Guyana chronicle e paper 09 14 2017

Linden freak storm...

Morian spearheads rebuilding efforts Page 2

– to make Christianburg Secondary serviceable

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

No. 105035

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy...

Greenidge nixes return to Good Offices Process

– says Guyana ‘well prepared’ to move to ICJ Page 3

Change will come only with investment Page 12

– UG vice-chancellor

UG Turkeyen to have two convocations Page 8

President bids farewell to brother Page 13

President David Granger (fourth from left) and First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, surrounded by relatives and friends, as the body of the late Mr. Cesare Francis Granger is cremated

‘Tear Drop’ Court throws out Nandlall's on $1.1M robbery charge injunction against AG Page 14

Page 2

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

Court throws out injunction against AG – Judge finds it lacked merit THE application for injunction filed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP), Anil Nandlall, against Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, was on Wednesday denied

by High Court Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry found, among other things, that the injunction had no merit.

Back in April, Nandlall had approached the High Court with an injunction, seeking to prevent the Minister of Legal Affairs from publicly stating that he (Nandlall) would be charged for stealing several law books, property of the State.

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry refused and dismissed the application for injunction on the grounds that

Nandlall was charged for the very offence the AG said he would be charged.

During her ruling, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry pointed out that the application for injunction over the “defamatory” statement was made some 11 days after it was allegedly made by the AG. According to her, that suggests that there was no urgency from Nandlall to have the matter addressed.

The Court also observed that Nandlall, in his application, failed to mention that he had approached the very court before on the same matter and was refused.

The court also said that since the filing of the Application by the complainant, certain events had overtaken the statements made in it. In the circumstances, the court said it was therefore satisfied that the current circum-

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

stance would be sufficient for denying the application.

Nandlall, who was represented by Attorney Manoj Narayan, was ordered to pay the standard $30,000.

The Attorney-General was represented by a four-member team.

Added to the injunction, Nandlall is claiming

damages of in excess of $25M for libel published on March 24, 2017, at a press conference, hosted at the National Communication Network Inc; damages of in excess of $25M for libel published in the Guyana Times newspaper on March 25, 2017; damages of in excess of $25M for slander published during an outreach programme in Berbice on March 26, 2017; and damages of in excess of $25M for libel published by Demerarawaves on March 27, 2017.

The substantive matter has been set for November 6, for the Case Management Conference before Justice Sewnarine- Beharry.

Over the last two years, Nandlall has repeatedly confirmed that while he was AG, law books were purchased for him by the State, using taxpayers’ money.

The missing books were bought from Lexis Nexis

(U.K.), publishers of the Commonwealth Law Reports, and are said to be worth over $2.5M.

Former Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall

However, after the PPP was unseated in 2015, Nandlall took possession of the books which were bought for him as AG, by the state.

Since then, Minister of Le-

gal Affairs, Basil Williams, has been questioned about the missing books and has committed to taking legal action against Nandlall.

The AG has accused Nandlall of allegedly stealing the books, since they were not in possession of the AG’s chambers, despite the fact that they were bought for the then AG with state funds.

The AG has been maintaining that the Law books were purchased with state funds and were intended to be used by the state and its officials. He said any arrangement that does not conform to the established Public Service Rules or Regulations can be deemed a breach of the Fiscal Management Accountability Act (FMAA). The AG said his duty as Custodian of state assets is to protect the assets and undertake a reasonable investigation into the location of the assets.

Linden freak storm...

Morian spearheads rebuild efforts – to make Christianburg Secondary serviceable REGION 10 Chairman Mr Rennis Morian and a team of regional officials have set about to ensure that students of the Christianburg Secondary School get to return to school as soon as possible.

The Christianburg Secondary School was one of more than 20 buildings that were badly hit during the freak storm that ripped through the mining town at around 15:30hrs on Tuesday.

In the mayhem that followed, some of the school’s

zinc sheets along with its rafters were ripped from the building.

Morian, along with the Regional Educational Officer, Ms Marcia Paddy; the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mr Gavin Clarke and Councillors on Wednesday visited the Christianburg Secondary School and the other government institutions that were damaged due to the storm.

“I can tell you now that there is a contractor on spot, because we don’t

want the children to be out of school for a long time,” Morian said.

“The whole idea is not to have children out of school; it’s not the government’s focus and mission to have children out of school. So our job is to make certain that we follow the government trend; children must be in school,” he added.

He said that they are looking forward for the students to be able to return to school by next Monday.

They then visited hous-

A section of the Christianburg Secondary School that was damaged during the freak storm

Hopkinson’s house that was destroyed by the freak storm

es in the teachers’ hostel compound, the Region 10 Agriculture Office, and the Wismar Hospital Complex, where it was observed that some parts of those buidings were so badly damaged that some persons to be removed to another location.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that a contractor is still needed to look at those situations.

Apart from that, Morian said the region has contacted the Civil Defense Commission, and that their officials have since gone into the fields to recce the

situation.

“We are working in partnership to make certain that the livelihoods and wellbeing of persons are where it supposed to be,” the Regional Chair said.

Meanwhile, Ms Desiree Hopkinson of Moraballi Street, Retrieve is still in disbelief after the house she is currently in the process of purchasing was destroyed by the storm.

“I was trying to save the stove in the kitchen from getting wet, and all I know is that my father said he pulled me out of the kitchen and I landed in the pathway

to the second bedroom, and my father landed in the dining room,” Hopkinson said.

She received a puncture to her head, which resulted in her receiving six stiches while her father got some cuts and scrapes on one of his legs.

“I was really in panic mode ‘cause all I was thinking about was my father. It’s really emotional,” the thirty-five year-old said as tears welled in her eyes.

Hopkinson is currently receiving help from members of her family, a family friend, neighbours and also the council.

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy...

Greenidge nixes return to Good Offices Process – says Guyana ‘well prepared’ to move to ICJ THE Guyana/Venezuela border controversy will come up for discussion when President David Granger meets with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General (SG), António Guterres, next week on the sidelines of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72).

Just before demitting office in December, 2016, former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, had decided that Guyana and Venezuela should return to the Good Offices Process for a period of one year, and if no significant progress was made, the matter

would be referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Norwegian diplomat, Dag Halvor Nylander, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Representative has been engaging both sides on the controversy.

During a press conference here on Wednesday ahead of the visit to the UN, Guyana’s Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, disclosed that President Granger will address the General Assembly next Wednesday.

“The President’s statement will no doubt make reference to the process, and Guyana’s

wish to ensure that the Secretary-General adheres to the commitment that he made to facilitate dialogue between the parties, and to ensure that by the end of 2017, if there was no resolution or significant progress to the resolution, the matter would be referred to the ICJ,” Minister Greenidge said.

Further to that, he said that the President and the Secretary-General are expected to meet on Monday, September 25, 2017, where it is anticipated that the progress made in relation to the work of the personal representative on the border controversy, and its likely outcome, would come

GRA cleansing itself of corruption – says commissioner-general

THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Wednesday reassured the public that it is working assiduously to rid the entity of corruption and restore its credibility.

“It is no secret that the authority was and is still deeply embedded in a culture of corruption, where allegations of bribery and favouritism are synonymous with the acronym ‘GRA’,” the authority said in a statement.

It noted that Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia has worked assiduously to put numerous systems in place geared at minimising corruption, while systematically improving efficiency, compliance and revenue-collection.

Statia took charge of the authority in July 2016 and committed to working towards eradicating corruption at the entity, but noted that

“Rome was not built in a day.”

“As such, it would be ludicrous for anyone to assume that a culture that was created and festered for decades could be eradicated overnight. Yet, it must be conceded that during the last 13 months there has [sic] been more corrupt officers disciplined than previously recorded for any previous period,” the statement added.

In reference to an editorial published by the Kaieteur newspaper on September 11 and headlined, ‘GRA’s Image’, the authority refuted allegations that senior officials at the GRA who are taking bribes are being deemed untouchables.

“The commissioner-general has on numerous occasions requested the general public and all persons in receipt of such information to

share same with the authority.

Such information will be treated with utmost confidence, and upon investigation allow for the termination of the services of such persons and the effective eradication of these practices,” the GRA stated.

Moreover, the authority has yet again called on stakeholders to work together to identify officers who engage in unscrupulous practices, so that there can be a level playing field for all businesses and taxpayers.

“Taxation is a social contract between the government and its citizens, and all taxpayers should pay their rightful taxes – no more, no less. The authority again calls upon the tax-paying public to cease in such collusion and bring to its attention, those unscrupulous employees and taxpayers engaged in these activities,” the statement concluded.

President David Granger

up for discussion.

Asked whether Guyana would agree to an extension of the UN Good Offices Process, the Foreign Affairs Minister noted that Guyana never had any difficulty speaking to Venezuela regarding its willingness to resolve the controversy, but there is no room for a permanent stay on the situation.

“As you would recall, the Secretary-General, Ban Kimoon, in October 2015 set a process in train; and in setting that process in train, he called for a last effort at dialogue,” Minister Greenidge said.

“And the last effort was supposed to take one year; we are approaching two years since that request was made, and that effort was launched.

I don’t think that there is any reason to expect that it could be requested to extend this time,” he told journalists at the press conference.

As to the consequences of the controversy, Minister Greenidge said Venezuela’s behaviour to date is intended to undermine Guyana’s economic development and social

Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Carl Greenidge

and political stability.

“In the Secretary-General’s communication to the two countries, a process... and the process has timelines. And not withstanding our concerns about some of the ideas of the SG, we embrace the process on the understanding that it will be implemented by good faith by all the parties, including the United Nations,” he said.

Speaking on the country’s preparedness to advance its cause at the level of the ICJ, Minister Greenidge noted that it is well prepared.

“We have been doing work domestically, and putting together teams that can undertake that work. So, as regard the preparedness, we are as well prepared as we can be at this point in time, given the resources that we have,” he posited.

The Foreign Affairs Minister reminded journalists here that the UN’s involvement in bringing an end to the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy has nothing to do with

UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres

the modifications of borders.

“The controversy which the UN was called upon in 1966 to agree to participate in is a process that says in event that these two States are unable to peacefully resolve this controversy, the UN will choose from a menu of options. And the controversy itself is an allegation that the 1899 Arbitrary Award is null and void, and that is the exercise, and at the end of that exercise, one will arrive at the conclusion that the treaty was either null or void, or continues to be valid,” Minister Greenidge explained.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

Trump not taking any chances Eight dead at --blocks sale of US tech firm to Chinese company Florida nursing home --left without power after Irma

EIGHT people at a Florida nursing home that was left without power for days after Hurricane Irma have died.

Police evacuated 115 residents on Wednesday from the facility, whose air conditioning was cut by the storm.

Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief said three were found dead at the nursing home in the city of Hollywood. Five others died in hospital.

Ten million people are still without power in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas after Hurricane Irma.

The storm, which has claimed more than two dozen lives in the US, struck southwestern Florida on Sunday morning as a Category Four hurricane before weakening to a tropical depression on Monday.

Irma earlier left a trail of destruction in the Caribbean, where nearly 40 people were killed.

Hollywood Police Chief Tomas Sanchez said the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills facility has been sealed off, and police are conducting a criminal investigation.

State investigators from

the Florida Office of the Attorney-General were also at the scene, city officials said in a statement.

“It may be related to a loss of power in the storm,” Mr Sanchez said, adding that officers were checking in on 42 other assisted living facilities and nursing homes throughout the city.

Hollywood Fire Rescue found several patients “in varying degrees of medical distress, and immediately began treatment” when they arrived at the Hollywood Hills facility on Wednesday morning, according to the city’s statement.

Some residents there awoke sick, the Miami Herald reported.

Kitchen worker Jean Lindor told the newspaper a generator allowed staff to cook, but did not provide the facility with air conditioning.

Temperatures on Tuesday in Hollywood reached 32C (90F), according to the National Weather Service.

The nursing home has had brushes with the regulators in recent years for violating federal rules on its power system, a generator, and because of

Thursday, September 14, 2017 Friday, September 15, 2017 Saturday, September 16, 2017

01:00 hrs

-

12:00 hrs

-

13:30 hrs

-

14:30hrs

DATE: Wednesday, September 13, 2017

H

03 04 07 09 21 25 17

a faulty alarm, according to records.

The Florida Health Care Association called Wednesday’s deaths a “profound tragedy within the larger tragedy of Hurricane Irma.”

The facility is not the only Florida nursing home that has been left without power by Irma.

An estimated 150 facilities out of the nearly 700 in the state are currently without full power services, the association said.

Popular with retirees, Florida is home to more than 680 nursing homes, which house about 73,000 residents, according to the Florida Health Care Association.

Assisted living facilities across the state serve an additional 92,000 residents.

The association said it was working with officials to prioritise “the locations with the greatest need”.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said officials were providing ice to 27 senior residence facilities still without power, local media reported.

More than half of a large

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

11

14

15

16

18

retirement community in Pembroke Pines, Florida, still had no electricity by Wednesday afternoon, leaving elderly residents stuck in rooms with no access to lifts.

Pembroke Pines police spokeswoman Amanda Conwell told the Miami Herald that officers were at the scene.

She said some of the 15,000 residents at Century Village were vulnerable and “we are concerned about their welfare”.

Another assisted care facility for dementia patients in Fort Myers, Florida, went without power for three days after Hurricane Irma.

Cape Coral Shores kept 20 elderly patients during the storm because local emergency shelters had been evacuated as Irma bore down on the coast.

Florida residents are counting the cost of Irma’s destruction.

Authorities estimate 25% of the homes in the Florida Keys were destroyed and 65% sustained major damage.

US President Donald Trump will visit the hard-hit Florida cities of Naples and Fort Myres on Thursday to view the damage. (BBC)

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

0

2

7

THE Trump administration has barred the sale of a US technology firm to a Chinese-backed company, citing national security risks.

Since November, Chinese-backed Canyon Bridge Capital Partners has been seeking approval for a $1.3B (£984M) deal to buy Lattice Semiconductor.

The firms said they were “disappointed” by the decision.

The order comes as the US has been toughening its stance on business dealings with China.

The US last month launched a formal review of China’s intellectual property practices, which it says may force US companies to surrender valuable information.

US politicians and military leaders have also urged the administration to take a closer look at Chinese investments in the US, particularly in the technology industry.

‘EXCELLENT DEAL’ In its announcement, the Trump administration said it was concerned about the “potential transfer” of intellectual property from Lattice, which makes advanced computer chips. It also cited the use of Lattice products by the US government.

Mr Trump’s decision was in line with an earlier recommendation by the US government panel that reviews foreign transactions for national security considerations.

That step typically decides such matters, but the companies made the rare move to appeal directly to the president in an effort to win approval.

Oregon-based Lattice has faced falling revenue, with losses in 2016 and 2015. The proposal from Canyon Bridge offered a premium on its share price.

In a statement, Lattice chief executive Darin Billerbeck said the failed deal “was in the best interests of our shareholders, our customers, our employees and the United States”.

The chipmaker, which makes about a third of its revenue in China, has shift-

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

6

3

3

ed its business away from the military and said it did not think the deal posed a security risk.

It had also pledged to double the number of US jobs in a bid to win approval.

Canyon Bridge did not address the security concerns raised by the US government in its response.

The company, which is backed by the China Venture Capital Fund, said it would continue to pursue other investments. The China Venture Capital Fund is owned by state-owned entities, according to the US. “We are obviously disappointed in today’s decision by the President of the United States to forgo what we believe to be an excellent deal for Lattice’s shareholders and its employees by expanding the opportunity to keep jobs in America,” the company said in an emailed statement.

Growing Chinese investment Mr Trump’s decision is the fourth time a president has barred a private deal on national security grounds.

President Barack Obama used that authority twice, in both cases against Chinese companies.

In 1990, President George HW Bush also blocked a Chinese company from acquiring a Seattle manufacturer.

The decisions have come as Chinese investment in the US surged, exceeding $46bn in 2016, triple the amount in 2015, according to the Rhodium Group.

Chinese investors are on track to surpass that number this year.

Other deals waiting approval include Jack Ma’s Ant Financial bid to buy US money transfer company MoneyGram for $1.2bn.

China Oceanwide Holdings Group is also seeking approval of its $2.7bn acquisition of US insurance company Genworth Financial.

US politicians have urged rejection of other deals as well, including a bid to buy to the Chinese stock exchange. (BBC)

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

05 09 10 14 17 19 20

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

VIRGIN GORDA, British Virgin Islands, CMC- Several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals, including 10 from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and four from Guyana, are living in a community centre here whose roof was stripped of its shingles during the passage of Hurricane Irma last week.

Carlos Junior Gonsalves, a Guyanese construction worker who has been living and working in Virgin Gorda for almost a year, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that he moved into the Catholic Community Centre, an emergency shelter, ahead of the passage of the hurricane.

He was among 15 persons who weathered the storm at the shelter because they thought their houses were not safe enough to withstand a hurricane.

“We find the shelter here was the fittest place for us to come,” said Gonsalves, who lives with his sister, his brother-in-law and a friend in four apartments in the same yard.

He said that the roofs of all the apartments were blown off and the contents were damaged.

Gonsalves, however, said that he is not going back to Guyana immediately.

“I think they are gonna need us so I am gonna stay,” he said, referring to the massive reconstruction ahead.

Gonsalves said that the only problem he has at the shelter is the fact that the roof is gone.

“As you can see those

things on the ground, the shingles, off of it is gone and if we get a little bit of rain, it is going to be tight for us in here because we have lit three kids and like about five women – one pregnant, my sister, she almost time to get baby, she is like seven months,” he said.

need food, we need clothing and we need shelter,” Avril Farrell said.

Farrell, who has been living in the BVI for 29 years, said that what is needed is some immediate assistance to help her to get back on her feet and that is where Kingstown comes in.

--in wake of Hurricane Irma the needs of the island, which like Tortola has seen significant damage to the electricity distribution network, knocking the island off the grid.

Also in Virgin Gorda,

The roofless building where CARICOM nationals have found shelter following the passage of Hurricane Irma (Photo courtesy CMC)

“The hurricane, it left me so afraid up to now because it’s the first time I witnessed something like this. A lot of wind; it was terrible. It was during the day and we were peeping through the window to experience a little bit of it, because I never experienced something like that,” he told CMC. The Vincentians at the shelter used the opportunity to appeal to Kingstown for assistance.

“Right now, we need help from the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We need water, we

“I lost everything,” she told CMC, adding that she has to stay in the BVI because of financial commitments.

“The whole place is leaking. There is nothing on the roof; everything is gone,” Branson Gould, another St. Vincent and the Grenadines national, told CMC, pointing out a section of the roof where the light from outside was shining through.

“It is just the ply,” he said.

Residents of Virgin Gorda have put together a committee to respond to

Hurricane Irma destroyed both of the water desalination plants and damaged or destroyed between 70 and 80 per cent of the housing stock.

On Tuesday, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Min-

ister of Agriculture, Sabotoa Caesar, announced on Facebook that a boat would be leaving Port Kingstown on Friday to take food and other supplies to the BVI. The vessel will transport items free of charge to relatives of Vincentians and other persons in the BVI. Ceasar also said that he, along with the Minister of Economic Development,

Camillo Gonsalves, are expected to visit several of the hurricane-affected islands to meet nationals of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to better structure further recovery assistance.

On Wednesday, a representative of the Trinidad and Tobago government was continuing efforts to evacuate nationals of that republic from the BVI.

6

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

Intensifying the fight against corruption THE presence of David Robinson, British advisor for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), who will be spearheading an anti-corruption project here is good news to this country.

It is public knowledge and as noted by British High Commissioner Greg Quinn in February at a government training seminar, that corruption and money-laundering are like cancers plaguing our society. The envoy further noted, “Too many people still think that they can get away with corruption and with financial abuse. If Guyana is to continue to grow and to use future resources for the betterment of all, it will be necessary to address both these issues.”

Where previous efforts

by countries and international institutions to help Guyana rid itself of these cancers did not produce measurable successes and the APNU+AFC Government is showing willingness to tackle this scourge, it must be supported. As known with cancer, it’s a disease that can spread throughout the entire body, eating away and destroying organs, ultimately resulting in death.

Guyanese are conscious that there exist among us those who are fully aware their actions are corrupt.

Edifying citizens to recognise corrupt practices -- including the consequences -- will not only see civic involvement in policing the law, but will also serve as a deterrent to engage in the malpractice. The An-

ti-Corruption Sensitisation Seminar, embarked on by the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs that sets out to educate the public on legislation and bills aimed to tackle corruption is timely. Whereas there is no excuse for not being aware of the laws, in societies such as ours where corruption has become rampant and entrenched, many have grown accustomed to thinking such is the manner in which the system is structured and what ought to be done.

The ministry may also find it useful to complement this seminar by compiling an easy-to-read booklet which can be accessible to the general public in hard and electronic copies.

Changing behaviour, especially what has become

endemic, requires sustained efforts in recognising and appreciating what is right and supporting efforts to do what is right. For instance, uncertainty regarding the new banking requirements as cautionary measures and Guyana’s obligation to prevent money-laundering and the financing of terrorism can be addressed through sensitisation and education.

There is a political side to corruption which too cannot be ignored. While the PPP/C Government has earned Guyana the disrepute of being the most corrupt English-speaking Caribbean country, now in the Opposition it has been accusing the APNU+AFC Government of corruption. And while some are inclined to believe this, could reference allegations

A modern-day version of Sodom and Gomorrah Dear Editor,

THE Georgetown City Council with the impenitent sins that prevail there can undoubtedly be likened to the modern-day version of Sodom and Gomorrah, the cities mentioned in the Book of Genesis. Unfortunately, divine judgment is not being passed down on the Council -- not that anyone is asking for fire and brimstone. However, once again there are reports circulating in the media of sexual predators in the Georgetown City Constabulary abusing their powers to target hapless juveniles whom they arrest and detain on some frivolous reason in order to satisfy their aberrant desires.

Quite alarmingly, the accused officer was allowed to continue to carry out his duties and normal work routine since August 22nd of this year, despite senior per-

sons at City Hall receiving a report from an eyewitness and whistleblower two days after the alleged incident. In fact, one can only conclude that some attention was reluctantly given to this very troubling matter only after the matter was raised in the satirical column of a local newspaper.

The suggestion that the matter would be investigated by the Legal Affairs Committee of the Council and the full Council, is akin to trying the devil in hell, as many senior functionaries there have been accused of many bizarre and unlawful acts, but were just never charged.

Why are the national police not being called in and the individual handed over to them.

The fact that this constable was fired before, on allegations of similar misconduct with another juvenile but was re-employed and given back his rank and orig-

inal conditions of service, speaks volumes about the venality of senior functionaries at City Hall. One wonders if the victims are ever compensated by City Hall?

Victims such as the two who were allegedly molested by this constable are seriously damaged. The damage is far deeper, because they trusted the police and believed that the police were supposed to protect them from harm and help catch and punish those who perpetrate such crimes against them. This breach of that trust has an enormous effect on young persons who feel that if they can’t trust a police officer, who can they trust? They lose their confidence in everyone, even those in authority. It is one of the worst crimes that can be committed and when committed by an officer of the law, it becomes one of the greatest abuses of power. It must be dealt with seriously

by City Hall and not covered

up.

Pictures and details of this errant constable should be published as a paedophile if he is found guilty so that parents, head teachers, youth leaders and others could be warned to keep their children away from him. But then again, this level of deviancy at the City Constabulary and protection by senior officials at City Hall is not new as one can recall a little while back of a senior rank there in a drunken state, attacking and viciously beating a young female in Sophia, the female who is also in the employ of the Council, with his service pistol, and after being arrested by the national police, was rescued by an even more senior officer and even subsequently promoted.

Regards RILEY MATTHEWS

of it, irrespective of beliefs or allegations, it is to the country’s benefit when all governments recognise corruption is unacceptable and there are consequences for those engaging in such misconduct.

The political aspect aside, the socio-economic consequences wreaked on this country as the result of corruption cannot be accurately quantified. It is reasonable however to surmise that it has to be humongous, given the years it was cuddled in the corridors of power and allowed to run wild. Where this scourge, however small or large, continues

to retard and debilitate the growth and development of a people and society, it requires surgical/ meticulous intervention to excise the cancer. It cannot be over-emphasised Guyana’s obligation as a member of the United Nations to uphold the Convention against Corruption, which was ratified by the Government on 16th April, 2008. The presence of the UNODC which promotes adherence to the convention augurs well in making good of Guyana’s responsibility to execute the mandatory and legally binding agreements ensconced within.

City constables harassing Cuban shoppers Dear Editor, IT has been observed that in recent times in downtown Georgetown, some members of the Georgetown City Constabulary have begun a campaign of harassing Cuban shoppers.

Now that they can hardly get a dollar out of vendors whom they have harassed for years, due to those vendors saying enough is enough and due to the massive reduction in their profit margins, many wayward constables are now pestering Cubans, demanding to see their passports to determine whether they were legally in Guyana, and if they accidentally drop a small piece of paper or the wrapper of a confectionery item, they quickly pounce on them and shake them down.

This, is in spite of mountains of garbage all around them, created by “junkies,” but of course “junkies” have no money to give them a bribe, so they hardly bother with them. The City Constabulary Department of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown has convinced itself that it has the same power

the national police (GPF) have in the maintenance of law and order in this country, but needs to be told that they have no responsibility, jurisdiction nor authority over immigration in Guyana.

Clearly, the Georgetown municipality and their constables fail to appreciate that the steady flow of nearly 1,000 Cubans coming to Guyana every week to shop mainly clothing is extremely good for our country’s economy at a time when there is much talk about sluggishness and over-reliance on gold to prop up revenues. The Cuban shoppers are helping to keep many businesses in Georgetown afloat and therefore if they were to get tired of the harassment by the City Constabulary and stop coming, it would leave Georgetown in pretty bad financial shape. What the Constabulary should be doing instead, is providing protection to the Cubans and other visitors from the roving criminals in our capital.

Regards SHANTA SINGH

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

The image of GRA is a work in progress Dear Editor,

THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has noted the September 11, 2017 editorial of the Kaieteur newspaper, captioned ‘GRA’s Image.’

Even though most of the editorial has provided a somewhat accurate analysis of the mammoth task the new Commissioner-General Mr. Godfrey Statia is facing in his fight against corruption, it must be pointed out that some elements of

the editorial are subjective and based on the editor’s opinion.

It is no secret that the Authority was and is still deeply embedded in a culture of corruption, where allegations of bribery and favouritism are synonymous with the acronym ‘GRA.’ Mr. Statia made his position clear from “day 1” and he personally communicated this to the entire agency. As Head of the Authority, he has worked to put numerous systems in

place geared at minimising corruption, while systematically improving efficiency, compliance and revenue collection.

It is a common saying that ‘Rome was not built in a day.” As such, it would be ludicrous for anyone to assume that a culture that was created and festered for decades could be eradicated overnight. Yet, it must be conceded that during the last 13 months, there have been more corrupt officers disciplined than previously

recorded for any previous period.

The allegation that “several senior officials at the GRA who are taking bribes, but they are deemed the untouchables’, is an acknowledgement that the editor may have in his/her possession information of corrupt practices. The commissioner-general has on numerous occasions requested the general public and all persons in receipt of such information to share same with the Authority. Such

information will be treated with utmost confidentiality, and upon investigation allow for the termination of the services of such persons and the effective eradication of these practices. The commissioner-general again calls upon all stakeholders to work together to identify officers who are engaging in these unscrupulous practices, thereby allowing for a level playing field for all businesses and taxpayers.

Taxation is a social contract between the

government and its citizens, and all taxpayers should pay their rightful taxes – no more, no less.

The Authority again calls upon the tax-paying public to cease such collusion and bring to its attention, those unscrupulous employees and taxpayers engaged in these activities.

Regards Public Relations Unit Communication & Tax Advisory Services Division Guyana Revenue Authority

Unsatisfactory services by RK’s Security and ineffective policing by Alberttown police Dear Editor, THE situational irony with RK’s lamenting over a lost contract has once again proven to be one that is very rewarding and at its most appropriate time.

Indeed, the quality of services offered by RK’s Security is unsatisfactory and below the required standard, leaving much to be desired and it is rather unfortunate for a security service that has been established for 35 years. I was employed by the said company as a Visiting Inspector working the 9-5 shift. Upon my assumption of duty, I had been singing to my colleagues to let us lift the standard we provide and emphasised that there are many other security services around in Guyana, but what would make RK’s different is the customer service.

To my dismay they all turned a blind eye while the services remained sloppy.

Personally, I firmly believe that RK’s security is unable to protect or secure anyone or his/ her property. Unfortunately, I experienced this resounding fact on the 4th August, 2017.

On this said date, I arrived at work and parked my motorcycle approximately 5-10 inches from the main gate in front of RK’s main office on Regent Street, locked it and went inside. As it was a bit early, I decided to give my junior ranks ample time to arrive at their various locations, so I did my routine -- peruse the occurrence book, checked the timesheet to see the locations I had to cover and sign in my time. After this was done, the time was still pretty early, so I sat inside near a window and rested my head.

Upon opening my eyes, I observed the watch commander (person in charge of night duties) and a security guard (person monitoring the gate and vehicles) looking at me and smiling. To this I said to myself, “ok?” and paid no mind and continued to rest my head.

As the time drew near for me to visit the various locations, I collected a radio and proceeded

towards the gate, followed by the watch commander and we passed the security guard lying at the gate on a bench. Immediately, I observed that my motorcycle was not in the position where I parked and felt rather strange, so I went towards both corners of the street looking for my CH 5913. As it was nowhere in sight, I enquired of the watch commander thinking that it was a prank, but my query yielded no positive response.

I waited for transportation and then made a report at Alberttown Police Station. Upon returning to Office I enquired from the Watch Commander if he told the Operations Manager what had transpired of which he called in my presence and was rudely told, “this is wha you callin me fa? All you ga do is put it in de book and when I come in de morning I will see it.” As surprised as I was I smiled in disgust.

As time progressed and days passed, no one knew nor said anything positive, but rather carried out their routine operations while I remained helpless. The funny part of this unbelievable event is that my motorcycle was parked very closely to another inspector’s motorcycle and mine alone disappeared unceremoniously without any documentation.

Mine contained my cellphones (Iphone and Blu) my bank Cards, NIS Card, ID card and other documents, including money and other bike papers.

As I followed up with the police on the 7th August (two days after) I had to give another statement and then visit the scene. Upon visiting the location, we were pushed around and offered minimum assistance. The security cameras on the building suddenly stopped working, same as those nearby and no one knew anything about the matter. Given that, I am still puzzled as the general manager and other senior staff insisted to me that I park my motorcycle and didn’t lock the handle and leaves me to wonder if they saw on the security camera that it was not locked, because they were not there at

the scene at the said time. Additionally, I was told that I did not park on their premises due to the fact that my bike was a few inches off, yet the said security guard monitoring the gate has to monitor the company’s vehicle that is parked at a lantern post some distance farther away. These strange utterances led me to believe that it was an inside job.

Dear editor, Should I climb on a table or perhaps a rooftop

to get some assistance? The days that followed I followed up with the police trying for them to get statements from those suspicious, but yielded no assistance. To date, 12th September, no one has been asked to provide a statement and I am still sitting here like Oh my Gosh! I have visited the office, written letters and even called the inspector at Alberttown Police Station Commander’s Office and even Eve Leary,

but apparently we are living in a ‘drag-foot’ society where nothing can change. I believe that the police at Alberttown station are incompetent and cannot function effectively because there is so much that can be done, yet no action was taken more so, this is a small matter.

I do believe that it is time for the police (especially those at Alberttown Station) to take positive interest in their work

so as to maintain safety and a sense of normalcy in this society. I am very much open to all the assistance that I can garner. All I’m asking for is that the police compile and complete their report so that my insurance can reimburse me some funds due to the fact that my motorcycle was under full coverage.

Regards MARLON JOSEPH

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

Narine lays down the law – just one garbage bin per household HEAD of Solid Waste Management in the city, Mr. Walter Narine, has said that the rates and taxes residents pay to the City Council only provide for the collection and disposal of garbage in one waste receptacle.

In other words, garbage collectors are required by law to clear one receptacle; and if residents have more, they would be required to pay a fee to have the rest disposed of.

According to Narine, residents should call the Municipal Solid Waste Management

Department on 223-5127, 223-5126, and 223-5128 for information on how such waste can be collected and disposed of.

“Bulky waste include old fridges, stoves, washing machines, sofas, tree trimmings, shrubs, bed frames, wood, grass etc. Please note a collection fee will be attached, and upon advice from the Solid Waste Department, you will be required to make all payments to the City Treasurer Department at City Hall before collection and disposal is

made,” Narine has said.

At the council’s statutory meeting on Monday, though, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green said she received many complaints that contractors were emptying only one barrel, and asking residents to pay for the others.

“I don’t understand if the contractors don’t understand their role, but it’s been reported to my office that the trucks collect one drum and tell you you have to pay for the others,” the mayor said, adding: “Town Clerk, this is unac-

ceptable! They only intend to do one pick-up a day through the streets of Georgetown!”

When asked for clarity on the issue, Narine said emptying only one receptacle is comsistent with the laws governing the municipality.

“It is unacceptable for them to have more than one bins,” Narine said, adding: “Take a walk down Regent Street any morning and you will see how much garbage a store has; look down your street and see how many bins one household has.

“The law is clear, but we still carry all their waste and don’t complain.”

Meanwhile, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is finding it increasingly difficult to cover garbage collection on its own in Georgetown, and now wants to reduce collections in some quarters due to the overwhelmingly high amounts of waste generated by some residents.

After its two main contractors, Purans Disposal Services and Cevons Waste Management, pulled their services early in August, the

M&CC had boasted that this new development has opened their eyes to the possibility of providing the same services competently on their own, and that the money saved could be paid to the contractors to cover heavy, outstanding debts.

But Narine told the Guyana Chronicle earlier this week that areas such as Charlestown, Albouystown, Wortmanville and Werk-enRust are producing significantly more waste than other neighbourhoods, and that twice-weekly clearance will have to be changed to once weekly because the council’s resources are limited at the moment.

However, residents of Charlestown and Albouystown have confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that they are hardly getting even the once-per-week clearance.

“We put out our barrels and leave them there for days, and then we just take them back inside when we are tired of waiting,” a resident of St. Stephens Street, Charlestown said on condition of anonymity.

Narine is saying that the above-mentioned areas are producing approximately 26 tonnes of refuse weekly, as compared to the other groups in Georgetown that produce about eight to 12 tonnes weekly.

Town Clerk Royston King last week said the M&CC is looking forward to opening new talks with the contractors, and setting up new conditions, especially since the contracts are up for review in October.

The contracts, which feature a review clause, remain in force until 2020.

City Hall, through its Solid Waste Management Department, has undertaken to provide garbage collection and disposal services throughout Georgetown, with assistance from a few small contractors.

But King has subsequently reported that the trucks and other equipment belonging to M&CC are very old and have never been subjected to this type of pressure before, since the municipality had been depending on the contractors.

UG Turkeyen to have two convocations THE University of Guyana (UG)’s Turkeyen Campus will this year observe its annual convocation ceremony in two parts, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ivelaw Griffith has said.

The graduation exercise will be held on November 11, and will have two sessions.

According to Dr Griffith, the move is an attempt to reduce the lengthy hours spent at the graduation ceremony.

“One of the things we are doing differently is, we are going to have two graduation ceremonies rather than one.

There are four to five hours, and by the time you get to technology, half the people gone,” the VC said on Tuesday.

“Why not create two shorter ceremonies and excite people who are graduates to come back,” he added.

The two ceremonies will have two former graduates as guest speakers. The first session, which will be held early in the day, will hear from Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) and former UG student, Mr Michael Tenpow. The name of the second speaker is yet to be announced, he said.

The following week, on November 18, the Tain Campus will hold its graduation ceremony, and will have as its guest speaker Lawyer and graduate, Ms Patricia Bacchus.

The vice-chancellor said he hopes to begin a culture of inviting graduates to speak at convocations going forward, “so that students can see what they can become in the future.”

Meanwhile, the university has announced that it has add-

ed some 16 new programmes/ courses to the 2017/2018 Academic year. These courses include eight from the newly established School of Education and Business Innovation (SEBI), and include the Bachelors of Science in Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Tourism Management and Special Education Needs.

The other programmes are an Associate of Science Degree in Mining Engineering; and a Bachelor of Science in either Environmental Science, Forestry, Industrial Engineering, Medicine or Surgery.

There are also the Master of Social Work, Master of Science in Agro-Technology and Business, and Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

President to head City must be prepared high-level delegation for flash floods – to UN General Assembly next week

Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Carl Greenidge (second left) briefing the press on Monday. With him are, from left, Public Diplomacy Officer, Mr Mark Murray; Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Audrey Waddell; and Director of Multilateral and Global Affairs, Mr Troy Torrington

PRESIDENT David Granger will lead a delegation to the 72nd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 72) next week, on the sidelines of which high-level meetings will be held with Guyana’s bilateral partners from Eastern Europe, South-east Asia, Africa, the Pacific, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Carl Greenidge; Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Audrey Waddell; Director of Multilateral and Global Affairs, Mr Troy Torrington; and Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow, are among officials expected to accompany President Granger to the UN confab in New York.

The General Debate is slated to open on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at the UN Headquarters under the theme, “Focusing on Peo-

ple: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet”, with President Granger expected to deliver his address the following day.

Speaking during a press conference at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in the presence of the Ministry’s Director-General and the Director of Multilateral and Global Affairs, Minister Greenidge said that in addition to the general debate, which will cover a range of topical issues such as terrorism, UN Reform and Climate Change, a number of side events are also scheduled to discuss among other things, Gender and Women’s empowerment, energy and communicable diseases.

Several bilateral meetings are scheduled to be held with countries from Eastern Europe, Africa, the Pacific, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Minister Greenidge noted that since 2015, the Government of Guyana has sought

to have more than just dialogue.

“Since 2015, what we have sought to do is not simply to have the same dialogue with the same set of countries, but to ensure that we keep a conversation with countries where the dialogue is still relevant; where there are matters of urgency. We take into that circle additional countries with whom we may not have spoken to recently, or in the recent past or in cases where something new has arisen,” the Foreign Affairs Minister posited.

He said that as such, meetings are expected to be held with countries such as Singapore, Peru and Chile.

Additionally, Minister Greenidge said as usual there will be sessions covered by the Commonwealth to deal with matters of common interest such as border problems and preparations for next year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference to be held in the United Kingdom.

New well for Koko THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has awarded a contract for the drilling of a new well at Koko, Region One, as the company continues in its pursuit to ensure equal access to citizens on the coastland and interior regions.

This represents one of the many ongoing projects to provide access to water for residents in various parts of the country, GWI said in a release.

The contract for the supply of materials, labour and equipment for the drilling of the well was awarded to BK International Inc for the sum of $8.75 million.

It is anticipated that persons from the community will be employed to contribute their skills, knowledge and

efforts of the community towards the success of the project being funded by the government of Guyana.

With a timeline for the completion of works set for December 2017, the project is scheduled to begin in September, 2017.

The contractor is in the process of preparing equipment so as to mobilise to the project site, after which works will commence.

The scope of works for the project requires the contractor to complete the drilling of the well to meet GWI’s specifications, supply all materials necessary for the completion of the well and implement suitable techniques to ensure the sustenance of the hole before, during and after drilling.

The contracting firm is

also required to drill, ream and install all the materials to successfully complete the well as per design. The required depth of the well is 80 metres.

Thereafter, the contractor will test-pump and disinfect the well to the satisfaction of GWI’s Water Quality Department, which is to ensure the water produced is safe for human consumption.

The well is intended to provide approximately 400 persons with potable water for the first time. Additionally, the project will cater for the construction of a pump house, well head, discharge pipes, connections to the water distribution network and the development of the entire well site, among other ancillary works.

GEORGETOWN Mayor Patricia Chase-Green has questioned the City’s preparedness for a flash flood and called on councillors to meet and advise on the way forward.

“While we sympathise with our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean, I hope you are reading and following reports that there may very well be a flash flood coming to Guyana sometime after the hurricane,” Chase-Green said at the Council’s statutory

Georgetown Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green

meeting earlier this week.

“I would like to find out if there are any preparations; is there a committee set up? We are right on the water front. Our Stabroek Market is at a great disadvantage. I hope that the administration along with the councillors responsible for that particular committee that deals with that could sit and advise somehow or the other their preparedness for such an event,” she added.

Spanish ambassador accredited

Ambassador Javier Maria Carbajosa Sanchez presenting his Letter of Credence to President David Granger in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and Director-General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Audrey Waddell. (MoTP photo)

GUYANA looks forward to deepening its relations with the Kingdom of Spain in the areas of investment, trade and tourism, President David Granger said Wednesday.

The President was at the time speaking after receiving Letters of Credence from His Excellency Javier Maria Carbajosa Sanchez, who has been accredited the new non-resident ambassador of Spain to Guyana.

The Head of State said too that the recent conclusion of the Agreement for the Reciprocal Elimination of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic Passports between the two countries is a demonstration of a strong commitment to improving bilateral relations.

Speaking of bilateral cooperation, President Granger said Guyana’s petroleum industry has already attracted Spain’s investment.

“We anticipate increased involvement of Spanish companies in the oil-andgas sector of our economy.”

In terms of environmental protection, the President informed the ambassador that Guyana is moving towards establishing a ‘green state’ in which more focus will be placed on biodiversity preservation, the provision of eco-tourism and eco-educational services, the promotion of renewable energy generation and the adoption of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation.

In this regard, he noted that Guyana is “deeply impressed” and is “intensely interested” in Spain’s success at increasing energy generation from sustainable sources and looks forward to enhanced country-to-country cooperation in this area.

Meanwhile, similar sentiments were expressed by Ambassador Sanchez, who said that his accreditation is not merely a formality that is dictated by tradition but rather, a renewal of the will and determination of the two countries to the strengthening of friendship and coop-

eration.

“Cooperation between our two countries can help forge global solutions to global challenges…. Spain has been focused traditionally, on the Spanish-speaking Caribbean; however, we have come to realise that there is much that Spain and Guyana can do together. Not only is Guyana a promising country for trade and investment opportunities, it also possesses a strong entrepreneurial spirit and is also very active in the context of CARICOM,” he said.

Guyana and Spain established diplomatic relations on October 12, 1979.

Their relations are founded on mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of international peace and security.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

Parika added to growing list – of ICT hubs countrywide RESIDENTS of Parika, Region Three are now the recipients of an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Hub, commissioned by the Ministry of Telecommunications, E-Governance department on Wednesday, at the Parika Community

Playground.

The hub, outfitted with 20 computers, will afford residents of the community to have free access to computers and to the internet. It is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Telecommunications and residents who were instru-

mental in ensuring that the hub became a reality.

Opening hours of the Hub are from Monday to Friday from 15:30hrs to 20:30hrs. On weekends and holidays, it will be opened from 13:00hrs to 18:00hrs.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) was at the opening ceremony and spoke to students, teachers and residents of Parika who

Children putting the ICT Hub at Parika to good use

thrilled by the initiative.

All of the students indicated that they intend to use the ICT hub to assist them with their homework, research and assignments.

Aalayah Leighton of Parika Salem Secondary said, “It is very helpful. I will use it for doing most of my homework and my SBAs and so on.” Renetta Fernandes also plans on taking advantage of the hub to complete her homework and research.

Ten-year-old Alvena Singh, of Parika Salem Primary said, “I am so excited to use the computers; it will help me a lot with my homework and my assignments.”

A parent and community resident, Ms Alexis Fernandes said that the establishment of the ICT hub is a great initiative by the government. The mother of three noted, “Before you had to use the private Internets; and one picture sometimes cost $40. And if you have to get like four or five pictures, and with three kids, it would be costly… So I see it as a great thing for the community.”

Parika Salem Primary School teacher, Ms Naomie

Ms Alexis Fernandes, a parent

Phillips said she believes that the ICT Hub will be of great benefit to children of all ages. “Many times they do not have the money to go out and get research done; and it’s not far from the school, so they can walk over in the afternoon and get their work done,” she said.

Director of Community Development and Social Management, Mr Phillip Walcott thanked the com-

munity for their support in making the ICT Hub a reality. He remarked that the establishment of the ICT Hub is not the end, but a means to an end.

“While we are here, dealing with the part of providing the access through community ICT Hub, E-government agencies all across the country are also working on making the government services accessible,” Mr Walcott said, adding: “And so, over time, you will no longer have to travel to make a passport application. Within each hub, you will be able to access relevant software that will allow you to apply for your passport online.”

The ICT Hubs are an initiative of President David Granger to bridge the digital divide in the country.

Within the next five years, Walcott said, there will be an ICT Hub in almost every community countrywide.

On Wednesday afternoon, a similar facility was formally opened at the Agricola Community Centre in Greater Georgetown.

Businessman charged Middle-aged man gets four for wounding Benjai years for ganja trafficking BUSINESSMAN, Maverick DeAbreu on Wednesday appeared before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore charged for allegedly wounding popular Trinidadian Soca artiste, Benjai, outside Palm Court night club in April.

DeAbreu denied that on April 16, 2017 at Palm Court, Georgetown he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Rodney “Benjai” La Blanc.

His lawyer, Mark Waldron told the court that his client is 25 years old and lives at Broad and Alexander Streets, Charlestown. However, La Blanc's lawyer, Eusi Anderson told the court that his client came all the way from Trinidad for justice.

The lawyer further told the court that on the day in question the artiste had just wrapped up his performance at Pulse Entertainment’s Soca theme party at the Palm Court Night Club, Georgetown and that he was standing in a nearby car park in the company of his manager and other people when the driver of a vehicle in the car park reversed into them.

According to the report,

Maverick DeAbreu

Rodney “Benjai” La Blanc

when alerted to the presence of the group, the driver came out and pointed a firearm at Benjai and the group. DeAbreu came out the passenger’s side of the vehicle and hurled a glass object at La Blanc and slashed him to his face with a glass bottle. He was rushed to a private hospital, where he received over 15 stitches for two deep cuts.

Police Prosecutor made no objection to DeAbreu being released on bail. The Magistrate released DeAbreu on $50,000 and adjourned the matter until October 11. In

May, DeAbreu was charged with discharging a loaded firearm at his pregnant girlfriend and her sister. However, he was freed of the two charges after the women refused to offer evidence against him in court.

It was alleged that on February 1, 2017, at Industrial Site Ruimveldt, Georgetown he discharged a loaded gun at his girlfriend, Tiffany Herbert and her sister, Jomelle Herbert with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause grievous bodily harm to them.

A 59-YEAR-OLD man recently busted by the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) with 75 pound of marijuana at his Camp and Norton Streets home was on Wednesday sentenced to four years jail and fined $30,000 for drug trafficking.

Standley Pyle, a single parent of seven appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman and confessed that on September 10, 2017 at Lot 10 Camp and Norton Streets, he had 34.048 kilograms of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

CANU prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford told the court that on the day in question ranks went to Pyle’s home and conducted a search. In the upper flat of the home a makeshift room was found and three carton boxes along with two barrels containing bulky parcels of cannabis were found.

While at CANU headquarters, Pyle had given an oral statement confessing

bust. Pyle begged the magistrate for leniency saying he is the sole breadwinner for his seven children.

Before handing down her sentence, the magistrate took into consideration that Pyle pleaded guilty and also the method used to conceal the drugs. Pyle was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment along with $30,000 fine.

JAILED: Standley Pyle

to the crime and explained to ranks that someone living ‘over the river’ had given him the cannabis. Sandiford further told the court that a second suspect is currently in custody in relation to the same drug

Exhibits of some of a suspected marijuana

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

Man held as Joint Services seize ganja during Vryheid’s Lust operation - residents say ranks were professional

A MAN was arrested during an early-morning Joint Services operation in Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara on Wednesday.

Commander of ‘C’ Division, Calvin Brutus, told the Guyana Chronicle that the early-morning operation was a routine one in which about 15 houses were searched and a man arrested, when ranks unearthed about one pound of marijuana in a house he was occupying.

The Joint Services operation comprised ranks

from both the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and began around 05:00hrs.

One resident, who did not want to be named, told this newspaper that her house was searched by the lawmen, but when they found nothing illegal they left.

The elderly woman said it was about 05:00hrs and she was up doing her regular yoga workout when she realised that the dogs were barking insistently, although she did not think

anything was amiss.

However, when she heard a tapping sound at the back of her house she pulled the curtain at a window and saw ranks in her yard. The woman then asked them what they wanted and they said they were “looking for escapees” and asked her to go to the front door, which she opened to facilitate a search.

She added that the ranks conducted themselves in a professional manner and were very courteous as they referred to her as ‘ma’am’

Several houses were targeted on Purple Heart Street, Vryheid’s Lust, during the Joint Services operation.

One of the houses searched during the early Wednesday morning Joint Services operation in Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara.

and so on.

The woman said at the time only she and another person were occupying the house, butshe was not afraid. She did,however, ask the ranks how they got into her yard and was told that they jumped the fence although she has dogs.

Other residents of Purple Heart Street, South Vryheid’s Lust, said the operation involved about seven loads of soldiers and police and they were ac-

Change will come only with investment

By Alexis Rodney

THE University of Guyana (UG) in its attempt to stand out as a world-class tertiary institution must be able to attract considerable amounts of support and investment.

By this, all stakeholders, including government, must be willing to invest not only financial resources, but every available reserve that could push it in this direction.

UG Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Ivelaw Griffith said the changes being sought for the country’s premier tertiary institution can in no way come about if stakeholders do not invest and has even called on his critics to see the “bigger picture” in what he, and to a wider extent the university’s administration, is trying to achieve.

During an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, the vice- chancellor, who has been serving in the capacity for just over a year, said the

university has been receiving much criticism, especially by persons who have a “myopic view of reality” and who are stuck in the past.

University of Guyana Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Ivelaw Griffith

Most of the criticisms, he said, are not based on facts.

“This university is not a university of the 1970s. Over the years, the institution grew in student numbers but not in support system, not in full-time lecturers or administration. If you are going to make improvements at the university, you will have to spend,” Dr Griffith told this newspaper.

The professor had re-

ceived some criticisms following a multimillion-dollar proposal to the university’s Council earlier this year for the renting of a Camp Street, Georgetown facility, which would have been regarded as a “downtown campus.”

That proposal was shut down by the Council; however, it did approve the establishment of a School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

“The idea of that new campus was to do some innovation and expansion.

It was not only to spend money, but to make money.

To establish a business development unit,” he said.

‘THE CHEAP’ The professor said there are still sections of society that are accustomed to “the cheap.”

“The cheap does not earn you respect and investment,” he said, continuing that whether it is the proposed “downtown campus” or any other, “this university has to go beyond Tain and

Turkeyen.”

He said the university’s population has grown to some 8,000 students and with that magnitude, the institution continues to endure complications, including sewerage and parking space.

“We are not going to get a changed university until we are willing to invest. We need to be willing to invest.

Ask graduates to invest, ask government to invest, businesses and also we have to be innovative,” he maintained.

He made reference to a 2012 Hamilton Associates Report, which addressed the university’s need to pay better salaries, having at least four deputy vice-chancellors and a better support system.

A task force established

by Chancellor Dr. Nigel Harris also pointed out similar deficits. While steps are being taken to make the necessary changes, the efforts have been stymied.

“The university must be the enabler of better educational and economical

companied by a drone and a yellow helicopter.

Villagers related that some of them were not awake, but got up when ranks showed up to conduct a search of their houses early Wednesday morning.

Three prison escapees are yet to be recaptured by law enforcement officers following a fire and breakout at the Camp Street Prison on June 9 and another break-out at the Lusignan Prison, where inmates were

housed after the conflagration.

Ex-cop Uree Varswyck, called Malcolm Gordon, was shot and killed in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, earlier this month during a confrontation with Joint Services ranks.

Still at large are Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie,” on death row for the Bartica massacre and two other murder accused, Cobena ‘OJ’ Stephens and Paul Goriah.

-- UG vice-chancellor livelihoods. The university must be an agent for change and innovation. It must also be the place that has a developmental role linking Guyana to the rest of the communities including the Caribbean, other parts of South America.”

NEGLECTED ANDUNDER-RESOURCED Professor Griffith said the university is at a point where it has been neglected and under-resourced, noting that there is need for a massive infusion of funding.

That funding, he pointed out, is not expected only from government.

“It has to go beyond government. It has to ask how we can connect with graduates, with Guyanese in the business world and non-Guyanese who have a passion for education who want to give back to the university. We are not going to be able to do those things if we only tinker with what we know, if we are averse to change and innovation.”

According to him, while steps are being taken to upgrade the level of faculties and teaching staff, he said lecturers are not going to come to the university with the salaries it pays. He said a university is not only a teaching institution, but also a business “Think of being a lecturer, a researcher, where every day your power goes out, not only at the university, but at home.”

He said there are conditions that will have to be improved in the university and society to be able to attract lecturers.

“So part of my strategy was to look to see who in the diaspora would want to come back as I did for less pay, come back and endure circumstances of insufficient labs, power shortages, etc. It’s not about getting new lecturers, it’s about creating the conditions for the qualified lecturers to come, not as a waste station to stay for a few months.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

President bids farewell to brother THE funeral service for the late Mr. Cesare Francis Granger, brother of President David Granger, was on Wednesday held at the Kaashi Dhaam Hindu Crematorium, Ruimzeight, Region Three, (Essequibo Islands -West Demerara).

Members of the Cabinet and the Diplomatic Corps were among those who at tended the service. The late Granger, fondly known as Frank, was born on October 4, 1937 and is the first son and third child of the late Mr. Chetwynd and Mrs. Verleigh Granger. He married Ms.

Theresa nee Chang, with whom he fathered two sons, Mr. Kevin Granger and Mr. Marc Granger.

The deceased attended the St John the Baptist School at Bartica, Central High School and Queen’s College in Georgetown. He subsequently attended Columbia University in New York. He graduated with the Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Economics, winning the Mathew M. Frydre Award for outstanding undergraduate work.

After studying and working abroad, the late Mr. Granger returned to

Guyana, where he joined the Ministry of Works, Hydraulics and Supply as an Economist, conducting economic feasibility studies from 1969 to 1972. He then joined the Commonwealth Caribbean Regional Secretariat and, from 1973, the Caribbean Community Secretariat as a Senior Economist, holding various positions until his retirement on October 4, 1997. Mr. Cesare Francis Granger is survived by his sons, and his siblings Ms. Barbara Granger and President Granger. (Ministry of the Presidency)

13

GAWU in another counter-productive strike

WORKERS aligned to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) staged a protest against the privatisation of the Skeldon Estate on the first day of the first crop for the year on Tuesday.

The estate was out of operation due to a faulty boiler which has since been fixed.

This move by GAWU has taken many by surprise since it has come after several months of non-activity at the estate.

Many who spoke with Guyana Chronicle say they had to follow suit since they are of the view that if they did not join the protest, they would be deemed traitors.

“I glad the estate finally start grinding cause I did deh out a work for a long time, now we hear we get protest on the day we gotta start chop cane, I vex but gotta follow the cause they does represent we, but we could a do this before crop start suh it ain’t

ing the boiler so that workers could have turned out today but GAWU chose to hold a protest which caused 60 per cent of workers not to turn out to work. Where was GAWU from January to September when these workers were not working? GAWU doesn’t have the workers interest at heart and have their own hidden agenda; to me this is all political.”

Harbhajan contended that GAWU’s action is a reverse of what it preaches, pointing out that the union keeps lamenting that the government of the day is placing the workers on the breadline, yet when they have an opportunity to let them earn they are choosing to strike.

“As the prime minister regional representative many sugar workers had visited my office with all sort of problems and sometimes I asked them where the GAWU representatives are in these times and the answer is none but yet

He made reference to the 50 per cent increase which ministers have enjoyed since the new government took office while the workers have had little or nothing in comparison. He urged the workers to not give up but keep fighting and promised that the union will not allow the efforts of those who made the ultimate sacrifice to go down in vain.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Union, Seepaul Narine, said there is no need to privatise the Skeldon Estate since last year alone the co-generation plant earned over $9.5 billion.

This figure, he said is proof that the industry, specifically Skeldon, can be profitable and was not a failed investment.

The protest by GAWU came as the government expressed the desire to have the Skeldon Estate privatised due to numerous problems that has been plaguing the facto-

President David Granger, with nephews Marc and Kevin, and other friends, as pallbearers, position the casket at the beginning of the funeral service

Sugar workers on the protest line on Tuesday

President David Granger and First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, (first and second from left) and Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin (second from right) and other relatives at the funeral service. Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Mr. Keith Scott, is also pictured first from right

15 receive GBTI bursary awards

THE Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI) on Wednesday presented bursary awards to 15 members of its Early Savers Club who were successful at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Senior Education Officer (Mathematics), Ameer Ali, congratulated the students and urged them to continue being ambassadors for the bank.

Ali said the students have only now begun their journeys to success and called on them to remain focused on

their education, while having a bit of fun.

The bank was commended for the initiative and Ali noted that the Ministry of Education was pleased to participate in the award ceremony.

Meanwhile, GBTI Senior Manager Sean Noel said the bank has always had a long and fruitful relationship with the Ministry of Education and noted that GBTI places great emphasis on education.

He disclosed that the bank has launched its Annual Calendar Art Competition

and encouraged all children to enter to be a part of the GBTI 2018 Calendar.

This year’s awardees included Gabriella Roberts, who secured the second position at the NGSA. Other awardees included Shelby Gomes, Leonard Grant, Leonardo Juan, Marlon Benn, Ryea Algu, Shilendra Haripersaud, Saif Khan, Bholanand Seenarine, Carey Sutherland, Oma Seeraj, Shaquan Adams, Naita Rafick, Deonarine Dukharan and Shania Andrews.

gonna affect we from earning,” a worker from the Upper Corentyne said.

Members of the business community also found the move strange and some even questioned the motive of GAWU since they too felt the protest action could have been held in the off-period or at a later date.

“I don’t have a problem with the protest but the timing is just wrong, they could have done this before the crop start or wait until them get settled in rather that protest on the first day of the crop.”

Gobin Harbhajan, regional representative for the Office of the Prime Minister, who has been exchanging words with GAWU via letters in the media, said the move by GAWU is a clear indication that they do not have the interest of the workers at heart.

WICKED He described the move as being “a wicked and vindictive act aimed at creating mischief which will only cause misery to the workers” at the Skeldon Estate.

“I find this very sickening that only yesterday (Monday) Skeldon Estate burnt cane after nine months of servic-

they will use the workers for calling strikes and protest and make unreasonable demands.

The actions of GAWU have revealed their true objective and today brought themselves to the lowest as a union.”

The workers organised by GAWU gathered at the estate compound and marched from the estate to the Independence Square, where they were addressed by the union representatives and fellow workers.

UNSAVOURY COMPARISON President of GAWU, Komal Chand, in his address referred to the government as being equal to Hurricane Irma in terms of the destruction they have caused the country.

He lamented that unlike Irma, which passed through for a short period, the government has been at the helm for two years and workers are subjected to the wrath of their sledgehammer, which is responsible for the sad state of affairs of several industries, including sugar.

Chand accused the government of having double standards while claiming to put the interest of the people first but are merely looking out for themselves.

ry since it began operation in 2011. Since then several companies have expressed a desire to take over the reins of the estate, including local companies.

Recently reports have surfaced that a South African consultant, who was hired by the previous administration to fix some of the defects at the factory, highlighted to upper management that the numbers at the estate were skewed to make the estate appear to be performing better than what was actually happening.

This report was reportedly swept under the rug and the consultant was banned from entering certain sections of the factory.

Since taking power, the government has tabled a white paper on the industry as it seeks to get it out of the doldrums and make it profitable.

This move included closing a few estates and diversification of those in operation to make them profitable rather than ploughing billions of taxpayers’ money into the industry as the previous administration had done for numerous years with no plan of saving the industry.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

Brazen miner resumes operation at Micobie – mere days after being ejected by authorities

By Alva Solomon A MINER who operates several dredges in the waterways off the Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) village of Micobie, brazenly resumed operations last weekend, mere days after his machines were ejected from the area by the authorities.

Micobie, an Indigenous village on the outskirts of Mahdia, the region’s administrative capital, is home to approximately 550 residents.

It has been battling with mining issues within the

Andre said he believes the reason the delegation travelled all that way to meet with him was because he had raised the concerns the village had with the way things were done at Micobie at the recent National Toshaos Council (NTC) annual conference in Georgetown.

At the confab, Andre highlighted the numerous mining issues faced by the Patamona village, and according to him, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman was very responsive to his concerns.

He said that after the

within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Ms Valerie Garrido-Lowe had said that talks were ongoing between her ministry and the Ministry of Natural Resources with the aim of finding a solution to the issue of illegal activities in buffer zones.

In April this year, this newspaper had reported on a confrontation which occurred onboard one of the river dredges between Micobie’s Toshao and a manager of the machine in the Potaro River. That matter is presently before the courts.

Last Sunday, Andre ex-

The silted Potaro River near the village of Micobie in Region Eight. Two water dredges were operating in the distance when the Guyana Chronicle visited the area last weekend (Photos by Alva Solomon)

village’s 22 square miles of land for months.

The village council believes it is “powerless” where the lands on its reservation are concerned, and with good reason, since it was only recently that it learned that the mining authorities had green-lighted some 305 mining claims there, which figure the council says translates to more than three-quarters of the total lands occupied by the settlement.

Toshao of Micobie, John Andre and members of the village council met with the Guyana Chronicle over the weekend in the village, which lies on the edges of the Potaro River.

According to the leader, a meeting was called by a delegation of environmental bodies which travelled from the Coastland last week to Micobie. The group, which included officials of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and personnel from non-governmental support agencies, met with Andre and discussed the issue.

Georgetown-based miner’s equipment, which included five “dragga” machines, were ejected from the area by the mining delegation last week, the man’s employees on the ground blatantly disregarded the authority’s decision and returned to the Potaro River, which passes close to the village.

Andre showed this publication two of the machines which were being operated down-river from the village.

The “dragga” machines were operating on a bend within the river under the hot midday sun.

NO-MINING ZONE The village council explained that there is a buffer zone which lies between the lowest point on the edges of the Potaro River and stretches 65 feet inland. The zone, they say, belongs to the State, and as such no one is permitted to mine there.

“Neither us or the claim holder has rights for the area; it’s the State who owns it,” Andre said.

In March this year, in a Department of Public Information (DPI) report, Minister

plained that in mid-2015 when he assumed the post of village leader, a group of Brazilians had owned the river dredges operating in the Potaro River near Micobie.

They have since the latter part of 2016 sold the machinery to the local miner.

“Since then,” Andre said, “the problem started, because, by right, the village has to know what is happening within the lands. And they started breaking down the river banks and polluting the water, which is a source for the village.”

Soon after that started happening, Andre said, he started visiting the GGMC offices in the city to determine to what extent the miner was permitted to mine in the river, but according to him, the officials there were not very helpful.

Then, earlier this year, officials of the GGMC visited the village and informed the council of its rights as regards mining. But according to Andre, the entire village felt that tone of the officials at the time suggested that the entity was working “in favour of the miners.”

“We don’t trust the

Toshao of Micobie, John Andre, (left) and his deputy, Hilton Hendricks, discussing a section of the Amerindian Act of 2006. Behind them is the Potaro River

GGMC. Last week when the delegation came to our village, the man from the EPA was stern on the issue, because he asked for maps and reports. And we believe he is the person who will help us in this problem,” Andre said, adding: “Between 2015 and now, this miner supposed to receive plenty charges because they break the law all the time.”

He said that last week when the EPA official questioned the Mahdia-based GGMC official about whether any mining penalties were imposed on the miner in question, he was told just twice.

WORRISOME DEVELOPMENT To crown it all, the village council told this publication that it was only this year that it became aware of the 305 mining claims within its lands, information which was not previously provided to the village council. It was

noted that a map with three claims was provided to the previous village council.

“We want to know if since 2006 these claims are there, or when these claims were issued on our lands,” Deputy Toshao, Hilton Hendricks asked. “We were never given any maps with these claims; they never showed us,” he said.

Andre said the only reason he became aware of the claims within the lands was because a villager who was on a “dragga” saw the delineations on a map and informed the village council of the situation after taking photographs of it. “They (GGMC) never showed me a map with these claims,” Andre said.

“If you add up the amount of claims on this land, we as a village would only have five of the 22 square miles of our land,” a former Toshao who sits on the present village council noted Sunday during the meeting with the Guyana Chronicle.

The council says that while it permits mining in the area, it is unclear whether it has any control of the lands within its boundaries. The body is calling on a ministerial team to visit the village and meet with residents.

“We believe the EPA people are more concerned, because the officer was asking the GGMC to provide maps,” Andre said, adding that the mining official noted that the maps will be presented

by December 1 to the EPA. According to the council, residents of Micobie are a peace-loving people, many of whom make their daily living from the waterways, and if the Potaro River is polluted, as they very well suspect, many livelihoods will be lost. To bolster its argument, the body cited the many recurring health issues such as malaria, and the many health defects in children, which they say, may very well be caused by improper mining practices in the area.

According to the Amerindian Act of 2006, Amerindians will have a legal right to traditional mining with the consent of the Village Council and they must comply with the relevant legislation.

There has been a concerted call by residents of Amerindian villages for the amendment of the Act in relation to mining.

In June 2016, Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the Act will be reviewed and the revision will also focus on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and many of the land issues.

‘Tear Drop’ on $1.1M robbery charge ONE-TIME, local social media sensation, Leon Clarke, called “Tear Drop”, was on Wednesday arraigned before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore for allegedly robbing a La Penitence businessman of $1.1M. The 23-year-old West La Penitence resident is charged for being in the company of others on September 8, 2017 and robbing Vincent Howard of $980,000 in cash, $175,000 worth of GTT phone cards, $50,000 worth of Digicel phone cards, and $80,000 worth of scratch tickets.

Clarke broke down

in court as he denied the charge. According to the accused he has recently gained employment at the Georgetown Public Hospital as an attendant and was beaten by police while in custody for the crime.

The victim, Vincent Howard, who was also in court, explained that during the robbery his daughter had positively pointed out Clarke as one of the perpetrators.

Howard further pointed out that his daughter explained that she was able to point him out as the robber because of seeing him on Facebook.

Leon Clarke called “Tear Drop”

The magistrate released Clarke on $75,000 bail and adjourned the matter until October 4, 2017.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

15

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 14, 2017

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE,THURSDAY September 14, 2017

English Racing Tips

11:45 hrs Amood

Chepstow

South Africa Racing Tips

08:10 hrs Polly’s Gold 08:40 hrs Holiday Girl 09:15 hrs Global Exceed

Turffontein 08:40 hrs September Bloom

09:50 hrs Dark Blue

09:15 hrs Tammany Hall

10:25 hrs Mouille Point

09:50 hrs Shivering Sea

10:55 hrs Major Valentine

10:25 hrs Talktothestars

11:30 hrs Meyandi

11:00 hrs Open Road

Doncaster 08:20 hrs Kenny The Captain

Irish Racing Tips Listowel

08:50 hrs The Mums

09:05 hrs Shamad

09:25 hrs Laurens

09:40 hrs The Last Indian

10:00 hrs Natural Scenery 10:35 hrs Great Prospector 11:05 hrs Al Neksh 11:35 hrs Nathalie Epsom

10:15 hrs West Coast Time 10:50 hrs Bayan 11:20 hrs Coquin Mans 11:50 hrs Exactoris

08:30 hrs Lifeboat

12:20 hrs Lagostovegas

09:00 hrs Lord Clenaghcastle

12:50 hrs Ben Button

09:35 hrs Traveller

American Racing Tips

10:10 hrs C’est No Mour

Delware Park

10:45 hrs Hawridge Glory

Race 1 Totally Gaga

11:15 hrs Masarzain

Race 2 Milzy Race 3 Showreel Race 4 Split The Uprights Race 5 Onr Tough Angel Race 6 African Wildcat Race 7 Peaka Ballerina Race 8 Mo Focused Race 9 Theyallcomehome

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE,THURSDAY September 14, 2017

Essequibo stretch Franchise League lead after two rounds … Bacchus hails performances, says Essequibo cricket is on the move

By Rajiv Bisnauth AFTER two completed rounds in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Franchise League threeday tournament, the Essequibo Franchise have maintained the lead in the eight-team fixture.

With, two commanding victories, Essequibo emerged as leaders on 32.5 points.

They won their first round encounter by 34 runs over hosts Lower Corentyne at Albion before winning handsomely by 309 runs

over West Berbice in round two at the Bush Lot ground.

Meanwhile, in an invited comment yesterday, president of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB), Fizul Bacchus pointed out that the competition has definitely boosted the development of the game and players in the Cinderella County.

“The franchise cricket has definitely changed the image of the game in Essequibo. As I said last year prior to the start of the first tournament, that this franchise league is the way forward, not only for Essequibo cricket, but

cricket in general, and after the first two rounds this year, everyone can see that Essequibo cricket is on the improve,” Bacchus said.

Bacchus, who is also acting president of the GCB, said the individual ability of cricketers in Essequibo and ultimately the quality of the game continue to improve under this professional franchise set-up.

“Definitely you can see a lot more improvement from the players, something which will ultimately see more competitiveness among the players,” Bacchus pointed

out.

The league replaced the traditional Inter-county competition, and comprises eight franchise teams countrywide.

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

See below point standings after round two:

Batting Bonus

Team Bowling Bonus

Fast Bowling Bonus

Total

2

3

.3

32.5

1

3

.2

23

3

4

3

.7

22.7

12

0

0

6

1.1

19.1

1

12

0

0

4

1.8

17.8

0

0

0

2

3

.3

11.4

2

0

2

0

0

0

6

1

7

2

0

2

0

0

0

6

.3

6.3

Teams

Matches

Wins

Loses

Outright win

Abandon

Essequibo

2

2

0

24

0

Upper Corentyne

2

1

0

12

West Demerara

2

1

0

12

Georgetown

2

1

1

Upper Demerara/ East Bank

2

1

East Coast Demerara

2

Lower Corentyne West Berbice

No Result

3

3

Massiah leads Floodlights X1 to easy win LED by responsible batting from Shawn Massiah, Floodlights X1 secured a convincing sixwicket win over Parika Defenders in an arranged T20 match under lights at the Demerara Cricket Club ground last Friday night.

Massiah made an unbeaten 59, and got valuable support from Patrick Khan, with 33, and an unbeaten 25 from Ricky Deonarine, as the hosts chased down the winning target of 150, with ease.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first. They lost opener M. Chatram without scoring and M.

Deonarine (left) and Shawn Massiah

Balgobin for three.

However, Jerome Basdeo joined the other opener Dubraj Singh, and added 103 runs for the third wicket which eventually was the backbone of their total

of 149-6 off their allotted 20 overs.

Singh made 60 and Basdeo 45. Bowling for Floodlights X1, Beharry snared 3-10. Surendra Nauth and Khalid Baksh took a

wicket apiece.

In reply, the hosts lost both openers Yusuf Uniss and Rabindra Singh without scoring, but Massiah and Khan then added a thirdwicket partnership of 58 before the latter went for 33.

Rakesh Arjune was then dismissed for two, but thereafter Ricky Deonarine and Massiah took full control of the chase.

The duo put together an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership of 68 to seal the win with five balls to spare.

Bowling for the visitors, Basdeo completed a fine all-round performance taking 3-34.

From back page

Paris, LA to host.... campaigning for over IOC has awarded a Games

two years, in return for receiving the 2028 edition.

This paved the way for Paris as the sole 2024 bidder to win the Games unopposed.

MOMENTOUS DAY “This is a momentous day for the people of Los Angeles and the United States,” said LA mayor Eric Garcetti. “For the first time in a generation, we are bringing the Games back to the City of Angels.”

Paris, with a Games budget of 6.8 billion euros (6.12 billion pounds), had failed with previous attempts to land the 1992, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

The LA Games have a budget of $5.3 billion and will essentially follow the plan they had in place for 2024, including housing athletes at the UCLA campus.

Both Paris’ bid co-chair Tony Estanguet and LA bid chairman Casey Wasserman are to stay on and lead the host cities’ preparations, mayors Anne Hidalgo and Garcetti confirmed in a news conference after the announcement.

It is the first time the

11 years in advance, as it traditionally gives the next Olympic host city seven years to prepare.

The Olympic body, however, was eager to secure the future of its prime product after Boston, Budapest, Rome and Hamburg all pulled the plug on their 2024 bids mid-race.

Bach said the unanimous IOC decision would secure the future of the Games and ensure successful Olympics.

“It is hard to imagine something better. Ensuring the stability of the Olympic Games for the athletes of the world for the next 11 years is something extraordinary,” he said.

Both the 2014 winter Games in Russia’s Sochi and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics were mired in controversy over corruption, embezzlement and doping allegations, dealing a major blow to the reputations of the event and the IOC. Tokyo, the host of the next summer Games in 2020, has also had to fend off allegations of corruption regarding the decision to award it the Games four years ago.

From back page

GFC, Police trade barbs... bench according to captain Dwyane Jacobs.

“They are very key players but when it comes to football, you must have replacements and we have replacements. We have replacement players that have to come off the bench and step up.”

Jacobs noted that they are going to go back to the drawing board having succumbed to the Police once in the tournament before.

Meanwhile, co-Director of the Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca contended that the tournament sponsors have been phenomenal in

the sport.

He added that the quality of the tournament was high, also lauding the commitment of all the teams who continued to turn up after they were out of the top four.

The Police FC will confront their GFC counterparts on Sunday from 21:00hrs to determine the top team in the inaugural tournament.

Both teams will have a million reasons to emerge winners of the tournament.

The earlier third-place playoff between Western Tigers and Northern Rangers begins at 19:00hrs.

From back page

Adams scores 111...

Orlando Glasgow, from the scoring triumvirate of this rampaging Royals unit, was the next best scorer with 31 points.

Williams managed 22 points.

The signs were early on the scoreboard as Royals had a 40-13 lead when the first half ended, but by halftime they had outscored their opponents 43-6 to be ahead 83-19. The pivotal third quarter saw the writing on

the wall for a historic final score as they raced to a 14927 advantage, on a 63-8 run against their hapless opponents.

In the other match of the double-header, Retrieve Raiders held on to a 5755 win against Amelia’s Ward Jets behind 16 points from Neil Marks. Duel Montrose contributed 10.

Parrish Cadogan was the top scorer for Jets with 20.(Joe Chapman)

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE,THURSDAY September 14, 2017

Urling ‘disappointed’ at state of ‘FIFA Goal Project’ two years after acquiring land

By Rawle Toney WHILE the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) remains tight-lipped on the advancement of the FIFA Goal Project, now known as the FIFA Forward Programme, Clinton Urling, whose Normalisation Committee laid the platform for Guyana to finally have its own home for football, is ‘surprised’ and ‘disappointed’ that after two years, all the Wayne Forde-led administration could have done was the turning of the sod.

It was regarded as one of the best things to ever happen to football in Guyana when Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) president Gianni Infantino visited Guyana on April 22.

The details behind his visit are still to be known, since the man who took over at the helm of FIFA from the embattled Sepp Blatter was on a Caribbean tour and during his few hours in Guyana, he took the time to turn the sod at the 30-year-leased Providence Community Centre ground.

“For me personally, that was the biggest achievement for the Normalisation Committee,” said Urling during an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday.

Urling further reasoned

that “this represented the acquisition of prime real estate located at a busy and accessible corridor for sports fans and it was supposed to be the vehicle for the GFF to become a self-sustaining organisation.”

In 1999, Guyana, Belize, The Bahamas, Nicaragua and St Lucia were listed as countries to benefit from FIFA’s new initiative, the ‘Goal Project’. FIFA president Sepp Blatter visited Guyana in 2001 for what was supposed to be the historic turning of the sod for this country’s first football stadium on land under the control of the University of Guyana.

However, Blatter stated that the building of stadiums was the responsibility of governments and subsequently revealed that FIFA would contribute some US$400 000 once the GFF is able to acquire the necessary land.

The GFF struggled for years to acquire a piece of land from the Government of Guyana until Moroccan Alami Binani made available to them a piece of land at Orangestein, East Bank Essequibo; a deal which was made under former president Colin Klass.

After Klass was suspended during 2011 in the famous ‘Cash for Votes’ scandal, the project

was shelved with only a land clearing exercise ever conducted.

Under Klass’ successor, Franklin Wilson, the GFF acquired US$500 000 funding for the resuscitation

A conceptual design for Guyana’s FIFA Forward Programme

Clinton Urling

of the project after initially being allocated US$400 000.

Christopher Matthias, elected to the GFF top post in 2013, discarded the Orangestein land due to the uncertainty surrounding its ownership and the distance from the capital city.

He (Matthias) then engaged the government in an attempt to acquire land behind the Leonora Track and Field Facility, but nothing came to fruition as the government allegedly offered less than four acres

which was not approved by the world governing body.

“It was rather surprising to me that two years later, and a much-hyped visit from FIFA president Infantino, no progress has been undertaken on the property and the grass is higher than I’ve even seen it when we were there,” Urling pointed out.

“It’s not altogether surprising that the new executive committee would have had new plans to take football forward. What the NC had left was a solid platform for the current executives to build on.

“I have not examined the progress of the GFF since our departure.

However, the development surrounding the Elite League and the Providence centre is disappointing and one can only be hopeful that we soon see the top teams reintegrated into the league and the Providence site

developed as promised to the NDC,” said Urling.

Under Urling’s Normalisation Committee, the GFF underwent constitutional reform which paved the way for unhindered elections, but the Committee’s legacy would remain the STAG Elite League – a ‘then’ eight-team league which was conceptualised with guidance from FIFA and territorial body CONCACAF. But, after a successful first season, the STAG Elite was thrown into chaos and controversy, with four clubs rebelling against a move by the GFF to expand the league from eight to ten teams – a move which the aggrieved clubs have labelled ‘unconstitutional’ and has since taken legal action in the High Court of Guyana against the GFF. “While I have not heard of any plans for the

Hamilton Green Cup Knock-Out football tourney continues tomorrow A THRILLING football double-header is anticipated tomorrow evening at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden, when the Hamilton Green Cup knockout football tournament continues.

Tournament coordinator and former national player and coach, Lennox Arthur, told Chronicle Sport the two matches are expected to generate much excitement as two teams from the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) have already booked their places in the quarter-final round and tomorrow two more Silver Shattas and Eagles United - will be looking to follow suit, but he (Arthur) is certain the two mining

town teams will be hardpressed to make it to the quarter-final round.

Silver Shattas are set to face off with Riddim Squad from 19:00hrs, while Eagles United will clash with Soesdyke from 21:00hrs.

The winners of the two matches will advance to the quarter-final scheduled for September 22 at the same venue where the winner of the Silver Shattas versus Riddim Squad match will come up against Police and the winner of the Eagles United versus Soesdyke game will meet Western Tigers from 21:00hrs.

Tomorrow, Silver Shattas will be hoping that strikers Robin Adams and Damion Williams with support from

midfielders Michael Wilson and Dexter Garraway along with defender Romel Matthews, come good. The team’s custodian is Kellon Major.

Riddim Squad’s attack will be spearheaded by strikers Teon Jones and Kevin Agard on the strike line, midfielders Seon Hope, Kevin Gordon and Lyliton Ramsay, while Mark Giles, Dorville Steward and Orville Steward will marshal the defence.

Already, Mahaica, Ann’s Grove, Golden Grove and Plaisance have advanced to the second round of the tournament after securing victories over their opponents when the tournament finally got underway last month.

Mahaica defeated Mahaicony 3-2, Ann’s Grove beat Pele 3-1, Golden Grove got past Golden Warriors in a penalty shootout, Plaisance beat Cougars also in a penalty shoot-out and Buxton beat Pouderoyen in yet another penalty shootout.

The winning team of the tournament will receive $500 000 and the Minister of Citizenship trophy, while the runners-up team will earn $250 000 and the Busta Beverage trophy.

The team placing third will receive $150 000 and the John Fernandes Limited trophy and the fourth-place finishers will take home $100 000 and the Cummings Electrical trophy.

commencement of the third season of the Elite League, I remain an optimist that this will happen soon,” Urling noted, adding “the only advice I can dispense is the one that guided the NC’s tenure and that was to engage, engage, and engage. Engage, consult and compromise with all stakeholders and in the final analysis do what is in the best interest of the football product in Guyana.”

Urling, the proprietor of German’s Restaurant, recently wrapped up his Masters Degree in Sports Management at Columbia University, but told Chronicle Sport, “I have no intention to run for any office of the GFF. However, I do remain committed to seeing the development of the sport of football in Guyana. If I’m asked to serve in any capacity, and once availability permits, I would acquiesce to do so.”

Maersk Sealand golf tournament billed for Saturday AS preparations intensify for the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) premier golf tournament - the Guyana Open, local golfers will meet again on Saturday in the Maersk Sealand golf tournament, billed for the country’s lone golf course at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

The tournament will be played on a medal play format with trophies for the first three competitors, with the Best Net. Also a prize is available for the golfer with the Best Gross and Nearest to the Pin. According to club officials, the one-day event will be used by local golfers as preparation for the Guyana Open which is scheduled for November 4-5.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE,THURSDAY September 14, 2017

Ol Skool Ballers, Future Stars to clash in Saturday’s final … Back Circle, Leopold Street play for third place COMING into their respective semi-final encounters, both Ol Skool Ballers and Future Stars made it clear that they are not intimidated by big names and Tuesday night’s results clearly justified their billing as the best young teams in the indoor format.

When the semi-finals of the inaugural Guinness Cage/ Three Peat Promotions Indoor Championship were played on Saturday night, at the National Gymnasium, futsal fans got a glimpse of the future kings of the format as Ol Skool Ballers first outlasted the experienced Back Circle 3-2 in an enthralling slugfest that went right down to the final minute of play.

Captain Roy Cassou, who has been one of the most consistent and prolific goalscorers in the futsal format, gave his team the lead in the 10th minute, before Quason

McAulay added another two minutes later to send shockwaves through the Back Circle band of supporters.

However, Back Circle hit back through Stephon McLean, who netted a brace in the game. He opened his account in the 17th minute to reduce the deficit by one.

The young Ballers side went to the half clinging to a slim one-goal advantage and everyone present knew that the Andy Duke-led Back Circle were planning an offensive assault in the final period.

They did just that, but time and again the Ballers defensive tenacity repelled every attack, before they extended their lead when Fabian Crawford’s goal five minutes from full time gave them the cushion they needed.

Again Back Circle would not relent and McLean was

Back Circle player (left) bullies his way past his Ol Skool Ballers opposition during their semi-final match-up on Tuesday. (Delano Williams photo)

in the act once again, netting one minute from the final whistle to put some more intrigue into the electrifying encounter.

However, in the end it was a little too late as referee Wayne Griffith’s whistle sounded shortly after to hand Ol Skool Ballers a well-de-

Prolific Perera helps World XI set up Pakistan decider

PAKISTAN’s historic Twenty20 series with a World XI will go to a decider after Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera’s supreme 19-ball knock tied the series at 1-1.

The series, which is being staged in Lahore, marks the first time competitive international cricket has been held in the country since a terrorist attack targeted Sri Lanka’s team bus in the same city in 2009.

Babar Azam produced the best T20 score of his career by hitting 86 to inspire Pakistan to victory in the series opener on Tuesday, but Perera starred as the World XI struck straight back on Wednesday with a seven-wicket win.

Perera hit 47 not out off 19 balls while Hashim Amla finished unbeaten on 72, the World XI chasing down a target of 175 with a ball to spare.

After Samuel Badree ended Fakhar Zaman’s 13-ball stay at the crease, Ahmed Shehzad (43) and Babar (45) combined for a second-wicket stand of 59, which was ended when the

Thisara Perera’s muscled five sixes to ensure the series was alive going into the decider on Friday ©AFP

former was caught trying to clear long-on.

But Babar found another capable partner in Shoaib Malik, who became Pakistan’s leading run scorer in T20s with a 23-ball 39, hitting three sixes in the process.

Babar could not kick on to post another big score but Shoaib, aided by an 11-ball cameo from Imad Wasim (15), ensured Pakistan posted a defendable total.

Tamim Iqbal (23) put on 47 with Amla for the opening wicket for the World XI before falling to a superb stretching catch from Malik

off Sohail Khan.

Amla, whose innings comprised of five fours and two maximums, found little assistance from Tim Paine (10) but skipper Faf du Plessis saw 12 of his 20 runs come off sixes in a 14-ball innings ended by Mohammad Nawaz.

But Du Plessis’ exit heralded the arrival of Perera, who struck five sixes including the match-winning hit off Rumman Raees, clubbing a full toss straight over the seamer’s head to ensure Friday’s finale will not be a dead rubber.(Omnisport)

served spot in the final.

The other semi-final between the resurrected Leopold Street and Future Stars lived up to all expectations despite no goals were scored in regulation time, forcing a penalty shootout that the latter won 2-1 to set up a mouthwater-

ing showdown against Ol Skool Ballers on Saturday.

Tournament leading goalscorer Okanie Fraser was kept at bay all night as the Stars never lost sight of where he was, employing a two-man assignment whenever he had the ball and it worked effectively.

The same could be said for Leopold Street’s tactics against the likes of opposing captain Keiron Solomon and his supporting cast of Jamal Cozier, Akeemo Anthony and Jermaine Junior.

They too were held in check, before prevailing in the penalty shootout.

It promises to be a sizzling final, while the thirdplace playoff also has some amount of interest in terms of bragging rights.

The two games will be preceded by five exhibition matches among them being a grudge encounter between two dominoes teams.

The winners will receive $400 000 and the championship trophy, while the runners-up, third- and fourthplace finishers will collect $200 000, $100 000 and $50 000 respectively.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) will receive a gold chain compliment of YK Investments and Pawn Shop

and a trophy from Trophy Stall.

Among the other sponsors on board are: Star Party Rentals, Faye Joseph, Claude Geddes Recreational Sports Club, National Sports Commission, Windjammer International Hotel & Cuisine, E-Networks, Woodpecker Trophies & Sport, Y.K Investments & Pawn Shop, Henry Chase, Jai Signs, Trophy Stall, the Bike Shop and John Fernandes Ltd. Meanwhile, the organisers continue to extend thanks to the sponsors, fans and ranks of the Guyana Police Force for their support throughout the championship.

Action starts at 20:00hrs.

The night’s full results: Game 1: Ol Skool Ballers 3 Back Circle 2 Ol Skool scorers Roy Cassou - 10th Quason McAulay - 12th Fabian Crawford - 45th Back Circle scorer Stephan McLean - 17th and 49th Game-2 Future Stars 0 Leopold Street 0 Future won 2-1 on penalty kicks

GFF facilitates 38 transfers during window

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday announced that they facilitated 33 transfers during the last transfer window (June 1 to July 31) including five International Transfers.

According to the GFF, among the international transfers were Lloyd Matthew and Denzil Crawford from Grenades FC (Antigua and Barbuda) to Grove Hi-Tech FC, Murilo R. Barbosa from Slingerz FC to Caledonia AIA FC (Trinidad and Tobago), Colwyn Adams from Caledonia AIA to Slingerz FC and Ralph Parris from Georgetown FC to Caledonia AIA. The period also saw 23 players transferred out of Elite League Clubs and six players transferred into these Clubs. Additionally, two transfers were facilitated by the East Bank Demerara Football Association (EBDFA), 16 by the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) and 15 by the Rupununi Football Association (RFA).

The other Regional Member Associations reported no transfer activity for the pre-season.

In an invited comment, Competitions Director of the GFF, Ian Alves, said the transfer period saw movement among clubs at both the Elite and Association levels, stating that “the 2017 pre-season transfer period reflected the usual trend of the late rush by clubs and players to complete transfers at the last minute, notwithstanding the notice being given at the very early stages of the two-month transfer window.”

“There was a greater number of

transfers to and from elite league clubs as compared to the number of transfers between Regional Member Associations clubs.

There was also movement of elite league players to RMA clubs as well as an influx of new players to elite league clubs. Taken at face value, the transfers conducted should foster a more competitive climate amongst clubs for the upcoming season, which the football fraternity is looking forward to,” Alves said.

The GFF stated that the transfers enable the respective clubs to prepare for the tournaments nationwide and the third season of the Elite League, which is scheduled to commence in the latter half of the year.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday September 14, 2017)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALLBourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 2259230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Ben Stokes

(2)

James Anderson

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was the Man of the Series in Hero CPL 2017?

(2) Who was the Man of the Series in the recent WI/ENG Test series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE,THURSDAY September 14, 2017

PCB confirms Windies set for T20 series in Lahore late November KARACHI, Pakistan (CMC) – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed a three-match Twenty20 series against West Indies set for Lahore in late November.

The PCB and Cricket West Indies (CWI) had been in talks over the proposed series but PCB chairman Najam Sethi said the tour had been now finalised and a detailed scheduled would be announced shortly.

“The agreement with the West Indies Cricket Board has been finalised and done and they have confirmed they will come to Lahore in November to play three T20 Internationals,” Sethi said in a television interview here.

Cricket West Indies announced last month it was in discussions with the PCB over the staging of the series in Pakistan.

However, CWI said the three matches would be “subject to the safe conclusion of the ICC World XI team’s three-match series in Lahore in September and affirmation of manageable security by the ICC-sponsored international security company overseeing the security arrangements of the World XI.”

West Indies and Pakistan are set to renew their rivalry in Lahore T20s.

The World XI series against hosts Pakistan started Tuesday and wraps up tomorrow.

Sethi said the series against West Indies represented a major breakthrough and would pave the way for the PCB to negotiate with other teams to tour Pakistan.

West Indies faced Pakistan in a full series of Tests, ODIs and T20s last year in the United Arab Emirates before hosting the Asian side in the Caribbean earlier this year in a similar series.

Sethi said Sri Lanka had also agreed to play a one-off

T20 International in Lahore on October 29, though he was still holding out hope for two matches.

He also revealed the PCB planned to hold discussions with Cricket South Africa over a short bilateral series in 2018.

Once the Windies series comes to fruition, it will mark the first time a leading international side has toured Pakistan since 2009, when militants attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lanka team resulting in injury to several players and the death of several members of the security

forces.

Minnows Zimbabwe toured two years ago for limited overs matches but the series was not sanctioned by the International Cricket Council.

Sethi said the PCB were hopeful of expanding the venues to other cities in the future.

“Right now we are compelled to play only in Lahore but obviously with time we will schedule matches at other Test venues like Karachi, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Multan,” he noted.

GOA appoints Ninvalle as Press Liaison for important Commonwealth meeting PRESIDENT of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle has been appointed Press Liaison by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) for their September 22-26 Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF) meeting of the Americas in Georgetown.

According to GOA president K. Juman-Yassin representatives of approximately 22 countries are expected in Guyana for the important meeting.

Louise Martin, president of the CGF is expected to attend the ‘first-of-its-kindmeeting’ to be held in Guyana with the GOA also stating that two officials from Australia will be in Guyana to give an update on the Commonwealth Games next year in the Gold Coast.

The 21st (XXI) Commonwealth Games will be held in the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, April 4-15, 2018. It is the fifth time Australia will be hosting the Commonwealth Games.

The Commonwealth Games (known as the British Empire Games 1930–

Steve Ninvalle 1950, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games 1954–1966, and British Commonwealth Games from (1970–1974) is an international multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations.

The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exception of 1942 and 1946, which were cancelled due to World War II, has taken place every four years since then. The most recent Commonwealth Games took place in Glasgow, Scotland in 2014.

Holder laments missed opportunity but buoyant ahead of England meeting BELFAST, Ireland (CMC) – West Indies captain Jason Holder has rued the washed-out One-Day International against Ireland, which robbed the Caribbean side of valuable match practice ahead of the upcoming five-match series against England.

A wet outfield caused by heavy overnight rain had initially delayed the toss yesterday at the Civil Service Cricket Club but the rains eventually returned before a scheduled 13:30hrs (08:30hrs Eastern Caribbean time) inspection, forcing officials to call off the contest.

“I don’t think it was close to playable. The outfield was pretty saturated,” Holder said in reference to the ground.

“The umpires always had a concern about how wet it was and they felt it would have been a lot of

Superstar opener Chris Gayle poses with a fan during the abandoned ODI against Ireland. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

slipping and sliding and didn’t want to take the risk. I couldn’t really disagree with them too much but hopefully we can go to England with some confidence.”

The fixture was an important one for Ireland who were only recently granted Test status by the International Cricket Council.

Much of their recent competition has come against former fellow Associate nations and the fixture against West Indies was an opportunity to put their skills against a full ICC member side.

Holder said he was aware of the importance of the fixture to the Irish and hoped the two teams could meet again soon.

“It’s really disappointing. I’ve heard a lot of people say the Irish Cricket Board put a lot of money into this game and it’s really

unfortunate that we weren’t able to put on a show for them but hopefully in the future we can be back here and spread some joy to the Irish people.”

West Indies have had no limited overs practice as they prepare to face England in the first ODI at Old Trafford starting next Tuesday.

They fly out today to prepare for the one-off Twenty20 International against England at Chester-le-Street on Saturday and Holder said his squad were looking forward to the next phase of the tour.

“We move on to England now. It’s a quick turnover – we came in yesterday (Tuesday) and we’re flying out tomorrow over to Durham,” he said.

“We start the T20 series there – it’s only a oneoff T20 and then we’re into the five-match ODI series.”

PCB confirms Windies set for T20 series in Lahore late November

Page 27

Paris, LA to host 2024 & 2028 Olympics in unique double allocation

By Karolos Grohmann LIMA (Reuters) - Paris was awarded the 2024 summer Olympics and Los Angeles the 2028 Games yesterday, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) broke with decades of tradition to vote on a unique double allocation.

Paris, which has hosted two previous Olympics, will stage the event 100 years after its last Games in 1924 while Los Angeles will also organise its third Games after 1932 and 1984.

IOC president Thomas Bach embraced both cities’ mayors on stage after a unanimous show of hands by IOC members ratified the awards.

The announcement was celebrated in Paris with the unveiling of a giant set of interlaced rings, the symbol of the Games, in a heavy downpour on the Trocadero

IOC president Thomas Bach (centre) announces the 2024 and 2028 hosts with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo (left) and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (right).

Adams scores 111 points in Royals’ 206-46 record-setting win over Falcons

Harold Adams rewrote the local basketball record books SMALL forward Harold Adams rewrote the local basketball record books when he poured in an unbelievable 111 points, to help the Victory Valley Royals to a record-setting 206-46 win over Bankers Trust Falcons in the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Open League basketball championship.

Adams, before this unmatched scoring feat, had a 46-point game in this very tournament but this scoring binge erases score of his teammate Chris Williams, who had previously netted 76 points a couple seasons ago.

Turn to page 20

square with lights glittering on the Eiffel Tower in the background.

“In the coming seven years we will prepare the Olympic Games with all our energy,” French President Emmanuel Macron, who had personally campaigned for the bid, said.

“Together we must do everything in our power to ensure that Paris hosts a magnificent games in 2024.”

The IOC decided in July to award both Games at the same time, following the withdrawal of four of the six cities bidding for the 2024 Olympics, amid concerns about the size, cost and complexity of organising the world’s biggest multi-sports event.

Los Angeles then dropped its bid for the 2024 Olympics, for which it had been Turn to page 20

GFC, Police trade barbs ahead of Corona final

By Stephan Sookram

THE winds are already blowing ahead of the storm at the GFC ground, Bourda where Police FC will take on hosts GFC in the final of the Corona Beer Invitational football tournament.

The duo met yesterday at the GFC pavilion to trade their respective barbs ahead of the tense clash set for this Sunday.

According to the captain of the GFC side Shaquille Bowen, they are ready and raring to go.

“In short, we all want to win. We are hungry and determined to win. I think we are all mature enough to understand the importance of playing football and not taking our opponents for granted.”

Meanwhile, the Police team, who are without several key players, will be calling on their

Turn to page 20

GFC representatives (left) and their Police opponents pose with the Corona Invitational Trophy. Only one winner will emerge on Sunday evening. (Samuel Maughn photo)

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

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER, 14, 2017