Guyana chronicle e paper 09 19 2017

Maria slams Dominica Page 5

…PM Skerrit says roof was blown off

‘Discipline Hicken’ No. 105040

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

…CoI knocks Hicken, says he is part of “unprofessional wrangling”

Protection of the planet

Page 12

Cop held for Ogle fatal accident

Page 3

Page 11

Illegal aircraft spotted at Parabara Page 10

…lawmen dispatched to probe report

…high on President’s agenda at UNGA President David Granger, Minister of Public Affairs in the Ministry of the Presidency, Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams and Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow, making their way to a meeting (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Businessman perishes in Main St fire

Page 9

GuySuCo, Cabinet for urgent cash flow meeting Page 11

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

CoI recommends…

Sanctions, removal for several CID sleuths

By Ariana Gordon FAILURE to disclose pertinent information to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged assassination of President David Granger has resulted in a recommendation being made for Corporal 17862 Germaine Laundry to be disciplined and removed from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

According to the report on the matter compiled by retired Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe, Laundry’s poor performance during that investigation leaves much to be desired. “Having regard to his poor performance in this investigation, he should be removed from the CID,” the report stated. Laundry has been serving at CID and the Major Crimes Unit for just over a year.

Moreover, the Slowe report stated that when Laundry gave evidence before the commission on July 21, he failed to disclose that he took a statement from Luanna Walker just two days prior. When he reappeared before the commission on August 2, it was revealed that he had taken Walker’s statement in relation to the alleged assassination plot.

“Laundry’s failure to disclose this information at the inquiry on July 21 is a neglect for which he should be disciplined,” the report added. Laundry had been part of the initial investigation, as he was part of a three-man team that travelled to Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), to arrest Nizam Khan. Khan was accused of offering business-

Inspector Prem Narine

Sergeant Komal Petamber

man Andriff Gillard $7M to assassinate President Granger in June 2015. Gillard told police that he approached Khan to borrow $6M, but instead he was offered $7M to kill the head-of-state.

The commission’s attorney, James Bond, had asked Laundry whether he had got the chance to reveal all important information related to the alleged plot to the CoI during his evidence-in-chief.

Laundry responded in the affirmative and noted that he could not recall omitting any information during his evidence-in-chief. “Do you consider the evidence or the statement of Luanna Walker to be important?” Bond then questioned, “Yes sir,” Laundry replied. Bond asked him if he had any reason for not disclosing on July 21 that he had taken a statement from Walker on July 19. The corporal told the commission he forgot to mention Walker’s statement prior. Bond then said, “You do recall that this is just two days [prior] to you coming to

the witness box?’”, to which Laundry answered, “yes sir.’’

NEGLECT OF DUTY Meanwhile, in the case of Sergeant 19822 Komal Petamber, the commission recommended that he be disciplined for neglect of duty, given his actions during the investigation. During his testimony, Petamber, a senior detective of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), was upbraided by Slowe for what he deemed to be poor work during investigation of the matter.

Slowe in his critique lambasted Petamber, who accepted that he did not comply with several established rules and guidelines of the force during the investigation. It was disclosed during the testimony by Gillard, that Khan had displayed a long black gun which he (Gillard) was expected to use to kill the President. He contended that since he refused to carry out the act, Khan had been harassing him.

However, Sergeant Petamber

Head of the Major Crimes Unit, ASP Mitchell Caesar

had said that a search was conducted on Khan’s Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) property on the afternoon of March 29, but no such weapon was found. Instead, a pistol and matching ammunition were found and the licence for same was produced by Khan. Petamber did not obtain a search warrant before going to Khan’s home and as such, the commission recommended that he be disciplined for the neglect.

In fact, it was ascertained during the detective’s testimony that Khan’s premises had not been properly searched. “He failed to conduct a diligent search of the home and other property of Nizam Khan. He should be disciplined for this neglect,” the report added.

It was also disclosed during the hearings that Khan, though arrested, was allowed to travel to CID headquarters in his own vehicle.

“This showed that he [Petamber]) failed to perform his duties with diligence. For this he should

be disciplined,” the report recommended. The police vehicle which was used to get to Khan’s home was driven back to CID by Corporal Laundry, who was accompanied by Gillard, while Petamber and Corporal Heranjan Deonarine travelled to CID with Khan.

Petamber told the commission that he became involved in the case on March 29 upon the behest of the officer-in-charge (OC) at the time, Assistant Superintendent, Mitchell Caesar, but noted that after that day he didn’t have a role to play.

Meanwhile, Inspector Prem Narine was lauded by the commission for what has been described as a “very impressive” testimony. The commission noted his composure under intense cross-examination and applauded him for his efforts.

It was Narine who told the commission of Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud’s early interference in the investigation and as such said “he should be commended for his honesty.”

Notwithstanding his performance, the commission found that Narine had failed to carefully examine the bail receipt, which resulted in Nizam Khan being released without posting bail. As a result, “the commission recommends that Narine should be reprimanded for this lapse.”

It was Inspector Narine who said that neither Gillard nor Khan ought to have been released before the expiration of 72 hours in custody. He told the commission that Turn to page 11 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Protection of the planet …high on President’s agenda at UNGA AS the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) gets under way, President David Granger has said that his main message to his fellow Heads of Government is the need for a more tangible demonstration of commitment to protecting the planet.

He made these remarks on Monday during an interview on the sidelines of the meeting which is being held at UN Headquarters in New York. “Guyana has committed itself to becoming a ‘green state’; Guyana

President David Granger greets President of Costa Rica, Mr. Luis Guillermo Solís in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge and Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow

President David Granger during his discussion with President of Costa Rica, Mr. Luis Guillermo Solís (MoTP photo)

are aiming at, at this 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly,” President Granger explained.

Speaking of the climatic catastrophes with which countries in the Caribbean Region and the hemisphere have been grappling, the Head of State said that this is a direct result of global warming and noted that the UN is perhaps the more influential place where the cause of environmental protection can be furthered. The

issue of climate change and environmental protection were also high on the agenda during two bilateral engagements between President Granger and the President of Costa Rica, Mr. Luis Guillermo Solís and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta, Mr. Joseph Muscat.

President Granger said that it is prudent for Guyana to seek greater cooperation and partnerships with like-minded states such as Malta, which has a

President David Granger along with Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow and Minister of Public Affairs in the Ministry of the Presidency, Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams, meeting with the Prime Minister of Malta, Mr. Joseph Muscat

has committed itself to contributing to the adaptation to measures to deal with global warming and climate change… Guyana is ideally suited because of its presence in the Guiana Shield, because

of our commitment to the conservation of our forests and our commitment to introducing green measures so that is important…So our concern for the planet is real and this is one outcome we

President David Granger and the Prime Minister of Malta Mr. Joseph Muscat during their meeting

strong commitment to the environment. Similarly, he said that his meeting with President Guillermo was aimed at opening the door of cooperation between Guyana and Costa Rica, a country which he noted has distinguished itself as a major player in the maintenance of the environment and from which Guyana can learn a lot. The UNGA is being held under the theme, “Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet.” (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Gov’t delivers first set of relief --to hurricane-affected islands THE first set of relief by Government to hurricane-affected islands, Antigua, Sint Maarten, and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) arrived in Antigua via aircraft on Sunday.

Minister of Citizenship Mr Winston Felix, who joined the Needs Assessment team in Antigua on Sunday, has expressed the government’s commitment to continued support.

Following his arrival on Antigua, the Minister travelled to Tortola, in the BVI, where he met with some of the Guyanese nationals living there and who were were affected by Hurricane Irma.

Minister of Citizenship, Mr Winston Felix (second right), along with the CDC’s Major Sean Welcome (right) and island officials inspecting the first wave of relief supplies on arrival Sunday (Photo courtesy DPI)

President briefed on Exxon exploration. President David Granger met with the President of ExxonMobil Stephen Greenlee at the Guyana’s Permanent Mission in New York. The President along with Ministers of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and Public Affairs Dawn Hastings-Williams were briefed on Exxon’s operations in Guyana. Also part of the meeting was Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow the Permanent Representative to the UN, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Audrey Waddle and Sir Shridath Ramphal.

It is estimated that some 1,500 Guyanese reside on the island.

According to Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Preparedness and Response Manager, Major Sean Welcome, the initial relief effort was made possible through a generous donation from Gaico Construction Ltd. Among items it was able to purchase were rice, medical supplies, and water.

According to information reaching the Department of

Tuesay, September 19th, 2017 14:30 hrs Wednesday, September 20th , 2017 14:30 hrs Thurday , September 21st , 2017 05:00 hrs

Public Information(DPI), the supplies are to be distributed in Antigua and Barbuda.

Containers are also on their way, by boat, to Antigua with further provisions, including building materials, which are to be distributed farther afield to BVI and Sint Maarten.

The Antiguan government has given its Guyanese counterpart the assurance that the items will be delivered to its desired locations. There has also been a special call from the BVI for logs from Guyana to be used as electricity poles. The request was made to CARICOM Secretary-General, Irwin LaRocque.

In this regard, Minister Felix has assured Ambassador LaRocque that the request will be treated as a priority, and will be discussed with the government.

With BVI and Sint Maarten bracing for Hurricane Maria, the regional and international community continues its support to islands affected

by Hurricane Irma, and Guyana also remains committed in this regard.

SITUATION IN BVI According to the Needs Assessment team, Hurricane Irma has left the BVI without power.

As with Sint Maarten, the Category Five hurricane has damaged the island severely, leaving families with limited cellular data and Internet service.

While the island is receiving support from the international community, many Guyanese nationals there are still in need of tarpaulins, insect repellent, and water purification pills.

In the meantime, commercial flights were scheduled to resume on Monday, but will most likely be postponed because of Hurricane Maria.

There are reports of Guyanese casualties, and one family has already met with Minister Felix. In the face of the devastation left by Hurricane Irma, the Guyanese community is steadfastly unified, especially as they prepare for Hurricane Maria. However, their main concern is the schooling of their children.

The DPI also understands that there are 11 shelters in operation across Tortola. The island is said to have been pummelled for six hours by Hurricane Irma, and again, similar to Guyanese nationals living in Sint Maarten, those residing in the BVI are looking to rebuild.

On a positive note, supermarkets and shops have reopened their doors.

In an effort to assist Guyanese nationals living on Tortola, the largest of the islands that make up the BVI, Minister Felix has committed to ensuring that all their damaged documents are replaced, and to facilitate the registration of those of their children who have not been so documented.

CDC UPDATE Meanwhile, the CDC early Monday afternoon held a meeting to discuss their plan of action following the review of the Needs Assessment team.

Discussions are expected to be ongoing as ther government is committed to bringing relief to nationals affected by the hurricane on the islands.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Child neglect not easy to pin down

By Michel Outridge CHILD neglect is not as easy to pin down, as one would like to think, linked as it often is with other forms of child abuse.

That’s the word from an expert on the subject, Ms Paulette Henry, who went on to say that as a matter of fact, it is not really clear whether child neglect is accounted for in other forms of abuse.

Speaking at an event at Moray House on Friday, Henry said that based on data compiled by the Child Protection Agency between 2012 and 2016, child neglect was the most prevalent reported form of child abuse in Guyana, accounting for as much as half of the total number of reported cases of child abuse

during the period.

And, based on the findings of the said research, there’s been a steady increase over the years in the number of child neglect cases, with an overall growth of eight per cent over the five-year period.

Noting that there were also variations in the number of cases reported annually, Henry told her avid audience: “It is unclear whether the observed annual variations are independent of other factors, such as public awareness, advocacy, management and staffing of the Child Protection Agency.”

She said that for 2016 alone, the highest number of reported child neglect cases

came from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), followed

by Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) respectively.

She believes that the number of reported cases at the regional level may be influenced by a number of factors, such as child demographic data, the availability of CPA officers, and accessibility to efficient means of communication within the regions.

Director of Children’s Services in the Ministry of Social Protection, Ms Ann Green, said child neglect is detrimental to the development of children, and as such

the increase in reported cases would no doubt be cause for concern.

She reported that a cursory examination of the 2016 data from the Childcare & Protection Agency shows a total of 3842 reported cases of abuse, of which 2038 were cases of child neglect.

However, in 2015, the number of reported child abuse cases was 2,815, of which 1,335 cases were neglect of children, hence 2015 figures compared with 2016 figures shows a significant increase in the reported cases of child neglect.

She was quick to warn, however, “These figures are not the true picture of the situation of child abuse and neglect in Guyana, since a number of cases go unre-

ported.”

She noted that a research of this nature to understand the phenomenon of child neglect in Guyana should result in comprehensive approaches that address risk factors, and have the support of the Childcare & Protection Agency (CPA).

Green said child neglect is a serious form of abuse that results from the failures of parents, guardians and the wider society to provide basic necessities for the survival, protection and developmental needs of children.

She stated that the prevention of child abuse and neglect calls for a change of behaviour and attitudes of all since this is a task for everyone in society.

“There must be more

caring and child-friendly communities, increased collaboration of service providers, which must include the family as there cannot be any true collaboration without the involvement and support to the families,” Green said.

She pointed out that it is expected that this research will form the basis and guideline to improve strategies that reduce the risk factors for child abuse, more particularly child neglect.

Green added that it is hoped that the findings will be used in advocating and lobbying with all stakeholders, particularly at the community, family and services levels inclusive of health, education, and security to strengthen the protection of children.

Maria slams Dominica

…PM Skerrit says roof was blown off

Maria is moving roughly along the same path as Irma, which devastated the Caribbean this month

Hurricane Maria has strengthened to a “potentially catastrophic” category five storm, US forecasters say, as it bears down on islands in the Caribbean.

The island of Dominica is one of the first in its path, facing sustained winds of 260km/h (160mph).

Maria is moving roughly

along the same track as Irma, the hurricane that devastated the region this month.

Martinique declared a maximum-level alert while another French island, Guadeloupe, ordered evacuations.

The Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit said he had been rescued after the roof of his house was torn off

and the building flooded.

Hurricane warnings are also in place for: Puerto Rico: The US territory expects Maria to make landfall as a category three on Tuesday. It escaped the worst of Irma and has been an important hub for getting relief to islands more badly affected. Gov-

ernor Ricardo Rossello urged islanders to seek refuge.

US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands: Both island chains suffered severe damage from Irma and President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for the US territories on Monday. British authorities fear

debris left behind by Irma could be whipped up by the new storm and pose an extra threat. Warnings are also in effect for St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat and St Lucia while hurricane watches are in place for St Martin, Saba, St Eustatius and Anguilla.

Some of these islands are still recovering after being hit by Hurricane Irma - another category five hurricane which left at least 37 people dead and caused billions of dollars’ worth of damage.

The islands bearing the brunt of Maria are part of the Leeward Islands chain and include Antigua and Barbuda. The latter was evacuated after being devastated by Irma. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) increased the strength of Maria in just a few hours on Monday from a category two storm, to a category four and then to category five - the highest level. Forecasters warned that heavy rainfall caused by the hurricane “could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides”.

Dominica is a former British colony with a population of 72,000 about half way between Guadeloupe and Martinique. The eye of the hurricane made landfall there at 21:00 local time

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(01:00 GMT Tuesday), the NHC reported. All ports and airports are closed and residents near the coast have been ordered to go to authorised shelters. Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit warned residents to take care, telling a news conference: “Let us take it seriously and use the time that we have to prepare ourselves adequately.”

Martinique raised its alert status to “violet”, the highest level, and ordered its population to seek shelter. In Guadeloupe, schools, businesses and government buildings have all been closed and severe flooding is predicted. The French government has ordered low-lying areas on the islands to be evacuated, AFP reports. The British government said more than 1,300 troops were staying put in the region and an additional military team had been deployed to the British Virgin Islands where entire neighbourhoods were flattened by Irma. Virgin boss Richard Branson, who has a home in the Virgin Islands, has been tweeting ahead of the Maria’s predicted arrival, warning people to stay safe.

(BBC)

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Healthy learners for better results EDUCATION Month 2017 has arrived quietly amid numerous calls for reform to bring the system more in line with modern thinking by placing greater attention to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Given the nature of the system, these are not changes which would happen overnight, but will happen overtime and one can only hope sooner rather than later.

The good thing is that the government has recognised the need for change in this regard and has already begun efforts to ensure that the education system at the earliest level is attuned to the thinking of the 21st century to aid Guyana’s immediate and future developmental needs.

The current system is far from a perfect one and some of the challenges faced are beyond the scope of administrators and will require a collaborative approach to be addressed.

From the look of things, the Ministry of Education is heading in that direction and it is highly encouraging to see that the ministry this year has moved away from the rigid academic view of education to a more encompassing view as reflected in this year’s Education Month theme “Promoting Wellness in Communities Through Quality Education.”

Promoting wellness in communities, in in this case, as it relates to the child, is an important step in strengthening the foundation of building a strong and healthy nation.

This can only be done by educating communities about the importance of embracing healthy lifestyles and the role

it can play in producing heathy and focused children willing and eager to learn.

The theme is timely, since only recently the Ministry of Public Health in a release had indicated that non-communicable diseases among youths appear to be on the increase.

In fact, just about two years ago, University of Guyana (UG) Health Sciences Lecturer Lois Stephanas had emphasised that inculcation of healthy eating habits and regular exercise in adolescents may be key factors in preventing chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, which are among the leading causes of death in Guyana.

She went at length to point out that eschewing the widespread availability of fast foods and maintaining healthy eating habits and adequate, daily exercise could stave off many of those negative conditions.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 66 per cent of all deaths occurring in all age groups in Guyana.

In a study titled ‘An Assessment of Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviour of Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools of Guyana,’ Stephanas found that participation in healthy dietary and physical activity behaviours among adolescents was far from optimal.

The study also found that 54 per cent of the participants engage in physical activity that made them sweat and breathe

hard for at least 20 minutes; 48.7 per cent on average play video games for one or more hours; 56 per cent do not attend physical education classes, and only 12.6 per cent and 12.9 per cent of students ate two or more cups of fruits and vegetables respectively.

In addition, the researcher found that 85.9 per cent of youths consume soda at least once per week, and about a quarter reported consuming soda twice per day. Practically all soft drinks are high in sugar content and this level of consumption is against recommended dietary guidelines.

This study was done two years ago and it was no surprise that two years after the Ministry of Public Health has indicated that non-communicable diseases among children are on the increase.

Now no one knows what is being done to change the bad eating habits of our students, but it is highly commendable that the Ministry of Education is making some effort to address this problem by placing attention on wellness and getting communities involved.

Healthy learners are key for happy results. This matter can be better addressed through a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Health and Education.

Do workers operate on their own at Skeldon?

Dear Editor I REFER to a news item in the KN edition of Sept.

12th, 2017, titled “Skeldon massive losses… Workers dumped tonnes of canejuice to make payday, forged accounts- South African Engineer Complains”. Editor, the article in summary alleges that Skeldon factory workers dumped cane-juice into canals wilfully and forged records, while management did nothing despite receiving reports of such acts sometime between April 8th, 2015 and December, 2016.

These allegations were levelled by a South African

Engineer, Vishal Somai, in a report submitted to the Prime Minister’s Berbice Representative, Gobin Harbhajan.

The decision by Mr. Somai to complain to a political activist and board member of SEI is quite interesting, since Mr. Somai had direct access to the factory manager, the estate manager, the technical director and the CEO of GuySuCo around the clock whenever he is at Skeldon supervising projects. Are Mr. Somai and Mr. Harbhajan saying that every level of management (from Factory Manager to CEO) knew about such a dismissible act and chose to hide it?

Did Mr. Somai, contact these

GuySuCo executives when he observed dumping of juice and whom did he contact? GuySuCo is on record of dismissing persons for far lesser infractions than wilful dumping of cane-juice. One would expect that this engineer would provide an estimated number for the tonnes of draught and mixed juice dumped in canals instead of just saying “thousands of tonnes.”

Editor, I make these queries and comments because of the context and situation in which this report surfaces, especially when we now learn that Mr. Somai was ‘instrumental’ in suspending

Skeldon’s 1st crop 2017; and he is also supporting privatisation of Skeldon. It has to be a remarkable deviation from professional ethics and twist of allegiance after May 2015, because Mr. Somai was extremely supportive on GuySuCo’s investment to improve performance of Skeldon and offered no opinion on privatisation. At that time (2011-2014), he was an employee of Bosh Projects, South Africa, a major international engineering firm.

Sometime in 2014, he broke away from Bosh Projects, South Africa and formed his own company, SomaiTech.

The contract to modify

one of the punt dumpers was awarded to SomaiTech. Around April 8th, 2015, Mr. Somai was on site at Skeldon for the purpose of the punt dumper modification, hence the description of his observation on recording of the cane-processing rate. With this history, once can only conclude that Mr. Somai’s complaint to a political activist and his support for privatisation are to ensure that his company remains in business with GuySuCo. On the issue of management knowing that juice was dumped in canals, Mr. Harbhajan should use his good office and evidence

provided by Mr. Somai to initiate an immediate investigation, since the persons in GuySuCo’s executive structure (Factory Manager, Estate Manager, Technical Director) during the period Apr. 2015 to Dec. 2016 are still there except the CEO, who was replaced in June 2015. If dumping of juice occurred after May 2015, the full team plus new members are there to facilitate such an investigation. Workers do not operate at their own whims and fancies at Skeldon.

Regards Sookram Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

An open letter to the Director of Public Prosecutions Dear Ms Ali-Hack I, Elton McRae, a citizen of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, hereby request the reopening of investigations into the actions of Cadet Officer Franz Paul in April, 2014, when it was alleged that he played Russian roulette and in the process caused Alex Griffith to be shot in the mouth.

I have read in the press on several occasions of allegations of torture exercised by members of the Guyana Police Force. Many of these press reports have had accompanying graphic images to show the tell-tale results of the assumed allegations, yet there seems to be a difficulty to establish that crimes of torture were perpetrated and the accused charged for torture.

The continuance of the inability by our law-enforcement agencies to determine what constitutes torture, es-

pecially when perpetrated by members of the GPF, causes me to be fearful that my constitutional rights of protection by the state are not guaranteed and I can be tortured by a police Officer and s/he’ll not be so charged.

Torture is a defined crime within the Laws of Guyana, a nation signatory to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Yet the agencies that are charged with its determination have in recent times appeared to abrogate their responsibilities before the citizens of Guyana. I submit that the Director of Public Prosecutions make representation for further investigations into the incident in which Cadet Officer Franz Paul allegedly wounded Alex Griffith. These investigations should be in the first instance to determine whether or not the evidence describing the action of the

cadet officer is enough to charge him for torturing Alex Griffith, and secondly, if the evidence describing his action is adequate to lay charges of attempted murder for the same incident.

I and other citizens are fearful of a repeat of that story surrounding Cadet Paul, a classic case of police excesses.

It is clear that Cadet Officer Paul broke a series of standard codes and procedures that the investigation has to date glossed over, these include: • He was stationed on the East Coast of Demerara, yet he was the most senior police respondent to a crime committed in Georgetown • As a close relative of the victim (his sister) of the alleged crime, Cadet Paul should not have been involved in the investigation • After he had ordered the arrest of Alex Griffith, he took him to a place for interrogation which is not defined as fit

Investigate slow capital works spending in Region Two Dear Editor, I BRING to the public’s attention the work of Mr. Rupert Hopkinson, Clerk of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Two, as he attempted to clear his name in the media for the poor performance of the region’s implementation of the 2017 Budget.

It is well known by all in the region, including councillors, supporters of the APNU+ AFC coalition, the private sector and other key stakeholders that the only reason for the lack of quality development in Region Two is due to the clerk.

His growing incompetence and high-handed manner in dealing with public affairs, irresponsible statements and blaming of staff for his failures can no longer be tolerated by the RDC. The RDC through our regional chairman and councillors from both sides of the house made every dedicated effort to work along with Hopkinson to ensure that there is prudent management of resources, accountability, transparency and generally to ensure that there is equality in development.

Some of the areas of Hopkinson’s incompetence are listed below: 1. Failed parks initiatives that are underutilised and now becoming pastures.

2.

Ignoring farmers and by extension residents, by refusing to meet them

when they approach his office (an elder from Danielstown was one of the many victims) 3. Delay in the signing of contracts and payment vouchers which is slowing the region’s spending.

4.

Abuse of huge sums of finance from the economic project accounts without the RDC’s approval for his personal comfort.

5.

Handpicking contractors without holding tender board meetings. In December of 2016, several projects were handpicked and given to contractors who completed these projects before an award was made by the Regional Tender Board (RTB), in fact, the Regional Tender Board met in March of 2017 only to award these projects. As the Chairman of the Regional Tender Board, Hopkinson is literally putting the cart before the horse. The Suddie Hospital generator was further damaged by one handpicked contractor who lacks experience in servicing of such equipment; as such, the generator is down for over one year now and several patients suffered from this while in surgery during blackouts from GPL. Increasingly, allegations are made against Hopkinson for being very discriminatory as Chairman of the RTB. 6.

No meaningful

follow-up is done by Hopkinson for major projects that require the attention of NPTAB. 7.

Many dams are left to further deteriorate in the cultivation areas due to his delay in signing approvals for the purchase of seals, filters etc for the maintenance of machines and equipment to aid in the upgrading of dams. Several workers who cleaned the public road shoulders are yet to be paid for works completed in 2016.

Farmers and residents are suffering tremendously from Hopkinson’s negligence. These are only a few of the reasons that the RDC has been raising objections , for there are numerous pending matters the clerk is not addressing. As chairperson of the Works and Agriculture Committee, a committee comprising professionals and also elected officials from the Government, I most sincerely support the call for an independent investigation into the slow implementation of Budget 2017 and generally the poor management of the RDC’s funds by the Clerk of the RDC,Mr. Rupert Hopkinson.

Regards.

Nandranie Coonjah Regional Vice-Chairperson Chair,Works and Agriculture Committee

and proper for such activities.

It is instructive to note that he did not handcuff the minor • He is known to have drawn his firearm during the interrogation of the child, at a point in time when there was no need.

• He took out all but one bullet from his weapon, placed it in the child’s mouth and proceeded to play Russian roulette as he sought information.

• He caused the gun to discharge in the mouth of the arrested child, after he squeezed the trigger the second time.

Yet after three years, there has been no statement from The Ministry of Legal Affairs, The Ministry of Home Affairs (now Public Security), The GPF nor The Police Service Commission indicating that Paul’s action was that of a rogue cop.

In all of this, one has to always keep in mind that as a cadet officer, he has been identified for leadership roles within the Guyana Police Force.

Thus to allow such blatant slippage as has been witnessed

around the interaction between Paul and Griffith is either an indication that the GPF no longer adheres to these core codes and practices, or that the future relationship between the GPF and citizens would constitute inappropriate actions.

It is clear that the intent of Paul pulling up by the roadside to interrogate Griffith was predicated with torture in mind. The youthful Griffith hardly presented a danger to Paul or the other policemen on the scene. Yet Paul on disembarking from the vehicle drew his service revolver, removed all the bullets save one, placed the barrel of the gun in Griffith‘s mouth and proceeded to question Griffith.

To the onlooker what is clear, is that a person wearing the uniform of a state entity was using an inappropriate method to garner information.

His method constituted torture for he would have caused the questioned person to experience what can be described as severe mental pain/fear in his attempt to get information or a

confession.

Furthermore, the fact that the weapon was made to discharge in Griffith’s mouth by Paul places him in a position of actually creating a threat to the life of Griffith. Under the law, he should also be charged with attempted murder, since all his actions until the moment the weapon discharged were wilful and he knew that there was the possibility that the weapon could be discharge because of what he was doing.

The charges as they relate to his non-compliance with standard police procedures, I hope the GPF, and The Police Service Commission find it decent to institute.

The fact that the GPF found it fitting to recommend that Paul be charged for ‘discharging a loaded Firearm and causing grievous bodily harm’, to many is simply a pat on the wrist and creating a way for his continuance within the Police Force.

Regards Elton McRae

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Teen dead, friend critical – in Berbice hit-and-run A 19-year-old lost his life on Sunday evening, while his friend is battling for his at the New Amsterdam Hospital after being hit by a speeding car on the Number 55 Public Road.

Dead is Trishan Sahai, of Number 57 Village, East Berbice, while the condition of long-time friend and father of three, Mooneshwar Jairam, 28, has been listed as critical.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 20:20hrs while the two were standing on the parapet of the road having a gander at Number 55 Village.

Eyewitnesses say that

the driver of the car which struck them down was driving so fast, that when he realised what he’d done, he immediately sped off.

The impact reportedly sent Jairam flying into a parked car a short distance away, smashing the windshield in the process, while Sahai was pitched several feet away.

They were both picked up and taken to the Skeldon Hospital where Jairam was pronounced dead on arrival.

His friend, because of the severity of his injuries, was transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

One eyewitness said

DEAD: Trishan Sahai

he was standing about two houses away when he saw this car coming with a speed.

“It was a white car,” the visibly upset man recalled.

“This banna ain’t even had the nerve to even stop, bhai!

“He just come through with a speed, and pick up dem boys and drive off like nothing!”

The man said that after realising what had happened, a man from the village jumped in his car and went behind the errant driver.

“The guy drive off behind him, but he couldn’t keep up; he lost him.

“The man just speed out like he just bu’n out de speed pon he car; but we did manage to see is a white car; an Allion, and get part of the number plate.”

When the Guyana Chronicle visited Sahai’s home, all his mother, Ms Banwattie Somwar could manage was: “Meh son dead! Meh only son! What me go do

without meh son!”

His sister recalled seeing him leaving home at around 17:30 hrs on Sunday. She, too, was unable to contain her emotions and come to grips with the fact that her brother has died.

Other family members gathered to lend their support, while others were busy preparing for the wake.

The family is pleading for justice, and asking that anyone with any information on the driver to kindly give it to the police.

They all described young Trishan as hardworking, willing and mannerly.

As one relative remarked, the man who hit both lads down and then sped off was nothing but

“inhumane”, and should turn himself in to the police.

“Two families are suffering,” he said. “That bhai Jairam get li’l children. We hear he get over 30 stitches to his head; we only hope he recover well.

“And look at Trishan mommy! She can’t even talk! All the time she crying!

“This is really sad for everyone.”

Two Sundays ago, a pensioner was killed on the Tain Public Road after he was the struck down by one hit-andrun driver, only to be run over again, mere minutes later, by another car, the driver of which also fled the scene.

The police are yet to make a breakthrough in that case.

Guyanese in BVI gripped by fear – at prospect of riding out Hurricane Maria, so soon after Irma

By Alexis Rodney DAYS after being ravaged by the Category Five hurricane, Irma, another major storm is set to bear down yet again on some hapless Caribbean territories.

But Guyanese living in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), which is expected to feel the wrath the Category Three fiend named Maria, this week said the British territory is not prepared for a second bout of such devastation.

Many say they have already been displaced by Hurricane Irma, and are still in the process of seeking the assistance of the Guy-

ana Government on the way forward. Some are exploring the possibility of returning home, but for those who intend to remain, and had already begun picking up the pieces, they are unsure of the level of further devastation the hurricane would bring to the country.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke with a few of those persons on Monday. Teon Carter said he has been living on “the islands” for just about two years, and that while many Guyanese have already expressed their intention of returning home, he is disappointed that a few officials who met with them mid last week sought

The aftermath of Hurricane Irma in the BVI (Photos by Teon Carter)

to influence them to “remain and rebuild.”

“People want to go home back,” Carter said. “I don’t think it was fair for them to try to influence them to stay.”

Meanwhile, though much weaker than her predecessor, Irma, Hurricane Maria is still causing a significant amount of distress among Guyanese who said they have already lost so much.

“I don’t think we can handle another hurricane, back-to-back. We just came out of one, and are now rebuilding,” one Guyanese

living in the British territory said.

Describing the devastation wrought by Irma, one man who asked not to be named said almost 50 per cent of the islands’ inhabitants have lost their homes.

NOT AGAIN! These include about 20 Guyanese families that he knows personally. “Everybody has a different story to tell. People have lost so much, we cannot deal with another hurricane,” he said.

“I don’t think the country can handle a second hur-

ricane just after Hurricane Irma,” another man said.

“About 80 per cent of the islands have been destroyed; some areas worse than others. It is 95 miles per hour, half of what Irma was, but it is still dangerous.”

Hurricane Maria is forecast to rapidly gain strength over the next two days as it takes aim at the Caribbean.

The storm is expected to be a major hurricane when it hits the Leeward Islands over the next few days, intensifying to a Category 4 hurricane in 48 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest update.

As of Sunday at 11 p.m.

ET, Maria was about 100 miles (165 kilometres) northeast of Barbados, and about 210 miles (340 kilometres) east-southeast of Dominica, the center said. It had strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane, packing winds of 85 mph, and is forecast to continue moving towards the Eastern Caribbean at 13 mph.

Maria is one of three storms churning in the Atlantic Ocean, but it poses the most danger to the hurricane-battered Caribbean.

Maria has prompted a hurricane warning for Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Lucia.

A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical storm-force winds.

The warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.

Turn to page 9 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Businessman perishes in Main St fire

By Navendra Seoraj

CITY businessman, Yussuf Sankar, died in an early morning fire which destroyed his home and place of business at Main Street, Georgetown on Monday.

When the Guyana Chronicle arrived on scene the fire had already destroyed the wooden building, which housed Risan’s Photography Centre and Jarrod’s Graphics Designs.

The man reportedly lived there with a female relative and his sons.

One of Sankar’s sons, Riyad Sankar told members of the media that he had just escorted his brother Jarrod to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and was on his way back when he received a call around 06:00hrs from someone who said that the building was on fire.

Riyad said when he arrived on scene it was raining but the place was completely engulfed with the blaze and firefighters were working to contain the spread. Neighbours, including the staff of

the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo’s residence, started to take precautionary measures so that the fire would not affect the buildings.

During a live interview with journalist, Enrico Woolford on his Facebook page, The Prime Minister said when the fire started some of his guards and the firefighters entered the building and were able to safely extract the female occupant. They later discovered that Sankar was still in the building but the place Firefighters working to extinguish the intense blaze on Monday (Kurt Campbell photo)

Undertakers removing the charred body of Yussuf Sankar, who suffered in the fire on Monday (Navendra Seoraj photo)

Tears fail to move city magistrate …alleged gun robber remanded WITH hands and feet shackled, a 22-yearold man broke down in tears before City Magistrate Judy Latchman as he was remanded to prison for armed robbery.

Ceon Williams of South Sophia cried throughout his court hearing pleading his innocence, but nevertheless he was remanded until October 2.

It is alleged that Williams on September 11, at Lamaha Avenue while being in the company of another person and armed with a

handgun, robbed Vergil Flemings of a quantity of gold jewelry valued $250,000, two cellphones worth $40,000 along with $4,000 cash and an $8,000 wallet.

Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves objected to Williams being granted bail on the ground of the seriousness of the charge and the fact that a gun was used in the commission of the crime.

He added that more charges were likely to be instituted against the accused, since he had reportedly discharged a round at the victim during the robbery.

No bail for accused gun robber A 22-YEAR-OLD poultry farmer was on Monday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Judy Latchman, accused of robbing a police detective at gunpoint.

It is alleged that Collin Eswick of South Amelia’s Ward, Linden on August 21, at Irving Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of another and armed with a gun, robbed Roshan Rampersaud of a $100,000

IPhone, Samsung Note 5 valued $125,000, $129,000 in cash and a wallet worth $12,000.

The unrepresented man denied the armed robbery charge when it was read to him.

Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves, told the court that on the day in question the defendant was armed with a gun and discharged a round at Rampersaud. It is alleged

that while Rampersaud was injured the gunmen managed to relieve him of his valuables before escaping.

Gonsalves objected to the defendant being granted his pretrial liberty on the ground that more charges were likely to be instituted against him for shooting at the officer.

In light of the prosecution’s objection, Magistrate Latchman remanded Eswick until October 2.

was heavily grilled and the heat had started to intensify.

Firefighters reportedly battled to extinguish the blaze but when the heat subsided and a search was conducted, they found the charred body of Sankar in a bedroom in the upper flat of the building. One of his relatives told the Guyana Chronicle that the elderly man had recently done a

bypass surgery and was recuperating. The distraught relative however pointed out that although he had not fully recovered, he was active around the house.

Sankar has been remembered as a “cool, quiet and nice guy,” who was always there for his family and friends. Family, friends and even customers were in distressed as they

watched on in shock and disbelief. Sources from the Guyana Fire Service told this publication that investigations are ongoing; however persons believe that the fire might have been electrical origins.

Residents from around the area said during the thunderstorm early yesterday morning, there were fluctuations in electricity.

Security Guard denies New Thriving robbery A 29-YEAR-OLD Security Guard was on Monday released on $60,000 bail

by City Magistrate Judy Latchman after denying a$1.5M break and enter with larceny charge.

Travis Reynolds of Graham Street, Plaisance, is accused of breaking into the New Thriving Chinese Restaurant on Main Street, Georgetown on September 7 and stealing $1.5M.

Reynolds’ attorney, Paul Fung-a-Fat, in an application for bail told the court that his client was being wrongfully accused since he was only in charge of securing the office.

According to police prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves, on the day in question the accused who works with Queensway Security Services was posted to work the security nightshift at the

restaurant’s office.

The restaurant manager however secured the office with the monies inside a box and left. Upon his return about 00:40 hours he discovered that the office was broken into and the cash was missing.

Magistrate Latchman released Reynolds on $60,000 bail and adjourned the matter until October 2.

Guyanese in BVI...

A hurricane watch is in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten/St. Martin, St. Barthelemy and Anguilla -- many of which were devastated when Irma blew through the Caribbean, killing 44 people. A hurricane watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds.

SATURDAY’S MEETING Speaking of the meeting on Saturday between Guyana’s Minister of Citizenship Mr Winston Felix and

Guyanese living in the BVI, Carter said the government has commenced a process of selecting persons who have indicated that they want to return home. A list of names has been generated, especially for those individuals whose children were not born in Guyana and are unable to attend school at this time.

Meanwhile, the Government of Guyana, through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the Disaster Risk Reduction Platform, has set up a CDC IRMA RECOVERY FUND at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry

From page 8

(GBTI) and Republic Bank Limited (RBL) to raise funds to further assist Guyanese who are suffering as a result of Irma.

The government has already contributed US$100,000 to the fund, and is continuing to spearhead efforts to take the much-needed items to the islands.

Contributions can be made to the IRMA RECOVERY FUND GBTI account number: 011802489012; or IRMA RECOVERY FUND REPUBLIC BANK account number: 651-993-8.

10

Illegal aircraft spotted at Parabara …lawmen dispatched to probe report

By Alva Solomon FOLLOWING reports that several aircraft have been seen landing at an illegal airstrip near Parabara in the South Rupununi, a law-enforcement team has been dispatched to the area to carry out an investigation.

According to reports from the area, on several occasions in recent months, aircraft were seen circling and later landing in the Parabara savannah, south of Lumid Pau. Region Nine Chairman Bryan Allicock, confirmed on Monday that a team which included Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks travelled to the location on Friday to investigate the reports. He said that the team was expected to return to Lethem on Wednesday. “We got messages from the area that aircraft were seen overflying there,” Allicock said.

An aviation source confirmed that there have been several reports of aircraft landing near Parabara and reports from the ground indicate that the planes usually spend a very short time on the ground before taking off. Over the weekend , this newspaper was told that air

The spot on this Google map frame of Parabara’s location in the South Rupununi

traffic services at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was in receipt of a report of an unidentified aircraft which was spotted overhead in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) several days ago.

Reports are that a female pilot attached to a domestic airline at Ogle was flying from the Kaieteur Falls airstrip to the coastland, when she observed an aircraft overhead. The sighting raised an alarm, since air traffic control had no knowledge of any additional traffic in the vicinity.

The country’s hinterland has been in the spotlight in recent months following the discovery of several illegal aircraft on illegitimate runways con-

structed in the Rupununi.

The most recent incident involved a Beechcraft King Air luxury plane bearing registration PR-IMC, which was discovered abandoned on an illegal airstrip in the North Rupununi. Two persons have been placed before the courts in connection with that incident.

The discovery came shortly after an illegal airstrip was found near the Santa Fe farms in the area.

On September 13 last year, a plane which was registered in Colombia was discovered near the village of Yupukari. Reports had also indicated that the area where the aircraft was found was on the radar in relation to the

illegal drug-trafficking trade.

There were also reports that the abandoned aircraft had previously been sighted circling the area on numerous occasions in the past.

The plane bore registration number N767Z, and it was later revealed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, that the United States registration was bogus, since there is another active aircraft in the U.S. with the same registration number. Residents had found the plane almost one month before an official report was made to authorities, according to the preliminary findings of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) by Brigadier (Ret’d) Edward Collins.

The CoI report of Collins found that the state’s aviation authority is in no position to locate illegal aircraft within the country’s territory, despite the use of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) which the aviation industry had adopted some two years ago.

The ADS-B system requires communication between the ground team and the pilot to ensure the operation of the system.

Unless the pilot activates his system and communicates with the ground crew, the system is useless.

Ramnarine hails as ‘exponential’ THE Guyana Police Force has seen an exponential increase in training opportunities since 2015, with hundreds of ranks being able to benefit from overseas training.

This is according to Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr David Ramnarine on Monday during his address at the opening of three Detective Training Programmes to be conducted by the Justice Education Society (JES) in collaboration with key international partners.

The event, which was held at the Officers’ Training Centre on Camp and Young Streets, Eve Leary, saw 50 police ranks being registered to participate in the courses.

The four international facilitators who will be conducting the seminars are: Crime scene expert, Mr John Forsythe; former Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Su-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

GUYOIL launches Castrol promotion

GUYOIL Marketing and Sales Manager, Eric Whaul, as he showcased the promotional products at the Regent Street Service Station on Monday

THE Guyana Oil Company Limited (GUYOIL) on Monday launched its Castrol GTX Promotion at its Regent Street Service Station.

The Castrol GTX Promotion offers consumers US$2 or GY$420 off of every gallon of GTX 10W30 or 5QTs GTX ultra clean.

Consumers purchasing GTX 10W40 and GTX 20W50 will also benefit from this offer. Additionally, each lucky customer will be chosen for a free oil change at a Guyoil Lube Bay of their choice.

Castrol Lubricants is a leading lubricant brand worldwide and is actually the brand that pioneered motor racing.

The promotion was designed to endorse and encourage the sale of low viscosity lubricants and to promote the GTX Ultra Clean.

Most vehicles currently being imported perform at their optimum with low viscosity lubricants such as

– the number of police ranks trained overseas in last two years

Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine, addressing the opening session of the JES-led detective training courses on Monday (Photo by Rabindra Rooplall)

perintendent, Mr Doug Kayla; Police expert interviewer, Mr Don Adam; and RCMP expert in major case management, Mr James Hardy.

Noting that the GPF’s international training partners include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, India, China and in the Caribbean region, Mr

Ramnarine said: “The officers who are charged with this onerous duty understand, appreciate and are equipped with the skills and knowledge to provide a qualitative service to the communities.”

He explained that the level of professionalism and change the Force is aiming for will

only occur if ranks that are trained are endowed with the requisite knowledge.

Noting that certification is not awarded for participation, but for completion, Ramnarine said: “Our investigations must withstand the scrutiny of the courts in particular, and by extension the public.

GTX Ultra Clean 5W30 and GTX 10W30.

Low Viscosity lubricants allow for extended engine life, quicker starts, and reduced battery drain, less pollution, improved engine cooling and increased fuel economy.

Speaking to the media on Monday, GUYOIL Marketing and Sales Manager, Eric Whaul, said most vehicles manufactured were so designed to use low viscosity lubricants - meaning viscosity like GTX 10W40.

He related that gone were the days when people were focused on high viscosity oil.

They are moving to cleaner products since heavy oils caused the engines to stutter and not perform as it should, thus causing drivers to burn more fuel.

Whaul said there were 58 GUYOIL service stations across the country and urged all to make use of the promotion which started on Friday and ends on October 31.

“It is not just you doing something, but how you do it, and what you intend to achieve by doing it.”

He urged participants to always remember that they took an oath to serve, and that it is expected that there will always be positive improvements in their character and service.

“There are members of the Force who still don’t understand that they are under the microscope of the social media and the public…

“Today, all activities of the Force; everything you do is in the public domain because now the force is fully a public institution,” the Acting Commissioner of Police said.

JES Guyana Project Manager, Evelyn Neaman, said a holistic approach is taken in training, and that all stakeholders are equally involved.

These include technicians, police prosecutors, forensic unit, Director of Public Prosecutions Chamber, Magistrates and Judges.

“This approach of working together can really help build a more efficient justice system,” she said.

The project manager said almost 500 police ranks have been trained thus far.

(Rabindra Rooplall)

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Cop held for Ogle fatal accident A POLICE Lance Corporal is under close arrest after he was found to be above the legal alcohol limit following a fatal accident Sunday night, on the Ogle Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

The unidentified female victim of East Indian descent, fair in complexion, 5 feet tall, about 20 years old was clad in a pair of tights (Leggings) and a pink top. Her body is

currently at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) mortuary.

Investigations revealed that the policeman was driving his personal vehicle PSS 3984 about 19:50hrs Sunday night, proceeding east on the southern side of the northern carriageway, allegedly within the stipulated speed limit, when the pedestrian ran across the road from north to south into the path of the vehicle

and collided.

She was picked up by the policeman and rushed to the GPHC in an unconscious state where she died whilst receiving medical attention. The 39-yearold driver, stationed at Force Headquarters and resides in Cummings Lodge, ECD is assisting with the investigation. For the year police ranks have been involved in over a dozen fatal accidents.

The car the lance corporal was driving at the time of the fatal accident parked in front of Sparendaam Police Station

GuySuCo, Cabinet for urgent cash-flow meeting CABINET today will discuss ways in which it can help the ailing Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) pay wages and salaries, the corporation said in a statement on Monday.The sugar corporation said that a meeting was held on Monday among Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Prof. Clive Thomas, and Chief Executive Officer

Errol Hanoman, to discuss urgent cash-flow relative to wages, salaries and other payments at GuySuCo. It was agreed at the meeting that as a matter of urgency, a presentation will be made at the Cabinet meeting today. Further, the meeting agreed on steps to be taken to ensure that employees are paid for services provided to the Corporation for the past week.

According to GuySuCo, the Chairman and

the Chief Executive Officer were given assurances that the matter is being given the utmost consideration by the Government and the Corporation now awaits the response from Cabinet after the meeting today.

“The chairman wishes to assure employees, their families and communities, that every effort will be made to resolve this matter very shortly,” the release added.

Liat cancels all flights

– to and from Guyana, due to Hurricane Maria DUE to the passage of Hurricane Maria, regional airline LIAT on Monday cancelled several flights to and from Guyana.

The delays are expected to continue today, Tuesday, as the storm passes through the region.

On Monday, LIAT cancelled its flights, LI 512 from Ogle, Guyana to Barbados, as well as LI 393

from Barbados to Ogle, Guyana and LI 727 from Barbados to Guyana.

“LIAT regrets any inconvenience caused by the cancellations as a result of the passage of Hurricane Maria,” the airline stated on its Facebook page.

LIAT noted that it will communicate to its passengers and the general public, as necessary, via its website, www.liat.com and

social media platforms.

It also asks that persons also monitor their local media and weather reports to remain prepared and safe.

“Due to the interconnectivity of our network and the size of Hurricane Maria, passengers who continue to use our services over the next few days should expect flight delays,” the regional carrier noted.

Eric Phillips not an adviser to President Granger THE Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) has stated that Dr Eric Phillips is not an Adviser to President David Granger as was claimed in a letter by Mr. Ravi Dev. In a statement, the MoTP said Phillips is employed by the Ministry of the

Presidency as a Special Assistant to Dr. Clive Thomas. “The ministry therefore calls for a retraction of this misinformation which was published as a letter to the editor in the Guyana Chronicle, September 18, 2017 (“Can the Indian –Guyanese speak?”) by Mr. Ravi Dev.”

Gov’t, Exxon for two-day talks on natural gas THE first in a series of continued discussions on commercial and power generation issues will be held when officers of the Government of Guyana and technical members of ExxonMobil meet in Georgetown today, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has said.

The technical working group is scheduled to convene on Tuesday and Wednesday and will feature technical persons from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Business, Guyana Energy Agency, and the Guyana Power and Light Inc., along with ExxonMobil’s power generation specialists and analysts.

The working group will focus on natural gas and the surrounding commercial and economic issues as it relates to offshore transportation for

onshore power generation.

Compared to Guyana’s current use of liquid fuels for electricity generation, natural gas is cleaner and its use for energy production could reduce the country’s fuel bill, and in turn, reduce the cost of electricity.

Furthermore, the working group will continue dialogue on local and international power generation experiences, including domestic infrastructural requirements and considerations for the potential of natural gas into gas-fired power generation.

The agenda will also include an overview of commercial power generation structures and approaches to power investment. It is expected that capacity building for local and key technical government officials will be the major output of the two-day session. This is particularly important in light of the recent consultations held by the

Ministry of Natural Resources on local content policy and its focus on maximising benefits and value retention from Guyana’s petroleum resources through local content and capacity development.

“As the first of such sessions, the Government of Guyana looks forward to furthering its understanding of the technical and key dynamics of proposed projects in an effort to diversify the energy mix in Guyana,” Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson explained.

Minister Patterson further emphasised that the sessions will not serve as an occasion for negotiations or review of contractual obligations between Guyana and ExxonMobil. Rather, he said, “It is intended to continue dialogue, with an intended wrap-up summary, including presentations updating key ministries on the joint discussions having taken place over the two day session.”

Sanctions, removal for... based on the nature of the offence, incitement to commit murder, as recorded in the station diary, both men ought to have remained in custody. The two men were released on bail less than 24 hours after their arrest. During his evidence-in-chief, Narine said it was Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud who had instructed him to release the men.

“It is my policy to keep persons in custody until instructed to release them. It is not against the law,” said Narine. He told the commission that he did not take contemporaneous notes of his conversation with Persaud, but he reported immediately what he was told

by Persaud to head of the Major Crimes Unit, Assistant Superintendent Mitchell Caesar.

Like Narine, ASP Caesar told the commission that he too would not have released the duo on bail. He too said he did not find it strange that the police commissioner had instructed that Khan and Gillard be placed on station bail. “Notwithstanding the fact that he was on leave, you didn’t find it strange?” asked Slowe. Caesar replied in the negative, noting that he would not have placed the accused on bail, but he was instructed.

From page 2

“The issue of leave did not dawn on me at that time,” the ASP stated. He said he attempted to communicate with Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, but it was pointed out that it was the police commissioner who had instructed that the men be released. Caesar reports to the crime chief. Asked why he did not communicate same to the crime chief, Caesar responded, “Sir, it is the commissioner of police. I didn’t see that was fit for me to do so, tell the crime chief that the commissioner of police said to put them on bail,” said Caesar, who accepted that he should have communicated with Blanhum.

Caesar told the commission that despite the seriousness of such an investigation, he left the office for home on March 29.

Because of this, the commission concluded that Caesar had failed to properly supervise the investigation and as such, should be disciplined for the neglect. “As the officer-in- charge of the Major Crimes Unit at the time when the investigation began, he left and went away without making any record of his movement. He should be sanctioned for this,” the report said.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Hicken part of ‘unprofessional wrangling’ …CoI recommends disciplinary action

By Ariana Gordon ASSISTANT Police Commissioner and head of operations, Clifton Hicken, is said to be “part of the unprofessional wrangling that is taking place among some of the senior officers of the Guyana Police Force and which had led to some degree of polarisation,” the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger has concluded.

The commission has recommended disciplinary action against Hicken for a series of alleged infractions, including failing to follow established policing procedures pertaining to the investigation into the plot.

In the report submitted to President David Granger a few weeks ago, the Paul Slowe-led commission said Hicken should be disciplined for neglecting to ensure that a record of Andriff Gillard’s allegation of the plan to assassinate the President was

made in the relevant station records within ‘A’ Division.

Hicken during his testimony before the commission said he had received a call from Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum requesting that Gillard be escorted to CID headquarters from the Ministry of Public Security on March 29. He said he immediately sent Divisional Detective Michael Kingston to collect Gillard and take him to his (Hicken’s) office.

When Gillard arrived, Hicken only verified that he was the person to whom Blanhum had referred and sent him to CID with Kingston.

Hicken did not interview Gillard, who alleged that he was offered $7M to kill President Granger sometime in June 2015 by Nizam Khan.

The accuser contended that he asked Khan to borrow $6M, but instead was offered $7M once he agreed to kill the President. He refused but reported the matter to the police only in March, 2017.

But Hicken’s failure to interview Gillard was questioned by Slowe, who had

asked him why he did not question Gillard. “It was not for me to get involve [sic] in matters involving CID,” responded Hicken during his testimony. He said he contacted substantive police commissioner Seelall Persaud on the matter and he too told him to have Gillard sent to CID immediately for questioning.

“I confirmed the name of the man and forwarded him to CID headquarters,” said Hicken, who currently serves as assistant commissioner, operations. This response did not find favour with Slowe, a retired assistant commissioner who said, “I am not accepting that!” “Won’t you have been interested to know what is the story?” he continued. But Hicken maintained that he did what was required of him.

He said it was necessary for him to ensure it was the right individual being escorted to CID. “Chief, you have to confirm these things… if it was the wrong person, I would have been in the hot water by now,” said Hicken, who made it clear he had no

Assistant Commissioner Operations, Clifton Hicken

intention to tarnish the investigation. “I just didn’t want to get involve [sic].”

“Nobody wanted to get involve [sic]…that is quite clear and based on what you have said so far…you chose not to ask the man any questions,” concluded the commissioner, who noted “that is neglect, that is dereliction of duty.” In his report to President Granger, Slowe made it clear that Hicken should be “disciplined for his failure to interview Gillard to ascertain the nature of the allegation.”

“This is a clear neglect by him,” the report stated. Slowe

also recommended that Hicken be disciplined for reporting the allegation to Persaud, who at the time was on annualised vacation leave. “This conduct is prejudicial to good order or discipline,” he stated in his report, while adding that the former Commander ‘A’ Division be disciplined for failing to report the said allegation to Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine, who was acting as police commissioner then.

Meanwhile, Hicken had also said that as far as he is aware, the matter had not been recorded in his Division and noted that he acted upon instructions. His response caused him to bump heads with Slowe who questioned, “That is a commander-level perspective?” to which Hicken replied, “You are harping on the commander level and you know that when things are handled at CID Headquarters, commanders don’t get involved…I think some of the structures would have faded away…I note your tone and I am very straight with this inquiry…I know what you’re saying, but the standard and latitude you would have had

in your time is different…this is not where you left…this is a different time.”

However, Slowe maintained that initial investigations should begin at the divisional level and there must be records to reflect same. Additionally, it was recommended that Hicken be investigated for perjury in relation to his statement under oath that he had reported the allegation to Commissioner Persaud at about 10:00hrs on March 29.

“This claim was not supported by Commissioner Persaud’s sworn testimony before the commission. It should not go unnoticed that Hicken stated that he reported the allegation to Commissioner Persaud who was on leave and not Ramnarine, the acting commissioner. The evidence before the commission strongly suggests that Hicken is part of the unprofessional wrangling that is taking place among some of the senior officers of the GPF, and which had led to some degree of polarisation. It is obvious that Hicken is on the side of Commissioner Persaud,” the report concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

SOL Guyana opens Corriverton service station

BERBICE residents and the business community over the weekend welcomed the SOL and SHELL Service Station in Corriverton.

Corriverton is located about 195 mi/313 km from Georgetown on the eastern side of Guyana, in the county of Berbice.

Among those present were the Mayor of Corriverton Ganesh Gangadin, Deputy Mayor Krishnand Jaichand and Dr. Jeewan Balram, a senior doctor of Corriverton.

The symbolic ceremony was held for the opening and business people of Skeldon and Corriverton

turned out to welcome the new venture.

Mayor of Corriverton Ganesh Gangadin, in his remarks at the ceremony shared some of the aims of the municipality and welcomed the investment made by Sol Guyana Inc. and Shell.

He said that Skeldon Sugar Estate was historically the bedrock of commercial activity in Skeldon and Corriverton; however, Shell Company and SOL Guyana Inc. must be applauded for their massive investment in Corriverton, notwithstanding the fortunes of the sugar industry.

He also called on all businesses and residents to welcome SOL and SHELL and to support their Service Station.

With such economic partners, the mayor noted, the municipality can only grow.

Retail Executive of SOL Guyana Ms Renee Armstrong, shared the history of the station and the investment of the company in the Corriverton area.

Ms. Armstrong also introduced the new dealers to the public.

Operations Manager, Mr Fellino, during his speech apologised for the unavoidable absence of the General Sol Guyana staff cutting the ceremonial ribbon to commence operations at the gas station on Saturday.

Manager Ms Liz Wyatt, who was assisting with hurricane relief in the islands. He also outlined the products that the company would be selling at the station and wished the dealer well in the venture.

In his comments, Consultant Dr. Yog Mahadeo shared the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the new FuelSave product that the company has brought to Guyana

and Corriverton and invited the public to work in partnership with businesses such as SOL in establishing long-term benefits for the overall development of the country.

The station was well decorated with the company’s colours and the programme content included an entertainment segment in which the public participated in drawing prizes, which included free fuel

and gas.

Members of the public were also given novelties which included umbrellas, caps, shirts, key chains, mugs, water bottles and tote bags, all branded with the company’s logo. Company executives were also part of the team moving among the vehicles sharing their giveaways.

M&CC has no mandate to retender for parking meter contract

By Telesha Ramnarine TOWN Clerk, Royston King, has accused some city councillors of peddling misinformation to the public about the highly contentious parking meter contract that the municipality has entered into with Smart City Solutions (SCS), the foreign company that was granted a concession to install parking meters in Georgetown.

“Councillors were saying they were not seeing the contract; they came into my office, saw the contract, made copious notes, and then came out and said ‘I ain’t see the contract.’ And they sat there, they looked at the contract and made notes, and then go out and say their own thing,” King told reporters outside of a press conference at City Hall on Monday.

“Some councillors continue to say 49 years when they know that that is not true. Councillors continue to give a lot of inaccurate information, and some newspapers are carrying it with their particular agendas,” he further stated. King continues to claim that the City Council itself had granted him permission to sign a contract with SCS. “They’ve seen the minutes; they’ve seen everything prior to all of this.

Those individual councillors who are asking for those things are councillors who would never be persuaded otherwise.”

He said there are minutes available to prove that the Council decided under former Mayor Hamilton Green to go ahead with SCS. “And the minutes are there to prove it. These are records of the Council. They’ve seen these things over and over again,”

Royston king

King claimed. Significantly, though, when councillors requested at past statutory meetings to see such minutes, King was never able to provide them.

NO MANDATE TO TENDER According to King, the City Council is in no way mandated to tender for a new contract. “The contract is legal and binding and we have no mandate to tender for a new contract. The Council has given a mandate to renegotiate with our existing partner and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he said.

According to him, the Council has a right to delegate its responsibilities and hence did not need to go to tender. “Council has the statutory responsibility to regulate traffic on the road.

We are doing this by installing parking meters. We are doing it through an agent. The project is a Council project. It is not something that you can actually tender out. We delegate. Council has a right to delegate its responsibility.

So it’s not like if you have to tender it. It’s not like if you are

tendering for garbage collection or you tendering for drains or you tendering for whatever. So the laws that people are quoting…. those laws don’t apply,” stated King. Contrary to his announcement recently that the Council would need to seek another extension of the parking meter by laws from Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, King said there is no longer any need to do so.

“We are now in the process of writing our partners with respect to recent developments at the Council. We believe we have an obligation to inform them about the progress made and how we will go forward together. The council voted by majority for renegotiation of the contract and we are in the process of putting systems in place so we can begin that process. It is no longer necessary to write the minister because it is renegotiation. At the conclusion of the negotiations process, we will then have to write the minister. We don’t have to write for an extension because those by laws are no longer applicable. If you’re asking for a renegotiation then the existing by laws are no longer applicable because those by-laws will not match what will happen; what will come out of the new situation,” he explained. Regarding the court matter that has a bearing on the parking meter fiasco, King said the Council was not particularly worried. “I don’t think Council is particularly worried about that court matter. We have a legal and binding contract and the Council, by a majority vote, has decided that it wants to renegotiate.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

City women upbeat about self-reliance business training

SEVERAL stakeholders from Charlestown, Albouystown, Guyhoc Park in South Georgetown have expressed hope that an ongoing Self Reliance and Success in Business workshop will assist them in their future endeavours.

According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, the group of 30 assembled at the headquarters of the National Congress of Women located at Public Road, Kitty to participate in the workshop on Monday. Regional Councillor of Region Four, Shondel Hope, told the group that she had no doubt that at the close of the five-day session, the participants will become more self-reliant and knowledgeable about

entrepreneurship.

“Self-Reliance is defined as the ability to think and act without the help or influence of others and the ability to decide what you should and should not do.

I have no doubt that very soon, this workshop will help you recognise how important and vital self-reliance is for you to be able to successfully govern your life and that of your families,” she said.

Hope urged the participants to embrace President David Granger’s vision to become empowered, independent thinkers and entrepreneurs. “We…want you to use these words [spoken] by the President as your mantra as you go through this week and beyond. We also urge you to

capitalise on the training being offered,” she said.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e r elease, facilitator at Interweave Solutions (Guyana) Incorporated, San jay Pooran, noted that the workshop has empowered and changed the lives of several women, and some men, across the country.

“Self-reliance is true freedom and true freedom is interdependence,” he said.

Pooran said that the ultimate goal of the workshop is to start a trainer of trainer’s programme, where graduates from all of the workshops countrywide are, with the help of his organisation, trained to become trainers in their regions. According to the release, the participants expressed the hope that

the workshop will improve their abilities to grow or start their own businesses.

Shaunda Yarde, a business-owner of the small manufacturing company, Coconut Grove, said that she hopes to acquire skills that would help her to better manage her finances and to help her to create a better work/life balance. “I need to provide for myself and ensure that I’m fully equipped to do [so]. I take all opportunities that come my way to …learn how to deal with the finances. I’m very bad at dealing with the finances in my business so I’m hoping that I get to learn something like that,” she said.

Ian Thorne of South Ruimveldt, the owner of P and I (Positive Inspi-

ration) Distribution, expressed the hope that the sessions will equip him with the skills necessary to expand his business.

“I need to learn, I don’t know much about business… I want to start expanding to other areas…

I believe this [workshop] will help me further in the understanding of business, especially the financing of business,” he said.

Thorne expressed hope that he would be able to contribute to his community’s development by providing employment. “My business can allow me to, at least, hire three young persons. I want to grow by hiring and training three young persons, so that I can retire at 50,” he added.

Mariam Sherriff of

Middle Road, La Penitence, Side-line Dam, said that at the close of the workshop she hopes to obtain “a certificate of experience and knowledge” that will help her to create a business that will eventually become an inheritance for her children. “I would like to start a business so that my children would follow along, so [that] they could achieve for themselves a business that they could be self-employed and they could help themselves and others,” she said.

The workshop was chaired by Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d), Yvonne Smith. Facilitator of at Interweave Solutions (Guyana) Incorporated, Crystal Baptiste, also attended the workshop.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 19, 2017

GRCS takes Zika awareness to Reg 10

By Naomi Marshall

A ZIKA awareness and prevention seminar was held in Linden on Sunday at the New Silver City Secondary School.

The aim of the seminar was to create a baseline of knowledge of preventative measures of the Zika Virus for the residents of Linden and Region 10.

The seminar saw two presentations by members of Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS) educating the attendees of causes, signs, symptoms, protection and prevention of the Zika Virus.

GRCS Field Officer, Melissa Lewis, began the seminar with an overview of how the virus is transmitted, its signs and symptoms, and treatment for the virus.

Ms Samesta Forde, on the other hand, touched on the likely complications of the Zika Virus, and how to prevent and protect oneself from getting it.

TRANSMISSION The Zika Virus is transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is also responsible for the spread of the Chikungunya Virus and Dengue Fever.

Linden Mayor, Mr Carwyn Holland and other partners at the GRCS-led Zika outreach in Linden on Sunday

However, the virus can also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy, or from person to person during unprotected sex.

The symptoms include skin rashes, fever, conjunctivitis (red-eye), muscle and joint pain, weakness, headache and to a lesser extent a lack of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain and dizziness, lasting

for two to seven days.

While there is no known cure for the Zika Virus, people who have contracted it are advised to get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicine.

The Zika Virus infection during pregnancy has been linked to microcephaly.

This is a birth defect in which the size of the baby’s head is smaller than

expected for the age and sex, leading to the brain not being fully developed.

The Zika Virus can further lead to the infected person being diagnosed with Gillian-Barre Syndrome (GSB), a sickness of the nervous system in which the person’s own immune system damages the nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.

The audience was advised to destroy the vectors and breathing sites; have protective sex; use repellants and to also wear longsleeved clothing.

“It’s always good to check up on your health status and know that you are healthy; it has nothing to do with age,” Ms Forde said.

Among those in attendance at the seminar were Linden Mayor, Mr Carwyn

Holland, members of the U.S. Embassy’s Humanitarian Assistance Programme (HAP) and youths of Linden.

In encouraging the youths to share what they have learnt with their friends, relatives and classmates, Mayor Holland said: “You have to go and spread that message and take it out to the community.”

Squatting hampering land-allocation process in Linden

By Vanessa Braithwaite NUMEROUS reports of squatting on lands that were allocated during 2017 to residents of Linden have been reported to the Region 10 housing authorities and these allottees are calling on the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to expeditiously handle the matter, since it is hampering their progress.

These low-income lands located in Phases 2 and 3 of Amelia’s Ward were allocated to mostly youths in March 2017, during an outreach hosted by Minister of Communities Valerie Patterson-Yearwood in Linden.

The lands were surveyed a few weeks ago and much to the surprise of those who were allocated, the lands were already occupied.

While no permanent structure was reported to the Guyana Chronicle, some of the concerned and frustrated persons revealed that largescale farming activities were

taking place on some of the lands. One young professional expressed her fear and concern over the issue, since a squatter verbally abused and threatened her when she told him she was the rightful owner of the land.

“The man is farming on the land and it looks like a while now he farming.

When we went with the surveyor, the man curse me up, threaten me, tell me he gon reach till to Suriname for me, because he was told he squatting on the land,” the visibly frustrated young woman related.

She said she did not believe that the CH&PA was handling the matter seriously and time was slipping by since she had plans of constructing her foundation soon.

“It’s like people scared of the man. I am not the only one facing this predicament, but nobody coming out and saying anything about the matter. We already had to wait months for it to be surveyed and now to see people

squatting is heart-breaking.

I really hope something is done soon because I am afraid this man might harm someone,” she added.

Another young man after being showed his plot of land realised that squatting had been enhanced by a concrete structure. He said that he took the initiative to put a sign with his name of the land and upon returning, the sign was removed. “When I went back, the sign was kicked down and somebody had already started carving out a concrete structure there,” he related.

When the Guyana Chronicle contacted Minister Patterson-Yearwood for a comment on the matter, she said that she was in the U.S. and would be in Linden on Tuesday to deal with the issue. At a previous outreach however, the minister had revealed that squatting would not be tolerated by her government, since it was illegal, and strategies would be implemented to provide legal allocations to residents.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

Windies chase unlikely whitewash to keep World Cup hopes alive

MANCHESTER, England (CMC) – Unpredictable West Indies face the improbable task of whitewashing favourites England in their five-match One-Day International series starting here today, as they chase a quickly dissipating dream of direct qualification for the 2019

World Cup. The Caribbean side’s recent poor form has seen them plunge to number nine in the ICC ODI rankings, with only hosts England and the remaining top seven sides by the September 30 cut-off date later this month, gaining automatic berths at the showpiece in England.

What makes a whitewash even more difficult for the Windies is the fact they have not beaten England in a one-day series in 10 years and are without a series success over a top-six side in the ICC rankings in five years.

They have won just three of their last 20 ODIs and even struggled against minnows Bangladesh in a three-match series in the Caribbean in June, managing only a 1-1 draw.

While stressing that a clean sweep of the hosts was not an impossibility however, captain Jason Holder was also under no illusions about the massive challenge before his squad, pointing out the need to play at their best in order to get the results needed.

“It’s not going to be an easy task but it’s not impossible. I think that win there in Durham from the T20 team has given the side a boost,” the all-rounder told a media conference here yesterday ahead of the day/night affair at Old Trafford.

“A few of the guys are overlapping into this one series so hopefully these guys can ride on the back of that game and hopefully bring it (momentum) into this series.

“We’ve got to take it one game at a time. I think we need to win 5-0 to qualify which wouldn’t be easy but as I said before it wouldn’t be impossible as well.

“I’ve stressed in the dressing room (the need for) consistency. I think if we are consistent with our performances and basically our processes, I think we will give ourselves a really good chance of winning the series.”

West Indies have been boosted by the return of the experienced Jamaican pair of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, after Cricket West Indies freed them for selection by temporarily shelving the controversial eligibility rule.

The embattled side now have at their disposal two players with 456 ODIs between them and Holder hopes their presence can help garner the results required.

“We’re just hoping that these guys can put in some really good performances,” he noted.

“Chris looked really good in the T20 game and he’s been carrying some form in our T20 tournament back home so hopefully that can translate into this one-day series and he can get us off to a really good start with his partner Evin Lewis.”

Samuels’ first appearance in an ODI in nearly a year is expected to take on special significance as he is likely to renew his heated rivalry with England all-rounder Ben Stokes.

The pair clashed during a Test series in the Caribbean two years ago and then again at last year’s Twenty20 World Cup in India, potentially setting the stage for even more fireworks over the next two weeks.

And even though Holder said Samuels was free to express himself, he said of greater worth was his contribution to team results.

“Marlon is one competitive guy and he likes a good competition. Whether that (feud with Stokes) is something beneficial to him, he would have to decide that. I can’t really sit here and tell you,” Holder said.

“Whatever Marlon needs to do to get himself fired up I’m quite happy for him to do it, once it is within the spirit of the game and he doesn’t go too overboard.

“But Marlon has been a really good player for us over the years especially in one day cricket and hopefully he can bring that stability in the middle order for us and bat deep into the innings, and put us in a really great position and give our bowlers something to work with.”

The younger brigade including the likes of rising Test star Shai Hope, his older brother Kyle Hope, Lewis and Kesrick Williams, will also be expected to carry much of the burden for the Windies performances.

And though there was heavy importance on the series, Holder stressed he would not be shackling his players.

“Obviously player management comes in and just giving players the licence and freedom to play their roles as best as they possibly can,” he said.

“That’s one part of it.

The rest is ideally down to them to execute so I try to give everybody the leeway to execute their games so hopefully our guys can come in and put on a really good show in this series.”

The contest bowls off at 12:30hrs (07:30hrs Eastern Caribbean time).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

Big four? What about Warner?

By Ian Chappell ANY conversation about which batsmen are currently top-rated in Test cricket begins with the B i g Three; in order of batting average that’s Steve Smith, Joe Root and Virat Kohli.

It’s often noted that New Zealand captain Kane Williamson could easily make it a quartet. Indeed, Williamson should be included as his average is second only to Smith, but David Warner ought to also be there, to extend it to a quintet.

The main reason for Warner’s exclusion is his record in India. It’s not great, but then Kohli’s record in the UK is far worse, and the two players’ overall average is only about five percentage points apart.

It’s noticeable that on two tours of India, Warner regularly got starts but then lost his wicket. Admittedly he has got five single-figure scores, but in half of his 16 innings he got to double figures without scoring a half-century.

On the three occasions he attained the half-century mark he wasn’t able to convert to three figures. That is in sharp contrast to his overall record, where he has converted 20 of his 123 Test innings into centuries.

However, his recent performance against Bangladesh - a bowling attack that doesn’t match India’s in class - provided good results in testing conditions. He scored backto-back centuries, the first one with the ball turning sharply and bouncing awkwardly.

That hundred was scored

The hundreds in Bangladesh will have done Warner’s confidence in his game in Asia a world of good.

in typically flamboyant Warner style; attacking the bowlers and reaching or clearing the boundary regularly. His next century, in Chittagong, was his Dr Jekyll impersonation. He only got to the boundary seven times in an extremely patient innings that underlined the thought that goes into his batting.

I saw Warner bat in a Champions League game on a slow, low Delhi pitch, where he tried to bash balls to the boundary. That method didn’t work. In his next innings on that same pitch, he placed the ball into gaps, relying on timing to score his runs, and looked much more at ease.

“Warner is a batsman who thinks deeply about his task and just happens to be ultra-aggressive in his approach - one reason why

he should always feature in any conversation about the best current batsmen is his approach to the game” His failure to score a Test century in India might be playing on his mind, but there’s no reason he can’t achieve success there - he has the skills.

It’s more just a case of him getting out when he’s set, which can happen to any player. Most cricketers experience periods of drought in their career, and with the number of games being played now, it’s a miracle if there’s only one such.

Warner is a very skilful batsman and always has been. Early in his career the talk about him being a T20 hitter was misplaced. I first saw him bat on television in a T20 against South Africa.

As he belted the likes of

Dale Steyn around the park, I said to my wife, “This kid can bat.”

She responded: “What, all the fours and sixes, you mean?”

“No,” was my reply. “It’s the way he’s adjusted to good deliveries from Steyn.”

It’s fascinating to discuss batting with Warner. He commentated with Channel Nine in 2015, while his injured thumb repaired, and provided interesting insights into Australia’s loss in the just completed Ashes series.

He talked about Jimmy Anderson’s and Stuart Broad’s plans to dismiss him and the things he had done to try and overcome their tactics. He made sensible adjustments during the series.

It was obvious thi s wasn’t a hitter who just trusted his eye and his luck; Warner is a batsman who thinks deeply about his task and just happens to be ultra-aggressive in his approach. That’s one reason why he should always feature in any conversation about the best current batsmen: his approach to the game.

Opening is a demanding position and he is brave enough to take on new-ball bowlers in order to give his side an early advantage in the game. Succeeding with that approach deserves to put him among a list of the best batsmen. He’s certainly the most watchable.

Now that he has experienced a breakthrough in Bangladeshi conditions, Warner’s next tour of India might well provide a twist in the tale.(ESPN Cricinfo)

President’s Cup horserace Christ Church Secondary meet set for October 1 defeat Queen’s, THE President’s Cup horserace meet is billed for October 1 at the Rising Sun Turf Club, West Coast Berbice.

The confirmation was made available yesterday by organisers, the Jumbo Jet Establishment and Stables.

According to information received, seven races are scheduled for the day, with the main attraction featuring horses classified C3 and Lower.

The event will cover a distance of 1600m, with the winning stable set to receive $1M. The E Class Maiden/F1 and Lower Open race is the co-feature event, and will gallop over 1400M, with $600 000 being the

winner’s purse.

The H1 and Lower event is a 1400m affair, with $350 000 up for the taking.

The I1 and Lower, H3 non-earners for 2017 will compete for a $300 000 reward also covering a distance of 1400m.

The Two-year-old Guyana-bred Maiden animals will compete for $200 000, in an 1100m sprint.

The J3 & K & Lower class horses will race over 1400m for $175 000 while the L Class Non-winners’ event, also covering 1400m, has a winning stake of $150 000.

Registration is ongoing.

Race-time is 13:00hrs.

Tucville at tapeball

CHRIST Church Secondary School defeated Queen’s College and Tucville when play in the PKF Barcellos, Narine and Company Inter-Ward Schoolboys six-over round-robin Tapeball Cricket Competition got underway last weekend at the National Cultural Centre tarmac.

According to results supplied by the tournaments coordinator James Lewis, Christ Church defeated Queen’s College with 2.3 overs to spare after restricting the latter to 31 runs off their six overs then making 32 off 3.2 overs.

In another match, Christ Church defeated Tucville by eight runs after posting 38 runs off six overs and limiting Tucville to 30 off their six overs.

Jacobs show downs GFC for Corona football title

By Stephan Sookram THE Dwain Jacobs show was on at the Georgetown Football Club ground as Police outclassed GFC 4-0 in the final of the Corona Beer Invitational on Sunday night.

The captain led by example on a night when his team needed him the most, scoring a hat-trick to give his team the inaugural title.

Coming into the night, the Police were the underdogs but they relished that title, especially in front of the GFC crowd supporting their own.

Police were the more attacking team from the beginning as they forced the ball into GFC’s half and it eventually paid off when Jacobs slammed in the first from outside the area.

This stunned the home crowd and sent shockwaves through

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those present.

The match continued with several enterprising runs from the hosts but all fizzled out in the final third, leaving the Police the freedom to attack at pleasure.

They plundered their second through Jacobs again who rushed the keeper and slotted the ball over his flailing arms and into the net for the second in the 42nd minute.

Police would score two more times in their triumph, Jacobs completing his third in the 45th and Kester Dundas in the 48th.

With the win, Police are now $1M richer and have another title to their name.

In the third-place playoff Western Tigers brushed aside Northern Rangers 2-0, thanks to strikes from Darren Benjamin 35th and Jamal Pedro 90th+ 1

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

Wayne Rooney banned after admitting drink-driving FORMER England captain Wayne Rooney has appeared in court and admitted drink-driving.

He was arrested when police stopped a car in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in the early hours on September 1.

The 31-year-old was banned from driving for two years and ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order.

Rooney was also ordered to pay £170 when he appeared at Stockport Magistrates’ Court.

‘UNFORGIVABLE’ The court heard Rooney was almost three times the legal limit when he was stopped by police at 02:00 BST. A breathalyser test showed his alcohol level was 104 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath.

The drink-drive limit in England and Wales is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath.

In a statement issued after the hearing, the Everton footballer said: “I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of

on his driving licence for a speeding offence on August 24 2016.

Rooney’s legal team had asked District Judge John Temperley to consider not imposing a community order because of his ongoing charitable work.

However, the judge said he was “not convinced” that imposing a large fine “would have the same effect”.

Wayne Rooney arrives in court on drink-drive charge

judgment in driving while over the legal limit. It was completely wrong.

“I have already said sorry to my family, my manager and chairman and everyone at Everton FC. Now I want to apologise to all the fans and everyone else who have followed and supported me throughout my career.

“Of course I accept the sentence of the court and hope that I can make some amends through my community service.”

Kate Gaskell, prosecuting, said a police officer on patrol was on duty in Altrincham

Road, Wilmslow, at 02:10 BST when they noticed the rear tail-light of a Volkswagen Beetle on the left hand side had gone out.

She said the officer intended to follow the vehicle but it pulled over with Rooney seen to be at the wheel with a female in the front passenger seat.

Ms Gaskell said the footballer provided a positive roadside breath test before he was taken to a police station where the reading was confirmed.

The court heard that Rooney currently had three points

A SERIOUS MATTER Rooney’s lawyer, Mike Rainford, told the court it was likely that Everton would fine the player two weeks’ wages, which the BBC understands to be about £300 000.

Judge Temperley said: “This is a serious matter ... you placed yourself and other road users at risk as a result of your poor judgement that night.

“I accept your remorse is genuine and that you are aware of the adverse affects the events of that night have had, not least on your family.”

Rooney was also told to pay £85 prosecution costs and a victim surcharge for the same amount. (BBC Sport)

Team Alanis’ Alonzo Ambrose wins gruelling 98-mile cycle road race RIDING in wet conditions from Georgetown to Camp Seweyo on the Linden Highway and back is no easy task, but Team Alanis’ Alonzo Ambrose made it look like a walk in the park on Sunday, winning the 98-mile event in easy fashion with a time of four hours 25 minutes 52 seconds.

The win for Ambrose in the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF)organised event earned him 15 points in the Federation’s point standings, still 23 points shy of leader Jamal John who earned eight points for placing fourth on Sunday.

It was the Federation’s fourth points race for the 2017 season and John won

Alonzo Ambrose

the first two and did not participate in the third.

Sunday’s race started at 08:00hrs on Homestretch Avenue and proceeded to Timehri Bottle, before turning on the Linden

Highway for the journey to Camp Seweyo and turning back to finish at the place of origin.

Team Evolution’s Christopher Griffith and Team Coco’s Junior Niles

occupied the second- and third-place respectively.

Griffith earned 12 points and Niles 10.

Griffith’s teammate Paul DeNobrega (six points) finished fifth.

The first junior to cross the finish line was Adalie Hodge, while Marcus Keiler and Nigel Duguid placed second and third respectively.

In the veterans’ category, Leer Nunes and Everal Mundy placed first and second in that order.

The GCF’s races are being staged with the aim of selecting cyclists for overseas engagements, but consideration will also be given to those Guyanese who are training and competing overseas.

Ronaldo returns as Madrid aim to pressure leaders Barcelona MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo will return to action against Real Betis tomorrow after serving a five-match suspension, as the champions look to keep the pressure on La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Barcelona were rocked by Ousmane Dembele’s injury during their 2-1 win at Getafe on Saturday, with the French winger set to miss around four months with a ruptured hamstring.

Madrid’s home clash with Betis marks the start

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo was sent off during the Spanish Super Cup win over Barcelona on August 13 and banned for five matches after pushing the referee, meaning he is yet to feature in the league this season.

The Portuguese hitman struck twice in his only appearance since the incident, a comfortable 3-0 win over Apoel Nicosia in the Champions League last Wednesday.

Youngster Borja Mayoral and Gareth Bale struck for a weakened Madrid on Sunday as they beat Real Sociedad 3-1, but as well as Ronaldo, Marcelo and Toni Kroos are expected to return after suspension and injury respectively.

Despite the impressive display against a previously unbeaten Real Sociedad, Ronaldo’s return will be vital for Madrid as they look to take advantage of a soft fixture schedule over the next two months to push rivals Barcelona.

The Catalans, who face Eibar today, sit top of the table and are four points ahead of Madrid, in fourth place.

of a run of league fixtures which, on paper, they should win, including home games against Espanyol, Eibar and Las Palmas.

“If we carry on like this we can do a lot of damage,” said Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane after his side’s win in the Basque Country.

“We’re back on track but we’ve got to keep going because there’s another game tomorrow.”

Mid-table Betis have not beaten Madrid in the league at the Bernabeu in 19 years and only five times in 51 attempts.

If they are to defeat them tomorrow, they will need experienced winger Joaquin, 36, and summersigning Andres Guardado, 30, to continue their excellent form.

“They are like kids in a schoolyard, they give it back to the guy that gives it back to them,” Betis coach Quique Setien said of the midfielders. “(Guardado) is a footballer I can’t describe, extraordinary.

He has enormous quality and an enormous work rate. Just like Joaquin, they are reference points for the team.”

Registration for Foreign Ministry Sports Extravaganza closes tomorrow THE closing date for the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Sports Heritage Extravaganza in observance of Amerindian Heritage Month is tomorrow and the activity is scheduled for this weekend at the Guyana Public Service Union Hall, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive and Regent Streets.

According to coordinator Jamel `Cool’ Lewis, Ministries and Government agencies will contest a knock-out dominoes competition on Saturday and trophies and medals will be up for grabs with registration fee being $5 000 per team.

The following day the National Cultural Centre tarmac will come alive with a Super Six Overs 11-a-side Tapeball Cricket competition. Entrance fee is $4 000 per team.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

Bairstow to open for England in first ODI

JONNY Bairstow will keep his place at the top of the order for England’s first one-day international against West Indies at Old Trafford today.

Bairstow replaced Jason Roy for England’s last ODI, the Champions Trophy semifinal defeat by Pakistan.

“We feel Jonny deserves a chance. He’s been waiting in the wings for quite a while,” said captain Eoin Morgan.

“He will open with Alex Hales. This is an opportunity to make the opening position his.”

The England Test keeper, 27, averages 56.4 in his past seven ODIs, but has often had to make do with a bitpart role in what has been a settled batting line-up.

But Roy’s struggles - the Surrey man failed to pass

Jonny Bairstow opened in England’s last ODI in June.

20 in nine innings - led to his being dropped for the Champions Trophy semifinal in June, with Bairstow

making 43 in England’s eight-wicket defeat.

Bairstow did not take the gloves on that occasion with

Jos Buttler again set to keep wicket in the first of five ODIs against West Indies, the World T20 champions

who beat the hosts in a oneoff T20 on Saturday.

“We feel it’s the right time to make a change,” added Morgan. “Jonny has been in fantastic form for some time now and has never let us down regardless of the role we have asked him to play.”

England, who whitewashed the Windies 3-0 in the Caribbean in March, are at full-strength, with all-rounders Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali returning after being rested for the T20.

“It’s a nice problem to have, fitting everyone in,” said Morgan. “We are spoilt for choice at the moment and it gives us the luxury of playing around with the balance of the side.

“Consistency is the area where we have most room

for improvement. We have a huge amount of potential, but producing that on a consistent basis is important for our development.”

Following a “temporary amnesty” between the players’ union and Cricket West Indies, the tourists have been able to include batsmen Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels in their squad.

For devastating opener Gayle, that represents the opportunity to play a first ODI since the 2015 World Cup. “West Indies are a strong team and we don’t take them lightly,” said Morgan. “It is going to be a tough Test.

“We can’t focus on one or two individuals; we have to beat their whole team rather than just one or two.” (BBC Sport)

Deo clinches Maersk Sealand Golf Tournament DEFENDING Guyana Open female golf champion Joann Deo took top honours in the Maersk Sealand golf tournament held last Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Club.

Playing off a 21 handicap, Deo shot a Gross 86 for a Net 65.

Second place went to Azrudeen Shaw who also accumulated a Gross 86, with a Net 68 easing out Robert Hanoman who recorded a Gross 96 and a Net 68 off a handicap of 28.

As was the case in the previous week, short rough made it another good day

for the high handicappers who were not penalised for wayward shots.

Best Gross went to Patrick Prashad with a 79, and Nearest to the Pin went to Bholawram Deo. In comments at the presentation ceremony Maersk Sealand’s Country

Manager Derek Stoby said the shipping line was happy to sponsor the tournament as part of the company’s belief that sport should be a part for a well-balanced and healthy life style.

As such, he assured members this would be an annual event.

Joann Deo (fourth from right) along with the respective winners

Raphael Leung

15th Annual Victor Macedo Memorial Cycle Race set for Sunday THE Flying Stars Cycle Club will organise the 15th edition of the Victor Macedo cycle road race on Sunday beginning with a roll start at 07:00hrs from Macedo’s residence, Peter Rose Street, Queenstown.

The expected large turnout of cyclists will get the green flag on Homestretch Avenue from where the seniors and juniors will proceed to Long Creek on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway before turning back to finish at the place of origin, while the veterans, pre-juniors and mountain bikers will turn back at the top of the hill just past Splashmin’s Fun Park and finish on Homestretch Avenue.

The first eight finishers overall as well as the top four juniors, the first three pre-juniors and the top three

mountain bikers will be rewarded with cash prizes and trophies for their efforts.

Ten prime prizes will be on offer during the course of the race.

The event is being sponsored by Macedo Transportation Services in collaboration with Floyd Macedo, a former cyclist who was very competitive during his time.

The defending champion for the event is Stephano Husbands who clocked three hours 11 minutes .70 seconds last year.

The winning junior last year was Raphael Leung, while Junior Niles won the veterans’ category, Adelie Hodge was the first juvenile to cross the finish line and Ozeda McAulley was first among the mountain bikers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

Reggae Boyz ranking hurting their top players

Kemar Lawrence

REGGAE Boyz Andre Blake and Kemar Lawrence, who play in Major League Soccer in the United States, recently had deals to move to the English Premier League fall through because Jamaica isn’t ranked high enough on the FIFA rankings.

Jamaica are ranked 61, but according to criteria imposed since 2015, the Reggae Boyz have to be ranked within the top 50 in the world for such transfers to happen.

The Reggae Boyz have not been ranked in the top 50 for more than a decade and the outstanding Blake,

who is the goalkeeper for the Philadelphia Union and Lawrence who is a fullback at New York Red Bulls are the latest Jamaicans to be denied opportunities because of the rule change.

According to football website Goal.com, “Premier League sides Brighton and Crystal Palace made multi-million dollar offers for Blake this past summer after his outstanding CONCACAF Gold Cup showing. Unfortunately for Blake and the interested clubs, the deals fell apart because Blake doesn’t qualify for a U.K. work permit. The main reason for Blake’s inability to secure a work permit? Jamaica’s low FIFA ranking.”

Blake has expressed frustration over the missed opportunity caused by things that are beyond his control.

“I knew everything all the way, and it’s such a tough situation but I can’t get too worked up over it, even though it’s a very good opportunity I’m missing out on. Maybe it’s not time yet, or maybe it wasn’t meant

Andre Blake

to be. I’ve just got to keep working hard and maybe someday, somehow, if it’s supposed to be, it will happen,” he said.

Lawrence, who was also a key member of the Reggae Boyz, which became the first Caribbean team to make consecutive finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, said this wasn’t the first time he was missing out on an opportunity because of his country’s poor FIFA ranking.

“It’s hard to know that you want to play in that top division, that top league, and you can’t get to go

because of stipulations like that. It’s their rules and you have to live by it,” he said.

“We talk about it on a regular basis, but these things take time. More than one time opportunities like that have presented themselves for me, but we already know that if they’re not talking about a $10 million or $11 million transfer it’s a no-no for Jamaican players in England.”

According to Goal, more suitors are expected to line up for Blake who is nearing the end of his MLS contract, and unless Jamaica make it into the top 50 by then, his frustrations will continue.

“It’s super tough, but it’s something I can try my best to change,” Blake said.

“I can’t do it on my own, but that’s part of my job as captain, to make sure we go in and take every game very seriously, and for the guys to understand that ‘Listen, it’s not just for me, it’s for everyone. If we have better rankings it will open up opportunities for everyone’.” (Sportsmax.com)

Endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont, who was aiming for a record-breaking circumnavigation of the globe in 80 days in July, is seen during a photocall in central London, Britain, April 2, 2017. (REUTERS/Neil Hall)

British cyclist pedals around world in 78 days, smashing record PARIS, France (Reuters) A British endurance cyclist has smashed the Guinness World Record for the fastest circumnavigation of the planet on a bicycle, riding 18 000 miles (29 000 km) in under 80 days.

Mark Beaumont cycled for 18 hours a day and burned more than 9 000 calories every 24 hours as he crossed Poland, Russia, Mongolia, China, Australia and the United States.

“It’s literally about riding to the next horizon,” the Scotsman said yesterday after completing his marathon ride under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. “I’ve barely walked for two-and-a-half months.”

A crash in Russia on the ninth day in which he broke a tooth and injured his elbow nearly ended a

ride that he said had taken him to a “mental depth” he had never before experienced.

“It’s just the sleep deprivation.

It’s after weeks and weeks and weeks, it’s just the long, long hours you spend in your head, you know, really battling. And you just need to decide you’re never going to stop,” he said.

He completed the ride in 78 days 14 hours 40 minutes. The record was previously held by New Zealander Andrew Nicholson, who in 2015 managed the feat in 123 days.

A Guinness World Record adjudicator handed the cyclist two world record certificates - one for the round-the-world record, the other for the furthest distance cycled in a single month.

Rookie off-spinner Charles says Red Force anxious to break four-day jinx PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Rookie off-spinner Bryan Charles says Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will be focused this year on bringing an end to their four-day title drought, but need to pay special attention to their preparation phase in order to make this a reality.

Though they have dominated the shorter forms of the regional domestic championship, Red Force are without a first-class title in 11 years but are hoping to make amends in the Professional Cricket League (PCL) which bowls off next month.

“Winning the Four-Day title would mean a lot to the Red Force, bringing a sense of pride back to the team,” said the 22-yearold, who played five of his six first-class matches last season.

“The Four-Day title has eluded us since the 2005/2006 season and a win would be a major turning

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force are keen on breaking four-day title drought.

point as we are said to only succeed in the ‘coloured clothes’ format of the game.”

Red Force had a rough last season, losing five times in 10 outings to finish third in the standings, as Guyana Jaguars took their third consecutive four-day title.

The previous year, Red Force were fourth after winning just three matches while

in 2015, they ended one from bottom with two wins.

In comparison, they have won two of the last three Super50 one-day titles, and Charles said there was a need for Red Force to show more consistency in the longer format.

“I think the Red Force have come up short in the Four-Day as we play inter-

vals of good cricket throughout the game,” he pointed out.

“There will be a good session of cricket followed by a bad session as we are usually in good positions in many games and surrender that due to one bad session of cricket.”

He added: “It is just a matter of keeping focus at the crucial points in the games and there will be better results.”

Red Force face a difficult opener when they take on arch-rivals Barbados Pride at Kensington Oval in the first round of the PCL, bowling off October 26.

And their campaign is expected to get no easier when they host Jamaica Scorpions at Queen’s Park Oval in the second round from November 2 to 5.

Charles said preparation would be key if Red Force were to make a strong start to the season.

“I think the team can use more preparation heading into the Four-Day tournament, as we are usually slow starters who often catch up during the second part of the season,” he pointed out.

“Preparation is a key

factor this year as there is no second (half of the season) to catch up, as the 10 games are basically back to back this season.”

The four-day season wraps up January 21 next year.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday September 19, 2017)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Dwayne Smith-103* (Tridents vs Stars)

(2)

Alistair Cook-243 (Edgbaston)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Where and when was the first ever WI/ENG ODI played?

(2)

Who were the captains involved?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

Early registration for Caribbean Invasion begins DRAGSTERS desirous of signing up for the Caribbean Invasion drag race meet, set for October 1 at the South Dakota Circuit can begin registering from today.

Officials of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club(GMR&SC) have indicated that this is to facilitate the entry of competitors into the timing system.

“GMR&SC has officially opened the registration process for vehicles desirous of being involved in the Caribbean Invasion drag race meet,”

Competitors are being urged to register early for the Caribbean Invasion drag race meet.

Persaud continues top form at GuyanaNRA Recorded shoot FULLBORE captain Mahendra Persaud continued his top form on the ranges as he recorded the top aggregate in last weekend’s Recorded shoot at the Timehri Ranges.

Persaud led from the front with a score of 132.10, in the new conditions.

Sunday’s shoot took place on the newly renovated right shooting bank, representing the first time in over four years that they were able to use the right side, since the target mechanism were nonfunctional.

This was done to have the local shooters become familiar with the wind conditions on this bank.

He shot a possible 50.5 at the 900-yard range, while dropping one point at the 500 with 34.2 and two at the 300 with 48.3.

As if to follow in rank, the vice-captain Dylan Fields, and son of the late former captain Richard Fields, shot 128.5 winning the 300 yards with 49.5 and shooting 32.0 at 500 and 47,0 at 900.

Commonwealth Gamesbound Lennox Braithwaite also shot a score of 128 but one less V than Fields.

Braithwaite won the 500 yards shooting a possible of 35.1 and also shot 47.2 at the 300 and 46.1 at the 900.

Ransford Goodluck was on target at the 900 yards with a score of 49.6.

Persaud was very happy with the performances as the gap with shooters’ aggregate scores is beginning to close, indicating that shooters are starting to peak at the correct time.

Next weekend the riflemen plan on practising on Saturday and Sunday to familiar themselves with the new batch of ammunition that has just arrived and which will be used for the competition.

The GuyanaNRA wishes to take this opportunity to thank the US Embassy officials for their assistance in obtaining the requisite status for the approval, in order to be able to import the world class ammunition from the United States.

the official said.

“Persons or teams can pick up their entry forms and other documents at the club’s Thomas Lands office during normal working hours.”

Meanwhile local competitors are reminded of a mandatory meeting on September 25 at the Club to outline rules and regulations for the event.

Organisers are likely to underscore the importance of proper safety gear and a ban on slippers/flip-flops for racers on the day.

Collingwood in support of more tours to Pakistan

After a safe and successful Twenty20 series in Pakistan, Paul Collingwood sees no reason why others should not tour the nation.

PAUL Collingwood believes other sides should consider touring Pakistan again after the recent Twenty20 series involving a World XI passed without incident.

Several teams have refused to visit the country amid security concerns since the Sri Lanka bus was attacked by gunmen in March 2009.

The former England all-rounder Collingwood, who made more than 300 international appearances during his career, was part of a squad that played three matches in Lahore earlier this month, with the home side prevailing 2-1.

The World players were heavily guarded throughout their stay, and Collingwood

sees no reason why other nations should not follow suit, providing that similar safety measures can be guaranteed.

Pakistan have been forced to play their home matches in the United Arab Emirates, but it was announced last month that both Sri Lanka and West Indies would arrive for tours later this year, in the event of the World series going ahead undisrupted.

“We were there five days and if you had that level of security for a longer tour, I can’t imagine how much it would cost,” Collingwood told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It was like having the army around you at all times, which was excellent because we knew we were safe, (but) the disruption it must cause to everyday living, because

they literally closed all the roads to get to the ground.

“If you can sustain that level of security for a longer period of time, I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t tour there.”

Collingwood admitted to having doubts before taking the trip, but said the response received from the Pakistan players and supporters made it more than a worthwhile exercise.

“I was a bit sceptical when I first signed up, and I haven’t had a great time with Pakistan cricket in the past in terms of (Mohammad) Amir and no-balls (in 2010), the ball tampering (allegations in 2006) etc so I was thinking ‘do I want to support that’ but after the week I’ve had I’m really proud I’ve been

involved,” he said.

“There’s a bigger picture and to see the Pakistan players’ faces to play in front of their home crowd, to get their feelings and how much it meant to them, they were saying ‘thank you, it means so much to us’.

“You feel as though you’ve done something good for the game. I probably didn’t realise the impact it had. We’re a cricketing family and you have to help each other out.

“It’s a small stepping stone, we know it’s not the final piece of the jigsaw, and Pakistan cricket know that, but they’re trying their hardest to get things happening again.” (Omnisport)

Collingwood in support of more tours to Pakistan

Page 27

Winners! Police FC are crowned winners of the inaugural Corona Beer Invitational Football tournament. (Samuel Maughn photos)

Jacobs show downs GFC for Corona football title Page 24

Dwain Jacobs was in no playful mood as he scored this goal, one of his three on the night as his side cruised past GFC 4-0

Windies chase unlikely whitewash to keep World Cup hopes alive Page 23

Windies go through their paces in final preparation yesterday for the opening ODI against England at Old Trafford. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 19, 2017