Guyana chronicle e paper 10 03 2017

Las Vegas shooting...

Police search for gunman’s motive Page 4

– say at least 59 dead, another 527 injured

No. 105054

TUESDAY OCTOBER 3, 2017

Price: $80

NIS growing deficit (VAT Inclusive)

● Collection pegged at $13.6B; expenditure $13.7B ● Year-to-date deficit recorded at $95,368,000 ● Chairman sounds warning against lax staff

Page 2

RAPID PROGRESS!

Engineers have made significant progress in putting up this pedestrian overpass at Eccles, East Bank Demerara. A second overpass is also being erected at Peter’s Hall, near the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Government’s decision to build the overpasses is part of its wider effort to ease traffic congestion along the East Bank corridor, and reduce road accidents (Adrian Narine photo)

‘Getting in line’ …undocumented Pa3ge US-based Guyanese rush to get regularised

‘Mercury not a Two killed during rumplaything,’ drinking sprees President warns Page 2

Page 9

NIS growing deficit 2

By Svetlana Marshall

A growing benefit population has significantly impacted the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), driving up expenditures that saw the social security agency recording a year-to-date deficit of some $95,368,000.

The scheme collected $13.6B in revenue for the period January to August 2017, but has so far expended over $13.7B for the same period. The 13.6B accounts for 67% of the $20.2B budgeted by the insurance scheme for the financial year, while the $13.7B in expenditure accounts for 70% of the budgeted $19.4B. “Therefore, a year-todate deficit of $95,368,000 was recorded, which was $93,849,000 or 1.6% more than the budgeted deficit of $93,841,000,” General Manager, Holly Greaves disclosed in an address, during a general assembly held on Friday, last at the NIS Brickdam headquarters, in observance of the scheme’s 48th Anniversary.

“It is projected that by the end of 2017 total in-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

● Collection pegged at $13.6B; expenditure $13.7B ● Year-to-date deficit recorded at $95,368,000 ● Chairman sounds warning against lax staff

NIS General Manager, Holly Greaves

come would be approximately $21.4B while the projected expenditure would be approximately $21.1B. This means that the Scheme will collect a further $7.8B in revenue during the period September–December which will allow us to surpass our revenue target by $1,249,817,000. The NIS is also expected to expend a further $7.4B for the September–December period which

will cause the Scheme to surpass its budgetary allocation by $1,266,943,000.” she told the gathering.

It was also pointed out, that ‘benefit expenditure,’ at the end of August 2017 accounted for $12.5B, a figure that is expected to jump to $19.2B by the end of the year. “It is evident from the analysis that, of the projected total expenditure of approximately $21.1B, benefit expenditure represents 19.2B. The Pension Branch – Old Age, Invalidity, Survivors accounted for approximately 90% of these payments,” the General Manager added, while noting that the pension branch of the scheme is rapidly expanding.

At the end of August 2017, the population of active pensioners stood at 49,466.

The rapid increase in the number of active pensioners is coupled with the fact that increases were granted to

the Funeral Benefit from $36,725 to $40,398, Greaves said. Meanwhile, the minimum rate for Old Age and Invalidity pensions was also increased from $25,000 to

NIS Board Chairman, Dr. Surendra Persaud

$27,500 per month and all other pensions above the minimum were increased by 4% from January 1, 2017.

“As predicted in the last actuarial review, the

Scheme’s growing benefit expenditure has been consistently surpassing contribution income,” she said, but noted that such problems are consistent with a maturing scheme.

“The Scheme has experienced two deficits in the last 10 years. The first occurred in 2011 and the second in 2016. The Scheme has already dipped thrice into the fund for 2017 to pay benefits.

It is therefore imperative that the Scheme generate funds in keeping with the growth in benefits,” the General Manager emphasised.

It was noted that the other income earner for the scheme is through its investment portfolio. However, the scheme continues to be faced with low interest rates and no interest from some of its non-performing investments.

This situation, Greaves further noted, is compounded by an expanding informal

work force.

INFORMAL WORK FORCE “During 2017, compliance activities have also been affected by an expanding informal work force that is not complying with the National Insurance Regulations. In some cases, there is an increase in the practice of employers to deem workers who are under their supervision and control as self-employed persons,” she complained. The inability and difficulty to cover the majority of the self-employed population, and more so, to even determine the actual population continues to be a burden on the resources of the scheme, the General Manager remarked.

Additionally, poor customer service and the extensive time taken to resolve customer issues have led to public distrust and poor publicity.

“It is therefore necessary at this juncture that formative steps be taken to secure the health and longevity of the Scheme. This requires not Turn to page 3 ►

Two killed during rum-drinking sprees TWO men were killed in separate incidents during rum-drinking sprees at Industry, East Coast Demerara, Monday morning.

In the first incident, the police said Hetram Ramchar was killed around 07:00hrs at a ‘wake house’ in the village. This incident occurred at Crown Dam, Industry.

Initial investigations have revealed that the deceased,

39, a labourer of Lot 31 Crown Dam, Industry, ECD and a group of men were at the ‘wake house’ playing a game of cards, during which an argument ensued resulting in a violent altercation during which Ramchar suffered injuries.

The police said a report was made at the Sparendaam Police Station by Ramchar himself and he

The suspect, Mahase Dhanraj, being escorted by police officers on Monday. (Nakasia Logan photo)

was advised by ranks to seek medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted and subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

Police said the man’s body is presently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem. Four persons were arrested and are in police custody assisting with the investigation.

In the second incident Allan Bhagwandin, an auto repair worker of “Rat Hole,” also of Industry, was allegedly beaten to death by his neighbour in his yard. Residents of the area told this newspaper that Bhagwandin and his neighbour, 55-year-old Mahase Dhanraj, called “Crusher,” were drinking rum when an argument ensued between them around 10:00hrs.

When persons rushed to the scene, Dhanraj was reportedly beating Bhagwandin in his head with a piece of wood, but before they could stop him, the auto repair worker was al-

Undertakers removing the body of Allan Bhagwandin from his home

ready unconscious and was bleeding profusely from his head.

When the Guyana Chronicle arrived on the scene around noon the man’s lifeless body was still there. Officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were conducting their investigations. Villagers said

the men would usually drink and argue between themselves, but this time it had a bloody ending. Bhagwandin, who is reportedly in his 40s, was a father of five, occupied his house alone but his relatives live in Canada. Persons said he was deported five years ago.

Dhanraj’s sister said

she had the privilege of watching both men grow together in their younger days, so the incident has left her bewildered. She described both men as humble and simple. The GPF managed to apprehend Dhanraj who was reportedly intoxicated. Investigations are ongoing.

‘Getting in line’ 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

…undocumented U.S.-based Guyanese rush to get regularised

By Svetlana Marshall AMID a clampdown on undocumented immigrants in the United States, hundreds of Guyanese living there have been visiting the consul-general of Guyana in New York in an effort to get themselves regularised.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, the Consul-General of Guyana to New York, Barbara Atherly, said the demands for passports and birth certificates have been high.

“Because of the enforcement of the immigration laws now in the States, a lot of persons are trying to get themselves regularised. So it’s about having a valid passport or some of them may have had name changes, and so we have to work on their birth certificates and things like that,” the consul- general explained.

For 2017, applications for passport replacements have increased. “We have seen an increase in the number of persons reporting that their passports were lost, so they want to get a new one for whatever reason,” the consul-general disclosed, noting that these applications are in the hundreds.

WANTING TO LEAVE While some of the “undocumented” Guyanese have applied for passports and or Identification Cards (IDs), others have reached the stage where they prefer to return home. “We have also seen an increase in the number of persons wanting to go back to Guyana as re-migrants, so they are coming in to get the guidelines for re-migrant status,” she noted.

On a weekly basis, the consul-general in New York reportedly receives a mini-

NIS growing... only a change in strategy, but also a change in attitude and commitment by all staff to the organisation. In a world where change is inevitable, we at the National Insurance Scheme must refuse to be complacent as individuals and as workers within our organization,” Greaves stated.

TIME FOR ACTION NIS Board Chairman,

◄ From page 2

Dr. Surendra Persaud, in a very candid address asked a number of thought-provoking questions, even as he challenged the management of NIS and its staff to raise their standards.

“My question today is what was [the] management’s excuse. This I agree might seem harsh, but let’s be honest, where does the buck stop…What is Ms. Greaves

mum of five applications for emergency travel documents.

“Sometimes persons come and ask for an emergency travel document, one way; in a week, we can have at least five, probably more sometimes.”

Additionally, she said members of the Diaspora have been visiting the consulate and enquiring about the opportunities existing in the upcoming Petroleum Sector.

“There are persons who are coming to find out what kind of business opportunities would be available for them and how they could tap into the resources in Guyana,” she explained.

That aside, Atherly said that she is taking critical steps to improve its services.

Already, its staff have been trained in the areas of customer relations, and Information and Communito do when she finds that a senior employee has 1900+ unresolved matters on his/ her desk, and, thinking that it could not get worse she discovers that over 600+ are over one year old. What should Ms. Greaves do?

“What should the board do when it requests reports for many consecutive months and the employee fails to deliver? What should the Board do when repeatedly, and I mean for almost a year, {it} asks a senior manager to provide a report that does

cation Technology (ICT). As a result of the digitalisation of its services, persons from any part of the world can learn about the services and programmes being offered by the consul-general in New York by the click of a button. Using its user friendly website, https://www.guy-

anaconsulatenewyork.org/, persons in the Diaspora can also register with the consulate online. According to Atherly, the consulate has a dat- base of persons residing in the U.S. with their areas of interest and specialities.

The consul-general in New York has also active outreach programmes in place.

“We are concerned about senior citizens who are not getting benefits, especially those who are not getting benefits in Guyana. So what we have done is introduce a programme for home visits for those persons who are incapacitated in one way or the other or [who] happen to be living in a home,” the consul-general explained.

She added, “so their relatives are allowed to call in the information to us, and we plan a home visit, once a month for the different areas,

whether it is in Queens or Brooklyn.”

Once visits occur and the verification process is completed, the consul-general facilitates the process of acquiring the necessary documents and having them sent to Guyana.

On a monthly basis, the consulate assists 15 to 20 persons, according to Atherly.

Additionally, the consulate takes its services to the community on a quarterly basis. The last outreach conducted at Schenectady in New York attracted over 200 persons. “We also do consulate Saturdays.

So once in every quarter we open the consulate to cater for persons who are working during the week, and would want to come,” she added, while noting that the “response has been overwhelming, and really, really heartening.”

not regurgitate data, but actually analyses and makes recommendation on that data.

Please help me understand this,” he asked.

Dr. Persaud explicitly stated that the General Manager has the full support of the Board, as she charts a new path for NIS–a path based upon appropriate performance measures and competence. As he turned his attention to the future plans for the insurance scheme, the board chairman said NIS spends an “unacceptable amount of

resources” to collect money and to disburse benefits.

“In the near future this will be completely replaced by electronic transfers. I expect that very soon Guyana will have a digital financial window. A single digital space where all payments to the Government and its semi-autonomous bodies will be made,” he posited.

He, therefore, challenged the management and staff of NIS to further digitise their operations, allowing for a more efficient delivery of the

services offered. “I would like to see this completed by the time the 49th anniversary arrives: that 95% of our pensioners receive their monies directly into the bank; that 95% of our pensioners can use digital technology to prove that they are alive; that 95% of our other disbursements are printed on cheques that you can actually deposit into a bank; that 95 % of claims are processed within 30 days; that 95% of payments to the NIS occur electronically.”

Consul-General of Guyana to New York, Barbara Atherly

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3 2017

Las Vegas shooting...

Police search for gunman’s motive --say at least 59 dead, another 527 injured

POLICE are working to establish the motive behind a mass shooting which left at least 59 dead and another 527 injured at a Las Vegas concert.

Gunman Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel towards an open-air music festival on Sunday evening.

Police found 16 guns in his hotel room, as well as “in excess of” 18 firearms and explosives at his Nevada home.

But as yet, no clear reason for the killing has emerged.

Investigators have found no link to international terrorism, despite a claim from so-called Islamic State. Some investigators have suggested psychological issues, but there is no confirmation of this.

The shooter was not known to police. President Donald Trump described the attack as “pure evil” in an address from the White House on Monday.

Officers also found ammonium nitrate in Paddock’s car. The explosive found in his home was tannerite, the sheriff said.

There is a second house in northern Nevada which Swat teams are due to check for booby-traps before carrying out a search , Sheriff Lombardo said.

At the scene of the shooting

David Famiglietti of the New Frontier Armory told the BBC that Paddock had purchased firearms at his store in North Las Vegas in the spring of this year, meeting all state and federal requirements, including an FBI background check.

However, the shotgun and rifle Paddock bought would not have been “capable of what we’ve seen and heard in the video without modification,” Mr Famiglietti said.

Despite the large cache of weapons in his home, his brother,

Eric, is dumbfounded that he acted this way.

Las Vegas Sheriff Joe Lombardo described the shooting as a “lone wolf” attack.

So-called Islamic State (IS) has claimed to be behind the attack, saying Paddock had con-

verted to Islam some months ago.

But the group provided no evidence for this and has made unsubstantiated claims in the past.

FBI Special Agent Aaron Rouse told a news conference: “We have determined at this point no connection to an international terrorist organisation.”

IS’s claim of responsibility for the Las Vegas attack is very unusual in that the perpetrator’s profile does not fit that of supporters or “soldiers” that the group has claimed in the past, writes Mina al-Lami, who monitors jihadist groups for the BBC. If true, his suicide would be deemed wholly “un-Islamic”, she adds.

Jihadist suicides involve the assailant blowing himself up in order to kill those around him.

Sheriff Lombardo said there were 10 suitcases in the suite, which had two rooms.

Thousands were enjoying a performance by top-billing singer Jason Aldean when the first of several bursts of automatic gunfire rang out - hundreds of shots, witnesses say. That was late on Sunday night - 22:08 local time (05:08 GMT on Monday).

Hundreds of concert-goers scrambled for cover, flattening themselves against the ground, rushing for the exits or helping others to escape as Paddock sprayed the site from his high vantage point.

It is thought he moved between two windows in his suite as he carried out the attack.

“One man had blood all over him and that’s when I knew something was seriously wrong,” Mike Thompson from London, told the BBC. “People were running and there was chaos.”

Many hotels on the Las Vegas strip close to the scene were placed on police lockdown and parts of Las Vegas Boulevard were shut.

A nurse, Sonny Melton, of Big Sandy, Tennessee, has been named as another victim by The Jackson Sun newspaper.

In a Facebook post, his wife, Dr Heather Gulish Melton, said she “lost my true love and knight in shining armor. I appreciate the prayers but I just need some time.”

An off-duty Las Vegas police officer was another of those who died.

Former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who survived a shooting six years ago, called for political leaders in Washington to introduce tougher gun laws following the Las Vegas attack.

Her husband Mark Kelly read out a joint statement on the steps of the Capitol saying thoughts and prayers from the White House were not enough to stop the next shooting. (BBC)

Puerto Rico prepares for Trump visit

--two weeks after Hurricane Maria THE Governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rossello, says US federal support has surged ahead of a planned visit today by President Trump.

Mr Trump has fiercely rejected criticism of the relief effort after Hurricane Maria struck the island nearly two weeks ago.

The governor said over 1.5 million barrels of fuel would reach Puerto Rico in the coming days.

He said about half of

Puerto Rico now had water supplies.

Federal authorities say more than 10,000 relief workers were now on the ground covering the whole island.

Mr Rossello said about a quarter of Puerto Rico would regain power by next month with around 10% of households expected to have electricity in the next two weeks.

He added that almost half - 47% - of residents

had running water and the number would climb to 60% by the end of the week.

Mobile phone service has been restored to 40% of the population although some areas are still cut off from communication.

The governor said the most pressing issues were getting diesel fuel to hospitals so they could run generators to provide electricity.

Around 10 hospitals

have power but some have shut down temporarily.

Mr Rossello explained that the critical issue was how to distribute water, food and medicines to neighbourhoods and towns with many roads impassable or damaged.

There are still around 8,000 people in around 140 shelters around the island.

Ricardo Rosello also greeted at the airport a group of Latin pop music stars led by Puerto Rican singer, Luis Fonsi, known

for his global hit “Despacito”, who flew to San Juan to deliver humanitarian aid to victim of the hurricane.

Among the group were Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Nicky Jam. President Donald Trump defended his administration’s efforts in Puerto Rico, tweeting: “We have done a great job with the almost impossible situation in Puerto Rico.

“Outside of the Fake news or politically motivated ingrates people are

now starting to recognize the amazing work that has been done by FEMA and our great Military.”

Earlier he had attacked the mayor of Puerto Rico’s capital, San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz, after she criticized the federal government’s response to Maria.

But White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters in Washington that the mayor was invited to Tuesday’s event with the president in Puerto Rico. (BBC)

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PM talks peace, non-violence GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

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--in face of extremism, as world celebrates Gandhi’s 148th birthday PRIME Minister, Mr Moses Nagamootoo, said on Monday that the teachings of The Mahatma are now more important than ever, with all the ills plaguing the world today.

“We need his teachings now more than ever to address discrimination, which comes in the form of sexism, racism, ageism and so forth,” the PM said.

“His teachings need to be taken into consideration, especially when dealing with extremism, which continues to grow,” he told the sizeable gathering at the Promenade Gardens to celebrate Gandhi’s 148th birthday.

During the ceremony, which was organised by the Indian High Commission, many other distinguished persons besides the Prime Minister reflected on the work and life of Gandhi, whom the world has come to regard as the pioneer of non-violence and civil disobedience.

Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on October 2, 1869 in present-day Gujarat, in western India, he was later to become known as “The Mahatma”, which in Sanscrit means “Venerable One”, and Gandhi ji.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo pays floral tribute to Gandhi with the help of Indian High Commissioner, Mr Mahalingam

The prime minister reminded his audience that although Gandhi died many years ago, his teachings are just as relevant as they were when he was alive.

India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr V. Mahalingam, said Guyana has been doing a great job when it comes to following Gandhi’s path.

He gave as a fitting

example the empowerment of women, which he said was one of the things The Mahatma had always advocated.

Gandhi was, however, remembered for many other things, such as being the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule, and inspiring movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

Carjackers target SWAT boss

CARJACKERS sometime around 22:00 hrs Monday night reportedly stole a vehicle and weapon belonging to Deputy Superintendent Lonsdale Withrite, the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics

Unit (SWAT).

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the incident took place in the vicinity of the Kitty Seawall.

While exactly how the carjacking took place and in which direction the of-

ficer was headed could not be ascertained, word is that Withrite also had his laptop computer in the vehicle when it was taken.

The vehicle was subsequently found abandoned somewhere in Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara

A graduate of London’s Inner Temple, Gandhi first employed non-violent civil disobedience as an expatriate lawyer in South Africa, in the resi-

dent Indian community’s struggle for civil rights.

After his return to India in 1915, he set about organising peasants, farmers, and urban labourers to

protest against excessive land-taxes and discrimination.

Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for various social causes and for achieving Swaraj or self-rule.

Research has revealed that Gandhi famously led Indians in challenging the British-imposed salt tax with the 400 km (250 mi) Dandi Salt March in 1930, and later in calling for the British to quit India in 1942. He was imprisoned for many years, upon many occasions, in both South Africa and India.

He lived modestly in a self-sufficient residential community, and wore the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl, woven with yarn hand-spun on a charkha.

He ate simple vegetarian foods, and also undertook long fasts as a means of both self-purification and political protest.

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Editorial Developing our road network

GUYANA emerged from a plantation society, where roads were primarily designed for industrialisation to move products and provide services, not for growing populations or for use of transportation. Outside of few expectations such as the Demerara Harbour Bridge, Canje Bridge, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, Berbice and Demerara roads that took all of the aforesaid into consideration with an eye to ensure future development, roads were built with a mind-set of just moving products from point A to B. A modern road system factors in considerations such as safety of vehicle occupants, minimising property damage and bodily harm, noise barriers, hazards, multiple types of vehicles, proximity to home and vulnerable institutions, movement of people, conditions such as run-off or standing water, including trenches and rivers. Understanding these require the study of communities, indigenous geography, human habits, and future development.

News that the construction of a pedestrian overpass is moving apace on the East Bank of Demerara is a step in the right direction and the first of its kind here. Infrastructural development sparks ideas, brings new development and opportunities for jobs, entrepreneurship/commerce, timely movement, and so forth. Building an overpass engineering

feasibility is expected to examine issues such as flooding and water-lodging, which can affect the foundation.

We have to build a road system that can withstand our climatic conditions such as water/flood, heat, and wind. Anything that is elevated, irrigation has to be a factor as run-off water has to be properly directed to minimise flooding, the structure from sinking, impeding traffic, creating bodily harm and millions of dollars in property damage.

Road network development in our society is limited to intersections with traffic lights, circles, overpasses and bridges and should be discussed and evaluated from economic, ecological and social perspectives as to feasibility and not merely to satisfy an immediate need.

It is not unfair to say that the traffic light system is in dire need of overhaul. The present structure leads to chaos and confusion in stopping, parking and the presence of slow-moving vehicles aka donkey cart, pedestrian and animals in the flow of traffic pose threat to life, limb and the economy. An updated light system could come after proper study of the traffic flow, peak and off-peak periods, flow between primary and secondary roads to determine intervals when lights should be red or green on the main road to accommodate secondary roads.

Many of our roads weren’t built for the present volume of

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3 2017

traffic, load and modern vehicles. With so many more vehicles, including heavy duty, not catered for, the structures are cracking. Roads are constantly being resurfaced and there are more casualties due to speeding and proximity of the roads to the homes and this area too is deserving of attention.

Some societies build roads where the concrete or gravel is poured within a structure rather than be the structure, which ensures rigidity and keeping of form.

Our boundaries to the road tend to be trenches and the roads tend to crack or change its shape, making it a hazard for users. In some areas as a result of repairs that has seen years of packing dirt it is making it difficult for the disabled and elderly to get in and out of their homes. A modern system will factor in loads, which means building with a foundation and barrier so that the shape will be maintained and repairs and maintenance will be less expensive in the long run. There has to be sustainable methods behind everything that is done and we need a road system that can accommodate and withstand at least double the amount of traffic we will have in the next 20 years.

Is the system benefitting perpetrators of sexual offences?

Dear Editor ASSUMING the accuracy of the statistics provided by Kaieteur News (10/1/17), Demerara High Court trials are in a state of serious dysfunction. Of the 167 cases listed on the docket, only 28 cases made it to trial, of which six ended in a jury verdict. Of the six, one murder and one rape case ended in conviction, with the jury returning not guilty verdicts in the other four. The rest of the cases reaching court were disposed of administratively, either by changing pleas from murder to manslaughter (7), formally stopped by the Judge (5), withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions (8) and withdrawals by complainants (2).

The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) is particularly concerned that of the 17 sexual offences/rape trials, 10 were withdrawn either because the complainant could not be found or had informed the court they were not pursuing the matter. This speaks to inordinate delays in High Court trials exposing victims to a variety of stressful experiences involving police, families of the accused, or simply moving on with life.

The disturbing story behind these statistics is that women’s access to justice in the most vital area of their lives, namely bodily integrity, is diminishing.

Greater awareness of sexual violence, improving counselling services and better vigilance over young children of both sexes mean little if not backed

up by legal action. The speed at which reforms of Sexual Offences laws and procedures are implemented lags far behind the forces encouraging violence.

Lessening of legal protection is the local reflection of global trends. Readily accessible fantasies of pornography and lewd music are encouraging a male demeanour of dominance. This hostility is most readily evident in what women endure for expressing themselves on the internet or in social media settings and is manifest also in the global rolling back of legal protection on reproductive rights.

In a widely quoted study issued in 2005 as the first in a three-part series undertaken by the GHRA, it was revealed that conviction rates in sexual

offences cases was less than 1% of all reported cases. The study also indicated that the chances of a conviction rose substantially – to almost 50% -- if the cases actually made it to a High Court trial. The experience of the last Assizes indicates this is no longer the case and that the situation has worsened substantially to less than 20% of High Court cases reaching a conviction. The only conclusion to be drawn is that the campaign initiated in 2005, which achieved fundamental renovation of the Sexual Offences Act remains far from ensuring justice for female survivors of sexual violence.

The habit of looking backwards to proclaim how far women have progressed is a well-honed technique to disarm women’s rights activism.

The more appropriate human rights stance, however, is to look forward to ask how long will we tolerate the systematic and pervasive abuse of women that constitutes the most serious of any human rights challenge across the globe.

More specific to the legal system, when will the experience of taking sexual offences to court become more intimidating to perpetrators than it is to survivors? Despite female appointments to high offices, the judicial process continues to be steeped in chauvinism, more likely to re-victimise survivors than punish perpetrators. Juries, unschooled in legal niceties for example, feed off the dominant culture and are quick to identify with demeaning attitudes too frequently communicated by le-

gal professionals. Recent harrowing newspaper accounts of what victims experience in their own villages following ‘not guilty’ verdicts are sufficient to attest to this.

Changing the judicial culture with respect to rights of women is not simply a matter for Judges. It imposes obligations on all actors in the justice system, both male and female, the private Bar, prosecution services and the Guyana Police Force. It also challenges the complacent permissiveness across the society with regard to sexual explicitness in films, music and uncensored access to the internet by immature people.

Regards Guyana Humana Rights Association

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Research needed into lost African history

-Temple University Prof. tells Land CoI TEMPLE University– based Guyanese Professor, Dr. Kimani Nehusi, believes that a national body should be formed to research and pen lost African history and he believes the University of the Guyana (UG) would be the best place for such studies.

Dr. Nehusi was at the time giving testimony before the Land Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which convened for a second session of hearings, at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) at D’Urban Backlands on Monday morning.

According to Dr. Nehusi, a body of experts should be specifically commissioned and enabled to research and write the lost national history, and this should be done in ways which are truthful and non-partisan. He said that the explanations on what happened in the past are important. ”Our different

people , different races in Guyana have become very defensive in talking about matters of race and who owned what and what happened,” he told the commission.

He said such an intervention is necessary in order to encourage people to understand the “truth” and according to the expert, this is the only way in which the nation can become progressive. In addition, he suggested that there should be institutionalising of African social history in Guyana. Dr. Nehusi said that the setting up of the unit at UG will concern itself not only in the research of Africans in Guyana, but also in the wider world.

Dr. Nehusi further said that teaching the social history of Africans is of great importance and explained that all Guyanese would benefit from such a move since it would be seen as giving back to Guyana the

loss of ancestral knowledge. He said that many persons are “still astonished “to learn some of the elementary facts of African history.

During his lengthy submissions, Dr. Nehusi, who has roots on the Essequibo Coast, made it clear that his ancestors were not slaves, but rather, enslaved Africans, a phrase he repeated throughout his presentation and under questioning from the commission. Among the questions he was asked was, how he proposes the country should address a social cohesion framework to help Guyana to understand that the issue of ancestral lands is not aimed at miniaturising the other segments of Guyana’s society.

Dr. Nehusi responded that it is important and urgent that all understand the issue and how to approach same, and noted that the oppressors had set up a

Dr Kimani Nehusi

system in which differences in race, colour, gender and culture were made into points of oppression and discord. It was along that line that persons became ostracised and oppressed, he added.

Dr Nehusi told the CoI that in Guyana there are two traditions of land ownership, one that is well entrenched in law and which is the European

tradition, and the other being the African tradition which he said has not been placed into the law. He said the latter was left in the open.

Alluding to the Indigenous Guyanese population, Dr Nehusi said that there is significant and important precedence, in that. “Amerindian people have title to significant extents of land, I think that is a good

7

thing,” while noting that it surrounds the issue of safeguarding of property.

Dr Nehusi who mused about the years of free labour and the consequences of enslavement meted out to Africans, remarked, “We have to intervene to treat these things.” he said. On this note, he told the commission that another issue would arise, and added that knowledge has to be provided to the African population, whom he noted, have been divorced from the land for a very long time. ”Many of us are not going to make progressive of it,” he said in factual tones.

During Monday’s hearing, the value of Dr Nehusi’s knowledge of African history was noted by the commission.

And, in congratulating the body for questioning him, Dr Nehusi noted, that in so doing one is able to ventilate answers and add to the storage of “critical knowledge.” The hearing continues today.

Georgetown slipping back into days of garbage This is the time Dear Editor

It must be clearly evident even to the youngest child that in spite of all the hundreds of millions of dollars allegedly spent on cleaning up and restoring our Garden City, and all the boastfulness about making Georgetown a Green City, our capital is once again and quite rapidly becoming the Garbage City of the Caribbean.

A very clear example of the circumstances to which I refer can be viewed aback the headquarters of the former Guyana National Cooperative Bank at Lombard

and Cornhill Streets, which always has heaps of garbage piled up and being rummaged by junkies, who add their own human waste to the pile after litter-picking.

What is ironic, is that the few old garbage trucks rumbling through the streets, supposedly on a mission to clean up the city, actually pollutes it more with billowing black smoke spurting from the exhaust pipes of these trucks that seem to be on their last legs so to speak. How does filling the atmosphere with carbon monoxide fit in to their green agenda? Do those trucks make it all the way to Haags Bosch? Is there no age limit for the importation of these

trucks?

There are heaps of garbage at the front of alleyways, and all along many of our roadways. Our depressed areas are teeming with garbage. Where have all the receptacles gone to? And the Council’s response to all of this is to charge householders who don’t have garbage bins and to prosecute private citizens when someone else throws garbage unknowing to them in front of their premises. There is a clear disconnect between those prosecuting and those responsible for refuse collection at City Hall, as many

times persons are charged for having litter in front of their residences or business places when this is due to the fact that the garbage truck had never passed by to pick up the refuse at the appointed time and day.

Why does the city not place plastic recycling machines around the shopping areas, or pay the social rejects to pick up plastic bottles and other plastic containers and return them to the City Council, where they could be shredded and used in a recycling process.

Regards Anu Bihari

for cohesion

Dear Editor Permit me to address Mr. Christopher Ram, Dr. David Hinds, Mr. Lincoln Lewis and Mr. Frederick Kissoon.

After years of pulling, tugging, fighting etc, I think you gentlemen should form a group of some kind and ask the government for a monthly or two monthly meetings for the purpose of discussing economic and social developmental projects. It is my belief that this

system would enable the parties to make the right conclusions. This system may be able to see economic and social developmental projects being forwarded at a faster rate. Gentlemen, this is not a time for destruction, but rather a time for cohesion. This is the first time in Guyana’s history that a government is truly attempting to achieve economic development.

Regards Preston Harper

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Guyana forges ahead with renewable energy plans STATE House, the Ministry of the Presidency and the Hydromet Office are among buildings that will soon be powered by solar energy as the Government forges ahead with its plans to utilise renewable energy on a much larger scale.

The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) was designated by Cabinet to lead the transitioning efforts. In a statement on Monday, the GEA said so far for 2017, 178.5kWp of new solar photovoltaic (PV) Installations have been completed.

Through an Open Tender Procurement Process, GEA said a contract has been awarded for the supply and installation of Solar PV Systems at 55 Government buildings totalling 740kWp. “Based on savings, a new tender is currently being advertised for the supply and in-

stallation of solar PV systems to be installed at an additional 18 Buildings with 382kWp of new solar PV systems,” GEA disclosed.

Additionally, tenders are currently being processed for the supply and installation of solar PV systems at State House (additional 22kWp with storage), Ministry of the Presidency (130kWp), Hydromet (6kWp), NAREI (5 buildings totaling 16kWp with battery storage), St. Cuthbert’s Mission (primary School, village benab, health centre and Doctors Quarters totalling 4.5kWp with storage and energy- efficient lights), Ministry of Health (Malaria buildings at Sand Creek and Karasabai and Kamarang totalling 0.42kWp with storage and LED lights), Anna Regina Town Hall (12 kWp), Corriverton Town Hall (8 kWp), Rose Hall Town Hall

One of the schools being powered by solar energy

(6 kWp), Bartica Town Hall (10 kWp), Bartica Community Centre Ground (6 kWp), New Amsterdam Town Hall (12 kWp), Linden Town Hall (25 kWp), Orealla Community Radio Station (2.5 kWp) and Aishalton Community Radio Station (4 kWp).

Dr. Mahender Sharma, GEA CEO, indicated that apart from reduced energy costs and avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions, the installations will raise awareness among stakeholders about the applicability and functionality of renewable energy.

He said that “it is expected to contribute towards Guyana’s efforts to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels through the proliferation and deployment of Renewable Energy Technologies.”

Sharma further posited that “the institutions were chosen from among govern-

ment buildings on which the GEA had conducted energy assessments and from regions with ease of access to the national grid. Priority was also given to technical institutions to build capacity within these institutions.”

GEA Energy Engineer Leon DeSouza, explained that the majority of the systems will be grid-connected, explaining that they will be generating electricity for internal consumption, while the excess energy will be supplied to the national electricity grid.

“The project will also seek to demonstrate the

applicability of photovoltaic system operation and its energy contribution in Guyana,” DeSouza added.

The solar PV systems installations to be supervised

by GEA will total 2.76MW in 2017 alone. Along with the planned 400kWp PV Farm with 400 kWh of energy storage to be installed

by HECI,the combined installed solar PV will be an unprecedented 3.152 MWp. It was noted that the 3.152 MWp of new solar PV installations will produce an estimated 4,576,610 kWh of energy annually, which will result in over G$269 million dollars in annual savings and result in avoided carbon dioxide emissions of 4,347 tons. As part of the realisation of the vision to provide reliable energy in an environmentally, socially and sustainable framework, GEA intends to conduct similar exercises at other public Institutions in Guyana. The agency will also continue to provide technical support, monitoring and training in the use and operation of the systems.

Linden taxi driver, supplier remanded – for recent ‘ganja’ bust TWO Lindeners were jointly charged on Monday for drug trafficking, following the recent discovery of a bag filled with cannabis inside the trunk of a taxi.The discovery was made when the vehicle was stopped by the police at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Taxi driver, 36-year-old Stanwin Small and 33-yearold Ronda Hercules, both of Linden, appeared before City Magistrate, Judy Latchman and were remanded to prison until October 5.

The pair denied that on September 28 at Georgetown, they had in their possession 1.100 grams of cannabis, for the purpose of trafficking.

According to reports, on the day in question, Hercules gave Small the black parcel with cannabis inside to be taken to Linden.

Stanwin Small

Ronda Hercules

However, when the taxi driver was pulled over by the police at Providence and the vehicle searched, a parcel of cannabis was found under a spare wheel in the trunk.

At that point, Small admitted having knowledge that there was drugs inside of the package and further assisted the police with their

investigation, which led to the arrest of Hercules.

Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves, objected to the pair being released on bail on the grounds that no special reason was put forward for their released.

The Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and refused the duo bail.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

‘Mercury not a plaything’ – President Granger warns, as Guyana recommits to the Minamata Convention

PRESIDENT David Granger has sent a strong message to those countries still inclined to use mercury in the extractive industries, in spite of the health dangers it poses to humans and the environment.

“Mercury is not a plaything; it is harmful to human health and to the physical environment, whether in the air, on land or in water,” President Granger said.

“The use of mercury in human products and processes is a threat to human health and the environment,” he told a high-level side-event of the First Conference of Parties (COP1) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

The purpose of the meeting, held in the Swiss capital, Geneva, from September 24 to 29, was to call further attention to the threats of mercury emissions and compounds to people’s survival and the planet’s sustainability.

While addressing the meeting, President Granger used the opportunity to reaffirm Guyana’s commitment to the Minamata Convention, which he said must be intensified for the protection of people and the preservation of the planet, and to avoid further harm from mercury emissions.

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty to protect humans and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.

It draws attention to a global and ubiquitous metal that, while naturally occurring, has broad uses in everyday objects, and is released to the atmosphere, soil and water from a variety of sources.

Controlling the anthropogenic releases of mercury throughout its lifecycle has been a key factor in shaping the obligations under the Convention.

Among those countries that are still to ratify the Convention are: Australia, Argentina, Colombia, India, Israel, Italy, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, and the UK. Guyana did on September 24, 2014.

On May 18, 2017, the Convention reached the targeted 50 ratifications it needed to bring it into force, with the coming on board of the European Union and seven of its member states, namely: Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, Malta, The Netherlands, Romania and Sweden.

LARGER THAN GREENLAND In his preamble to show Guyana’s committment to the process, President Granger told the conference of its being part of The Guiana Shield, an area larger than Greenland which incorporates parts of Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Suriname and Venezuela.

This Shield, he explained, is one of the most biologically-rich and diverse zones, and one of the largest blocks

of tropical rainforest on the planet.

He also spoke of the hinterland and its being home to most of Guyana’s extractive industries, among them bauxite, diamonds, gold and manganese-mining, sometimes illegally, across its long, land frontiers with Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname.

And then he got to the crux of the matter. “Mercury, used to extract gold from ore, can find itself into the air, soil and rivers. The prevention of mercury pollution is vital to the protection of people’s lives and livelihoods, and the sustainability of the environment,” he said.

Guyana, he assured the conference, is pursuing a model of development aimed at becoming a ‘Green State’; one which emphasises the extension of protected areas, the preservation of its biodiversity, the protection of the environment, the provision of eco-tourism and eco-educational services, the promotion of renewable energy generation, and the sustainable management of its natural resources.

He said that in light of the foregoing objectives, Guyana needs the Minamata Convention on Mercury, as it is a means to achieve its ‘green’ development objectives. As he went on to explain, the phased reduction and eventual elimination of the use of mercury is part of Guyana’s national mining policy, and is

President David Granger delivers his address at the conference

consistent with its obligations under the Convention.

“The Convention will be a tool to ensure both improved human health in the artisanal and small gold-mining sector, and the sustainable management of its natural resources,” the president said, adding that while the artisanal, small-and medium-scale gold-mining sector is significant to the national economy, it is, however, associated with 41 per cent of anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury.

HIGHLY DEPENDENT He said that this being the case, the reduction of mercury emissions, therefore, is highly dependent on reduction in the use of mercury in gold-mining.

“Mercury used in the

Investiture ceremony set for Friday THE 2017 Investiture Ceremony will take place on Friday, October 6, at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) where 69 Guyanese men and women would be honoured for their sterling contributions to this country in various fields.

For their yeoman service, the awardees will be invested with the insignia of their awards by President David Granger. The ceremony is slated to commence at 16:00 hrs. In order to familiarise recipients of the awards with the procedures involved, the Ministry of the Presidency has invited the awardees to attend rehearsals at the National Cultural Centre at 17:00 hrs on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thirty one women are among those who will be conferred with national awards. Heading the list of 69 awardees is acting Chan-

cellor of the Judiciary, Madame Yonette Decina Cummings-Edwards, who has been recognised with the Order of Roraima. Madame Justice Edwards, who boasts an illustrious legal career that commenced in 1988, was sworn in to her current post on March 28, 2017.

She served as a judge on the Court of Appeal of Guyana for several years, and is now the second woman to be appointed to the position of acting Chancellor of the Judiciary. The Acting Chief Justice, Madame Alison Roxane George Wiltshire, was admitted to the Bar in October 1990, for service as a Senior State Counsel and subsequently held positions of Assistant Director of Public Prosecution, Deputy Director of Public Prosecution and Director of Public Prosecution. She has been named among the recipients for the

Cacique Crown of Honour, along with Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin La Rocque.

Environmental activist and pilot, Annette Arjoon-Martins, who has been a driving force in marine conservation and mangrove replanting projects, has been named as a recipient of the Golden Arrow of Achievement, alongside Secretary General of the Guyana Red Cross Society, Dorothy Fraser. Among the other female awardees are Chief Librarian of the University of Guyana, Gwyneth George; veteran journalist Julia Ann Johnson; General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) Coretta McDonald; veterinarian, Dr. Karen Pilgrim and veteran educator Gem Ann Rohlehr.

Meanwhile, veteran journalists, Enrico Woolford

and Adam Harris; artist and sculptor, Winslow Marcellous Craig; and Human Resources Management and Organisational Development Specialist, Sandra Jones are among the recipients for the Arrow of Achievement.

Meanwhile, among the recipients who will be conferred with the Medal of Service are businessman Patrick Nigel de Groot, Camille Patricia Carrington and George Barclay, a Guyana Chronicle journalist with more than 50 years of service in the field of journalism.

President David Granger has said that the conferring of national awards is recognised as a mechanism, provided under the Constitution of Guyana, to give due national recognition to outstanding citizens. The regular conferral of national awards is a commitment made by President Granger.

amalgamation process in gold-mining has found its way into the waterways... and presents a threat to the country’s aquatic systems and its biodiversity. The amalgamation process can leech into the soil and waterways, affecting both humans and the ecosystems,” he said.

Noting that Guyana was among the earliest signatories to the Convention, President Granger said that the implementation process began with the preparation of a Draft National Action Plan aimed at advancing efforts at the phased reduction and eventual elimination of mercury and mercury products.

According to him, commitments for Guyana’s National Action Plan, developed in compliance with the Convention’s requirements, need international support. The international community – the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)- funded Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) and World Wildlife Fund – was involved in the preparation for the implementation of the Convention, he said.

“The Convention’s implementation will be driven over the next decade by a GEF-funded project entitled, ‘Global Opportunities for Long-term Development (GOLD) in the Artisanal Small Gold-mining Sector’, one of eight such programmes undertaken with the assistance of Conservation

International worldwide,” President Granger said.

He said the success of the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury will depend on three factors: education and transfer of mercury-free technologies throughout the artisanal and small gold-mining sector; enforcement of regulations throughout the hinterland and the mining sector; and the introduction of economically viable alternatives to mercury use to aid in the efficiency of gold production.

According to him, the implementation of the Convention on Mercury encourages policies and practices which eliminate or limit the use of mercury, promotes sustainable livelihoods and improves human safety.

He said the eradication of mercury, in countries in which gold-mining is a significant economic activity, requires a holistic, phased reduction, the identification of viable mercury-free technologies and the transfer of those technologies to countries which do not possess such technologies.

In closing, he said: “I applaud the United Nations Environment Programme and the Global Environment Fund for shepherding the process which led to the coming into effect of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The ‘Convention’ is helping us to protect the people and the planet.”

Jailed, fined – for possession with intent to traffic A 42-yearold man was on Monday sentenced to three years in jail and fined $30,000 by City Magistrate Dylon Bess, for the possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Wendell Andrews admitted that on May 25 at Cross and Leopold Streets, Georgetown, he had in his possession nine grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

According to reports, on the day in question, the police apprehended

Andrews during a raid on Cross and Leopold Streets since he was a known drug dealer.

During the exercise, a black plastic bag containing cocaine was retrieved from Andrews’ crotch.

The unrepresented man pleaded guilty, since he did not want to waste the court’s time. He also begged for clemency.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Labaria snakes and the corruption culture in Guyana

By Dr. Ken Danns A CULTURE of corruption has for many decades been entrenched in the Guyana society. This culture has been driven by a normative disposition to utilise public office and government bureaucratic authority to unlawfully appropriate the resources of the government - both national and local – and the country as a whole for private gain.

The players in this venal culture include some politicians, some public servants, some local government officials, elements of both the local and foreign private sectors, and many ordinary citizens as well.

Corruption stems from a mindset of greed. Corruption in Guyana is cultural collusion and a widely supported disposition to dishonest appropriation of public resources. It is often engendered in fraudulent relationships with like-minded individuals or unwitting victims.

A corrupt culture is bred and sustained by governmental systems characterized by the lack of transparency and accountability and by authoritarian rule. The end result of widespread corruption in a society is: widespread inequality in wealth distribution; the retardation of progress; the erosion of trust and legitimacy for systems of governance, the alienation of citizens and the arrested development of their country.

Guyana has proven over the years to be a textbook case of a resilient corruption culture. Transparency International, a global agency concerned with monitoring corruption ranked Guyana a high 108 out of 176 countries in its 2016 index, which rated countries from the least to the most corrupt. Guyana received a score of 34. Anything below 50 is seen as a government failing to tackle corruption. Transparency International concluded: “In Guyana, economic hardship, institutional weaknesses, criminal justice inefficiencies, as well as racial fractures in society provide fertile grounds for corruption… all major governance indicators suggest high and deteriorating levels of perceived corruption in the country and the prevalence of both bureaucratic and political forms of corruption.”

In 1978, the authoritarian PNC Government in recognition that corruption had reached epidemic proportions launched a “clean-up campaign against corruption in high places.” Then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham promised that “toes will be mashed.” Commissions of inquiry were established to examine practices in various public corporations. Public corporation managers were dismissed without protest; other public officials were brought before

the courts, including police and army officers and junior public servants.

On May 10, 1979 the Guyana Chronicle reported that Deputy Prime Minister and PNC Party General Secretary, Dr. Ptolemy Reid “renewed the call for supervisors and management workers to refrain from dishonest and malicious acts which endanger the welfare of the broad masses of the Guyanese population.” He said some workers, as soon as they were placed in responsible positions and enjoying a certain quality of living standards, pounced upon every opportunity to defraud and conduct corrupt practices to further enrich themselves.” In graphic language the

time their governance deepened and expanded corruption in Guyana beyond belief. The local and foreign media, the public, leading foreign governments which dispense aid and loans to Guyana, and Transparency International all lamented the rampant corruption.

The kleptocracy that became manifest led the distinguished Guyanese Economist, Dr. Clive Thomas to conclude that the PPP/C rule led to the emergence and institutionalisation of a criminal state. The criminal state Thomas asserted is a “state for itself - it is primarily geared to function as an instrumentality for the accumulation of wealth for those who operate it.” Thomas pointed out that corrupt

Deputy Prime Minister Ptolemy Reid asserted that the perpetrators of such acts were like “labaria snakes,” which attack when the opponent is near. Dr. Reid added that “the same attitude was evident by workers who were near to the party and government machinery who hit with ferocious and deadly blows at the nation’s coffers.”

Dr. Ptolemy Reid, who was also a veterinary surgeon by profession, knew the characteristics of this specie of vipers very well. Their bites are painful and they use their venom to immobilise and digest their prey. Politicians, public servants, local and foreign business people and members of the public who are corrupt are akin to vipers… labaria snakes. They strike with venomous greed and ferocity on the resources and the institutions of the nation, immobilising its functioning and in the process poison public morality and trust.

The former People’s Progressive Party ruled the country for 23 years during which

practices ranged from the executive’s purposeful establishment of illicit slush funds, repeated unauthorised spending of public monies, fraudulent public procurement contracts, illegal capital flows, particularly illicit mis-invoicing of exports and imports, illicit financial transactions, and irregular and illegal use of state agencies to intimidate individuals and “group-affiliated government critics,” as well as to penalise those private businesses that are not supporting the ruling PPP/C administration.

Politicians who are corrupt generally occupy positions of authority and may use their public office for illicit private gain; dispense patronage benefits to family, friends and supporters; engage in corrupt transactions with local and foreign business people; and unlawfully deny access to resources by others because of their party, race, religion or other social criteria. The politically corrupt are invariably in a position to introduce laws, regulations and policies to further venal

objectives. Often they collaborate with other corrupt politicians marinating their plans and striking the nation’s coffers from their vipers’ pit.

Public servants who engage in corrupt practices may do so out of personal greed, to compensate for inadequate salaries, and in response to pressure from politicians or the public to compromise their functioning from the straight and narrow. Corrupt public bureaucratic officials frustrate the attainment of governmental goals and objectives. Their actions subvert progress making it difficult, if not impossible to implement policies, build or maintain projects and deliver reliable services or goods to the public. Their labaria attacks gum up the works creating widespread inefficiencies, lack of accountability and paralysis. Indeed, many governmental projects that are stalled, failing or less than efficient are infected by corrupt practices.

Elements of the local and foreign private sector are integral to promoting and sustaining a corrupt culture in Guyana. It is a mistake to think that corruption in Guyana is possible without the active involvement and partnership of elements of the private sector. Labaria politicians and labaria public servants invariably work in collusion with like-minded business officials who are seeking the award of contracts, the avoidance of taxation, custom duty and other penalties, waivers of regulations, and, unfair if not outright unlawful access to public resources and property. Private Sector organisations will publicly condemn and speak out against corruption often not acknowledging that some of their own members may be drivers of it. Some foreign businesses are often pressured into offering bribes and kickbacks in order to expedite their business or obtain concessions. Some foreign businesses delight in dealing with corrupt politicians and public officials. By doing so they are able to maximize profits and benefits, ignore the laws and regulations of the country, extract and export the nation’s resources, and inflict serious damage on the natural environment. Guyana loses big time when corrupt politicians sell the nation’s birthright for a mess of pottage.

LINES Elements of the general public are also involved in the corruption culture. Many Guyanese like to get things done through “lines”. “Lines” refer to a normative disposition to get things done or obtain services and goods through bypassing official regulations and procedures. Byzantine and ineffective Turn to page 12 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

President flays critics La Penitence man gets of land offer gesture four years – for robbery at gunpoint PRESIDENT David Granger on Sunday flayed critics of his offer to give lands on a temporary basis to Caribbean nationals affected by the recent hurricanes.

He was at the time addressing a gathering in Linden for the tree-planting exercise in recognition of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) 60TH Anniversary celebration. While addressing environmental issues and global warming which he said resulted in those catastrophic events, Mr Granger said that he is being criticised for offering help, which he deemed an act of compassion. “Our brothers and sisters are in jeopardy.

Some people criticised me for offering help; you tell me something, if your neighbour house burns down, he has no food, he has no water, he has no shelter, nothing to eat, children left exposed, you won’t say temporarily let me come and help you until you get on your feet?” the Head-of-State queried.

He described the section of the citizenry criticising such a move as uncompassionate.

“People have no compassion in this world, no humanity, all we say is look let’s help you to get over this difficult period,” Granger articulated. One of his major concerns is the fact that those devastated islands are homes to Guyanese who also would have been affected by these disasters. “There are Guyanese all over the Caribbean, as you know very well…it means that we have brothers in Tortola, in Barbuda, in Anti-

gua, in Bahamas and that is my concern, that is our concern.”

Mr Granger recently signalled his Government’s willingness to make lands available for these affected CARICOM nationals whose countries have been ravaged.

These include Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Tortola, Dominica and St. Maarten.

Speaking to reporters on the side-line of the just concluded 72nd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 72) in New York, President Granger said Guyana stands ready to assist. “Guyana has a very important role to play in all of this, particularly in the Caribbean. One, we are the largest CARICOM state and we have to consider our land space as being the hinterland of the Caribbean; we have to sit down and speak to other Caribbean states to see how this gift, maybe, could be utilised to give the people in the Caribbean a better life in the wake of these disasters,” the President said.

He reiterated that attention should be placed on providing relief and evacuation, but said that those affected should not be moved from one affected country to another. While many applauded the President for this move, he was also criticized by some Guyanese, including opposition member of parliament and former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, who said that the President has no authority to do such.

Nandlall stressed that the

Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - 03:00 hrs | 14:30 hrs Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - 04:00 hrs | 14:30 hrs Thursday, October 5, 2017 - 04:30 hrs | 14:30 hrs

issue was never discussed with citizens or at the level of the National Assembly.

He also based his argument on the fact that thousands of Guyanese are still clamouring for a piece of land right in Guyana. This reasoning was also taken by regular citizens who vented their disapproval on social media.

Some Guyanese stressed that the Government should attach the same urgency and enthusiasm to processing applications for thousands of Guyanese who have applied for a piece of house lot; in some instances, over one decade ago.

A WEST La Penitence man will be spending the next four years in jail after being convicted by City Magistrate Dylon Bess, on Monday, for robbing four Qualfon workers at gunpoint.

Quincy Clarke, 29, was found guilty for the charges which detailed that on May 12 at North East La Penitence, Georgetown, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed the occupants of a vehicle, all of whom were Qualfon staff and were on their way home from work.

According to the facts told to the court, the victims were all ordered to lie on the ground while Clarke relieved them of their valuables, which included gold and silver jewellery, cellphones, a passport, cash and other items, all totalling over $400,000 in value.

A total of 11 persons were robbed

during the ordeal, and they all pressed charges. However, seeing that only four turned up during the court hearing, the remaining seven matters were dismissed.

Before handing down the sentences, the Magistrate said that he took into consideration the seriousness of the charge.

Clarke was sentenced to four years jail on each of the four charges, which will run concurrently.

12

Labaria snakes and the corruption...

Murder suspect remanded to prison

◄ From page 10

– on drug trafficking charge A 22-year-old mechanic was on Monday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Judy Latchman on a drug trafficking charge.

George Hope was recently arrested by police as a suspect in the investigation of a murder/robbery which occurred on Freeman Street, East La Penitence.

Hope denied that on September 24, at East La Penitence, he had in his possession 736 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

According to reports, at around 17:55 hours on the day in question, a party of police descended on an East La Penitence home and arrested Hope.

At the time of his arrest, Hope was reportedly seen standing near a barrel, which, when searched, yielded a haversack with cannabis inside it.

The defendant was suspected to be involved in the murder of 58-year-old Fazal Shaheed, who was shot and killed during an invasion

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

George Hope

at his family home in East La Penitence more than a week ago.

Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves objected to Hope being granted bail, since no special reason was raised by his attorney, Mark Waldron.

Magistrate Latchman ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Hope until October 23.

public bureaucracies make it necessary to use “lines” to get even the most routine transactions done in a timely manner. The use of “lines” undermine transparency and accountability in public transactions and public institutions. Basic principles of fairness and justice are violated as the user of “lines’ is afforded preferential treatment while others are made to wait longer, obtain less or are even be denied altogether. Some members of the public also bribe public officials to obtain goods and services or to avoid prosecution and penalties. Citizens often know which public

officials are corrupt and even have false names for them.

The attitude of such citizens is that the “big ones” doing it, so we can do it too.

The underground economy in Guyana is a viable conduit for corrupt transactions. The participants in this economy are guerilla entrepreneurs involved in tax and regulatory evasions and varied criminal activities.

The illegal drug trade is illustrative of the underground economy. It is an industry of vipers. It corrupts the society at all levels, compromising the integrity of some politicians and public officials as well as members of the public. The drug trade corrupts other sectors leading to money laundering, including the establishment of legally registered businesses as cover for the nefarious trade.

The new APNU+AFC Government has inherited this monster corruption culture and must do something about it. Corruption in Guyana is embedded in the society and cannot be wished away by speeches and threats. Economist Dr. Clive Thomas estimated that well in excess of $333 – $340B were annually stolen and that 60 percent of the Guyana economy was being run by a financial underworld. Several agencies have been established to investigate corruption. These are the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA)

and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

In Latin American countries leading politicians and public officials have been charged for corruption while in office. Among these are two recent Presidents of Guyana’s huge neighbour, Brazil.

So far in Guyana no big fishes have been caught. No toes have been mashed. No heads have been rolled. No snakes have been snared. Forensic audits, foreign experts and commissions of inquiry have so far not yielded tangible outcomes.

The problem with corruption in Guyana is that it is there for all to see. It is in your face! Some politicians and public officials were able to build mansions, have huge bank accounts locally and abroad, and display other conspicuous acquisitions, which based on their annual salaries it would be impossible to honestly acquire. As the widespread corrupt practices of the past government recede in the memory of the public, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government will be saddled with the legacy of a still vibrant corruption culture which may undermine its own capacity to survive and be re-elected. The labaria pits may appear dormant but they are very much active and pose a serious threat to transparency and accountability in this fledgling democracy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

City Hall workers protest non-payment of salaries

By Telesha Ramnarine MORE than 50 workers attached to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on Monday turned up in City Hall’s compound to protest the non-payment of their September salaries, along with a retroactive payment that was also due to be paid in September.

The workers, backed

by General-Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) Carvil Duncan, were then invited to meet with Town Clerk Royston King in City Hall’s Chambers, where they were promised that the salaries will become available by Wednesday.

Duncan chided King for not informing the workers of the City Council’s position in a timely fashion and argued that a better system of communication be put in place at the municipality.

While some workers were paid on September 29, the set who turned up to protest were not told anything regarding when their salaries would be paid.

According to their union representative, some of the workers have financial obligations to honour and at no fault of theirs, are made

to find more money for late payments.

King repeated that the Treasury is empty at the moment and that the M&CC cannot pay what it doesn’t have. “We cannot pay what we don’t have. If there’s nothing in the Treasury, then nothing can be paid out.”

King said the City Council was anticipating revenue from various new projects that have either been stopped or suspended, and that will help the M&CC to meet its obligations. The controversial parking meter project was one project that the government deemed necessary for suspension.

Furthermore, King said the M&CC has been writing to the Ministry of Finance for a new valuation of properties to be done in the city, so that the City Council can benefit from increased rates and taxes. The gigantic Teleperformance building, for instance, is paying the M&CC a mere 16,000 in taxes each year, King pointed out. There has been no valuation of properties for more than 20 years.

“There is [sic] a number of other agencies that must work with us. Again,

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More than 50 workers turned out to protest the non-payment of salaries

Giftland Mall – we’re not receiving any money from them,” King noted.

Following the meeting, Duncan told reporters he could not understand why the M&CC has been hiring more workers when it cannot afford to pay those it has. He claimed that there are more staff in the office than those who are actually out in the field working.

Duncan complained that Head of the Solid Waste Management De-

Town Clerk Royston King (at left) and GLU General-Secretary Carvil Duncan

partment, Walter Narine, told his workers that he will send them home if

they attended the protest, and cautioned that Narine has no authority to do so.

Narine subsequently denied ever telling that to the workers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3 2017

‘We will work to improve lives of all’

-- Min. Harmon tells Mainstay/ Whyaka residents MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon on Sunday reaffirmed government’s commitment to transforming the lives of all Guyanese, including the Indigenous peoples, by providing employment opportunities, preserving their culture and providing basic social services.

Harmon was at the time delivering remarks at the Heritage Day celebration at Mainstay/ Whyaka, Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two) on Sunday, the Ministry of the Presidency said in a release.

“Government, accurately assessing the total lack of development and the cosmetic programmes throughout our hinterland communities by the previous administration, found that they did not address the basic needs and true development of our Indigenous peoples,” he said.

Citing the Report released last week by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on the ‘Study on Indigenous Women and Children in Guyana,’ Minister Harmon said that while the Government acknowledges the findings of the study, it has already begun to implement policies and programmes which will over time improve the lives of the residents of hinterland communities.

The study, conducted in 12 communities across Guyana, found that the Indigenous population is seriously disadvantaged economically, thus accounting for its high pover-

Members of the Mainstay Dance Group performing special pieces for the audience at the Heritage Day celebration

ty rate when compared to the rest of Guyana. Additionally, it found that most primary aged students in the 12 communities depend on the school feeding programme for one proper meal per day.

“Recognising those situations, the President had proposed certain matters to the National Toshao’s Council (NTC) and what he proposed to them was a ten-point plan of action in 2015. Those were educational programmes, poverty reduction programmes, infrastructure extension programmes, energy develop-

ment programmes, employment and youth service, happy household programmes, Indigenous Peoples’ Land Commissions, Language, Cultural and Sports Commissions, tourism development service and public service provisions schemes,” initiatives that government has been aggressively working to get these achieved,” Minister Harmon said. .

Minister Harmon, however, pointed out that while Government will work to improve the quality of life for all Guyanese, individual

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, Toshao Joel Fredericks and Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock, share a photo opportunity during the celebration

responsibility is also important and every citizen must play their part in the process. This was supported by Mr. Joel Fredericks, Toshao of Mainstay/ Whyaka and Chairman of the NTC, who said that the villages are willing to work with the Government to brainstorm solutions, which can have a positive impact on the lives of the indigenous peoples, as it recognises that a collective effort is needed. “Let us all work together so that we can all celebrate not only as Indigenous peoples, but as

Guyanese people with this administration for taking community development to another level. Let us work together and let us build every community and village for the betterment of all Guyanese,” he said.

Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock, said that the Ministry has been assiduously working to implement programmes and projects, which can significantly improve the lives of Guyana’s first peoples.

Minister Allicock said that

the Government is moving away from the tradition of providing handouts to Indigenous peoples as was done by the previous administration, and is instead investing in initiatives, which are conceptualised by the villages and communities for their benefit.

One such investment in the communities has been the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) and the Youth Entrepreneurship and Skills Training (YEST) programme, which have been helping young people to become self-employed. The Ministry has invested $991 million towards youth development initiatives for the Indigenous communities across the country. To date, a total of 1,800 youth persons have graduated from the HEYS Programme, with another 100 communities standing to benefit in the coming months. “ L e t u s b e s t ro n g enough to applaud the good things and bold enough to discuss the negative things.

We should be part and parcel of our own development. Let us continue to celebrate our victories. Let us celebrate together, let us celebrate for one another and let us build on the positives and work on the negatives,” he said as he urged unity in the communities for the economic and social wellbeing of all involved.

The Heritage Village celebrations saw hundreds of Guyanese gathered to participate in the cultural activities.

A section of the gathering at Sunday's Heritage Day celebrations at Mainstay/Whyaka village

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Churches urged to help lift living standards

PRESIDENT David Granger on Sunday called on churches of all denominations and faiths and all Guyanese to start a new movement, built on the pillars of the Village Movement from which this nation was birthed.

The Head-of-State told the congregation at a special service to mark the 175th Anniversary of the St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara that the rich legacy and hard earned gains of the nation’s forbearers must be safeguarded

and productively used to enhance the living standards of all citizens.

“Examine closely and carefully what happened in 1838 and how it was that 80,000 freed men and women were inspired to save their money to start this beautiful village Movement… Just as our foreparents had the intelligence to save their money and invest in land to ensure that future generations have secure lives, we too have an obligation to maintain that land and to ensure that the land is gainfully used,” the President said.

He explained to the congregation that their foreparents in their wisdom purchased land and erected the villages firmly on four important pillars: the school, the church, the home and the farm.

President Granger said that as poor and uneducated as they were, freed Africans recognised the importance of educating their children, keeping their families together in homes, worshipping God and cultivating their own food on farms. “I warn you that if you kick those pillars down, the villages

President David Granger delivering his address at the service to commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church

will collapse… If you go into any community and the schools are empty, the churches are empty, the farms are overgrown and the homes are broken, then you are facing catastrophe,” he said.

The President used the forum to express his concern over the

A section of the congregation

symptoms of decay that plague communities across the country such as domestic and interpersonal violence, suicide, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, and an increase in school dropouts. He said that some of these problems arose from the fact that people

abandoned the principles their foreparents lived by.

Emphasising the need for unity and cooperation among Guyanese, the President reminded the congregation that the greatest Commandment of the Bible is “love your neighbour as thyself” and noted that if citizens abide by this, then issues such as racism, which goes against God’s teachings, will become a thing of the past.

Meanwhile, Minister of the St. Luke’s Church, Rev. Colleen Anderson said that she is proud of the legacy that the church has built over the years. “Today we are sitting in a building that was constructed about 55 years ago, but our forefathers started this movement 175 years ago and we have to continue to carry out God’s (commandment) and to share this spiritual gift of faith,” she said.

The Parish of St. Luke’s was first established in August 1826. In December 1839, the foundation stone was laid by Governor Henry Light for the Parish’s building, but it was not completed until October 2, 1842. The church is celebrating its anniversary under the theme, “Honouring our legacy, rooted in faith.” (Ministry of the Presidency)

GPHC records drop in breast cancer cases -new oncology centre to be commissioned soon

THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has recorded a decrease in the number of patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Dr. Gillisa D’Aguiar, a doctor attached to the hospital’s oncology department, shared this positive revelation with persons who were at the launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the parking lot of the GPHC on Sunday.

Breast cancer is the top cancer in women, both in the developed and the developing world. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the incidence of breast cancer is increasing in the developing world, which includes Guyana, due to increased life expectancy, increased urbanisation and the adoption of western lifestyles. Although records show that the prevalence of this disease is expected to rise, there has been a notable decrease in the number of patients over the past three years at the GPHC. Statistics show that the number of patients who were

PAHO/WHO Representative to Guyana, Dr. William Adu-Krow, addresses the gathering at the GPHC during the launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month Construction still ongoing on the building that will house the new oncology department at the GPHC.

diagnosed with breast cancer moved from 125 in 2015 to 86 last year and so far for this year 65 new patients have been registered at the GPHC. Dr. D’Aguiar said the decrease was significant, but they are unsure whether it was due to persons not being screened or it was a natural decrease. “In many instances, patients do not utilise the screening services offered by

the hospital or NGOs, therefore, most of the times they get caught in the late stages when there is little or nothing that can be done,” lamented the doctor.

I HAVE HOPE

She however pointed out that there is still hope and this year they intend to make the most of Breast Cancer Awareness month under the

theme, “I have hope…Get screened! Early detection saves lives.”

During this month, teams will be dispatched across the country to conduct screening for not just breast cancer, but also for cervical and oral cavity cancer. The medical professional said this month will be another step in reassuring the public about the high quality of health care and

services that are offered by the hospital. Their intent this year is to maintain hard work, while raising awareness and educating the public about the benefits of early detection of cancers.

Representative of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) in Guyana, Dr. William AduKrow, echoed the sentiments of Dr. D’Aguiar and stressed the point that early detection

remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control.

“Although some risk reduction might be achieved with prevention, these strategies cannot eliminate the majority of breast cancers that develop in low and middle-income countries where breast cancer is diagnosed in very late stages. Therefore, early detection in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control,” he said.

According to Dr. AduKrow, over 1.3 million persons are diagnosed with breast cancer on a yearly basis. In an effort to ensure Guyana does its part to at least reduce that figure, Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, George Lewis, said they were granted permission in this year’s budget to construct new and better facilities to house the oncology department.

It is expected to be commissioned at the end of this month. He told the gathering about the commitment of GPHC to promoting early detection, so they have procured a new mammography machine that will improve the services which they offer.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3 2017

Municipalities in high dudgeon

--over order to return unspent subventions

By Naomi Marshall MUNICIPALITIES have been ordered by the Ministry of Communities to return the unexpended balances of their 2016 subvention to the Consolidated Fund, and they are not pleased about it.

The Guyana Association of Municipalities (GAM) is strongly objecting to the directive from the Ministry of Communities.

This directive, which was seen by the Guyana Chronicle, is in essence ordering all municipalities to prepare a cheque and submit it to the Ministry to facilitate the refund of the balance from 2016 to the Consolidated Fund.

GAM President, Mr Carwyn Holland, who is also Mayor of Linden, told the Guyana Chronicle: “We object strongly to the missive

sent out.”

Bemused as to the reason behind the Ministry’s decision, Holland said this is the first time, as far as he knows, that municipalities are being ordered to return unspent subventions.

“There are several municipalities that have legitimate reasons why their money wasn’t spent,” Holland said.

“I get complaints from several municipalities. Corriverton would have sent in their official Letter of Complaint to me, and the Linden Municipality would have also raised their complaints through their statutory meeting last Wednesday,” he added.

He went on to say, “In the case of Corriverton, request was made for duty-free machinery to help the municipality. That request was not given or granted, and that money wasn’t spent.

“In the case of Linden, our finances from earlier in the year, we are hearing don’t spend. Our target was to (1), get two compacter trucks for the town of Linden…”

SOME DIFFICULTIES According to Holland, Linden experienced some amount of difficulties in 2016, whereby they had differences with an administrative staff, which resulted in several documents being misplaced.

Noting that the Ministry of Communities is aware of this, Holland said: “The ministry would have sent auditors; they are aware of documents that could have not been found and all of these things. They are aware of the challenges that faced Linden.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a waste of time to send back these monies to the

Consolidated Fund when, as early as February, some municipalities were told not to spend, while there are some that were allowed to spend their money.

“I know into the second half of the year, there are some who are spending still.”

He told the Guyana Chronicle that the Ministry of Communities should have been understanding of the position the municipalities are in, as they are not as empowered as the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) with certain departments or even their own funding.

“Linden municipality for one... we just hired a work supervisor, but we don’t have a proper works department,” he said, adding: “No one in there can say they are handling projects and doing certain scope of works and all of these things.

“We’ve now been em-

powered to do things like this; we are not like the Region who have a full engineering department.

“We would have reached out to the Ministry of Communities for help with an engineer to assist us... Now I’m wondering where all these request went in those times of need and then to come now and to say, we have to take back the monies, it wasn’t spent etc...”

TWO COMPACTOR TRUCKS According to Holland, the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) was about to buy two compactor trucks from China, which would have helped with the garbage disposal problem in the town, but was advised by the administration that the Ministry of Communities was going to purchase the trucks for them.

Now, they have no idea whether or not those trucks will be bought. In 2016, he

said, of the $16M allocated to the LM&TC, $12M was budgeted for the purchase of the two compactor trucks.

GAM has since the issue of the directive raised their objection with the ministry’s permanent secretary, and is now doing so with the Ministry of Communities as well as the Ministry of Finance.

Minister of Communities, Mr Ronald Bulkan, when contacted on Monday, told the Guyana Chronicle that the instruction is in keeping with the country’s financial laws and regulations.

“It is an issue of principle. The Administration has pledged to abide by the regulations,” he said, adding that if monies have not been spent for a particular financial year, they must be returned to the treasury.

“It is not something that I am comfortable with or happy with,” Minister Bulkan said, adding that the ministry has no alternative but to comply.

Capoey pushes for Guyana to soon improved education deliver on promise --building supplies heading to delivery devastated islands shortly, PM reports

THE Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) community of Capoey continues to place emphasis on the important role education plays in the development of the nation’s youth.

In a recent interview, Capoey Toshao Melrose Henry stated, “We (the village council) realised that education is the only way to success and being educated is beneficial for our young people as they will become well equipped so that they can take on the role of leadership.”

She explained that in keeping with the government’s agenda to ensure that every child attends school, the village council has decided to purchase a 25-foot boat equipped with lifejackets to assist in the transportation of students to their various secondary schools.

Toshao Melrose Henry

Henry added that a newly purchased bus will deliver students to the region’s public road from where they will obtain necessary transportation for the remaining destination.

These services are provided free of cost to encourage regular attendance by students at their educa-

tional institutions.

The Toshao reiterated that the community will continue to encourage its young people to attain education as it will help to shape their future and they, in turn, will aid in the development of their village and that of the nation as a whole. (DPI)

THE Ministerial Task Force overseeing the provision of aid to hurricane-ravaged islands is gearing up to donate lumber and other materials.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo told media operatives on Monday that he wrote Minister of State Joseph Harmon on the situation, and a meeting will be held this week with the Civil Defence Commission on the way forward.

The Prime Minister stated that at the moment, the government has over 10 containers packed with supplies for the affected countries.

“We are trying to achieve 20 containers for the shipment of 300 tones lumber and other hardware which cannot go in

planes,” he explained.

The Prime Minister also took the time to refute reports that thousands of Guyanese want to return home.

He explained that to the contrary, persons are opting to rebuild, and that the government is assisting with this process.

“We should not have any panic and any over exaggerated report that thousands and thousands of people are about to come to Guyana. No! Everyone who lives in a state and has been devastated, their first obligation is that they want to rebuild,” he said, adding: “And that is something that we encourage among Caribbean people, to rebuild and to restart their lives. We are going to be

there to help as much as we can.”

The Prime Minister also said that the government is lending assistance to a family who is desirous of having their relative returned to Guyana for burial. This, he said, is one of the current priorities of the task force.

However, the Prime Minister noted that charity begins at home and as such, government is also paying attention and assisting regions in the country that were affected by floods and heavy winds.

Recently, several islands in the Caribbe an, including Barbuda, Dominica, St Maarten, Tortola, BVI and Puerto Rico were devastated by Hurricanes Maria and Irma.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

The 27 top performers with their bicycles following the handing-over ceremony

Region 10 helps make learning fun – rewards top NGSA performers with bicycles, other incentives THE top 27 performers from Region 10 at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) were on Sunday rewarded with bicycles.

The treat, which was coordinated by the Cecil Holland Foundation (CHF), in collaboration with the Linden Youth Leaders and the Region 10 arm of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), was also extended to five underprivileged children in the region.

Top performer Miguel Emmerson, who gained a place at Queen’s College with 517 marks, was awarded a laptop computer in addition to the bicycle.

The four other performers in the Top Five were each awarded electronic tablets in addition to bicycles.

The presentation was done by Linden Mayor, Mr Carwyn Holland, who is the son of Mr Cecil Holland, after whom the Foundation is named.

His wife, Mrs. Nikosa Holland, said that her family is pleased to be supporting the president’s vision towards education.

“Cecil Holland was someone who worked very hard to raise his children,” she said, adding: “And the legacy he would have left would have been, not for his children, but for so many of the community.

“So, the purpose of the Foundation is to contribute to the economic projects that will help to strengthen Linden, especially the children of our fine town.”

President David Granger, who was also present at the function, congratulated the children for their hard work and dedication. He also noted how proud he was of the organisations which came together to make the award possible.

“I would like to congratulate you the children for doing well; I hope that God will continue to bless you throughout your years at secondary school. And I would also like to thank the Holland family and the persons who organised the ceremony here,” President Granger said.

This is the second year that the Holland Foundation has undertaken this venture, and according to the mayor, it can only get better with each

Hinterland value-added agri in keeping with Hinterland project coming –Diversification Programme THE Ministry of Agriculture’s focus for Agriculture month 2017 is ‘Food Security and Hinterland Development: A National Priority. However, this message will be promoted by the government throughout the year to emphasise the need for diversification of local agriculture.

The government through the Agri-Ministry is currently engaged in a hinterland diversification programme in which they are now seeking to produce value-added commodities. Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) Dr. Oudho Homenauth said that the government is now seeking to launch a project which will bring value addition and mechanisation of agriculture to Regions One and Nine.

“We also have another government of Guyana-funded project which is about to be rolled and that one is targeting Regions One and

Nine. This one is going to target specifically some commodities. Those commodities where you can add value, that is agro-processing.”

Dr. Homenauth explained that emphasis has been placed on agro-processing and as such, a list of commodities has been identified to pilot the project.

These are cassava, peanut and cashew which will be mainly cultivated in Region Nine while work will be done with ginger and turmeric commodities in Region One. Region One is already on its way to having a facility commissioned which will see the processing of one ton of fresh turmeric rhizomes within three days. Dr. Homenauth added that NAREI has budgeted for a solar-powered facility in Region One which will be able to facilitate the mechanised drying of spices.

“Those projects will go a far way for value addition and in terms of empowering those communities, the hinterland communities, so that is why we are focusing this

year on hinterland development, something that will not (be focused) only for this year.”

For value-added production in Region Nine, Dr. Homenauth said that the pursuit is to extend the shelf life of the identified commodities, just as it was done with tomatoes in Region Eight. “We have to look at value addition because if you have for example planting cassava, you must have processing facilities in place to ensure that once you have these things processing, the shelf life of the food is going to be preserved because that’s a staple.”

The hinterland diversification programme came on stream as the agriculture ministry saw it fit for the country, particularly farmers, to adapt to climate change. Moving farming inland has the potential of becoming a self-sufficient, agricultural stronghold, with the ability to address and ultimately solve the food insecurity of the Caribbean. (DPI)

passing year.

Other contributors to the venture included Reverend Charles and Mrs Maureen Davidson; Mr

Roger Hinds of Mahdia; Captain Gerry Gouveia; and Sports journalist, Mr Rawle Toney.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 3, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 3, 2017 From back page

Miss World Guyana...

To this end, Ms Mookram said that on September 10 last, along with huge assistance from NAMILCO and the Grove/Diamond NDC, she opened a Fitness Park and Diabetes Centre in Avenue ‘A’, Diamond Housing Scheme which will focus on physical fitness and nutrition.

She told the gathering that she has been very busy promoting her platform ever since she was crowned Miss Guyana World in June this year. She loves working with children and was pleased to see so many of them present at the Grove Playfield.

She was also pleased to learn that NAMILCO has been supporting the development of the sport not only on the East Bank but in Guyana by extension, sponsoring the first-ever Intra Association Under-17 League.

Ms Mookram, along with NAMILCO Marketing Consultant Affeeze Khan ensured that all present were treated to one of the company’s marquee product, Wheat-Up Porridge, before she kicked the ball off to signal the official start of proceedings.

A total of six teams participated in the event. The teams in the final, Grove Hi Tech and Ballers of Grove, agreed to spilt the spoils equally.

The other competing teams were Friendship All Stars, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Diamond United and Herstelling Raiders. Grove Hi

Tech drew the bye to the final after they won their opening match against Herstelling, 5-1.

Ballers got the better of Kuru Kururu on penalty kicks in the lone semifinal 3-1. They had won their respective opening matches against Diamond and Herstelling, Fazia’s Collection also contributed to the event.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 3, 2017

Herath’s 400th Test wicket seals dramatic Sri Lanka win

Rangana Herath becomes the second Sri Lankan to take 400 Test wickets.

RANGANA Herath claimed his 400th Test wicket as Sri Lanka secured a dramatic 21-run win over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi to answer their critics in style.

The veteran bowler stole the headlines on an action-packed final day of the first Test, bringing up his landmark scalp with the match-clinching lbw dismissal of Mohammad Abbas.

It was the 16th wicket to fall yesterday as Pakistan were all out for 114, after Sri Lanka – whitewashed in all formats on their tour of India – posted 138.

Herath ended with figures of 6-43 to give his side the lead in the two-match series, becoming only the second Sri Lankan to take 400 wickets in the longest format – half the total compiled by legendary compatriot Muttiah Muralitharan.

The 39-year-old’s man-

of-the-match display came on a pitch that deteriorated badly on the fifth day, when runs were hard to come by and no batsman was able to stamp his authority.

It all meant that a contest which had failed to provide much in the way of entertainment for four days concluded in memorable fashion.

Sri Lanka were left to defend 136 after lunch, with Niroshan Dickwella’s 40 not out representing their only meaningful resistance with the bat.

Yasir Shah helped himself to a five-for to set up what looked to be a very achievable chase for Pakistan.

But the warning signs were there from very early in their second innings, with Herath dismissing Sami Aslam for two, as the leftarm spinner began to weave his magic.

Pakistan were rarely able

to build momentum and on 36-5 they were well on their way to blowing it.

A brief rally saw Sarfraz Ahmed (19) and Haris Sohail (34) put on 42, but Herath refused to stay quiet for long and he ultimately broke up the partnership when Sarfraz came down the pitch and missed a dipping delivery, allowing Dickwella to stump him.

That broke Pakistan’s spirit and the tail was cleaned up in short order, although only after Kusal Mendis had

GAPLF Raw Nationals

Rahim, Oudit emerge overall winners … Immadeen, Oudit rewrite National records Rangana Herath

prematurely celebrated the win when his catch came off a Dilruwan Perera no-ball.

Herath’s place in the history books was the final action of the match, sparking wild celebrations from a Sri Lanka side who exorcised some of the demons of their India misery.

The second meeting starts on Friday in Dubai.

(Omnisport)

SCOREBOARD

SRI LANKA 1st innings 419 (D. Chandimal 155 n.o., D. Karunaratne 93, N. Dickwella 83) PAKISTAN 1st innings 422 (A. Ali 85, H. Sohail 76, S. Masood 59, S. Aslam 51; R. Herath 5-93) SRI LANKA 2nd innings (overnight 69-4) Dimuth Karunaratne c Masood b Shah 10 Kaushal Silva lbw b Sohail 25 Lahiru Thirimanne c S. Ahmed b Shafiq 7 Kusal Mendis lbw b Abbas 18 Dinesh Chandimal c Shafiq b Shah 7 Suranga Lakmal c B. Azam b Abbas 13 Niroshan Dickwella not out 40 Dilruwan Perera lbw b Shah 6 Rangana Herath c Masood b Shah 0 Lakshan Sandakan c Amir b Shah 8 Nuwan Pradeep b H. Ali 0 Extras: (lb-3, nb-1) 4 Total: (all out, 66.5 overs) 138 Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-33, 3-51, 4-65, 5-73, 6-86, 7-101, 8-101, 9-135.

Bowling: Mohammad Amir 12-4-27-0, Mohammad Abbas 12-3-22-2 (nb-1), Yasir Shah 27-5-51-5, Hasan Ali 7.1-0-21-1, Asad Shafiq 3.4-0-7–1, Haris Sohail 5-2-7-1.

PAKISTAN 2nd innings (Target: 136 runs) Shan Masood c K. Silva b D. Perera 7 Sami Aslam c Karunaratne b Herath 2 Azhar Ali c Dickwella b Lakmal 0 Asad Shafiq c Karunaratne b Herath 20 Babar Azam c Dickwella b D. Perera 3 Haris Sohail lbw b D. Perera 34 Sarfraz Ahmed stp. Dickwella b Herath 19 Hasan Ali b Herath 8 Mohammad Amir b Herath 9 Yasir Shah not out 6 Mohammad Abbas lbw b Herath 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-4, nb-1) 6 Total: (all out, 47.4 overs) 114 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-7. 3-16, 4-32, 5-36, 6-78, 7-98, 8-100, 9-111.

Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 5-1-12-1, Rangana Herath 21.44-43-6, Dilruwan Perera 18-4-46- 3 (nb-1), Nuwan Pradeep 2-1-4-0, Lakshan Sandakan 1-0-4-0.

Maharaj, Rabada bowl Proteas to big win

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa (Reuters) Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj ran through the Bangladesh batting order to lead South Africa to an emphatic 333-run victory in the first Test as the visitors capitulated meekly on the final morning yesterday.

Resuming at Senwes Park on 49 for three and hoping to provide some stubborn resistance, Bangladesh were dismissed for just 90 with Rabada returning figures of 3-33 and Maharaj 4-25 as South Africa took the last seven wickets for 41 runs.

Rabada claimed three quick wickets, starting with captain Mushfiqur Rahim, to more than fill the void left by the injury to fellow strike bowler Morne Morkel, who has been ruled out for six weeks with a side strain he suffered on Sunday.

Hashim Amla took a sharp catch off Rabada in the third over of the morning to see Mushfiqur depart for 16,

out batsman on 15. South Africa had scored 493-3 and 247-6, both declared, in their two innings, while Bangladesh responded with 320 in their first innings.

The second Test starts in

South Africa’s bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj do the damage with seven wickets between them.

setting off a quick procession of batsmen. Mahmudullah was then bowled for nine and Liton Das next adjudged legbefore as he padded up to an inswinger from Rabada.

Maharaj chipped in with two more lbws to leave Bangladesh on 73-8 at the first drinks break after just an hour’s play. Rabada then ran out Shafiul Islam, attempting an unnecessary third run, and Mustafizur Rahman was the last wicket to fall as Maharaj bagged a caught-and-bowled.

Mehidy Hasan was the not-

Bloemfontein on Friday, where a livelier pitch is expected after the track in Potchefstroom proved flat throughout the five days.

SCOREBOARD

SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 496 for 3 decl. (D. Elgar 199, H. Amla 137, A. Markram 97) BANGLADESH 1st innings 320 (M. Haque 77, Mahmudullah 66) SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings 247 for 6 decl. (F. du Plessis 81, T. Bavuma 71) BANGLADESH 2nd innings (overnight 49-3; Target: 424 runs) Tamim Iqbal b M. Morkel 0 Imrul Kayes c de Kock b Maharaj 32 Mominul Haque lbw b M. Morkel 0 Mushfiqur Rahim c Amla b Rabada 16 Mahmudullah b Rabada 9 Liton Das lbw b Rabada 4 Sabbir Rahman lbw b Maharaj 4 Mehidy Hasan not out 15 Taskin Ahmed lbw b Maharaj 4 Shafiul Islam run-out 2 Mustafizur Rahman c & b Maharaj 1 Extras: (b-1, nb-2) 3 Total: (all out, 32.4 overs) 90 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-0, 3-49, 4-55, 5-62, 6-67, 7-67, 8-71, 9-75.

Bowling:M. Morkel 5.2-2-19-2 (nb-1), K. Rabada 103-33-3 (nb-1), D. Olivier 5.4-1-12-0, K. Maharaj 10.41-25-4, A. Phehlukwayo 1-1-0-0.

By Vishani Ragobeer AFTER intense competition between strong men and women at the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation’s (GAPLF) Raw Nationals Championships last Sunday, Vijai Rahim (74kg) and Lisa Oudit (84kg) emerged as the overall winners.

In the male segment of the competition, where there were more competitors, there was a battle of strength between the newcomers and the seasoned lifters.

In the end, Rahim clinched the overall title after garnering the highest wilks points - a total of 476.722 through his 7.5kg squat, 137.5kg bench press and his 272.5 deadlift, which totalled 637.5kg.

He scored in the open category for his weight class, beating Donnell Perry whose total was 100kg less than Rahim’s.

Berbice powerlifting pride and team member of the Guyanese contingent that participated in the Pan American championships earlier this year, Arif Immadeen, took part in this competition too, seeking to be the victor.

He was able to total 383.975 wilks points and 485kg after his 175kg squat, 95kg benchpress and 215 deadlift, scoring first place in the junior 66kg category but was beaten in the open category by Derran Harris from the Hardcore Gym who lifted a 500kg, with 392.6 wilks points. Nevertheless, Immadeen wrote the 66kg junior records with his squat, deadlift and total.

In the 53kg weight class, Neezam Deepan was able to lift a total of 215kg, amassing 260.881 wilks points, making him the male junior and open champion. And in the 59kg class, Navindra Tamasar edged past Dwayne Welch with his 442.5kg total and 387.188 wills points.

Brandon Badal, Johnny Seecharran and Hardat Tarson scored the top positions in the sub-junior, junior and open categories respectively in the 83kg class.. However, in the open category here, Tarson topped second place winner Phillip Romalho and third-place holder VIckram

Panday with his 585kg total.

Joseph Stoll and Feroze Hussain fought in the 93kg class, and in the end, Hussain beat Stoll in the open category with his 527.5kg total and 333.380 wilks points versus Stoll’s 412.5kg and 262.433 points. Christoper Richards was the only competitor in the 105Kg class, and he amassed a total of 620kg and 379.378 wilks points.

Finally, Colin ‘Mr Clean’ Chesney from the Upper Demerara Barbell Club garnered 445.625 wilks points and a total of 775kg after his 317.5kg squat, 167.5 benchpress and his 290kg deadlift.

Though comprising fairly new powerlifters, the distaff side of the competition brought the heat with the females battling for supremacy.

Lisa Oudit, sole female competitor in the 84kg weight class, placed first in the open category for her weight class and emerged the overall winner of the competition.

Buddy’s Gym lifter erased the national squat, benchpress, deadift and total records set by Jackquelyn Toney in this weight class after she managed a 130.5kg squat, 60.5kg benchpress and a 135.5Kg deadlift which totalled 326.5kg and 304.429 wilks points.

With this score, she erased the chances of her competitors.

However, Grace Babb was able to cop first place in the female 72kg open and junior categories with 297.192 wilk points and a total of 290kg after her 107.5kg squat, 45kg benchpress and 137.5kg deadlift.

Following closely behind in the open category was Mekdeci, with a wilks points total of 277.368 and a total of 280kg and then Blossom Babb took third place with a total of 192.5kg and 191.287 wilks points.

President of the GAPLF, Ed Caesar, remarked that the athletes displayed a high degree of sportsmanship and proved that the local lifters can be “world record holders”.

With the completion of this event, the next highly anticipated powerlifting event will be the Seniors championships, set for later this year.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 3, 2017

England won’t win Ashes against Australia without Ben Stokes, says Chappell

FORMER Australia captain Ian Chappell is not confident that England will have a shot in the upcoming Ashes series without Ben Stokes.

Stokes was arrested on Monday (September 25) after he was caught on video involved in a violent brawl, with footage showing him appearing to throw up to 15 punches in an incident that left him with a broken finger.

The 26-year-old was detained overnight and released, proceeding to be named in England’s squad for this winter’s Ashes series.

However, he has since been suspended until further notice along with Alex Hales, who was present with him, putting the duo’s involvement in the high-pressure Test series at risk.

Chappell believes England will need Stokes if they have any hopes of retaining the Ashes.

“With Ben Stokes in the

England all-rounder Ben Stokes

team, England have a realistic chance of retaining the Ashes,” he wrote for Cricinfo. “If he is missing through suspension following his late-night altercation in Bristol, then there’s more chance of the Brexit decision being reversed than of England clinging to the urn.”

“That’s the dilemma facing the England hierarchy. If Stokes is convicted, they will have little choice but to seal his fate. The ECB will then be taking a decision it knows will almost certainly sentence the team to defeat.

Wood, Westley and Jennings picked for Lions training camp MARK Wood, Tom Westley and Keaton Jennings will travel to Australia for an England Lions training camp after being omitted from the Ashes squad.

Injury-plagued paceman Wood was not included in the 16-man touring party for the five-match series against Australia last week after struggling to shake off a heel problem.

The 27-year-old is to head Down Under for a Lions training camp in November and December, though, so could yet receive an Ashes call during the series.

Westley was also overlooked when the Ashes squad was named due to a lack of runs against South Africa and West Indies at number three.

The Essex batsman is among the 17 players who will report for Lions duty along with opener Jennings, who was dropped from the Test side after

the series win over South Africa.

The Lions will fly to Brisbane on November 14 and spend two weeks honing their skills with a focus on red-ball cricket before taking on a Queensland XI at the Allan Border Oval from November 27 to 29.

They will then head west to Perth to focus on white-ball skills, facing Perth Scorchers in three Twenty20 matches.

Chris Silverwood will coach the fast bowlers in Australia, while Adam Hollioake has been appointed as fielding coach.

England Lions squad: Dom Bess, Joe Clarke, Paul Coughlin, Alex Davies, Ben Duckett, George Garton, Nick Gubbins, Tom Helm, Keaton Jennings, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Porter, Amar Virdi, Tom Westley, Mark Wood.

(Omnisport)

“Nevertheless Stokes is innocent until proved guilty, so let’s proceed with a breakdown of the two teams on the basis that he’ll be in Australia, receiving endless taunts both on and off the field.”

Chappell adds that it is not only Stokes’ ability that will be missed but his character and ability to make a difference when it matters.

“It’s not only Stokes’ skill with bat, ball and in the field that makes a difference to England but also his competitive aura,” Chappell added. “His match-winning

capabilities drag his teammates along with him, and because he’s not overawed by an opponent, it helps to boost any England player who feels overmatched in Australia.”

“He is a serious difference-maker.”

With the interest in Test cricket gradually declining over the years, the 74-yearold also issued a warning that the highly-anticipated Ashes series could be affected by the absence of the England all-rounder.

“The upcoming Ashes series has the potential to be just what Test cricket desperately needs: a highly competitive and hard-fought contest,” he explained.

“However, it will be severely diminished if Stokes is absent, meaning that Australia could virtually wrap up the series before a ball is even bowled, following a blow delivered by one of their fiercest opponents.”

Bellew vows to end Haye’s career in December 17 rematch LONDON, England (Reuters) - British heavyweight Tony Bellew has vowed to end the boxing career of former WBA world champion David Haye in their December rematch in London.

The pair will meet on December 17 at the O2, the same arena where Bellew beat Haye in March.

“I’ll be victorious and end Haye’s career. Another loss to me closes the curtain on the Hayemaker,” former WBC cruiserweight world champion Bellew told the BBC after the date was confirmed.

Haye, 36, was fined £25 000 ($32 000) for his conduct in the build-up to the previous fight, with intense news conferences and heated trash-talk between the big men.

Bellew stopped Haye, who had suffered an

British heavyweight boxer Tony Bellew

Achilles tendon injury, in the 11th round of their first fight.

“Bellew somehow won the lottery in our first fight, but believe me, he won’t win the lottery twice,” declared Haye on Friday.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Toby Davis)

Formula One title rivals should be wary of Red Bull

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Formula One title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel should both be wary of resurgent Red Bull after Max Verstappen’s victory in Malaysia at the weekend.

While the Dutch 20-yearold and his Australian team mate Daniel Ricciardo are not championship contenders, they could yet be kingmakers.

How they fare in the remaining five races may play a big part in determining whether the drivers’ crown ends up at Mercedes or Ferrari, even if Hamilton looks the clear favourite.

With the Briton now 34 points ahead of Ferrari rival Vettel and 125 points left to be won, any further success for Red Bull would help tilt the title towards Hamilton unless he suffers misfortune.

Hamilton is almost at the point where a string of second places would be enough for him to be world champion for a fourth time, even if Vettel were to finish first in every remaining race.

Assuming Hamilton keeps up his impressive

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang

run of 20 successive scoring finishes, Vettel needs to win repeatedly and be supported by team mate Kimi Raikkonen.

Even then, three Ferrari one-two finishes in succession would still see Hamilton lead the championship into the penultimate round if he finishes third every time.

Were Verstappen and Ricciardo to become the filling in a red and silver sandwich, finishing behind the two Ferraris but ahead of

the Mercedes pair, then that would change everything.

That may just be wishful thinking on the part of Ferrari fans stunned by their team’s recent implosion -both drivers colliding at the start in Singapore and then handicapped by power unit problems in Malaysia.

Few will need to be reminded that Hamilton has won the U.S. Grand Prix, a race yet to come, five times in the past six years and ended 2016 with four wins

in a row.

Yet Mercedes, winners of nine out of 15 races so far this year, are alert to the danger.

“Probably if you look at the real pace today, it would have been P5 (fifth place).

And that is worrisome,” team boss Toto Wolff said after Hamilton finished second without ever challenging Verstappen.

“On paper the Ferrari is the fastest car, followed by the Red Bull and then us,” the Austrian had observed after qualifying.

Had Raikkonen lined up in second place in Malaysia, rather than retiring before the start, and Vettel had not been sidelined in qualifying, there is every chance that Ferrari and Red Bull could have kept Hamilton off the podium.

“There are some real big problems that I can’t really explain to you,” Hamilton said after a race that saw team mate Valtteri Bottas, with a package of supposed improvements, finish only fifth.

“I don’t know which one of these next races is going to be good for us, which races are not, but we’ll do everything we can to try and stay ahead.”

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 3, 2017

RHTY&SC to host softball cricket tournament to honour memory of Naeem Nasir …Ganga expresses full confidence in club

THE Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) MS, Guyana’s leading youth and sports club, will be hosting a softball cricket tournament this coming Sunday, to honour the memory of the founder of Bakewell, Naeem Nasir.

Nasir, a long-time supporter and sponsor of the RHTY&SC MS, died five years ago and this year’s tournament would be the third edition.

Bakewell has been the official sponsor of the RHTY&SC, Under-17 and Second Division teams since 2000.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster during a simple presentation ceremony at the Company’s head office, Triumph, East Coast, Demerara, stated that as usual, the RHTY&SC would arrange a tournament of the highest standard and one that would pay tribute to an outstanding son of Guyana.

Nasir, Foster recalled, was a strong believer in the RHTY&SC, MS, and he hailed the late businessman as one of the main reasons

Bakewell CEO Rajin Ganga hands over sponsorship to RHTY&SC executive Rabindranauth Kissoonlall.

why the Club is widely rated Guyana’s best.

Since Bakewell came on board as an official cricket sponsor in 2000, the RHTY&SC has won five Guyana Cricket Club-of-theYear Award, three National Championships and produced close to 100 Berbice cricketers at all levels.

Hosting a successful soft-

ball tournament is the best way the RHTY&SC can pay tribute to Nasir, Foster stated, and at the same time, uphold the high standard it has set itself in the past.

General Manager of Bakewell, Rajin Ganga, stated that the late Naeem Nasir was always proud of his involvement with the RHTY&SC and even prouder of its countless

achievements over the years.

Bakewell, Ganga noted, has full confidence in the Club’s ability to honour the memory of the late Nasir.

The Nasir Memorial Softball Tournament will involve twelve teams drawn from across Berbice.

Teams expected to be part of the tournament are Jai Hind, Prophecy Boys, Hard Knock, Grill Master, Shanie Grocery, Tain, Letter Kenny, Rose Hall Town and Canje.

The winning team will receive $100 000 and trophy, while second- and third-place teams will pocket $50 000 and $25 000 respectively.

Teams are asked to call the RHTY&SC MS, office on 337 4562 for more information. Only Berbice-born players would be allowed to play. Teams are required to be at the Area ‘H’ ground by 08:30hrs for a prompt 09:00hrs start.

Meanwhile the RHTY&SC Cricket Development Committee would like to inform teams that the Busta Champion of Champions softball tournament starts on October 15.

Windies to leave next week for Zimbabwe Test matches

HARARE, Zimbabwe (CMC) – Queens Sports Club will host both Tests when West Indies arrive here next week Wednesday for their short series against Zimbabwe.

The tourists are expected to play a three-day warm-up match before taking on the hosts in the two Tests at the venue in Bulawayo, which last hosted a match in the longest format when New Zealand toured last year August.

“The first Test is pencilled for October 21-25 while the second one is set for October 29 to November 2,” Zimbabwe Cricket

West Indies will play two Tests against Zimbabwe.

spokesman, Darlington Majonga said.

He added: “West Indies will play a warm-up match facing Zimbabwe A in a three-day practice match beginning October 15 at the Bulawayo Athletic Club.”

The series is expected to see the return of Brendan Taylor and Kyle Jarvis, both of whom have not played for Zimbabwe in recent years.

Taylor, 31, has not suited up since the 2015 World Cup while the 28-year-old Jarvis

played the last of his eight Tests four years ago. Both have spent the last few years in England playing County cricket.

West Indies will be looking to turn the page on an overall disappointing tour of England where they lost the three-match series 2-1.

However, they will fancy their chances against a Zimbabwe side which have played just 13 Tests inside the last four years, winning just two and losing their last nine.

The Windies have never lost a Test to Zimbabwe, while winning six of their eight career meetings.

Harvey, Macey second-half goals earn Uitvlugt a place in quarterfinals A GOAL apiece off the boots of Jamal Harvey and Christopher Macey ensured Uitvlugt Warriors a place in the quarter-final round of the Hamilton Green Knock-Out Cup Football Tournament.

Playing at the Den Amstel ground, West Coast Demerara, on Sunday, Uitvlugt Warriors netted two second-half goals through Harvey (52nd) and Macey (68th)

to secure a 2-1 win against Santos whose Rondell Gardener pulled one back for the Georgetown-based unit in the 78th minute.

With the win, West Coast Demerara team (Uitvlugt) will now await the outcome of the next fixture on the card when Georgetown Football Club (GFC) face Silver Shattas of Linden at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, from 17:00hrs. on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, Milerock of Linden will face Western Tigers of Georgetown from 19:00hrs at the same venue while the feature game brings together Winners Connection and their Linden counterparts Eagles United from 21:00hrs.

Last Sunday Police secured a walkover victory over Riddim Squad who failed to make an appearance for their game.

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

The third- and fourthplace teams will receive $150 000 and $100 000 along with the John Fernandes Limited and Cummings Electrical trophy respectively.

North GT Inter-school championship

QC, Bishops’ High, St Rose’s High and Westfield Prep record wins NORTH Georgetown District 11 began their search for their 2017 team yesterday, with Queen’s College, Bishops’ High, St Rose’s High and Westfield Prep Primary each winning at swimming in their respective Zones, to take early leads as District 11 Inter-School Championships commenced..

By the end of the day’s action at the Colgrain Swimming Pool, QC had put together 189 points to successfully defend their title in Zone One, a 35 points lead over Marian Academy. Chase Academy were third with 112 points.

Westfield Prep Primary also successfully defended their title in Zone Four, which comprises all the primary schools in the District.

Westfield ended with three times the number of points as their nearest competitors – St Margaret’s.

North Georgetown and Marian Academy shared third place after amassing 22 points each. Concord was fourth with 16 points and Winfer Gardens ended in fifth with 11 points.

Over in the Zone Two, thanks to wins like those picked up by national swimmer Lian Winter, Bishops’ High were able to overthrow Christ Church and return to dominance, taking 165 points in the end.

Swimming in the Girls’ Under-14 category, Winter championed the 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke, the only events in her category.

Christ Church were unable to defend their title after putting together just 158 points. Guyana Trust College took third in Zone 2 with 124 points.

School of the Nations had 50 points, while St John’s had 20 points.

Another upset took place in Zone Three where St Rose’s High returned to unseat St Stanislaus College (Saints), with leading wins from top swimmer Leon Seaton in the Boys’ Under-14 category, and Nikhil Ramnarine in the Boys’ open.

St Rose’s High, who did not participate at the event last year, stockpiled 156 points. Saints were not too far behind with 122 points.

Saints scored a few top points from Alex Winter who ruled the Boys’ open category winning the 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke events.

Brickdam Secondary ended a distant third, in Zone 3, with 41 points followed by Business School with 33 points and St Mary’s Secondary 18 points.

The schools continue their battle today at the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) ground, with field events competition in Zones 1, 2 and 3.

Tomorrow there will be Zone 4’s Inter-School Track Championships, while the Zone’s field events championships will be on Friday.

The competition then continues next week with the Inter-School Track Championships for the remaining Zones.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday October 03, 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) Roger Harper (19); Chris Gayle (18); Ravi Rampaul (17); Ian Bishop (15) (2) 26 teams Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the recent WI/ENG ODI series?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Series in the justconcluded WI/ENG ODI series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 3, 2017

Thousands thrilled at Caribbean Invasion Drag meet

Danns makes return to Golden Jaguars … Terence Vancooten to make international debut

Marlon Wilson and Rayon Brijpal race to the finish line. (Samuel Maughn photo)

THOUSANDS of fans were thrilled on Sunday when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) hosted its Caribbean Invasion Drag race meet.

Featuring scores of competitors, the event saw action in eight classes including the bikes.

In the 15-second class,

Davendra Persaud, with his Toyota Corolla, reigned supreme after several of his competitors broke out of the class. Shivan Raganath was the winner of the 14-second class with his Toyota Sprinter.

13-second defending champion Imran Khan bowed out early, due to a false start leaving Law-

rence Bhowandin and his Toyota Glanza the top spot.

Aditia Budram in his Toyota Levin was the star of the 12-second class while Rajesh Panday and the Team Avengers Mark II took the 11-second bracket.

Oneil Higgins and his Toyota Caldina provided a blast from the past for the 10-second class while

Shawn Persaud and his Caldina won the unlimited trophy and in the process posted a fastest time of 8.311.

The bikes were in no short order as well, with Julius Seunarine aboard his Suzuki GSX-R taking that class.

Fans were also thrilled by the novelty races.

‘Jackie Chan’, Kellman, Garrett fire President’s XI to 3-0 win Neil Danns in action for Guyana against St Vincent and the Grenadines during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.

(Samuel Maughn photo)

By Rawle Toney

Competing teams pose after the completion of the charity game on Sunday at the Everest ground.

GREGORY ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, along with Curtez Kellman and Jeremy Garrett all found the net for the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) President’s XI team, during their 3-0 win over the Indigenous XI on Sunday at the Everest cricket ground.

The charity match was organised by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs

and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to aid their Caribbean counterparts, who are victims of hurricanes Irma and Maria, which ravaged parts of the Region last month.

Playing in front of a sizeable crowd, the President’s XI, comprising players who are encamped for Guyana’s International Friendly in Grenada on Saturday, were too imposing for the Indigenous XI and

controlled the game from the entire 90 minutes.

Kellman netted the game’s first goal in the 37th minute, as the President’s XI, despite their dominance, could only manage a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half.

Richardson scored one of his many attempts in the 70th minute, while Garrett scored in the closing seconds of the game (96th minute).

In the supporting game, a female encounter, the National U-17 team defeated a select All-Star team 7-1, thanks to a hat-trick from Tiandi Smith who scored in the 20th, 23rd and 29th minutes.

Lakeisha Pearson (28th, 31st) and Anulisa Vincent (37th, 40th) scored a double each, while Sasha James (34th) scored the lone goal for the All-Star team.

UK-BASED Neil Danns is about to make a return to the Golden Jaguars, as Guyana’s Senior National Football team prepare for their October 7 International Friendly against Grenada at the Kirani James Stadium in St George’s.

It will be déjà vu for Danns, 34, who made his international debut for the Golden Jaguars against Grenada. He assisted in both of Pernell Shultz’s two goals, which resulted in Guyana walking away with a 2-0 win.

However, the game was rewarded to Grenada and Guyana also fined by FIFA, after the sport’s world-governing body deemed former English Premier League (EPL) defender Matthew Briggs’ participation ‘illegal’.

Danns, who plays in the midfield, is coming off a sensational run in English football’s League One with Blackpool, and featured four times for Guyana, scoring three goals.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old full-back Terence Vancoo-

ten who plays for Stevenage Football Club in the English football’s League Two, is expected to make his international debut for Guyana after being called by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

Defender Warren Creavalle, who features in the USA’s Major League Soccer (MLS) with the Philadelphia Union, will also be joining the team for another outing with the Golden Jaguars. So too is Englishman Samuel Cox, who usually wears the captain’s armband.

Finland-based Walter Moore, according to sources, is also expected to return as the GFF technical team looks to put together the strongest possible team to face Grenada.

With regard to the local players, the GFF still remains tight-lipped on its selection, with a source close to the team confirming that striker Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson will be included in the squad.

The team will depart on Thursday for Trinidad and Tobago, where they will play a warm-up match before heading to the Spice Isle.

McLeod only Caribbean athlete up for IAAF honour LONDON, (CMC) – World and Olympic champion Omar McLeod is the only Caribbean athlete nominated for the IAAF World Athlete-of-the-Year.

The 23-year-old Jamaican was one of the few successes from the region at the World Championships in London last August,

winning the men’s sprint hurdles in a time of 13.04 seconds.

McLeod, the fifth fastest of all time at 12.90, captured gold at last year’s Rio Olympics in 13.05.

Jamaican Usain Bolt, a sixtime winner of the award, was not among the 10-man shortlist. At his farewell in London, he failed

Jamaican World and Olympic champion Omar McLeod.

to make the impression he hoped, finishing third in the 100 metres as American Justin Gatlin took gold in the final.

Bolt crashed out of the sprint relay, pulling up on the final leg with injury.

The 31-year-old won the award last year following his double

sprint triumph in Rio and has only failed to win the award twice since 2008 – the year he burst onto the scene at the Beijing Olympics.

According to the IAAF, a three-way voting process – which will end October 16 – will determine the three finalists in the men’s and women’s category.

Thousands thrilled at Caribbean Invasion Drag meet

Page 27

Guyana unfairly knocked out of South American Youth Games boxing CITING that the boxers were ‘too experienced’, Guyanese boxers Keevin Allicock and Christopher Moore were knocked out of the boxing competition of the South American Youth Games, without throwing a single punch, after a protest against a change in age requirement, without prior notification, was turned down.

As the Games’ boxing competition began last Saturday, Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist Allicock was originally scheduled to be in 50kg to 52 kg (flyweight) category, while Moore was placed in the 60kg to 63kg men’s (lightweight) division. Both boxers left Guyana with high hopes, as did their supporters. However, it was not to be.

According to a report issued from the Guyana contingent’s Chefde-Mission, Godfrey Munroe, it was not until a technical meeting last Friday that boxing coach Terrence Poole was surprisingly informed that an age change rendered the two boxers ineligible to participate

Christopher Moore

- a change that Guyana was never notified about, prior to leaving the country.

“Guyana’s best prospects to medal at these games, in the sports discipline of boxing, were floored (suffered a major blow) when it was indicated to coach Terrence Poole that Guyana’s boxers would be unable to participate in the games due

Chef de Mission of the Guyana team Godfrey Munroe

to a change in the age stipulation which was never communicated to Guyana,” the report stated.

“Contrary to the stipulated age as outlined in the technical manual provided, for boxing, to the Chef de Mission, and as provided for the games management (which) indicated that National Olympic Committees can register athletes

GAPLF Raw Nationals

Rahim, Oudit emerge overall winners

Keevin Allicock

born on the 1st January 1999 and 31st December 2000, which Guyana complied with, in their submission of athletes Christopher Moore and Keevin Allicock.

“However, contrary to the manuals provided, a change was made twice to the age requirement for boxing, which was never communicated to the Guyana Olympic

committee.”

After learning of this, Munroe sought the intervention of the organising committee for this unfair injustice.

“Chef de Mission of the Guyana team, Godfrey, wrote the organising committee outlining Guyana’s position in view of a resolution.

The basis of the letter outlined that Guyana was seeking clarity as to the reasons why the change in age stipulations was never communicated to Guyana and sought intervention to explore a possibility of allowing our boxers to participate,” Munroe said in an email.

However, despite a verbal apology being issued, the final decision was not in Guyana’s favour. “(A) decision was taken at the technical congress not to allow our boxers to participate since it was felt that Guyana’s boxers would be too experienced,” Munroe explained. He added: “Guyana’s boxers continue to train and despite the setback have been very supportive of their team mates.”

NAMILCO/EBFA 7-A-Side tourney

Miss World Guyana Vena Mookram urges teams and fans to always aim high

… Immadeen, Oudit rewrite National records Page 24

Miss Guyana World Vena Mookram addresses fans and players.

Male and Female overall winners Vijai Rahim and Lisa Oudit pose with their awards.

REIGNING Miss Guyana World, 18-year-old Vena Mookram who will leave Guyana shortly to represent the Land of Many Waters at the Miss World Pageant in China next month,

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

kicked off the one-day 7-a-side East Bank Football Association (EBFA) competition last Saturday at the Grove Playfield.

In a short address to the players and fans on hand, Ms Mookram

urged all to appreciate the value of exercise and living healthy lifestyles while informing that her platform as the Miss Guyana World representative is focused on Diabetes. Turn to page 23 TUESDAY, OCTOBER, 3, 2017