for a winning purse of $400 000 and a trophy.

Horses classified `H’ and Low-

er will contest a three-furlong race and the winner will earn $260 000 and a trophy.

Three-year-old animals will also contest a three-furlong race and the winner will receive $200 000 and a trophy.

Two-year-old horses will contest a four-furlong race that carries a first prize of $200 000, while `K’ Class and Lower horses will be competing for a first prize of $140 000 and a trophy over a three-furlong trip.

There will also be two events for horses classified `L’ and Lower.

One will be for stallions over four furlongs and the other for mares over three furlongs.

The champion jockey, champion trainer and champion stable will all be rewarded.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday August 04, 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)

Tamin Iqbal-287 runs

(2)

Shimron Hetmyer-207 runs

Today’s Quiz: (1) Which Bangladeshi took most wickets in the recent ODI series against the WI? (2)

Who took most wickets for the West Indies?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 4, 2018

Linden invade Georgetown tonight in search of ‘Guinness Street Football’ glory

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE! (L-R) Wayne Griffith, Troy Peters, Rawle Welch, Lee Baptiste, Samantha Thomas and Mortimer Stewart.

TONIGHT’S showdown for the right to be crowned Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ National champions will revive an age old rivalry between Georgetown and Linden in the sporting arena.

Organiser Banks DIH under its Guinness brand has provided the ideal setting for what is already being touted as the perfect matchups to bring the curtain down after nearly nine months of enthralling football in the various communities.

The venue is the Guyana National Stadium at Providence and the organisers have pulled out all the stops to make the experience a wonderful one for fans, with seating accommodation for around 400 persons now available.

Of course the Guinness competition does not feel the same if Sparta Boss, the most successful team in the tournament’s history, is not in the reckoning so their

presence alone will ignite the ‘love/hate’ relationship they somehow seem to attract.

They face a determined Dave & Celena’s All Stars, who happen to be the current national champions and they would no doubt be aiming to show their fans and critics that last year’s triumph was no fluke.

Despite losing a host of players from last year’s campaign, the Linden ers have shown resilience throughout this year’s competition and even though they lost their Zone title to the other semi-finaliss Silver Bullets, their performance so fa in the nationals has been impressive.

However, Sparta Boss have been in irrepressible form and quite a few teams have been subjected to some embarrassing defeats so immediately you see what is in store for tonight’s encounter.

The former two-time national champs will enjoy

home support, especially since they are facing opposition from Linden and this expected partisan support could serve as a very important and necessary component for them.

Sparta Boss will include players the calibre of Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, a player with immense talent and dribbling skills, while others such as Sheldon Shepherd, Jermin Junor, Courtney Britton, Eusi Phillips and Denis Edwards are all proven match-winners.

Dave & Celena’s All Stars’ pursuit for victory will be spearheaded by Tyriq McAllister, Rudy Halley, Emanuel Atkins and Steffon Tappin.

In the other semi-final, Georgetown champs West Front Road ‘Gold is Money will entertain Silver Bullets in what is surely going to be a slugfest from kickoff.

The reigning Linden zone champions have quietly and efficiently moved into the last four almost unno-

ticed, but are a deadly force for any team facing them.

Players such as Robin Adams, Damion Williams, Clifton Halley and Jermaine Samuels are all extremely talented players in this format and their confidence must be sky high and feeling good about advancing.

On the other hand, ‘Gold is Money’ are noted for their clinical efficiency and ruthlessness in front of goal and with the most prolific goalscorer Deon Alfred in the lineup defenders are in for a tough time.

You then add Randolph Wagner, whose goalscoring prowess is respected by all, while their talisman Hubert Pedro, Jamal Pedro and the experienced Phillip Rowley add plenty potency to make opposing teams tremble.

All the teams appearing in the semi-finals will be given new uniforms with numbers on the back.

The organisers have also added a female game comprising teams from Bartica and a mixed team encounter to the night’s proceedings.

It will be fun, but teams have already stated that bragging rights and the handsome and lucrative prize money on offer will bring out the best in them.

Admission is free, but a small fee for parking inside the venue will be charged.

Action starts at 19:00hrs.

Busy weekend for cyclists

Seven Seas cycling set for National Park today CYCLISTS will return to action today in the 15th Annual Seven Seas 11-race cycling programme, billed for the inner circuit of the National Park, before turning their attention to the roadways of West Demerara for the 14th Annual Reagan Rodrigues Memorial 46-mile road race tomorrow.

cobs was the winner.

The presentation of trophies and prizes will be done

by Nirvana Thakur, who is the Products Specialist attached to Massy Distribution.

Meanwhile, tomorrow, the cyclists will head over to West Demerara roadways.

Tomorrow’s event is being sponsored by Ricks and Sari Agro Industries.

Jamual John

The 11-stage cycling programme is being sponsored

by Massy and will be organised by National cycling coach Hassan Mohamed.

Raul Leal was the winner of last year’s feature event, the Schoolboys and Invitational 35-lap event, clocking a time of one hour 17 minutes 56.94 seconds.

However, this year will see a new winner crowned, as Leal is out of the country.

The winner of the Junior/ Juveniles 10-lap race was Nigel Duguid with a time of 23 minutes 11 seconds, while Ian Jackson took the Veterans U-50 5-lap race in 11 minutes seven seconds.

Over in the Mountain Bike 5-lap event, Nigel Ja-

The race will begin at the Demerara Harbour Bridge before heading to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo and back for the finish at the point of origin.

Jamual John was the winner in the Seniors category last year with a time of one hour 56 minutes 48.59 seconds, while Briton John (Juniors), Ian Jackson (Veterans) and Talim Shaw (Mountain Bikes) were the other category winners.

The Rodrigues family will be there to distribute prizes and trophies. The late Reagan Rodrigues was a former champion motor racer and cyclist, as well as a former president of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF).

Guyana to open CFU Boys U-14 Challenge Series against Trinidad and Tobago today “THE nature of this tournament is not about winning and deciding who the champion is but it’s focused on the development of young players across the Region, including Guyana. The structure of the tournament is set to facilitate that,” said Bryan Joseph, head coach of the National U-14 Team that departed for Curacao last Wednesday to participate in the CFU 2018 Boys’ U-14 Challenge Series.

The squad, consisting of 17 players and four officials, will play their first match against Trinidad and Tobago today at the Ergilio Hata Stadium from 16:00hrs, having

been placed in Group C along with Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

According to Joseph, the current National U-14 Boys’ team will make up next year’s CONCACAF U-15 squad, adding that the Federation’s target is “to go out there and be competitive but, in the same vein, we want to ensure that development takes place. This group needs the experience. I don’t think any member from this group ever played outside of Guyana, in front of a huge crowd or packed stadium, so this tournament will seek to have them become acquainted with that.

This group will be the core of

CFU U-14 Boys Challenge Series - National U-14 squad in Curacao

our U-15 who will participate in the CONCACAF U-15 Championship in 2019, so this is the beginning of this process.”

Joseph said that while the preparation was not as thorough as that of the youth team last year, he is of the view that “Guyana is in a fairly good

place because of the work done at the GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres.

Additionally, we have done some work with this group

last year as part of the U-13 preparation. Following the first encampment period, we had a few training days and practice matches so the group came together nicely.”

Meanwhile, Technical Director, Ian Greenwood, said this tournament will serve as part of the development process for the 2026 World Cup campaign.

Following their first match, Guyana will play their second, third and fourth matches on August 8, 10 and 12 against Curacao, Bonaire and Aruba respectively. All matches will be held at the Ergilio Hato Stadium.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 4, 2018

OIL IT UP!

ExxonMobil official sponsor of Guyana Amazon Warriors Rod Henson

… Squad begin pre-tournament camp

By Rajiv Bisnauth TEXAS-BASED ExxonMobil has been officially confirmed as the new signature sponsor of the Guyana Amazon Warriors ahead of the sixth edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The official unveiling of the partnership took place yesterday at a media launch at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown between officials of the company and the local franchise, where the deal was finalised, signalling the company’s involvement with the three-time finalists.

ExxonMobil, which was also a part of the franchise’s setup last year, has replaced the Amazon’s main sponsor GTT, and the deal definitely builds on ExxonMobil’s existing status locally.

Speaking at the impressive unveiling ceremony, Country Manager of ExxonMobil, Rod Henson, said the partnership to promote cricket is a great unifying factor, which brings people from all walks of life, not only in Guyana but also in the entire Caribbean.

“Cricket is part of the

Devendra Bishoo makes a point to Country Manager of ExxonMobil in Guyana Rod Henson.

heritage here; it does unite people no matter what’s going on, whether it’s in politics or your social life,” Henson declared.

He added, “We are excited to partner with the Guyana Amazon Warriors, and one of the reasons that ExxonMobil is very happy to partner with the Amazon Warriors is that they have a long-standing (and) excellent tradition of corporate citizenship. You guys have done over the years many things in terms of mentoring young men and women and motivational speaking and visiting schools and really

and for the Amazon Warriors and I wish you all the best of luck … and I can’t wait for Thursday,” Henson said.

Team Operations Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Omar Khan, said the partnership with ExxonMobil can be hailed as a significant way forward.

“The whole cricketing world has transformed; the cricketing landscape has transformed. Cricket is now big business. Cricket is an industry. Sport is an industry,” Khan said

Assistant coach Rayon Griffith assists Veerasammy Permaul.

that’s fantastic.

“I know you would be fantastic ambassadors for the sport, and for ExxonMobil

He added, “And as an industry, we need to set up systems and structures in place where we could sustain our

level of participation and, as Rod said, presenting and being ambassadors of our country. In order for us to do that, we need corporate sponsors to come on board.

“We want to thank them sincerely. We want to show them that we appreciate their sponsorship very much, and we’re going to let you know that this sponsorship is not just about the ExxonMobil logo on our shirts. We’re going to make ExxonMobil proud by doing other things within Guyana and the Caribbean and throughout the cricketing world to make ExxonMobil proud of their sponsorship of the Guyana Amazon Warriors,” Khan concluded.

Meanwhile, most members of the squad commenced the pre-tournament camp at the Guyana National Stadium under head coach Johan Botha, assistant coach Rayon Griffith, strength and conditioning trainer Clinton Jeremiah along with the Warriors technical support team.

Under Botha, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will be looking to win the tournament for the first time.

Guyana Amazon Warriors head coach Johan Botha speaks to media operatives. (Adrian Narine photos)

The Warriors have been the most consistent team in the history of CPL cricket, but never managed to win a single title after five years.

They reached the final in 2013, 2014 and 2016.

Botha, the former South Africa player, pointed out that the camp, a customary practice for teams preparing for competitions, is a vital one for the local franchise.

The local franchise will be in action on Thursday against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots from 18:00hrs.

Guyana Amazon Warriors: Shoaib Malik (captain), Sohail Tanvir, Chadwick Walton, Chris Green, Rayad Emrit, Imran Tahir, Jason Mohammed, Luke Ronchi, Veerasammy Permaul, Roshan Primus, Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo, Gajanand Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Saurabh Netravalkar and Akshaya Persaud.

From back page ►

Petterson-Griffith grabs...

Petterson-Griffith beat Puerto Rico’s Michael Correa to the gold medal while Guatemalan, Haroldo Zepeda Hernandez had to settle for bronze.

One of Guyana’s most consistent powerlifters, Carlos had a total weight lifted of 790kg, which was far superior to Correa’s 660kg accumulation.

Petterson-Griffith had a best Squat of 300kg, best Bench Press of 165kg and a best Deadlift of 325kg to cart

off the gold medal.

Correa’s Squat was 260kg, Bench Press 132.5kg and Deadlift 267.5kg while bronze medallist Zepeda Hernandez’ total weight lifted was 625kg with a best Squat of 232.5kg, Bench Press 132.5kg and Deadlift 260kg.

Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF), Runita White, noted that Petterson-Griffith “has done

well for himself and his country”. The strongman will be competing once again today in the Men’s Equipped Open 93kg category.

Petterson-Griffith’s gold means Guyana now has three gold medals and a bronze after just two days of competition.

The Regional Championships which is being hosted in Mexico City, Mexico, began on August 1 and will run until August 4.

Carlos Petterson-Griffith makes his second attempt in the Deadlift.

Members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors and officials of ExxonMobil pose after the official unveiling of the partnership.

OIL IT UP!

ExxonMobil official sponsor of Guyana Amazon Warriors

… Squad begin pre-tournament camp

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Guyana Amazon Warriors during their first day of training yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium

IPF/NAPFRegional Championships PAGE

31

Petterson-Griffith grabs another gold medal for Guyana

By Michelangelo Jacobus

Carlos Petterson-Griffith stands proudly on the podium after winning the gold medal in the Men’s Raw 93kg Open.

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

CARLOS Petterson-Griffith took the centre of the podium yesterday when he copped a gold medal in the Men’s Raw Open 93kg category at the opening of the IPF/NAPF Regional Pow-

erlifting Championships in Mexico.

Petterson-Griffith’s achievement came a day after Nadina Taharally and Paul Adams’ exploits on Thursday which saw them capture a gold medal each, while Taharally had a bronze.

Turn to page 31 ► SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2018