Guyana chronicle e paper 10 01 2017

SEE INSIDE

7 days to comply No. 105052

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

... broadcasters get until October 7 to re-apply for licences

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Sherryanna wins

LATE FLASH: Gorgeous Sherryanna Balkaran of Region 8 was last night crowned Miss Indigenous Heritage 2017 at the National Cultural Centre. First Runner up was Junisha Johnny (Region 9). Second Runner-up was Dolly Chambers (Region 7).

Third Runner-up was Shanna Boyle (Region 10) while the Fourth Runner-up was Roberta Alpin (Region 6) See more pictures by Delano Williams in tomorrow’s issue.

Gov't steps up fight against filaria Page 18

Dr. Fabu Moses

... some 15 new cases recorded

Wanted Bicycle man patrols shot boost police dead confidence Page 13

Page 14

–– police launch probe into execution-style killing

EXECUTED: Colin Daly

Time for a paradigm shift

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

‘Agri’ Minister says, if Guyana to realise full agricultural potential

AGRICULTURE Minister Mr Noel Holder feels it is now more important than ever that Guyana moves its agricultural base away from the coastland, given its vulnerability to the negative effects of climate change.

He said as much in his message this year in observation of Agriculture Month, which is celebrated here every year in the month of October.

The following is the full text of his message: “THE role of Agriculture in Guyana continues to be one filled with challenges. However, the prospects for advancement are surmountable.

“If, as a nation, we are to realise our agricultural potential, these challenges must be recognised and addressed collectively through the exploitation of the

country’s full agricultural potential.

“Agriculture Month 2017 is being held under the theme, “Food Security and Hinterland Development: Our National Priority,” highlighting the progress we have made and steps taken in our agricultural development efforts.

“This year, we will be looking at ways in which we can stimulate greater food security, while increasing food production and productivity. But while we look at addressing food availability, we must put plans in place to ensure the effects of climate change does not deter the progress made.

“To ensure that Guyana is in accord with the international objective of ensuring that ‘World hunger is eliminated,’ creating a conducive environment for production is vital. With over 85 per cent of our population, and 75 per cent of Guyana’s economic activities concentrated on our low-lying coastal plain, Guyana is particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change on its economy, livelihoods, and ecosystems.

“It is even more necessary now for Guyana A 23-YEAR-OLD unemployed man from Sheet to extend its agricultural Anchor Village,East Canje, Berbice was yesterday base inland; to shift our arrested at Fort Wellington,West Coast Berbice with production base to the In1,395 grams of cannabis which he had in a haversack. termediate and Rupununi At the time of the arrest he was a passenger in a pubsavannahs, which have lic transportation vehicle en route to Georgetown when been earmarked as the new the vehicle was stopped and searched by police ranks agricultural frontiers. Posconducting a routine ‘stop and search operation’ in the sessing vast, arable savanvicinity of the Fort Wellington Police Station. nah lands (Rupununi, 1.3m He is being processed for court.

Cannabis found in passenger’s haversack

ha; Intermediate Savannah, 292,000 ha), there remains tremendous potential for agricultural advancement, as Guyana continues to narrow the gap between the coastland and the hinterland regions.

“In fact, we aim to raise the profile of hinterland agriculture and the tremendous opportunities that exist, for example, with the Commissioning of a tumeric factory at Hosororo, Region One (Barima-Waini) by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

“Region One will also be the highlight this year with the commissioning of a new weather station, and the observance of our National Tree Day at Mabaruma.

“Guyana stands ready to positively contribute to eliminating world hunger.

Even as we are fortunate to be a food-secure nation, the ministry, through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), will be looking at ways to improve the standard of living of Guyana’s First Peoples with the introduction of the Black Giant Poultry programme in our hinterland and other regions, as well as the hosting of cattle management seminars to ensure proper animal husbandry.

“Guyana’s vast potential as it relates to agriculture is not in the past, but in the future. We believe that we can tap that potential if we work together. Guyana is well positioned to fill the food-security gap, regionally and internationally.

“Small farmers have been playing a significant role in the development of agriculture in Guyana; and during this month, we will celebrate their accom-

Minister of Agriculture, Mr Noel Holder plishments. The Ministry of Agriculture takes this opportunity to encourage investment, as we also look at the economic advances in the non-traditional agricultural sectors.

“The importance of proper storage of pesticides will be highlighted during the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board’s week-long activities, as our various agencies showcase the importance of agriculture to Guyana.

“As we aim to raise the profile of agriculture and the possibilities that exist, I invite all players within the industry to work with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that the livelihood of farmers are safeguarded, and that Guyana takes its rightful place as the “rice bowl” and “food basket” of the Caribbean and beyond.”

Fatal accident at Perth

THE police are investigating a fatal accident which occurred about 09:15 hrs Saturday morning on the Perth Public Road, Essequibo Coast, involving a minibus driven by a 27-year-old Richmond, Essequibo Coast resident and pedal cyclist Mahendra Dyal, 42,of Perth Village.

Investigations revealed that the bus was proceeding along the eastern carriageway, reportedly at a fast rate of speed, when it collided with the cyclist who, whilst proceeding in the opposite direction, reportedly swerved from behind a moving vehicle into its path .As a result of the impact the cyclist received severe injuries and was rushed to the Suddie Hospital. He was treated and referred to the Georgetown Hospital, but succumbed whilst being transported.

The driver is in custody assisting with the investigation. A breathalyzer test was administered but no alcohol was detected on the driver’s breath. The body is presently at the Suddie Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

7 days to comply

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

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... broadcasters get until October 7 to re-apply for licences BROADCASTERS are being asked to re-apply to the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) for new licences within 30 days of the enactment of the Broadcast (Amendment) Act 2017.

On Saturday, a statement issued by GNBA’s chair Leslie Sobers said that in light of President David Granger assenting to the legislation on September 7, it is important that those who have not yet applied to the GNBA for new licences do so by October 6.

“All those who had an application pending with the GNBA for a licence before September 7, 2017, also need to visit the Authority to amend their pending applications, or if need be, re-apply in accordance with the Amended Broadcast Act 2017 by October 6, 2017,” Sobers said in the statement.

Additionally, the GNBA Chair disclosed that many existing broadcasters have already begun the application process and some of them have completed those procedures with the GNBA as stipulated in the Broadcast Act.

He assured that completed applications will be processed expeditiously as they are received by the Authority following the 30-day stipulation.

However, the GNBA chair warned broadcasters who are non-compliant with this provision by October 8, 2017, that the Broadcast (Amendment) Act 2017 prescribes a series of penalties for non-compliance.

“GNBA continues to be available to all broadcasters and those wishing to broadcast, on the re-application procedures and processes, and looks forward to working with a fully licensed and regulated broadcasting sector for the benefit of all Guyanese,” the statement said.

The Broadcast Amendment Bill was passed in the National Assembly early August and was in September assented to

by President Granger. The legislation was first introduced by the then People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government in 2011.

In September, the Guyana Chronicle reported that local broadcasters had begun clearing their arrears with the GNBA with the aim of ensuring that they are compliant

in preparation for possible licensing.

In August, this newspaper had reported that there was more than $140M outstanding in licensing fees for television, as well as cable and radio broadcasters, who were not in compliance as of December 31, 2016.

If those fees remain unpaid, broadcasters could find themselves off-air after the Broadcast Act takes effect.

Following a closed-door meeting in August, which was attended by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, and the board of directors of the GNBA, the Guyana Chronicle was informed that only six television and cable operators were compliant as of December 31, 2016 from a total of 27.

A number of radio stations were in default at the time. It is unclear how many of these operators have paid up their fees to date.

Those desirous of additional information can contact the GNBA on telephone numbers 223-5007, 231-7366 and 231-7367.

IDB working tirelessly

––on improving tender, procurement process through series of workshops THE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) on Friday concluded a twoday workshop aimed at improving the evaluation

of tenders financed by that Bank.

The workshop, themed “What to do when procurement goes wrong”, focused on identifying potential challenges that adversely affect the efficiency of the procure-

ment process, explaining the context in which such situations generally arise, why, and the possible outcomes.

In a statement to the media, the IDB said the workshop, which comprised 45 participants, forms part of a

strategy aimed at achieving better efficiency and performance at the evaluation stage of the IDB-financed procurement processes.

Back in June, the IDB hosted another workshop which focused on the prin-

Chairman of the GNBA, Leslie Sobers

ciples of evaluation for complex infrastructure procurement processes and consulting services. A third workshop, aimed at analysing financial information, is planned before year-end.

“The general objective is to avoid occurrences that may adversely affect the execution of the procurement process, to increase quality and reduce the total time between process launch and contract signature,” the IDB stated.

The IDB said its local office is committed to providing all necessary assistance to improve project execution, disbursement projections, and capacity to manage and implement all forecasted procurement activities.

Last week’s workshop was attended by approximately 45 persons who are appointed to be members of evaluation panels.

They were selected by the NPTAB.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

North Korea and US ‘in direct contact’ --Rex Tillerson says

THE US is in “direct contact” with North Korea, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said.

Mr Tillerson said Washington was “probing” the possibility of talks with Pyongyang, “so stay tuned”.

“We have lines of communications to Pyongyang,” he said during a trip to China. “We’re not in a dark situation.”

North Korea and the US have engaged in heated rhetoric in recent months but it was not previously known they had lines of communication.

The US state department later confirmed there were a number of communication channels open with Pyong-

yang, but said little progress was being made.

“Despite assurances that the United States is not interested in promoting the collapse of the current regime, North Korean officials have shown no indication that they are interested in or are ready for talks regarding denuclearisation,” department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

The US wants North Korea to halt its weapons programme, which has seen it perform repeated missile tests and, on 3 September, the test of a miniaturised hydrogen bomb which could be loaded on to a long-range missile, which Pyongyang said was successful.

DATE: September 30, 2017

But attempts at dialogue seem to be at odds with President Donald Trump’s own attitude to the issue. Just last month, he said, “Talking is not the answer.”

Mr Trump has previously threatened to annihilate North Korea, saying the country’s leader, Kim Jongun, “is on a suicide mission”. Mr Kim then vowed to “tame the mentally deranged US dotard with fire”.

North Korea continued the rhetoric on Saturday, releasing a statement calling Mr Trump an “old psychopath” bent on the “suicidal act of inviting a nuclear disaster that will reduce America to a sea of flames”.

September 30, 2017 1

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The UN has brought in sanctions against North Korea, in an attempt to force the secretive state to stop its weapons programme.

The US sees China, North Korea’s biggest trading partner, as key to ensuring the sanctions are effective.

China this week told North Korean businesses operating in its territory to close down. However, China remains keen to see negotiations with North Korea.

Mr Tillerson revealed the communications channels following a meeting in Beijing with President Xi Jinping and other officials.

(BBC)

September 30, 2017

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Air France plane engine fails over Atlantic AN Air France flight from Paris to Los Angeles was forced to make a sudden diversion when it lost part of an engine over the Atlantic Ocean.

One of the four engines on the Airbus A380 flight AF66 failed west of Greenland on Saturday.

No-one was injured in the incident, but passengers remained on board hours after the landing at 15:42 GMT. The plane was carrying 496 passengers and 24 crew at the time, an Air France spokesperson told AFP news agency.

David Rehmar, a former aircraft mechanic who was a passenger on the flight, told the BBC that based on his observations, the incident was a fan failure.

He said there was a sudden movement followed by a loud noise, which caused panic among the passengers. “ Yo u h e a r d a l o u d ‘boom’, and it was the vi-

September 30, 2017

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bration alone that made me think the engine had failed,” he said.

Mr Rehmar said that for a few moments, he thought, “We are going to go down.”

His worry that the aircraft’s wing could have been compromised disappeared when the flight stabilised within 30 seconds. And he added that the pilots had quickly shut down the affected engine.

The plane flew for about an hour on three engines before it reached Goose Bay Airport, in Labrador in eastern Canada.

Photos taken by passengers showed the cowling, or engine covering, completely destroyed, and some cosmetic damage to the wing’s surface.

Passengers remain stranded on the plane in Canada, as the airport is not equipped to handle an Airbus A380.

Mr Rehmar said passengers had been told that two Air France 777s were on the way from Montreal to pick up them up.

He said that a bird strike was not a likely cause of the incident at such a high altitude, and his experience led him to believe the stage-one fan, the exterior fan blades on the front of the engine, had somehow failed. But the cause of any such failure is not yet clear.

In a statement, Air France simply confirmed “serious damage” to one engine, and said its crew had “handled this serious incident perfectly”.

It said passengers were being assisted, and that it was working to re-route them.

Rick Engebretsen, another passenger, told the BBC: “The crew has been working hard and on the job a long time.”

He said they were providing meals, and the captain had come out to speak to passengers. (BBC)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

Caribbean countries adopt measures --to deal with illegal fishing NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – Fisheries and Aquaculture ministers from the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries have agreed on measures aimed at accelerating the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as to address the issue of fisheries subsidies at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

A statement issued at the end of the 5th ACP Meeting of Ministers in charge of Fisheries and Aquaculture, held here earlier this week, also indicated that the ministers had agreed on measure to strengthen aquaculture production, promote effective fisheries management and support small scale fisheries.

The statement noted that the meeting ended with delegates agreeing to “a renewed commitment to developing the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in their countries, as well as unlocking the potential of the ‘blue economy’ through a new €40 million (One Euro=US$1.29 cents) ACP Blue Growth Initiative.”

The statement noted

that the meeting was attended by more than 150 delegates from at least 60 fish-exporting countries and regions, who gathered to strategise on how to enhance the role of fisheries and aquaculture in their national socio-economic development.

“The ACP Group remains determined to play a catalytic role to enhance the sustainable flow of benefits from the fisheries and aquaculture sectors for development of our countries. To this end, it is necessary to enhance capacity building activities, deepen our policy analysis and continuously explore ways to secure funding from our partners for this purpose,” ACP Secretary-General Dr. Patrick Gomes said, reaffirming the important role of the sector in ensuring food and nutrition security, livelihoods, and revenues for ACP states.

The statement noted that in an effort to stimulate development of the ‘blue economy’, ministers agreed to allocate €40 million from the Intra-ACP envelope of the European Development Fund (EDF) to the ACP

Blue Growth Initiative.

Launched during the meeting, the Blue Growth Initiative is aligned to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and seeks to boost productivity and competitiveness of fisheries and aquaculture value chains.

In the final declaration, the ministers pledged their commitment to the ACP Strategic Plan of Action for Fisheries and Aquaculture, which helps countries to coordinate and cooperate on joint actions. They highlighted the need for stronger partnerships, more funding opportunities, as well as South-South and Triangular Cooperation to catalyse progress.

“Ministers also emphasised the urgent need to intensify efforts to mobilise financial resources, accelerate technology transfer and build human and institutional capacity in ACP countries to achieve these measures. The declaration called on development partners and the ACP Secretariat to give priority attention to this issue,” the statement added.

Chinese businesses shut shop --in protest of colleague’s murder

B E L M O PA N , B e l i z e , CMC – The Chinese community here says it will shut down all Chinese-owned groceries and gaming centres today to protest the recent spate of armed robberies that left one of their nationals dead.

Businessman Bainan Wu was shot and killed last Monday night by a lone gunman who entered his business demanding money.

The gunman escaped without any funds, but as he fled, fired a shot that hit the businessman in his temple.

The Belize Chinese Association, in a notice, said that while it mourns the “death of our fellow countryman who was senselessly killed, the entire Chinese community and businesses countrywide will be closed for business” on Sunday in solidarity.

The shutdown is not the first by the Chinese Com-

munity. In 2005, Chinese businesses were closed after 26-year-old Lou Xiao Yue, better known as Susan Yue, was killed in Orange Walk.

F i v e y e a r s l a t e r, 14-year-old Hellen Yu was killed in Belize City, prompting fellow Chinese business owners to close down for a day.

Another smaller shutdown took place in 2011, when Zhou Ang Tan was killed in Orange Walk.

Editorial

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

our Development Priorities THE month of October is Agriculture Month in Guyana and as the country has done in the last few years, the spotlight would be turned on the importance of agriculture to the country’s political economy. This year’s theme is “Food Security and Hinterland Development: Our National Priority,” which evidently speaks to the government’s official agriculture thrust. One can hardly argue against such a thrust, as it partly falls in line with the global direction of contemporary thinking about agriculture.

Food security is now the buzzword across the global community, which has become much more literate about the linkage between food and issues of development. No longer is this term and concept nestled in discourses among erudite agriculture scientists and armchair economists. It has correctly become part of popular discourse and thinking that cut across social class and other social divides. Here in Guyana, thanks mainly to young environmental activists and advocates, our governments have been forced to embrace it as both rhetoric

and policy.

The World Food Program (WFP) defines food security in the following way: “People are considered food secure when they have availability and adequate access at all times to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.” It also lists “Food availability “, “Food access” and Food utilization” as pivotal central planks of food security.

As we observe Agriculture Month and heed the designated theme, it is worth reflecting on the extent to which our country meets that test of food security. As a traditional agriculture-based society, we often take food availability for granted. This is understandable given the relatively high production of food here compared to other countries across the globe. We are blessed with lots of land and water which are key ingredients for food production. Thus, despite declines in some areas of production, we have ostensibly continued to produce enough food for local consumption and trade.

But food production is only part of food security.

Do Guyanese have adequate

access to food and if they do, is that food nutritious enough to lead to proper health? It is in these latter areas that the government is challenged to make its theme real. Many in the poorer classes of our society would argue that adequate access to food is dependent on their financial capacity to access those foods. Given the relatively high rate of poverty that still exists in Guyana, it is fair to conclude that this must be an area of food security that should be targeted by government.

Those who produce the food we consume would also have something to say about food security. In a rapidly changing world where powerful governments subsidise agriculture in their countries, does our government do enough in that area? Does the government even have the financial capacity to adequately meet that challenge?

These and other related questions must be pondered by the government as it attempts to reshape our agricultural thrust to meet the demands of the new technological age.

We know of the negative impact of globalisation on small, local agriculture-based

economies such as ours. It is now cheaper to import some foods into countries such as Guyana, than to produce them locally. This has been a negative development for us as far as local farmers are concerned. How the government gets around this thorny issue is yet to be seen, but it is one that must be confronted.

Cheap, imported food has not improved access by poor communities, but it has sadly contributed to the utilisation of sub-standard food. Mass-production of food has severely hampered food security.

Of course, local food production would be enhanced by the expansion of manufacturing initiatives. This has been a troublesome area, as our entrepreneurs have not been as robust in their exploration of this sector. It is another area that cries out for adequate interrogation during Agriculture Month.

The apparent hinterland thrust of the government is welcomed. From all indications, there are vast acreages of land in the hinterland which could be used to produce both traditional and non-traditional foods. We have always talked about a hinterland agriculture

thrust--the Burnham government made some strides in this regard in the 1960s and 1970s, but these were not sustained.

It would help to study these experiments to tease out what worked and what didn’t.

We observe another Agriculture Month as we are in the midst of figuring out what to do about the sugar industry which has been the bedrock of our agricultural sector. It is a painful process that is pregnant with history, hurt, nostalgia, ethnicity and party politics. Yet it is a necessity. The government must be commended for confronting it head-on, risking political capital in the process.

We must confront agriculture not just as economics and food production, but as culture. Many in the African Guyanese community, for example, have advocated the return of the Village Economy which was essentially an agriculture-based economy. But they have had to confront the

fact that the new generations do not have the same relationship to agriculture as previous ones. Most of the farmlands have been abandoned, while the limited farming that persists is hampered by poor infrastructure. Towards this end, a current government programme which targets selected countries can be seen as a pilot programme that could tell us the extent to which agriculture could again capture the popular imagination.

Finally, as Guyana prepares to venture into the world of oil and gas, there is the temptation to downplay sectors such as agriculture.

This would be a huge mistake. We, therefore, should use the observances this month to drive home that critical point. Agriculture Month should ultimately be a time to also advocate for agriculture as a route to development, security and individual, community and national liberation.

Can’t have your cake and eat it too Dear Editor

THE brutal murder of 13-yearold Leonard Archibald in an East Bank Berbice community, ironically called ‘Brothers Village’, has triggered widespread condemnation, and in every corner in Guyana, the cry for justice reverberates.

Strange enough, voices that had once bellowed in disgust at the authorities’ decision to implement capital punishment, are now agitating strongly for its reinstatement.

They are resolute that even if such measures fail to serve as an absolute deterrent, the reduction rate would be impacting.

The thing is, Guyanese cannot have their cake and eat it too; we must not be selective in meting out the law.

Rational minds are querying the whereabouts of members of the community when the poor

soul was crying out for help.

Where were the many critics when the vile act was being perpetrated against that lad? Must not the burden be brought to bear by the very citizens that are pointing an accusing finger?

Guyanese have become callous, and many choose to mind their own business lest they become victims of circumstances.

Guyana, a country of six races, is heterogeneous in nature, and naturally, there are diverse views on topics attracting widespread debate.

Further, with the emergence of new media technology and the Internet, citizens liberally express their views on issues of public interest. One only needs to examine the views of Facebook users to understand the complexity of issues; they are not always cut and dried.

On numerous occasions, we have witnessed situations that

could have ended positively, had the relevant authorities acted differently. We have read of women who made reports to the police of abuse at the hands of their husbands, and then suddenly had a change of heart when the matter was placed before the courts.

Shortly afterwards, she is brutally murdered by the very gentleman. Suddenly, society and its many social groups echo disgust, and blame is apportioned in every quarter.

CRIES OF DESPAIR The resounding cries of despair and resentment by the many social groups, coupled with condemnation of the police is deafening, and endures for a short period until the next gruesome murder.

Now, child deviancy and adult criminality might be deemed parallel variables, and many may want to dispel a nexus. Sociologists and other relevant pro-

fessionals are divided over the issue of corporal punishment as a means of molding children for the rigors of parenthood.

A prominent view is that corporal punishment may damage a child psychologically, thus children ought not to be beaten in the socialisation process. Some even posit that flogging is counter-productive, and instill adverse beliefs in children that cruelty is an acceptable form of correction.

These are all factors that could contribute in part to youth involvement in criminal acts such as the current rape/murder.

Despite all of this, the issue seems to have a heavy focus on the disappearance of the community spirit. A few years ago, at just about the break of dawn, I left the comfort of my bed to rush two neighbours to the hospital, who were targetted in a failed assassination.

Just after the sounds of gun-

fire (I later learnt that they were from an AK 47 assault rifle), I peeked out and saw two figures lying on the road. Instinctively, I rushed out to help, and shortly afterwards piled them in my car and sped off to the hospital.

I was questioned intensely at the hospital, and then later I was asked to go to the Police Station for another period of interrogation.

Instead of praising my efforts, some people felt I was crazy. Who would want to leave the warmth of their home to transport the wounded to hospital amidst such a dangerous period?

Despite the inconvenience at the station, and the derogatory comments, I would do it all over again if the situation arose.

It is this very kind of civility that needs to be retained within the communities. Conversely, it seems that our nation has lost all ethics, and merely exhibit

knee-jerk reactions when certain situations become toxic.

The recent murder is now the topic of the day. Almost everyone is pointing fingers; at the police, at members of the community and the list goes on.

The thing is, no amount of blame could bring back Leonard Archibald to life. As a matter of fact, the death penalty for the perpetrators may bring consolation to the affected family, but it cannot be said with certainty that other pedophiles will not emulate the gruesome act.

What is needed is a return to the community spirit, where each family is an extension of the other and the interest of each family is foremost in our breast.

Such community spirit will ferret out the deviants, and spare each member future pain of this nature.

Michael Benjamin

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 1, 2017

MPI clears air on several projects

Dear Editor

THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) wishes to offer the following information on a number of projects. This is in light of recent allegations levelled against the ministry by the Opposition. The Opposition has publicly stated that the ministry has been tampering with the bidding process for a number of contracts. The ministry strongly refutes these allegations and calls for the Opposition to cease in its deliberate misrepresentation of facts. The media is also urged to remain vigilant.

“What the Opposition does is present half of the facts and fill in the rest of details with their own fabrications,” Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson said. He continued, “The Opposition presents these documents that are indeed official, because the ministry

publicly puts the information out there; this is information that is in the public domain.

But then what they do is extrapolate and insinuate that something underhanded is happening and present half of the details to make it seem like there is a semblance of truth.”

The Facts · The Georgetown Prisons --- The Opposition stated that the process was annulled in order to allow for cronyism. The process was indeed annulled, the cries of cronyism by the Opposition are more of their mischievous attempts to spread falsehoods. The annulment was to allow for the project to fall under the relevant ministry, which in this case is the Ministry of Public Security. The MoPI was simply responsible for technical support. · Pedestrian overpasses --- The Ministry of Public Infrastructure went out for tender for the pedestrian over-

pass projects and, at the same time, MoPI also went out for the tender of the vehicular overpass project. However, when it was discovered that the land initially marked as reserved for the latter project was sold under the previous administration, this project’s tender was annulled in a bid to not lose any more funding.

As a result, there were residual funds remaining under the loan and the ministry sought and subsequently received approval for the construction of two additional overpasses. These two additional overpasses were awarded to S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services.

Furthermore, the bidding process for this project saw bids being received for the first three overpasses. The ministry was subsequently given the No-Objection from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to tender for the two remaining overpasses using the same procurement process as the

previous three. It must be noted that B&J Civil Works was excluded from this procurement process.

We must emphasise that this process was undertaken following IDB approval.

This approach was done to keep within the timeline; the new process would not have allowed for the project to meet its November 2017 deadline, the time at which the loan agreement with the IDB would come to an end. · Kitty culvert works --Once again, the Opposition’s statements are rife with inaccuracies. This project was one which did not have its process annulled.

These works were ones that required an emergency approach and saw the ministry seeking and receiving approval for said emergency works via selective tendering.

This is in keeping with the procurement laws of Guyana.

Wismar Bridge The Ministry of Public Infrastructure also notes

with concern an erroneous article published by the news outlet, iNews Guyana, under the headline, “Investigation reveals IDB falsely implicated again, not funding Linden Bridge study.”

The ministry wishes to strongly repudiate the erroneous statement made within the report, which states that no provision for funding of the Linden Wismar Bridge was provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The ministry wishes to firmly maintain that the IDB did indeed provide funding for the project. In a letter dated July 27, 2016, the IDB provided its No Objection to the Revised Request for Proposal (RFP) and Terms of Reference for the Feasibility and Design Studies for Construction of a Bridge across the Demerara River at Wismar, Linden. This funding was being provided under the LO-2741/BL-GY loan agreement and the ministry subsequently went to tender.

However, due to a decision taken by government to have this loan agreement reformulated so as to include the housing sector, it is currently under review by the IDB. As a result, the bidding process for the Feasibility and Design Studies for the Wismar Bridge was cancelled. It must be noted that the government is seeking

funding to have the studies completed.

The ministry also notes reference to the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) within the article and wishes to state that the CDB, under the United Kingdom Infrastructure Fund, is not providing funding for any component of the Wismar Bridge project.

This project was included in the list of projects put forward by the ministry to the Ministry of Finance in our 2018 submission for its consideration.

The CDB at no point in time had been funding the bridge, as erroneously stated by iNews Guyana.

Therefore, the ministry is calling on iNews Guyana to retract the grossly inaccurate article and to publish this retraction with the same gusto it with which it had published the original article. The ministry further denounces all attempts by the news outlet to cast doubts on the character of Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. iNews Guyana is also encouraged to undertake more responsible journalism and to desist from its deliberate perversion of facts, under the guise of “investigative journalism.”

Regards Ms. Desilon Daniels Public Relations Officer Ministry of Public Infrastructure

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

MARAD hosts historic graduation

THE graduation of marine cadets by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) was made historic as four women were among the first batch of 16 marine pilots.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, MARAD’s Harbour Master Michael Tennant (next to Minister) and MARAD’s Director-General Claudette Rogers pose with the 16 graduates “We have challenged

had a quote that we stuck to, ‘winners never quit and quitters never win.’ Today, we stand proudly and declare that we are winners, simply because we didn’t quit despite the many stressful days and nights,” Sookdeo said.

MARAD introduced the marine cadet programme in 2012. The five-year programme encapsulated theoretical and practical training in areas such as ship organisation, seamanship, life-saving appliance and firefighting equip-

these vessels and should be homemakers and not their boss [sic]. Accommodations on these vessels were not conducive for females…nevertheless, we remained focused on our job,” Merchant noted.

Abiola Hickson credited their achievement to the support from their fellow cadets and MARAD throughout the programme. “Thank you for supporting us, you were like our brothers through this programme,” she told her male cadets.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, presents the valedictorian Joel Hinds with his prizes

Guyana’s first-ever female marine pilots (from left to right): Venessa Merchant, Sheryl Wilson, Sabita Sookdeo and Abiola Hickson pose with their certificates every stereotype and shattered that glass ceiling in a typically male-dominated realm. We see ourselves as trailblazers and we are hopeful that other young women [will] take up the mantle after us,” granduand Sheryl Wilson said at the graduation ceremony, which was held at the Umana Yana on Friday.

One of the top graduating cadets, Sabita Sookdeo, noted that the “feeling of accomplishment we feel today is truly surreal,” as she recounted the training her batch underwent over the last five years.

“Through it all, we

ment, tides and current, stability and ship construction and radar plotting among others.

Guyana’s first- ever female marine pilots (from left to right): Venessa Merchant, Sheryl Wilson, Sabita Sookdeo and Abiola Hickson pose with their certificates Vanessa Merchant noted that as women in the marine industry, they have had to overcome biases and other challenges while working on vessels during their practical training.

“Some persons out there believe that women have no business on

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, challenged the 16 granduands to “let our vision be broad and modern and break the shackles of mediocrity” as they carry out their work in the maritime industry.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, presents the valedictorian Joel Hinds with his prizes “We must aim for excellence, excellence must become our first

nature and imbedded in [our] modus operandi.

We must understand that we operate in an industry that transcends our area of work and our big picture is that we are facilitating the grand scheme of development of this country,” Minister Ferguson told the freshly minted pilots.

Minister Ferguson stressed the importance of a strong regulator in the industry and noted that the government, through her ministry, is working to ensure that

capacity is built at the regulatory level.

Even as MARAD increases its training programme, Minister Ferguson charged the administration to ensure that the programmes “are relevant for now” and “have merit and content to advance us into the future.” MARAD is also reviewing the legislation that governs regulations in the maritime industry with the aim of strengthen the regulatory body.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson; MARAD’s Harbour Master Michael Tennant (next to minister) and MARAD’s Director- General Claudette Rogers, pose with the 16 graduates

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 1, 2017

Youths put on impressive show

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–as Orealla-Siparuta celebrates Heritage Day

THE youths of Orealla-Siparuta, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six), put on such a fine show for the annual Heritage Day celebrations there, it has left a lasting impression on Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr. George Norton.

The Minister travelled to the far-flung Indigenous community on Friday, so as to fully participate on Saturday in the observances, held this year under the theme, ‘Guyana’s First Peoples: Sustaining a Rich Cultural Environment.’

“We have been celebrating Heritage Month for a number of years and every year it is becoming more and more authentic; the real thing,” Dr Norton said.

“It is good that we are carrying on and living this culture; it is the children who have to carry on the mythologies and the stories…

“When they start dancing and singing at this age, you can rest assured that when you’re gone they will carry it on,” he added.

Technical Officer in the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Ms. Natasha Singh-Lewis, expressed similar sentiments, noting that the ministry will continue to promote respect for diversity and culture.

“Social Cohesion helps us to understand that we all must benefit. And I want to underscore the word ALL; it means equal opportunity for every one of us, regardless of who we are as Guyanese,” she said, adding: “Our Minister, Dr. Norton, has a passion for culture and sport, and there is no other way in ensuring that our culture goes on [other than] by using the younger people in your community.”

Toshao of Orealla and its satellite village Siparuta, Mr. David Henry, in his Heritage Day message at both villages, expressed gratitude to President David Granger and the members of his Cabinet for respecting their heritage, and allowing observations to be held in various areas throughout the month.

He also encouraged residents in both villages to be proud of their rich heritage, and the fact that they are known as Guyana’s First Peoples.

Before the programmes came to a close, Minister Norton presented a quantity of footballs and volleyballs to sport groups in both communities, and inspected the playfields in both villages.

Saying he felt right at home in the villages, Dr Norton spent some time on Friday with Siparuta residents along the Siparuta waterfront cheering on the teams participating in water sports such as canoe-racing and swimming races.

Later in the afternoon, he joined the exuberant villagers in cheering on the footballers, who participated in a high-energy match on the football field.

In Orealla, Dr. Norton and his team participated in the village’s Heritage games, which included a competitive match of tug-o-war between residents and visitors.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

Minister Norton spent time bonding with the children of Siparuta before the start of the Heritage Day programme Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton, is accorded a warm welcome by the children of Siparuta on his arrival at the village on Friday morning

Minister Norton (second left) and Orealla-Siparuta Toshao, Mr David Henry, accompany members of the Siparuta football teams to the field before the start of the match

Canoe-racing during the Heritage Day festivities at Siparuta

Minister Norton joined other spectators at Orealla in viewing one of the matches held that day

Playing tug-o-war during Heritage Day activities at Orealla

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

The media, party politics –– and the shaping of political attitudes in contemporary Guyana TODAY’S column expands on something I have hinted at in previous columns without elaboration: The convergence of party politics, the media and the shaping of political attitudes in contemporary Guyana.

Over the last few months, PPP leaders and activists have been on a seemingly well-coordinated media blitz.

In addition to news stories highlighting the views of PPP leaders on the issues of the day, one could find, on any given day, at least two to three letters to the press by top PPP leaders.

I have commented in previous columns on the value of this media blitz to refurbishing the image of the discredited PPP in the minds of alienated traditional PPP supporters, and simultaneously planting or reinforcing doubts in the minds of government supporters. I also argued that, in the absence of a similarly pointed and coordinated message by the coalition parties, this PPP media blitz takes on inflated importance; it comes over as the only “truth.”

The PPP knows what it is doing. From all indications, it studies its opponents and has figured out their weaknesses. It has a superior knowledge of the political sociology of its own supporters and the larger political landscape, and is prepared to use that knowledge for negative political ends. It did so when it governed, and is prepared to do so in pursuit of regaining power.

Above all, the PPP understands the power of the media, and appears to have a good assessment of the current mood and leanings of that institution; it is milking the seeming dissatisfaction of the media establishment with the government.

My own view is that there is a not-sosubtle realignment of political bias in our print media that is going to have serious implications for who governs in the near future.

Our independent print media have always played a decisive role in shaping people’s views of government, and consequently have helped to legitimise opposition to government over-reach. The role of the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News in undermining the PPP’s authoritarian governance and simultaneously helping to promote the “freedom agenda” of the then opposition is, to my mind, beyond question.

The Catholic Standard played a similar role in the heyday of PNC authoritarianism.

CHANGING TRAJECTORY I am arguing that the political trajectory is changing before our very eyes as far as political coverage in the influential print media is concerned, and the PPP is the biggest benefactor.

Stabroek News, which was denied gov-

ernment advertisement by the PPP government, is now perhaps the most ready source of PPP views and news outside of the PPP-aligned Guyana Times. It is not just the volume of coverage of the PPP, but it is the subtle and not-so-subtle favourable coverage that is driving that perception.

Opposition Leader, Jagdeo, is the leading political newsmaker in that newspaper.The PPP’s views are, more often than not, lead stories in that paper, and government’s views are often pointedly rebutted in the same story or same edition. When one adds this to the frequent letters by PPP leaders, there is an over-saturation of the PPP’s views. This is often supplemented by some of the most biting anti-government editorials in the local media.

The outcome is that Stabroek News, which was once viewed as openly biased towards the AFC, now, based on the volume and favourability of its coverage of the PPP, appears to favour that party. Whether that shift is driven by subjective editorial choices or by objective developments or both, is still to be determined.

In other words, is Stabroek News pushing a PPP agenda? I am not ready to make that call, but the PPP gets disproportionately more coverage that other parties. The value of Stabroek News’ apparent favourability towards the PPP is that that newspaper has traditionally been seen as the country’s most intellectual and independent newspaper over the last three decades.

The Kaieteur News is most interesting. Its relentless pounding and exposure of the PPP government’s indiscretions and simultaneous bias towards the APNU were pivotal in creating the May 2015 moment. But its early critique of the new government’s stewardship, and the consequent picketing of the paper by the PNC along with GECOM’s withdrawal of advertisements have combined to produce an anti-government stance, which, though not as virulent as that against the previous government, is very incisive.

The newspaper has given wide coverage, from a critical perspective, to most of the major issues of the day, from constitutional reform to the issue of sugar reform.

It has, for example, taken on Exxon Mobil and the coming oil economy from a nationalist standpoint, which in turn exposes the government’s own relatively soft nationalist attitude to the issue.

ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT PROFILE Freddie Kissson’s unvarnished critique of the government, as well as the newspaper’s willingness to privilege the opinions of well-known independent commentators have added to this anti-establishment profile.

More than the other newspapers, Kaieteur

News sells opinions and narratives which are very important in shaping political attitudes in Guyana. In that sense, one can argue that the paper has been consistent as an anti-establishment crusader, while providing the reading public with political interpretations of the news and the larger politics both as columns and news.

The PPP benefits from Kaieteur’s new trajectory, by virtue of its being the only real opposition party, and because it is very adept at aligning its agenda to independent critiques of the government.

In other words, the PPP leaders know how to make news, and since reporters and newspapers go after news and newsmakers, the PPP benefits directly and indirectly.

If the Kaieteur News has been consistent as an anti-establishment crusader, the Guyana Chronicle has been consistent as a government supporter. The paper, today, is as aggressive as the mouthpiece of the government as it was during the PPP’s reign.

One discernable difference, however, is that whereas under the PPP government, the paper was also the mouthpiece of the governing party, under this government, it is hardly plays that role.

The problem with the Chronicle is that it almost exclusively covers government ministers and their activities, and gives little coverage to the PPP and to independent commentators as newsmakers. In this regard, it lags behind the other papers. The reading audience is less interested in where a bridge or road is built, or what a minister says at this or that event. Government ministers are not newsmakers, unless they are part of the defining conversations of the day. Ultimately, the Guyanese public, like most publics, is interested in opinions and narratives about the news and politics. But the Chronicle does precious little of this outside of its weekly columns.

The paper gives comparatively less coverage to the PPP, thus continuing the tradition of government-owned newspapers.

But because the other newspapers with larger circulations cover the PPP extensively, this approach does not hurt the party as the authors of the tactic envisaged. The paper’s government-centred agenda would be better served by covering the PPP more, and in the process subjecting that party’s narratives to critique and rebuttal by independent commentators.

Finally, the Guyana Times, which has been the PPP’s go-to newspaper from its inception, has continued its super-partisan role, but with less emphasis on party politics.

MORE FAVOURABLE COVERAGE Because the PPP enjoys considerably

more favourable coverage in the Kaieteur News and Stabroek News, the role of the Guyana Times, in this regard, is not as necessary as it used to be. So, the paper serves the PPP agenda, by pushing narratives that are overtly pro-Indian Guyanese.

It has become the newspaper of Indian Guyanese victimhood and suffering, which plays a significant role in the PPP’s larger political narratives. It, for example, is the source of the reinterpretation and savaging of government-leaning or aligned independent commentators such as Eric Phillips, Lincoln Lewis, Tacuma Ogunseye, Freddie Kissoon and David Hinds. It paints them as narrowly and dangerously Afro-centric and racist.

In the case of Kissoon, he is cast in the demonic image of anti-Indian self-hater.

I have sought to lay out the print-press landscape to make the larger point that the PPP is disproportionately benefiting from this landscape, and to sound the warning that this development could hurt the coalition parties and government in the long run. A critical factor which I have discussed in the past is these parties’ unwillingness to present a counter-narrative to the PPP’s in the form of their own narrative.

From the president to the parties, they have frowned on press conferences as theatres of political contestation and popularisation of narratives of political self. The PPP holds one every week, and in the process controls the week’s news-cycle, often with damaging narratives of the government.

The president has not held any in two years. The PNC has held one during that time; only to tell the press of plans for the party’s 60th anniversary plans. Nothing about oil, sugar, GECOM, parking meter contract, constitutional reform, crime, public sector wages, land reform, or the Demerara Bridge.

The AFC and WPA have held a handful each. The last one by the AFC degenerated into a government press conference rather than a forum for the party’s perspectives on the issues of the day.

The WPA took centre-stage for a few weeks as it sought to turn the spotlight on intra-coalition democracy and introduce an intra-coalition critique of governance and government. But that foray seems to have subsided, thus feeding the speculation and perhaps conclusion about the party’s capacity to balance its stated dual role of government participation and critiquing power. (More of Dr. Hinds ‘writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com.

Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

Minister Ally calls for more partnering and public cooperation

AS Child Protection Week comes to an end, Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally is calling on members of the public to prioritise children, and for more partnerships with the ministry.

“This cannot be a oneman island, it has to be a collaboration. Children must be seen as treasures,” Minister Ally said in a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Although the ministry has been conducting sensitising exercises country-wide, Minister Ally believes that “there is room for improvement. “This ministry cannot do it alone, a mother or father cannot do it alone, or government cannot do it alone, it has to be an effort whereby we collaborate with different entities.”

This year, Child Protection Week (Sept 23-30) was held under the theme, “Partnering with families and communities for posi-

Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally and Minister with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes , with some of the children at the Family Fun Day

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, observing some of the children involved in activities at the Family Fun Day in the Botanical Gardens tive outcomes for children”.

The week’s activities began with a religious day, followed by outreaches at the Stabroek Market Square, the Police Training Centre, health centres on the East Bank of Demerara, Dora Secondary School and Diamond Secondary. A rally for the fight against child sexual abuse was hosted in

Region Two. Additionally, on Friday a workshop for district police officers was conducted at the Guyana Police Training Centre.

There was a grand Family Fun Day on Saturday to round out the week’s activities.

The minister pointed out that though many programmes havd been rolled

out for the year, the public needed to play a role in ensuring that the programmes are upheld, and enforced in communities. “Let us work together, and do whatever it takes to protect our future”.

With more public cooperation, partnerships, and the programmes, it is hoped that these would “have a change on society”.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

Thinking aloud ...

The case of Guyana going to the World Court for Venezuela

THIS nation was advised more than half a century ago that Venezuela’s spurious claim to two-thirds of our country is a controversy and not a dispute. It was because the matter was seen as a controversy that the Good Officer process was put in place to build a relationship with the aim that Venezuela will come around to respecting the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award. It is this Award that sets our boundaries.

On the 3rd October 1899, the five-panel jurists having completed their work signed, “Now, we the undersigned Arbitrators do hereby make and publish our decision, determination, and Award of, upon and concerning the questions submitted to us by the said Treaty of Arbitration, and do hereby, conformably to the said Treaty of Arbitration, finally decide, award, and determine that the boundary-line between the Colony of British Guiana and the United States of Venezuela is as follows -…..” (http:// www.guyana.org/features/guyanastory/ chapter86.html) The Award was the final settlement, binding on all parties/countries that participated, with the rules known and agreed before the process commenced.

The countries that were involved in settling this matter as interested parties were Britain and Venezuela. The way an arbitration works is when you enter into this arrangement it means that all sides have given the responsibility to the arbitrators to make a decision that will be binding on all the involved parties.

Any member of that panel, at the time when preparing to submit its findings, that has failed to issue a minority report cannot be taken seriously after he had concurred, making the report unanimous. You cannot agree, thereby making a report unanimous and then subsequently express a dissenting view, because it

brings into question the character of the person.

We should not feel inflicted nor constrained by this one coward, Severo Mallet-Prevost, jurist representing Venezuela, who allegedly requested that after his death his opinion be made public. It is said, according to him, the judges were pressured by the Tribunal President, Frederic de Martens, a Russian jurist, and there was some sort of political deal between Russia and Britain to deliver the decision.

At Independence (26th May 1966), the state of Guyana was clearly prescribed by way of its borders and boundaries- north, south, east and west. To my mind, in moving to the World Court/International Court of Justice (ICJ) we are saying this matter is a dispute because courts settle disputes not controversies.

NO PROBLEM Guyana does not have a problem with the Award and respects the universal principles/rules that govern how arbitration works and would like Venezuela to do likewise.

Correctly, Guyanese understand the Venezuela/Guyana border issue as a controversy and has over the years treated it as such. It is Venezuela on the other hand that sees the issue as a dispute, presenting the false claim that the matter has not been resolved, and that country is being denied what it thinks is theirs.

The truth is, it has no credibility to make such claim. Whether Mallet-Prevost agreed with the Award or not is beside the point. What is important is that in the five-man jurists panel where the majority or all (unanimous) have agreed, it is considered the decision of the tribunal and binding on all the parties/participants.

Guyana has done excellent work over the years selling its case nationally

and internationally on the border controversy, though in recent years there has been deficiencies in the information machinery at the local level in sensitising the citizens of the history behind the matter, what is at stake, and why we must continue to stand as one on this matter.

In the aforesaid circumstances, to take this case to the World Court there arise concerns for me as to whether we have now taken a decision to deem this issue a dispute. It is not us that are claiming a part of Venezuela, it is Venezuela claiming a part of Guyana and for that reason I don’t believe that we should be going to the court, since the border and boundaries are intact and we respect that.

If Venezuela has a problem and continues to consider this issue as a dispute, it is for them to take it to the court.

As a country we need to continue doing our business within the parameters of our borders, ensuring they are secure, even as we continue to intensify international pressure to have our neighbour come to its senses. In taking this matter to the court, it can be seen as putting ourselves in a defensive position which to the aggressor can be construed as weakness.

In making a decision to place before the ICJ jurists, whom we do not know or from whence they came and where their loyalties lie, an act to determine what happens to two-third of this country makes me nervous--very nervous.

JUST SUPPOSING Let me be the devil’s advocate here: if there exists another situation of a cowardly panellist or where the majority on the panel say the boundaries are not properly placed, or Venezuela is entitled to two-thirds of Guyana, what explanation will be given to the Guyanese society? How

are we prepared to deal with this? We are thinking and talking about most of Guyana and all the rich resources that lie within.

The apparent reluctance by Venezuela in the public sphere of not wanting to go to the World Court can be a ploy when examined how negotiators behave.

Since Guyana has moved and recognised Venezuela’s position on the border issue, Venezuela may be seeing our action as a major success and awaiting us to run down the road, do the leg work to justify that all the time the issue was not a controversy but a dispute.

Why do we as a country want to take this issue to the ICJ is a question that needs to be answered. And it needs to be done before this government signs any document agreeing to such an act. An issue of this nature where the country’s boundaries are already settled and some leaders are proposing to place them before an unknown group at the ICJ to be re-litigated on, will it not be a prudent act for this to be discussed at various levels to arrive at consensus as to a way forward? The National Assembly, i.e. the nation’ s highest decision-making forum, can also weigh in and not via debate, but through discussions. In a debate format you have a winner and loser; in a discussion the intent is to find common ground and solve the problem.

There is no certainty as to how the ICJ will rule, and whichever side the ruling comes down on, though we would want it to be in our favour, expectations for compliance will be held. We must therefore proceed with deliberative judgement and it must be seen that a decision to go to this body had the involvement and blessings of the citizens. As for me, I am not quite sold on this World Court approach and stand to benefit if other opinions can be publicly shared.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

Bicycle patrols boost police confidence

By Michel Outridge

COMMANDER ‘D’ Division, Leslie James, said with the recent boost of 26 bicycle patrols the community will be better policed and their response time to reports of crimes will be within minutes.

He added that the bicycle patrol ranks have successfully completed training in crowd control, tactical training to make arrests with the use of bicycles and how to effectively make an arrest, among other things.

Bicycle boost James related that the bicycle patrol ranks will be doing more community-type and anti-crime approaches via bicycles and are also geared to deal with social issues and all 26

ranks are from the general duties section and can make arrests.

The senior officer said training for the bicycle patrols was done at the Leonora Synthetic Track between September 18-22 and was conducted by senior ranks from headquarters.

He lauded the efforts of ranks who participated in the recent Guyana Police Force’s debating competition and for the first time that division won.

James said they continue to make strides in their crime-fighting methods which over time has proven to be effective, since they managed to make many arrests of suspects who have since been passed through the courts. He related too, that they had resuscitated some defunct community policing groups and have established new ones in that division, always seeking to foster better relations with the community.

TRAINING In addition, James stated that they had imple-

Commander of ‘D’ Division Assistant Commissioner Leslie James.

mented several community relations projects and they were in the process of constructing a library in the compound of the Leonora Police Station, all for the benefit of the community as well as for the police.

Use of the library will be free of cost.

With his ‘open door’ policy, James said he is always willing to interface with citizens in an effort to develop good relations and establish partnerships with the business community.

“We have also been able to benefit through the Justice Education Society (JES), a Canadian organisation working with Guyana to strengthen our justice system and ‘D’ Division was able to have their crime investigators being trained specifically in areas like forensic video analysts, care, handling and deposition of property [evidence] crime scene management, major case management, investigative training and implementation. Even our prosecutors were exposed to training, “James said.

He stated that the training was necessary, so they had a first-hand look at the First World type of approaches to those aspects of investigation to bring them up to that level, so the community would have a little more confidence in the local force.

James pointed out too, that his staff also benefited from training as to how to interview suspects and how to obtain caution statements for greater transparency and integrity to show the judge/ jury that the person was not put under duress, beaten, or promised anything.

The assistant commissioner told the Guyana Chronicle that the training equipped ranks as to how to gauge a suspect’s demeanour when taking a caution statement and the use of forensic video, which can be used in court cases.

James said various techniques of statement-taking was part of the training programme and so far, they have seen significant changes in that division, courtesy of the JES. In that division, the commander explained that they also have ongoing in-house computer training for both ranks and civilians at their computer centre at Leonora Police Station and they had the input of stakeholders in terms of facilitators.

No need for concern The commander told this publication that generally there was no need for concern in the division He explained that whenever they received a call via the Operations Room, within minutes the

Ranks of the bicycle patrol on duty in the West Demerara community

ranks should be on the scene in good time.

“I believe that our service to the community is paramount and it speaks to assurance when people see police at the scene. I don’t like to hear or read in media reports somebody made a report and the police did not show up.

Fortunately, we never had that issue in this division,” James said.

He noted that he gave a directive to ranks of the Operations Room to never tell a caller they don’t have a vehicle or ranks to respond to reports of crime.

He explained that ranks should instead ask for a contact number and get back to that caller instead

of offering a lame excuse.

James said, “We have motorcycle, bicycle and mobile patrols along with the anti-crime patrol as well. In terms of figures, I cannot disclose that for security reasons, but we are adequately covered.”

The commander added that they had adopted a pro-active approach to crime-fighting which saw a 50% decrease in serious crimes in the division and a clear-up rate of 56%. He pointed out that communication between ranks was very important for instantaneous action, but what they had was not sufficient and with the additional bicycle patrol boost they need to be up to par.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

Wanted man shot dead –– police launch probe into execution-style killing

THE police have launched an investigation into the seeming execution-style killing of Colin Daly, called “Floggy” and “Frog Eye”, whose bullet-riddled body was found on Albert Street, Albouystown early Saturday morning.

Police say that 23-yearold Daly, of East La Pen-

itence Housing Scheme, was discovered dead around 01:20hrs in a pool of blood, and with a suspected gunshot wound to the head.

They also say that the deceased was wanted for questioning in relation to several armed robberies, including that of a Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) officer who

was recently shot dead during the commision of a hold up.

However, the man’s mother, Allison Frank, told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday that he is not the criminal the police are making him out to be, as she only knows of one court matter in which he is involved.

That matter, she said,

has to do with his chopping a man who had shot him in the hand, and is currently engaging the attention of the court. She said, too, that as far as she knows, the suspect is in jail.

The grieving woman produced several pay slips from the John Fernandes Limited wharf, where she

The pay slip produced by mother of the deceased showing he was gainfully employed up to August this year (Photos by Adrian Narine)

claims that her son was employed up to August of this year as a labourer.

Frank explained that after Daly was shot in his hand, he was to have undergone surgery to remove the bullet that is still lodged there.

But because he didn’t do the surgery, he had had to quit his job at the wharf, as he was unable to have full function of that hand.

She is looking for answers surrounding the murder of her son, whom she describes as a loving person, as she has since heard all sorts of stories as it relates to his homicide.

Frank said she was in bed when she received a telephone call saying that her son had been shot and killed, and when she arrived at the location, his bloodied body was still lying on the roadway where it fell.

She said it appeared that he had been shot in the head, and at least two other parts of his body.

The woman told this

EXECUTED: Colin Daly publication that sometime on Saturday night, Colin was at home when a friend, who is a frequent visitor of their home, invited him out for a lime on Albert Street, Albouystown, the only place he goes.

She is clueless as to what may have led to her son being executed the way he was, and is hoping she can get those answers soon.

The police is yet to make an arrest in the murder, and the body is at the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting a post mortem.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

CH&PA plants trees in Perseverance Housing Scheme

AHEAD OF National Tree Day, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) Saturday planted several trees to beautify the Perseverance Housing Scheme.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valarie

CH&PA staff planting a tree

Adams Patterson-Yearwood, headed the team of CH&PA staffers to plant palms and flamboyant trees along the main access road in the Housing Scheme, located on the East Bank of Demerara.

The minister noted that the activity follows last year’s

distribution of some 300 fruit trees to residents in the Housing Scheme. “This year, we’re going a little bigger. This is our model village, we want that when persons come here they must really and truly see a model village,” she said.

The activity is also in

Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valarie Adams Patterson-Yearwood and staff of the CH&PA pose after planting a tree

observation of National Tree Day, which is observed on the first Saturday of October and coincides with Agriculture Month. The day was designated by President David Granger as an environmental event and is considered an

Children have loads of fun CHILD Protection Week 2017 culminated with a family-fun day and mini-concert at the Botanical Gardens on Saturday, aimed at entertaining children from the State-owned care agencies and the general public.

The children in attendance were from the Mahaica Children’s Home, the Sophia Care Centre and from the

Drop-in Centre who are now at Sophia.

While they enjoyed themselves, the children also advocated for an end to child abuse through their talent presentations of sing, dance and drama.

Observed under the theme, “Partnering with families and communities for positive outcomes for children”, the events centered

integral part of the government’s efforts to create a ‘green’ economy.

Today, President Granger will officially commence National Tree Day in Linden with the planting of trees at Burnham Drive.

By: Tiffny Rhodius Tomorrow, President Granger will officially commence National Tree Day in Linden with the planting of trees at Burnham Drive.

By: Tiffny Rhodius (DPI)

--as curtain comes down on Child Protection Week 2017

upon raising awareness on child abuse, and fostering conjunctive action for child protection services across stakeholders.

According to the Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, who was present at the event, the ministry sought to bring the children to a family-fun day, where they were treated to goodies and games.

Getting the hang of craft-making

Children from the State-owned care agencies with Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, and Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes at Saturday’s fun day and concert

All eyes on the stage as the concert unfolds

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Tourism gets high marks

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

… Barbadian team impressed with community-based activities

GUYANA’S tourism was once again showcased as a team of Barbadian tourism experts conducted a five-day “Fam: trip” (Familiarisation Tour) organised by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

In 2015 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the GTA and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., on areas of cooperation; concentrating on two main areas – multi-destination packaging and the sharing of information to assist each others in the tourism sector. This ‘fam trip’ is a direct result of the MoU. Barbados is commonly known for its ‘Sun, Sand and Sea,’ however, mem-

bers of the Barbados team noted that the country does not have adventure packages. They were eager and impressed with the concept of Community-based Tourism (CBT).

On that concept, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, met and shared his knowledge and expertise with the team. The group spent five days at the Surama EcoLodge, Surama Village, North Rupununi. Minister Allicock told team members that CBT was a concept that was economically beneficial to the community and the country as a whole. He gave numerous examples of the development of Surama.

“Community-based

Carla Chandra- Logistics Manager, GTA Tourism is something that takes lots of planning and implementing and also putting your own imagination to practice,” Minister Allicock said.

Importantly, the min-

A member of the Barbados team presents a small token to Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock

Some of the sleeping quarters at Surama Eco-Lodge ister pointed out that CBT is a concept that keeps the community’s culture alive, and noted that, “The language, the stories and the handicraft and the old ways like having a bonfire and hearing stories from way back when.”

Additionally, he observed that many Guyanese are unaware of the true beauty and potential of the country they have. However, he opined with CBT, “that is slowly changing and we know that it will continue to improve.”

Clara Chandra, Logistics Manager, GTA, noted that Guyana has been leading the way in CBT. Chandra said that the Barbados team visited three key Indigenous communities namely, Rewa, Surama, and Kaibarupaii because they have received C2 recognition for their

sustainable tourism projects. She noted that “We wanted them to come and experience… we need to [make] them understand what it is we have to offer, and how together they can develop between the two countries.”

Group member, Eion Proverbs, enthused, “my gosh this country is absolutely breathtaking and I love it”. He added that the ‘Fam trip’ is beneficial, since he is building relationships with persons from the GTA and also experiencing the chance of a lifetime to visit Guyana’s interior.

Proverbs said he will return to Barbados to draft packages, so that Barbadians can visit Guyana and in turn Guyanese visit Barbados.

Andera Kedungan, Product Officer for the Barbados Tourism Au-

The Barbados team being treated to cultural presentations

thority, said “ It has been fantastic, a really wonderful experience. I am doing things that I won’t normally do. In Barbados, we do not have this type of product.” She added that the Authority would have heard extensively about CBT, hence their coming on the trip so that they could adopt some of our best practices.

Kedungan noted that her country did not have the vast infrastructure like Guyana in relation to CBT, but noted that the Authority would be seeking more expert advice in the future to develop their BCT product.

While at Surama, the team was treated to cultural presentations by various Indigenous groups. The team departs for Barbados on Sunday.

By: Gabreila Patram(DPI, Guyana)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

Gov't steps up fight against filaria ... some 15 new cases recorded

By Navendra Seoraj ALTHOUGH the Vector Control Unit (VCU) of the Ministry of Public Health has made positive strides in its fight to eradicate Lymphatic Filariasis, statistics show that there is still a 90 per cent chance of infection

fect Guyanese, the VCU launched its Lymphatic Filariasis Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign on Saturday at the Square of the Revolution.

Head of Neglected Infectious Diseases Unit, VCU, Dr. Fabu Moses told members of the gathering that although the

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), while the infection may be acquired during childhood, its visible manifestations may occur later in life, causing temporary or permanent disability.

“We need to ensure a bright future for our chil-

Persons gathered at Square of the Revolution for the launch of the Mass Drug Administration and 15 new cases have been recorded.

Lymphatic Filariasis is also known as elephantiasis and is commonly called “Big Foot” in Guyana. The infection is reportedly one of the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide.

It is caused by three species of thread-like nematode worms, known as filariae – Wuchereria Bancrofti, Brugia Malayi and Brugia Timori.

In an effort to ensure these worms do not af-

VCU has been working hard to eradicate the disease, people hardly notice the economic and social burden caused by the chronic signs of the infection.

Dr. Moses said a number of persons were discriminated against when the signs of the disease are visible. According to local statistics over 200 persons are infected with this disease and are possibly facing the stigma which the doctor spoke about.

dren but it also brought to light that we need to ensure that everyone in Guyana has access to the pills,” said Head of the Neglected Infectious Diseases Unit.

Pan American Health Organisation and World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Representative to Guyana, Dr. William Adu-Krow reminded persons that it was important for the pills and medication to be administered properly and not wasted because its estimated cost is US$1M.

He however expressed his belief that the MDA programme will reduce the density of parasites circulating in the blood of infected persons and the prevalence of the infection within communities to such low levels that transmission cannot be sustained and new infections eventually cease.

Since the MDA programme was introduced in 2003, a number of persons have benefited, said Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings.

She said it plays a pertinent part in their battle against the disease because since it was launched it helped to significantly reduce the prevalence of the disease.

“From more than 150 patients that we were seeing in the mid-2000s, now they are only about 15 patients who have to be actively managed at the clinic. Last year there were only 82 surgeries for hydrocele as compared to 447 in 2005,” said Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud.

Dr. Cummings however pointed out that those results did not come without its fair challenges.

She therefore commended the persons who were involved in the programme since its commencement in 2003.

She said there was still more to be done if the disease was to be eradicated so it was important to have shared interventions with other

Head of Neglected Infectious Diseases Unit, VCU, Dr. Fabu Moses speaking about the Mass Drug Administration programme on Saturday at the Square of the Revolution ministries, community-based groups and so forth.

PARTNERSHIP In order to start that process, the Ministry of Public Health has partnered with the Ministry of Education to conduct the MDA. It was discovered that the group that did not meet the 65 per cent mark for taking medication to fight the infection were children.

Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, said it was an excellent idea to partner with the Ministry of Public Health in order to reduce the 65 per cent mark.

“School health education and promotion is intimate to educational achievement, quality of life and economic productivity,” she said, adding that during the campaign

every parent or guardian would be furnished with a form that has important information on the campaign. It would also have a detachable sheet that parents and guardians would be required to fill-out and return to the child’s class teacher.

“You have to observe your child for signs of worm infestation; we have to teach healthy practices such as regular hand-washing especially after playing or using the toilet and before eating.

We also encourage the use of shoes or footwear when they are out playing in the yard,” she said.

During the MDA programme there will be the distribution of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets and the distribution of tablets to every home across the country.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

Demerara June Assizes comes to an end

GAOL DELIVERY was done by Madam Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall on Friday, September 29, bringing to an end the Demerara June 2017 Criminal Assizes.

This Assizes commenced with Justice Navindra Singh, Justice Nareshwar Harnanan and Justice James Bovell-Drakes.

Madam Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall then sat from August and continued until September, bringing the Assizes to an end.

During the Assizes which commenced on Tuesday, June, 2017, a total of 167 cases were listed to be heard. Of these 167 cases, 28 matters were completed.

Eighteen cases received attention in the High Court of Demerara and 10 matters were nolle prosequi by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Of these 18 matters that were presented, there were eight guilty pleas, one guilty verdict by jury, four verdicts of not guilty and five formal verdicts of not guilty.

During the session, Justice Navindra Singh completed eight cases. Of these eight cases, six were for the offence of Murder, one for Manslaughter and one other for the offence of Rape of a Child under 15 Years.

In five of these six murder trials, the accused all pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and were respectively sentenced to 12 years, 15 years, 20 years, eight years and 11 years imprisonment.

In the one other murder case, the accused was sentenced to 60 years’ imprisonment after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict. The accused in the one matter for the offence of manslaughter pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment.

The accused in the one other matter for the offence of rape of a child under 16 years was acquitted by the jury. Justice Nareshwar Harnanan disposed of five matters.

Three of these five cases were for the offence of murder, one for the offence

of Sexual Activity with a Child Family Member and another one for the offence of Rape of a Child under l6 Years. In two of the three cases for the offence of murder, the trial judge upheld no-case submissions by the defence and directed the juries to return formal verdicts of not guilty.

While in the other one case, the accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of Manslaughter and was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 30 years.

In the two separate matters for the offences of Sexual Activity with a Child Family Member and Rape of a Child under 16 Years, both complainants went into the witness box and informed the Court that they did not wish to proceed with their matters. Justice Harnanan then directed the juries to return formal verdicts of not guilty.

Justice Bovell-Drakes, who had also sat during the months February to June in another jurisdiction, completed one matter for the offence of murder in which a no-case submission was upheld. The jury was directed by the trial judge to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

Meanwhile, Madam Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall completed four cases. Two of these four cases were for the offence of Rape of a Child under 16 Years and the other two were for the offence of Rape.

In the two matters for the offence of Rape of a Child under 16 Years, the juries returned majority verdicts of not guilty, while in one of the two rape matters, the accused was acquitted after the jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty.

In the other matter, the accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. During this period 10 matters were nolle prosequi by the DPP. Of these 10 matters one was for the offence of Attempt to Commit Murder, while the other nine matters were for the sexual offences of Rape of a Child under

16 Years, Rape, Carnal Knowledge of Girl under 15 Years and Sexual Activity with A Child Family Member. In two of these 10 matters, one for the offence of Attempt Murder and the other for the offence of Rape, the accused have since died.

In three other matters, the complainants indicated in written statements that they did not wish to proceed with their matters and in the other five matters, the complainants could not be located despite police

searches at their last known addresses and notices were published and aired for them to attend Court.

At the same time, the Berbice Criminal Assizes commenced on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 with 94 cases listed to be heard. Two matters have been presented before James BovellDrakes. Of these two matters, one for the offence of murder was completed.

The accused in this matter pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and was sentenced to 20

years’ imprisonment. The other matter continues.

Meanwhile, the Essequibo May Criminal Assizes commenced on Tuesday, May 6, 2017 with 37 cases listed to be heard before Justice Brassington Reynolds. Of these, four were completed during the months May to September.

Meanwhile, the Demerara October 2017 Criminal Assizes will commence on Tuesday October 3, 2017.

Justice James BovellDrakes, Justice Brassington Reynolds and Madam Jus-

tice Simone Morris-Ramlall will sit during this Assizes.

Madam Justice Jo-Ann Barlow will be sitting in the Berbice Assizes from October and close the June Assizes then open the October Criminal Assizes on Tuesday 17 October, 2017.

Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry will sit in the Essequibo Criminal Assizes from the month of October and will close the May Assizes and open the October Assizes on Tuesday 24 October, 2017.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

Britisher’s body yet to leave Guyana –– awaiting preparation of relevant documents

THE body of the British woman who was found hanging a few weeks ago at her friend’s Pope Street, New Amsterdam home is yet to leave Guyana for her homeland.

This was confirmed with the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday by Deputy Commander, Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper.

However, according to other reliable sources, because the relevant documentation was not prepared within the specified 14 days, the body has not been cleared to leave, and is still at a funeral parlour in the city.

Sources claim that every effort was made to have the death certificate form signed up, but because the lead investigator is currently on annual leave and out of the jurisdiction, it has not been done.

On September 10, hours after Sarah Rosemary Dajee had returned from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), where she had intended to board a return flight to the United Kingdom, she was found hanging in the living room of her friend’s home just before 19:00hrs.

Sunday October 1 - 05:30 hrs Monday October 2 - 02:30 –– 14:30 hrs Tuesday October 3 - 03:00 –– 14:30 hrs

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

The Guyana Chronicle has since learnt that the now deceased woman was booked to leave Guyana for the United Kingdom via Barbados on a Liat fight, which was scheduled to depart the Ogle Airport instead of the CJIA. Following her death, British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Ron Rimmer, had travelled to the Ancient County, where he

identified her body at the New Amsterdam Mortuary a day prior to the post- mortem.

That procedure, which was conducted

by Government Forensic Pathologist Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan, reportedly revealed that Dajee’s death was a result of asphyxia due to self-suspension.

The 50-year-old, who was childless, was employed as an Entry Clearance Assistant at the British Home Office in London.

Following her death, three persons were detained but were released after the findings of the post mortem were released.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 1, 2017

Police help young Essequibians find their niche – through ‘Young Guyana’ show

YOUTHS from communities across Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are now better acquainted with the various entrepreneurial avenues open to them, thanks to a “Young Guyana” show held recently at Damon Square, Anna Regina.

The day-long activity, which was hosted by ‘G’ Division Police, attracted over 500 youths, who had

the unique opportunity of browsing the goods and services on offer at the 18 booths that were on display.

Some of the exhibitors were drawn from the Ministry of Social Protection; the Sunrise Foundation; the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED); youth clubs in Zorg, Anna Regina and Dartmouth; X-treme Tec telephone stall; Nandy Wright Catering Service,

and Gocool’s Hot Dog and Burgers.

The event also saw the presentation of a few cultural items, with the icing on the cake being the Miss “G” Division 2017 Pageant, which saw Ms. Supenaam emerge the winner from among eight young women who were selected from eight police youth clubs across the region.

Commander of “G” DiOne of the many booths on display at the recent “Young Guyana Show” on the Essequibo Coast vision, Stephen Mansell commended the participants of the exposition, and pointed out that the activity is aimed at youth empowerment.

According to a press statement from “G” Division, the Commander spoke about the importance of having organisations such

as IPED on board, because it is one of the institutions that offer small loans for business projects.

“Youths are the future of the country, and they must be safeguarded,” he said, adding that the show is an extension of the Career Day Fair that was held in June this year.

The Regional Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two, Devanand Ramdatt, and Regional Executive Officer, Rupert Hopkinson reportedly commended the commander for his relentless efforts to promote youth initiatives in the region.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 1, 2017

Proteas in charge against Bangladesh POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa lost both openers but were still 230 runs ahead of Bangladesh at the close on the third day of the first Test when bad light stopped play on Saturday.

The home side will resume the fourth day on 54 for two after dismissing Bangladesh for 320 shortly after tea.

Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram, who scored 296 runs between them in the first innings, were out early in the second but the home side were still firmly in command with Hashim Amla (17) and Temba Bamuva on three at the crease at stumps.

Bangladesh started the day on 127-3 with Mominul

Haque going on to score 77 and Mahmudullah making 66 before playing on to a rising delivery from Morne Morkel and seeing his stumps tumble over.

The pair helped Bangladesh to avoid the follow-up but soon after reaching the target the visitors collapsed with their last five wickets going down for a paltry 28 runs.

Keshav Maharaj returned the best bowling figures of 3-92 with two wickets each for South African seamers Kagiso Rabada and Morkel on a flat track that has been batsman-friendly in a high-scoring game.

South Africa scored 496 for three declared in their first innings.

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 496 for 3 decl (D. Elgar 199, H. Amla 137, A. Markram 97) Bangladesh 1st innings (Overnight: 127-3) Liton Das c Amla b M. Morkel 25 Imrul Kayes c Markram b Rabada 7 Mominul Haque c Markram b Maharaj 77 Mushfiqur Rahim c Markram b Maharaj 44 Tamim Iqbal c de Kock b Phehlukwayo 39 Mahmudullah b M. Morkel 66 Sabbir Rahman b Olivier 30 Mehidy Hasan c Elgar b Rabada 8 Taskin Ahmed run out (Bavuma, Markram) 1 Shafiul Islam c Amla b Maharaj 2 Mustafizur Rahman not out 10 Extras (b-1 lb-9 nb-1) 11 Total (all out, 89.1 overs) 320 Fall of wickets: 1-16 I. Kayes,2-36 L. Das,3-103 M. Rahim,4-158 T. Iqbal,5-227 M. Haque,6-292 Sa. Rahman,7-304 Mahmudullah,8-305 T. Ahmed,9-308 M. Hasan,10-320 Sh. Islam Bowling: M. Morkel 19 - 7 - 51 – 2, K. Rabada 24 - 5 - 84 - 2(nb-1), K. Maharaj 27.1 - 8 - 92 – 3, D. Olivier 11 - 1 - 52 – 1, A. Phehlukwayo 6 - 2 - 18 – 1, A. Markram 2 - 0 - 13 – 0.

SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings A. Markram w c Das b M. Rahman 15 D. Elgar lbw b Sh. Islam 18 H. Amla not out 17 T. Bavuma not out 3 Extras (nb-1) 1 Total (for 2 wickets, 15.5 overs) 54 Fall of wickets: 1-30 D. Elgar,2-38 A. Markram To bat: F. du Plessis, Q. de Kock, A. Phehlukwayo, K. Maharaj, K. Rabada, M. Morkel, D. Olivier Bowling: Mehidy Hasan 4 - 1 - 15 – 0, Shafiul Islam 5 - 1 - 18 – 1, Mustafizur Rahman 4 - 1 - 7 – 1, Taskin Ahmed 2.5 - 0 - 14 - 0(nb-1).

English Racing Tips Epsom 09:40 hrs Dee Ex Bee 10:15 hrs Native Prospect 10:45 hrs Swiss Storm 11:20 hrs C’est No Mour 11:55 hrs Ajman King 12:30 hrs Storm Cry Musselburgh 09:00 hrs Hopuse Edge 09:30 hrs Seen The Lyte 10:00 hrs Areen Heart 10:35 hrs Bond Bombshell 11:10 hrs Peach Melba 11:45 hrs Stanarley Pic 12:20 hrs Dawoodi South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 08:20 hrs Isca 08:55 hrs Gratuity 09:30 hrs Zen Arcade

10:00 hrs Celtic Captain 10:40 hrs Pearl Glow 11:15 hrs Ar foraway Irish Racing Tips Tipperary 08:50 hrs Nadrid 09:20 hrs On The Go Again 09:50 hrs Onenightidreamed 10:25 hrs Jer’s Girl 11:00 hrs Sayar 11:30 hrs Lion In His Heart 12:05 hrs Conrad Hastings 12:35 hrs Brahma Bull French Racing Tips Chantilly 08:45 hrs Happily 09:20 hrs Tayf 10:05 hrs Ulysses 10:50 hrs Queen’s Trust 11:35 hrs Battaash

Big wins for Sophia, St Ambrose as COURTS Pee Wee football kicks off

By Stephan Sookram THE 2017 edition of the COURTS Pee Wee football competition kicked off yesterday at Thirst Park with big wins for several teams.

The first two games of the day saw a disqualification for St Margaret’s Primary who fielded an ineligible player which meant that their opponents, Supply Primary got the win.

In the other game, Sophia were in fine form as they trounced Winfer Garden 8-0. Ronaldo Wilson scored four goals in the 3rd, 12th, 15th and 22nd, while one goal each came from Shem Howard (11th), David Weeks (28th) and an own goal.

St Agnes was able to needle Grove Primary 1-0 thanks to Isaiah Chester in the 14th,, while Mocha Primary and South Ruimveldt played to a one goal stalemate, thanks to Jiheam Lewis and Trayvon Bess, respectively.

Victoria Primary got the better of School of the Nations 3-1 with Emanuel George doubling up in the 28th and 30th, while Desmond Clarke opened the scoring in the 13th. Nations had Jared Ghaneshindin register their only goal in the 11th.

St Ambrose Primary were also in fine form as they routed Colaaco Primary 8-0 with four goals from Jacob Rodney (3rd, 6th, 16th and 22nd) and a

brace from Rovin Henry (4th, 30th).

D’Andre Anderson and an own goal accounted for the eight scored in the game.

Keilshon Humphrey was the star in Den Amstel Primary’s 3-0 win over Smith Memorial, scoring a hat- trick with strikes in the 11th, 21st and 26th.

Enterprise Primary and West Ruimveldt played to a goalless stalemate, while Tucville advantaged Soesdyke Primary 6-0. Braces from Emmanuel Tinch (4th, 23rd) and Carl Negus (6th, 20th) ensured that the side had no problem in securing the win, as Ryan Greene (2nd) and John Harry (5th) drove the nails into the coffin.

St Angela’s and Marian Academy played to a goalless stalemate with Redeemer overcoming North Georgetown 2-0, thanks to a double from Nicholas Watts (18th, 22nd).

St. Stephens had Joshua Leitch save the day in their 1-0 win against Timheri Primary, while St Pius thrashed F.E Pollard 6-0, thanks to a hat trick from Dwayne Baptiste (2nd, 25th and 26th), a brace from Kaven Wellington (21st and 24th) and a single from Manassel Anderson (3rd).

Yesterday morning’s session featured a march past with the kickoff being done by Commercial Manger of COURTS Guyana Inc., Joel Persico.

Lights green for today’s GMR&SC Caribbean Invasion THE lights are green for today’s Caribbean Invasion Drag Race meeting set for the South Dakota Circuit from 09:00hrs.

According to information from the club, all the necessary set ups and protocols were organised for yesterday’s practice session.

“We have managed to successfully reconnect our drag strip starting tree and were able to host a successful practice session for our cars today (yesterday),” a statement said.

“We started a bit later than expected but we were able to get everything up and running and we are ready for an action packed day of racing Sunday.”

Meanwhile fans are advised to get to the circuit early if they are to secure good vantage points for

the event.

Gates will be opened from 06:00hrs to ensure the smooth flow of spectator vehicles.

“We have also secured the necessary safety arrangements for those competitors in the event that something should go wrong,” the statement continued.

“Thus far, we have received in excess of fifty competitors and we successfully logged them into the system so that racing action can begin at 09:00.”

Tickets will be sold at the gate at $1000 per adult and $500 per children.

The club has also sought to remind competitors that helmets must be of a proper standard and securely fastened and the use of slippers by competitors is strictly prohibited.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 1, 2017

De Bruyne stunner sinks champions Chelsea

By Steve Tongue LONDON (Reuters) Manchester City stayed ahead of age-old local rivals Manchester United at the top of the Premier League on Saturday with a deserved 1-0 win away to champions Chelsea.

After Jose Mourinho’s United romped to a 4-0 victory over bottom club Crystal Palace, City had much the better of the late game at Stamford Bridge.

A second-half goal by former Chelsea forward Kevin de Bruyne won it and left them just ahead of United on goal difference.

Chelsea, starting the day three points behind the Manchester pair in third place, dropped to fourth after two more goals from Harry Kane helped Tottenham Hotspur to a comfortable 4-0 win away to Huddersfield Town.

United’s win left Palace rooted to the bottom of the table after a record seventh successive defeat without a goal to start the season.

Beaten 5-0 away by City

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates REUTERS/Eddie Keogh. “

in their last game, Palace avoided a repetition but became only the second team since the Premier League began to lose their first seven games. Unlike Portsmouth in 2009-10, though, they have not scored a single goal.

Romelu Lukaku’s late strike meant that free-scoring United have hit four goals in a game six times

this season.

Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini scored before halftime and when Fellaini headed in his second just after the interval, the points were made even more secure.

“We started strong and we finished strong,” said Mourinho.

England striker Kane continued his astonishing run by following up a Cham-

pions League hat-trick in midweek with two more goals as Spurs went 3-0 up by halftime at promoted Huddersfield. Ben Davies scored the other first-half goal and Moussa Sissoko added a fourth just before the final whistle.

Kane, having failed to score at all in August once again, made it 13 for club and country during Sep-

tember.

“Goals to games it is probably the best month I have had, especially after August,” he said.

Watford recovered from two goals down at West Bromwich Albion to go fifth after the home team scored twice in three minutes in the first half through Salomon Rondon and Jonny Evans.

Abdoulaye Doucoure kept Watford in contention and Brazilian Richarlison headed an equaliser in the final minute of added time.

Substitute Peter Crouch earned Stoke City a 2-1 win at home to Southampton after Maya Yoshida had equalised Mame Biram Diouf’s opener. Earlier Saido Berahino, who has not scored for 30 games, missed a penalty conceded by Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk, playing his first game of the season.

In two key games at the wrong end of the table, West Ham United had a late 1-0 win over Swansea City to move above them but Bournemouth were held at home

by Leicester City.

West Ham relieved some of the pressure on manager Slaven Bilic when two of his substitutes combined for a dramatic winning goal.

Arthur Masuaku crossed for Diafra Sakho to score, taking the London side out of the bottom three and putting Swansea there instead.

“It was a difficult atmosphere in some ways,” West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart said of a home crowd who grew increasingly restless.

“I‘m never going to criticise the fans, they pay their money and have a right to their opinion.”

Bournemouth stay bottom but one after dominating against Leicester but failing to score. Jermain Defoe came closest in the second minute, hitting the bar.

In today’s three matches, sixth-placed Liverpool meet up with their former manager Rafa Benitez, now in charge of Newcastle United; Arsenal host Brighton and Everton are at home to Burnley.

Norman Sue Bakery 15-over finals

Sunshine upstage Dant, Wakenaam whip GTA B

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada -Sunshine made hay while the sun shone in all its brilliance last Saturday, inflicting a resounding nine-wicket victory over defending champions Dant when the Norman Sue Bakery (NSB)-sponsored 15over softball tournament, organised by the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL), climaxed at the Ashtonbee ground, Scarborough here.

While Sunshine were basking in glory on pitch number one in Conference A, Wakenaam were making light work of opponents GTA Storm B in a disappointing Conference B final, triumphing by seven wickets in a lopsided victory on pitch number two.

The Conference A consolation final saw EC Bannas thrash Rebels by 21 runs while Ramblers carted off their second consolation title of the season, whipping Good Success by 36 runs.

Chasing a modest 108 for victory, after limiting Dant to

107 for seven in their allotted 15 overs, Sunshine raced to 113 for one in a mere 11 overs, winning with four overs to spare.

The victory was engineered by a fine unbeaten second-wicket stand of 71 between Azam Haniff (36 not out) and Anil Ramoutar (23 not out). The two came together with the score on 42, following the dismissal of Avinash Sookdeo (18).

Haniff’s knock included three fours and a six while Ramoutar struck two fours and a six, following the Sookdeo’s brisk innings which saw him lash two sixes.

Earlier, Dant’s Hemnarine Chattergoon continued his brilliant season with a top score of 37 (one four and a six) before becoming the first of four run-out victims while Damodar Daesrath supported with 31 which included three fours and a six.

There was one wicket each for Mahendranauth ‘Bobby’ Parasnauth, Sookdeo and Devanand Ramsawak.

Haniff and Chattergoon were the respective Most

Sunshine skipper Anil Mahadeo is flanked by sisters Kim (left) and Natasha Sue as he collects the winning Conference A trophy.

Valuable Players (MVP) for Sunshine and Dant.

Over at number two, it took Wakenaam just nine overs to achieve a paltry 61 set by GTA Storm B, losing three wickets in the process, with MVP Sharaz Hamid slamming an unbeaten 35.

GTA Storm MVP Khemraj Dhanpaul took all three wickets that fell for 25 runs.

Dhanpaul (22) was also the only player to reach double figures as GTA Storm stuttered to 60 all out in their 15 overs, Hamid getting fine support from his captain Ravin Babulall (two for four)

and Ryan Beepat (two for 10), In the A Conference consolation match-up, EC Bannas took first strike and reached 109 all out in 13.4 overs with Eon Katchay leading the way with 32 (four sixes) while extras contributed a healthy 28 (16 wides). MVP Troy Gobin captured three for 12, Imtiaz Moursalien (three for 28) and Lalchan Shivraj (two for 20).

Rebels could muster only 88 all out in 14.3 overs with Zaheer Haniff hitting two sixes and a four in 24. Skipper Trevon Garraway three for

19, MVP Andy Persaud and Amit Pooran (two for nine) were among the wickets.

Led by a swashbuckling undefeated 49 from veteran Hardat Chablall which included seven sixes, Rebels reached 105 for three in their allotted 15 overs. Chablall and Ron Etwaroo (17 not out) shared an enterprising undefeated 66-run fourth-wicket partnership in seven overs.

Good Success were shut out for 69 in 14 overs with MVP Moin Khan (17) being the main scorer. Skipper Avi Deokarran (four for 18, Etwaroo (three for 18) and

Patrick Shivrattan (two for 11) were the main destroyers.

At the presentation ceremony, OSCL president Albert Ramcharran expressed sincere thanks to the Sue family for their continued sponsorship of the tournament while sisters Natasha and Kim gave the assurance that the sponsorship will continue.

A minute’s silence was observed in memory of the late Norman Sue who passed away almost four years ago.

Apart from the winning and runner-up trophies, all the participating players and officials were recipients of medals.

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 1, 2017

Azhar unbeaten on 74 as Pakistan crawl towards Sri Lanka total

SKIPPER Azhar Ali led by example with a typically gritty innings as Pakistan made laborious progress towards Sri Lanka's first-innings total on day three of the first Test in Abu Dhabi.

Having begun Saturday on 64 without loss in reply to Sri Lanka's 419 all out, Azhar's men crawled to 2664, with the skipper passing 5,000 Test runs on his way to 74 not out from 200 balls.

Every member of Pakistan's top five spent significant time at the crease in the team's first Test since the retirements of key batsmen Misbah-ulHaq and Younis Khan.

Openers Shan Masood and Sami Aslam made 59 and 51 respectively, sharing 114 for the first wicket, while Asad Shafiq (39) and Babar Azam (28) also dug in on a day that provided little entertainment.

Babar's dismissal in the final over before stumps

provided a welcome boost to Sri Lanka, but a draw appears the most likely outcome unless a generally lifeless surface deteriorates significantly on days four and five.

Masood and Aslam batted out the majority of the morning session without alarm, before two wickets in quick succession left Pakistan wobbling.

Aslam was lbw on review to a Dilruwan Perera delivery that kept low, while Masood – who had been dropped on 51 – threw his wicket away, missing an ugly sweep to be bowled by Rangana Herath (2-47).

In between those dismissals, Azhar was adjudged lbw to Perera second ball, but a review revealed an inside edge and Pakistan's skipper was barely troubled thereafter.

Shafiq proved a willing ally between lunch and tea, as Azhar brought up his 5,000-run milestone in his 115th Test innings. Only

Azhar Ali passed 5,000 Test runs on his way to 74 not out.

Younis (106), Javed Miandad (107) and Mohammad Yousuf (108) have made it to the landmark in fewer innings for Pakistan.

After Shafiq had been caught at slip off Herath, Azhar finally hit his first boundary from the 126th ball

Double-header on today in Hamilton Green football tournament THE Guyana Police Force’s football team will face Riddim Squad while Uitvlugt will tackle Santos today, when action in the Hamilton Green Cup Knock-Out football tournament continues at the Den Amstel Ground, West Coast Demerara.

In the opening match from 14:00hrs, the lawmen, just a winning streak in the just-concluded Corona tournament which they won, will be seeking a place in the quarter-final round of this tournament with the aim of

carting off the $500,000 fir st prize money and trophy.

However, they will have to be wary of Riddim Squad whose attack will be led by Kevin Agard and Teon Jones, while Seon Hope, Kevin Gordon and Lyliton Ramsay will lead the support from midfield.

The team’s defence will be marshalled by Mark Gilkes, Dorville Stewart and Orville Stewart.

In the feature game from 16:00hrs, both Uitvlugt of West Coast Demerara and Santos of Georgetown will

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday October 01, 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) 27 captains (2) Rohan Kanhai Today’s Quiz: (1) How many times the WI & ENG have now contested ODIs against each other?

(2) Which WI player has scored most ODI runs without hitting a century?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

also be seeking to book their places in the quarter-final round, but only one team (the winner) will be able to advance and this makes this game, like the opening fixture, a must see as it promises much excitement.

Meanwhile, Den Amstel, Soesdyke Falcons and Ann’s Grove booked their quarter-final spots last Sunday with victories over Golden Grove, Mahaica Determinators and Buxton Bakewell, respectively at the Victoria ground, East Coast Demerara.

Den Amstel of West Coast Demerara beat ECD’s Golden Grove 2-0, while Soesdyke Falcons of East Bank Demerara (EBD) defeated Mahaica Determinators 4-2 and Ann’s Grove (ECD) edged their ECD counterparts Buxton Bakewell 1-0 in the feature game.

The winners of the Santos versus Uitvlugt game will meet Soesdyke Falcons in the quarter-final round and Den Amstel will face Ann’s Grove next Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club.

Also on that date, Western Tigers will meet Milerock and the home side GFC will oppose Eagles United.

The tournament is being coordinated by former national player/coach Lennox Arthur.

he faced and it appeared both he and Azam would make it to the close.

There was to be late drama, however, as Azam was caught down the leg side off an innocuous Nuwan Pradeep delivery in the day's last over. (Omnisport).

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1st innings Dimuth Karunaratne run out (Abbas, S. Ahmed) 93 Kaushal Silva b H. Ali 12 Lahiru Thirimanne lbw b Shah 0 Kusal Mendis c S. Ahmed b Shah 10 Dinesh Chandimal not out 155 Niroshan Dickwella b H. Ali 83 Dilruwan Perera lbw b Sohail 33 Rangana Herath c B. Azam b Shah 4 Suranga Lakmal lbw b Abbas 7 Lakshan Sandakan lbw b Abbas 8 Nuwan Pradeep b Abbas 0 Extras (lb-11 nb-3) 14 Total (all out, 154.5 overs) 419 Fall of wickets: 1-34 K. Silva,2-35 L. Thirimanne,3-61 K. Mendis,4-161 D. Karunaratne,5-295 N. Dickwella,6-387 D. Perera,7-396 R. Herath,8-408 S. Lakmal,9-419 L. Sandakan,10-419 N. Pradeep Bowling: Mohammad Amir 27 - 5 - 63 – 0, Mohammad Abbas 26.5 - 0 - 75 - 3(nb-2), Yasir Shah 57 - 11 - 120 – 3, Hasan Ali 27 - 6 - 88 - 2(nb-1), Shan Masood 1 - 1 - 0 – 0,Haris Sohail 13 - 0 - 51 – 1, Asad Shafiq 3 - 0 - 11 – 0.

PAKISTAN 1st innings Shan Masood b Herath 59 Sami Aslam lbw b D. Perera 51 Azhar Ali not out 74 Asad Shafiq c Thirimanne b Herath 39 Babar Azam c Dickwella b Pradeep 28 Extras (b-4 lb-9 nb-2) 15 Total (for 4 wickets, 112.4 overs) 266 Fall of wickets: 1-114 S. Aslam,2-116 S. Masood,3-195 A. Shafiq,4-266 B. Azam To bat: H. Sohail, S. Ahmed, M. Amir, Y. Shah, M. Abbas, H. Ali Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 15 - 3 - 30 - 0(nb-1), Nuwan Pradeep 16.4 - 1 - 44 – 1, Dilruwan Perera 27 - 7 - 58 - 1(nb-1), Lakshan Sandakan 26 - 6 - 68 – 0, Rangana Herath 25 - 6 - 47 - 2 Dimuth Karunaratne 3 - 1 - 6 - 0

Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara says farewell to first-class cricket EX-SRI LANKA captain Kumar Sangakkara says he will miss cricket "terribly" but believes he is retiring from the first-class game at the right time.

Sangakkara, 39, made 35 not out in his final first-class innings for Surrey against Lancashire last Wednesday.

He is fifth on the list of all-time run-scorers in Test cricket, with 12 400 runs in 134 appearances.

"Sometimes you hold on a bit too long and I always think it's better to let go a bit sooner than later," he said.

Left-handed batsman Sangakkara, who will turn 40 on October 27, ended his first-class career with 20 911 runs.

Almost 1 500 of those runs came for Surrey in the County Championship this season at an average of 106.50.

He told BBC Sport: "I'll miss it terribly, without a doubt, but that's a good thing.

A lot of players walk away bitter and upset and regretting a lot of the things that might have been.

"I walk away with a few regrets, like anyone would, but I'm absolutely happy with the way I played the game and what I've achieved.

"The game goes on and

that's the beauty of any sport. It doesn't matter who retires or who comes into play - the sport will be bigger than all of us."

He will continue playing in overseas T20 leagues in 2018.

Sangakkara has revealed that, as a youngster, he did not think he would be good enough to play international cricket for Sri Lanka.

However, a first-class career spanning almost two decades has cemented his legacy as one of the legends of the game.

Only India's Sachin Tendulkar (34 357) has scored more runs in all formats of international cricket than Sangakkara (28 016), while he is also the leading Test run-scorer for his country.

Mahela Jayawardene (11 814) is the only other batsman to pass 10 000 Test runs for Sri Lanka.

Sangakkara played for three English counties - Durham, Warwickshire and Surrey - during his career and has produced some of his best ever forms during his final season as a firstclass cricketer.

Some of his highlights in 2017 include: Eight centuries and 1 491 runs in 16 County Championship innings, making him the leading run-scorer in either division this season.

A century in each innings of Surrey's draw against Middlesex at Lord's in May. His 100th hundred in all formats of cricket in Surrey's One-Day Cup quarter-final win over Yorkshire in June.

Kumar Sangakkara's international career in numbers

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 1, 2017

Jaguars Franchise League 3-day tournament….

East Bank close in on victory over West Berbice ..centuries for Foo, Anderson and Perez on Day Two

By Rajiv Bisnauth EAST Bank required a further 77 runs for victory over West Berbice in round five of the Jaguars Franchise League threeday tournament when play ended yesterday..

Set 140 for victory, the visitors were 63-2 at the Bush Lot ground. Sachin Singh and Darshan Persaud, will resume today on 18 and 10 respectively.

Resuming at 161-7, East Bank were bowled out for 191, with an overall first innings lead of 51 runs. Mark Rhobe contributed 23 before left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie claimed the final three wickets in quick succession.

Persaud (0), and Sagar Hetheramani (11), were the final two batsmen to have been dismissed. Motie finished with figures of 5-39.

Seon Glasgow ended with 2-36, while Leon Andrews, Andrew Dutchin and Derich McAlmon, all claimed a wicket apiece.

Jonatan Foo

The hosts started off their second innings on a bright note, with openers Raffle Estriado and Arthley Bailey adding 67 for the first wicket, and in the process wiped off the first innings deficit.

Both batsmen started off aggressively with Estriado, in particular, hitting five fours in his 37 before he was removed by Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed.

Off-spinner Steven Ja-

cobs then picked up the wicket of the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer without scoring, to leave the hosts on 83-2 at lunch.

Bailey was unbeaten on 30 while Andrews was on eight. After the interval the hosts were set back with three quick wickets, losing Andrews (9), Javid Karim (0), and Glasgow (9).

Both Andrews and Karim were removed by Jacobs which Persaud claimed the wicket of Glasgow.

Thereafter, Bailey and Motie shared a seventh-wicket stand of 77, but as the partnership was looking ominous, the medium pacer Rutherford removed Bailey for 75. An innings which featured nine fours and a six.

At tea the hosts were 1806, with Motie unbeaten on 41. After the interval Motie brought up his fifty, but the hosts were bowled out soon after for 190.

Jacobs finished with figures of 5-22, with Rutherford claiming 3-28.

Experience, youth enough to see Windies through World Cup qualifiers: Mohammed LONDON, (CMC) – Jason Mohammed believes the return of experienced players combined with the talent of the current young complement, should be enough to see West Indies safely through next year’s 10-team World Cup qualifiers.

The Caribbean side failed in their bid for direct qualification for the 2019 showpiece when they lost the opening match of the recent five-match One-Day International series against England – a result that meant they would remain ninth in the ICC ODI rankings by the qualification cut-off date of September 30.

Hosts England, along with the remaining top seven nations, qualified automatically “I think [we can qualify],” said Mohammed, the standin captain for the final ODI at Southampton which West Indies lost by nine wickets on Friday.

“I think that with the senior guys back and with much of the guys youngsters, hopefully we can get the combination right and play the type of

Jason Mohammed

cricket we know that we can play in order to qualify for the World Cup.” West Indies rarely challenged England in the series, going down 4-0 in a lopsided affair, despite the presence of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels who returned for the tour after Cricket West Indies shelved their controversial eligibility rule.

The visitors lost the opener at Old Trafford by seven wickets, the third at Bristol by 124 runs, the rain-hit fourth

at the Oval by six runs under Duckworth/Lewis before losing the final game by nine wickets. The second ODI at Nottingham was rained off after just 14 deliveries.

Mohammed conceded the Windies still had much work to do in order to improve their game, with special focus needing to be placed on rotation of strike during their innings.

“In the middle part of the innings there is always a lot of dot balls,” Mohammed pointed out. “[On Friday] again it was the same thing so I think it is something that we have to work on and try and rotate the strike a little bit more and in the end finish off strongly like we have been doing.”

In the World Cup qualifying tournament, the Windies will meet the likes of fellow top flight sides Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, along with ICC World Cricket League Championship nations like Scotland, Kenya and Hong Kong.

Kevlon Anderson

East Bank then lost Christopher Deonarine (24), and Deonarine Seegobin (7). Both batsmen fell to Motie.

Over at the Lusignan ground, Lower Corentyne reached an impressive 343 for 3 with Jonathon Foo hitting 152 and Kevlon Anderson 102 not out At Port Mourant; Upper Corentyne resuming at 1903, were bowled out for 310 in 81.3 overs, an overall lead of 157 runs. David Latchya

took his overnight 66 to 77 while Anthony Bramble went on to score 105. Anthony Adams finished with figures of 7-91. Batting a second time, Essequibo closed the day on 361-3, a lead of 203 runs. Keemo Paul made 177, Kevon Boodie 59, Ricardo Adams is unbeaten on 62 while Kemol Savory is on 37.

At Tuschen ground on the East Bank of Essequibo, Georgetown resuming at their overnight score of 1 without loss, in reply to West Demerara’ 333 made on the first day, raced to 183 for 2 off 26 overs by lunch, with Raymond Perez and Christopher Barnwell unbeaten on 89 and 65 respectively.

On resumption, West Demerara made criucial inroads to the Georgetown batting line up, removing Christopher Barnwell, for a brilliant 86, which included 7 fours and 7 sixes. Shortly after Barnwell’s dismissal, Perez brought up his majestic century which included

Raymond Perez

7 fours and 6 sixes. Perez madet 138, Steven Sankar 48, and Ramaal Lewis 68 runs.

Georgetown’s innings ended on 396 all out from 81.2 overs for a lead of 63 . Bowling for West Demerara, Travis Persaud took 3 for 12, Richie Looknauth and Keshram Seyodan claiming 3 wickets for 96 and 104 runs respectively.

At the close Wse Demerara had reached 43 for 2.

Barbadian Archer signs for Sussex until 2020 season LONDON, (CMC) – Sussex have moved quickly to tie down Barbadian all-rounder Jofra Archer until the end of the 2020 season, following his outstanding performances in the County season which wrapped up last Thursday.

The 22-year-old played a handful of matches at the end of last season with resounding success, forcing Sussex to sign him until the end of the 2017 season.

And after a campaign which yielded a remarkable 638 runs and 61 wickets, Archer will now remain in the south-east for the next three seasons.

“I’m very excited to be included in the long-term plans of the club. Recently a couple of the other young players have signed new contracts so it’s great to be part of the club’s exciting future,” Archer said.

The former West Indies Under-19, who has never played first class cricket for Barbados, led Sussex’s bowling, playing all but one match of the entire Championship season.

Barbadian all-rounder Jofra Archer.

Bowling with pace and movement, he picked up four five-wicket hauls including a best of seven for 67 against Kent at Hove, in what was just his eighth first class match.

The right-arm seamer produced best match figures of 11 for 137 against Leicestershire at Grace Road.

He also impressed with his aggressive lower order batting, averaging 45 and gathering five half-centuries,

including a top score of 81 not out against Northamptonshire earlier last month.

“I think this is the best start anyone could have had to their career, let alone any year. To have it at the start of my career, it’s just been really humbling to be honest,” Archer said.

Director of Cricket, Keith Greenfield, said the player had surpassed expectations and had a bright future with the club.

“Since Jofra’s been at Sussex he has achieved everything we could have expected and more,” Greenfield said.

“We look forward to a bright future developing Jofra both on and off the field, whilst helping him achieve his international ambitions and ultimately winning trophies with us.”

Overall this season, Archer grabbed 91 wickets and scored 805 runs.

He was awarded his County cap during the interval on the penultimate day of the last round match against Nottinghamshire.

Jaguars Franchise League 3-day tournament….

East Bank close in on victory over West Berbice

Page 31

Big wins for Sophia, St Ambrose as COURTS Pee Wee football kicks off Page 28

Part of the march pass for the 2017 edition of the COURTS Pee Wee Football tournament

Birmingham only bidder for 2022 Commonwealth Games

One of the many goals scored during the opening round of the COURTS Pee Wee Football tournament. (Adrian Narine Photo)

Lights green for today’s GMR&SC Caribbean Invasion

BIRMINGHAM was the only city to submit a bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games before Saturday’s deadline, the Commonwealth Games Federation says.

Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Victoria in Canada and a potential Australian entry had been thought to be possible bidders but none came forward.

The CGF says it will now review the bid to check it “meets the requirements of successfully hosting” the event.

Birmingham beat Liverpool earlier in September as Britain’s candidate city.

David Grevemberg, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said on Saturday: “There have also been continued expressions of interest and support from Canada, Malaysia and Australia.”

A CGF board meeting is due to take place in Sri Lanka on 5 and 6 October and it says a final decision on the host city “is expected by the end of the year”.

The cost of staging the event is expected to be at least £750m, which would be the most expensive sports event in Britain since the London 2012 Olympics.

Durban originally won the bidding process in 2015, but the South African city was was stripped of the event in March because it did not meet the criteria set by the CGF.(BBC Sport) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Page 28

The drag strip and lights being tested prior to today’s Caribbean Invasion.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER, 1, 2017