Guyana chronicle e paper 09 13 2017

Judiciary must lead fight against HIV discrimination Page 8

‘Slow justice’ No. 105034

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

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…CCJ President bemoans backlogs, delays in Caribbean courts

Storm rips 20 buildings in Linden

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Photos showing the damage done to some of the buildings that were affected by the freak storm

Don’t ignore Europe steps up Three held over the danger’ response to Irma Britisher's death Page 5

Centre Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Ramson promises access to Exxon contract

THE non-disclosure of details of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between the Government of Guyana (GoG) and U.S. oil and gas exploration company, Exxon Mobil, does not prevent any citizen from getting details from the Commissioner of Information.

As such, should a formal application be made, that information could become available, Commissioner of Information, retired Justice Charles Ramson Snr, said on Tuesday. The Commissioner during a presentation of the Access to Information Act at the National Library said his objective was to inform citizens of their right to access information not readily available and the process through which they can do so.

Since the signing of the

oil contract earlier this year, Government had taken a decision that the non-release of the details was in the best interest of Guyanese. The agreement sees Guyana receiving 50 per cent of the profits and two per cent Royalties when oil production commences in 2020.

While criticisms have been brewing from every side regarding government’s dealing particularly with the contract, the administration has stated that there were reasons behind its refusal to make details available.

Responding to a question at the public forum, Ramson Snr, said that as long as the relevant authority withholds information that is in the public’s interest, that information could be requested. “I can assure you that if you make the application, now that you

Commissioner of Information, retired Justice Charles Ramson Snr. are aware that accessibility and public interest is what the act is about, if you make the application to me, having made it to them, of course you

can access it,” the commissioner said.

He said the onus has always been on the holders of public offices and to the very

minister who has been “regaling the public with reasons for not revealing the information”, to have the information available on a website. “These things should not reach the level of controversy. They are bound to publish certain things,” Ramson said.

“It is defined in the act, to include any ministerial authority, to include the President himself and the Caribbean Court of Justice;” He said “there is much more in the mortar than in the pestle.”

The Commissioner made it clear, however, that Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) do not have any “locas standi” or the right to request any such information from the Commissioner. “The Act says that you must either be a Guyanese or a person domiciled in Guyana. And, a company cannot be domiciled here, neither an NGO. It might be a composite collec-

tion under an umbrella with a certain name”.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Ramson said that his office has not been receiving many requests for information from members of the public. He also lamented the lack of adequate staff to effectively carry out the functions of the Constitutional Office, which he said is also independent.

He listed other constitutional bodies, including the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA), the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) that are outfitted with adequate staff.

“It seems like those outfits are given greater priority than the citizens’ demand and access to information… If I had one tenth of their staffing, there would be much more work done for the benefit of the public,”Ramson opined.

Canada-bound man excretes 86 cocaine pellets THE Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Tuesday pulled a Canada-bound man off a flight at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the man later excreted some 86 cocaine pellets.

In a release, CANU said that Julius Fidel Watkins, 39, of 27 Second Street, Cum-

mings Lodge, was Tuesday morning taken off a flight destined for Canada. CANU said the man was escorted to a city hospital where he was admitted, medically examined and released a total of 86 suspected cocaine-filled pellets.

He is believed to have swallowed over 100 pellets.

Correction WE sincerely apologise to Mrs. Patricia Rodney and the Walter Rodney Foundation (WRF).

On July 24, 2017, the Guyana Chronicle in an article under the headline, “Pan-African intellectuals meet in Gha-

na,” stated that Dr. Wazir Mohamed, Professor of Sociology at Indiana University East, had attended the Kwame Nkrumah Intellectual and Cultural Festival as a representative of the Walter Rodney Foundation. Let us

Some of the cocaine pellets excreted by the suspect correct the record: Dr. Mohamed attended this event held in Accra, Ghana from June 25 to July 1, 2017 in his own right as a Guyanese intellectual and as the convener of the Global Justice for Walter Rodney Committee.

The Walter Rodney Foundation was represented at this festival by Professor Hashim Gibril of Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA. Gibril

is a committee member of the WRF, who confirmed that he had brought greetings from the WRF to participants and attendees on the first day of the conference.

We sincerely apologise to the family of Walter Rodney and to the Walter Rodney Foundation for the mischaracterisation in our published report of the meeting.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

CCJ bemoans backlogs, delays in Caribbean courts

PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Sir Charles Dennis Byron has said that while the CCJ has made significant strides, backlogs of cases in courts throughout the Region remain a major concern.

“Everywhere I go in the Region, people complain of the delay in the process and the backlogs in the courts.

And I have first-hand indication that many of these complaints are justified,” Sir Dennis told media operatives while at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday.

He said the CCJ has not only raised these concerns, but provided the requisite solutions while setting the highest standards. “We have implemented the highest standards of case management and good practices. So

I was able [to] say for example that in our court there is no backlog, that every case that was filed before the 1st June this year has already been heard,” said the proud CCJ President.

Additionally, he said the CCJ has done significant work in providing capacity development for its court systems in judicial education and training programmes. The quality of technology being used by the CCJ has also been improved.

“I am formally committed to the view that the development of e-filing systems in the courts and increasing the use of case management supported by court technology programmes is essential,” he stated, while emphasising that the use of technology

is key to a fair and efficient judicial service. Sir Byron is set to demit office next year, and though he did not share his future plans, he expressed a sense of satisfaction with the accomplishments achieved during his stewardship.

“The reputation of a court to a large extent depends on the quality of its jurisprudence, and the extent to which we have fulfilled the expectations of helping to develop Caribbean jurisprudence, and during the last six years, I think we have done that,” he said.

Sir Byron said over the last six years, a number of very important decisions were made, many of which have been highly accepted both in the academic and legal communities, regionally

CCJ President Sir Charles Dennis Byron and internationally. of appeal, there has been a think that the court has He noted that although very wide range of import- tried to set standards only four countries – Guy- ant issues that were brought which could assist in imana, Barbados, Belize, and before the court and were proving the quality of justice in the Region,” Sir Dominica – have accepted adjudicated. the CCJ as the final court “In addition to that, I Byron added.

Storm rips 20 buildings in Linden THE Wismar Christianburg Secondary School and the Mackenzie Municipal Market are among more than 20 buildings damaged in Linden, Region 10, following a freak storm Tuesday afternoon.

Reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle indicate that residents in Retrieve, One Mile Ex-

tension, Wismar Housing Scheme, Christianburg and Blueberry Hill had to run to safety after their roofs were ripped off, lamp posts broke, trees were up- rooted and fell on their houses. The freak storm reportedly occurred around 15:30hrs with heavy showers accompanied by strong winds.

When the Guyana Chronicle contacted the Regional Chairman Renis Morian, he stated that their main focus is on the Christianburg Secondary School presently “because the children have to return to school.” He added that the Regional Democratic Council does not have the resources to look after the individual

houses, however, the residents of the mentioned communities are working together to put back their zinc sheets. Morian along with his team, will return with engineers to the Christianburg Secondary School today to commence repairs on the school.

According to Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland,

the police along with the Regional Democratic Council are working together to ensure that everyone in the communities are okay.

He also stated that the police have received emergency reports causing the Acting Divisional Commander Anthony Vanderhyden to activate a mobile patrol.

Luckily, there have not been reports of persons being injured so far, but the Linden Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) has activated an emergency number 444-6303 and the Police, 444-3512. Holland added that they will be approaching the government for some relief funds.

Who’s responsible for the death of Sew Persaud?

A CORONER’s Inquest has ruled that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether anyone was criminally responsible for the death of Sew Persaud, who was hit down by a minibus in 2016.

The inquiry, held at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court by Magistrate Judy Latchman, revealed that Persaud died April 21, 2016 while standing on the road outside the Diamond Diagnostic

Centre, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The three-member jury after almost a half-hour of deliberations returned with an unknown verdict which deemed that the minibus driver, Christopher Bose, is not criminally responsible for Persaud’s death. Magistrate Latchman told Bose that he was free to go and the matter came to an end.

On April 21, 2016 Persaud was hit down by minibus PFF

9802 driven by Bose. The driver of the minibus had informed the police that Persaud fell in front of his bus. The inquest began with the testimony of Detective Sergeant, Keith Conway, who is stationed at the Grove Police Station.

Indal Singh, an eyewitness had testified that on the day in question, he was driving a car heading to Georgetown. He said that he was travelling in the vicinity of the Diamond Diagnostic Centre when he

saw a motorcar which was proceeding along the said road about 40 feet ahead of him.

According to Singh, he noticed a man of East Indian descent, attired in a red and white striped jersey, waiting to cross the road at the median which separates the eastern and western carriageways. He said that the mirror of the bus hit Persaud causing him to fall onto the roadway before the right side back wheel of the vehicle ran over him.

The witness said that he noticed blood flowing from the injured man’s body. Persaud added that he came out of his car, went to Bose and advised him to report the accident to the police station.

The witness told the court Bose had not been driving at a fast rate.

Also testifying was Rawatie Persaud, a daughter of the deceased. Rawatie, of Craig Village, EBD, who told the court that on April 22, 2016,

she visited the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary where she identified the remains of her father to Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh.

This was done in the presence of Police LanceCorporal Persaud. She said that her father was buried four days later at the Grove Cemetery. Persaud died from a fractured skull, spine ribs and lower limbs due to the accident.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Hezbollah declares Syria victory, Russia says much of country won back

The Lebanese Shi‘ite group Hezbollah has declared victory in the Syrian war while Russia said government forces had driven militants from much of the country where President Bashar al-Assad’s rule seemed in danger two years ago.

The comments from

two Syrian government allies mark the most confident assessments yet of Assad’s position in the war, though significant parts of the country remain outside the government’s control.

Russia’s assertion that the army had won back 85 percent of Syria was dismissed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It said the government held 48 percent of Syria.

On Tuesday, Russia’s defense minister met with Assad in Damascus to discuss joint military efforts and the fight against Islamic State. The government’s most recent advances have recovered swathes of territory in eastern Syria from Islamic State, which is be-

ing targeted in the same region by U.S.-backed Kurdish and Arab militias. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, whose group has sent thousands of fighters to Syria, dismissed the fighting left to be done in Syria as “scattered battles”.

“We have won in the war (in Syria),” he said in comments reported by the Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar. Referring to Assad’s opponents, Nasrallah said “the path of the other project has failed and wants to negotiate for some gains”.

The comments, made at a religious gathering, were confirmed to Reuters by a source familiar with the speech.

Hundreds of thousands

of people have been killed in the conflict, which has fractured Syria into a patchwork of areas and generated a refugee crisis of historic proportions, forcing millions of people into neighboring states and Europe.

Military backing from Iran and Russia has proven critical to Assad in the war with insurgents including rebels who have been backed by Gulf Arab states, Turkey and the United States, which has decided to end a program of covert support to rebels.

Rebel groups were making steady advances against Assad as recently as 2015, when the deployment of the Russian air force to Syria turned the tide in his favour.

Wednesday, September 13th , 2017 10:30 hrs Thurday , September 14th , 2017 12:00 hrs Friday, September 15th, 2017 13:30 hrs

Over the past year, Assad has crushed numerous pockets of rebel-held territory in the cities of Aleppo, Homs and Damascus, brokering local deals by which thousands of his opponents have been moved to remaining rebel-held enclaves of the country.

Ceasefire deals brokered

by Russia, Turkey, Iran and the United States in remaining rebel-held areas of western Syria have freed up manpower on the government side, helping its advance east into the oil-rich province of Deir al-Zor. AIR STRIKES Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu visited Assad on Tuesday on the orders of President Vladimir Putin, the ministry said. The meeting focused on plans to recapture Deir al-Zor city and to “strengthen efforts to combat terrorism in all Syrian territory until its utter annihilation,” Assad’s office said.

Shoigu and Assad discussed the de-escalation deals in parts of Syria that have “sped up the victories of the Syrian army and its allies in fighting terrorism in other areas”, it said.

Government forces last week reached Deir al-Zor

city, the provincial capital on the Euphrates River, breaking an Islamic State siege of a government-held pocket and a nearby air base. “To date, 85 percent of Syria’s territory has been cleared of the militants of illegal armed groups,” the RIA news agency cited Alexander Lapin, chief of staff of the Russian military contingent in Syria, as saying.

Lapin made no reference to a swathe of territory held in northern Syria by an alliance of U.S.-backed militias - the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which is led by the Kurdish YPG and is not at war with Assad. The Observatory said SDF-held territory amounts to 23 percent of Syria.

Lapin said Islamic State fighters are still in control of around 27,000 square km of Syria’s territory. “The liberation of (Deir al-Zor) city is proceeding,” Lapin said.

“Syrian troops are finalizing the defeat of the ISIL group blocking the northern and southern districts of Deir al-Zor,” he said. He said the assault was being led by General Suheil al-Hassan, a Syrian officer who has risen to prominence in the war.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Europe steps up response to Irma European countries are boosting relief efforts in their Caribbean territories devastated by Hurricane Irma, amid criticism over the response.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who is visiting French islands that took the full force of the storm, said a huge “airlift” was bringing more aid.

UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson is due in the region and the king of the

Netherlands is touring Dutch islands. Irma killed at least 23 people in the three countries’ overseas territories.

The victims include 10 dead on the French island of St Barts and on the French part of St Martin - which is shared with the Netherlands.

As he arrived in the region on Tuesday, President Macron said the government had responded with “one of the biggest airlifts since World War Two”.

He told reporters that last week’s hurricane had been almost unprecedented and that the effort had been hampered by a second hurricane, Jose, in the area days later.

He promised to “shake up all the rules and procedures” to rebuild the islands “as quickly as possible”. Later on Tuesday he saw for himself the damage in Saint-Martin.

Critics have accused Mr Macron’s government of not doing enough to help

hurricane victims and prevent looting on St Barts and Saint-Martin. The UK government has faced similar complaints following the death of at least nine people on British territories.

Meanwhile King Willem-Alexander is visiting Dutch territories, where at least four people were killed.

He spent Monday night in Sint Maarten - the Dutch side of St Martin - and is due to travel on to other

islands. “I’ve seen proper war as well as natural disasters before, but I’ve never seen anything like this,” he told Dutch radio on Tuesday. “Everywhere you look there’s devastation, you see the collapse.”

Irma struck other Caribbean islands with deadly force, including Cuba, Barbuda, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. On the US mainland, it has been linked to 12 deaths

since the weekend. The Florida Keys, a low-lying chain of islands, were hit particularly hard by the category-four hurricane.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump is due to visit Florida, where some 60% of homes are still without power. The storm was downgraded as it moved north into Georgia, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in a statement.

Commonwealth small states highlight challenges, call for support Several small island states within the 52-member Commonwealth Tuesday called for a more inclusive approach to human rights in the UN Human Rights Council that reflected their concerns, development interests and priorities.

“Human right is about justice and inclusion,” said Guyana’s Ambassador, J.R. Deep Ford , who co-hosted the event, which was organized by Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) with support from Singapore and the Federation International des legues desdroits de L’Homme (FIDH).

Ford and other diplo-

mats from the Bahamas and Singapore as well as Karen MacKenzie, head of the human rights unit at the Commonwealth Secretariat, spoke at a side event here at the 36th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). The CHRI event was titled, “Small States at the HRC, Building Capacity, Strengthening Presence and Developing Outreach”.

Singapore’s Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva, Nitya Menon, spoke of the difficulties of small states in handling complex issues relating to UN processes, because of a shortage of staff or economic resources and the need

to simplify and demystify these. “We need collective combined inputs,” she added, saying that if small states were unrepresented at major programmes, the UN system and major donor countries “were missing important voices”.

Mackenzie shared the Commonwealth’s efforts to build capacity among small states and showcased some success stories like the Bahamas which is contesting for a seat at the

next HRC but admitted that much more was needed to be done, because of a funding crunch. During the discussions, diplomats and civil society representatives urged better coordination among larger countries, small states and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to foster better understanding of their needs and their complex societies.

CHRI Director, Sanjoy Hazarika, who moderated the session, said there was

need for better accountability processes as well as “bridging democratic deficits”. The HRC was formed on founding principles of impartiality, non-selectivity and international cooperation by the General Assembly in 2006.

However, existing practice of clean-slate elections, where regional groups propose only one candidate for each available seat, have undermined the diversity and the quality of the

HRC’s membership. While in the first decade of the HRC, 19 Commonwealth countries have served at the HRC, with only four have been Small States.

But since the institution of the Special Procedures was established, only six Commonwealth Small States – Jamaica, Fiji, Malta, Maldives, Mauritius and Namibia – have had one or more of their nations appointed as Special Rapporteurs. (CMC)

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Compassion the best action GUYANA was able to count on the successes achieved in the past three years in reducing cases of suicide when it joined countries the world over on Sunday in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day held under the theme, “Take a minute and change a life.”

Guyana has managed to commendably reduce the national suicide rate from 44.2 per 100,000 in 2013 to 30.6 per 100,000 today. Guyana is also no longer the suicide capital of the world-- an unwanted position now occupied by Sri Lanka with a rate of 34.6 per 100,000, even though its current rate is an indication that there must be no complacency in fighting the scourge.

A rate of 30.6 per 100,000 is still high compared to the global average which the World Health Organisation (WHO) puts at 10.7 per 100,000. However, it does indicate that Guyana has made significant progress in the past few years in reducing cases of persons taking their own lives.

And for this, the government and all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which have forged a collaborative relationship to beat back suicide are deserving of high praise.

But there is still much more work to be done. Though Guyana has managed to significantly reduce suicide cases in the past three years, from reports of regional health officials, the same

level of success has not been attained for attempted cases, which of late, appear to be on the increase.

It is for this reason,that the government and all the NGOs which have been working diligently to bring this social-ill under control, should not let up, but continue to press on with their efforts to further bring down the national suicide rate.

Suicide, which is 100 per cent preventable, is a major public health concern in Guyana.

It is caused by a number of factors, most notably among them are acute emotional distress, mental disorder, impulsivity, aggressive tendencies, adolescent maladaptive disorder and alcohol abuse. Though it is 100 per cent preventable, quite interestingly, anyone can become a victim of suicide simply as a result of self-withdrawal or imprisonment of emotions which is a major cause of depression.

Many would recall, with shock, the stories of prominent social activists and other persons of note who ended their own lives. Many of them known for being a tower of strength, role models to many and whom society looked up to for hope. It never pays to suffer in silence and many of the suicide cases point to the fact that even counsellors at times need counselling, whether it is to overcome a domestic problem or to relieve themselves of the stress trying to provide solutions to

the stresses of others.

This aside, regardless of status, all have a role to play in preventing suicide and it can happen in many small but significant ways. Reach out to friends and family who are going through a bad period in life, talking to those who have gone into sudden withdrawal mode, giving a listening ear to someone in distress and encouraging those in serious situations to seek help, are all means which can help in preventing suicide.

Many times, persons with suicidal tendencies need people to talk to but feel that the door of communication to family and friends have been shut on them. A simple and gentle conversation can make the difference and would be very much in keeping with this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day theme, “Take a minute and change a life.”

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence summed it up best in her message last Sunday, when inter alia, she said: None of us should be afraid of reaching out to those experiencing a crisis because we fear we don’t have all the answers. Very often the answer is your compassion, your empathy, your willingness to offer your shoulders to lean on.”

Place the Exxon contract City Council withdrawing day care services in the public domain Dear Editor THIS society must stop allowing elected officials to carry us for a ride. Those who sit in the Government and Opposition benches in the National Assembly are elected by the people to conduct business on behalf of the people, and cannot be doing same based on gut feelings, personal perceptions, lies and deceit.

This oil-and-gas contract between the nation and ExxonMobil that the previous government and some in this government believe is personal and the citizens should be kept in the dark, must not be allowed to go without being challenged. There is so much evidence in the public domain, including the Petroleum Act, to show there is nothing that hinders the government from

making public the contract which was signed with Exxon in 1999 on behalf of the people of Guyana.

Bharrat Jagdeo who today is calling for the contract to be made public had 12 years as Head of Government to do so, but treated the contract like personal property. David Granger today as President is doing likewise, though there is no law that prevents him from making this contract public.

As President with executive responsibility, Granger can make public the contract or issue a directive to his subject minister to do so. The rule of law and ethical practices must prevail in this country and in the management of the people’s business.

The behaviour of the political leaders gives the impression that Guyana is a colony or they are up to some shenanigans or kickbacks with Exxon

which necessitates keeping the contract under wraps. As the politicians at home become wedded to secrecy and contempt for the law, on the international scene Exxon shareholders are intensifying their calls for the company to be more transparent in its operations. The secrecy must stop and I add my voice to the call to make public the contract.

Ours is a representative democracy. Those seating in office, Government and Opposition, are placed there to serve us, to represent and defend our interests, and are being paid by us to do so.

Their bosses, we the people, are demanding the contract be placed in the public domain so we can peruse it and make informed responses.

Regards Lincoln Lewis

Dear Editor, THE light at the end of the tunnel of misery, hopelessness and foolishness of the Georgetown municipality seems to going out, which is very troubling.

In the morass of incompetence and venality at City Hall, there was one beacon of light there, and that was the provision of day care services by the Council that benefitted hundreds if not thousands of toddlers and children of persons, including single parents, poor mothers and fathers who cannot afford private day care facilities, but who have to go to work, etc.

But alas! The provision of the one worthwhile service to the citizens of Georgetown is apparently being withdrawn by this hopeless City Council.

One must ask why? Is this service not catered for by the property rates residents have to pay?

I would like to demand on behalf of the residents of Charlestown, where this day care centre is located, and also on behalf of all the other residents of Georgetown who benefit from the day care services, the clinics and the maternal and child welfare services that are provided by and at the public health facilities located in the various wards of the city, that these services be immediately restored and maintained.

The closure of these centres will only spell more financial hardship, more inconvenience and more stress for the citizens of Georgetown.

Is this a new trend of council divesting itself of meaningful

services, but for which no one gets a kickback, whilst it continues to employ more and more staff members to loiter around all day?

Does the Council no longer have social responsibilities, a moral compass and a concern for the youth of Georgetown? Or is everything at the council driven by dollars and no sense?

Will they continue to expend hundreds of millions of dollars each month on foreign travel, on building presidential parks, on contractors who never have to bid for contracts and on having their seniors enjoy a luxurious lifestyle, whilst closing down the few worthwhile services it provides?

Regards Debra Gibson

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Team work prevented a disaster at Meten-Meer-Zorg Dear Editor, I HAVE read in the Stabroek News dated Thursday, September 7, 2017, an article under the caption, “Koker breaks away at Meten-Meer-Zorg” and wish to pontificate for the purpose of sensitisation and edification, actions of the Regional Executive Officer (REO)Mr. Denis Jaikaran on the day in question.

To begin with, the Di-

visional Commander, Mr. Leslie James, made contact with me through the Deputy Regional Executive Officer Ms. Jennifer Dougall and provided transportation to the site. On my way to the site, I communicated with Mr. Jaikaran who was at the time travelling in the Essequibo River returning from site visits. Mr. Jaikaran upon his arrival was briefed by yours truly about the situation, after which a GUYSUCO representative

informed us that equipment was on the way to the site. A couple of minutes later we were joined by officers from the Sea Defence Commission, Regional Administration and the NDIA. In fact, the CEO of the NDIA, Mr. Flatts himself, was present on site.

Secondly, the REO after being briefed of the situation left the site and visited surrounding communities.

He interacted with worried residents and assured

them that the situation was under control due to teamwork from GUYSUCO, the NDIA, SEA DEFENCE and REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION. Thirdly, the REO returned to the site and stayed extremely late with the workers. He assured the workers that should more resources be needed, he would happily provide same.

Fourthly, the REO revisited the site on the morning of September 7, 2017, and

The parking meter debacle Dear Editor, AS a motorist in Georgetown, I have been following the parking meter debacle in Georgetown from its very inception with considerable concern and interest.

The most recent episode of this sordid spectacle however did bring to the fore a very salient point, through a concern expressed by one of the councillors who was recycled from the previous council that lasted for an unbelievable 21 years. And that very important point is that all through this wretched parking meter debacle, the town clerk keeps talking about the initiative having the fiat of the previous council which was under the stewardship of the then mayorship of Hamilton Green, but to date he has not produced any evidence, documented or otherwise, that such approval was obtained.

If such an approval was not obtained then this parking meter initiative was dead on arrival, as the town clerk has not the authority, to commit the council nor to enter into any contractual agreement on behalf of the city for any arrangement that will cost the City Council and/or the citizens of Georgetown any amount that exceeds $250,000 Guyana Dollars.

Additionally, the Review Committee seemed to fail to recognise the fact that if indeed any such arrangement was approved by the last Council, AND WE THINK NOT, then it had to be implemented during the life of the last

council, just as what obtains with parliament. It would have been highly improper for the town clerk to try to implement a project that was approved by the previous council, during the life of the new council, without bringing it back for approval by the new council. This is of course on the assumption that it was approved by the last council. In the interest

of exactitude, detail and fiscal rectitude, I call on all City Councillors representing Georgetown, all members of the media, the members of the Movement Against Parking Meters, the attorneys that are looking into the matter and all concerned Guyanese to demand to be shown the signed and approved minutes of the meeting of the council that the town

clerk claims to have approved the arrangement with Smart City Solutions, before there is any further movement on this project.

It would seem as though this reprehensible parking meter project and all the problems it has created have been sitting on one big fat falsehood.

Regards Sean Moniz

had a first-hand look at the situation after which he went back into the surrounding communities and spoke once again with residents. Fifthly, the REO revisited again in the afternoon of September 7, 2017 and again spoke with residents. He indicated that his presence would be felt until final normalcy is restored, even though no severe flooding was reported.

Editor, the REO did not surprise me with his actions and I am certain he did not surprise many

others, but for the sake of information, I believe it is necessary to document on record his involvement with reference to this situation. In conclusion, it is necessary to congratulate all who made it possible in bringing the situation under complete control, especially GUYSUCO, the NDIA, SEA DEFENCE and of course the REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION, REGION THREE. Regards Ganesh Mahipaul

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Judiciary must lead fight against HIV discrimination

-Sir Dennis Byron

By Svetlana Marshall THE Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) Champions for Change programme was relaunched with President of the Caribbean Court of Justice Sir Dennis Byron calling on judicial officers, to exhibit and reinforce anti-discriminatory attitudes that will supplement the efforts being made to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Champions for Change IV: Ending AIDS by 2030 was launched on Tuesday at the Guyana Marriot Hotel with Guyana’s First Lady, Sandra Granger and Speaker of the National Assembly of Belize, Laura Tucker-Longsworth, being named among the 16 PANCAP Champions for Change.

In his detailed address on Judicial Attitudes and HIV/ AIDS, Sir Dennis established that stigma and discrimination can have negative impacts on the health of persons living with HIV, even in cases where persons are managing their illness by taking the required medication. He noted that issues relating to HIV and AIDS, including those concerning HIV-related stigma and discrimination, have engaged the courts on many occasions. “The modes of engagement have been varied and include challenges to decisions refusing employment to persons living with HIV/AIDS on the basis of their HIV status and even complaints about discriminatory treatment by, for example, officers of the court in the conduct of their duties,” the CCJ President explained.

It was on this note that Sir Dennis cited a matter that occurred in Jamaica where a Parish Judge had cause to inquire into complaints of discriminatory treatment made by a 22-year-old homosexual who was living with AIDS. According to the young man, who had appeared before the judge for drug-related charges in February, 2017, the police personnel withheld his medication from him. The officers, when told that the medication was necessary, reportedly told the 22-year-old that they did not “like homosexuals.”

The young man was reportedly infected with the HIV virus as a child after being sexually assaulted. Judicial officers, the CCJ President emphasised, must be protectors of human rights and set the example for all to follow.

“There is a responsibility on judicial officers to be vigilant as we go about our duties inside and outside of the courtroom.

Judicial officers must exhibit and reinforce anti-discriminatory attitudes and practices that will supplement and underscore the efforts being made to end the epidemic,” he told his distinguished audience.

Speaking on the Champions

for Change programme, Sir Dennis said the re-launch of the initiative is a formal recommitment to the collective and decisive actions being taken to end AIDS in the Region by 2030.

“It cannot be denied that HIV/AIDS is a chronic problem and major public health threat in the Caribbean. Our communities have been ravaged by its impacts and our future threatened. What is worse, the gains that were made over the last decade have virtually been undone,” he noted.

Alluding to UNAIDS Prevention Gap 2016 Report, he pointed out that, “In the Caribbean, new HIV infections among adults rose by nine per cent between 2010 and 2015, reversing gains made in the previous decade.”

It was noted too, that in 2015 the annual number of new HIV infections in the Caribbean was estimated at 9,000. Despite its small population size, the Caribbean has the second highest HIV prevalence globally after sub-Saharan Africa, the report pointed out.

Notwithstanding these challenges, Sir Dennis maintained that it is possible to end the epidemic, noting that a HIV diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. This is as a result of early detection together with better treatment and care.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, who has over 20 years of experience providing technical guidance and support required for the planning, implementation and strengthening of HIV Public Health Programmes, said the initiative is paramount in achieving the United Nation’s goal of ending AIDS by the year 2030.

The Right Honourable Sir Charles Dennis Byron

She also used the opportunity to reinforce Guyana’s support to worldwide effort of bringing an end to the epidemic.

“Like many other Caribbean countries, Guyana remains committed to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, particularly Goal Three which states “Ensuring Healthy Lives and Promote well- being for all ages.” In 2015 there were 285,900 people living with HIV, a decline from 333,400 in 2010 and 450,000 in 2005,” she stated.

Additionally, statistics show that 87 per cent of the people living with HIV reside in only four Caribbean countries, namely Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Notwithstanding this fact, the Education Minister said on the flip side the Caribbean has gained recognition globally as the first region in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Like Sir Dennis, Minister Henry pointed out that between 2010 and 2015, new HIV infections had increased by nine per cent, with Jamaica and Cuba accounting for a large percentage.

“One of the main contributing factors to the rise in new HIV infection in the Caribbean is the persistent stigma and discrimination, particularly to the key population such as commercial sex workers, men who have sex with men, lesbians and transgender,” she noted.

As such, she said the resuscitation of the Champions for Change initiative will help to address the issue of stigma and discrimination.

Champions for Change IV will seek to align the expected contributions of the Champions for Change with international and regional commitments for ending AIDS,’ according to PANCAP Director, Dereck Springer.

These commitments include the UN High-Level Meeting on Political Declaration, the Carib-

Education Minister, Nicolette Henry presenting Guyana’s First Lady Sandra Granger with an insignia memento for being one of PANCAP’s 2017 Champions for Change.

bean Cooperation in Health IV, the PANCAP Justice for All Roadmap and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

It was noted too, that the programme will seek to assess the impact of recommendations for overcoming barriers to ending AIDS identified by major international and collaborating agencies, including the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund to Fight AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS (UNAIDS).

Executive Director of the St. Lucia AIDS Action Foundation, Joan Didier; CARICOM Secretariat Assistant Secretary-General, Dr Douglas-Slater; and veteran broadcaster, Margaret Lawrence, were among those present.

Some of the 2017 PANCAP Champions for Change (Photo Ministry of the Presidency)

The 2017 Champions for Change include, Guyana’s First Lady for her outstanding leadership and championing of the ‘Every Caribbean Woman, Every Caribbean Child’ Initiative; the Executive Director of LIVE UP Dr. Allyson Leacock; Dr. Arif Bulkan who has created a space for LGBT students at The University of the West Indies; and Canon Garth Minott, for his significant work and advocacy towards greater involvement of the faith community in national and regional HIV responses.

The other champions include: Guyana’s Member of Parliament, Dr. Frank Anthony; the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Law & Economics (ILE) Dwayne Gutzmer; Founder and Managing Director of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) in Guyana, Joel Simpson; Executive Director of the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) Kenita Placide; Speaker of the National Assembly of Belize and Chairperson of the National AIDS Commission, Laura Tucker-Longworth; Chair of the Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS), Lucien Govaard; Guyana’s professional squash player, Nicolette Fernandes; Minister in Charge of the Calvary Evangelical Church, Dr Nigel Taylor; Director of the National HIV/ AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme at the Bahamas Ministry of Health, Dr Nikkiah Forbes; Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh; Deputy Programme Manager within the Communications Unit at the CARICOM Secretariat, Volderine Hackett; and Senior Pastor of The Poonah Open Bible Miracle Centre (POBMC), Rev. Winston Mansingh.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

35 ranks complete development course at Nations

THIRTY-FIVE ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) recently completed a continuous professional development course at Nations University, in order to perform efficiently and effectively towards providing a higher level of service.

The ranks ranged from

Acting Force Training Officer, Assistant Commissioner, Maxine Graham Sergeant to Assistant Superintendent.

Acting Force Training Officer, Assistant Commissioner, Maxine Graham said the extent to which the objectives of the Guyana Police Force are attainable depends heavily on the level of efficiency and the effectiveness of its officers.

“Once trained, officers need to be exposed to a range of continuous professional development experiences that can serve to broaden their scope, keep them abreast of innovative and contemporary law enforcement process, procedures and build all-round capacity,” Graham explained.

The Assistant Commissioner said the course was specifically designed to target the needs of the officers in an effort to improve the quality of their professional practice.

She noted that the course will provide highly relevant and practical experiences.

“They are all structured to provide a foundation for further specialisation and related developmental experiences.”

The acting Force Training Officer noted that each participant would receive a certificate upon completion and resource materials that will facilitate follow-up opportunities.

Force Press Officer, Superintendent, Jairam Ramlakhan, said the business of policing had become ever more complex and challenging over recent decades, and the indications were that those patterns of increased demands for services and expectations as to what will be delivered would continue to grow.

He explained that as organised crime operations relating to narcotics, illegal firearms, trafficking of people, cybercrime and money laundering become even more sophisticated, members of the Guyana Police Force must also upgrade their skills.

Adding, that there was a growing demand that policing should be more pro-active both in preventing and deterring crimes, Ramlakhan

Guyana Police Force P r e s s O f f i c e r , S uperintendent, Jairam Ramlakhan said, ranks with a desire to serve all communities would be vital for the Police Force and continued training for staff was essential.

“We must endeavour to ensure that members

PPP breaks up Region 2 RDC meeting

…as chairman ducks scrutiny of alleged abuse of gov’t vehicle

THE statutory meeting of the Region Two ( Pomeroon-Supenaam) RDC lasted for approximately 20 minutes on Tuesday before it hastily ended with a walk out by the People’s Progressive Party Councillors led by the Regional Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt.

The meeting commenced around 09:15h following the arrival of the chairman to preside over a full house.

After perusing the previous minutes which was later adopted, Councillor Naith Ram enquired about the absence of the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson, since there was no excuse as to his non-attendance.

There was then a rapturous thumping of fists on the desk by most of the councillors who also enquired about the REO’S absence. The Regional Chairman then intervened and remarked that the Council will no longer tolerate such disrespect shown by the REO and in light of the DREO (Deputy Regional Executive Officer) being unable to answer pertinent

Region Two Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt questions, he then rose and announced that the meeting has ended. He later led the PPP-dominated councillors out of the boardroom.

Contacted on the issue, Hopkinson said that he was attending to some urgent pressing issues, given that a Minister of Government is expected in the region today. He said he had asked the DREO to oversee the proceedings. Hopkinson said based upon his preliminary enquiries, the walk out had nothing to do with his absence at the meeting, but rather another matter which

was raised at the forum.

Hopkinson further added that the regional councillors had planned to raise the issue of the Chairman going off on leave for 42 days recently, and taking the government’s vehicle assigned to him despite two requests for him to return it.

Hopkinson said the chairman would have been asked to explain his action at Tuesday’s meeting and he might have gotten wind of this and decided to break up the meeting.

Meanwhile, one councillor contended that proper protocol was not adhered to by the Chairman, since he claimed that the decision to have the meeting dissolved should have been put to a vote before any action could have been taken.

RDC statutory meetings are held on the second Tuesday in every month, and the councillor is questioning whether they will have to wait until next month to deal with the business of the Council, including matters that affect the daily livelihood of residents.

of the Force are part of a forward thinking organisation. We need to update our skillset so that we can respond to change and

new challenges effectively for the people of Guyana.

Police ranks must understand how modern policing is developing, how this is

relevant and applicable to our every-day duties and how training is accessible and available,” the Superintendent said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

The first people

By Akola Thompson “THEY…brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks’ bells.

They willingly traded everything they owned…They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance…With 50 men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.” – Christopher Columbus.

The passage above was taken from historian Howard Zinn’s, A People’s History of the United States. Columbus, in that quote, was describing the native Arawak people he had encountered when he landed in The Bahamas in 1492. Implicit in this one recount is the long, sordid history of colonialism and the genocide the natives would suffer at the hands of the colonisers. Columbus’s words were not idle. It was only a few decades before the Arawaks,along with several other native tribes, were almost wiped out from The Bahamas by the Spaniards.

What happened to the natives in The Bahamas is an unfortunate truth that happened in almost all the places in which natives resided and were ‘discovered.’

Here in Guyana, the plight of the native or first people, whom we refer to as Amerindians, was not much different. Our history books give a passing sentence or two to the sufferings that were dealt out to the Indigenous peoples when colonisers arrived on our shores. As a result, there is a certain vagueness people have when they think of the injustices against natives. My paternal grandmother was Arawak-descended. My maternal grandmother was Carib-descended. I have not only the blood of the first people flowing through my veins. I have the blood of two different and often opposing tribes within me. My maternal grandmother was more connected to her Indigenous culture, but even she treated it more as something that was secondary, something to be forgotten. As a result, I grew up being aware of my descent, but not my culture.

So, now I scrape and grasp at what I can, listening to the tales of the long forgotten and trying to remember a history I was

never privy to.

Years of genocide and colonialism, years of disrespect and disregard for the first people have caused within us an aligning with cultures not our own. The loss of our culture is almost like a wilful forgetting, albeit it being a forced one. I don’t know much about my culture, I try to learn but I always get sidetracked with issues that I’d rather not see. Every time I try to learn about what the land means to the first people and how they are connected to it, I see instead how their ancestral lands are being trampled upon in pursuit of capital. They are being displaced and compromised. Their food is dwindling, their livelihoods are being taken away and their access to basic services and necessities has long since been disregarded.

I’d ask the question of, why? However, I already know the answer. The idea that the first people are ‘savages,’ ‘uncultured,’ is one that has been continuously built up over the years. Somehow, the simplicity required to live off of the land has been thwarted into something that should be frowned upon and disrespected.

Due to the fact that they often reside in reservations, the first people suffer

high rates of poverty. The education they receive is subpar and often only goes to a certain level, after which many either drop out completely or have to seek a central area to go to school. They do not have access to the same services that are afforded others and the government has to realise that they have a binding obligation to provide this. Indigenous peoples are continuously being forced off their lands with the help of the government.

Large and small companies and concessions are granted permission to log and mine on Indigenous lands and hunting grounds. Given the violent history they have suffered, laws, acts and treaties have been put in place to help protect the first people and their lands. These things have however, fallen drastically short of their intended aim and natives continue to suffer because of discrimination against them.

As I celebrate the heritage of my people, I ask that we become more cognisant, more respectful of the lives and culture of the first women and men who, despite the brand of ‘savages,’ never needed to become ‘civilised.’

School teacher accuses husband of infidelity, torches home

POLICE are looking for a Sophia Primary School teacher who allegedly set her house ablaze, with her husband and teenage son inside in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle said that the Fire Service is investigating a case of arson at the Section ‘E’ Field, Cummings Park, residence and the Police have been notified.

The teacher, identified as 46-year-old Brucene Walters, initially tried to burn the building down on Monday when she set fire to building materials which were stored under their home. She was however unsuccessful.

It is alleged that the

materials were bought by her older son with her assistance, as he had intended to construct a small shack in which he and his girlfriend planned to live.

However, in the wee hours of Tuesday morning she set fire to the bed in which her husband, 49-year-old Richard Walters was sleeping. He suffered minor burns to the body which was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The man related that when he jumped out of his bed he saw flames and initially did not know the fire was set by his wife.

However, it was when he rushed to assist her and his 15-year-old son out of the house that he realised

that it was she who had committed the act after she threw a lit kerosene stove at him before fleeing the scene.

The traumatised husband said he could not believe what had happened since their youngest child was in the house when it was set ablaze.

When questioned what could have been a motive for her action, he said they had an argument earlier in the night and he was accused of infidelity, something which he denied. He noted that all his possessions and important documents have gone up in the flames.

Brucene is believed to be hiding out at her sister’s home in Berbice.

The remains of the house that was set ablaze. (Samuel Maughn Photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

PCA probes alleged abuse of civilian by cop at outpost

COMMANDER of Police ‘A’ Division, Marlon Chapman, on Tuesday said that the investigation of an amateur video which had circulated on social media depicting an incident with two members of the Guyana Police Force and a citizen is being examined by the Police Complaints Authority.

However, an official of the PCA told the Guyana Chronicle that they were not

in receipt of any documents as it relates to any such video probe. It is believed that the matter is being investigated by police at Brickdam.

Chapman said too that the Corporal in question was transferred to another location to facilitate the investigation. About a week ago, a video was reportedly taped by a man who claimed that he showed up at the Police Outpost at Water Street to make a report that he was

being threatened but was met with both verbal and physical assault. The video recording has engaged the attention of the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The video which did not reveal the identity of the man depicts two policemen, a Constable and a Corporal refusing to take the man’s report and directing him to do so at the Brickdam Police Station.

But the man refused to be sent off and demanded that his report be filed,

after which he was reportedly assaulted by the Corporal who told him to

get out of the police outpost with his beer bottle (which the video did not show).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Guyana ready for transformation from oil and gas … Min. Gaskin tells Canadian Trade Mission delegation

By Alexis Rodney

MINISTER of Business, Dominic Gaskin, said on Tuesday that Guyana is prepared for the transformation the oil and gas sector will bring, particularly the long-term benefits it will afford the economy and its citizens.

The transformation will be effective however, only if

the new, emerging sector is properly regulated and monitored. The minister made the comments while addressing stakeholders and a delegation of over 20 companies currently in Guyana to lend assistance to local businesses and by extension the major players in the oil and gas industry.

The event held at the Marriott International Hotel

was a collaboration between the High Commissioner of Canada, the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and gas industry Association (NOIA), Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-INVEST).

According to Minister Gaskin, Guyana is still new to oil and gas and is currently on a steep learning curve

playing “catch up” with the industry. He said the discovery of oil has brought a lot of excitement to the country.

“There’s also a high level of interest outside of Guyana and people are visiting Guyana with a lot more frequency than before to get a feel for the types of business opportunities that exist,“ he said.

Much of the discussions here the minister noted, centres on local content and whether it should be regulated, legislated, signed into contracts or just be left to oil companies to use their best judgement. “The’re a lot of experts advising on this. Some are advising the government officially, some are just giving free advice to the government and to anyone else who will listen,” Gaskin said.

He said while there is no shortage of opinions on what government needs to do to ensure that the Guyanese people become the beneficiaries of the sector, the administration understands that this is a huge long-term private sector investment and that the investors are planning to extract some 450M

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin production by 2020.

Speaking at the event also was NOIA’s Treasurer Canadian Michael Critch, who said that his company is well aware of the potential of what he said is Guyana’s emerging world-class, deep-water petroleum industry. According to him, it was only a couple decades ago that his country had the very same opportunity but was blinded to what needed to be done in the industry. He said his country has learnt over those years and is now able to foster,

ing Storage and Offloading (FSO’s) and four years servicing rigs and drill ships.

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee, said the bilateral commercial relationship between Guyana and Canada has been growing. Over the past two years, she explained that merchandise trade between the two countries has reached $700,000,000; positioning Guyana as Canada’s largest trading market within CARICOM and the third largest in the Caribbean,

Chief Executive Officer of Go-Invest, Owen Verwey, addresses the gathering at the Marriott Hotel (DPI photo) barrels of oil.

“We understand the implications of this. We understand what can happen if things go wrong and there [is] an accidental spill. We understand that we’re dealing with a big and very sophisticated investor that has way more resources than we do.

We also understand that any investor needs to get a certain return on their investment, otherwise they’re not going on make the decision to invest,” he said.

According to the minister, government is satisfied with the progress that the Liza-1 project is making, noting that it wants to see that progress continue with fulfilment of the promised oil

benefit and be the owners of the industry. His country now partners with foreign industries to see successes.

“We hope that we could offer some insight and knowledge with Guyana and the businesses here. Hopefully, the business opportunities will align with those back in my country,” Critch said.

He said the delegation of 20 companies is hoping to learn more about the opportunities in Guyana and in turn the Guyanese industry could also learn from them.

“A win-win” experience it will be,” he said.

He said the Newfoundland Company has over 15 years of servicing Float-

Canada is now Guyana’s top destination for exports relating to gold, she revealed.

She said with this, it shows that Canada is not solely interested in the investment of Canadian companies in Guyana in the extractive industry, but overall investment with “lots of opportunities.”

According to the High Commissioner, Canada’s extractive industry has a worldwide reputation for innovation for developing increasingly challenged resource reserves, to realise economic gains and at the same time obtaining human rights and environmental principles.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Crime Chief Blanhum goes on leave

CRIME CHIEF, Senior Superintendent, Wendell Blanhum has proceeded on annual leave and Senior Superintendent and Commander of ‘F’ Division, Ravindradat Budh-

Acting Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent, Ravindradat Budhram

ram, has been appointed to act in his place, as of Tuesday, police sources have confirmed.

And, Deputy Commander of Berbice, Senior Superintendent, Edmond Cooper will act as Commander of “F” Division in Budram’s absence. Blanhum’s proceeding on leave has come at a time when President David Granger is reviewing the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged assassination plot against him, which he said have exposed serious deficiencies and weaknesses in the force that will be corrected.

The President had noted that the CoI was not meant to be a witch-hunt but that work has to be done to ensure that the law enforcement agency, is more professional and effi-

would have realised that there has been a significant lapse in professionalism at the high levels of the Guyana Police Force, so these are matters of concern. It has brought to light some serious deficiencies…The important thing is to ensure that we get information so that we can correct faults.

It is not a witch-hunt. We are trying to make the law enforcement agencies

Senior Superintendent, Edmond Cooper cient in the execution of its duties and responsibilities, “[The Commission] made some very strong recommendations. Even persons who have been following the day-to-day reports

Teen suspect held in Baramita murder A 17-YEAR-OLD MINER who allegedly murdered a farmer at Baramita, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini) on October 12, 2016, was on Monday apprehended by Toshao Trevor Mathis, of Region One, the police have confirmed.

It is alleged that the teen fatally stabbed his friend, Abraham Wilson, 30, of Cassique Creek, Baramita, NWD, with whom he was imbibing “rice

wine”.

Based on reports, the men had an argument and it is alleged that the teen armed with a knife stabbed Wilson to the left side of his neck. Wilson managed to make his way into another camp where he related what happened before he collapsed. The suspect on the other hand had escaped from the scene.

As a result of his arrest it is expected that he will be charged shortly.

more efficient,” he said.

President Granger, in November 2016, on the Ministry of the Presidency’s television programme, “The Public Interest”, had said that while the GPF had not received the attention it deserved in the past, his administration would work to make it a sound, professional organisation.

Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Gov’t stands ready to advance well-being of single mothers

THE Ministry of Social Protection said it stands ready and willing to work with all stakeholders -- both private and public -- to champion any future policy modification necessary to guarantee the social and economic advancement and

status of women, especially single-parent women, in Guyana.

The ministry’s comments were made in a statement on Monday further clarifying that the recent statement by Junior Social Protection Minister Keith Scott on banning

single mothers from doing night security was not a policy of the administration.

“The Ministry of Social Protection wishes to notify that while it remains open to practical options that would provide flexibility for working single-parent women in

Guyana, it is fully committed to adopting measures and policies that would not contribute or impede single-parent women being hired in all sectors of the economy.”

According to the ministry, it has no current or future intention to create any policy that would exclude single-parent women from any sector in Guyana, whether it is voluntary or involuntary.

“We are cognisant of the far-reaching consequence of the implementation of such a policy such as the widening of the gender gap which the ministry has been working towards bridging those gaps for years.”

The ministry said an important aspect of its mandate is to remove constraints to women’s economic participation in the workforce and to ensure that all women, especially those facing intersecting forms of discrimination, have equal access to employment free from gender discrimination, including discrimination based on traditional sex stereotypes, pregnancy, and parenting.

“For decades, women have been fighting the stereotypical perception that they should not seek careers that may not suit their social status. However, the ministry remains resolved to continue

and not hinder the work that we have begun regarding gender parity, because of pregnancy and motherhood.

We are committed to ensuring that all sectors work better for women, ensure equal access to gainful employment; the provision of equal terms of conditions for women, safe working conditions and ensuring women’s full participation in the economy which is vital to achieving sustainable development in Guyana.”

Last week, Minister of State Joseph Harmon made it clear that there is no ban on the employment of women working at night, allaying the fears of many following the proposal by Scott. Harmon said that in relation to the question about a night-work ban for women working in private security companies, the Minister of Social Protection is responsible for the protection of all Guyanese including women, and therefore it is quite appropriate for concerns to be expressed about the conditions under which women work at night.

Harmon, however, made it clear that there is no policy position approved by Cabinet where there is to be a ban on females working in security services at night. Minister Harmon said, “As far as the

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally government is concerned, we have had no debate on the matter. The senior Minister of Social Protection in that regard would have to bring a paper to Cabinet and Cabinet will have to debate on it. Until such time that that occurs, the situation remains as it is and that is to say that women will continue to work either day or night and there is no restriction on them.”

Minister Harmon has instead indicated that Government is calling on security companies to acknowledge and recognise that there are special conditions under which women should work and therefore those See page 15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Suspect held over robbery at Readymix POLICE have held a man in connection with the robbery at Readymix Concrete Limited at 69-72 Eccles Industrial Site, East Bank Demerara, Sunday last.

The suspect, police said, is assisting with the investigation as others are being sought for questioning.

The business was robbed after three armed bandits smashed a concrete wall to gain entry into a safe which they opened with a welding torch on Sunday around 02:30-03:00hrs.

The bandits who were said to be carrying high-powered rifles escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash after an exchange of gunfire with members of a contracted security service, who had responded to an electronic alarm.

According to reports, the bandits used a sledgehammer to smash a three feet by four feet hole in the company’s concrete fence. The men also smashed a similar hole on the lower flat of the building in order to reach

the vault.

According to the police, the armed bandits pounced upon the two watchmen, both in their late 70s, and held them at gunpoint before proceeding to a section of the two-storey building and removing the cash from a safe.

Armed personnel from the security service responded to an alarm and confronted the suspects. There was an exchange of gunfire between the two sides, but the suspects managed to flee the scene.

Gov’t stands ready to advance ...

From page 14 facilities for women should also be acknowledged and recognised by security firms. “There is no restriction on their right to work, what we will ask and we will insist is that the employers who employ women must ensure the conditions under which they work that they provide for the special arrangements which have to do with women in the workforce.”

The Minister of State added too that Government is always open to advice as he stressed that the rights of workers must always be protected in the actual payment which they receive for the work that they do.

He noted too that “these persons’ national insurance contributions must be paid.

So there is an obligation on the part of the employer and an obligation on the part of the employee.”

Minister Harmon said that the State will provide the

legislative and regulatory frameworks within which that relationship between employer and employee exists.

The Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAPSO) had condemned Scott’s proposal, saying that more research is needed before any move is made toward the elimination of single mothers from working at nights in the private security industry.

Reports are that the men also broke into a parked vehicle in the compound, looking for valuables.

In February 2015, robbers invaded Readymix and tied up a security guard before escaping with two safes. One was later found abandoned in Agricola with $1.4M.

15

The sledgehammer which was used to gain access into the Readymix building.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

408,000 ducklings produced this year by livestock authority hatchery –– gearing farmers to increase production base

THE Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has produced 408,000 ducklings for 2017 so far, surpassing the 2016 figure of 400,000, the Min-

istry of Agriculture said in a release on Monday.

Genetic Improvement Specialist of the GLDA, Dr. Robin Austin, who was at the time updating Agricul-

ture Minister Noel Holder, spoke of the progress made by the hatchery and the positive results which farmers have achieved.

The GLDA Hatchery De-

partment has been facilitating farmers in the use of the facility at a cost of $100 per egg, or based on the number of successful hatchings.

Minister Holder, while touring the facility, spoke of his satisfaction with the work done by the GLDA in ensuring that the authority becomes independent and generates an income, the release stated.

He added that so far, the duckling production has experienced positive growth of more than 90 percent and encouraged management of the authority to continue to strive for higher returns.

“Many farmers, primarily single parents from all parts of the country utilise the services of the GLDA Hatchery, hence the efforts of the Ministry of Agricul-

ture to ensure that we maintain a high level of service,” the minister said.

The eggs after being collected from farmers are fumigated and then they undergo the process to become ducklings.

Meanwhile, Hatchery Manager designate, Dr. Mariel Savory, stated that the GLDA doesn’t only provide hatchery services, but makes use of its extension officers who ensure that farmers practise proper husbandry, and maintain a ratio of hens to drakes which is a factor in fertility.

“It is important for us to sensitise farmers on issues such as these, if there is to be an increase in their production and productivity... since we have introduced these services to farmers, we (GLDA) have seen a

significant increase in the number of new farmers, as well as production,” Dr. Savory said.

The GLDA hatchery produces approximately 8,500 ducklings on a hatching day.

Of that amount, 600 are from farmers while the remaining eggs are from the GLDA. The authority also retails duckings to the public at a subsidised cost of $250, with a waiting period of two weeks.

Annually, the release said further, the GLDA hatchery records an increase in production during the January-April period. It is estimated that the ducklings produced at the hatchery eventually yield over one million pounds of duck meat per year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

GNBS to promote standardisation in education system

THE PROCESS of standardisation offers the best sources of competitive intelligence available and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) will be introducing its Standardisation Programme to primary schools countrywide during this academic year.

This is according to GNBS Executive Director, Candelle Walcott-Bostwick, during the launch of the initiative held Tuesday at the GNBS Head Office, Flat 15 National Exhibition Complex, Sophia.

The GNBS has formalised the process by publishing its first official information booklet for primary schools. The booklet makes standardisation very attractive and is expected to stimulate children and educators to consult with the GNBS for more information on this subject and be engaged in future partnerships.

Walcott-Bostwick said the fundamental aim and objective of the initiative is to educate students and the leaders of tomorrow, on the roles and functions of the GNBS as the National Standards Body and the benefits of implementing standards.

Adding that the initiative also formally introduces Standardisation into the schools, the Director said this initiative is as a result of an ISO Regional Workshop that was held in Brazil in 2012.

Technical Officer of the Education Ministry, Tameka Barker ( at left) receives a copy of the booklet from GNBS Executive Director, Candelle Walcott-Bostwick.

(Delano Williams Photo)

At that Regional Workshop, the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) encouraged National Standards bodies to promote the topic of standardisation in the educational system in their respective countries.

“This initiative is to provide students with sufficient knowledge on the benefits of standards applicable in different sectors and, is expected to facilitate a smooth transition into higher levels of education and the work environment,” she explained.

“We believe that engaging the educational sector is vital for the development of our country, since it will provide

opportunities for our students to appreciate the value that standards have in their everyday lives.”

The Standards Bureau head said students must be educated in this important field since it will boost their understanding of key topics such as globalisation which is rampant and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

Noting that standards influence everything we do, Walcott-Bostwick said standards control markets, and in strategic terms if you control an industry’s standards, you control the industry lock, stock and ledger.

She explained that as

Students from Stella Maris and Winfer Garden Primary perusing the booklet. (Delano Williams Photo)

Guyana prepares the leaders of tomorrow, standardisation in its full context must be instilled at an early age until it becomes a culture which will guide their decisions.

“Our students must be aware that irrespective of their areas of interest as they grow older, standards will always have a prominent role in the success of their businesses or career choices,” Walcott-Bostwick added.

In giving an example, she said a doctor must know that in order to make an accurate diagnosis, he must utilise the services of an accredited laboratory.

Further, she said “a civil engineer must know that in order to provide quality

building works to his customers, he must use certified building materials and approved building codes, a farmer must know that he must conform to good agriculture practices and have his fruits and vegetables certified to standards, a vendor must know that he must confirm to good hygienic practices and standards, and a parliamentarian must know that policies developed must consider the use of standards to enhance the development of the country and its people.”

She asserted that children will eventually be vigilant since they will now encourage their parents, relatives or friends to be engaged in this drive for standardisation.

In addition, she said educators can also use this opportunity to formally consider and include topics relating to standardisation in their curriculum.

This approach will encourage children and educators, as well as their families, to engage on a daily basis as regards to the lessons learnt in the areas of standardisation and the GNBS, she said.

A compiled booklet makes standardisation very attractive and it will certainly stimulate children and educators to consult with the GNBS for more information on this subject and be engaged in future partnerships, the GNBS Executive Director posited.

Five ranks receive monetary awards in police Quarterly Essay Competition FIVE ranks were presented with monetary awards at the conclusion of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Quarterly Essay Competition, writing about “My worst experience in the Guyana Police Force thus far”.

The scripts were marked by the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) with a maximum attainable score of 40 marks.

Detective Inspecto r, Sherlock Houston, of the Narcotics Branch was awarded the First place, with Constable Delroy Griffith of Special Branch and Inspector Ian Welch of ‘B’ Division tied in Second position; The Fourth spot place went to Woman Inspector, Palesa Peters- Fernandes of ‘E’ Division and in Fifth place was Woman Lance-Corporal, Antonette

Gonsalves of Central Immigration and Passport Office.

The presentation ceremony was held on Monday morning at the office of Public Relations Unit at .Eve Leary The event also saw three ranks: Constable Eron Mc Garrel of the Criminal Investigation Department, Headquarters (CID HQ); Constable David Prince of ‘A’ Division and Constable Dale Kewley of ‘E’ Division; who had placed first, second and third respectively They had written on the topic “My best experience in the Guyana Police Force thus far.”

The elated winners all expressed gratitude for the opportunity granted them the opportunity to express themselves and display their writing and are encouraging

The GPF Quarterly Essay Competition winners with Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan (third from right).

others ranks to participate in similar upcoming competitions.

Public Relations Offi-

cer (PRO), Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan said that apart from the annual President’s Gold Medal Essay

Competition, the new Quarterly Essay Competition offers everyone in the organisation an opportunity to

develop their writing skills which would enhance their capacity as members of the police force.

He added that a written report is often the first impression a police rank makes on commanding officers, lawyers or judges.

The PRO also explained that a written report can also mean the difference between a rightful conviction and an erroneous release of a guilty person. On the other hand, an accurate and intelligently-written report can make a positive first impression and lead to new opportunities in the future.

In 2009, Mr. Ramlakhan while a Sergeant attached to the Central Police Station, Berbice, was awarded the First Place in the President’s Gold Medal Essay Competition.

‘Don’t ignore

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

…elderly cancer survivor bats for HPV vaccine …urges early screening

By Svetlana Marshall A 64-year-old woman who survived cervical cancer after being diagnosed with the disease earlier this year has now become a staunch advocate for early screening and is urging parents to encourage their children to take the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, which is soon to be made available during a countrywide campaign.

“If they get a vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer, I think we should use it. We shouldn’t wait fuh things get bad before we try fuh get help,” Rukhmin Mortley told the Guyana Chronicle during an exclusive interview at her Eccles, East Bank Demerara home.

Her message is coming at a time when the Public Health Ministry in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) is on the verge of rolling out a comprehensive Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign with the aim of immunising approximately 36, 000 girls between the ages of 9 and 13 across Guyana. The vaccine is intended to protect them from the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) as they grow older.

HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), has the potential to develop genital warts and cancer, in particular cervical cancer among women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recounting the events that led up to her being diagnosed, Mortley said: “I just wake up one morning and I start to bleed and my daughter took me to emergency.”

It was not long after that she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Cervical Cancer – the cancer had already spread from the cervix into the structures around it. Mortley said, she was advised by the doctors that surgery was not the best option, because the cancer

Gardasil is the preferred vaccine used by the Public Health Ministry. (Mobieg Photo)

Photograph showing the outer layer of the cervix when it is in its normal stage to when it starts to develop cancer. (Mobieg Photo)

had already advanced.

“She [the doctor] said I would have to do 25 radiations, five chemo, and three internal. So immediately, I start doing the treatment,” she related. From February 23 to May 2017, Mortley underwent her rigid treatment at the Cancer Institute of Guyana, completing 25 radiation therapies, one session of chemotherapy, and three internal radiation therapies. The therapies had cost her $750, 000, of which Government contributed $200,000. “It was a painful experience. I couldn’t ah bathe for 25 days, I couldn’t ah cook, I couldn’t wash nothing. The radiation is something not too nice,” the housewife noted.

Fifteen days after completing her treatment, Mortley, in July, was again scanned, and was told by the oncologists at the Cancer Institute that she was free of cancer. “Since then, everything normal, I aint getting no treatment, I ain’t living on no treatment,” she said.

The cancer survivor said she is thankful for the

overwhelming support she received from her family, friends, doctors, and church members, noting that she and her husband, David, could not have done it.

Mortley, backed by her husband, is now endorsing the use of the HPV vaccine, saying that if the vaccine had been available to her in her younger days, she would not have had to put up with cervical cancer at age 63. “I would like to advise parents who have their girlchildren from 9-13, go and get this vaccine as they have the opportunity now fuh get the vaccine because this cancer, the treatment is not nice, it is not something nice to go through, so that will avoid them from having the cancer,” she pleaded.

PAP SMEAR Additionally, the mother of two is also encouraging women who are sexually active to get their pap smears and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) done to determine whether they have cancerous cells in the cervix.

The HPV vaccine was first introduced in Guyana during a campaign from 2012-2014, however, there were mixed reactions, with some persons objecting.

When random calls were made to parents, some parents signalled their willingness while others objected. Lavern Stoll-Clyne, the owner of a taxi service in central Georgetown, said she would allow her 13-year-old daughter to receive the HPV vaccine.

She said she had watched a compelling documentary on cervical cancer, in which a patient had blamed her mother for not allowing her to take the vaccine.

“I don’t want my daughter to ever have the cause to blame me, so yes! I would allow her to take it,” StollClyne said, even as she applauded the move by the health authorities to make the vaccine readily available.

Marla Douglas, a Linden mother of three, said when the campaign is launched she would be more than willing to allow her nineyear-old daughter to have the vaccine taken. “I have been hearing a lot about cervical cancer and I don’t ever want my child to get it. So I will protect her from now, and if it means that

PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow HPV vaccines in the presence of the MCH Director, Dr. Erten his left. (Photo by

she has to take it, she will,” Douglas said, while calling on parents to place emphasis on sex education among their children.

A public servant and West Bank Demerara mother of two, who requested anonymity, did not object to the HPV vaccine, but stated that she would have to conduct her research. “I wouldn’t allow my daughters to be vaccinated in a public campaign. As a par-

ent I’m responsible for their health and general well-being. It is my decision what types of vaccines they get, how frequent and at what age. My issue is not particularly with the vaccines, but with the state imposing it at their will,” she stated.

When told that the vaccine was optional, the West Bank Demerara mother said “It’s for the government to make those vaccines available if and when I decide to

e the danger’ GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Having been cured of cervical cancer, 64-year-old Rukhmin Mortley is now calling on parents to protect their girlchildren from the disease (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

detailing facts about cervical cancer and the importance of nisa Hamilton on his right and the DCMO, Dr. Karen Boyle, on y Delano Williams)

access them.”

MYTHS ABOUT HPV Dr. Syed Ghazi, Director of Outreach at the Cancer Institute, told the Guyana Chronicle that there are many myths associated with vaccines and treatments such as the HPV vaccine, but stressed that after years of research, the HPV vaccine has proven to be effective in the prevention of cervical cancer and genital

warts.

One such myth is that the teenagers become more sexually active after taking the vaccine, but Dr. Ghazi said there is no such evidence. Dr. Ghazi said the Cancer Institute for years has been conducting extensive outreaches not only in Georgetown, but in the hinterland regions, screening persons for the various types of cancer, including cervical cancer. He noted too that

A new lease on life! After months of battling cervical cancer, Rukhmin Mortley is now enjoying a cancer-free life with her husband, David. In the photo, they are enjoying one of their specialties “chicken-curry.” (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

major emphasis has been placed on educating persons, pointing out that people are more receptive now towards the HVP vaccine, VIA testing and Pap smears.

Like Mortley, Dr. Ghazi is calling on parents to embrace the use of the HPV vaccine. “We at the Cancer Institute of Guyana believe that prevention is better than cure, and early detection saves lives. Cervical cancer is a monster which has caused of a lot of deaths in the Caribbean and in Guyana…Prevention is to get a vaccine. I know that young girls have to get it, and parents sometimes are anxious but guess what, if you do that you will save their lives.”

Second most common During a recent Media Brown Bag Meeting at the PAHO/WHO Country Office, its Country Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, said cervical cancer is a public health concern. “Data from WHO clearly identifies cervical cancer as the second most common cancer in women of reproductive age group, and if there is something that we can use to prevent it, then it is high time that we get unto using it,” he told health journalists. Al-

luding to statistical reports produced by PAHO/WHO, the Country Representative pointed out that over 83,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and almost 36,000 died from the disease in the Region of the Americas, in 2012.

“If this trend continues, the number of deaths in the Americas is projected to increase by 45% by the year 2030,” he warned. Added to that, Dr. Adu-Krow pointed out that cervical cancer mortality rates are three times higher in Latin America and the Caribbean than in North America.

However, it must be noted that approximately 70 per cent of cancer cases could be avoided through HPV vaccination of adolescent girls.

Director of Maternal Child Health (MCH), Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, who was also among the panellists that addressed the health journalists, explained that while HPV is a sexually transmitted disease, a person can become infected if he or she comes into direct contact with the virus from broken skin from any part of the body. Babies can also be infected during delivery if their mothers are infected.

Dr. Hamilton noted too that it takes 15 to 20 years for cervical cancer to develop in women with normal immune systems; however, it can take only 5 to 10 years in women with weakened immune systems, such as those with untreated HIV infection. Symptoms of cervical cancer tend to appear only after the cancer has reached an advanced stage, the MCH Director noted, while pointing out that symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse; back, leg or pelvic pain; fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite; vaginal discomfort or odorous discharge; and swollen legs. It was noted however that not all vaginal bleeding is linked to cervical cancer.

In Guyana, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women with the number of cases increasing. For the period 2003-2012, Dr. Hamilton said 4 per cent of the cancer was detected in stage one with 96 per cent of all other cancers detected at later stages. She pointed out that every year 27 out of every 100,000 women die from cervical cancer.

“Two-thirds of all these cases was women under the age of 60. The age group that we found most at risk is

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15-39,” she posited. While there is provision within the health care system for the screening and pap smear of women to detect cancer at an early state, allowing for treatment, Dr. Hamilton was adamant that the most effective way of preventing cervical cancer is the HPV vaccine.

Turning her attention to the countrywide HPV Vaccination Campaign, which is set to commence on October 16, Dr. Hamilton said the HPV Vaccination is nothing new to Guyana, explaining that from 2012-2014, the HPV vaccine was introduced to the country with a donation of 21,600 doses.

Vaccines were administered to girls 11-13 in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six. Though HPV is common among males as well, the MCH Director said the current focus is on the vulnerable population, including girls and women. “If we do a very good job and achieve at least 95% of the girls within the age group, it means that the boys within that age group will be automatically protected,” she posited.

With the consent of their parents, girls age 9-13 will be immunised in the schools, hospitals and health centres across the country, and even at private health institutions at no cost.

Outreaches are also expected to be conducted in remote areas to ensure the majority of girls within the targeted group are covered.

Six months after the first dose, they would receive a second dose of Gardasil, the preferred HPV vaccine used by the Public Health Ministry.

Dr. Hamilton said the Public Health Ministry is collaborating with the Education Ministry and private health Institutions and practitioners to facilitate a successful campaign. Additionally, health personnel in the various regions at all levels are being trained and edified about the HPV Vaccine.

The campaign is heavily funded by the Guyana Government with assistance from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and PAHO/ WHO. Some 40, 000 doses of the vaccine have already been secured.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Three held for questioning into Britisher’s death

AS the investigation into the suspected suicide of British citizen, Sarah Rosemary Dajee continues, three persons have been detained by local police.

They have since submitted statements to the law enforcement officers, at the Central Police Station, in New Amsterdam, Berbice. However, as they remain in custody overnight, sleuths have scheduled the post-mortem for today, at the New Amsterdam mortuary.

Dajee was found dead on Sunday, hours after she had returned from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), 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 interior 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 Barbados currency, her British passport, a quantity of phar-

Sarah Rosemary Dajee maceutical medications, clothing and other personal 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.

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

She is also alleged to have claimed that 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 Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) where she was expected to board the 04:15 Liat flight. But after being informed by an Im-

migration 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 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 Rosemary Dajee was a judge in a recently-held karaoke competition organised by her host. The body is currently at the Arokium Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem. Investigations are continuing.

Tuseneng Primary on Schools Educational Tour SEVERAL students of the Tuseneng Primary School in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), are in Georgetown on a Schools Educational Tour as part of activities for the 2017 Indigenous Heritage Month of Celebrations.

The students who are accompanied by a teacher arrived in the city on Monday for a week-long tour. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs was the third stop on the first day of the tour for the students, who are on their first outing to the city. They also visited the National Library and the Red House.

During their visit to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the students met Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock; Minister within the Ministry Valerie Garrido-Lowe; and Permanent Secretary, Alfred King.

In welcoming the students and teacher, Minister Allicock took the opportunity to brief them about the daily operations of the

Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock; Minister within the Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Permanent Secretary Alfred King pose with the students of Tuseneng Primary School. ministry, as well as key personnel who are tasked with ensuring the ministry’s mandate to the Indigenous peoples is executed efficiently and effectively.

Students were also briefed on the ministry’s flagship programme the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) - an initiative

geared at empowering the Indigenous young people.

Minister Allicock said: “This is to bring some opportunities to our young people across the country so that they can earn from their own creations by exploiting the natural resources without too much harm, meaning you can get things from the forest

without cutting down all the trees, you could get into eco-tourism, selling your work or handicraft and sharing your way of life.”

Minister Garrido-Lowe whose responsibility is for women, children and sports, told the students whose ages range between 10 and 11 years, that “you

will find me talking with women, forming women and children's groups, finding out what is it you need. You obviously need to learn music, have more sports equipment, more books to read, uniforms, long boots, raincoats. So I represent you”.

Permanent Secretary, Alfred King who is a for-

mer teacher, noted the importance of the exercise saying: “We believe that it is indeed a worthwhile experience where you can come into Georgetown and learn about life, learn about economic and other activities, and of course make a comparison with the life that you know about in your community and it will allow you to appreciate more and value more the things that you have in your community”.

The students will also be given the opportunity to tour the National Museum, Banks DIH Ltd and several monuments located across the city.

It is all part of the activities in celebration of Indigenous Heritage Month.

Every year, schools from the hinterland are given the opportunity to travel to the city to learn more about life on the coastland and on their return share the knowledge they have gained.

On Tuesday the students made their first visit to the National Museum.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Windies have long shot for 2019 World Cup spot THE West Indies could still seal automatic qualification to the 2019 World Cup in England, but only through an unlikely scenario in the next couple of One Day Internationals.

With the cut-off deadline for making it into the top eight, set for September 30, the West Indies are currently in ninth spot on 78 points.

The Caribbean team is, however, still just within reach of Sri Lanka who are eight points ahead on 86.

The team will begin a series of ODIs this month starting with a matchup against Ireland on September 13 and then five straight matches again England, which bowl off on September 19.

In order to progress the Windies will have to defeat Ireland and then England either by a 5-0 or a 4-1 mar-

gin. in which they win the last four matches. In other words, losing any match other than the opening match against England at Old Trafford on September 19 will allow Sri Lanka a direct passage.

The team failing to advance directly to the tournament will get another shot through a Qualifying tournament.

The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 will feature the bottom four sides from the ICC ODI Team Rankings, the top four sides from the ICC World Cricket League Championship and the top two sides from ICC World Cricket League Division 2.

The top two sides from the World Cup Qualifier will complete the 10-team line-up for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

Leeds replace Cardiff at top of Championship (REUTERS) - Leeds United beat Birmingham City 2-0 in front of a crowd of 30,000 to take over at the top of England’s Championship (second tier) from Cardiff City who suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 3-0 at Preston North End on Tuesday.

Goals from Samuel Saiz and Stuart Dallas secured Leeds’s fifth straight win in all competitions as they seek a return to the Premier League after 13 years.

At Deepdale, Preston’s Josh Harrop scored his first goal since his summer move from Manchester

United, with Sean Maguire and Alan Browne inflicting further damage on Cardiff, who now trail Leeds by a point.

Danny Batth scored a late equaliser as Wolverhampton Wanderers shared the points and six goals against Bristol City while Sheffield United moved third by edging bottom side Bolton Wanderers 1-0.

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce remains under pressure after a second successive goalless draw at home, against Middlesbrough, in a game in which both sides ended with 10 men after the dismissals of Henri Lansbury and Adama Traore.

Millwall’s Lee Gregory was also dismissed but his side held on for a creditable draw at Queens Park Rangers. Millwall move one point clear of Sunderland, whose terrible start to the season continued with a fourth successive defeat, 1-0 at home to Nottingham Forest.

Sheffield Wednesday came from behind to beat Brentford and extend their unbeaten league run to six matches after Gary Hooper and Ross Wallace scored in the 2-1 win at Hillsborough.

Burton held Norwich City to a goalless draw at Carrow Road for their first away point of the season.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

PCB to spend SA stun Senegal as Uganda, US$2.5-3M for Nigeria and Burkina Faso also win Independence Cup World Cup 2018

SOUTH Africa, Uganda, Nigeria and Burkina Faso all recorded victories on Saturday as qualifying continued across Africa for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

South Africa inflicted a first competitive defeat on Senegal since January 2015, winning 2-1 in Polokwane to go second on goal difference in Group D behind Burkina Faso who won 2-0 away to Cape Verde.

Algeria also suffered their first competitive defeat since the 2015 Nations Cup with a 2-1 loss in Nigeria.

The Super Eagles have taken a four-point lead in Group B after Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw by Zambia.

Uganda's recent resurgence continued with a 1-0 victory over Congo Brazzaville in Kampala to lead the Group E standings.

South Africa coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba knew that anything less than a win against Group D pacesetters Senegal would increase the pressure on him, after Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

The hosts took the lead in the 43rd minute after a contentious penalty was awarded for handball.

defence, to taste a competitive defeat for the first time in almost two years.

South Africa are second in Group D after Burkina Faso went top on goal-difference with a 2-0 win away to Cape Verde.

First-half goals from Banou Diawara and Prejuce Nakoulma gave Burkina Faso the victory in Praia.

Chelsea's Victor Moses scored twice as Nigeria kept up their winning start to the group phase of 2018 World Cup qualifying with a 3-1 victory over Algeria in Uyo to make it two wins out of two in Group B. The Super Eagles took the lead through Moses in the 25th minute, and they made it 2-0 just before halftime when another Chelsea player, John Mikel Obi, beat Algeria's off-side trap to slot home as Algeria's defenders stood and watched.

Algeria did have chances to get back into the game - the best of them coming from Nabil Bentaleb who missed from close range.

Bentaleb made amends midway the second half with a powerful shot from 25 yards to make it 2-1.

That goal made it a frenetic end to the match, with Nigeria making sure of the three points with a third goal - a second from

ing he will now miss their match against Algeria.

In Kampala, Uganda picked up three more points in Group E with a 1-0 win over Congo Brazzaville.

A goal from 18-yearold forward Farouk Miya in the 18th minute was enough to give the Cranes a vital victory which takes them to the top of the group on four points.

South Africa midfielder Thulani Serero scores Bafana Bafana's second goal against Senegal.

Miya, who plays for Standard Liege in Belgium, controlled the ball effortlessly to shoot past Congolese goalkeeper Mongondza Ngobo, and add another goal to his growing international tally.

Uganda had a wealth of chances for both Miya and captain Geofrey Massa, but the hosts failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal.

They were almost made to pay late on in the match when their Congolese opponents had a clear shot on goal, only for the Ugandan defence to clear it off the line.

Veteran Cranes midfielder Tony Mawejje was visibly upset when stretchered off with an

Victor Moses records two of Nigeria's goals against Algeria.

Thulani Hlatshwayo confidently shot past Abdoulaye Diallo to successfully convert the spot-kick and put South Africa 1-0 up.

Just minutes later, Bafana Bafana doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime, thanks to an impressive individual goal from Thulani Serero to leave Senegal facing an uphill task.

Senegal grabbed a consolation goal 15 minutes from time through Cheikh Ndoye, but they could not find a path through a stubborn South African

Moses - in stoppage time to win 3-1.

Nigeria have a comfortable cushion at the top of Group B, after Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Zambia in Limbe.

Zambia took a shock lead through Collins Mbesuma in the 34th minute, with Cameroon's equaliser coming from the penalty spot, as Vincent Aboubakar struck just before halftime.

In a blow for Zambia, their influential TP Mazembe player Rainford Kalaba was booked with the Zambia FA confirm-

injury midway the second half, an incident that clouded an otherwise impressive afternoon for the hosts.

In Group C, Mali and Gabon drew 0-0 in Bamako, while Morocco and leaders Ivory Coast also saw out a goalless draw.

On Friday, the second round of group games got underway in Alge-

South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth 08:20 hrs Orakal 08:55 hrs Woodstock Fair 09:30 hrs Second Nature 10:05 hrs Rock Of Africa 10:40 hrs Phelan Lucky 11:15 hrs Wine Festival English Racing Tips Uttoxeter 09:00 hrs Equis Amadeus 09:30 hrs Art Of Payroll 10:00 hrs Byron Blue 10:30 hrs Gustave Mahler 11:00 hrs Hedgenator 11:30 hrs Just A Feeling Carlisle 09:10 hrs Tough Remedy 09:40 hrs I’m Dapper Too 10:10 hrs Dubai Empire 10:40 hrs Zodiakos

ria where the Group A match between Libya and Tunisia took place on security grounds.

A penalty from Sunderland's Wahbi Khazri was enough to give Tunisia a 1-0 victory and take them to the top of Group A with two wins out of two.

Libya are bottom of the group after two consecutive defeats.

The other Group A game pits Guinea against the Democratic Republic of Congo - one of two African 2018 World Cup qualifiers on Sunday. The other Sunday fixture is between Egypt and Ghana in Group E. Only the five group winners will qualify for Russia 2018. (BBC Sport) 11:10 hrs Ann Without An E 11:40 hrs Redarna 12:10 hrs Question Of Faith 12:40 hrs Bodacious Name Irish Racing Tips Listowel 09:05 hrs Ojinintka 09:35 hrs Perfect Soldier 10:05 hrs Riven Light 10:35 hrs Newcross 11:05 hrs Slow Motion 12:05 hrs Mount Hanover 12:35 hrs Suinda American Racing Tips Delware Park Race 1 Kenlake Resort Race 2 Sweet Tweet Race 3 Resilient One Race 4 Ninetyeightoctane Race 5 Bound Bi Luck Race 6 Forest Ranger Race 7 Irish Kisses Race 8 Pop By Race 9 Big Cork

By Osman Samiuddin in Lahore

THE Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will end up spending anywhere between US$2.5 and US$3M for the staging of the threematch T20I series against World XI, as it bids to build on unprecedented international goodwill and bring more cricket back to Pakistan.

A major chunk of that figure will have been spent on bringing the World XI team to Lahore. Nobody has spoken publicly about how much the players are being paid but it is thought to be in the region of $100 000 each. The rest is made up mostly by the logistics costs involved.

The PCB will not, at least, have to pay for the entire costs of the security apparatus for the series.

Two international security consultants - Reg Dickason and Nicholls Steyn and Associates - have been engaged, with the $1.1M cost picked up by the ICC. That is a result of efforts by the PCB over the last year to seek some kind of assistance from the game’s governing body from their projected loss of revenues from the absence of international cricket at home.

Although the total expense on the series may appear hefty for a board that hasn’t hosted an India series in well over a decade and has hosted one international series at home since 2009, the PCB’s financial health appears to be better than has been often thought.

The board has made a profit every year since 2011 and has, in fact, tripled it in the three years to June 2016 - for the year 2015-16, according to its annual report, the PCB made a profit of $14.5M.

That is one reason a member of the board’s governing body said he would be happy even if they manage to just break even over the course of this week.

Since this series was not part of Pakistan’s original FTP schedule, it does not come under the five-year broadcast deal they signed with Ten Sports in 2013, thought to be around $150M. Instead, the PCB has crafted the same deal they did for the PSL, whereby they buy airtime in bulk and sell advertising space, taking a majority share of the revenues that is generated.

Ordinarily, the rest of their revenues would come from various series-specific commercial deals and ticket sales. But the talk around Lahore over the last few days has been of disappointing ticket sales, a result of a pricing policy that has not quite worked out.

Hours before the game, the PCB chairman Najam Sethi took to Twitter calling on fans to not wait to see how the series develops but instead buy tickets now. Ten overs into the first game yesterday evening, the 25 000-capacity Gaddafi Stadium was nearly but not entirely full.

What they end up making, the investment, as the board member pointed out, is a longer-term one. If this series goes off without incident, it paves the way for Sri Lanka to play a solitary T20 in Lahore on October 29 and, potentially, West Indies to visit for a three-match series of T20s in November.

With more games of the PSL due to be played in Pakistan next season, this period becomes a critical one in determining the future extent of international cricket in Pakistan.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

South Africa agrees to Senegal World cup replay

Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey has been banned for life by FIFA.

SOUTH African football chiefs have agreed a 2018 World Cup qualifying tie against Senegal should be replayed “on ethical and moral grounds”.

World governing body FIFA ordered the replay after the referee for the original game, Joseph Lamptey, was banned for manipulating the match.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) had been considering an appeal but now says it agrees with FIFA. However it said it would

appeal should the referee’s ban be overturned.

South Africa beat Senegal 2-1 in the original tie last year.

Yesterday SAFA said it “has decided on ethical and moral grounds that if this match was manipulated, we should replay it”.

It later added: “We have, however, noted that the official at the centre of all this controversy has appealed his case to the courts of law.

“If the courts overturn the decision, everything becomes null and void and SAFA will

reserve its right to challenge the decision of FIFA to replay the match.

“SAFA’s zero tolerance on corrupt activities within football is well documented and it is in this light that we decided to comply with the FIFA directive.”

SAFA had been considering an appeal as it had not been consulted by investigators.

It means that South Africa are now bottom of Group D with a single point from three matches and now trail the third-placed Senegalese

by four points.

Burkina Faso top the group with six points, just ahead of island nation Cape Verde on goal difference, with only the group winners qualifying for the World Cup in Russia.

FIFA will decide on tomorrow on the exact date for the replay, which will take place in the international window in November - one month before the 2018 World Cup draw.

Neither South Africa nor Senegal have been accused of any wrongdoing. (BBC Sport)

Young Achievers, Gunners among winners in North Essequibo T20 competition THE North Essequibo Cricket Committee-sponsored T20 competition commenced last Sunday, with Gunners, Young Achievers, Devonshire Castle and Walton Hall all in winners’ row.

At the Imam Bacchus Sports ground, Young Achievers upset hosts, Bacchus Sports Club in the first of two matches played at the ground. Winning the toss and batting, Bacchus SC amassed 135-7 in 18 overs after a late start led to the reduction of the allotted 20 overs.

Opener Navindra Persaud top-scored with 43 including 6x4 while former national Under-15 wicketkeeper/batsman Wayne Osborne supported with 34, laced with two sixes and four fours.

Medium pacer Keith Blackman was accurate and claimed 3-14 from 4 overs for Young Achievers. In reply, critical innings from Tameshwar Dhanpaul 40 (3x6, 2x4) and Carlos Yhap 25 (2x6, 1x4) piloted the Youngsters to a memorable 4-wicket victory as they ended on 136-6 in the final over.

In the second match, Gunners shot their way to an exciting four-wicket win over Charity SC. Batting first after winning the toss, Charity SC struggled to 112 all out in the 18th over with Noel Evans top-scoring with 47 (5x4, 2x6) and Keysho Ruplall 21 including three fours.

Left-arm spinner Haiman Beharry claimed 4-14 from 4 overs and former Essequibo senior inter-county all-rounder Elroy Stephney 2-17 from 4 overs. In reply, Gunners held their nerves and eventually reached their target, ending on 113-6 in the final over with 6 runs needed.

Opener Juma Lall made 34 (2x4) and Alex Collins hammered 32 (3x4, 1x6) to secure the win. Fast bowler Mukesh Singh bowled superbly to claim 4-15 from 4 overs and Hassan Rahim 2-10 from 3 overs, which temporarily dampened the bullets of the Gunners.

In the other matches played at the Walton Hall ground, Devonshire Castle made light work of Sparta SC. Batting first, Devonshire Castle SC made 195-8 in the reduced 18 overs then dismissed Sparta SC for a paltry 92 in 16 overs.

In the other encounter, Walton Hall SC arrested Police who were all out for 125 in 14 overs. Walton Hall then raced to their target of 126 for the loss of 4 wickets in 12 overs to win by 6 wickets.

The competition continues this Sunday with the second round of matches in the round-robin competition. The top four teams after the preliminary round of matches will qualify for the playoffs and a chance to win monetary prizes and trophies in the final.

England will pull off ‘something special’ in Ashes - Root Liverpool lose appeal against Mane’s three-match ban (REUTERS) - England captain Joe Root has backed his side to achieve “something special” at this year’s Ashes in Australia after they registered a second consecutive Test series win at home with a three-day victory over West Indies.

the whole group is shaping up.

Guys have stepped up and taken their games forward,” Root told the British media.

“There are plenty challenges ahead but, with those, is a great opportunity. We shouldn’t be afraid of going over there and, if we perform

England captain Joe Root

A nine-wicket win in the third and final Test against West Indies sealed England’s 2-1 victory under Root’s leadership following a 3-1 triumph over South Africa.

“I‘m happy with the way

at our best, doing something really special.”

Root was particularly impressed by the team’s ability to dig deep following two second-Test defeats during both South Africa and West

Indies series.

“There were two difficult weeks, but what is most pleasing is the resilience and character to come back from both of those with two extra strong performances.”

While England are yet to announce the final squad for their Ashes defence starting November 23 in Brisbane, coach Trevor Bayliss indicated they were unlikely to gamble on new faces.

“We are not 100 percent (sure) on who we want,” Australian Bayliss said. “But I am sure when we sit down in a week or two to discuss that squad from a batting point of view ... batters that have played for us in the last 12-18 months.

“We are going there to win. We are not going to make up numbers.”

England will next meet West Indies in a Twenty20 and five one-day internationals starting on Saturday.

(REUTERS) - Liverpool have lost an appeal over the length of Sadio Mane’s three-match ban after the forward was sent off during last Saturday’s 5-0 defeat by Manchester City.

The Football Association said yesterday that an independent regulatory commission hearing had rejected the player’s claim of excessive punishment and the suspension remained in place.

The Senegal international was shown a straight red card for a high studs challenge that caught City’s Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson on the head in the 37th minute.

He will now miss Saturday’s Premier League match against Burnley and two games at Leicester City, one in the league and one in the League Cup. Mane will, however, be available for the Champions League tie at home to Sevilla today.

Sadio Mane

Liverpool had not appealed the dismissal but argued the ban was too harsh for the incident.

The incident had divided observers and pundits, with Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp saying Mane had not deserved to be sent off.

Ederson was back in training yesterday, wear-

ing protective headgear, and named in City’s travelling squad for their opening Champions League Group F game against Dutch side Feyenoord in Rotterdam.

The goalkeeper was carried off on a stretcher after Saturday’s clash and required eight stitches.

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Magical Messi leads Barca rout of Juventus

By Richard Martin BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - A mesmeric Lionel Messi scored twice as he inspired Barcelona to a 3-0 win over Juventus, to get off to a flying start in the Champions League Group D yesterday, avenging last season’s quarter-final elimination by the Italian champions.

Messi broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime by playing a slick one-two off Luis Suarez and arrowing the

ball beyond Gianluigi Buffon, finally getting the better of the veteran Italian in his fourth game against him.

The Argentine was also the catalyst for the second goal, forcing Juve to scramble the ball off the line and allowing Ivan Rakitic to shoot into an empty net in the 56th minute and add to his strike against Juve in the 2015 final.

But Messi was far from done. For his second and Barca’s third he received a pass from Andres Iniesta and ripped

more holes in a depleted Juventus defence before lashing beyond a dejected Buffon, scoring his seventh goal in three games.

Juventus, who were missing five key players including defensive warrior Giorgio Chiellini, looked a shadow of the team that beat Barca 3-0 on aggregate last season to reach the final, and have conceded seven goals in their last two games in the competition over two seasons.

Like Barca, Juve arrived at the game with three wins from

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in action with Juventus’ Douglas Costa and Blaise Matuidi. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)

Lukaku opens account as United cruise past Basel MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford both opened their Champions League accounts as Manchester United returned to the competition with a 3-0 rout of Basel in their opening Group A match at Old Trafford yesterday.

United, who missed last season’s Champions League but qualified this time by winning the Europa League, dominated the first half and deservedly went ahead through early substitute Marouane Fellaini’s 35th-minute header.

Belgian international striker Lukaku, a constant menace to the Swiss champions on his competition debut, doubled United’s lead with a textbook header soon after halftime.

Rashford came off the bench for his first taste of Champions League action and poached United’s third goal in the 84th minute. ”We are delighted with the win after the slip at Stoke at the weekend,“ Lukaku said in reference to United’s 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Saturday, their first dropped points of the season. ”The football wasn’t great but we won and that’s the most important thing.

“We are still a work in progress but we are doing well.”

Basel famously drew with and beat United in the group stages in 2011-12 to send Alex Ferguson’s side out of the competition.

The hosts were clearly determined not to let the Swiss ruin their eagerly-awaited return to a competition manager Jose Mourinho calls their “natural habitat” and the visitors were lucky to still be in touch at halftime having been pinned back.

inviting cross.

It was also Fellaini’s first Champions League goal.

Winger Young was making his first appearance since last year’s Europa League semi-final, second leg against Celta Vigo when he suffered a

Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their second goal. (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)

LUKAKU SHINES Lukaku, who now has six goals in six games for United since joining from Everton, ran riot for the hosts, having an early goal-bound shot blocked by the chest of Manuel Akanji while Henrikh Mkhitarayan wasted two glorious chances.

First he headed over from in front of goal then somehow contrived to hit the post from Lukaku’s low cross.

United lost Paul Pogba, captain for the night, with a hamstring injury midway the half but it was his replacement Belgian Fellaini who put the hosts ahead when he headed home Ashley Young’s

hamstring injury.

United doubled their lead eight minutes after the break in simple fashion. Daley Blind swung in a cross from the left and Lukaku climbed to head powerfully home.

Swiss champions Basel did cause United’s defence some anxious moments and keeper David de Gea was alert to palm away a snap shot from Mohamed Elyounoussi.

United’s level dropped in the second half but they finished strongly and Rashford made absolutely certain of the points when he stroked in the third goal after the hard-working Fellaini’s deflected cut-back fell perfectly for him.

three in the domestic league and with their own Argentine Paulo Dybala also in electric form with five goals in three games.

But their long list of absentees, which also included Mario Mandzukic, Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira, proved costly.

Miralem Pjanic did manage to trouble Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the

first half but the Spaniards, who have been facing instability off the pitch but look fresh and confident on it under new coach Ernesto Valverde, did most of the talking.

Messi gave the Italians nightmares from the word go, but captain Andres Iniesta was also in electric form, while record-signing Ousmane Dembele had an impressive full debut,

making for a party atmosphere at the Nou Camp to accompany the show put on by their relentless Argentine talisman.

“When we play at this speed it’s very difficult to play against us,” Rakitic told reporters.

“Barca don’t change coaches very often but now we have new ideas and we’re very happy with how things are going.”

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

First Russia World Cup tickets to go on sale from today - FIFA

(REUTERS) - Tickets for the 2018 soccer World Cup in Russia go on sale from today, the sport’s global governing body (FIFA) has said.

Tickets will be sold in two phases, the first of which has an application period which runs from September 14 to October 12. Fans can apply for individual match tickets, tickets for a specific venue or ticket strips to follow the national team of their choice in this phase.

Applications for tickets can only be made on the FIFA website (www.fifa.com/tickets) and anyone who applies during the first phase of sales will be informed of the success or failure of their applications

by November 16.

The first phase then concludes with a period between November 16 and 28, during which tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We have put in place a ticketing system that will enable all fans a fair chance to secure tickets,” FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said in a statement.

BELFAST, Ireland (CMC) – Bowling coach Roddy Estwick has warned Ireland that West Indies will be playing at full throttle when the two teams meet in the one-off One-Day International here today.

The Caribbean side boasts a side which includes the likes of superstar Chris Gayle and stroke-maker Marlon Samuels, and will face an Irish side with much to prove after recently attaining Test status.

And even though West Indies will be more focused on the five-match series against England starting in a week’s time, Estwick said the Ireland contest was of no lesser importance.

trounce England 4-1 or better, in order to assume eighth spot in the rankings.

West Indies will remember the humbling experience at the ICC World Cup two years ago when the Irish chased down 305 to comfortably win by four wickets, and Estwick said he expected a similarly tough encounter.

“Obviously they are very competitive. They have been competitive for a number of years,” Eswick pointed out.

“They’ve had good scalps against a lot of the Test-playing countries. They are a Test-playing country in their own right so we expect a competitive

The first match of the finals takes place on July 14.

The second phase of ticket sales has also been split into two periods. The first runs from December 5, 2017 to January 31, 2018, with allocations in this period to be decided by a random selection draw.

From March 13 to April 3, tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

There will also be a last-minute sales phase from

April 18 to July 15, the day of the World Cup final, which will also be implemented on a firstcome, first-served basis.

All fans attending matches at the World Cup will also need to apply for a FAN ID, a free official identity document required by the Russian authorities.

The FAN ID includes benefits such as visa-free entry to the Russian Federation, as well

as free use of public transport on match-days.

The tournament begins on June 14 with Russia playing the opener at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Seven countries have already booked their places alongside the hosts - five-time winners Brazil, Belgium, Iran, Mexico, Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.

CAS to hear Nesta Carter appeal in November

Jamaica’s 2008 Olympic 4x400m relay team

THE Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said Monday that sprinter Nesta Carter will challenge his disqualification by the International Olympic Committee on November 15. A verdict is expected weeks later.

Carter tested positive last year for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine in re-analysis of a urine sample from the 2008 Beijing Games.

He and Bolt were teammates on the 4x100-metre relay team, which won in a world

Estwick warns Ireland Windies will be playing at full throttle

record time of 37.10 seconds.

Carter ran the opening leg, and Bolt took the baton third in a team that also included Michael Frater and Asafa Powell.

The IOC’s disqualification of Carter and the relay team came in January, spoiling Bolt’s perfect Olympic record of three gold medals - in the 100, 200 and 4x100 - at three consecutive games from 2008 to 2016.

Carter also teamed with Bolt on three straight world

championship relay-winning teams, from 2011 through 2015. They were also teammates when Jamaica set another 4x100 world record in 2012 at the Olympics, running 36.84.

Bolt said in February he was “not sad” about giving up the medal, though was “waiting to see if Nesta is going to appeal.”

Carter’s legal team could ask Bolt to appear as a witness at the hearing, which is likely to be held in Lausanne, Swit-

zerland - the home city of CAS and the IOC. Dozens of athletes tested positive for banned drugs in an IOC-ordered reanalysis programme using new and more accurate tests on samples stored since the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics.

Most of more than 110 cases involved steroids and athletes from the former Soviet republics. Carter’s case was the only one involving Jamaica.

Evin Lewis

“They (Irish) will see attacking cricket. We’re here to make a statement,” Estwick said.

“We’re on a mission, we’re here to get enough points in this ODI and the five against England to help us qualify automatically for the World Cup, so we’ve got to take this game very, very seriously.”

He added: “We need points to move us forward in the 50 overs rankings … and all the boys are here so we’re looking forward to putting on a good show ...”

West Indies are already in danger of failing to qualify automatically for the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England. They are currently ninth in the ODI rankings, with hosts England along with the remaining top seven teams, gaining automatic qualification.

With eighth placed Sri Lanka swept 5-0 by India recently, West Indies now need to beat Ireland and then also

game. They will field well, they will be very, very disciplined and they will work hard.”

The only survivors from that defeat to Ireland are Gayle, Samuels, captain Jason Holder and Jerome Taylor, with selectors since opting for youth in order to rebuild the unit.

And with the likes of emerging Test star Shai Hope, Evin Lewis and Jason Mohammed set to feature, Estwick said the experience would further enhance the development. “(It will) help our young players to get an opportunity to play in these conditions. A lot of them haven’t played in conditions like this and I think as an international cricketer you’ve got to learn to play in all the various conditions. This would be another step in their development as well.”

West Indies were presented with challenging weather yesterday as temperatures dipped to 10 degrees Celsius, accompanied by steady rain.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday September 13, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Trinbago Knight Riders (2) 2-1 (in favour of England) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was declared Man of the Match of the Hero CPL final?

(2) Who was voted Man of the Match in the just-concluded third Test involving the WI & England?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Babar’s T20 best heralds winning return for international cricket in Pakistan

BABAR Azam registered the biggest Twenty20 score of his career as international cricket returned to Pakistan with the hosts beating a World XI by 20 runs.

The country played host to a competitive international for the first time since a terrorist attack targeted Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore in 2009, with the same city hosting this fixture.

Signs held by the spectators reading ‘Pakistan wins today’ and

‘Historic moment – thanks World XI’ bore out the emotional nature of the contest, with a capacity crowd at a heavily guarded Gaddafi Stadium.

And it was Babar who played the hero’s role, smashing 86 from 52 balls in an effort of 197-5, which proved too much for the all-star opposition to chase down.

Babar and Ahmed Shehzad (39) did the bulk of the work for Pakistan, piling on 122 runs for the sec-

ond wicket after Fakhar Zaman was ousted by Morne Morkel in the first over for eight.

The 22-year-old Babar far surpassed his previous best of 55 not out, hitting 10 fours and a pair of sixes in a thrilling knock.

Shoaib Malik kept his feet on the gas with a 20-ball 38, with Imad Wasim’s 15 runs from four, 14 of which came from the final three deliveries of the final over, putting up a total that the tourists could not overcome.

Persaud edges competitors in GuyanaNRA recorded shoot FULLBORE captain Mahendra Persaud edged his competitors last Sunday as the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) held another recorded shoot at the Timehri Rifle and Pistol Ranges.

The competition was held over the 300-, 500and 900-yard distances after which a grand aggregate was taken.

Captain Persaud, who is just back from the Canadian Fullbore National Championship, was in excellent form at the first two ranges, having shot possible scores of 50.4 at the 300 yards and 35.4 at the 500 yards.

Ryan Sampson was second at the 300 yards

with a score of 49.4. The 500 yards saw Sherwin Felicien also shoot a possible with 35.4.

The 900 yards proved to be the most exciting range with heavy winds, causing much distress for the shooters.

When the last shot was fired in fading light, many shooters were left in disbelief as the day was won

by Mahendra Persaud with an overall score of 117.9 followed by Peter Persaud with 115.7, Sherwin Felicien 112.9 and Ryan Sampson 111.8.

The day’s scores saw an overall improvement by shooters as noted by the Full-bore captain when announcing the final results.

He stated that this augurs well for the defence of the team-matches at the Championship in October.

The full-bore shooters, in remembrance of their late colleague, Mr Richard Fields, who was laid to rest last Wednesday, observed a one minute’s silence on the 900 yards bank.

Last Thursday, GuyanaNRA president Brig.

Patrick West and the Executive Council also paid their respects to their late vice-president during their Council meeting.

Fields was at the time the longest serving Council member.

Fullbore captain Mahendra Persaud

The World XI saw a string of starts stymied, with Hashim Amla (26), Tim Paine (25) and captain Faf du Plessis (29) all failing to match Babar’s earlier efforts.

Sohail Khan (2-28), Rumman Raees (3-72) and Shadab Khan (233) each made regular inroads into the visiting line-up, with Darren Sammy’s entertaining unbeaten 29 in vain as the World XI fell well short on 177-7 from their allocation.

Babar Azam lays the platform for Pakistan’s 197 with a 52-ball 86. (AFP)

Cooper returns as 17 players retained from failed Women’s World Cup squad

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – C r i c k e t We s t I n d i e s (CWC) may have dumped the entire West Indies Women’s management team but selectors have retained all 17 players from the failed World Cup campaign, for a 10-day training camp ahead of the upcoming series against Sri Lanka Women.

Britney Cooper, who was surprisingly overlooked for the World Cup trip, has been added to the contingent which will be in camp in Trinidad from September 25 to October 4.

Chief selector Courtney Browne said the region’s limited player pool meant heavy importance was being placed on training camps in order to determine final selection.

“Our women’s player pool in the Caribbean is quite small compared to other countries, and our regional tournaments do not always produce the kind of consistent batting and bowling aggregates and averages we would relish,” Browne noted.

“Hence, we rely on using strategic camps like this to give our high performance coaches time to help the players with their development.”

Windies endured a wretched World Cup campaign in England, failing to reach the semi-finals after they finished sixth in the eight-team competition.

By virtue of their T20

World Cup triumph last year, they arrived as one of the favourites but lost their first four matches to end with five defeats in seven outings.

Deandra Dottin plundered an unbeaten hundred and captain Stafanie Taylor, a single half-century, as West Indies Women enjoyed their best performance in a win over Pakistan.

Batter Britney Cooper is recalled to training set-up for Sri Lanka Women series.

But no other batter scored a fifty and none passed 200 runs overall, while no bowler was good enough to claim 10 wickets.

The management team – including head coach Vasbert Drakes, assistant coaches Ezra Moseley and Stuart Williams, along with operations manager Ann BrowneJohn – all paid the price for the side’s failed campaign.

An interim management team will see Hendy Springer take over head coach duties

with former West Indies head coach, Gus Logie, as his assistant.

Browne said selectors would be looking to identify certain qualities during the camp, in an attempt to move the team forward.

“Coming out of the camp, the selection panel expects keen competition for final selection, and will focus attention on players with a healthy attitude and willingness to work hard, improve fitness and team work, as we seek to restore confidence in our side following the disappointing results at the Women’s World Cup,” he said.

While Cooper has been called up, her experienced fellow Trinidadian Stacy-Ann King remains in the wilderness. The 34-year-old has played 66 One-Day Internationals and 76 T20s.

Fast bowlers Shakera Selman and Shamilia Connell have been included in the training squad, subject to medical clearance, after both were forced out of the World Cup with injury.

SQUAD – Merissa Aguilleira, Reniece Boyce, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Subrina Munroe, Chedean Nation, Akeira Peters, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor, Felicia Walters.

Babar’s T20 best heralds winning return for international cricket in Pakistan See Page 35

PCB to spend US$2.5-3M for Independence Cup See

Page 31

The World XI team players are paraded around the ground in colourful auto-rickshaws. (AFP)

Pakistani fans are colourfully decked out, as they welcome the return of international cricket to the country after two years. (AFP)

International Drag race set for October 1

Windies have long shot for 2019 World Cup spot See Page 30

Team Mohamed’s Enterprise GTR (right) and Shawn Persaud’s (Caldina) will be back in action for the Caribbean Invasion. (Rohindra Mahase photo)

By Stephan Sookram THE best of the best on the drag strip are preparing to defend their titles when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) hosts its International Drag race meet, dubbed Caribbean Invasion, in just over two weeks, The club, which has already sent out invitations to its affiliates in Suriname and the wider Caribbean says that

they expect over fifty local competitors.

According to president Rameez Mohamed, all things are going to plan as the date draws closer to this meet.

“What we have done is try to get as much competition as possible to come out on October 1. We’ve got a number of guys who are messaging us on Facebook, calling the office and even stopping me on the road to ask how to register.”

“Right now, we have a bit of maintenance work on going at the club’s office in Thomas Lands but in just under a week’s time, by next Monday, Persons can start registering for the event,” Mohamed added.

Meanwhile, Mohamed has indicated that all the necessary safety measures are being organised to ensure a safe day of racing while there will be added incentives for fans.

“We are working on a few surprise cars. We can’t say who they are or where they are coming from just yet, but they are definitely going to be quick machines.”

He said, “We are hoping for representation from a few of the major players regionally in the drag racing sector, but it comes back to logistics and other things; but we definitely have something lined up that will blow your mind away.”

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West Indies Head Coach Stuart Law WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2017