Guyana chronicle e paper 09 12 2017

SMEs need more avenues for credit Page 11

– Min. Gaskin

No. 105033

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

National response to Irma …Gov’t, private sector to coordinate relief efforts for storm-hit islands

Pages 3&9

Biker killed in Tucville crash

…Guyana pledges $10.3M

Page 13

Venezuelan gunmen storm NWD mining camp Page 11

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, led talks with the Private Sector and other stakeholders on Monday to coordinate a national response to the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, which devastated several Caribbean islands (Delano Williams photo)

Police report 18% drop in murder Page 12

UNODC to bolster Guyana’s anti-corruption regime Page 13

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 12, 2017

British visitor found hanging – in friend’s New Amsterdam house

By Jeune Bailey-VanKeric A FIFTY-year-old British woman on a visit here was found hanging in her friend’s home on Pope Street, New Amsterdam just before 19:00hrs on Sunday evening.

Dead is Sarah Rosmary Dajee, who, hours earlier, had returned from the Cheddie Jagan International Airport, where she had hoped to board a return flight to the United Kingdom.

Dajee, who had accompanied her workmate, Guyanese-born Jessica Grumble here, arrived on August 23, and was expected to depart on September 17.

Instead, her friend found her dead in her living room area. The corpse was reportedly in a standing position, slightly suspended off the wooden flooring, with an extended phone charger cable wrapped around her neck.

Grumble had, seconds before, awakened from her sleep after responding to calls from her mother, Sue. Her stepfather, Jason Hanniff, said it was around 18:45hrs when he heard Jessica calling him to go over to the house to see something. He said that after switching on the fluorescent lights, he saw Rosemary standing just under the inte-

rior arch.

He said that initially, he did not think anything was amiss, but it was after he contacted a friend, he was advised to inform the police, which he did at around 18:53hrs.

After the cops arrived, they took possession of the deceased’s belongings, including US$900, £900, G$5500, some Barbadian currency, her British passport, a quantity of pharmaceutical medications, clothing and other person items.

Hanniff said he also made contact with the woman’s employer in the United Kingdom, as a result of which a representative from the British High Commission here has since contacted him.

Interesting enough, reports are that just the day before, at around 22:40hrs, Dajee, in the company of Hanniff, had gone to Central Police Station where she reported that she was feeling insecure and was leaving Guyana the following day.

Dead: Sarah Rosary Dajee

She’s also alleged to have claimed she was being verbally abused by the music she was hearing. Hanniff said he’d only learnt the day before that the woman had rescheduled her travelling arrangements and had brought forward her flight from September 17 to September 10.

He said that he, too, had at one point gone to the Central Police Station to report that Dajee was behaving strangely, and was claiming to be threatened.

He said she’d even sent

text messages to her contacts in London, indicating that the police should be contacted in case she does not make it to the airport and home to Britain.

Hanniff said that on Sunday, he, his wife Sue, and stepdaughter Jessica all accompanied the now deceased woman to the Cheddie Jagan International Airport where she was expected to board the 04:15 Liat flight.

But after being informed by an Immigration Officer that the woman’s name was not on the manifest, and Dajee later claiming that she had forgotten her passport, they all decided to return to New Amsterdam.

Hanniff explained that there are two houses in the yard. He occupies the lower flat of one with his wife, while the other cottage was occupied by his stepdaughter and her friend.

He said that on their return from the airport, he

The house in which British citizen, Sarah Dajee was found hanging

and his wife went to their apartment, while his stepdaughter and her friend went to the cottage.

He said that moments later, Dajee told him that whilst having a shower, she saw someone pull the bathroom curtains. He said that after checking the house thoroughly, he assured her that there was no one else there. And in response, she reportedly turned to her friend and asked her whether she thought she was delusional, before turning on her heels and walking away.

Hours later, she was found hanging. Reports are that she was well dressed.

Many curious viewers from the neighbourhood and nearby church thought it was a mannequin that was standing at the archway.

Meanwhile, reports emanating from the Pope Street neighbourhood say the woman had at one time accused the children in the community of interfering with her, and had even alleged that someone had hacked into her mobile phone and had removed large sums of money from her mobile money account.

The Guyana Chronicle has since learnt that Sarah Rosmary Dajee was a judge in the recently held Karaoke competition organised by her host.

The body is currently at the Arokium Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem. Investigations are continuing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Guyana pledges $10.3M …to aid urgent Irma relief efforts THE Government of Guyana on Monday pledged an initial sum of US$50,000 to aid urgent relief efforts to Caribbean states affected

by Hurricane Irma and those currently threatened

by Hurricane Jose.

Hurricane Irma ravaged through several Caribbean islands, including Barbuda; the Bahamas; Cuba; the British Virgin Islands (BVI); and St. Maarten, to name a few. The money pledged by Guyana will support efforts by CARICOM’s regional mechanism with the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency said Monday.

“Further assistance will be determined subsequent to the completion of a Needs Assessment,” government said following a high-level meeting convened by President David Granger at State House.

Among those at the meeting were: Prime Minister Mr Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon; Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan; Minister of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix; Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge; Minister of Public Affairs, Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams; and Minister with Responsibility for the Public Service, Dr. Rupert

Roopnarine.

The Head of State has tasked the team with ensuring that Guyana’s response also comprehensively addresses the needs of Guyanese citizens, who are residing in the affected territories.

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, who has responsibility for disaster relief, announced the initial sum committed by Government, noting that Needs Assessments are being conducted at the regional level and added that regular Situation Reports are being monitored as Guyana continues to work with the Region to ensure a coordinated response.

Additionally, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, will Head a Ministerial Task Force that will be responsible for oversight of the efforts of the Civil Defence Commission's (CDC) National Risk Reduction Platform, which has since been activated.

“We are concerned about our Nationals in these Caribbean territories ravaged by Hurricane Irma and the possible harm that will be caused by Hurricane Jose and we want to reach out to them… The Task Force, first and foremost, will try to access information about the number of Guyanese affected and the places where they are affected and to make general appeals to

At Monday’s high-level meeting with the President. Seated from right are: Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon; President David Granger; Prime Minister, Mr Moses Nagamootoo; Director of Protocol in the Ministry of the Presidency, Col Francis Abraham; Minister of Public Affairs, Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams; Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan; Minister of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix; and Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson (MOTP photo)

Guyanese in the Caribbean to get in touch with the Consulates in those areas or in other parts, where they can access Consulate services.

We need the information as to Guyanese who may want to be evacuated or who may want assistance in this point in time of a specific nature,” the Prime Minister explained.

He also informed that over the next few days, strenuous efforts will be made to keep an open line of communication to ensure that relatives of those residing in hurricane-hit zones are provided with the necessary information regarding their loved ones.

“We will work to render assistance to Guyanese nationals in Caribbean countries and generally to the affected states themselves.

We want to be able to have

an inventory of students, who are on scholarships in Cuba and in other parts of the Caribbean and to see to it that such information is provided to their families,” the Prime Minister added.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge, said that Cuba has better infrastructure than many of the other Caribbean countries and noted that from current reports, the Ministry has no reason to believe that scholarship students are in any danger or have suffered in any alarming way. Nevertheless, the Ministry will be setting up a portal on its website to facilitate communication between those affected and their families, as well as the authorities in Guyana.

Lack of communication is one of the major difficulties that the regional

response effort faces. Minister Greenidge explained that while there is a basic framework of communication such as Honorary Consuls, Ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives, the storm has ravaged communications infrastructure, especially in places like St. Maarten, St. Barts and Barbuda.

“If you call the Honorary Counsel in any one of these places few of them could respond because either the electricity or the communications network is down so we are using whatever mechanisms we can… The Governments of the region, including Guyana have committed themselves to working through the CARICOM mechanism. The Secretariat has oversight of the coordination of this

exercise together with the Association of Caribbean States [ACS] and then the specific disaster relief agencies such as IMPACS [CARICOM Implementing Agency for Crime and Security], RSS [Regional Security System] and CDEMA, which are the agencies who make needs assessment and will indicate to us what is needed,” the Foreign Affairs Minister said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE,TUESDAY September 12, 2017

Trump on 9/11 anniversary...

‘Our nation will endure’

PRESIDENT Donald Trump has presided over his first 9/11 commemoration in office, marking the 16th anniversary of the attacks.

He and First Lady Melania observed a solemn moment of silence at the White House and later at the Pentagon.

Thousands are gathering nationwide to mark the deadliest attack on US soil.

Nearly 3,000 people died after hijackers crashed planes into New York’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a rural Pennsylvania field in 2001.

Mr Trump and the First Lady observed a moment of silence at the Pentagon at 09:37 (13:37 GMT), when US officials say American Airlines Flight 77 crashed

into the building.

“Our values will endure; our people will thrive; our nation will prevail, and the memory of our loved ones will never, ever die,” the president said afterwards.

Mr Trump joined Defence Secretary James Mattis and General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Department of Defense to remember the lives lost on 9/11.

“The terrorists who attacked us thought they could incite fear and weaken the spirit. Those who try will soon join the long list of vanquished enemies who dare to test our mettle,” he said.

The president acknowledged the more than five million young men and

President Trump and family members at the 9/11 memorial service on Monday

women who joined the military since 9/11 “to defend our country against barbaric forces of evil and destruction.”

“We are making plain to these savage killers that

there is no dark corner beyond our reach, no sanctuary beyond our grasp, and nowhere to hide anywhere on this very large Earth,” he continued.

Earlier, Mr Trump ap-

peared at the White House for a commemoration.

Meanwhile, relatives of 9/11 victims, survivors, rescuers and others gathered at New York’s 9/11 memorial at 08:46 to mark the exact time the first plane struck the World Trade Center’s north tower.

The second plane slammed into the south tower at 09:03.

The names of the 3,000

killed were read aloud at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum as bells rang out in memory of the dead.

Each year on the anniversary, two light beams illuminate the sky in place of the two towers.

The fourth plane went down at 10:03 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where crew members wrestled hijackers for control of plane, forcing it down in a rural field instead of its intended target in Washington.

Vice-President Mike Pence and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke appeared on Monday in Shanksville, where ground was broken a day before for a 93ft (28m) tower at the Flight 93 National Memorial.

The Tower of Voices will remember the 33 passengers and seven crew members who died on Flight 93.

“They were ordinary people, but on that day they were extraordinary,” said Mr Pence. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE,TUESDAY September 12, 2017

Venezuela accuses UN of lying --over alleged rights abuses

VENEZUELA’S Foreign Minister has accused the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of lying.

Jorge Arreaza was responding to a speech by UN human rights chief, Zeid Raad Al Hussein warning of possible “crimes against humanity” in Venezuela.

Mr Zeid also said that there was “a very real danger that tensions will further escalate” in Venezuela.

More than 120 people have been killed in Venezuela since a wave of anti-government protests began on April 1.

In his speech at the Human Rights Council session in Geneva on Monday,

Mr Zeid said that a report published by his office last month had highlighted excessive use of force by Venezuelan security forces at the protests.

FURTHER ESCALATE “My investigation suggests the possibility that crimes against humanity may have been committed, which can only be confirmed by a subsequent criminal investigation,” Mr Zeid said, adding: “There is a very real danger that tensions will further escalate, with the government crushing democratic institutions and critical voices, including through criminal

proceedings against opposition leaders, recourse to arbitrary detentions, excessive use of force, and ill-treatment of detainees, which in some cases amounts to torture.”

But Mr Arreaza dismissed the allegations as “baseless”, and demanded that Mr Zeid “cease his aggression against Venezuela.”

He also said that the report by the UN Office for Human Rights was “riddled with lies”.

Venezuelan officials have blamed the country’s dire political and economic crisis on a war being waged against the government by “imperialist forces”.

Speaking about the 121 people he said had been

BVI extends curfew --as it deals with hurricane damage

ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, CMC — Governor of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), August “Gus” Jaspert, has extended the curfew imposed on the territory since last Tuesday’s passage of Hurricane Irma, which devastated the British Overseas Territory.

In his first message to islanders since the storm on Tuesday, which has left most of the archipelago without electricity and water, and with limited food, the Governor also said that the full force of the law would be used against persons who have been using the volatile situation after the storm to engage in crime.

There have been reports of the looting of businesses places as the island attempts to come to grips with, and respond to, the disaster.

“The territory has been severely impacted, and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of us affected. I wanted to reassure you that the premier (Dr. D. Orlando Smith) and I are working together to coordinate our response, relief and recovery,” Jaspert said.

He said that the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) is coordinating relief and response efforts for the territory, and all communication should be channelled through that agency.

The NEOC is operating from the New Peebles Hospital, after its own headquarters was damaged by the Category 5 storm.

Jaspert said groups have been set up to handle public information, shelters, restoration of family links, planning and operations and that international assistance has been requested and is already being received from the United Kingdom, international and regional partners and private and voluntary organisation.

Preparations are being made to receive supplies, provide security, and ensure adequate distribution to the affected communities.

He said teams have been

killed in protest-related violence since April 1, Mr Arreaza alleged that the “the majority of these deaths can be directly attributed to the violent actions of anti-government groups.”

The UN report puts the number of people killed at 124, and said that “the security forces were reportedly responsible for 46 and pro-Government armed groups, known as armed colectivos, for 27.”

“Responsibility for the remaining 51 deaths has not yet been determined,” the UN report said.

Mr Arreaza said that despite the violent protests which rocked the country between April and July, the

opposition in Venezuela was now “back on the path of rule of law and democracy; we will see dialogue emerging thanks to the mediation of our friends”.

The opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) coalition on Sunday held primary elections to choose the candidates who will run in regional elections to be held in October.

Even though the opposition regularly accuses Venezuela’s electoral council of siding with the government, a majority of opposition parties made the decision to take part in the election for governors rather than leave the field to pro-government candidates.

With the opposition concentrating on the upcoming election and opposition leaders who backed street protest potentially facing trial for treason, anti-government protests have almost completely stopped.

However, shortages of medicine, food and other basic goods have not been alleviated, prompting Pope Francis to appeal to the United Nations on Monday to help.

“The most painful is the humanitarian problem. There are so many people fleeing or suffering,” he told reporters.

“I don’t know what Maduro is thinking; I don’t know what’s going on in his head,” the Pope said. (BBC)

mobilised to work on aggressive road cleaning and debris management, and shelters have been set up to accommodate individuals who have been displaced.

“Communities have been supporting each other, and are encouraged to continue to do so and remain resilient.

Ports, including the airport are opening, but the priority is the military, supply goods and technical expertise, but

we hope to resume operations soon,” Jaspert said.

He said that while the vast majority of Virgin Islanders are working to support each other and to help support the recovery, “there are, very sadly, some despicable people who are using our time of need to commit crime.

“I’m appealing to the good and decency of residents in the Virgin Islands to respect the rule of law and person’s

property,” Jaspert said, adding that extra security had arrived here and was being deployed.

“My message to anyone thinking of committing a crime is that you will face the full force of law and should expect the strongest punishment.

“In conjunction with the premier and in order to clear the roads and continue with the recovery effort, the curfew will be extended,” Jaspert said.

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Editorial Brexit consequences

LAST YEAR June the United Kingdom voted to exit the 28-nation European Union (EU).

Observers to the ensuing acts and actions by citizens, government and interest groups after the casting of the ballot on the 23rd noted mixed sentiments for the referendum. According to the recently revealed YouGov Poll there is an even split between those who want to exit now in comparison to those who want to await the result of the exit negotiation, presently taking place. Undoubtedly there remains some buyers’ remorse for wanting to exit as was shortly evident after the polls, where some admitted to voting not expecting their choice would have prevailed and some admitted they did not understand what they were voting for. Where the die is already cast such brings attention to two issues often taken for granted or overlooked in man’s existence.

Elections have consequences.

The casting of a ballot brings with

it all the pluses and ramifications of the decision made on voting day.

And whereas, some have rightfully argued the importance of having an informed electorate translates to better understanding of the issues, thereby knowing what they are voting for, the truth is where universal suffrage is present it allows for a mix from the most to least informed. Another factor often ignored too in the unique brand of politics where isolationism or going it alone is promoted as nationalism, is that such belief would be challenged and tested in a globalised environment. Citizens, including governments function with a high level of interdependence. Gone are the days where a product is singularly produced in a country and or businesses are willing to settle for solely plying their trade in the domestic marketplace.

International engagement is the way government and business trade and work with each other in pursuit

GUYANA CHRONICLE,TUESDAY September 12, 2017

of common good/goals, where both the receiving and producing countries stand to benefit. Where citizens, including politicians, governments and others ignore this reality it is to the peril of all, though those having greater adverse impact are the executors of such action. Acknowledgement of this does not ignore existing challenges and setback wrought by globalisation that are deserving of attention, one of which is ensuring the pursuit of free trade encompasses components to bring about fair trade.

Last Saturday thousands marched to the Parliament in London to protest exiting the EU as negotiations to do so are proceeding. Though organisers, using the theme “People’s March for Europe” say their goal is to have people “unite, rethink and reject”, the Conservative Government plans to proceed with exiting confirms further second thought on the issue. Not to be ignored too is that among this school of thought are those calling for the

electorate to go back to the polls to vote support or rejection for the exit negotiation when completed.

The cold hard fact is, exiting the EU stands to hurt Britain and the benefit of international preferential treatment that came with such association will be lost, with some tallying this cost to the tune of billions of pounds yearly. According the 9th September 2017, UK Telegraph, the think-tank group `Open Europe’ said unless Britain keeps its borders open the country stands to lose £55billion a year by 2030. It projected that such loss equivalent to 2.2 percent of its Gross Domestic Product could see a recession.

How the totality of this financial impact, its consequences to the economy, welfare of the citizens and Britain’s influence in the global marketplace and politics will be factored in with the pressure of the domestic politics to close the borders only time will tell.

Correcting Bisram’s falsehoods Dear Editor THERE is a crisis of honour and truth facing the Indian intellectual community in Guyana and in the Diaspora. It’s been long recognised that the Guyana Times, using Vishnu Bisram and its five feature writers’ (Anna Correia, Rhyaan Shah, Lomarsh Luminary, Ravi Dev, Brian Younge ) weekly and daily use of propaganda, lies and racial incitement to brainwash Indians that (1) Indians are superior to Africans (2) Africans have never accomplished anything (3) Africans are evil and at the bottom of the Hindu caste system and (4) no African should govern Indians because Africans are inferior.

Of course, with Bharrat Jagdeo using the same strategy at the last elections and the Guyana Times being owned by his best friend, one sees the linkage and recognises this is a political campaign that is both dangerous and ongoing. What is even more disturbing is that this campaign is now regional and glob-

al and is led by Vishnu Bisram and a few others. In a recent Indo-Caribbean Diaspora News (ICDN) article, Vishnu Bisram wrote an article entitled “Wrong for Burnham and Idi Amin to expel Indians” in which Bisram stated “It is noted that in Guyana, another notorious dictator, Forbes Burnham, a friend of Idi Amin, indirectly expelled Indians, Chinese, Whites (Portuguese) and others from the country. Burnham must have welcomed Idi Amin’s action to confiscate Indian’s wealth and property. Idi Amin told Indians to swim out of the country. Burnham took similar action against Indians and others in Guyana” As I read through this particular ICDN publication, it is very clear ICDN is dedicated to one single theme “Africans in the Caribbean are persecuting Indians in the Caribbean because they are jealous of Indian wealth and achievements and Africans should never govern/rule Indians because Indians are superior to Africans”.

The Facebook page of ICDN

is clearly a page of fake news and crosses the line of racial entrepreneurship similar to what led to the crisis in Rwanda. In Guyana, this dishonesty has reached new heights over the last three months in preparation of the Land CoI. On August 6, 2017, Vishnu Bisram began with the strategy of subtracting from African achievement to giving credit to fictitious Indian achievement. Thus he wrote in the Guyana Times “ The Afro-nationalist, Eric Phillips claims: “History has recorded that African Guyanese had driven back the sea and had cleared, drained and reclaimed 15,000 square miles of forest and swamps, equivalent to 9,000,000 acres of land.

Meaning, all the plantations now turned villages and cities were built by unpaid African labour.”

Bisram added “The Venn Commission reported that, ‘to build the coastal plantations alone, a value of 100,000,000 tons of earth had to be moved by the hands of African slaves without machinery)’.“These figures do not appear on any documented history”

So according to Bisram, this is a lie.

Well Mr. Bisram, kindly read the Venn Commission. Of course Bisram knows the Venn Commission’s Report but his singular goal is to distort any African achievement to deny Africans justice such as reparations. Vishnu Bisram’s distortion of history to deny African justice has no limits. In August in the Guyana Times, Vishnu wrote it was the Colonists who encouraged Africans to engage in the Village Movement.

So again, according to Vishnu Bisram, no credit must be given to Africans for the “greatest entrepreneurial endeavour in any post-slavery society which happened only in British Guiana”. It was a British initiative according to Bisram because Africans are slaves and inferior to Indians and couldn’t do anything on their own.

On August 6, 2017 in the Guyana Times, Vishnu Bisram wrote “As the Africans did, the Indians had to build the coastal plantations to prepare them for cultivation of

sugar cane. So they had to move more than 300,000,000 tons of earth by hands (as the Africans did) without machinery. So Indians are superior to Africans even if the numbers are made up (Birsram, where is your source?)

A month later, on September 10, 2017, as if the first lie of 300 million tons was not enough, Vishnu Bisram wrote in the Guyana Times “Indians would have moved 500 million tons of earth. And logically they would be entitled to five times 15,000 (since they developed five times as many acres as the slaves) or 75,000 square miles. Visnu Bisram has written letters in the Guyana Times on August 6, 8, 10, 12 and many more times in the last two weeks. His main focus is to poison the minds of ordinary Indians and to say to them “black man shouldn’t get no land, they too lazy and don’t deserve any”.

To cap his assault on Africans in Guyana, on July 28, 2017 in the Guyana Times, Vishnu Bisram wrote “Descendants Turn to page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE,TUESDAY September 12, 2017

ACDA remains clear that Social Cohesion must include economic inclusion Dear Editor WE have read with great interest the article in last Sunday’s Kaieteur Newspapers concerning efforts of a Canadian-based Guyanese in partnership with international groups, to bid for contracts in Guyana. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words – the photograph mentioned, like most others, paints a picture excluding African Guyanese from economic participation – so please permit us to

ask some simple questions.

How can African Guyanese that have been deliberately marginalised and discriminated against for twenty-three (23) years be integrated into the business community, develop the requisite skills and finance to participate in the development of Guyana?

Are African Guyanese to be forever left out of the business life of Guyana, should we forever stand aside and look at others getting all the contracts; or should we always

Correcting ... of slaves are seeking reparations (compensation) for the inhumane treatment meted out to their ancestors. Indians, Amerindians, Chinese and Portuguese also suffered inhumane conditions under indentured labour; their descendants are also entitled to reparations.

He repositions the call for reparations by Africans as Africans calling for land as payment for “land development, which incidentally Bisram claims Indians moved 500 million tons to develop lands.

For his edification, although he knows, let me share this truth with Mr. Vishnu Bisram. Vishnu, reparations are internationally recognised as justice for crimes against humanity.

According to the International Court of Justice, crimes against humanity are (a) Murder; (b) Extermination; (c) Enslavement; (d) Deportation or forcible transfer of

just be selling our services in the employ of others that build wealth off our knowledge, expertise and sweat. African Guyanese represent about three to five per cent of businesses in Guyana’s economy.

This stark imbalance in the business sector and economy must be corrected. ACDA welcomes the current Local Content Policy that is being proposed by the Government of Guyana and seeks to encourage all capable Guyanese to search out where possible credible and experienced in-

From page 6

population;(e) Imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law; (f) Torture;(g) Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilisation, or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity;(h) Persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender as defined in Paragraph 3 of Article 7 of the Rome Statute., or other grounds that are universally recognised as impermissible under international law, in connection with any act referred to in this paragraph or any crime within the jurisdiction of the Court;(i) Enforced disappearance of persons; (j) The crime of apartheid; (k) Other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health.

Mr. Vishnu Bisram, can you indicate which crimes against humanity Indians, Portuguese, Chinese or Amerindians suffered in Guyana. Do you deny 475,000 Africans died to build Guyana? Or will you now claim 900,000 Indians died to build Guyana?

Mr. Bisram, none of your trips and presentations to GOPIO in Mauritius or India will change the truth.

You cannot change facts nor create your own personal facts. This despicable intellectual dishonesty of you and your intellectual peers is well known to the public.

You should be ashamed but you lack honour or dignity or truthfulness, and add to the deceit of the Guyana Times whose editors including Ravi Dev know the truth. I have refused to respond to your 12 letters from July to September 2017, the Guyana Times onslaught against African achievements and African

GTT monitoring fibre connection to USA as Irma wreaks havoc Dear Editor GTT maintained international connectivity to friends, family and businesses despite the disruption to the Eastern Caribbean Fibre system caused by hurricane Irma.

GTT uses the Eastern Caribbean Fibre system to transport service to the USA. The segment of the circuit between St Martin and Tortola, British Virgin Islands

ternational groups, to develop non-exploitative joint ventures that would allow participation in our country’s patrimony.

We also call for fairness and transparency with the government publish along with every budget, the economic participation of all groups. We must know who are getting the contracts, concessions and benefits. ACDA remains clear that Social Cohesion must include economic inclusion.

Regards ACDA’s Steering Committee

was disrupted at 08:35 hr. and restored at 14:05 hr. on September 6, but GTT’s customers did not experience any outage due to the redundant undersea capacity. GTT will continue to monitor the situation and will keep the public informed about further disruptions.

Regards Allison Parker Public Relations Officer, GTT

dignity. This is because I am informed by Mark Twain’s statement “Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.”

Eric Phillips

Reorganisation of garbage disposal needed Dear Editor SINCE discontinuing the garbage collection services of its two main disposal agents in Georgetown, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has obtained the services of a number of small contractors.

While the M&CC’s move at alternative garbage collection is timely and commendable, there are particular issues that the Council needs to urgently address with those new contractors. These relate to the timing and consistency of their collection and the consequent inconvenience it poses to tax payers and disruptions to the free flow of vehicular traffic.

These new collectors seem to turn up for garbage collection at any time and on any day. There are three noted instances over the past week, in different areas, within the city. Details are withheld from this letter, but can be provided to the Council upon request, since the purpose of this missive

is to advocate and not to prematurely affect the image of those concerned publicly.

In one area, where garbage is traditionally collected early on Wednesday mornings, the new collectors did not do so until the following day at about 16:00hrs(4pm), when vehicular traffic had peaked. In another instance, garbage collection usually done early Saturday mornings was done mid-morning on Sunday, again causing some inconvenience to road users and an unholy stench to worshipers at church.

The M&CC is urged to collectively review that level of performance with its new garbage collectors, since all of their disposal vehicles do not display contact information for feedback. It is recommended that garbage collection be done either prior to 07:00hrs (7am) daily; in the evenings; or at other suitable off-peak periods during the day.

Regards Orette Cutting

8

M&CC waiting on TOR – to pick new re-negotiating committee

Councillors voting in favour of a nine-man committee to include Town Clerk, Royston King

By Telesha Ramnarine BY way of a majority vote on Monday, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) agreed that the new team to re-negotiate the contentious parking-meter contract with Smart City Solutions (SCS) will consist of nine members now, including Town Clerk Royston King.

Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen last week asked councillors to submit the names of persons to serve on the new team when the statutory meeting convened yesterday. However, Councillor Junior Garrett suggested that this should be done only when the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the committee become available.

A decision was subsequently taken for the written TOR to become available by the next statutory meeting, in two weeks’ time, or later if necessary.

In the meantime, ChaseGreen, along with Councillors Heston Bostwick, Oscar and Welton Clarke, Garrett, Jameel Rasul, Akeem Peter, Trichria Richards, James Samuels, and Philip Smith voted that the nine-man team should consist of seven city councillors, two members of the public, City Treasurer Ron McCalman and the Town Clerk.

McCalman and King will be serving in an advisory capacity.

The five other councillors who were present at the meeting (Councillors Gregory Fraser, Ivelaw Henry, Bishram Kuppen, Andrea

Marks, and Sophia Whyte) were in abstention.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor Kuppen was the only one who objected to the town clerk serving on the new committee, citing the sensitive nature of the issue.

“The town clerk should not be part of the negotiating committee, even sitting as an advisor,” Kuppen said.

“The initial problems that came from the contract came from the actions he took, in that the contract was never tendered; the transparency and impact studies were not done and I think that he should have rightfully recused himself because he was not part of the previous negotiating committee. Why should he be part of this committee?” he told the Guyana Chronicle following the meeting.

He further opined that it is highly prejudicial that King will be part of a committee, where he would be able to influence its discussion or the direction that it takes.

At a special session last week, where councillors were allowed to discuss the report by the previous re-negotiating committee, 13 of 25 City Councillors voted in favour of setting up a new committee to start a fresh process of negotiation with SCS, the foreign company that was granted a concession to install parking meters in Georgetown.

The contract that the M&CC entered into with SCS came under heavy criticism from some City

Councillors, who called for a complete revocation of it, while some others suggested waiting on the outcome of a court case that has a bearing on the matter.

Ultimately, they reasoned, the M&CC will have to go with the decision of the court, regardless of what the Council decides now on the way forward.

The majority, nevertheless, voted in favour of renegotiating with SCS under some new rules. For instance, SCS will now be obligated to provide required documents before any negotiations can take place.

Member of the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM), Don Singh told this publication that the M&CC is going ahead with re-negotiating an illegal contract.

“Now I don’t know how that works. We at MAPM are 100 per cent sure that the court case will justify our position that monopoly laws were broken; procurement laws were broken, and the general contract is illegal.

So they will be faced with further problems down the road by taking this action,” Singh said.

Another member, Luana Falconer, commented that it was shocking to see that it did not matter to 13 councillors that the contract with SCS is illegal. “Where in the world is negotiating an illegal contract okay? These people are not thinking; this is madness! Everything about the whole process was wrong!” she said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Obituary: Cesare Francis Granger (October 4,1937 – September 5, 2017) CESARE Francis Granger, fondly known as Frank, was born on October 4, 1937, the first son and third child of Chetwynd and Verleigh Granger. He married Theresa, née Chang, who bore two sons, Kevin and Marc.

Frank attended the St John the Baptist School at Bartica, the Central High School, and Queen’s College in Georgetown and Columbia University in New York.

He graduated with the BS (Hons.) in Economics, winning the Matthew M. Fryde Award for outstanding undergraduate work.

Frank worked as Research Editor (Afro-Asia) Business International Corp.,

New York; Researcher to Prof. A. Rubin to determine probable solutions to the problem of poverty in Appalachia; Researcher for Prof. A. Katz on a project to determine changing pattern of work experience; Economist on the Mayor’s task force for the economic redevelopment of Harlem, New York and Economist at the

Central Brooklyn Economic Development Project, City of New York in 1968-69, carrying out industrial feasibility studies and the design and supervision of economic surveys.

Frank returned to Guyana and joined the Ministry of Works, Hydraulics and Supply as an Economist, conducting economic feasibility studies from 1969 to 1972.

He then joined the Commonwealth Caribbean Regional Secretariat and, from 1973, the Caribbean Community Secretariat as a senior economist, holding various positions until his retirement on October 4, 1997.

Cesare Francis Granger is survived by his sons, Kevin and Marc, and his siblings Barbara and David.

18th Self-Reliance workshop opens in Georgetown FIRST Lady, Sandra Granger Monday morning, declared open the 18th Self-Reliance and Success in Business Workshop, which is the first of its kind for residents of Georgetown and its environs.

Twenty-five stakeholders, who hail from communities, including North Georgetown, Alberttown, Sophia, Kitty North and Campbellville, assembled at the National Congress of Women’s Headquarters at Public Road, Kitty for the opening of the five-day workshop, which aims to empower them with the skills needed to manage and advance their own enterprises.

The First Lady commended the participants for capitalising on the opportunity to learn. “Once you have completed this workshop and received that certificate, you can go to the Small Business [Bureau] of the Ministry of Business or

any micro-finance organisation, produce that certificate, and they [will] accept that you know how to run a business,” Mrs. Granger said.

She then encouraged them to, “learn all the different aspects [of business].”

Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Georgetown District, Ms. Shondel Hope, expressed gratitude to the First Lady, who brought, “one of her many initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment to our women in Georgetown.”

Ms. Hope noted that this programme helps to advance President David Granger’s efforts to promote enterprise in Guyana’s economy.

Meanwhile, Facilitator from Interweave Solutions (Guyana) International, Mr. Sanjay Pooran, said that the workshop is three-fold in its intent. It aims to build the participant’s business acumen, while equipping them with the skills to improve their families and contribute

to the enhancement of their communities.

To date, 594 women, and some men, have successfully earned their certifications when the First Lady took the workshop across the country, targeting stakeholders in farflung communities such as Mabaruma and Port Kaituma, Barima-Waini (Region One), Essequibo, Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two), and several riverine communities in Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three).

Workshops have also been held in Sophia, Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), Fort Wellington, Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five), Kildonan, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six), Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven), Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) and, Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region Ten). (Ministry of the Presidency)

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, (seated, third from left) is flanked by, from left to right: Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Yvonne Smith of the Office of the First Lady, Facilitator from Interweave Solutions (Guyana) Incorporated, Mr. Sanjay Pooran, and PNCR Secretary of the Georgetown District, Ms. Shondel Hope

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 12, 2017

National response to Irma – Gov’t, private sector to coordinate relief efforts for storm-hit islands

By Svetlana Marshall WITH a commitment to contribute $10M (US$50,000) to aid in relief efforts, the government and the private sector on Monday agreed to a national response to assist the various Caribbean islands hit by Hurricane Irma last week.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo made the disclosure of government’s contributions on Monday during a meeting with Minister of State Joseph Harmon; Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix; The Civil Defence Commission (CDC); Digicel; GTT; The Guyana Defense Force (GDF); the Private Sector Commission (PSC); The Guyana Red Cross Society; UNICEF and UN representatives.

The well-attended meeting was held to discuss the country’s collaborative and strategic response in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, reputedly one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin which left a devastating impact on Caribbean countries like Barbuda.

The Prime Minister said that at a meeting summoned

by President David Granger on Monday morning, a Ministerial Task Force was formed to coordinate Government’s effort. (See other story on Page 3). The Prime Minister has been appointed Chairman of the Task Force.

He said it was at that high-level meeting that the decision was made to contribute US$50, 000 (G$10M) to the CDEMA Fund, explaining that due to fact that the affected countries would need immediate supplies, it is believed that financial support from the government is the best option.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said, too, that seeing that Guyanese are also victims of the storm, there was a need to map out protocols and strategies that clearly state that Guyana stands ready to assist the collective efforts towards all affected Caribbean countries. “We have Guyanese nationals in some of these islands; Barbuda, for example, that has been almost totally flattened,” the PM said, adding: “And I understand that most of the inhabitants have been airlifted to Antigua.

The question is whether they would want to come home even temporarily, and wheth-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addressing stakeholders during the meeting at the PSC Head Office

er we have the platform to take care of them; the multifaceted needs that we would have to look towards.”

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION With communication and electricity being cut off in many of the territories, and the fact that affected Guyanese have been unable to meet with their Consuls because of physical impediment, the Prime Minister said there needs to be a communications platform for the gathering of names.

“We have not been able to communicate to persons in Guyana whether their loved ones are safe…We need to build a communication platform to have at our disposal a full listing of all Guyanese, however possible, as best as we could,” he explained.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon informed the stakeholders present that CARICOM Heads of Government conducted a Skype Conference on Saturday, during which certain decisions were made. One such decision was to allow the CARICOM Secretariat and the Organisation of American States (OAS) to embrace the work of CDEMA. He noted that CDEMA has been in constant contact with the CDC from the onset, providing “daily situation reports”. He said that while the government stands ready to assist, through the coordinated efforts of the CDC, the response must be a national one.

“Our response to this matter has to be a national one; the government alone cannot do this,” Minister Harmon emphasised.

Meanwhile, in a presentation on the impact of Hurricane Irma, followed

by Hurricane Jose, on the Caribbean, CDC Deputy Director-General, Major Kester

Craig explained that Irma, the 9th named Hurricane of the 2017 Caribbean Atlantic Season (June 1-November 20), developed into a Category 5 Hurricane on September 5.

It had a maximum sustained wind of 185 MPH with higher gusts.

ISLAND BY ISLAND It was noted that Barbuda, Anguilla, BVI, Turks and Caicos, Saint Martin and Sint Maarten were among the islands that were significantly affected after Irma made its initial landfall in the Caribbean on September 6.

To date, 26 persons have been confirmed dead. “The number of persons dead and missing is expected to rise as communications and access are gradually restored across the Caribbean,” Major Craig explained.

“Several organizations are deploying prepositioned teams and supplies to begin recovery efforts and assessments as quickly as possible,” he added.

He however noted that the majority of the Caribbean islands battered by Irma were spared by Hurricane Jose.

Alluding to the impact on CDEMA Participating States, Major Craig pointed out that the hurricane’s impact on Anguilla was high, with four fatalities recorded. Additionally, 90% of the electricity infrastructure has been damaged on the island, along with 90% of government buildings and businesses. Ninety per cent of the roads have also been deemed impassable.

Antigua and the Bahamas recorded low levels of impact, but Barbuda was not spared. According to Major Craig, one person was killed during the storm, while 1413 persons have been evacuated from the island to Antigua.

Like Anguilla, 90% of Barbuda’s electricity infrastructure has been damaged,

along with significant damages to critical facilities such as roads, water and communication systems. Approximately 99% of its building stock has been damaged; a total of 1084 structures.

In the British Virgin Islands, four deaths have been confirmed, while in Haiti, one person was killed, and one is reported missing. In the BVI, the impact was high, but in Dominica, Haiti, Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis, it was not so severe.

In St Martin/Sint Maarten, nine fatalities were confirmed, while four deaths were confirmed in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), and three in Puerto Rico.

All these islands were significantly affected, but the impacts were not so severe in the Dominican Republic and neighbouring Cuba.

PRIORITY NEEDS Major Craig stated that the priority needs are monetary contributions to provide needed relief supplies, and to assist support teams being deployed. Additionally, he noted that there was a need for aerial and marine transportation.

Thus far, CDEMA has established an Emergency Assistance Fund, while a CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit has been deployed to BVI. “The team comprised nine soldiers from the Barbados Defence Force. An 18-member combined response team was also deployed to Anguilla and the BVI,” he pointed out.

The CDB, he added, has provided a grant of US$150,000 to support regional response actions through the CDEMA, while Emergency Response Grants (ERGs) of US$200,000 will be made available to Anguilla, TCI, the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda. Additionally, the international Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have provided over 60, 000 swiss francs to the National Red Cross Societies in Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Major Craig noted, too, that the Regional Security System (RSS) has issued an initial Warning Order to its Member States to have 15 persons per Force on 24 hours’ notice to move to be deployed to Antigua to

conduct disaster relief operations. Guyana, according to Minister Harmon, has already selected its 15 military personnel to be deployed, and is and awaiting the call.

COMMITTED PSC Executive Member, Mr Ramesh Dookhoo said the private sector is committed to the cause, and will step up to the challenge, noting that once the list detailing the required materials and supplies is provided, it will respond. “You have the full support of the private sector,” he told the government officials.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament, Mr Irfaan Ali pledged the Opposition’s support to bringing relief to the affected countries. Gerry Gouveia, another PSC Executive, suggested that a reconnaissance team be sent in on the ground to establish the required linkages. Similar sentiments were expressed by Major General Norman McLean, but CDC Head, Colonel (Rtd) Chabilal Ramsarup said there’s no need for such action, since CDEMA has been providing all critical information needed. Major General (Rtd) Joseph Singh, in making his contribution, suggested that a bank account be established for financial contributions.

He also posited that relatives of those living in affected islands should be asked to provide the Foreign Affairs Ministry with their names, so that contact can be made, and relief provided. He noted, too, that skilled personnel from GPL and GTT should be mobilised to assist when the need arises.

The stakeholders have agreed to form a committee to spearhead the relief response to complement the support being provided by the government and CDC.

US-based Lindener busted with 1828 grams of cocaine at CJIA

RANKS of the Police Narcotics Branch attached to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Monday afternoon intercepted an outgoing passenger who was destined for the USA with 1,828 grams of cocaine.

A police release stated that ranks found the drugs while conducting a search of the passenger’s luggage.

The suspect who gave investigators two addresses, one at Kara Kara, Linden and Ozone Park, USA, is being processed for court.

Meanwhile, in another matter police said ranks acting on information went to the Bartica Stelling about 18:35h on

Monday and arrested a 30-year-old Fifth Avenue, Bartica, resident after a search of a box in his possession revealed in excess of two kilograms of cannabis in several taped parcels. The suspect who is a taxi driver is also being processed for court.

Some of the marijuana found at Bartica

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Building climate resilience – Region 5 farmer encouraging colleagues ‘to go climate-smart’

By Navendra Seoraj FARMERS from across the country record tangible losses every year during the rainy season, and even during extremely hot periods.

But Dhaniram Ramchand, a 38-year-old farmer of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) is trying to sensitise his counterparts on a way to reduce their losses.

As touted by many institutions, particularly the Office for Climate Change, farmers need to adopt a more “climate-smart” approach to agriculture, especially now that the changes in weather patterns have become unusual because of global warming.

Dhaniram, of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, is one of the famers who has started the process of changing the way he cultivates his crops.

Instead of the traditional open-air farming, the innovator has implemented shadehouse and greenhouse systems to protect his crops from the harsh weather patterns which are seemingly becoming unpredictable.

Dhaniram told this publication that in the past, farm-

A typical shade house

ers were able to predict the seasonal weather patterns.

But now, because of climate change and global warming, it is becoming difficult, so they get long periods of rain or sun when they least expect it.

“Sometimes we get one week rainfall, which brings everything down; and then a next time we get extreme heat. So I choose to be prepared for both,” he said.

Dhaniram explained that his greenhouse has an Ultra Violet (UV) plastic, which

reduces the sunlight which reaches the crops by almost 50 per cent. The same systems also protect the crops from excessive rainfall.

In addition, those farmers who utilise the greenhouse and shadehouse methods reportedly make double the money in profits, because they produce for an entire year as compared to four to five months a year with openair farming.

According to Dhaniram, the protective abilities of the greenhouse method results

in the yield being doubled as compared to the open-air farming. Many farmers rate the greenhouse systems as more effective because of those reasons.

He plants tomatoes, lettuce, celery, and bell peppers among other things, but he believes that anything can be planted with the use of the greenhouse and shadehouse systems.

ON THE MOVE Dhaniram is, however,

on the move to help other farmers in the area, and even those in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to get the same results as he.

Every month, the farmer takes a trip to Region Six, where he sells seedlings.

But his crusade does not stop there; he also uses the opportunity to sensitise farmers on the benefits of shadehouse and greenhouse farming.

Farmers in Region Five have also benefitted from the advice and guidance they get from Dhaniram.

A young farmer from Bath Settlement, who goes by the name of Vick, said he installed the same systems after hearing about their benefits and the efficiency.

Reports had, however, indicated that although the notion of “going green” is reportedly the best solution to mitigating the effects of the global change in climatic conditions, experts say once the right methods of farming are not employed, more greenhouse gases can be emitted.

Executive Director of Global Economic Cooperation, Trade and Investment within the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs, Mr Rawle Lucas, reportedly addressed the harmful effects of chemical fertilisers to both land and air because of the gases they emit. “Agriculture is contributing to 24 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions around the world,” Lucas said.

“We are not doing anything different from those other countries, so it is clearly an issue for us to focus on,” he added.

He pointed to the urgent need for farmers to do things differently; to recognise and change their current methods of production, as it cannot work any longer.

His comments were particularly directed at those who have a marked preference for fertiliser use in rice production. It was outlined that the fertiliser is not “ozone-friendly”, and therefore there is need to negotiate with farmers locally and from other countries to accept the changes that are necessary.

Specialists say that climate-smart agriculture is a business model that increases agricultural output, while maintaining, or lowering, amounts of inputs, such as land, water or fertiliser.

Cuba faces period of darkness, rebuilding – in wake of Hurricane Irma “THIS didn’t even happen during the so-called Storm of the Century in 1993,” said Yaritza Mendoza, the floodwaters lapping around her knees.

“We’ve never seen the water reach Linea before.”

For those not familiar with the beautiful Havana district of Vedado, the street name of “Linea” might not mean much, but for residents of the Cuban capital, it is one of the city’s reference points.

For days, much of this most treasured neighbourhood has been submerged.

Hurricane Irma brought water and debris crashing over the seawall of the Malecon, Havana’s waterfront boulevard, and into the district’s art deco and modernist buildings. Once the storm surge hit Linea, it was some six blocks up from Malecon.

Ground floor apartments were inundated, possessions

ruined, and entire livelihoods were put at risk among those running small businesses from their homes.

The streets of Vedado briefly became canals, with the emergency services going from home to home by boat to rescue the elderly and infirm.

In that regard, Yaritza, who lives on the tenth floor of a building on Linea, considers herself fortunate.

“Thanks to God, I’ve not heard of anyone that has died, but there have been very big material losses,” she says, her children wading through the fetid water in bare feet or flip-flops.

Then, as we are speaking, a forensic team arrives to remove the body of Nieves Martinez, an 89-year-old whose body was found floating in the waters outside her home.

It was a tragic and timely

sign of what the government would later confirm via state media: There were 10 deaths in Cuba as a result of Hurricane Irma.

Elsewhere in the city, in the much poorer district of Centro Habana, Yolendis Castillo and Maria del Carmen Arregoitia, both aged 27, died when a fourth floor balcony collapsed on a bus in which they were travelling.

As many local residents make their way through floods to get in and out, Havana remains a city largely in the dark. The fear is that it could take weeks for the power to be fully returned.

All of this, and Hurricane Irma really only grazed Havana.

The areas further east, which were directly under the eye of the storm, were devastated; particularly the fishing village of Caibarien and the outlying cays such as Cayo Coco.

Images released by state

media show the roof of the international airport in Cayo Coco caved in.

Incredibly, visitors were flying into that airport as recently as Wednesday, just a day before the cay was evacuated in a convoy of buses.

Gill Wilkinson from Nottinghamshire was among them.

“It was truly frightening,” says Gill, adding: “They really should have got us out earlier. We saw the Canadians leave, the Argentines leave, and we were all sitting in that hotel and with no-one telling us anything.”

Now in a hotel in Varadero, a resort much closer to Havana, she is part of a group of British holidaymakers who are fuming at their travel agent, Thomas Cook, and the British Foreign Office.

“The Cuban people were the only ones who’ve actually looked after us,” said Angelique Wood, another stranded visitor from Derby.

Thomas Cook has defended itself, saying the company followed the Cuban government’s emergency instructions to the letter.

Meanwhile, the British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, described as “completely wrong” the criticism that the UK government’s response to the crisis in the Caribbean was slow or inept.

Still, no-one should confuse matters.

Hurricane Irma in Cuba is not about disgruntled holidaymakers, no matter how difficult the past few days have been for them.

It is about the families of Nieves Martinez, Yolendis Castillo, Maria del Carmen Arregoitia and seven others.

It is about entire communities wondering how they are going to rebuild when they were among some of the poorest on the island in the first place.

It is about swathes of Cuba facing uncertain

months ahead, possibly trying to cope in the dark.

The rebuilding of key infrastructure will take time and money that simply doesn’t exist.

President Raul Castro praised the Cuban people for their response to the disaster so far, and promised to reconstruct after the damage.

“In these difficult circumstances, of greatest importance is the unity between Cubans, the solidarity between neighbours, and the discipline before the instructions emitted by the National Civil Defence and the Defence Council at every level,” he wrote in a letter to the nation.

Yaritza Mendoza will also be turning to another power.

“We just have to have faith that God is going to help us,” she said, shaking her head in despair at her flooded neighbourhood.

(BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 12, 2017

SMEs need more avenues for credit – Min. Gaskin promises gov’t will help SMALL and ‘micro’ businesses are, and will always be, the drivers of economic growth, in their own right, and need the financial support of agencies that can help. But these enterprises continue to face challenges obtaining credit from lending agencies, an issue the government has said it will be moving to address.

Minister of Business, Mr Dominic Gaskin, has said the government remains committed to making avenues available for these small enterprises to access credit.

He was addressing stakeholders from the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and formal lenders, including banks and micro-finance institutions at the first-ever annual Credit Info National Forum and Expo at the Georgetown Club on Monday.

The event, a collaboration between CreditInfo and the Small Business Bureau of the Ministry of Business, was organised to bring together stakeholders to raise awareness on how the Credit Bureau supports increased access to credit for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises.

It also coincided with the observance of International Credit Bureau Day. Minister Gaskin said that among the challenges faced by the small business sector in Guyana is its inability to access finance for new and

Minister of Business, Mr Dominic Gaskin, addressing stakeholders at Monday’s CreditInfo National Forum and Expo at the Georgetown Club

expanding business projects, and to sustain operations over short periods. The result of this, he said, are missed opportunities to expand and develop the economy.

“And small businesses already have particular challenges, which make lending to them more risky,” he said.

According to the minister, because they play such an important role in the economy, lending agencies should want small businesses to succeed. As such, financial solutions need to be developed to make the process much easier.

“In order to develop solutions for small businesses, it is important to understand the needs of these businesses and the needs of the sector they operate,” the minister said, adding that business-

es have different financial needs which cannot all be met the same way.

He related that if interest rates are high, for whatever reason, it would be difficult for businesses to operate competitively. “If you’re paying interest at 15 per cent, then you are paying a lot of interest; and you will have to be very precise in your plans, and careful in your spending in order to service that debt, especially in the medium to long-term goals,” Minister Gaskin contended.

He said the government will seek to provide solutions that would make it much easier for small and ‘micro’ enterprises to access credit. But the reality, he said, is that most of these enterprises operate formally, a situation that really does not provide the kind of returns the government would hope to see from them.

The minister said that anyone running a business, no matter how big or small, has certain responsibilities to fulfill. A small operator who is not looking to file National Insurance Scheme (NIS), he said, will not keep the kind of records that would allow a lending agency to make an assessment, should he need credit.

He said the government would like to see more simplified processes for small businesses all around, including compliance at the

Venezuelan gunmen storm NWD mining camp JOINT Services ranks were on Monday dispatched to the Five Star backdam in the North West District following a robbery on Sunday afternoon.

Reports from the area are that a group of armed men, suspected to be Venezuelans, invaded a mining camp on Sunday afternoon at Five Star.

Divisional Commander, Rabindranath Budhram, told the Guyana Chronicle that one person sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.

Reports are that 18-year old Troy Joseph of the Falls Top mining area, located between Port Kaituma and

Matthews Ridge was shot and the man was taken the Matthews Ridge Hospital for treatment.

There have been several incidents involving suspected Venezuelan gunmen committing robberies close to the mining areas at the border.

In July this year, three Port Kaituma, North West District miners met a brutal end following a robbery at a mining camp on Venezuela’s side of the border.

The men, Vernon Eudoxie, 63, Cologne Solomon, 23, an ex-policeman and Samuel Moses, 19, were killed during the incident at a Brazilian-owned mining

camp at an area known as “Imatake Backdam” across the Venezuela border. Another man, Joel Paton, 19, of Supenaam, was injured and was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), after being transferred from the Port Kaituma Hospital.

Miners in the area told this newspaper that there are groups of Venezuelans known as “sindicatos” of “malandros” who would “control” mining areas in that country’s side of the border. The miners are made to pay a percentage of their mining earnings to the groups.

CreditInfo Guyana CEO, Ms Judy Semple-Joseph

Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) or the NIS, or any other government agency they may be required to pass

through in order to operate formal businesses. The government would also want to ensure that these businesses are paying taxes, he said.

“So, as a government, we see small businesses as a source of employment generation, tax revenue generation, and a key contributor to GDP growth,” Minister Gaskin said.

“We will continue to play an active role in the growth and development of that sector,” he added.

CreditInfo Guyana Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Judy Semple-Joseph, said the entity is pleased with what it has been able to accomplish over the last

few years of its existence in Guyana, and that it is now a very functioning entity to both suppliers and the wider commercial sector.

“We now have all the banks signed up to Credit Bureau… We are still a work in progress, but we are confident that we provide a service that is very much needed,” Ms Semple-Joseph said.

The license to Credit Bureau was granted to CreditInfo, an Icelandic company which began 20 years ago. Its service has expanded across some 29 countries, and hopes to reach a maximum 50 in three years’ time.

Accused gold chain thief remanded

A 26-year-old clothes vendor accused of snatching a woman’s chain at Bourda Market, was on Monday arraigned before City Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Dewayne Phillips of East Ruimveldt, denied that on September 5 at North Road, Bourda, while being in the company of another man and armed with a gun, he robbed Shenatta Ann Boyce of a gold chain and

pendant valued $168,000.

According to reports, on the day in question, Boyce was at Bourda Market purchasing fruits when it is alleged that the defendant pointed a gun at her and demanded her gold chain and made good his escape with it.

Magistrate Latchman remanded Phillips until September 25.

Man robbed of $950,000 gold and diamond chain A 33-year-old taxi driver was on Monday remanded to prison by City Magistrate, Judy Latchman, on a charge of robbery under arms.

It is alleged that Lester Joseph on September 2, 2017 at King Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of another and armed with guns robbed Collen Acro of a gold and diamond chain valued

$950,000.

During the said robbery, it is also alleged that Joseph discharged a loaded firearm at Acro with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Joseph was also charged for being in possession of a .32 pistol along with five matching rounds when he was not a licensed firearm holder.

The unrepresented man de-

nied all of the charges.

Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves, objected to Joseph being released on bail on the grounds that the accused poses as a flight risk and the seriousness of the charges. Magistrate Latchman remanded Joseph until September 28 and transferred the matter to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

Agricola man in court for robbing Jus Water workers A 24-year-old man was on Monday remanded to prison by City Magistrate, Judy Latchman, for allegedly robbing two Jus Waters’ employees.

Dexter Wray of Agricola, East Bank Demerara, is accused of, while being in the company of another man and armed with guns, on September 2,2017 at Houston, EBD, robbed Roxanne John of $50, 500 worth in cash and items, the property of Vic Ouditt.

It is further alleged

that Wray and another also robbed Mark Josiah of $25,000 in cash.

Wray denied both of the charges and his lawyer, Paul Fung-a-fat, made an application for bail.

According to reports, John and Josiah are employees at Jus Water located at Houston, EBD, and it is alleged that on the day in question about 17:15 hours, Wray along with another rode up on a motorcycle and rushed into the said business place and held up the two

employees at gun point.

The men made good their escape with the items mentioned in the charge, however Wray was later arrested and positively pointed out by the victims during an identification parade.

Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves objected to Wray being released on bail due to the seriousness of the crime. Magistrate Latchman ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded the accused until September 25 for report.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 12, 2017

GCCI President plugs inclusivity

– calls for ‘national conversation’ on oil & gas expenditure PRESIDENT of the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar, has called for a national conversation on how the monies generated by Guyana’s prospective oil and gas sector will be expended.

Asked by reporters about the issue on the sidelines of a stakeholder engagement recently, Mr Indar opined that there is an entire “laundry list” of matters pertaining to the proposed development of the oil industry before 2020 that needs further examination.

But chief among those concerns, he said, is a pronouncement on how oil revenues will be expended.

“Most of all, we need to have some document, some law, some policy or something to say what we are doing with the money that we are going to receive from Exxon [Mobil],” Indar underscored.

He is of the opinion that

in much the same way that there was stakeholder involvement in the development of the Local Content Policy, there should be an inclusion of the local people when deciding how the oil revenues should be spent.

“We need to have a sit down, just as we did with Local Content Policy, to ensure that the policy we have, the Guyanese people are part of that design,” he said.

He has a few ideas of where he feels that money should be channeled, and one of them has to do with the institutional development of such institutions as the security, fire and health services, the education sector, transportation, infrastructure, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

He is, however, optimistic that when the time comes, the right decision will be taken. “I’m sure that when it comes to the policy

GCCI President, Mr Deodat Indar

to deal with how we spend the country’s oil revenues, a national conversation will take place,” Indar said.

But expenditure aside, Indar also feels just as strongly about the finalisation of the legislations for the Petroleum Commission

and Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), to the extent that he wants an all-inclusive national conversation on them too.

The draft Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill was prepared by the Commonwealth Secretariat, and has benefitted from extensive consultations from a number of Guyana’s multilateral and bilateral partners.

Finance Minister, Mr Winston Jordan, who is responsible for presenting this Bill to the National Assembly, had reassured earlier this year at a Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Limited’s (GMSA) business dinner that the legislation will be made available to the public for wide consultations before being presented to the House.

The Petroleum Commission Bill, on the other hand, has been sent to a special select committee for bi-partisan deliberations.

Man freed of rape charge KELVIN Lanserman on Monday walked out the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court a free man after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of allegedly engaging in sexual penetration with a 21-year-old woman.

The 27-year-old looked relieved when the verdict was announced and he was told by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall that he was free to go.

State Prosecutor Lisa Cave told the court that on October 22, 2014 at Ruby Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, he offered to drop the young woman who is known

to him, at her baby-sitter to drop off her child.

Cave said it was about 21:50hrs on the night in question Lanserman took the woman to the location, after which she dropped her child. When she came out she noticed that Lanserman was still waiting on the road and she re-entered the car after he told her he was going her way and he would drop her off.

The prosecutor added that when Lanserman drove off he locked the doors, while she was seated in the back seat of the vehicle. The court heard that at this point the young woman observed

that Lanserman was going in the opposite direction and he started to verbally abuse her.

The 21-year-old requested to be put off but her pleas went unanswered and Lanserman, she alleged, took off his pants after which he choked her by the neck. Cave said the suspect then opened the car door and she tried to escape but he dragged her to the car and took out his penis.

At this point, Cave told the court that Lanserman reportedly choked her for a second time and forced her to perform oral sex on him.

The woman reported that the suspect, after she did the act,

ejaculated in her mouth and forced her to perform oral sex again during which he was masturbating. Cave said the suspect then took out his cell phone and viewed pornography videos and ordered the mother of one to perform oral sex on him for the third time. It is alleged that Lanserman then had vaginal sex with her against her will.

The accused was represented by Melvin Duke in the case, which started last week Tuesday after a 12-member jury was empaneled. The jury took a few hours to return with a unanimous verdict of not guilty.

Police report 18% drop No bail for porter on in murder drug trafficking charge Statistics released by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday revealed that there has been an 11 per cent reduction in serious crimes at the end of August, 2017, relative to the same period last year.

Among the serious crimes policed by the Force are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, burglary, break and enter, rape, larceny from the person and kidnapping.

Thus far there was an 18 per cent decrease in murder; a 16 per cent decrease in

robbery under arms where firearms were used; a five per cent decrease in robbery under arms where instruments other than firearms were used; a 41 per cent increase in robbery with violence; a 20 per cent increase in robbery with aggravation; a 27 per cent increase in larceny from the person; a six per cent decrease in rape; an eight per cent decrease in burglary; a 19 per cent decrease in break and enter and larceny, and in respect of robbery where no instruments were used, the figure reflected the same as the corresponding period last year.

A 21-year-old porter was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan for alleged drug trafficking.

It is alleged that Stephen Banwarrie of Triumph, East Coast Demerara, on September 8, 2017 at Sherima Police Checkpoint, had 63 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Banwarrie denied the charge.

According to Police Prosecutor, Arwin Moore, while at Sherima Police Checkpoint Banwarrie was

searched by police and the drug was found in his pants.

During the police investigation, it was revealed by persons who were travelling in the vehicle with Banwarrie that he had pulled out the drug during the journey and was enquiring from persons if they wanted to ‘smoke.’

The Chief Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Banwarrie until September 28, where the matter will be called at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

More cops netted in tint campaign

A corporal stationed in Essequibo removed tint from his private vehicle

AS the Guyana Police Force tint campaign continues ranks of ‘G’ Division (Essequibo Coast/ Islands) were made to conform to the tint regulations on vehicles.

All unauthorised ranks were made to strip tints from their private vehicles.

Traffic Chief, Dion Moore, started the campaign last month. Moore pointed out that ranks were warned on the first occasion but after not adhering to the laws, they had to face disciplinary actions; more ranks will face the same fate if they do not comply

with the law.

Most of the vehicles which have been stripped belong to lower level officers who are new to the force. “How can we begin to address issues affecting the public when we do not have it right… we must first look at ourselves in order to ensure that our ranks do not do the same wrong things,” he said.

The Guyana Police Force is warning those whose vehicles are tinted, but do not have the requisite permission, to remove the tint or face the consequences.

Police file 48,936 traffic violation cases BETWEEN January and August, 31 2017 police filed 48, 936 cases of Traffic violations of which 15, 335 were for speeding and 1,278 for driving under the influence of alcohol, according to statistics revealed by police on Monday.

Other charges included: 2,548 for breach of condition of road service license/music; 921 for using cell phone while driving; 876 for breach of traffic light signal; 1,003 for tinted motor vehicle; 565 for unlicensed driver; 1,060 for failing to wear seat belt; 622 for dangerous driving; 613 for careless driving; 469 for failing to wear safety helmet; 1,462 for overload minibus; 866 for obstruction; 1,255 for failing to confirm to sign; 920 for crossing double yellow line; while 19,143 were for other offences.

Meanwhile, the statis-

tics noted that there was a 24 per cent decrease in fatal accidents at the end of August, 2017. Serious, minor and damage accidents have also been reduced by 8.3%, 15.2% and 27% respectively.

Police said speeding and inattentiveness are the two leading causes of fatal accidents, followed by driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to confirm to sign and pedestrian crossing in the path of approaching vehicle.

Public Relations Officer of the GPF, Jairam Ramlakhan, noted that the excellent collaboration that exists among law enforcement and members of civil society and most importantly, the ongoing operations and presence of member of the Joint Services across the country, have resulted in the reduction of serious crimes and accidents.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 12, 2017

EU releases €2M for UNODC to Irma-hit Caribbean islands bolster Guyana’s anti-corruption regime

THE Anti-Corruption Adviser for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr. David Robinson, on Monday paid a courtesy call on Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, to discuss a work plan aimed at strengthening this country’s anti-corruption regime.

In a release, the AG’s Chambers said that Robinson’s visit comes at a time when he is preparing to spearhead the GUY24 project which aims to support the prevention, investigation and prosecution of corruption in Guyana. Mr. Robinson has informed the Attorney General that he has drafted an anti-corrup-

tion work plan which sets out his planned activities to strengthen Guyana’s anti-corruption regime. The plan is to be reviewed by the government.

Additionally, Mr. Robinson will be collaborating with all the anti-corruption agencies and stakeholders including the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), States Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), to execute the work plan Williams in response to the plans outlined by Robinson, has indicated that the Government welcomes his presence and expertise in Guyana, and is willing to work with the UNODC as

anti-corruption is high on the administration’s agenda.

The AG further stated that the Government is currently working to strengthen the SOCU by building capacity and training persons within that unit, the release added.

The Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs has embarked on an anti-corruption sensitisation seminar which aims to educate the public on legislation and bills aimed to tackle corruption in Guyana. Also in attendance at the meeting were, Sydney James, Head of SOCU; Matthew Langevine, Director of the FIU; and Ms. Joann Bond, Senior Parliamentary Counsel.

Attorney General, Basil Williams flanked by, (from l-r) Sydney James, Head of SOCU; David Robinson, Anti-Corruption Adviser for (UNODC); Matthew Langevine, Director of the FIU and Ms. Joann Bond, Senior Parliamentary Counsel

Biker bandits rob man $1.7M at traffic light TWO unidentified bandits on a white scrambler motorcycle robbed a Sankar Auto Works employee of $1.7M in cash at the Blygezight/Bel Air junction, Railway Embankment on Saturday.

Reports indicate that the victim went to his workplace, Sankar Auto Works on Sheriff Street and collected the cash to purchase materials and pay workers at Giftland

Mall. He placed the cash, which was in a black plastic bag, on the front passenger seat of his car and drove north on Sheriff Street then east on the Railway Embankment and stopped at the traffic light behind three other vehicles.

The Sankar’s employee had all his windows up at the time. The suspected bandits on motorcycle rode up behind his car from the western

direction and the pillion rider dismounted and rushed to the vehicle pointing the firearm at the driver, while hitting the windscreen.

The bandit then pulled open the passenger side door and picked up the black plastic bag with cash and returned to the motorcycle and made good his escape.

When contacted police confirmed the robbery occurred and noted that no shots were fired and there was no injury, as investigations continue.

Biker killed in Tucville crash POLICE are investigating a fatal accident that occurred at Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt on Monday, which resulted in the death of a motorcyclist.

Dead is Sunil Samaroo, 23 years, of Caneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara.

Pillion rider Keitze Bazilo, 24 years, of 33 Howes

Street, Charlestown was also injured in the crash.

Police said investigations revealed that Samaroo, who was riding an unregistered motorcycle, along with the pillion rider, was alleged to have been racing with two other motorcycles. It is alleged that he was racing east along the said road, when in the vicinity of the Tucville

Bridge he lost control, causing himself and Bazilo to fall off the motorcycle. They sustained severe injuries.

The duo was taken to the Woodlands Hospital in an unconscious state; where the rider was pronounced dead on arrival.

The pillion rider remains admitted in the ICU, in a critical condition.

THE European Union (EU) has released €2 million for the most affected islands in the Caribbean as it continues to mobilise resources to respond to Hurricane Irma.

In a statement EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides said Hurricane Irma has left a trail of devastation across many countries and it is their moral duty to help those in need whose lives and homes are being destroyed or severely threatened. “We stand in full solidarity with all those in the Caribbean and in the USA during and after the storm, for as long as it takes,” Stylianides said.

Last week the EU mobilised emergency response tools and its 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre has been in continuous coordination with EU Member States on any assistance required. “Today additional EU funding is on its way.

We have now released an initial amount of humanitarian assistance of €2 million for the most affected islands in the Caribbean. This will help support key sectors such as water and sanitation, health, waste management, logistics,” the EU commissioner

EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides

said.

Further Stylianides said funding for reconstruction efforts is of course available in terms of longer term assistance. “This new support comes on top of our EU Copernicus satellite support, which has been providing essential mapping services since last week. EU humanitarian experts deployed across the region continue to help the local authorities and coordinate aid deliveries.

“Let me make it clear that any country in the region can request our help through the EU Civil Protection Mecha-

nism. We stand ready to provide any further assistance to the affected countries,” Stylianides added.

The EU mobilised all its emergency response tools last week before Hurricane Irma approached the Caribbean. As a first step last week, the EU’s Copernicus satellite mapping system was activated to deliver high quality maps for Guadeloupe, Saint Barthélémy and Saint Martin at the request of France, and of St Maarten at the request of the Netherlands, as well as for the British Virgin Islands. The Commission has also activated Copernicus for areas of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The Commission is also supporting a Disaster Relief Emergency Fund operation by the International Federation of the Red Cross, providing basic relief kits to the affected populations in Antigua and Barbuda.

Furthermore, a team of EU humanitarian experts is deployed in Haiti and in the Dominican Republic.

The EU also supported the US authorities during Hurricane Harvey by providing use of its Copernicus satellite service.

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A craft shop

Food stalls

GUYANA CHRONICLE,TUESDAY September 12, 2017

Pakuri Village

The President being led into the village by Chief Le

A day out with

--at St. Cuthber

Piwari stall

A child in all her traditional finery

One of the many craft stalls in the village

Residents of Pakuri Village

Part of the gathering at Paku

President David Granger (second right) as he arrived at Pakuri Village in the company of Chief Lenox Shuman and his wife (second and first left, respectively), and Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Mr Sydney Allicock (right)

The childr

GUYANA CHRONICLE,TUESDAY September 12, 2017

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A dance item from members of the Lokono Wiwas

enox Shuman and Minister Sydney Allicock

h the President

rt’s Mission

uri on Saturday

ren of Pakuri Village patiently awaiting the arrival of President David Granger on Saturday

Members of the Pakuri Culture Group doing the ‘Hikuri Beni (Turtle Dance)’

A cultural item by Pakuri residents

President David Granger on tour of Pakuri Village (Photos by Delano Williams)

‘Squatters hindering our progress’ 16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 12, 2017

– Sophia residents tell CHPA officials THE steady stream of squatters that continues to invade sections of Sophia, now referred to as South Georgetown, is said to be causing a delay in developmental works in the communities.

At least this is according to residents who have been allotted their house lots during the regularisation process. While the area has not yet been officially handed over to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), residents are aware that sooner than later they will be required to begin paying their rates and taxes.

With this in mind, they say it is only fair that their immediate needs be addressed.

The issue was raised on Sunday during a massive turnout of residents from ‘A’ and ‘B’ Fields at the Sophia Primary School to meet with officials of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA).

The consultation was held to inform residents about the Ministry of Communities’ reformulation of the road network programme.

Residents raised a number of issues, among them the problem of improper drainage and irrigation,

which they say has been causing major discomfort whenever it rains.

One resident, James Hermonstine, told officials that residents had made several requests to the Ministry to have the ‘A’ Field canal desilted.

“They are willing to do it, but because of the influx of squatters on the dam, they don’t have the machine,” Hermonstine said. “The machine that they have available to move that desilting is the track machine, but because of the squatters on the dam, they are hindered to do the desilting work,” he told the three-member team.

SQUATTING HOUSES According to the resident, previously, there were just about 13 squatters; now there are over 55 squatting houses.

“When you have flood, the faeces and so on flows in to the residential area where people who are qualified to live in their homes are suffering. Now it is not fair,” Hermonstine lamented.

He said that even if residents decide that they want to form a self-help group to clean the canal, they cannot do so because of the many illegal electrical wires that

Homes of persons occupying the dam at ‘A’ Field, Sophia

are exposed and running along the trench.

“I am saying that there is no sense we do this; no sense we put up street lights and we have no proper drainage,” Hermonstine said, in reference to the reformulation plans.

Responding to the concerns that were raised at the meeting on Sunday, Community Development Director, Gladwin Charles, said the issue remains a worrisome one for the Ministry of Communities, but that officials will this week be meeting to hold discussions on the relocation plans for

squatters.

He noted that since the announcement some weeks ago, by the minister responsible for housing, that the government would be looking for an area to relocate those persons on the reserves, the number of squatters has grown considerably.

“We notice that more people are going on the dams; they think that if they go there, they will qualify,” Charles said, adding: “But that is not the case.

We have all the information as to who are the people are there, and those are the people we will be dealing with;

not the new persons.”

TOTAL REGULARISATION He, however, made a call for persons who are in a “desperate” situation to visit the ministry and make their application. He emphasised that the ministry is focused on total regularisation, and hopes that every person who chooses to live in the community would come to that realisation as well.

According to Charles, the ministry is also working on a plan to hand over the community to the M&CC, so that more developmental work

could be done. “It may look like we are ignoring it, but that is not the case,” he said.

Back in June, the CHPA had said it was engaging financial agencies, including the Inter-American Bank (IDB,) to secure funding for low-cost housing.

Minister Valerie Adams-Patterson had said at the time that the intention was to improve the conditions under which the people live.

Specific emphasis, she said, would be placed on Sophia and East and West Ruimveldt in Georgetown.

“It makes no sense you remove a squatter and give them a piece of land; they are going to move the very shack they’re living in to that location,” she said, adding: “You are just transferring a shanty town from one area to the next; and that is not what this government wants for our people...

“So, my belief is that we must be able to have some low-cost houses built; whether self-help or others.”

The CHPA said it hopes to improve the living standards of persons, in keeping with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ensuring access to safe and affordable housing. It hopes to relocate close to 12,000 persons.

CDB unveils finance package for storm-hit islands …Jagdeo calls for immediate evacuation of Guyanese THE Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has announced support for its borrowing member countries (BMCs) affected by Hurricane Irma, and for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), which is coordinating the Region’s response to the affected states.

In a statement issued on Monday, the CDB said it is the process of providing Emergency Relief Grants to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. These grants, totaling US$200,000 each, will assist with costs associated with damage assessments and the provision and

transportation of emergency relief supplies, water and sanitation resources, roofing materials for emergency shelters and community buildings, and temporary shelter for displaced persons.

In addition, CDB has offered Immediate Response Loans of up to US$750,000 to the affected countries. The loans, available on highly concessionary terms, are designed to support the clearing and cleaning of areas damaged by Hurricane Irma, and the emergency restoration of services. As the Region anticipated the arrival of Hurricane Irma, the Bank also approved a fast-tracked grant of US$150,000 to CDEMA to assist with preparations for

mobilising and coordinating disaster relief.

Dr. William Warren Smith, President of CDB, noted the Bank’s commitment to providing assistance following the passage of Irma. “We reaffirm our support for our BMCs affected by this devastating hurricane. We very much regret the loss of life and infrastructure, and pledge to help the Governments and people of the impacted countries recover and rebuild in any way we possibly can,” he said.

CDB’s BMCs affected by Hurricane Irma are also eligible to receive Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Loans.

This instrument helps governments with their recovery

efforts, to rehabilitate social and economic infrastructure, and restore key economic sectors to better than pre-disaster operating levels. The loans also assist in reducing countries’ vulnerability to future disasters.

As countries work on assessing the damage caused

by Irma, CDB is also engaging development partners in discussions and planning for additional recovery and rehabilitation support. The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, a segregated portfolio company and CDB partner, announced last week that it will make payouts of US$15.6 million on their tropical cyclone policies to the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, and St. Kitts and Nevis as a result

of the passage of Hurricane Irma. Additional payouts are expected in relation to water damage from flooding and storm surges. CDB, which started outreach to BMCs in the path of Hurricane Irma before its approach, continues to collaborate with governments as they begin detailed assessments of damage caused to economic and social infrastructure.

EVACUATION Meanwhile, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo has called on the government to immediately initiate steps to provide assistance to our Caribbean brothers and sisters and to assist with the evacuation of Guyanese living on the affected islands.

In a statement, Jagdeo

said the extent of damages is insurmountable with lives lost, buildings flattened and thousands of people without access to water, food and proper shelter. “At my last press conference, I commiserated with our Caribbean brothers and sisters whose lives have been uprooted and thrown in a state of chaos as a result of Hurricane Irma, one of the most devastating in recent history.

I urged the Government of Guyana to render as much assistance that it could to alleviate the plight of those affected.” Jagdeo added that Hurricane Irma has practicably reduced some of these islands to ground zero. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the Government of Guyana to take immediate action.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Aries You aren’t thrilled if your current responsibilities prevent you from taking the course of least resistance. Nevertheless, you begrudgingly accept the limitations on your life today. You don’t like to admit it, but you’re not as free and easy as you appear from a distance. Nevertheless, you still have much to be thankful for now; even if you must work extra hard, all your fondest dreams could come true.

Eckhart Tolle wrote, “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”

Taurus You revel in the certainty that today’s good intentions will reap tomorrow’s just rewards. Although your practicality may be tested now, your consistent actions add up in your favour. Stay strong and keep the faith, even if the attainment of your goals seems closer to a distant horizon than to your doorstep. Continue moving forward one step at a time. Author Josh Shipp wrote, “Perseverance is stubbornness with a purpose.”

Gemini Difficulty in sitting still and focusing on any one thing for more than a few minutes can bring a familiar kind of trouble today. You may remember similar problems from your childhood when you were punished for not finishing what you started.

However, nothing will be gained now by slipping back into old behaviours if the current circumstances are encouraging you to work through these lingering issues once and for all. Naturalist Hal Borland wrote, “Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.”

Cancer You don’t need recognition for your hard work now; you know exactly what you bring to the party and aren’t worried about being acknowledged. However, those who have first-hand knowledge of your tenacity are pleased to shine the spotlight on you for a while. Nevertheless, receiving sweet rewards could also bring its own odd discomfort, but that’s no excuse to close down your heart. Inspirational author Scott Stabile wrote, Vulnerability supported by love is perhaps the most powerful catalyst for real connection.

Leo You possess a certain kind of good fortune today that’s worth more than winning the lottery. You have the gift of karma on your side while loving Venus in your sign receives the blessings of authoritative Saturn. If you put in the extra effort now, you might just go home with the jackpot. And, romantically, your good intentions coupled with right actions leads to the relationship stability of your dreams. But there is no free lunch. Novelist Anne Tyler wrote, “People always call it luck when you’ve acted more sensibly than they have.”

Virgo Your keen ability to eliminate extraneous activities is a definite plus, but letting your concentration lag is an invitation for distraction to creep back into your life.

Nevertheless, you can’t afford to mess up because the consequences of your inattention could be quite chaotic today. Fortunately, your current task doesn’t require rocket science, just a simple understanding of the basic laws of cause and effect. Karma is your friend.

Libra Your friends and colleagues are supporting you now in ways that aren’t obvious.

But you must still act in a manner that is worthy of their continued blessings.

Taking anyone’s approval for granted is a grave mistake that creates negative consequences. You are being called to stand on the side of justice. Choosing the road less travelled won’t guarantee your success, but it’s the only defensible first step. Saint Augustine wrote, “Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. Right is right even if no one is doing it.”

Scorpio Receiving accolades at work for all that you bring to the game feeds your ego.

However, you want practical results rather than words of appreciation and a pat on the back. If your recent contributions have been exemplary, you might be happily surprised when you are offered a raise or a promotion. Nevertheless, don’t set yourself up for failure by inflating your expectations. Dr. Debasish Mridha wrote, “If you try to find success in fame or in things, you will fail. If you find happiness in the process you will be a success.”

Sagittarius You’re not interested in superficial praise or adoring platitudes thrown your way today. You want the honest truth. You expect someone to step up and stand next to you as he or she speaks from the heart, especially if they are heaping praise on your long-term efforts. You want to be the one who can slip into a leadership role knowing that you have the support of your closest allies. Nigerian actress Sola Kosoko said, “Cleverness in itself is useless. It’s like a peacocks feathers -- an extravagant display used by those who crave attention.” The minds worth is revealed when clever solves real problems.

Capricorn What you get is what you deserve now, but you believe you have earned the right to come out on top. You quickly grow irritated with people who have been given a place at the head of the line without earning the privilege the good old-fashioned way. Nevertheless, you are the first to pay respects to anyone who shows up and contributes to the greater good without asking for anything in return. Pastor John Paul Warren said, “You will never reach your dreams without honouring others along the way.”

Aquarius You embody a strange mix of playfulness and seriousness today. Your sense of humour is working overtime, but it might seem out of place when everyone expects you to be the responsible one. However, you don’t see the conflict; you are funny because you can poke fun at the darker side of life without using your wit to avoid the gravity of a situation. In fact, your even-keeled approach instills confidence in others because they’re assured the boat won’t capsize under your watch. Laughter lessens burdens carried.

Pisces You can sympathize with both sides of a family issue now, even if you’re eager to express your opinion. You’re still open to changing your mind, especially if someone presents solid facts that validate their perspective. Ultimately, your position isn’t as critical as you might think. However, your willingness to continue the discussion sends the right message today. Self-help author Mandy Hale wrote, “What we are waiting for is not as important as what happens to us while we are waiting. Trust the process.”

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GFC, Police set up dream Corona final

By Stephan Sookram GEORGETOWN Football Club (GFC) will take on Police in the final of the Corona Beer Invitational tournament in less than seven days’ time at the GFC ground, Bourda.

The two teams had very different paths to their respective final spots.

In the first semi-final at

the GFC ground on Sunday evening, the hosts railroaded Northern Rangers 3-0 after some stunning football.

GFC always looked positive and heightened their playing spirit, leading to their first goal in the 14th from Benjamin Opera.

He followed up just after the half and latched on to the end of a beautiful pass to score his and GFC’s second of the night in the 55th minute, to set his side on the path to victory before Dwayne Roberts closed off

the show in the 64th.

In the second game, however, it was an absolute nightmare for both sides as four red cards were shared equally between the two teams.

Quincy Holder of Police and Barrel Tyrell were both ejected in the 31st minute after an on-field altercation leaving both teams down to 10 men before the first-half whistle.

Eventually, Western suffered further loss when Linden Pickett departed

for a brutal challenge in the midfield, sending the fans on the sidelines into frenzy.

It wasn’t long after, that Lerone Charles in the 72nd got his marching orders back to the pavilion after a two-feet lunge on an opposing player.

In the end, Dwain Jacobs secured the winning goal for Police and put them through to the final.

Western will now have to play Northern Rangers for third place.

Joint Services Championships officially cancelled

THE annual Inter-Service Annual Athletics Championships (ISAAC), formerly known as the Joint Services Championships, will not take place this year, after the operations surrounding recent prison breaks put a lot of demand on the Joint Services.

Chairman of the Joint Services Sports Committee, Dale Alves, yesterday confirmed that the annual athletics and swimming events will not be held this year.

“No it will not be held this year,” Alves related to Chronicle Sport via telephone yesterday.

Massive joint services operations were launched earlier this year following the escape of six prisoners from the Camp Street prison in July, and the escape of a further 13 from the Lusignan holding area, later the same month.

Most of the escapees were later recaptured, with just three still on the run.

The July prison fire, had earlier mandated the cancellation of the individual inter-divisional championships of the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force The Guyana Police Force (GPF) usually hosts its In-

ter-Division 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 with the Joint Services Championships usually contested between the GDF, GPF, Guyana Fire Service, Guyana Prison Services, and City Constabulary.

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. (Tamica Garnett)

CWI confirms sacking of entire Women’s management team ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has belatedly confirmed the sacking of the West Indies Women’s management team which oversaw the Caribbean side’s wretched campaign at the recent Women’s World Cup in England.

In a release yesterday, CWI said it would be “setting up a new management support structure for the team” ahead of Sri Lanka Women’s tour of the Caribbean starting October 4.

Recent media reports said head coach Vasbert Drakes, Ezra Moseley, Stuart Williams and operations manager Ann Browne-John had all been removed from their positions.

Experienced Hendy

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Springer has been named as head coach and former West Indies head coach Gus Logie, as his assistant, in an interim management team.

“The process will start with the search for a new head coach and an interim management team will be in place for the short term,” the release stated.

It added: “CWI wishes to thank the previous management team for their time and contribution.”

Physiotherapist Oba Gulston has been replaced

by Ariane Mangar while fitness coordinator Hector Martinez-Charles has been replaced by Shayne Cooper.

Gary Belle will take over from Trent Sargeant as data analyst.

West Indies Women ar-

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rived at the June 24 to July 23 showpiece as one of the favourites but lost all their warm-up matches and then their first four in the preliminary round, to suffer an elimination.

Their only two wins came against Sri Lanka and Pakistan – the two weakest teams in the tournament – as they finished sixth of the eight teams with five defeats to end on four points.

In one match – against South Africa – the Windies Women were dismissed for 48, the lowest total at a Women’s World Cup in 24 years.

An 18-member squad will be selected shortly for a camp, set to run from September 25 to October 4, from which the side to face Sri Lanka will be chosen.

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25

GUYANA CHRONICLE,TUESDAY September 12, 2017

Franchise League 3-day tournament

West Demerara complete innings and 82-run win over East Bank

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

WEST Demerara completed a stunning innings and 82-run win over East Bank yesterday when the two teams completed their Round two game in the Franchise League threeday tournament, at the Tuschen Community Centre ground.

Richie Looknauth

Scores in the match: East Bank 171 and 141-9; West Demerara 494-7 declared.

Set 323 to win, East Bank were restricted to 141-9 in 40.2 overs, after Deonarine Seegobin was unable to bat.

Resuming the final day at 74-4, the remaining East Bank batsmen folded in quick succession.

Romario Shepherd

They lost overnight batsman Sherfane Rutherford without scoring to Romario Shepherd who finished with figures of 3-50.

However, the other overnight batsman, Test player Vishaul Singh was joined by Ersha Ali, and together they added 41 for the sixth wicket before

spinners Akshaya Persaud and Richie Looknauth claimed the four wickets between them.

Singh made 36 while Ali contributed 32. Looknauth finished with figures of 3-32 while Persaud had figures of 2-12.

Earlier in the game, national opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul stroked an unbeaten 176 while Tevin Imlach crafted 103 to lead West Demerara to 494-7 declared. Shepherd supported with 55; Akshaya Persaud got 43 and Malcolm Hubbard 40.

Round three commences on Friday with East Bank playing Essequibo at Everest, West Demerara facing West Berbice at Wales, East Coast hosting Georgetown at Lusignan and Lower Corentyne battling Upper Corentyne at Albion.

Crystal Palace sack manager Frank de Boer after nightmare start

By Martyn Herman LONDON, England (Reuters) - Crystal Palace sacked new manager Frank de Boer four games into the Premier League season yesterday after suffering the worst start to an English top-flight campaign for nearly 100 years.

The 47-year-old former Ajax player and manager only took charge on June 26 with a three-year contract, but his first four Premier League games all ended in defeat.

The club confirmed de Boer’s departure in a brief statement on the club’s website.

“Crystal Palace Football Club have this morning parted company with Frank de Boer,” it said.

“We would like to thank Frank for his dedication and hard work during his time at the Club. A new manager will be appointed

Faf du Plessis to captain SA in all three formats

Faf du Plessis appointed ODI captain

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) - Faf du Plessis was appointed South Africa’s One Day International captain yesterday in place of AB de Villiers, giving him the top job in all three formats of the game.

The 33-year-old was first the captain of South Africa’s Twenty20 team and stepped up to replace de Villiers as Test skipper in December. He has played 43 Tests, 113 ODIs and 36 T20 internationals for his country.

“He has established himself as one of the best

leaders in world cricket and this was reflected in his appointment as the captain for the World XI currently engaged in the T20 Series against Pakistan,” said a statement from Cricket South Africa’s chief executive officer Haroon Lorgat. du Plessis’ first series in charge of the ODI squad will be at home against Bangladesh next month. de Villiers stood down as ODI captain last month after a six-year spell but remains available for selection.

GISE/Star Party Rentals First Division 2-day competition

TSC beat GDF by 174 runs … GYO, UG game ends in draw

TRANSPORT Sports Club (TSC) whipped the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) by 174 runs on Sunday when play in the Georgetown Cricket Associationsponsored GISE/Star Party Rentals First Division 2-day competition continued.

Scores in the match: TSC 214 and 90; GDF 74 and 60.

Meanwhile, Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) and University of Guyana (UG) played to a draw at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) ground.

Chasing 198 for victory, GYO managed to score 1726, with Chris Deonarine smashing his way to 108. His effort was not enough as GYO fell short by 26 runs.

Crystal Palace manager Frank de Boer looks dejected. (REUTERS/Andrew Yates)

in due course and we wish Frank the very best of luck for the future.” de Boer’s reign is the shortest in the Premier League era in terms of matches played.

Les Reed lasted seven games in 2006 before being sacked by Charlton Athletic while American Bob Bradley survived only

11 last season at Swansea City. Frenchman Jacques Santini was also sacked by Tottenham Hotspur after 11 games in 2004.

It is the second time the Dutchman has lasted fewer than 100 days in a job having suffered a similar fate at Inter Milan last year where he was sacked after 85 days in charge.

Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Burnley, where Palace wasted several good chances to break their duck, left them joint bottom of the table having failed to register a goal.

The last English topflight club to lose their first four games without finding the net was Preston North End in 1924.

de Boer, who replaced Sam Allardyce, presided over home defeats by newly-promoted Huddersfield Town (0-3) and Swansea City (0-2) and away losses to Liverpool (0-1) and Burnley.

His only victory came in the League Cup against second-tier Ipswich Town.

Media reports said

former England manager Roy Hodgson was in line to replace de Boer at Selhurst Park.

Whoever does replace de Boer faces a tough task, as Palace play Manchester City and Manchester United away and Chelsea at home in their next four Premier League matches.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE,TUESDAY September 12, 2017

Pakistan hopes World XI series will heral d return of international cricket

By Mubasher Bukhari and Saad Sayeed LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan will host a World XI cricket team for three T20 matches starting today and hopes the series will herald the return of international cricket to the country, eight years after a militant attack on a Sri Lankan team bus.

The star-studded series to take place under tight security will be closely monitored by other cricket boards and if all goes well Pakistan expects to host Sri Lanka and West Indies this year, Pakistan cricket board chairman Najam Sethi said.

Pakistan has only hosted one international series since militants attacked the bus in Lahore in 2009, wounding six players and killing two civilians and six security officials.

In March, calls for the return of international cricket picked up steam after the final of the domestic T20 Pakistan Super League, featuring high profile foreign players such as World Cup winner Darren Sammy,

Team captain Sarfraz Ahmed of Pakistan and International World XI captain Faf du Plessis hold the Independence Cup trophy at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan yesterday. (/Mohsin Raza) was held in Lahore.

Muhammad Ahmad Khan. that appeared to target Lahore’s “It’s a great opportunity “A foolproof security police force. to showcase Pakistan,” Sethi plan has been devised for the The streets of Lahore were told Reuters, adding that these protection of the teams and swathed in posters of the visiting matches could revive cricket spectators,” he said. players and advertisements in the country. “This is a Attacks in Lahore have momentous occasion.” become less frequent in recent Over 6 000 police officials years but security remains high and paramilitary officers have as Pakistani Taliban and other been deployed around the militants groups remain active. stadium, according to provincial A Taliban suicide bomber killed government spokesman Malik 25 people in July in an attack UPPER Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA) Winners Connections and BALGOBIN Ragnauth took against the other players.

Best Gross went to Avinash Milerock both registered top honours in the inaugural With a Gross 90 off a 25 Persaud, with 77 while the comprehensive victories on STP Investments golf handicap, Ragnauth finished Nearest to the Pin was won by Sunday to book their places tournament, played last with a Net 65, to win ahead of Dinanauth Mohanlall. in the quarter-final round Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Mark Lashley with a Gross 91 STP’s Managing Director of the Hamilton Green Club. and Net 67 off a 24 handicap. Sanjay Persaud said he was Cup Knock-Out football In a tournament which was Deno Bissessar came in third happy to be a sponsor, and tournament. played in the open Medal Play with a Gross 96 and Net 68 off hoped this would become an Playing under lights at the format, Ragnauth was superior a 28 handicap. annual event.

Mackenzie Sports Club ground (MSC) on Sunday evening, Winners Connections brushed aside Kuru Kururu 4-0, while in the feature event, Milerock made light work of Soesdyke, winning by a 3-0 margin.

Witnessed by a sparse crowd, Keon Sears recorded a brace for Winners Connections in the4 24th and 31st minutes, while Marlon Davidson (5th) and Quintin Andries (15th) were the other goalscorers for Winners Connection.

In the feature game, Denzil Fordyce found the back of the opposition’s net in the 15th and 72nd minutes.

The other goal was scored

by Royston Fraser in the 84th minute.

Winners Connection will now await the outcome of the game between Mahaica and Golden Grove. This match is STP Investments’ Managing Director Sanjay Persaud (third from right) hands trophy scheduled for Sunday at the to winner Balgobin Ragnauth, while the other prize winners share the moment.

Victoria ground, East Coast

for the matches. Long queues formed at vendors across the city and many fans were turned away as tickets were sold out. ”I am very excited,“ Lahore resident Qasim Ali Shah told Reuters. ”I have bought a ticket, an expensive one, and will go to watch the match.

Local television channels had pre-match footage on a constant loop, showing players arriving for practice at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

For young fans and many players on the team itself it is one of the first times they can experience a high-profile match on home turf.

Pakistan’s cricket board has shouldered the expense of hosting matches in Dubai since the 2009 attack and lost considerable revenue in fees and other expenses.

“Dubai has proved to be a very expensive venue and my sense is we will cut our costs by

50 percent when it comes back to Pakistan,” Sethi said.

Cricket board spokesman Amjad Bhatti said an estimated 90 percent of tickets had been sold.

“I wanted to watch all three matches but could not get tickets,” said aspiring cricketer Rameez Sindhu.

World XI squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Samuel Badree, George Bailey, Ben Cutting, Grant Elliot, Tamim Iqbal, Tim Paine, Thisara Perera, Darren Sammy, Imran Tahir, Paul Collingwood Pakistan squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c, wkp.), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees, Usman Khan, Sohail Khan

Hamilton Green Cup KO Football Tournament

Winners Connection, Milerock book quarter-final spots

Ragnauth takes STP golf trophy

Denzil Fordyce Demerara and the result will determine the team to oppose Winners in the quarter-final fixture.

Milerock will also have to wait until Sunday to know whom they will face in their quarter-final match-up as they will come up against the winner of the Ann’s Grove versus Buxton/Bakewell match on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the competition will continue on Friday at the MSC ground with a double-header that will see Silver Shattas take on Riddim Squad from 19:00hrs and Eagles United face Soesdyke from 21:00hrs.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday September 12, 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) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who are the Hero CPL 2017 Champions?

(2) What was the result of the recent WI/ENG Test series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE,TUESDAY September 12, 2017

Exciting semi-finals on tonight in Guinness Cage Football Championship … Ol Skool Ballers vs Back Circle, Future Stars face off with Leopold Street LEOPOLD Street have etched themselves as a ‘team to beat’ in the inaugural Guinness Cage Football Championship, following a series of impressive performances, but standing in their way of moving on a step closer to capturing the tournament’s $400 000 first place prize are Future Stars.

Tonight, at the National Gymnasium, Leopold Street will look to brush a stubborn Future Stars team aside in the night’s second semi-finals action, and move into this weekend final.

The most anticipated game is set for 22:30hrs, with Leopold Street, led by their in-form captain Okanie Fraser and the skilful Omallo Williams, who both netted a brace in their 4-1 quarter-final win over a strong Mocha

team with consummate ease, to leave the bookmakers with no choice, but to install them as firm favourites to lift the title.

Keep in mind, Leopold Street’s semi-final opposition Future Stars are no pushovers and are considered one of the more electrifying teams in the championship.

Meanwhile, the night’s first semi-final action, Ol Skool Ballers versus Back Circle, is expected to set the perfect start to the evening, given the two sides being strapped with some the city’s most skilful ‘street ball’ players.

Ol Skool Ballers ‘no-fear’ mentality was demonstrated in their hard-fought 2-0 quarter-finals triumph over another previously undefeated team in Albouystown ‘A’, who many felt were on the

Gayle won’t play blame game after CPL loss

Kevon Cooper of Trinbago Knight Riders hits 4 during the Final of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, on Saturday.

ST KITTS and Nevis Patriots captain Chris Gayle insists he will not blame any one particular player following a narrow three-wicket loss to the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Saturday.

The Patriots found themselves on the back foot early on after finishing with what seemed a subpar score of 135 for 6. However, a superb bowling performance kept the first-time finalists in the game as TKR were in trouble at 67-5. Kevon Cooper, however, put together a brilliant innings of 29 from 14 deliveries to take the game away from the Patriots.

The all-rounder was particularly brutal in taking 22 from Ben Hilfenhaus’

third over, the 19th. The pace bowler previously had figures of 2-11 from his first two overs, but many believe it was a mistake to bowl him in the penultimate over.

Gayle, however, refused to apportion any blame in the bowler’s direction.

“I’m not going to point any fingers towards anyone.

We win as a team and we lose as a team,” Gayle said.

“Hopefully this franchise actually takes this and moves forward. Try and build on this as a great young team, we’ll try and see what the future holds for this franchise and Chris Gayle as well.”

The Australian bowled two wides first up, before a no-ball was smacked for six. The follow-up free hit also went for four, meaning he had, in essence, bowled one ball for 11 runs.

Flashback! Action in the inaugural Guinness Cage football tournament

Hope outscores English batsmen, tops Test series averages WEST Indies No. 4 batsman Shai Hope topped the batting aggregates and averages of all batsmen of the recently concluded Test series against England.

The 23-year-old Barbadian scored 375 runs in six innings for an impressive series-leading average of 75.

Hope scored two centuries – 147 and 118* - during the second Test at Headingley that the Caribbean side won by five wickets to level the series at 1-1.

He also scored 62 in the final Test at Lord’s that the West Indies lost by nine wickets, giving England a 2-1 series win.

Hope, who hit 56 fours during the threeTest series, scored at a rate of 51.51. For his efforts, he climbed up to 30th in the ICC batting rankings.

Hope’s compatriot Kraigg Brathwaite also enjoyed a successful series. His 283 runs meant he had the third highest aggregate of series, only 21 runs behind England’s Alastair Cook, who scored 304 runs that

included 243 in the first Test at Edgbaston.

Brathwaite scored 134 and 95 during the second Test and averaged 47.16 for the series.

His performance saw him climb eight places to 17th in the world on the ICC batting rankings.

England captain Joe Root had the fourth highest aggregate of the series with 268 runs, albeit from four innings during which he scored a century (136) and two fifties against the visitors.

Middle-order batsman Jermaine Blackwood also enjoyed a measure of success during the series during which he accumulated 187 runs at an average of 37.40.

Kieron Powell scored 142 runs at an average of 23.66, while captain Jason Holder averaged 17.20, having scored just 86 runs for the series.

Roston Chase, who scored over 500 runs against India earlier this year at an average of more than 100, had a poor series as he scored only 80 runs at an average of 13.33.

cusp of producing their best results in many years.

Joel McGarrell and the diminutive and prolific Roy Cossou were key in their side’s previous win to set up a date with the experienced Back Circle squad that moved into contention almost unnoticed.

Back Circle showed their worth by making it to the last four after coming from behind twice, before winning a penalty shootout against a strong West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ unit.

Fans and pundits can anticipate two pulsating matches. Prior to the commencement at the semi-final round, four exhibition matches will kick-off the proceedings from 20:00hrs.

The resulting victors of the historic event will receive $400 000 and the champion-

ship trophy. The runnersup will pocket $200 000 and the respective trophy.

Meanwhile, the third- and fourth-place finishers will collect $100 000 and $50 000 respectively and a trophy.

On the individual side, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) will receive a gold chain from YK Investments and Pawn Shop and the respective accolade from Trophy Stall Bourda.

The complete list of the event’s sponsors are Star Party Rentals, Faye Joseph, Claude Geddes Recreational Sports Club, National Sports Commission, Windjammer International Hotel & Cuisine, E-Networks, Woodpecker Trophies & Sport, Y.K Investments & Pawn Shop, Henry Chase, Jai Signs, Trophy Stall, the Bike Shop and John Fernandes Ltd.

Shakib requests six-month break from Tests

Shakib Al-Hasan has requested a break from Test cricket, possibly ruling him out of Bangladesh’s tours to South Africa and the West Indies.

BANGLADESH star Shakib Al-Hasan has requested a six-month break from Test cricket. Shakib played a starring role in his country’s recent 1-1 draw with Australia, taking 10 wickets and scoring 89 runs as the Tigers secured a historic win over Steve Smith’s side in Dhaka.

The victory was Bangladesh’s first in the longest format against Australia.

Shakib is the top-ranked all-rounder in all formats of cricket and has become a star in the Tigers’ continued emergence as a credible force, though his success has also drawn attention from lucrative Twenty20 leagues

across the world.

And with Bangladesh facing Test tours to South Africa and the West Indies, as well as a two-match series with Sri Lanka at home all before the Indian Premier League starts in April, Shakib may be wary of burnout.

“Shakib has submitted a letter to the BCB asking for a six-month break from Test cricket,” Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus is quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

Shakib has scored 3 594 runs at 40.38 in Tests, while taking 188 wickets at an average of 32.27. (Omnisport.com)

Exciting semi-finals on tonight in Guinness Cage Football Page Championship 27

GFC, Police set up dream Corona final

Page 24

GFC railroaded Northern Rangers for their spot in the final of the Corona Beer Invitational. (Samuel Maughn photo)

Joint Services Championships officially cancelled Page 24

CWI confirms sacking of entire Women’s management team … Hendy Springer, Gus Logie named in interin set up

Page 24

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

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Vasbert Drakes is fired as West Indies Women’s head coach.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 12, 2017