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David ‘G’ rolls out in GT Page 13

No. 105026

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2017

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‘Dismiss the charges’ …PSC orders Top Cop to dismiss DPP-recommended charges against officers

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Suspect in rape of Linden pre-teen remanded Caribbean islands brace for fierce Hurricane Irma Page 14

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Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry ushers these nursery school children to their seats during the official launch of Education Month on Monday at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown. (Adrian Narine photo)

Security reform is a Guyanese led process – UK Envoy Page 12

Sanctions for $632M drug purchase must come from gov’t – PPC chair

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

‘Well positioned to deliver’ – says an optimistic Education Minister of her staff’s ability to live up to expectations By Navendra Seoraj MINISTER of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry, has said that her ministry is “well positioned” to deliver quality education to youths across the country. The minister shared her confidence in her staff with persons gathered at the Umana Yana on Monday for the launch of Education Month 2017, which month-long activity will be celebrated under the theme, “Promoting wellness in communities through quality education.” According to the experts, a good quality education is one that provides all learners with capabilities they require to become economically productive, develop sustainable livelihoods, contribute to peaceful and democratic societies and enhance individual well-being. “We have managed to identify the capabilities of

Lodge Secondary School students doing their bit to entertain the audience (Adrian Narine photos)

Minister of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry, with some youngsters at the Umana Yama on Monday during the Launch of Education Month 2017

students through the performances and tangible results we have seen at this year’s

NGSA and CSEC exams,” Minister Henry said. “With the release of those

results, we were able to see the highs and lows. There is still much work to be done but we are well positioned,” she added. Although there was an improvement in the pass rates for Mathematics and English at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams have highlighted areas which need “evidence-based” intervention. This being the case, Minister Henry said this year’s activity will give the ministry time and opportunity to address this and many other

issues by reaching out to stakeholders and getting all hands on deck to do so. “We will galvanise our resources to showcase education through fairs, rallies, television and radio programmes and social media,” she said, adding that they will also be looking forward to having feedback, which will help them to strengthen their strategies and systems. DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY Constructive advice will allow them to do things differently and enhance their goals by making better in-

vestments. According to the minister, they have already started the process of developing their methods by focusing on the new academic year. The intent is to reduce the disparity in education across the country, so as to ensure that all schools are operating at a high standard. The Ministry has reportedly already started enhancing its public policy to strengthen the administration of education in the all ten regions. A component of that intervention will be to establish

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PLEASED be informed that efforts are being made to allow family members and friends to communicate with prisoners legally. Following the July 9, 2017 Jail Break, Murder and Arson at the Georgetown Prison, legal forms of communication were disrupted. In the table below, the various Prison locations and numbers are represented so as to facilitate contact. It is recommended that you use the numbers provided to communicate with prisoners. Any requests made for credit transactions should be reported to 225-6003, as this is prohibited.

In the table below, the scheduled timings of contact in relation to the various prison locations are represented. Note that National Holidays are excluded.

The Guyana Prison Service hopes that this initiative will benefit families and loved ones as intended. Visits are expected to commence on or before Friday, September 8, 2017 at the New Holding Area Lusignan and Lusignan Prisons. An official release will be provided. Regards, Gladwin Samuels, DSM Director of Prisons (ag)

‘Dismiss the charges’ GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

…PSC orders Top Cop to dismiss DPP-recommended charges against officers DESPITE recommendations from the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, (retired Justice) Cecil Kennard and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, to have disciplinary action taken against several ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for varying infractions, the Police Service Commission (PSC) recommended those matters be dismissed. In a letter dated July 14, 2017 and addressed to Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, Chairman of the PSC, Omesh Satyanand said, “The Police Service Commission has reviewed a list of disciplinary matters at interviews held and has recommended that the following disciplinary matters should be dismissed, i.e. no charge should be instituted against the Officers.” The PCA and the DPP had recommended that disciplinary action be taken against several ranks of the Force for neglect of duty, acting in a manner likely to bring discredit on the reputation of the Force, disobeying lawful order, late for duty, absent from duty and unlawful exercise of authority in fourteen cases. The missive by the PSC to the police comes at a time when there are serious concerns over impending senior and junior promotions within the GPF. In the letter sent to the Police Commissioner, Satyanand listed the officers, their ranks, the nature of the matters, when the incidents occurred and the DPP’s recommendations. Among the ranks are Senior Superintendent of Police, Errol

Flashback: Police Service Commission Chairman, Omesh Satyanand, looks on as former President Donald Ramotar appends his signature during the swearing-in ceremony in September 2014. (Cullen Bess Nelson photo)

Watts, who was fingered in the alleged theft of fuel; Assistant Superintendent, Morris Fraser (Neglect of duty); Assistant Superintendent Johan Singh and W/ Inspector Hatty Anthony (four counts of neglect of duty respectively); Inspector Preston John (Neglect of Duty); Inspector Winston Watts ( disobeying lawful order); W/ Inspector Althea Soloman (Neglect of duty); Inspector Godfrey Playter (Neglect of duty); W/ Inspector Cynthia Kelly (neglect of duty); Assistant Superintendent Chabinauth Singh (Neglect of duty); Inspector Suaj Singh (unlawful exercise of authority); W/ Inspector C. Layne and Inspector P. Persaud (neglect of duty); W/ Inspector Debbie Handy (neglect of duty), and Inspectors M. Grant, P. Persaud and D. Lowe (neglect of duty, absent from duty and late for duty, respectively). Last month, President David Granger ordered the PSC to put a hold on new promo-

tions of police officers, a decision which has been criticized by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP). President Granger had written to Satyanand instructing the Commission not to proceed with the promotion until so directed by him. Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, in his critique of the President’s decision, referenced Article 226 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana which states that a Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority. “The Police Service Commission is one of the Commissions to which Article 226(1) makes reference…We urge the Police Service Commission not to succumb to these unconstitutional and unlawful directives, but to continue to discharge its mandate in the manner provided for by the Constitution,” Jagdeo said. Only two of the officers recommended for disciplinary action were listed to be promoted, Guyana Chronicle

understands. However, last week, President Granger in response to questions on the subject, told reporters that given the plethora of reports received in relation to the conduct of many officers of the Force and the fact that the Commission of

Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate him was ongoing, he thought it best to have the Commission hold off on the promotions. “I think it is understood on the part of the senior officers of the GPF that once something is being investigated, there should be an administrative delay so that the findings are published. But more important, of the information we received, credible information, I had written to the chairman of the police service commission, asking to await the outcome of those complaints from the senior officers and other persons who were interested,” President Granger told reporters. The head-of-state said too that the complaints made were worthy of asking the chairman of the Commission to delay the promotions, stressing that

‘Well positioned... Regional Technical Institutes to provide access to technical education. Minister Henry also pointed out that a Department of System, Innovation and Reform will be established at the Ministry before the end of the year, and that it is also intended to improve the quality of education by continuously revising their strategies, testing new methods, and embracing the enhancement of technology. They have also started to improve the access to quality education by providing transportation for children, and has a number of planned activities which will be used as a cata-

lyst for improvement of the quality of education. Some of those activities include a rally at Durban Park on National Education Day, a reading carnival, and a host of other events. BASIC PUBLIC SERVICE Chief Education Officer (CEO), Mr Marcel Hutson shared similar sentiments as the Minister, adding that they intend to make quality education a basic public service. “Quality education is a human right and a public good. We have been working to ensure that our children,

it is good practice to await the findings of such an inquiry before taking administrative action. It should be noted that many of the persons recommended for promotions testified before the Paul Slowe led COI and were questioned about their mode of operation when conducting investigations. “Damage could be done if persons who are not fit and proper make decisions which are injurious to public security, so we’re taking a second look at it. We want the constitution commission to function efficiently, but at the same time we want to make sure that the public can depend on the decisions which come out of those commissions as being in the best interest of the nation,” the President stressed.

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from every part of Guyana, enjoy the best possible education,” said the CEO, who went on to say that they have already provided the foundation for equity and purposeful development by educating, training and coaching teachers and implementing development programmes. The Ministry has begun to review the curriculum in order to include national and community needs. They have already garnered the support of the Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and are in the process of setting up a school support unit.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Sanctions for $632M drug purchase must come from gov’t

--PPC chair THE Public Procurement Commission (PPC), in its report on the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s $632M drug purchase, though pointing out that the procurement laws were breached, did not recommend sanctions against the errant public officials. Such decisions, the PPC says, must be made by the government and those sitting at the helm of the GPHC. In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on

Monday, PPC Chairperson, Carol Corbin explained that it was not the Commission’s intention to recommend disciplinary action against those who would have acted outside of the law. “That was not the purpose of the investigation,” she emphasised. It was further explained that the PPC had intended to investigate the multi-million drug purchase, disclose its findings, and make recommendations with respect to remedial actions. Corbin, who made it clear that she would not disclose the details of the

report ahead of its release in the National Assembly, said it is public knowledge that the procurement laws were breached, based on previous reports. “It is obvious that the procurement laws were breached,” the Chair told this newspaper, explaining that the hospital had made the multi-million dollar purchase before seeking approval from the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTAB). It was in late March that the constitutional body launched an investigation into the purchase, in keeping with its functions as de-

tailed in Article 212 (AA) (1) of the Constitution. Among those who had appeared before the Commission was Public Health Minister, Ms Volda Lawrence, who argued that she was misled by GPHC Management, which was headed by Allan Johnson at the time. Months after the Public Health Minister had appeared before the Commission, GPHC, in a statement in July, said that Minister Lawrence was not at fault. The hospital had conducted its own investigation under the watchful eyes of the Board of Directors headed

by Attorney-at-Law Kesaundra Alves. Findings from that investigation had found that while the ultimate decision to purchase, which constitutes a breach of standard operating procedures, was the minister’s, the then Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Allan Johnson should have known better. The findings have revealed that after a drug shortage was reported at the medical facility, Minister Lawrence met with management and asked that a plan be devised to alleviate the situation. Subsequently, a plan of action was developed and presented to the minister by the GPHC’s finance director. That plan of action included determining the availability of drugs from the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), the Materials Management Unit (MMU), and local suppliers; obtaining quotations from suppliers; sending an evaluation report to the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTAB) for approval, followed by the award of tender. What transpired, however, was that rather than follow the prescribed plan of action to the letter, the then CEO wrote NPTAB seeking approval for the contracts after the corporation had begun receiving pharmaceuticals from the

suppliers. The suppliers at reference were ANSA McAL, from which was sourced $605M worth of pharmaceuticals; the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC), from which was sourced another $20.8M worth; Health2000 $2.9M; and Chirosyn Discovery $2.1M. Upon learning what had happened, the GPHC Board, which conducted the inquiry, said while it was “shocked and disappointed” that the GPHC had breached the law, there was no information to suggest that the minister had given any instructions to bypass any procurement procedures or laws. According to the Board, senior staff of the Finance Department had an “ethical and professional” duty to properly advise the then CEO of what the standard procedure was, since the matter was within their realm of expertise. “Johnson had been known to trust and depend on his officers to do the right thing, and it is regrettable that they failed him in this instance,” the Board had said. However, the Board did not exactly exonerate Johnson, stating that the power was within his judgement and signature, and that “he acted recklessly.” Johnson has since been sacked. Johnson has since been sacked.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Linden hire car drivers protest relocation By Vanessa Braithwaite DRIVERS plying the Linden to Georgetown route in hire cars on Monday held a protest action in front of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC) to express their disagreement with the decision to have them relocated to the stipulated Linden/Georgetown Park. The drivers attached to the Linden to Georgetown Hire Cars Association bemoaned the decision made by the Council, claiming that it was done without any consultation. The drivers, who have been operating from the hire car park with regular taxis at the Coop- Cresent area, were summoned by the Council to move to the gazetted Linden/ Georgetown bus park where the mini-buses operate from Republic Avenue. Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, during a recent press conference, said that the decision was made to bring order in the town. “We are trying to bring some order in the transportation system, as you know, along that Coop Cresent. As you know is not a park where we are allowed to collect revenue…where we can keep in control. We don’t have a system there as we have on the two parks, so that…we are trying to bring some order to the way it is done and to put those drivers back on the Georgetown-Linden bus park so we can put some order to the transportation sector. President of the Region 10 Hire Car Association, Vernon James, on Monday

Over 40 drivers turned up at the LMTC with placards protesting the decision made by the Council

cited many reasons to this publication as to why the drivers are not in agreement with moving to the park. James said that the decision is not only a unilateral one, but is also arbitrary and discriminatory. He said that since the Council is in authority and also has the police to represent them, the drivers have been left basically unrepresented. The president said that the drivers are willing to meet a consensus with the Council but is as if it is at a dead end, since the decision has been made. “We are trying to reach a nice conclusion, but it doesn’t appear so, because the conclusion is that we should go into the park….. this thing is being done in the interest of some, not all; there are some biases here,” James posited. He said that such a decision should allow for all the hire cars to move

and not just those plying the Linden to Georgetown route, since the others plying ‘around the town’ can remain without being charged revenue. When asked why the drivers refuse to go into the gazetted park, James said that putting the buses and cars together, is like adding smoke to fire. “The cars and the buses had previous issues whereby some of my colleagues were beaten by the bus drivers, by the touts, there were a lot of issues, and we are trying to avoid that,” he said. “Do you know how many fights I passed in Georgetown between the car drivers and the minibus driver?” The drivers said that the issue is not about revenue collection, since they opted to the Council to collect the revenue at their present

location. They added that they are forced to go into the park that does not have the necessary facilities and even though the cars are waiting for this to happen while continuing to park at their regular location, they are already facing persecution from the law. “You could imagine one of my colleagues came into the car park and he was charged; a

hire car for parking in a hire car park?” James related Meanwhile, mini-bus drivers did not join the protest but many are of the opinion that the cars should not come on the park either. While the mini-buses and the big buses held the monopoly for the route for decades, in 2015, some hire cars started plying the route and this has increased in folds since then, thus taking many mini\-buses out of business. The drivers engaged several authorities on the issue and even formed their own association in an effort to regain their shares in the transportation sector in Linden. Former president of the Region 10 mini-bus association, Elvis Lorrimer, had told the Guyana Chronicle that the situation was unbecoming since many drivers were unable to make one trip per day, since the cars took over. Many of these drivers were still paying for their mini-buses and the few that battled the storm are of the opinion that with the cars coming on the park, the situation might get worse.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle anonymously on Monday was one driver who was on the park for over three hours waiting for the bus to be filled. “Everybody have varying views. Some people saying that they should start paying revenue like us; some people saying if they come here, the bus work will done. For me, I believe that they should stay, let we have our peace, let them stay so and we stay hay, because I done see problems gon come,” the driver explained. President of the Hire Car Association, James, however said that the buses also at one time took away the monopoly from the big buses that plied the route at one time and should not complain. “This is life where everything recycles, today for me tomorrow for you, but we can work in cohesion with each other,” he said. Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland, invited the drivers into the LMTC chambers for a meeting after the protest where they further deliberated on the issue.

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Climate devastation and denial HURRICANES and storms ripping through the United States (U.S.) and the Caribbean, including Guyana and our exceedingly hot days, are a few examples that the ecological system is being altered and bringing with it serious consequences. Continued denial that climate change is not driven by man’s bad practices and therefore no need to work to restore and protect the environment cannot be allowed to fly in the face of environmental evidence. Guyanese live all over the world, concentrated mostly in countries such the U.S, Canada, United Kingdom and the Caribbean. Hurricane Harvey, which landed last week in Texas U.S, the havoc it wreaked in its aftermath, adversely impacting the lives of those who live there and the economy, is another reminder of what man must confront. TheTexas Governor has reportedly estimated the damage could reach US$180 billion. Ensuing historic rainfalls which overflowed the banks and flooded streets, damaged everything within vicinity. Texans are compelled to evacuate their homes, the death toll has risen, potential for health risks are real, tens of thousands dislocated, homes, businesses and other properties damaged, the state’s economy shaken. Our hearts go out to those who are going through this tough period. What is of significance too is that Harvey has been impacting states through rainfalls and flooding. Even as

persons are trying to grapple with its impact and consequences, meteorologists are warning about a coming Hurricane, Irma, presently in the Atlantic and can land this week, with potential impact to the U.S and Caribbean. The frequency and devastation of these hurricanes and storms are bringing once again to the fore that these disasters will not stop, be constrained or averted if man continues to act like the proverbial ostrich, with heads buried in the sand. While there is the argument that hurricane of Harvey’s magnitude lands every 500 to 100 years and that such may be an ‘act of god’ or natural occurrence, technical/ scientific minds have cautioned that atmospheric changes as a result of man’s actions are threatening the ecological system. Where building codes are being discarded, wet land occupied, and the irrigation system not kept pace with development, man’s role in threatening the ecosystem cannot be ignored. Here in Guyana we have had to deal with our own environmental challenges. Though thankfully ours is not a hurricane zone, we have been experiencing high winds, storms, floods and prolonged dry period, which adversely impact those affected. Sunday afternoon, Kuru Kururu had a rainstorm which sent the area into darkness, as the wind ripped up trees and utility poles. At the time of writing this editorial, there has been no reported human mishap, only damage to vehicles.

Where this country has inherited irrigation systems and seawall defence put in place by the Dutch centuries ago, failure to upkeep, preserve and expand has consequences for us. Our building codes too have fallen short. Wetlands play an important role in water management, such as in water purification, streamflow maintenance, flood protection, shoreline stabilisation and groundwater recharge. The effects of climate change which brings about intermittent higher tide than usual has influenced focus on our seawalls as a priority. This is necessary, given that the majority of Guyanese live around the coastland and the majority of the production of food and economic activity is conducted within the immediate environs of the seawalls. As such any major breach can be disastrous to these communities’ security and economic livelihood. Natural occurrence aside, man still plays a pivotal role in shaping and influencing the environment to ensure his survival and well-being. Harvey is a strong reminder of the importance to be guided by such thinking.

New group pushes reform of laws pertaining to Marijuana use Dear Editor A chorus representing a broad spectrum of individuals grows larger and louder with each passing day, which believes that incarcerating citizens, especially those from poor communities, for possessing or using small amounts of marijuana is unjust, unproductive and unwise. It is time that we normalize and reform the laws pertaining to marijuana use and implement the rehabilitation and treatment provisions as contained in sections 65 to 72 of the

1988 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Act (NDPA). While we applaud, and view as essential, the efforts of Michael Carrington, a Member of Parliament, to propose and bring to the National Assembly, legislation to amend sections of the NDPA, these moves do not address sufficiently the issue and would require a more comprehensive reform of the current system. For instance, certain exemptions from fines and prosecution should be extended to those who use marijuana for religious purposes. These would include

as a sacrament in adherence to the Rastafarian faith and for events to celebrate/observe the Rastafarian faith. Other exemptions should encompass medical or therapeutic purposes as recommended or prescribed by a registered medical doctor; for purposes of scientific research conducted by an accredited tertiary institution; and for international visitors to purchase lawfully for medical or therapeutic purposes. Moreover, the establishment of a licensing authority should regulate these recommendations, issue licenses and permits

and ensure that regulations do not contravene Guyana’s international obligations. Additionally, while the NDPA contains legal provisions for strengthening mental health and counseling institutions and services with the establishment of rehabilitation centres, a ‘Rehabilitation Fund’ and an ‘Advisory Council for Rehabilitation of Narcotic Addicts’, too few rehab centers have been set up across the country. In addition, no actions have yet been carried out to conform with the law as it relates to the

rehabilitation fund and the advisory council. In this regard, the NDPA should contain specific clauses mandating the government to direct a percentage of revenues towards implementing these mandates. It is our collective obligation as Guyanese citizens to step forward and support efforts to help end the punitive measures that have resulted in more harm than good to our society and which have caused many families much excessive pain and suffering, in both emotional and finan-

cial impacts. We hope that everyone will join us as we intensify an enlightened approach of advocacy for a more just and sensible legal framework when it comes to the issues and circumstances of marijuana use and rehabilitation services. Regards Nicole Cole Chontelle Sewett Keoma Griffith Ras Leon Saul Clinton Urling For Society of Marijuana Advocates for Reform and Treatment (SMART)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

People of African descent must be celebrated

Dear editor,

IF there are people who need to be specially celebrated and recognised in the world, it is our African brothers and sisters. They are a people who suffered the worst of holocausts known to mankind and the universe. They are a people who have given so much to the world, in history, in the sciences, in their wisdom, their inventions and their humanity – a people who gave to the world the peoples. In their seed is the ability to create a Caucasian from the womb (the Albino), with blond hair and blue eyes. In their features we can see the traces of all mankind races. Some look like the Indians of Asia, others has the cheek bones and looks of the Chinese, Mongol and Korean nations, some like the American Indians and some direct Africans with their own looks, yet with difference, as the Tutsis and Hutus. I wish to state an Islamic fact. When our holy Prophet, Muhammed (peace and Blessings of Allah be with him) received prophethood, despite his popularity and clan relations, he and his followers were severely persecuted, targeted, mocked at, attacked, with many killed and savagely brutalized. He had no place to turn to, and sent his followers to the

Land of Ethiopia, where a benevolent king ruled, who gave protection and rights to the Prophet’s companions, with freedom to live as long as they want or return to Arabia when conditions were better. In other words, Islam got protection from a Christian African King, who later accepted Islam after studying the religion. The Africans constructed the Pyramids of Egypt and Sudan, a scientific feat without machines; invented mummification of human flesh that astounds modern scientists; could have performed surgery in the heads of men and women, and made medical instruments still in use today. They were masters in astronomy, the high seas, shipping and warfare. In recent times, they have invented so many magnificent things, many of which we don’t know about or simply take for granted: Elijah Mc Coy created the FIRST oil dripping cup for trains. Lewis Latimer created the amazing invention of carbon filament, as he worked in the laboratories of both Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. George Washington Carver was the man who developed peanut butter and over 400 plant products! He was born a slave and didn’t attend college until he was 30 years old! Yet another, Garrett Morgan, the man who invented the first traffic signal.

Jan Ernst Matzeliger invented a shoemaking machine that increased shoemaking speed by 900%! In 1992, the US made a postage stamp in honour of Matzeliger. And still alive today is Dr. Patricia E Bath, who invented a method of eye surgery that has helped many blind people to see. Dr. Bath has been nominated to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. These are a few names not widely known--but the list goes on and on. The Africans were subjected to the slave trade to enrich Europe and its colonists to the so-called New World. The African “soul” was penetrated, by the preaching against their creed and religions of the ancestors of Africa. Whilst the Bible was shared, they stole arid and valuable lands. In the process, building castles, with European styles and creating Europeans lifestyles, stealing the peoples’ diamonds and gold --even their animals ravaged for export into their zoos and shops, and body parts to enrich the Commerce of Europe. Until today they have poachers killing elephants for the valued ivory, and involved in the sale of ‘Blood Diamonds,’ creating human suffering, struggles and pains, where limbs of various opposing groups are hacked off, or youth enslaved to be child soldiers and sex slaves

for the perverted converted to the nature of the Europeans. Hence, misery lingers at the mercy of the evil of invading Europeans, whose master-stroke of evil still perpetuate the enslavement of Africans. They suffered such cruelties at the hands of man, for the cause of greed, by the Romans, the Arabs, and the Europeans, unheard of in history, where tens of millions of the best and strongest, the wisest, among them Kings and princes, were brought into what was called by the Europeans as the New World (the Caribbean and West Indies), stolen and claimed in the names of the Kings and Queens of Europe, though the lands were already inhabited. In what was the Middle Passage, the hazardous, inhuman voyage, in ships laden with living human flesh, made stink. Men, women and children, packed as lice in infested coffins, one on top the other, hungry, poorly fed, with sweat, human faeces and urine pouring from top to bottom, with dead and rotten infecting the living with disease; millions died of smallpox, dysentery and dehydration. My Dearest Friends,

modern European Governments have tried in measure (too little too late), but albeit, they have tried to pacify the former colonies, slaves and indentured servants with certain goodies, we must be appreciative, but never forget. Those who forget are bound to re-experience the atrocities, and for the oppressors, they are bound to revisit with much more severe atrocities. I write this piece with great passion and power in my heart for this is the reality of history, an abominable act of inhumanity against humanity, even for which they refuse to want to compensate Africa and the descendants of the slave-trade. Definitely, they will refuse, for the wealth they gathered and built will have to be paid over to the descendants of the African ancestors. It was our own scholar and philosopher, Dr. Walter Rodney who studied the plight of slavery and its effect on the psyche of the Africans and their descendants, that he penned his scholarly treatise, The Underdevelopment of Africa. The Europeans had the audacity to dictate the political affairs of nations through thievery, manipulation and dishones-

ty, to manage the resources of Africa, pitting one nation against the other, causing infighting amongst tribes, one against the other, providing weapons and ammunition to kill each other, then calling the Africans uncivilized brutes, cruel to their own kind, unfit for independence or freedom, cannot govern themselves, etc., etc. Reparations is A Plea for Inclusion, Not Separatism The point of reparations is to give many African people an opportunity to begin sharing in the work, the production and the opportunity of a dream that’s been denied them, their parents, their grandparents and their great- or great-great-grandparents. Accepting reparations, and the requisite apology along with it, closes the divide that’s held us all back, whites and blacks, over the decades and centuries of our history. It’s not charity to pay what’s due; it’s not begging to take it. It’s a handshake deal between equals and hopefully friends, a word as a bond, a new beginning we’ve all put off far too long. Regards Roshan Khan Snr

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Cannabis in shoes delivered Little Ronasha died of to Camp Street prison suffocation A 61-YEAR-OLD MAN was on Monday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Judy Lachman for drug trafficking. Ishwar Persaud of Leopold Street, Georgetown denied that on August 31 at the Camp Street prison, he had 20 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. According to the unrepre-

sented man, he didn’t know that ‘ganja’ was in the shoes given to him by a neighbour to take to a prisoner named, Ralph Franklin. “I was not afraid because the man is my neighbour and I trust him,” Persaud told the court. Police prosecutor, Richard Harris told the court that on the day in question Persaud was at the Camp

Street prison to deliver food and clothing for an inmate. During a mandatory search of the care package, the drug was found inside the soles of the shoes that Persaud carried. The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the charge and remanded the elderly man until September 18.

Fisherman charged for snatching woman’s bag A 29-YEAR-OLD fisherman accused of snatching a woman’s handbag was on Monday charged and released on bail. Arshad Ally of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman and denied that on August

31,last at Regent and Alexander Streets, Georgetown, he stole a $8,000 handbag along with $7,000 in cash, the property of Nakeita Cole. According to reports, Cole was in a car at the junction waiting in a line of traffic when the accused came up beside her vehicle,

snatched the bag and ran away. The victim however later saw the accused in another part of Georgetown and pointed him out to police. The magistrate released Ally on $60,000 bail and adjourned the matter until September 5.

By Michel Outridge

FOLLOWING the homicide of 18-month-old toddler Ronasha Pilgrim on Friday at her home in North Sophia, a post mortem by Government pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, was performed on Monday on the body and it revealed the cause of death as suffocation (lack of oxygen). The crime was allegedly committed by the girl’s uncle, who is accused of yanking off her gold earrings, tossing her through a window, then burying her in a shallow grave. Father of the deceased child told the Guyana Chronicle that little Ronasha will be interred on Saturday, following a church service at Sandy’s Funeral Home. Ronasha Pilgrim was reportedly killed by her relative, who is said to be a

drug addict who went to the child’s home early Friday morning and ripped her pair of gold earrings from her ears then tossed her through a window and then buried her in a shallow grave he dug in her yard. It happened when the child’s father was at work and Ronasha and her two brothers were at home. Police in a release said the unemployed suspect from ‘A’ Field Sophia was in police custody. The suspect allegedly broke a window, gaining entry into the house, where he tried to relieve the child of her earrings. But in trying to do so, the child started to scream and the man tossed her through a window into the swamped yard. He then hurried away from the area, but not before placing a pile of wood on top of the child, who was sub-

Dead: Ronasha Pilgrim

merged in 18 inches of water and slush. When the child was discovered by her father shortly after, she was in a motionless state and was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect however, remains in police custody as the investigations continue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

GCAA eyes Wednesday Urgent need for oil and gas programmes – UG Registrar to lift shuttle ban THE Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is hoping to have at least one aviation operator back on shuttle service to the interior by Wednesday. The agency said it continues to work feverishly to have pertinent shuttle operations returned to hinterland communities following the resubmission of policy and procedure documents by Trans-Guyana Airways and other operators. GCAA’s communication department told the Guyana Chronicle Monday that Trans-Guyana is the operator closest to having their shuttle suspension lifted, but is yet to resubmit documents requested in the final leg of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) five-phase approval process. “We are still awaiting resubmission from Trans-Guyana. Once everything goes according to plan, approval will be granted,” the GCAA said. At least seven local aircraft operators were ordered to submit their operation’s shuttle service manuals following three aircraft accidents that left two pilots dead and one injured in less than two months. All of the

operators were sent back to make corrections highlighted by the GCAA, except for Trans-Guyana, which was described as having a “very acceptable” manual. The GCAA said it adopted ICAO’s five-phase process for approval of operator’s manual on shuttle operations. The process involves the pre-application phase, then the application phase, document evaluation, demonstration and inspection and finally, certification. At this point, Trans-Guyana Airways has completed the demonstration phase, which occurred at interior aerodromes. The airline was asked however to make some corrections that would complete the inspection aspect of the process. Once this is done, the airline will become certified and given the green light. GCAA said it continues to work with the operators, most of whom have moved pass the pre-application phase. Mining operators, hinterland residents and other business persons have registered great inconvenience since the suspension of all aircraft shuttle services. The GCAA reiterated that the

suspension was absolutely necessary since the common thread in the recent spate of accidents is that the pilots were all conducting shuttle operations. Outside of technical concerns, it has been found in the past that pilots opt to earn extra cash by adding to items they are authorised to shuttle. This led to increase weigh on the plane and dangerous situations. GCAA’s Director General, Captain Egbert Field, had related last week how expensive it is to fly fuel, for example, to certain parts of the interior. This would see operators taking the fuel to certain locations via land and then have it flown to destinations not accessible by road. “That type of operation is risky... shuttling cargo in areas or across mountain ranges or through mountain gorge… it is a little more risky than the normal run-of-the-mill flying. It is for this reason Field said that operators must also submit documents that show among other things, proper refueling facilities, along with the qualification of cargo loaders.

PANCAP Champions for Change Programme reinitiated AFTER an 11-year hiatus, the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) will re-launch its Champions for Change initiative next week. On Monday, PANCAP’s Communication Specialist, Timothy Austin, explained that the programme will be launched from Tuesday, September 12, 2017 to Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Georgetown. The keynote speaker will be the Hon. Sir Charles Michael Dennis Byron, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Originally launched in 2004, the forum will include a wide cross-section of PANCAP members, partners and stakeholders engaged in discussions around the theme ‘Champions for change IV: ending AIDS by 2030’. “During the event, over fifteen (15) champions will be identified from among the participants, which include civil society, organisations, National AIDS Programme

Managers, faith leaders, academia, the private sector, youth, regional parliamentarians and other advocates for HIV awareness,” Austin disclosed. “Champions for Change IV will seek to align the expected contributions of the Champions for Change with international and regional commitments for ending AIDS,” PANCAP Director, Dereck Springer, said while adding that “these include the UN High Level Meeting Political Declaration (June 2016); the Caribbean Cooperation in Health IV (2016), the PANCAP Justice for All Roadmap (2015/2016) and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).” The Director further explained that the relaunched initiative will seek to assess the impact of the recommendations for overcoming barriers to ending AIDS identified by major international and collaborating agencies, including the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and

Malaria (GFATM) and The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Participants of Champions for Change IV will also discuss recommendations from the recent PANCAP consultations of Faith Leaders (February 2017), National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners Meeting (March 2017), Meeting of Youth Leaders: Sexual and Reproductive Health (April 2017), Regional Parliamentarians Forum (May 2017), and other related initiatives such as the Caribbean First Ladies/ Spouses championing the ‘Every Caribbean Woman Every Caribbean Child’ Initiative (February 2017). It was noted that PANCAP intends to utilise the relaunched initiative to create achievable targets, goals and timelines that will guide the new champions in their advocacy and HIV awareness implementation with the overarching aim of significantly contributing to the end of AIDS by 2030.

WITH the economic and developmental prospects of Guyana’s emerging oil and gas sector becoming more pronounced, the University

University of Guyana Registrar, Dr. Nigel Gravesande

of Guyana (UG) said there is an urgent need for the building of human capacity to deal with the industry. To this end, the University has commenced a process of negotiations with several regional and international institutions to have the petrochemical programmes quickly come on stream. Following the announcement of the first oil find by US Exxon Mobil back in 2015, stakeholders had begun questioning the country’s ability to adequately undertake what could eventually evolve into a giant commercial industry. At the centre of their concerns was the availability of human resource and training, and whether the country’s premier tertiary institution was in a position to galvanise the promised profits of the sector. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, UG’s Registrar, Dr. Nigel Gravesande said that he only recently returned from a visit to the University of Alberta, in Canada, where he held discussions on Guyana’s oil and gas sector. The University of Alberta is said to be one of the premier

oil and gas institutions in North America, and is among a number of institutions with which UG has been in consultation. Dr. Gravesande pointed out that the collaboration is a process and has only recently begun. “In this context, the University continues to work on the development of relevant programmes in the petrochemical levels. This is a process… So we are going to start a process of collaboration and the programme is only approved when it goes through a series of processes,” Gravesande told this publication. That process has already started and will continue for the next couple of months. According to him, the subject will have to be presented to the academic planning and policy, before going to UG Academic Board for consideration. The Board, he pointed out, will set out the courses for the programme. Meanwhile, at the local level, Dr. Gravesande said the University has begun engaging a number of faculties that will be involved in the process, including Technology and Earth and the Environment. “There is a sense of urgency to start the human resource development training in this very important sector. UG is collaborating with a number of institutions both regional and international in fashioning the most appropriate set of programmes at various levels to meet this sector”, Gravesande said, and added that the institution is committed to playing an active role in the process. Last Friday, UG’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Planning and International Engagement, Dr. Barbara Reynolds told a stakeholder’s engagement session in Canada, that the University is working on the establishment on a School of Energy and Mines aimed at bringing

benefits to the oil-and-gas and gold-mining sectors. Dr. Reynolds said the University needs to figure out how to export Guyana’s mineral wealth in a more comprehensive manner, even as it figures out how to deal with the likely increase and demand for ancillary services in the oil-and-gas sector, while recognising that it has a trajectory and staying ahead of that curve in terms of the kinds of specialised engineering that we want to develop.” Dr. Reynolds, who was accompanied by the registrar, said that the University is also working on retooling its geological engineering programme to offer an undergraduate degree in mining engineering, and is looking for expertise in and out of Guyana in this area. UG’s Chancellor Dr. Nigel Harris had last year warned that the institution needed to be prepared for the oil sector. He had said that the US oil company had already approached the University, and was enquiring about its current arrangement for an industry that is likely to place the country’s economy on another level. He had promised to arrange for assistance from the University of the West Indies (UWI). According to Harris, UWI has been training petroleum engineers and other persons in the industry for the past four decades. “It may be that the UG may not be able to provide all the staff they need. So, we are planning to link the University of Guyana with other international institutions. I will be pushing for links with UWI…. It does not make sense that we have the next-door neighbours and not take advantage of the programmes”, Professor Harris had said.

Kato Secondary to open later this month REMEDIAL work on the defective Kato Secondary School in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) is reportedly almost complete, and will be opened later this month. Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, made the announcement during the launch of Education Month 2017 at the Umana Yana on Monday. She said there were some structural adjustments to be made to the building in order to make it safe and opera-

tion-ready. Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson said that during the rehabilitation phase, due to the state of the road, they had some problems transporting equipment there. They, however, managed to get everything done. Hutson added that they are working on the logistics, but a group of teachers have already been identified. Kato Secondary was constructed under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration to facilitate those students in the region, who had to travel long distances to access secondary

education. However, due to the sub-standard work done by the contractor, it has not been occupied. The contract for the construction of the school received Cabinet’s approval on December 27, 2012 and was awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to the lowest of four bidders. The $728.165M contract was signed on December 31, 2012, with a commencement date of January 21, 2013. The contract provided for a two-year period for defects liability, one year after completion.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Gastroenteritis cases Cuba gives Fly Jamaica/ Air to increase in hot, dry Guyana green light to operate season – CARPHA REGIONAL and international health authorities are warning that as the Guianas enter their hot, dry season, gastroenteritis cases are likely to increase while morbidity from heat stress is likely to peak between August and October, especially in persons with pre-existing chronic non-communicable diseases. According to the Caribbean Health Climatic Bulletin Vol. 1, Issue 2, which was compiled by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), while there is no clear signal for the Guianas currently – French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname – the countries are entering their hot, dry season. In addition to having an increase in illnesses linked to heat stress, the authorities warned that there is an increasing risk of dehydration, possibly leading to apathy, general weakness, dizziness, fainting and kidney failure. Persons are being cautioned

to increase their water intake during this particular period. “Increased temperatures, in particular heat waves, may lead to heat rash in vulnerable persons, including babies, young children, the obese and the elderly,” the authorities stated, while adding that there is also an increased risk of skin damaged up until October due to the very intense UV radiation at this time year on sunny days. Turning its attention to vector-borne Illnesses, the health authorities noted that as a result of the combined peak in heat and moisture, there may be an increase in cases of vector-borne diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika and Yellow fever. In Guyana, Chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, has been a cause for concern with many of its victims being stricken with fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Last year around this time, Guyana had recorded over 5,375 reported cases of Chikungunya. Zika, which was

a major cause for concern in South America in 2015, remains on the radar for Guyana. During this same period last year, there were 187 suspected cases of persons infected with the Zika virus, but only 13 were confirmed. And, although Dengue has been a challenge throughout the Caribbean region, Guyana has not experienced any serious cases of the illness in recent years. There are four types of Dengue fever; Guyana is affected by the primary infection of type two. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health continues to encourage citizens to protect themselves from being affected by vector-borne diseases, by using bed nets, insect repellents, and wearing long-sleeved tops or long pants. They can also prevent the breeding of mosquitoes by keeping water containers covered; dispose of stagnant water from flower vases, old tyres and other containers that might serve as breeding sites; and by clearing all drains and waterways of garbage and debris.

FOLLOWING months of intense negotiations and planning, Guyanese-owned Air Guyana, sister carrier to Fly Jamaica, has been granted approval from the Cuban government to operate flight services out of that Spanish-speaking country. The Guyana Chronicle was told that the approval was granted to the airline sometime mid-year and they are expected to conduct regular non-stop flights between Guyana and Cuba. In an earlier interview with this newspaper, Fly Jamaica’s Roxanne Reece had stated that the company is hoping to commence flights to Cuba by December. However, checks have confirmed that the airline is still to get word about operations from the Guyana government. During the opening of another New York ticket office

in Brooklyn in June, Reece told the publication that all necessary requirements were fulfilled. She said while everything had looked well on the Cuba end, the company was awaiting a response from the Guyana government. “We have everything ready. We have captains, co-pilots, cabin crew. Everything is ready. We are just waiting on one of the governments to give us the word to go.” Last month, top Fly Jamaica and Air Guyana officials expressed gratitude to the Cuban Institute of Civil Aeronautics, “for granting all the permissions that allowed the start of this commercial route between the two nations,” Cuban online news agency, Caribbean News Digital Room said. It was during the launch of the new service in Havana, Cuba that Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba,

Halim Majeed, pointed out the close economic ties between Guyana and Cuba. He said tourism is one area that will benefit the most, since, “We have a large diaspora in Canada and, as far as we understand, Guyanese-Canadians will come to Cuba and spend one week, then go to Guyana to spend another week, come back to Cuba and spend another week, and then go back to Canada.” Additionally, some 1000 Cubans are said to be making their way to Guyana on a weekly basis for the purpose of shopping, spending some half a million US dollars during their stay. Reece had told the Guyana Chronicle that to her knowledge, permission for the Cuban operation is to be decided at Cabinet level. The company has been waiting for a response several months now.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Security reform should be a Guyanese-led process – British envoy says

By Rabindra Rooplall

BRITISH High Commissioner, Greg Quinn is of the opinion that the Guyana Police Force’s Strategic Planning Unit would do well to do its own research of emerging trends in the criminal underworld. He also feels that if the reform of the security sector is to be truly successful, it has to be a Guyanese-led process. The British envoy made the observation on Monday while delivering the feature address at the launch of a capacity-building workshop at the Guyana Police Training College at Eve Leary. “I would like to think this is the start of a series of cooperation projects between international donors who are keen to build capacity and to support security sector reform,” he told those gathered for the opening ceremony, and seized the opportunity to thank his colleague, US Ambassador, Perry Holloway and his staff for whatever support they would have lent. Noting that the work-

At the capacity building workshop on Monday. Seated from left are: One of the workshop’s two facilitators, Mr Paul Mathias; British High Commissioner, Mr Greg Quinn; Minister of Public Security, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan; Commissioner of Police (ag), Mr David Ramnarine; Senior Security Sector Reform Advisor to the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr Russell Combe; and Mr Andy Odell, the other facilitator (Delano Williams Photo)

shop is the latest of interim recommendations made by Russell Combe, Senior Security Sector Reform Advisor to the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr Quinn said the programme is so designed as to improve the operational efficiency of the police, and

is comprised of a planned series of training activities to be conducted over the next few months. In parting, he advised participants, among them two Surinamese police ranks: “Take this opportunity and grab it with both hands.”

According to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, “The results of the enhancements of the strategic planning unit will mean the establishment of a stable, effective presence of a sovereign governmental authority, which will bring

Time to build storm Deadlock over sweeper/ shelters in Region 7 cleaners’ negotiations – Bradford

FOLLOWING recent storms in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) , Regional Chairman , Gordon Bradford, has called for the establishment of storm shelters within the communities in the region. Several buildings were destroyed in the village of Kako following a windstorm and Bradford told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the Region is working with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the Guyana Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to develop storm resistant infrastructure. “We have identified some buildings which are concrete in nature and we know that it will take a really severe wind to remove those, so in the event of the heavy storm residents should seek shelter at these buildings,” Bradford said. Six buildings, including a school in Kako, were dam-

aged following the storm on Saturday. This comes following May’s flooding, which inundated Kako and several communities in the region. Bradford said there have been increased reports of stormy weather in upper Mazaruni communities. “My information is that over the past five or six days this has been a regular occurrence around 2-2:30, 3 o’clock in the afternoon (there is) this thunderstorm, lightening, thunder, rains and the heavy winds. So, my advice to residents is to look out and be prepared,” he said. In August, the gold-rich village of a Jawalla was hit by a storm which resulted in the death of pregnant mother Marsha Jordan. The woman was seeking shelter under a building when it came crashing down on her and her two children. She managed to push the children from under the building but succumbed to injuries she sustained during the incident.

THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Ministry of Education have reached a deadlock over talks regarding the state of affairs of sweeper/ cleaners, weeks after the protestors came off the streets. Sweeper/cleaners had in early August begun protesting the Ministries of the Presidency, Finance and Education, seeking redress for what they said were inhumane treatment by the relevant authorities. They decried, among other things their low wages and poor working conditions. A source from the Guyana Public Service Union (PSU) told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that there were still some “back and forth” between the Union and the Education Ministry. GPSU First Vice-President, Mortimer Livan explained that the Education Ministry had made a counter proposal to the one presented to them by the union. Following the last protest in front of the Ministry of Education three weeks ago, the ministry had asked that the GPSU make some

proposals on behalf of the sweeper/cleaners. However, according to Livan, the Education Ministry responded with its own proposal, setting the discussions a few steps backward. In the meanwhile, the sweeper/cleaners were hoping that some positive word would have been given before the commencement, on Monday, of the new school year. Government had said that the issue in relation to the sweeper/cleaners had been in existence for years and had started under the previous administration. However, the GPSU said it is only asking government to implement some of the recommendations made by Cabinet back in 2013. These include: the upgrading of the status of the cleaners; that they be employed on the Permanent Establishment; that they be paid in keeping with the Public Servant Minimum Wage regime; that their National Insurance Scheme (NIS) be paid; and that they be granted annual leave, retroactive to at least two years.

the peace, stability and good life we want.” Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine was on the same page as the subject minister. “The recommendations emanating from the security sector reform report,” he said,

“are intended to engage in, and address the deficiencies and the manner in which we can holistically and overall improve the quality of services to the communities.” The security reform project, which began in 2007, was scrapped in 2009 after the British Government had requested to have oversight of the programme to ensure that there was value for money. The former government had disagreed with the manner in which the British Government had wanted the programme to be run, claiming that Britain had sought to intrude upon Guyana’s sovereignty. However, the British Government has said the Government of Guyana had submitted a different proposal; one which had focused on police modernisation rather than a holistic approach to reform, and that the intention was to build a workable basis for improving national security while reducing crime in Guyana.

Princetown man pleads guilty to fatally chopping wife THIRTY-YEAR-OLD Ravindra Bandoo who fatally chopped his wife during an argument at their home at Princetown, Corriverton, Corentyne, on March 8, 2016, confessed to the crime following his appearance before Justice James Bovel Drakes, at the Berbice Assizes. Bandoo, who is represented by Attorney Charrandas Persaud denied the capital charge of murder for which he was indicted, but, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, which was accepted by the State. A probation report has since been ordered. State Prosecutrix Ms Orintha Schmidt said, on March 8, 2016, Bandoo was consuming alcohol at a neighbour’s house after which he went home and an argument ensued between himself and his wife. Con-

sequently, he armed himself with a cutlass and inflicted several chops about the face and head of Indrawattee Somwar, called Sharda. The woman was picked up and rushed to the Skeldon Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The post mortem report, prepared by Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan recorded the cause of death as haemorrhage, along with multiple incised wounds. Meanwhile, in his caution statement, Bandoo confessed to the crime, while adding that he usually give the now deceased woman all his money, but she had refused to give him finances to purchase alcohol. “She just kept nagging, telling me to stop drinking. I got annoyed and I picked up the cutlass and dealt her several chops,” he concluded.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

David ‘G’ rolls out in GT

--scores of students cash in on free transportation

THE new Academic Year 2017/2018 saw schoolchildren from north Georgetown being afforded the opportunity to be transported to areas closest to their schools at no cost, thanks to the David ‘G’ school buses. For those children from North and South Ruimveldt attending secondary school, the bus was parked at the junction of Well and Aubrey Barker Roads from 07:00 hours to await their arrival. It departed at 07:30 hours, travelling along Mandela Avenue, on to Homestretch Avenue, then along Croal Street with the final stop being at the Metro Building at the corners of Croal and Smyth Streets, in the city. On school days, the bus will make three drops daily, between the hours of 07:30 to 10:30hrs, and in the afternoons as well. Many students were surprised to learn that the bus ride was free, and that the vehicle will be available in the afternoons to take them home. Shakieda Emanuel of North Georgetown Secondary applauded the government during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI). “This is very nice of the President,” she said. “Doing it will help us save our parents money. I am very happy and proud, and it will help me get to school on time to start my classes.” Samuel Pickering of St. Joseph High echoed similar sentiments. “It’s nice that President Granger set up this bus for us secondary school children,

because I know many of us like to lime at the park. It’s really good of him, because it can help us save money and to reach to school on time,” Pickering posited. Olesha Carter of St. Roses High said the initiative by the David Granger Administration is “a good one,” as she will no longer have to wait long hours before getting a bus to get to school. This means, she said, that she will now will now have a little extra money to buy lunch. “I think President Granger has really outdone himself with this initiative, and I am grateful for the school transportation this morning,” Carter said. “I can save at least $120 a day, and I think that is very good; at least I could have more money to buy lunch, and even some savings for when I get older... That

Proud father and bus driver, Mr Orin Daniels

The David ‘G’ school bus on Mandela Avenue

Students boarding the David ‘G’ bus at the designated stop

way, I can get a job off my own

with my distinctions and Grade

Ones,” said Danielle Carter of East Ruimveldt Secondary. Bus driver, Orin Daniels said he feels a certain pride in being tasked with transporting the children. A driver for the last ten years, Daniels said he jumped at the opportunity, as he saw it as a way of giving back. “When it comes to children and getting education,” he said, “I have a deep conviction about that. I have been driving bus for 10 years, and I see all what goes on; and it hurts my heart plenty of times to see children liming; children ain’t going to school; people children coming on the bus and saying they ain’t get money to go home. “So I think this is a very good initiative by His Excellency, and I hope that the children and their parents take full advantage of it, because it will save them a lot; both parents and child.” President David Granger, on August 21, commissioned three new 35-seater buses, which will be used to convey school-

children in the north and south areas of Georgetown, under his Five ‘Bs’ programme, namely the Boats, Buses, Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books initiative. The President, at the commissioning of the buses said, “We see education as the gateway to the good life. We see that by providing these buses, boats and bicycles that we will improve access to schools; we will improve attendance, and in so doing, we will see improved achievement. “We want to see ‘A’ students; and those are the ‘A’s we are working towards today: Access, attendance and achievement.” President Granger promised the government’s commitment towards ensuring that every Guyanese child has access to an education. He said the buses will not just be transporting schoolchildren, but our future engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs and pioneers.

Caribbean islands brace for fierce Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma, barreling toward the Caribbean and the southern United States, was upgraded to a powerful Category 4 storm on Monday as islands in its path braced themselves. Hurricane advisories were issued for territories that dot the West Indies, including parts of the Leeward Islands, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in preparation for the intensifying storm that could pummel the area with life-threatening wind, storm surges and torrential rain by Tuesday evening, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). A Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale means sustained winds of 130-156 miles per hour (209-251 kph) with “catastrophic” outcomes, including uprooted trees and downed power lines, water and electricity outages, and significant property damage causing uninhabitable conditions, according to the Mi-

ami-based hurricane center. Irma, now packing 130 mph (215 kph) winds, also threatens the U.S. East Coast and Florida, which on Monday evening declared a state of emergency. The hurricane center expects Irma to reach southern Florida on Saturday. The NHC cautioned that it was still too early to forecast the storm’s exact path or what effects it might have on the continental United States, but warned of likely effects to hit some areas by later this week. “There is an increasing chance of seeing some impacts from Irma in the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys later this week and this weekend. In addition, rough surf and dangerous marine conditions will begin to affect the southeastern U.S. coast by later this week,” the center said. Irma will be the second powerful hurricane to thrash the United States and its territories in as many weeks. Residents in Texas and Louisiana are still reeling from

Workers put boats on dry docks in preparation, as Hurricane Irma, barreling towards the Caribbean and the southern United States, was upgraded to a Category 4 storm, in San Juan, Puerto Rico September 4, 2017. REUTERS/Alvin Baez

the catastrophic effects of the deadly Hurricane Harvey, which struck Texas as a Category 4 hurricane on Aug. 25 and dumped several feet (meters) of rain, destroying thousands of homes and businesses. Irma is forecast

to strengthen over the next 48 hours and could “directly affect Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and Cuba as a dangerous major hurricane later this week,” the NHC said. In preparation for the

storm, the economically struggling Puerto Rico government on Monday declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard. “Despite the economic challenges Puerto Rico is facing, the

approved budget has $15 million for the emergency fund,” Governor Ricardo Rosselló said in a statement. The island of about 3.4 million people has 456 emergency shelters prepared to house up to 62,100 people. To help residents prepare for the storm, the Puerto Rican government activated a price freeze on basic necessities, including food and water, medicines, power generators and batteries. Telemundo TV station WIPR in Puerto Rico showed long lines of shoppers stocking up on bottled water, flashlights, batteries, generators, food and other items. The executive director of the state power authority, Ricardo Ramos, told the station that the power grid was so vulnerable from lack of investment that parts of the U.S. territory could be without power for three to four months. “We’re preparing for the worst-case scenario,” he said. (Reuters)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Many Waters setting pace for the needy THE MANY WATERS Foundation located at 322 New Market Street, Georgetown is one of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that is doing tremendous humanitarian work behind the scene for the less fortunate, especially street dwellers. Vice president Andrew Braithwaite told the Guyana Chronicle that the mission of the organisation was to help those in need such as the homeless, deportees and persons who are “less for-

tunate.” He related that the Foundation had officially been in existence for three years but had opened its doors 10 years ago. The organisation is spearheaded by a board of directors and it is funded through donations, fund-raising activities and sometimes money from their own pockets to carry out feeding programmes. Braithwaite said they are being supported by volunteers who donate clothing

and provide meals for the homeless on a daily basis. They have daily feeding programmes at the Palms and for street dwellers around the Water Street area in the vicinity of Fogarty’s. The Foundation also assisted single parents with $5,000 vouchers recently and they also donated a quantity of pampers to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). “We like to help people anyway possible and we provide breakfast for the Members of The Many Waters Foundation following a handing-over presentation in which school children were gifted $5000 vouchers for back-to-school recently

homeless almost on a daily basis. We would make sandwiches and tea and walk around the city and ensure most of those living on the streets have something to eat,” Braithwaite said. He pointed out that their aim was to also help single parents and provide breakfast for school children, since it is important for learning in schools. Braithwaite added that this initiative was still in its launching stage but they would soon get it going. Many Waters Foundation also assisted the youths in Agricola, where it donated sports gears so the youths can spend their free time meaningfully instead of be-

ing on the streets. The NGO is seeking donations to continue its humanitarian work and also to create awareness. Recently the organisation went on a walkabout at Bourda Market and Orange Walk where it shared out breakfast to the homeless and assisted a woman who lost her home to fire.. The board members of Many Waters Foundation are: President -Tyrone Anthony; Vice President - Andrew Braithwaite, Secretary - Maria Allen; Treasurer- Farah Scott; and Assistant Treasurer - Michael Bumbury. They can be reached on telephone number 223-6544.

Suspect in rape of pre-teen girl remanded MORRIS Johnson was on Monday charged with rape of a child under the age of 16 when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Clive Nurse. Johnson plead not guilty and was remanded until October 16. It is alleged that he raped a 12-year-old girl from Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on the evening of Saturday, August 12, 2017. Reports are that the child, who attended an event with three of her friends, caught a taxi referred to as ‘$100 car’ or ‘shortdrop car’ at Co-op Crescent, Mackenzie,around 22:00h in an effort to get to her home at Amelia’s Ward, Linden. However, upon reaching Amelia’s Ward, the taxi driver passed the stops where the child and her friends were expected to get out. The three friends, who

were seated in the back seat, reportedly forced their way out of the car, leaving behind the victim, who was sitting in the front passenger seat and had the seat belt on. It’s alleged that after her friends had taken their leave, the child was then taken to a ‘back road’ area at Lower Kara Kara by the taxi driver where she was forced out of the vehicle and sexually assaulted. When he was done, the suspect then dropped the victim off at the Kara Kara Bridge, where she was left to walk home. The family of the victim, who were said to be looking for her after the friends she had shared the taxi with alerted them as to what had transpired, took her to the Police Station and subsequently to the Linden Hospital for a medical examination. The results of the medical examination proved that the victim was sexually assaulted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 5, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY, September 5, 2017

English Racing Tips

09:40 hrs Mt Augustus

Goodwood

10:15 hrs Golden Salute

08:30 hrs Fearsome

10:50 hrs Arthur Mc Bride

09:05 hrs Juliet Foxtrot

11:25 hrs Jashma 12:00 hrs Maestro Mac Hexham 09:15 hrs Kalanisi Glen 10:25 hrs River Of Intrigue 11:00 hrs Minella Rebellion 11:35 hrs Miss Conway 12:10 hrs Bollin Line Hamilton 09:25 hrs Fleetfoot Jack 10:00 hrs What Wonders Weave 10:35 hrs Dodgy Bob 11:10 hrs Racquet 11:45 hrs Made Of Honour 12:20 hrs Paddy’s Rock 12:55 hrs Indian Chief Irish Racing Tips Laytown 12:05 hrs Swiss Cross 12:35 hrs Shabra Emperor 13:05 hrs Dandy Rock 14:05 hrs Knockmaole Boy 14:35 hrs Zanjabeel American Racing Tips Philadelphia Park Race 1 Extrasexymazzerati Race 2 Actin Tiz Race 3 Rudy’s Boy Race 4 Indy Strike Race 5 Cohen’s Cat Race 6 Gioia Stella Race 7 Clubman Race 8 Irish Colonel Race 9 My Cotton Jones South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:40 hrs Serendipity 09:15 hrs Artemisia 09:50 hrs Hunting Owl 10:25 hrs Starrett City 11:00 hrs Just A Gigolo

GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY, September 5, 2017

Bangladesh limit Lyon damage on day one in Chittagong (REUTERS) - Captain Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman shared a century stand to help Bangladesh fight back from Nathan Lyon’s five-wicket haul and lead the hosts to 253 for six on the opening day of the second and final Test against Australia yesterday. Leading Australia’s three-pronged spin attack with the new ball in hand, Lyon claimed three wickets in the morning session and another soon after lunch to reduce Bangladesh to 85-4 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Sabbir and Mushfiqur arrested the slide with a 105run stand for the fifth wicket.

Four overs later, Imrul Kayes fell in the same fashion after Australia successfully reviewed the original notout decision. Soumya Sarkar added 49 runs with Mominul Haque but Bangladesh suffered another setback on the stroke of lunch.

Lyon takes the new ball and traps Tamim Iqbal in front for 9. The off-spinner ends the day with five for 77. (Getty Images)

on 19. Desperate to SCOREBOARD level the series afBANGLADESH 1st innings ter being humbled Tamim Iqbal lbw b Lyon 9 Soumya Sarkar lbw b Lyon 33 inside four days in Imrul Kayes lbw b Lyon 4 Dhaka, Australia Mominul Haque lbw b Lyon 31 Shakib Al Hasan c Wade b Agar 24 went in with three Mushfiqur Rahim not out 62 spinners and a lone Sabbir Rahman stp. Wade b Lyon 66 paceman in Pat Nasir Hossain not out 19 Extras: (b-5) 5 Cummins, a strateTotal: (for 6 wickets, 90 overs) 253 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-21, 3-70, 4-85, 5-117, gy they had not em6-222. ployed since 1978. Bowling: P. Cummins 17-4-33-0, N. Lyon 28-6Lyon was re77-5, S. O’Keefe 20-0-70-0, A. Agar 17-6-46-1, G. warded for his Maxwell 3-0-6-0, H. Cartwright 5-1-16-0. clever change of Sabbir fell after tea but pace, and the Bangladesh Mushfiqur was batting on 62 batsmen paid the price for at stumps with Nasir Hossain playing him on the back foot

Nigeria close in on World Cup spot, end Cameroon’s hopes

Rafael Nadal

Nadal overwhelms Dolgopolov at U.S. Open NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) - World number one Rafael Nadal dispatched Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 with a powerful display to reach the U.S. Open quarter-finals in just one hour 41 minutes yesterday. The 28-year-old Ukrainian looked helpless against the Spaniard’s dominant serve, which was boosted by courts made faster due to sunny conditions at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. “I think I played a solid match. I played without making many mistakes,” Nadal told the crowd in an on-court interview.

with the ball often keeping low. Mushfiqur won an important toss and unsurprisingly opted to bat against a spin-heavy Australian side but the hosts did not get the start they were looking for. Opener Tamim Iqbal looked uncomfortable against Cummins’ pace and was spilled in the slips by Glenn Maxwell. Lyon ensured it did not really matter, however, trapping the opener lbw for nine with a quicker delivery.

Lyon sent down a skidding delivery to dismiss Soumya for 33 and returned after the interval to claim Mominul for 31, the fourth successive l b w decision. Ashton Agar took the important wicket of Shakib Al Hasan, the architect of Bangladesh’s thrilling 20run win in Dhaka, for 24 with under-fire Matthew Wade taking a fine catch behind the stumps. Sabbir was not afraid to play his shots and stepped out to hit Lyon for a six in his belligerent 66 before Wade effected a smart stumping to give Lyon his third five-wicket haul in successive Tests. Mushfiqur was his usual composed self at the other end as he brought up his 18th Test fifty.

Next up for the top seed is a first meeting with 19-year-old Russian Andrey Rublev who beat Belgian ninth seed David Goffin. Nadal dominated all facets of yesterday’s match, never dropping a service game and committing only 11 unforced errors while racking up 23 winners and breaking Dolgopolov six times. The onslaught was too much for the unseeded Dolgopolov, who was never comfortable enough to unleash his unconventional game that features unexpected drop shots and bold net approaches.

YAOUNDE, (Reuters) Nigeria moved to the brink of reaching next year’s World Cup finals with a 1-1 draw away to Cameroon yesterday which ended the qualifying hopes of the African champions. Nigeria top Group B with 10 points from four games, six ahead of second-placed Zambia, who visit Algeria tomorrow. With only the top team going to Russia, Cameroon have three points from four games and cannot overhaul Nigeria, who had Belgianbased forward Moses Simon to thank for their goal. Algeria have only the slimmest chance of overhauling Nigeria, having picked up one point from three games. Ghent

midfielder

Simon

gave Nigeria the lead when he blasted home at the back post on the half-hour. Their Chelsea winger Victor Moses also struck the bar in the second half. Cameroon equalised with a penalty 15 minutes from time when Vincent Aboubakar converted after Nigeria goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa upended midfielder Arnaud Djoum. Cameroon had qualified for six of the last seven World Cup tournaments since reaching the quarter-finals in 1990, last missing out in 2006. They were surprisingly crowned African champions in Gabon this year under Belgian coach Hugo Broos, but have only managed three draws and a defeat in their four World Cup qualifiers.

Joint Services Championships hosting still to be determined A DECISION is expected to be taken today as to whether or not an edition of the annual InterService Annual Athletics Championships (ISAAC), also called the Joint Services Championships, will be held this year. According to sources, the recent prison break with extra demands on the Joint Services has made the swimming and athletics championships somewhat of a strain. Neither of the major teams in the championships, the Guyana Defence Force nor the Guyana Police Force, held any individual championships so far for the year, and sources confirm that neither will be held. The Guyana Police Force

(GPF) usually hosts its InterDivision Track and Field Championships during late July or early August, while the GDF’s is also held in August. The Joint Services Championships usually follow in October. Thus far a tentative date, in October, is said to have been set. However, nothing has been confirmed as yet. Even if the Joint Services championships are held the forces will now have to determine their teams based on selection, since there will be no preliminary championships. The GDF are the defending champions of the event, having held the title for the past three years, since wresting it from Police back in 2014.

West Demerara and Georgetown book semi-final places By Joe Chapman WEST Demerara and Georgetown romped home winners to qualify for the top four places in the inaugural GT Beer Super Sunday Night Cup football championship semifinals after winning their respective matches Sunday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club. Unbeaten West Demerara came away with a 3-1 win over Bartica to top Group B as Georgetown joined them after moving past Berbice by a 3-0 margin . Georgetown, who lost to West Demerara 1-0 for their only defeat, advanced by beating Berbice 3-0, as Quason McBean began the scoring for the City side as early as the 9th minute and then Darren Benjamin netted to double the score in the 23rd minute before Shane Morris closed out the win, which was decided in the first half through a strike in the 38th minute. Having their lone defeat to West Demerara, Georgetown will advance as the number two team from their group which

was topped by West Demerara. In maintaining that unbeaten run in their four-team round robin-play, West Demerara turned back Bartica’s challenge with a 3-1 win which was sparked by the first goal of the game from the boot of the West Side’s Kevaughn Warde in the 21st minute and two minutes later David Blake found the back of the net in the 23rd minute as the first half ended in favour of West Demerara 2-0. But Bartica were able to reduce the lead through Aloysius Edwards who netted in the 53rd minute, but Jamal Perreira pushed the score to a 3-1 advantage when he netted a goal in the 64th minute. That was be the final score line. West Demerara will now face Essequibo Pomeroon from Group A, who finished second, while Georgetown will have to contest for a place in the final when they meet Upper Demerara who emerged as the top side from Group A . These matches will be played on September 14 at the MSC ground in Linden.

Line up for Hero CPL 2017 Finals week decided

THE line-up for finals week of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League has been settled, following the victory by the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots over the Barbados Tridents in the final group match of the season. That win by the Patriots means they will face the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Playoff match on Tuesday September 5. The winner of that game will go straight to the final on Saturday, September 9. The first Eliminator match will happen on Wednesday, September 6, and this will see the Jamaica Tallawahs take on the Guy-

ana Amazon Warriors. The s of that match will play the losers of the Playoff game with the victors making it through to the final. Playoff: Tuesday September 9, 20:00hrs Trinbago Knight Riders vs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. Eliminator 1: Wednesday September 10, 20:00hrs Jamaica Tallawahs vs Guyana Amazon Warriors. Eliminator 2: Thursday September 11, 20:00hrs Loser of Playoff vs Winner of Eliminator 1. Final: Saturday September 9, 20:00hrs Winner of Playoff vs Winner of Eliminator 2.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY, September 5, 2017

Germany on brink of World Cup after Norway demolition STUTTGART, Germany (Reuters) - World champions Germany thrashed Norway 6-0 in their Group C match yesterday, scoring four times in the first half including a Timo Werner double, to edge closer to a place at next year’s World Cup in Russia. The Germans killed off the game in a whirlwind first half, scoring three times in the opening 21 minutes,

and can wrap up qualification away to second-placed Northern Ireland, who beat the Czech Republic 2-0, on October 5. Four-time world champions Germany, who also scored through Mesut Ozil, Julian Draxler, Leon Goretzka and Mario Gomez, need a point from their last two games - in Belfast and three days later at home to Azerbaijan - to book their ticket

to Russia. The Irish are five points behind the Germans, who have a maximum 24. The group winners qualify directly for the finals while the eight best second-placed teams in the nine groups go into a playoff round. It was one-way traffic from the start as Germany wanted to put last week’s scrappy 2-1 win in the Czech Republic behind them

Germany’s Thomas Muller, Julian Draxler & Mesut Ozil celebrate a goal. (REUTERS/Michaela Rehle)

and Ozil’s 10th minute shot opened the floodgates. “After the Czech game we said we wanted to bring a different spirit into the team, a different approach,” said coach Joachim Loew, whose team have so far enjoyed their best-ever World Cup qualifying campaign with eight wins, having conceded two goals. “Especially in the last third of the pitch we wanted to find the spaces and play into them. When you do that then you create chances and we did that,” he added. Seconds after Germany took the lead Toni Kroos should have doubled it but he fired over the bar. Draxler, however, made no mistake with a fine turn and low drive in the 17th during a frantic opening spell. Werner, who was booed by a small group of German fans during the game in Prague on Friday, made it 3-0 four minutes later with the Norwegians in a daze and the Stuttgart native grabbed his sixth goal in his eighth international as he headed in a cross five minutes before the break. Goretzka headed home Draxler’s cross in the 50th and fellow substitute Gomez had time to get on the score sheet himself with yet another header to cap a dominant performance by the hosts. Germany have now won 26 of their last 31 World Cup qualifiers, having drawn the other five.

Pliskova beats Brady to cruise into reach quarter-finals KARAOLINA Pliskova cruised into the quarterfinals of the US Open with a straight-set win over American Jennifer Brady. The Czech world number one, 25, had to save match point before beating China’s Shaui Zhang in the third round. But she needed only 46 minutes to win 6-1, 6-0

on Arthur Ashe Stadium against the world number 91, who was competing in the last-16 for the first time. Pliskova will now face Coco Vandeweghe or Lucie Safarova in the next round. However, she needs to reach the final at Flushing Meadows to have a chance of

retaining her world number one ranking. She has had a mixed tournament so far but was efficient against Brady, hitting 23 winners to the American’s six, and dominating with her first serve. Brady won only 22 points, compared to Pliskova’s 55, and struggled for rhythm as she played on

Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time. “I think she was a little bit nervous, it was her first time on Ashe, and that’s normal,” Pliskova said. “I wanted to take advantage from that. Hopefully I’ll be on here for the next match as well.”(BBC Sport)

Nottinghanshire captain Dan Christian

Christian joins Trinbago Knight Riders

THE Trinbago Knight Riders have called up Daniel Christian for the remainder of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League. Christian will replace Brendon McCullum who suffered an arm injury in the Knight Riders’ match against the Barbados Tridents on Saturday last. Christian is an experienced all-rounder that has played in T20 leagues around the world, including the T20 Blast in England where he

captained Nottinghamshire to the title this week. He has also played 34 times for Australia in white ball formats. Speaking of Christian’s arrival Knight Riders’ coach, Simon Katich, said: “Losing an iconic figure like Brendon to injury is clearly a massive loss to the team, but in Daniel we have a proven match-winner who has just led a side to a T20 title in England. We hope that he can make it two trophies in two weeks with us in Trinidad.”

Beharry leads Floodlights to victory over Invaders Masters

Anil Beharry

A FINE all-round performance by former Berbice senior cricketer Anil Beharry led Floodlights to a convincing seven-wicket win against Invaders Masters of Essequibo in a specially arranged friendly game played last Saturday evening under lights at the DCC ground in Queenstown, Georgetown. On an excellent night for cricket, Beharry got support from GCA executive and captain of Transport

Sports Club, Shawn Massiah, as the duo put together a match-winning unbeaten partnership of 101 after their team were precariously placed at 35-3 in the 7th over. Massiah made an attacking 31, and Beharry 47. Yunis Yusuf contributed 27. The visitors won the toss and elected to take first strike. They made 134-9 off their allotted 20 overs. D. Lakhan top-scored with 46, and got admirable support from former national youth and Essequibo senior left-arm spinner Bisham Seepersaud who made 34. Eleven-year-old spinner Romeo Deonarain, along with pacers Surendra Nauth and Massiah, took two wickets apiece. Beharry supported with a one wicket. In reply, Floodlights raced to 136-3 off 17.4 overs. Skipper Linden Daniels took two wickets. Beharry was adjudged man-of-the-match.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY, September 5, 2017

Pollard criticised after no-ball denies Evin Lewis chance of century KIERON Pollard has been criticised on social media after bowling a no-ball which denied opposition batsman Evin Lewis the chance of a century in a Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Pollard bowled a big no-ball when Lewis was on 97 off 32 balls, with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots needing one run to beat Barbados Tridents in the Twenty20 competition. The no-ball gave 25-year-old Lewis’ side the win but saw him miss out on the chance of a ton after he and captain Chris Gayle reached 129-0.

Kieron Pollard bowling a big no-ball when Evin Lewis was on 97.

Cricket statistician and journalist Mazher Arshad said: “So Kieron Pollard bowls a no-ball to deny Evin Lewis a hundred in CPL. Suraj Randiv was suspended for a match when he did

that to (Virender) Sehwag in 2010.” Cricket supporter Mainraj Paudel called Pollard’s actions a “shameless act” on Twitter, while another spectator, Abhishek Chaturvedi,

accused Pollard of showing “zero sportsmanship”. Lewis, however, was more diplomatic. In a televised post-match interview, he said: “It hurts (missing out on the hundred), but hitting 97 not out off 33 balls? I’ll take that any day. “I’ve been hitting the ball long and hard in the nets. I’m confident now and looking forward to the play-offs.” If Lewis had completed his century in 33 balls, it would have been the second fastest of all-time - just behind Chris Gayle’s 30-ball IPL knock in 2013.(BBC Sport)

Jai Signs & Auto Designs on board

JAI Signs & Auto Designs of Independence Boulevard became the latest entity to add its support towards the exciting inaugural Guinness Cage/Three Peat Promotions Indoor Championship which is currently being staged at the National Gymnasium. staffers by Represented Andrunie Harris and Zaheer Mendonca, they handed over a cheque worth $50 000 to Three Peat official Rawle Welch, on Saturday at its location. Responding on behalf of the group, Welch thanked the representatives for answering the call for support, adding that the gesture is a clear indication of the entity’s vision for the development of sports, especially at the grassroots level. Over 32 teams started the is which Championship currently in the group stage. Over $800 000 is up for

… Sony also bid for TV rights MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - Star India will pay a staggering 163.48 billion rupees ($2.55B) for the television and digital rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next five years, the country’s cricket board announced yesterday. Sony, the only other bidder for the television rights of the world’s richest domestic Twenty20 competition, offered 110.5 billion rupees but lost out to Star’s consolidated offer for the worldwide rights from 2018 to 2022. Bidders for digital rights included Supersport, Facebook, Airtel, Bamtech and Jio. Of the 24 companies that bought the tender document, 14 made bids. “We believe the IPL is a very powerful property, and we believe there is a lot more value that can be created for fans of cricket on digital and TV,” Star India chief executive Uday Shankar told reporters. “India, cricket and IPL have changed dramatically

since 2008, and this bid is a reflection of that,” he said of the mammoth bid. It also reflects the world’s second most populous nation’s obsession with cricket, especially the 20-over format, despite a spot-fixing scandal in 2013 which led to the ban of several players and two-year suspensions of two IPL teams. The franchise-based competition began in 2008 with eight teams with owners including India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani and Bollywood actors. Rupert Murdoch’s Star group also owns broadcast rights for 18 ICC global events to be held during an eight-year cycle from 2015 and India’s international matches at home. India’s huge market is a major draw for sponsors and advertisers, who often plan product launches around major cricket tournaments and book advertising slots in advance.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday September 05, 2017) 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: Jai Signs & Auto Designs representative Zaheer Mendonca (second left) hands over the cheque to Three Peat Promotions official Rawle Welch in the presence of staffer Andrunie Harris. grabs with the final set for

September 16, at the National

Gymnasium.

Stokes, Moeen rested for T20 but named in ODI squad LONDON, England (CMC) – All-rounder Ben Stokes has been rested for the solitary Twenty20 International against West Indies later this month, scuppering the anticipated renewed rivalry with West Indies star Carlos Brathwaite. The pair locked horns in the final of the Twenty20 World Cup in India last year April, when Brathwaite clobbered four successive sixes off the rightarm seamer in the final over to propel West Indies to a dramatic capture of the title. The contest at Chester-le-

Star India bags IPL media rights for $2.55B

Street on September 16 will be the first meeting of the two sides since that final. Off-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali has also been rested for the contest. However, both he and Stokes have been included in the One-Day International squad, which will clash with the Windies in five matches starting September 19 at Old Trafford. Opener Jason Roy, dropped for England’s Champions Trophy final against Pakistan back in June, has been recalled for the series. His last eight innings

(1)

Rashid Khan

(2) 110*-Tridents vs Zouks (Stars), Kensington Oval, Barbados, 2014) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which two players have kept wickets for the St. Lucia Stars in Hero CPL 2017 to date? (2) Which two teams contested the final preliminary game of Hero CPL 2017? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Ben Stokes have yielded just 51 runs. Both limited overs squads will be led as usual by Eoin Morgan and include Test

skipper Joe Root. West Indies will also play matches at Trent Bridge on September 21, at Bristol three

days later before wrapping up the series with fixtures at the Oval on September 27 and at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton two days later. SQUADS: T20 – Eoin Morgan (captain), Jonathan Bairstow, Jake Ball, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe

Root, Jason Roy, David Willey. ODI – Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Jake Ball, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes. :All-rounder Ben Stokes is rested for the T20 International against West Indies.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY, September 5, 2017

Sparta Boss, Tiger Bay, West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ must win tonight … Hustlers vs Mocha opener should be a sizzler

Action in the inaugural Guinness Cage Football championship

NO strangers to must-win situations, Sparta Boss, Tiger Bay, West Front Road ‘Gold is Money, Champion Boys and Albouystown ‘B’ have found themselves in familiar territory once again and must secure victories if they hope to advance to the quarter-finals of the exciting inaugural Guinness Cage Football Championship tonight, at the National Gymnasium. Play in the champion-

ship resumes this evening with eight matches in the round-robin phase and every matchup is an important one as teams attempt to position themselves for the upcoming knockout segment. Immense pressure will be on Guyana’s most successful futsal team, Sparta Boss, as they try to arrest the slide from being the most devastating unit to the team who have performed below expectations in the last two

competitions. The positive side of this scenario is they rise to the occasion and while the expectation is for them to come out victorious tonight, their opponents Albouystown ‘B’ are no pushovers as well, so an enthralling battle is envisaged. Without talisman Devon Millington, Sparta Boss have not looked as destructive as they usually are, but players such as Gregory Richardson,

Corona football semi-final matchups to ‘bring the heat’

GFC had no problem qualifying for the next round of the Corona Invitational with a 5-2 win over Riddim Squad. (Stephan Sookram)

THE semi-finals of this year’s Corona Invitational Football tournament will bring the heat when they get going this Sunday at the GFC ground, Bourda. The GFC side will have to play Northern Rangers while the Police Force will have to produce a lot of spunk to arrest the Western Tigers FC. In the first of the double-header quarter-final games on Sunday, Police were able to overcome Santos FC but not as easily as

they once thought, as the 2-1 score line could have easily gone the other way. Sherwin Skeete opened the scoring in the 55th minute after a drought in the first half and the Santos unit seemed to be pulling off an upset. However, Quincy Holder was evelled it up just two minutes later to ensure that his side was not disadvantaged. He later completed the double in the 77th minute to seal the game. In the second game, GFC were able to railroad Rid-

dim Squad easily via a 5-2 margin. Benjamin Opera was the first to score in the game with a quick-fire double GFC taking the lead four minutes into the half and extending just over a minute later. Opera completed his hattrick and the team’s fifth goal of the night in the 72nd, with Joel Humphrey and Dwayne Roberio each slotting in one before. Kevin Gordon and Scyeon Hope kept the score line respectable.

Eusi Phillips, Solomon Austin and Sheldon Shepherd are still around. Not much has been seen of their opponents since they gained a walkover on opening night, before going down to North Ruimveldt in their second encounter. Also in a precarious position are recent ‘Keep Your Five Alive’ winners West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’, who face a tough engagement against another team who are

in jeopardy of crashing out Tiger Bay. This should be the clash of the night with the silky skills of the diminutive Deon Alfred competing against Randolph Wagner and company. The North Ruimveldt versus Ol Skool Ballers is another encounter that will produce fireworks with the experienced Gerald Gritten set to lead the former, and the prolific Roy Cossou doing the same for the upset-minded Ol Skool Ballers. Hustlers and Mocha open the night’s proceedings and this is a dream matchup to get things. Both teams have come off impressive wins. Hustlers beat Tiger Bay 3-1, while Mocha edged ‘Gold is Money’ 1-0, with another veteran Sceyon Hope, making the difference with a solitary strike. Over $800 000 in cash prizes and trophies will be up for grabs with the winners set to receive $400 000 and the championship trophy, while second-, third- and fourth-placed finishers will take home $200 000, $100 000 and $50 000 respectively along with trophies. The other playing dates for the championship are September 5, 7, 9 with the final set for September 16, at the same venue. The full fixtures are seen below:

At 19:00hrs Hustlers square off against Mocha, while from 19:30hrs, Pike Street Sophia take on Albouystown-A and this will be followed by the clash between North Ruimveldt and Ol Skool Ballers at 20:00hrs. The fourth fixture is between ‘Gold is Money’ and Tiger Bay at 20:30hrs, while the electrifying MBK AllStars battle Agricola Champion Boys at 21:00hrs. Future Stars then take on Showstoppers at 21:30hrs and this will precede the final two fixtures - Back Circle against Leopold Street at 22:00hrs and Sparta Boss versus Albouystown-B from 22:30hrs. The top two teams from each of the four groups will qualify for the quarter-final. Meanwhile, among the other sponsors on board are Star Party Rentals, Faye Joseph, Claude Geddes Recreational Sports Club, National Sports Commission, Windjammer International Hotel & Cuisine, Woodpecker Trophies & Sport, Y.K Investments & Pawn Shop, Henry Chase, Jai Signs, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and John Fernandes Ltd. Once again the organisers are asking all to work together with them to pull off what is already shaping up to be an exciting and successful tournament.

Jaguars Franchise League 3-day tournament

Essequibo beat Lower Corentyne by 34 runs

ESSEQUIBO defeated reigning champions Lower Corentyne by 34 runs yesterday in round one of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Jaguars Franchise League 3-day competition, at Albion Community Development Centre ground. Scores in the match: Essequibo 274 and 125; Lower Corentyne 175 and 190. Resuming at 108-6, an overall lead of 207, Essequibo were quickly bowled out for 125. Raun Johnson, Kevin Umrao and Kassim Khan claimed three wickets apiece, while Devon Clements was the other successful bowler. Set 225 for victory, Lower Corentyne run-chase started in terrible fashion. They slipped to 12-3, losing Jason Sinclair (0), bowled by Ricardo Adams, while Joshua Jones had the wickets of Akeem Hinds and Wahied Edwards. However, Kevlon Ander-

Ricardo Adams

son and Seon Hetmyer took the total to 43 at lunch. However, the 39-run fourth-wicket stand came to an end when Anthony Adams removed Anderson for 22. Clements joined Hetmyer and the pair batted with great assurance and took the total to 137 at tea, with Clements on 49, while Hetmyer was on 46. Upon resumption the pair took their personal scores to 55 and 67 respec-

tively before both batsmen were dismissed, and eventually the team collapsed, with only Alex Algoo (20), managing double figures of the remaining batsmen. Bowling for Essequibo, Ricardo Adams picked up 5-59, while Jones and Anthony Adams picked up 2-14, and 3-53 respectively. Esseqibo joined Upper Corentyne and Upper Demerara/East Bank, as the first-round victors. The other first-round game between East Coast and West Demerara at Wales was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Meanwhile, in round two, Upper Corentyne will play East Coast at Port Mourant; Georgetown will host Lower Corentyne at Lusignan; West Berbice will take on Essequibo at Bush Lot and East Bank and West Demerara will clash at Ogle. The second round starts on Friday.

Line up for Hero CPL 2017 Finals week decided

Page 20

The GDF team show off their hardware as they celebrate their Joint Services win last year.

Joint Services Championships hosting still to be determined

Page 20

Prince not letting up in spite of CMRC title (By Stephan Sookram in Barbados, compliments of B.M. Soat, John Fernandes Limited and Mohamed’s Enterprise) IN spite of technically winning the 2017 Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC)’s super stock title, Bryce Prince does not intend to let up as he heads to Guyana. Prince, who spoke exclusively to the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday afternoon, contended that there is still some work to be done. “We knew that if we came to Barbados and we

could bring home three more wins then we’d be able to wrap up the championship, and that was the goal coming into the series; to try and win as many races and do as well as we can and win the Championship.” “It takes a little pressure off going into Guyana. I mean we can see what else we can do to try and push for some faster lap times there. I know Mohamed wants to see us improve.” He contended that he wanted to leave an indelible mark on the series which he believes has been done by

setting the lap times. “We want to go to the events and be the best that we can; so the way we see to do that is to set the fastest laps by a bike, ever, and it’s been good for us,” he added. Prince has managed a clean sweep since his introduction in the series this year under the team Mohamed’s Enterprise banner aboard their R6. He has also copped the lap records in Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana thus far, as he gets ready to collect his trophy at the final leg in November.

Georgetown scorers from left, Dwayne McBean, Quasi Benjamin and Shane Morris.

UDFA Super Cup football

West Demerara and Georgetown book semi-final places

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TUEDAY, SEPTEMBER, 5, 2017