Guyana Chronicle E-paper 10-12-2018

FRIDAY 12th October, 2018

No.105425

Billions budgetted for constitutional agencies 03 PAGE

‌ House to consider estimates next Thursday

UWI 11 student PAGE

Teachers hopeful

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‌ GTU, MoE optimistic wages dispute will be settled today

killed after hit by car

SOCU

probing Panama rice shipment fiasco 12 PAGE

$22.4M water ambulance sets off in Orealla 08 PAGE

Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence on Thursday commissioned this $22.4M water ambulance for the riverine communities of Orealla and Siparuta (Nafeeza Yahya photo)

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Teachers hopeful

…GTU, MoE optimistic wages dispute will be settled today

EXECUTIVES of the Guyana Teachers’ Union are looking forward to a favourable resolution coming out of the meeting scheduled for today with the Ministry of Education (MoE).

On Wednesday both the union and the Education Ministry concluded what they jointly termed as “fruitful” discussions, where new information was placed on the table.

Coming out of the meeting, General Secretary of the GTU, Coretta McDonald had stated: “Teachers can sleep easier, knowing that something good is expected to come on Friday.”

This high hope continued on Thursday as GTU Field-Secretary, Lancelot Baptiste, told the newspaper that the union believes that the matter has reached a promising stage of resolution. “We are waiting for

tomorrow’s meeting. After yesterday’s meeting we both left with the understanding that both parties will go back to the drawing board and look to see what is there and go tomorrow with an idea of having everything resolved.

So, we are waiting on that meeting,” he said.

When asked whether there is more optimism going forward to today’s meeting, Baptiste said: “Definitely.”

He added that the matter has already been discussed among their members with the union having relayed to them that they are now awaiting today’s results.

Meanwhile, GTU General Secretary, Coretta McDonald told the newspaper yesterday that she, too, was awaiting the new position to be put forward by the government. The Ministry of Education is expected to present today a “matrix of

figures,” with the parties being committed to reviewing the new information with interest of all teachers as top priority.

Prior to this and following a meeting between President David Granger and the GTU, a new salary offer had been extended to the union.

It positioned that teachers would be paid retroactive salary increases beginning with 10 per cent for 2016, and incremental increases of 8 per cent for 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Meanwhile, a sum of $350M was being offered for debunching for the period 2011 – 2018.

Although the union has not confirmed its acceptance of such, McDonald stated at the last meeting that the issue of salary increases will be carefully addressed. The GTU is presently being supported by the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC)

and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), which have reaffirmed their solidarity on various occasions.

Ahead of today’s meeting, GTUC General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis said that although no one knows yet what will become of today’s meeting, the union stands to defend the best interest of its members.

“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. They can have a resolution or they may not have a resolution. It depends on what the parties are going with to the table,” Lewis said, adding: “The Union has a responsibility to its membership and it is they who will have to be satisfied with it, not the TUC, not me or anybody outside of the union.”

The GTU and MoE are expected to meet today at 10:00hrs at the Ministry of Education’s Boardroom.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

Armed bandits savage Black Bush family

–– to say where ‘de American’ hiding; settle for $7M instead PLANS to open a gas station have now been temporarily aborted as the money meant to buy the fuel was forcibly taken by bandits mere days before the expected commissioning.

At approximately 23:00h on Monday night, six men armed with knives and guns Stormed the Lesbeholden South home of a rice farmer and her son, and beat the daylight out of them in the hope of flushing out a visiting relative of theirs from the United States.

Sixty-two-year-old Rajkumarie Hemchand, called “Pamela”, told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday that she was rendered speechless when she realised that they were being attacked by armed bandits, and that they were beating her son and a friend of his, both of whom were sitting outside enjoying a good ol’ countryside gyaff, to get the information they sought.

“Dem break up de lights

outside and beat meh son and bust up he head, and a next one tek a spade and knock one ah meh brother friend all over he body,” the businesswoman said.

“When they come inside, they start shouting, ‘Wheh de money? Wheh de money?’

And ah hear one ah dem ask fuh meh brother. Dem seh, ‘Wheh de Americans deh?’”

Hemchand said that as the men continued to demand money, they terrorised the family by beating the 25-year-old about his body and gun-butting him in the head.

After not making any headway, they then changed tactics, telling her to lie down while they ransacked the entire lower floor of the house. And when they couldn’t find anything of substance, they began kicking her about her body.

“Dem cuff meh and kick meh wid dem boots and only asking fuh money, money,” Hemchand said, adding: “De jewellery I had on me dem pull it out; an’ when de earring wasn’t coming off, one ah dem seh ‘Chop out she ears!’”

The men next made their way to the upper floor of the house, where they made a thorough search of all the rooms; they even upended the wardrobes and barrels, and that’s where they found the $7M. Seemingly satisfied at last, they quickly made their escape.

The woman related that the gas station was to be a joint venture between she and a brother who resides overseas, and that he only came in late last week to finalise the deal.

The money that the bandits made off with, she said, was to have been used to buy the fuel to get the business up and running.

The only reason he was not home when the robbery went down was because he had gone to drop another relative home.

The matter was reported to the police on Tuesday morning, but so far, no arrests have been made.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

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Billions budgetted for constitutional agencies … House to consider estimates next Thursday

THE National Assembly is expected to consider the 2019 Budget proposals of Constitutional Agencies when it reconvenes next Thursday at the Public Buildings.

According to the National Assembly’s Order Paper, which was released on Thursday, for the 97th Sitting of the National Assembly of the 11TH Parliament, approximately $1.845B has been proposed for the Parliament Office for Current and Capital expenditures for the period ending December 31, 2019. For 2018, $1.739B was proposed.

Approximately $894.2M has been proposed for the Office of the Auditor General while Current and Capital Estimates for the Public and Police Service Commission total $155.5M for the period ending December 2019. For 2018, $844.4M was proposed for the Auditor General’s Office while $158.7M was proposed for the Public and Police Service Commission.

The Teacher Service Commission’s Current and Capital Estimates for 2019 total $113.3M compared to $125.1M proposed in 2018, while $6.368B has been proposed for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) compared to $3.7B proposed in 2018. In 2019, the Elections Commission would be preparing for the National and Regional Elections expected to occur in 2020.

The Supreme Court of Judicature’s Current and Capital Estimates total $2.8B; the Chamber of Director of Public

Prosecution’s proposed budget has been set at $219.8M, the Office of the Ombudsman proposed budget has been set at $74.2M; and the Public Service Appellate Tribunal proposed budget at $62.8M. Other constitutional agencies whose proposed budgets will be considered during the Thursday sitting include: the Ethnic Relations Commission ($278.1M), the Judicial Service Commission ($10.02M), the Indigenous People’s Commission ($30.7M), the Human Rights Commission ($47.3M), the Rights of the Child Commission ($47.4M), Women and Gender Equality Commission ($45.2M) and the Public Procurement Commission ($276.7M) for the period ending 2019.

It was in 2015 that the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2015 was passed in the National Assembly to allow for the financial independence of the various constitutional agencies. The consideration of the proposed budgets is in accordance with Section 3B (2) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Act. It allows constitutional agencies to be given lump sums – a move that was intended to remove ruling politicians from using monies to influence the critical agencies.

On Thursday, President David Granger is expected to address the Parliament on areas of national importance.

The developing Oil and Gas Industry and the Guyana/Venezuela Border Controversy are among areas the president is likely to cover.

Hamley Case now Guyana’s ambassador to Russia

FREDERICK Hamley Case, Guyana’s non-resident Ambassador to the Russian Federation, presented his Credentials to President Vladimir Putin.

Ambassador Case who is also Guyana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be resident in London.

The Ambassador, during his official visit to Moscow, met with the Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander V. Grushko and Mr. Alexander Shchetinin, Director of the Department of Latin America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Case also held discussions with the

Frederick Hamley Case (centre) Guyana’s non-resident Ambassador to the Russian Federation stands alongside President Vladimir Putin (right) and another official Management of Rusal and members of the diaspora in sian Federation established formal diplomatic relations is expected to engage the Moscow.

Guyanese students and other Guyana and the Rus- on 17 December, 1970.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

admits shooting up the place 90 road deaths as ‘Veno’ --tells court he was just having fun of September – Police

Police said 90 persons lost their lives in road accidents for the period January 1 to September 30, 2018, representing an increase from last year.

According to official statistics released by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday, the Traffic Department has recorded, at the end of September 2018, a 5.7 per cent decrease in fatal accidents and an 11.7 per cent decrease in deaths.

“Our enforcement is continuous countrywide with

special emphasis on driving under the Influence of alcohol, speeding, music/ breach of condition of road service licence, overloaded minibuses, use of cellular phones, using vehicle other than licensed for (private hire) and failure to wear safety helmet,” the Traffic Department noted.

“The Traffic Department continues its lecture to schools programme; also visible patrols at school areas to ensure the safety of school children.”

Speeding is the number one cause of fatal accidents

on Guyana’s roadways, according to the statistics.

Of the total fatal accidents, 36 were as a result of speeding; 16 due to inattentiveness; 12 due to driving under the influence of alcohol; 8 because of pedestrian crossing in the path of an approaching vehicle; and 1 for failure to conform to road signs.

There was a recorded 21,910 instances of speeding and 2,456 cases of driving under the influence of alcohol.

A 27-year-old Venezuelan national was on Thursday charged at the Georgetown Magistrates Court for allegedly having two firearms in his possession.

The arrest was reportedly made last Sunday at a hotel in the Dukwari Backdam on the Cuyuni River where the accused, Jesus Rodrigues had sought to let off some steam by firing several shots in the air.

Rodrigues, when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan,

readily admitted having a .38 revolver in his possession along with three matching rounds of ammunition.

Venezuelan national, Jesus Rodrigues

As he explained to the magistrate, through an interpreter, “Normally when we (Venezuelans) drink, we is fire off shots in celebration.”

He, however, denied the charge which said that he had a 9mm pistol and

17 matching rounds in his possession on the same date and location.

According to the facts presented in court by Corporal DeNiro Jones, Rodrigues was staying at the hotel, when the owner complained to two constables that he was scaring the other guests by discharging a gun in the building.

When the two constables went in search of him, they found that he was indeed carrying a firearm.

Said Rodrigues in a plea for clemency, “Yes, I admit I bought an illegal gun, but I never had any trouble before.”

His plea, however, fell on deaf ears as the chief magistrate sentenced him to two years jail, and fined him $100,000 for possession of the .38 revolver and matching rounds.

He was also remanded until October 24, when he would answer the other charges at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

Father of six handed 5 years imprisonment for attempted murder

THE courtroom of Justice Sandil Kissoon was on Thursday filled with mixed emotions as the judge handed down a 5 year sentence to 43-year-old Eon Archibald, after the accused offered the victim compensation in the sum of $300,000.

Archibald, who is a security guard, was facing charges for two alternative counts, which State Prosecutor, Abbigail Gibbs presented before the court.

For the first count; on June 4th 2015, in the county of Demerara, Archibald attempted to murder Dwayne Anthony Wallace called ‘Country’ or in the alternative, wounded Wallace, with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, maim, disable, or disfigure him.

He initially pleaded not guilty to both charges. However, he changed to a guilty plea during the course of his trial.

During the trial, the victim testified that he was attacked and chopped twice, by Archibald, who accused him of having an affair with his reputed wife, an accusation he denied.

The reputed wife stood in the witness box on Thursday, and took responsibility for the incident, admitting that she did have an affair with ‘Country’.

Archibald expressed great remorse for what he did, looking over to the victim in the courtroom and pleading for his forgiveness. He told Wallace that he is sorry for what he did and he was acting out of anger and was confused about the situation.

Wallace however, said that even though he accepted the compensation, he will not accept the apology offered since he almost lost his life.

Justice Kissoon saw the genuine manifestation of remorse coming from the accused and his family but interjected, stating that it does not excuse his actions but can only be used as mitigation of sentence, along with the compensation.

After a quick recess, Judge returned with the sentence, stating that it should be used as a determinant to any other individual in society who may contemplate on reacting in such manner in similar situations.

He started at 20 years, deducted six years six months for the fact that he made a guilty plea and saved the court time, four years six months for the favourable probation report that was submitted, eight months for the time spent already, and a further three years four months for showing remorse and the compensation offered.

This left Archibald with a total of five years imprisonment. His family broke down in tears in the courtroom as they expressed that he is the main provider for his six children.

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Jagdeo frets over AFC OPPOSITION Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo called out the Alliance for Change (AFC) over its refusal to name the 10 to 15 Local Authorities Areas (LAAs) that it will no longer be contesting in for the upcoming Local Government Elections.

It was on Wednesday that the AFC announced that it would only be contesting in 38 of the 80 LAAs – approximately 15 LAAs less than it had originally hoped for but said with over 600 candidates spread across the country, it is optimistic about the elections. AFC’s Campaign Manager and Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, however, declined to disclose the names of the LAAs it has opted out. But this did not sit well with Jagdeo, who is also the Leader and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

“It is unbelievable that someone would come to a press conference and say we are pulling out of a large number of areas, we can’t tell if they are constituencies or LAAs and we can’t tell you where we are pulling out from,” the opposition leader told reporters during his weekly press conference on Thursday at his Church Street office.

He questioned when the party took the decision to withdraw from the approximately 15 LAAs, noting that failure to withdraw within the specified period identified by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) could have negative implications when Local Government Elections are held on Monday November 12, 2018.

The AFC has accused the PPP of bullying its way through

several Local Authority Areas to have candidates and nominators remove themselves from the AFC’s list. Other candidates, the AFC said, have suffered verbal abuse, threats and victimisation in PPP strongholds.

Notwithstanding challenges faced, the AFC said that they remain the “superior choice” contending that most of its candidates are below the age of 40.

Patterson said the AFC is opened to public debate within the various LAAs and constituencies ahead of the elections but Jagdeo believes that this is nothing but a sham.

“Imagine these people shut down debates in Parliament.

In Parliament they shut down debates, they rushed through bills, they refuse to answer questions. We have a long list of questions in Parliament that they refuse to give answers to, and now he wants debate here but I think it is just another sham because they have nothing else going for them,” Jagdeo said.

Nonetheless, the opposition leader said the PPP/C is willing to participate in well-organised debates. “If they are good debates and properly organised we don’t have a problem with our people participating but we are not getting caught up with running after something the AFC sees as a distraction for their failure on the ground and their lack of support,” he said.

According to Jagdeo, the PPP has approximately 3000 candidates that will be contesting in the elections. AFC said the debate will allow the candidates from the various parties and civil groups to put forward solutions to the plethora of challenges facing LAAs across the country.

Dog food vendor found with illegal firearm POLICE arrested a dog food vendor on Thursday after finding an illegal weapon at his ‘E’ Field Sophia, home.

The 25-year-old man was found with an unlicensed.32 Taurus pistol with 12 live matching rounds. Police said he is being processed for court. Only recently two dog food vendors were robbed and one shot at the corner of Aubrey Barker and Stevedore, North Ruimveldt. The suspect

fled the scene in a waiting motor car.

One of the injured dog food vendors was Shane Cooper, 26, of Bamboo D r i v e , M e a d o w B ro o k Squatting Area, who was shot in his abdomen and left leg during the attack. The gunman relieved him of a quantity of cash, said to be his sales for the day, and a gold chain and ring he was wearing at the time. The other vendor was a woman.

The seized firearm and rounds

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

GECOM challenges

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AST week, the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), retired Justice James Patterson issued a statement on the current state of affairs as they relate to its daily functions and its present task of preparing the nation for the hosting of Local Government Elections, slated for November 12, 2018.

It will be the second time in over twenty years that such an exercise is being held on its constitutionally due date. Given the specificity of Chairman Patterson’s style of speech, and his trademark precise manner for very clear, unambiguous and descriptive, his many statements gave a clear understanding of the issues he faces.

Among the most troubling of statements made were those that referred to the Commission as, “experiencing at every turn designs and machinations to stymie its operations…mischief is afoot, internal as well as external”; and that which referred to the dangerous input of racism, “It is even more sad to see that the default position of our politicians seems to play the race card…It seems to be our politicians have retreated into ethno political camps…”

These are indeed very troubling observations that are being concluded about one of the nation’s most critical constitutional offices, in which seminal functions are included in the nation’s most important human right–the exercising

Police to probe Whim-Bloomfield AFC backers list

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--present findings in court Oct 19 USTICE Navindra Singh has adjourned hearing arguments in a Writ of Certiorari filed by Whim resident Safraz Beekham against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Representing the Commission are Returning Officer Orlando Christopher Persaud of the Whim Neighbourhood Democratic Council, and Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield.

The move is so as to quash their decision to refuse to withdraw, remove, or delete the applicant’s name and the names of 49 other electors appearing on a list of backers in support of the Alliance For Change (AFC) constituency candidates.

The case has been adjourned to October 19 and set for the Demerara High Court.

Following a lengthy in-chambers discussions, Attorneys-at-Law Excellence Dazzel and Teni Housty, representing the Commission, emerged with the latter telling the Berbice media that in the interest of justice, the case has been adjourned in an attempt to achieve the best results.

However, Attorney-at-law Anil Nandilall, representing the applicant and those listed as AFC backers, told media operatives that he is challenging the names listed as backers to the AFC candidiates for the Whim-Bloomfield Local Authority Area (LAA).

He is contending that based on what he was told by his clients, they did not put their names on the list, and that neither was the list fraudulently obtained.

Consequently, the Court was invited to have the police launch an investigation into the matter, and have the findings ready to be presented on October 19, when the judge is expected to rule on it.

of the will of the people.

It must be reminded that GECOM’s functions are definably in the national interest, and must be exercised as such.

It is, therefore, of a non-partisan nature, meaning that it must be seen to be above board, without any recourse to political affiliation of any type, and ethnic–partiality. There is also a protocol which guides its deliberations at its most senior level, and that full adherence is expected by those participating. It is within this constitutional frame and capacity that it is expected to dispense its obligations to the nation, which is its primary responsibility.

There can be no denial that this constitutional function of this critical state institution is not known to all political parties, especially their leaders. Therefore, one expects that the latter will accord this national electoral body its due respect, and not for any of them to attempt in any manner to make it a target of partisan politics, as has been clearly the case, especially since the last national elections, held in 2015.

But this has clearly not been the case. For what has been discerned is a well-orchestrated attack on the GECOM, that has begun to impute race as a factor in its organisational structure, with specific reference to its employment practices. It is obvious that this accusation, although clearly disproven, has been continued with the unambiguous design to sow the seeds of distrust within the minds of the country’s

constituents, thus leading to a declaration of no-confidence in the ability of the national electoral body to manage voter exercise that is free and fair.

How can this be, when there is no just cause, to subvert such an important constitutional exercise that is soon approaching, that of Local Government Elections, scheduled to be held on November 12?

President David Granger has already made it clear that the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGEs) on November 12, 2018, will not be postponed. His statement had come amid court actions by the opposition People’s Progressive Party challenging certain changes made by the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, to some Local Authority areas. “I promised the nation and I promise you that as long as I am President, LGE will occur whenever they fall due. I will not postpone LGE. I cannot postpone something you are entitled to; it is not a privilege, it is something that is embedded in the constitution--your right to elect leaders of your choice,” President Granger had told a community meeting in Corriverton recently.

Under no circumstance must the work of GECOM be impeded, by those whose only objective is to interfere with the advancement of the rights of the people, which allow the latter to choose their own leaders.

MoPI has responded to complaints by Leguan residents Dear Editor,

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EFERENCE is made to an article that was published on Sunday, September 30, 2018, in The Guyana Times under the title, “Region 3 residents fume over mud-covered roadways... no discretion by farmers- road users”.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to respond to the complaints of the residents in Leguan pertaining to: 1) farmers polluting the roadways with mud from their farming equipment without considerations for pedestrians and commuters; and 2) the maintenance works which began in 2016.

The ministry is aware of the current situation whereby farmers are frequently polluting the roadways. In response to the situation, the ministry deployed a maintenance crew comprising five persons who were designated to maintain the roads continually. According to the engineer, Mr. Seenarine Nandram, who is assigned to District Three, the maintenance crew routinely fixed potholes and other failed sections along the existing road networks. He noted that during the spring tides alerts, the crew would work along with a team from the sea defence to facilitate emergency works on vulnerable sites.

At present, the combined work teams are cleaning the public road from Maryville to Blenheim at least twice per week to prevent dust and mud pollution in the communities with excessive traffic. So far, they have completed cleaning the roads leading to Maryville Primary School, the police station, government buildings and the secondary school at Enterprise Village. It is also imperative to note that the maintenance crew is engaged in the spraying, cleaning and clearing of roadside drains in order to provide rainfall run-off which will prevent flooding in the Leguan area.

Furthermore, the article misleadingly highlighted that it was the Neighbourhood Democratic Council workers who were clearing mud and stones from the roadway. The ministry wishes to notify the public that the two workers depicted in the picture are Mr. Abdool Shawazaman and Mr. Trevon Neblett, attached to the Special Projects Unit within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. These men were not assisted by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council nor the Regional Democratic Council.

In addition to the commendable works being done by the ministry’s maintenance crew, Mr. Lawrence Mentis, senior engineer and manager of the Special Projects Unit within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, advised that residents of Leguan should expect rehabilitation works to begin in November of this year. Mr. Mentis indicated that construction materials are currently being sourced and will be transported to the island for the commencement of work shortly.

Residents are encouraged to be patient as the ministry strives for the development of improved infrastructure throughout Guyana. The ministry is hereby pleading to farmers in the area not to drive combines or other tracked-vehicles directly on the road.

Further, we wish to advise all farmers to consider the damage caused to the roadways which benefit all persons, including pedestrians and commuters within the island. More importantly, the ministry is asking the kind assistance of residents to ensure that their neighbours use the roadways for the benefit of all.

To report complaints and damage, kindly visit Mr. Seenarine Nandram at Leguan’s Sea Defence Head Office.

Best Regards, Ms. Krest Cummings Public Relations Officer Ministry of Public Infrastructure

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

Nickerie accident...

10 Guyanese, 2 Chinese nationals injured --as minibus takes trench to avoid head-on collision

At the scene of the accident yesterday

A LOCAL minibus taking several Guyanese to the Surinamese capital, Paramaribo yesterday ploughed into a trench in Nickerie, some 20 minutes from the Canawaima Ferry Service depot in South Drain.

According to 22-year-old Mohan Ganpat, one of the passengers, the accident occurred around 11:30h when the minibus driver swerved to avoid a head-on collision with a canter truck coming from the opposite direction in the same lane.

Said the youngster, “It would have been a head-on collision if the driver didn’t swerve into the trench, and people would have ended up seriously hurt or dead.”

Though injured, the driver of the minibus, who is Guyanese, reportedly tried as best he could to help his passengers, among them a Chinese woman and her child, to safety, while the driver of the canter fled the scene.

In a video posted by a

Surinamese reporter, passengers could be heard screaming in agony, while others, among them two children, were seen covered in mud as they scrambled to safety.

According to reports, injuries ranges from serious to minor, with some passengers suffering broken limbs, cut and bruises, or complaining of severe pain.

Gunpat told the Guyana Chronicle that he and his father, Totaram Gunpat were on their way to Paramaribo on a two-day trip when the

mishap occurred.

What he’s, however, grateful for is that everyone is alive, and that no one suffered any life-threatening injuries. He’s nursing a broken hand, while his dad is complaining of pain in the abdomen and elsewhere.

He recalled that among the first persons to come to their rescue were Surinamese police and immigration officers, while passersby stopped and rendered whatever assistance they could.

He said that the para-

medics subsequently arrived and took the injured to a nearby hospital.

Ganpat said many of his fellow passengers cannot help but commend the minibus driver, whose name has been given as Donald, for his quick thinking, as had he not done what he did, there’s no telling what would have happened.

Luckily, too, they said, Donald knows the road like the back of his hand, as he has been doing this route frequently.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

Over 900 nurses now covered …as Nurses Association signs major insurance pact with Assuria

Assuria General Insurance and the Guyana Nurses Association signed a historic pact on Thursday that would see over 900 nurses having easy access to insurance coverage under various areas.

The agreement was signed at Assuria General Insurance Headquarters in Georgetown by the Managing Director of Assuria General Guyana, Yogindra Arjune, and President of the Guyana Nurses Association (GNA), Cleopatra Barkoye.

Under the agreement, registered members of the nursing association, totaling 930, will be provided with special rates to access Health Care, Dental Care, Vision Care, Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Fire Insurance, Auto Insurance and Travel Insurance.

Nurses will receive preferred rates on all types of insurance, starting as low as $3,000 per month and will also be able to extend these benefits to their families as well. “This is our way of giving back to the hard-working nurses who spend so many hours caring for our families when we need them” Assuria General (Guy-

ana) Managing Director said during the signing ceremony.

GNA’s President, while praising the deal, said the agreement is a significant step for the nurses association,

have expected!”

GNA’s Executive Director, Grace Bond, told Guyana Chronicle the agreement will see nurses and their families benefitting from excellent cov-

sociation stand to benefit. So we expect our membership to grow as the package offered is very attractive. Immediately, those who take out insurance will receive a multi-discount

Nurse Nadine Saunders was the first GNA member to sign up for coverage under Assuria General Insurance. In this photo, she is signing in the presence of Assuria General Insurance Life Manager, Erwin Daniel.

particularly its members who continue to serve the people of Guyana. “We just celebrated 90 years of existence and this is the best reward we could

erage by Assuria. She noted, however, that only nurses registered under the association will benefit.

“Only members of the as-

card which is valid at several businesses,” Nurse Bond said.

At the signing ceremony, she said the agreement is one of many initiatives the nurses

association has taken to accommodate nurses and foster development among them.

“The GNA is the oldest recognised association in the Caribbean and has provided training, stipends, bursary awards and other services to thousands of nurses over the past 90 years. The mission of the association is to grow the quality and professionalism of the profession and provide the best care to every Guyanese in need,” Nurse Bond said.

The deal materialized through the efforts of Nexgen Global Marketing Services – the company that puts together the discount services rewards card for Assuria that allows its clients to receive at least 5 per cent discount while shopping at more than 75 stores around the country.

Vice President of Business Development for Nexgen Global, Aleem Hussain, said the initiative is intended to reward nurses for the service they continue to provide to the nation. “Nurses are the first and often last persons we see in our lives and we owe it to them to return, in whatever way, as much as we possibly can. Our company will be pro-

viding services for the GNA in the upcoming years and this is just the first of several programs we will develop for the benefit of nurses in Guyana,” Hussain.

Hussain and Nurse Bond signed as witnesses to the agreement. Nurse Nadine Saunders was the first to sign up for coverage.

Under the agreement, for nurses registered under the association, the special rate for fire (private dwelling) has been set at 0.250 per cent. However, if no claim is made for a period of two years, they will receive a 10 per cent discount.

Meanwhile, the Group Life Special Rates have been set at $575 monthly for a sum insured of $500,000, while Group Health Monthly Premiums have been set at $1,500 for single member and $2,700 for member and family. Assuria General has a total of seven offices in Linden, Parika, Berbice, Vreed-en-hoop, Church Street (Georgetown) and Giftland Mall. It is the only company that offers seven day and evening walk-in services available at Giftland Mall.

$22.4 M water ambulance sets off in Orealla

Minister Lawrence is assisted by a village pastor and Deputy Toshao, Randy Harmon in cutting the ceremonial ribbon

A RIVER ambulance was on Wednesday handed over to the communities of Orealla and Siparuta on the Corentyne River.

The boat ambulance is fully equipped with all the necessary medical equipment inclusive of an oxygen tank, heart monitors, stretcher and other equipment which will play a critical role in providing support in a fast and efficient manner until transfer to a hospital on the coast.

Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence visited the community to formally hand over the ambulance and took the opportunity to interact with residents and at the same time check on the needs of the community doctor and health workers in the Village.

Addressing residents at the Village Benab, Minister Lawrence noted the river ambulance is just about one of the services provided not only to Orealla/Siparuta but also to all hinterland communities in an effort to provide better access and equality in the delivery of health care. “Guyana is on the move; we will continue to provide the necessary services and access to health, education and all other services which each and every one of us needs to live a daily life.”

The minister highlighted that her ministry is not only focused on the present but believes in thinking ahead and as such she told those gathered about plans to have a cottage hospital in the village. “We are not only thinking about now, we are not thinking about fixing a window or door only, we are thinking about how we can begin to project our plans to 2025-2030 and for these two communities we would like to at least see there’s a cottage hospital here to service you instead of having to go down the river.”

Minister Lawrence was accompanied by the Director of Regional Health Services, Jevaughn Stephens, Focal Point Coordinator and Advisor to Minister of Health, Alex Foster and a team of regional health officials. The minister also pointed out that a

medical team will be visiting the community before the end of the year and told regional health services officials to ensure there is also a schedule for 2019. The team will be offering dental services, eye and ear testing among others.

“We don’t want to talk it, we want to ensure that health is available and it is accessible by all people. After all we need to have Guyanese who enjoy the best of health and that is all we must work towards.”

Meanwhile Deputy Toshao of Orealla, Randy Harmon expressed appreciation on behalf of the residents of Orealla. He described it as a “meaningful” contribution to the community.

He also urged the residents to take responsibility to care for the ambulance.

Stephens said the idea for the boat ambulance was birthed two years after consultation with residents who requested such for the community. He noted recognising the timeframe for a transfer to a coastal hospital; he agreed that the ambulance will be ideal for the community. “$22.4M might sound a lot but to health services it is a minor investment to ensure there is positive changes in the delivery of health services for these two communities. It will also help them in cutting back on expenses because in an emergency the logistics and resources may not be readily be available so families have to seek alternative ways to get to the coast. With the ambulance, we will ensure

there is always those services available.”

Additionally he noted, in the future they are hoping to offer the same service to the community of Baracara. The visiting team and villagers were entertained by a packed cultural programme by students of the nursery and primary schools and also a resident who performed a song he had composed which had everyone tapping their feet to the beats.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence greeted by students on arrival in Orealla

An inside look of the ambulance (Pastor offering prayers)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

GTT, Digicel working to find solution over data link issue

THE ongoing court matter between Telecommunications Authority Suriname (TAS) and Digicel Suriname has affected the operations of both companies here, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes has said.

She said that the court matter does not only affect

the companies but, it also has implications for Guyanese subscribers. “We have been advised that Digicel Guyana and GTT are trying to work towards a solution,” said the minister in an invited comment on Thursday.

Digicel had taken legal action against TSA for shutting down an alleged illegal

“microwave link” which Digicel used to feed data capacity to its unit in Guyana.

According to a report from the Irish Times, the Surinamese authorities made their move “under pressure” from authorities in Guyana where Digicel’s rival is GTT. But, Minister Hughes refuted those claims, noting that the

Agreement approved for relocated Stabroek Wharf vendors

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on Thursday approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the temporary relocation of stallholders previously occupying the Stabroek Market Wharf.

The document outlines a list of undertakings relating to the construction of stalls; monthly rent payments; the provision of orderlies, bins and security lights and the rights of stallholders.

According to acting Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe, the administration met with vendors on Wednesday and the involved parties agreed to the information.

Prior to its finalisation, copies of the MoU, which will be valid for 12 months, were given to the stall holders for their reading and highlighting of any necessary adjustments. Soon, they will relocate to a portion of reserve west of the Parliament building until the rehabilitation of the Stabroek Market Wharf is completed and the parties negotiate on such an agreement.

At the special statutory meeting yesterday, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green stated: “This is an issue that has been going on for some months now. We met with the vendors on many occasions. Myself, the administration, the Markets and Public Health Committee with vendors, we went back and forth and back and forth until we came to the understanding.”

She added: “So when they sign this they’re signing it with the full understanding

The current state of the Stabroek Market Wharf (Delano Williams photo) of how the stalls will be constructed, when they’re expected to start building the stalls, when they’re expected to start paying after the construction of the stalls.

All of that we went through on many, many occasions meeting with the vendors.”

According to the MoU, the stallholders will construct their own stalls in accordance with the specifications approved by the Council.

The grace period given for vendors to complete the works is placed at a maximum of six weeks beginning from their signing of the MoU. The rental spaces for each stall will be at a monthly cost of $6,800 while a grace period of six weeks

will be given after the completion of each stall before the payment of rent commences.

Meanwhile, the Council will be responsible for providing orderlies, bins, security lights and stallholders for installing and paying for their electrical lights in their stalls.

The councillors were given the opportunity to raise any concerns they may have about the document or to point out any grammatical errors.

Coming to the end of the meeting, the decision to approve the MoU was carried, having being approved by 11 of the 13 attending while one vote was raised against the document and one other abstained.

The portion of reserve west of the Parliament building which will temporarily accommodate the stallholders (Samuel Maughn photo)

government did not apply any pressure to Surinamese authorities.

GTT, however, has long complained that Digicel should be forced to buy its data capacity from its rival instead of feeding it over the border, presumably for less cost.

GTT recently said that it had recorded tens of millions of United States (US) dollars in losses because of their main competitor Digicel’s alleged bypass of GTT’s subsea fibre optic network.

It claims the link is illegal.

But according to the Irish Times, Digicel has denied those claims.

Contacted by The Irish Times, Digicel said it is

taking court action: “Digicel disputes any allegations of illegality and as the matter is currently before the court, we are unable to comment any further at this time.”

It is understood that Digicel is seeking an injunction to force TAS to reverse its actions.

In light of the allegations against Digicel and with a possibility that the “microwave link” could be broken, Nedd believes that GTT has the capacity to supply Digicel with data because in March this year, GTT’s fibre optic network was tested when the company had to carry the “traffic” for Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

Thousands attend career fair extravaganza

A group of children inspecting items at the Guyana Police Force booth SOME 3,000 children from primary and secondary schools in the Region Four Education District were exposed to career opportu-

nities at a massive career extravaganza held at Hope Secondary School, East Coast Demerara.

The extravaganza was

a shift from the career fairs which were previously held, education officials told the Guyana Chronicle.

Education Officer, Loren

The music booth was not without visitors and enthusiasts Parks, who has supervisory responsibility for the secondary department in the region, explained that the event was the fourth instal-

ment of an education fair but the name this year was changed.

He said after the department carefully reviewed the activities held previously, a decision was made to make the events more interactive, hence, the name change.

“We wanted it to be more interactive where the children come into a mini work study environment so rather than having agencies and NGOs just coming and speak to our children, we thought it best to have them come and interact with them and give them practical experiences. We wanted them to go to the booths and be engaged in the various fields of study,” Parks told this publication.

He said, at the recently concluded career extravaganza, once a child entered a booth, the persons manning the booth immediately inter-

acted with the child.

“For example when a child walks into the music booth, in that booth they will be able to identify notes and keys and would also be exposed to voice training,” he said.

Regional Education Officer, Tiffany Favourite-Harvey explained that the department invited all the secondary and primary schools in the region to participate in the event.

She pointed out that due to the high numbers, a decision was made for students to visit the booths at various times during the two-day event.

This, she said, prevented overcrowding at the venue and enabled a better learning environment.

The fair sought to help students make the right choice regarding their career path.

Serious crimes down by 9% THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recorded a nine per cent decrease in serious crimes at the end of September, 2018, relative to the same period last year.

According to a press statement from the GPF, there was a 17 per cent decrease in murder; a 22 per cent increase in robberies where no instruments were used by the perpetrators; a three per cent decrease in robbery under arms where firearms were used; a 20 per cent decrease in robbery under arms where instruments other than firearms were used.

Statistics from the GPF also showed that there was a four per cent increase in robbery with violence; a 36 per cent decrease in robbery with aggravation; a 13 per cent decrease in larceny from the person; a two per cent decrease in rape; a nine per cent decrease in burglary and an 11 per cent decrease in break and enter and larceny.

In addition, 97 illegal firearms have been taken off the streets so far this year, compared to the same amount for the corresponding period last year.

GPF had said it has recorded a 19 per cent decrease in serious crimes at the end of January, 2018 relative to the same period last year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

‘Time was short, but we did it’ –– outgoing Mayor thanks LMTC colleagues for sterling support during tenure

By Vanesssa Braithwaite SHE’S not ruling out her chances of being elected to office again, but just in case she doesn’t make the cut this time around, she’s happy to have been of service to the people of Linden.

What’s even more heartening, says outgoing Mayor Waneka Arindell, is that she’s not only left a legacy, but that she did it in just eight months.

That legacy of which she speaks, Arindell says, is what she’d like to call her signature project, this being the Junior Mayor Project, which she not only holds close to her heart, but is already gaining traction amongst secondary school children.

“That project has been a baby for me, and it is evolving well so far. It is something we do wish the new Council stays on board with,” Arindell said, adding: “It is something new to Guyana, but it will help our children to be more open; to be able to articulate; be able to stand up for themselves.”

With the help of the junior mayor, currently 18-year-old Devon Beckles of Christianburg, members of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC) hope to achieve this lofty goal of theirs by visiting schools in the various Linden communities and form student council bodies, so that together they will work on community and other projects.

She’s also immensely proud of her networking skills, which has seen her start conversations of her own with the city of Newark in New Jersey, and Stonecrest in DeKalb County, Georgia both in the USA. It’s a leaf, she says she

Newark, and so we will be able to pass that on.”

Outgoing Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arindell took out of the book of her predecessor, former Mayor Carwyn Holland, who first started conversations about twinning with the city of Chongqing in China, and Newark.

Arindell said she was able to take those conversations even further, and that they will soon bear fruit.

Those talks, she said, would have seen a number of doors open for the LMTC in terms of investment opportunities; sponsorships, educational and otherwise; and philanthropic and medical outreaches among other areas of interest.

“One of the things we will gain from that twinning,” Mayor Arindell said, “is that we will be able to utilise the knowledge of how they did their river-front park.

“And of course we can use that to develop our river-front; more so, we are moving towards tourism.

The Council has voted towards the twinning of

SISTER CITY INT’L Those networking skills she’s now become so adept at have also allowed the LMTC to join Sister City International, an organisation that allows cities from developed and developing countries worldwide to interact and share best practices.

“Linden will have the opportunity to gain knowledge, training and support in many areas,” Mayor Arindell said, adding: “This will augur well for the municipality, and improve its efficiency of service to the town.”

Speaking of her other achievements during her short tenure, which she readily conceded would not have been possible without the aid and support of her hardworking teammates on the Council, Arindell pointed to the successful clearing of the dyke that allowed for the beautification of the township; collaboration between the US Embassy-led Humanitarian Assistance Programme (HAP) and New Horizons, which will see the building of a women’s home and training centre; and the introduction of the Competitive Industries and Innovative Program (CIIP) project at Bamia, which saw employment coming to the community, amongst other things.

And while those were external achievements, Arindell noted that more importantly, the Council was able to accomplish institutional strengthening since it inherited several issues, many of which were solved.

The administration of

UWI student killed after hit by car

A TRAINEE pilot is in police custody after crashing into a University of the West Indies (UWI) student on the Industry Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Wednesday evening.

Dead is 20-year-old Shivanan Brazlon, whose local address was 384 Seventh Field Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara. She lived there with her fiancé, 25-year-old Michael Yearwood, who is also a pilot.

Reports indicate that the trainee pilot was the driver of motor car PLL9039

which struck the young woman while she was crossing the road from north to south.

At the time of the accident, she was in the company of her fiancé.

The driver was identified as a trainee pilot of Trans Guyana Airways, Jonathan Antozak of 452 Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. He was recently awarded a scholarship to pursue studies to become a pilot.

The student succumbed to her injuries while being treated at a private hospital in the city.

the Council is now working under better conditions and while the Council is still heavily indebted, monthly payments are being made to alleviate this.

“I do believe the past six months have seen the Council really evolve into something more,” Her Worship said.

“There have been actual things that we have put in place; we have set a foundation. I know we would have had our ups and downs early, but I do believe that in this final term, the Council did come together, and we did work strategically to improve not only the standard of the workers in the municipality,

but we did what we could have done to improve the township.”

In closing, she would like to encourage whoever will be taking over the helm of the ship to take the time to identify the strengths of each councillor so that expertise can be exploited to the maximum.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

SOCU to appeal dismissed charges against GRDB officials

IN the aftermath of the dismissal of cases against former Guyana Rice Development Board (GRBD) General Manager, Jagnarine Singh, and his deputy, Madanlall Ramraj on Wednesday before Magistrate Judy Latchman, prosecutors are in the process of preparing their notice of appeal to the court.

The matters were dismissed for the want of witnesses.

“The GRDB witness for

whom an arrest warrant was issued was available along with several other witnesses who were to be cross examined. These included the GRDB accountant and accounts clerk and two SOCU Staff. Further, this case had more than a dozen persons that have to testify,” a source at SOCU told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday.

A total of seventeen charges against the duo were dismissed due to the lack of evidence from the Spe-

cial Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutors. They were jointly charged with 17 counts of omitting to enter true entries of over $4.2 M into the company’s ledger, knowing that it was contrary to standard operation procedures between 2011 and 2012, at the company’s Lot 16-17 Cowan Street, Kingston head office.

When the matter was recalled before Latchman on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, SOCU

Former GRDB General Manager, Jainarine Singh prosecutors, Hewley Griffith and Lawrence Harris were expected to call their two final witnesses for the trial.

However, the prosecutors had asked the court for an adjournment for the witnesses to be summoned since they were not present in court.

The prosecutors failed to tell the court that their witness was before another court testifying in another SOCU matter. Defence attorney, Glenn Hanoman

made an application for the matter to be dismissed on the grounds that the prosecution was given several dates for the witnesses to be present in court. The Magistrate ruled in favour of the attorney’s no case submission, citing that the prosecution failed to prove its case and was given enough time to gather their case.

Singh and Ramraj are also currently before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on 17 other charges of fraudulently taking $5.1M or using it for their own use and benefit or any use and purpose other than that of the GRDB. Also before Magistrate Leron Daly for the same matter are General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association (RPA), Dharamkumar Seeraj; former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Nigel Dharamlall; former General Manager of the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL), Badrie Persaud; and Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Pre-

Former GRDB deputy, Madanlall Ramraj ma Roopnarine.

They are charged with failing to make a proper entry into the register of a company, with the intent to defraud $362M from the entity’s Republic Bank account. In May, 2017, the six officials made their first appearance in court and were charged.

They were released on $500,000 bail each, with reporting conditions.

The accused all pleaded not guilty to this charge as well.

SOCU probing Panama rice shipment fiasco AN investigation into the alleged false labeling, corruption and collusion in sending several containers of the wrong rice to Panama has commenced, a top source at the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has said.

SOCU commenced the interviewing of officials that were a part of the shipment, the Guyana Chronicle was told by head of the agency, Sydney James.

SOCU’s probe was triggered by a complaint from Co-Chair of the Rice Producers Association Action Committee, Jinnah Rahaman. Rahaman in his complaint to the Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, calling for an investigation into the matter said almost two months ago, Guyana’s most lucrative rice market, Panama suffered a major challenge after authorities there rejected a number of containers at the ports. Rahaman said it was found, from samples, that the rice was not in conformity to the agreement Guyana signed.

Reports indicate that the Panamanian authorities in checking other containers found that the rice appeared to be of the wrong quality and this was the same in over 30 containers, all of which were rejected. A report was also filed with the Guyana Revenue Authority.

The rice was reportedly sent by Cayume Hakh and Sons rice mills and the miller would have to stand the cost of having the containers shipped back. The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is expected to take custody of the containers and conduct an audit. On the bags of rice, officials said that they found labels belonging to another miller who denied that they gave their labels to anyone.

However, assurance has been given by General Manager of GRDB, Nizam Hassan, that there is no threat to the lucrative market for Guyana’s rice.

Further, the GRDB head said there is an ongoing investigation to determine whether or not there was a deliberate effort to deceive, on the part of millers, or it was a genuine operational error. “We are still investigating to identify whether it was an operational issue or whether it was a deliberate effort. I cannot comment on that because the investigation is in progress. If it was an operational issue, because from our reports thus far, the miller is using this packaging facility that bags and packages white rice and parboiled rice using the same line. However, we have only just received photos saying this is what we found. It does not necessarily mean that an entire container has parboiled rice; it may have been a few bags,” the GRDB head explained.

According to Hassan, systems have now been strengthened to prevent a recurrence of any similar situation. Meanwhile, back in July, GRDB disclosed that results from the first rice crop of 2018–January to June– show an export volume increase of 87,000 tonnes as compared to the same period last year. “When we look at the figures compared to the first half of 2017, we saw first that the total volume that has been exported is 290,000 tonnes which is 43 per cent more than the 203,000 tonnes that was exported during the first half of 2017,” Hassan said.

The increase at that point had earned the country GYD$23.2Billion (US$111Million) this year against the value of the export for the first half of 2017 which was GYD$16.1Billion (US$77Million).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

Hopkinson calls for cooperation at RDC … says undaunted by protest, mischief makers

REGIONAL Executive Officer for Region Two, Rupert Hopkinson, said he will continue to invest his energies positively towards the development of the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region and not be distracted by the machinations of a few.

He was at the time speaking during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on his leadership and a recent protest by some council members. Hopkinson said since he took office there were a number of development and transformational projects that were executed under his stewardship. Some of which are the building of Parks, the rehabilitation of several schools, the transformation of the Cotton Field Community, the renovation of the Region’s State House, the beautification of the Town of Anna Regina and the installation of generators at the two leading hospitals just a name of few.

The REO said that while he remains focused and his intentions are clear, he has been confronted with a number of challenges which include; dealing with a majority opposition Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Councillors, the non-co-operation from staff attached to the Regional Administration and a few other “mischief makers” politicians.

Speaking on his absence

at the last RDC meeting, he said he had to attend a meeting at the Ministry of Communities. He also explained that contacts were made via calls and emails to the regional chairman on his reasons for being absent. He said although his calls went unanswered an email was sent. In relation to claims by the opposition that the region’s budget was tampered with, Hopkinson said that the Regional Vice Chairperson, Nandranie Coonjah, who was acting chairman at the time, was invited to a special meeting by the Ministry of Finance to give her input in the budget but opted not to attend.

Hopkinson said that councillors still can give their side on the budget and time is still available.

MISCHIEF MAKERS “While the REO is responsible, a number of people are placed at various departments to do their work, the REO cannot do everything, I cannot personally go and fix a school, if I don’t get the co-operation then it hampers my work as a REO, we in Region Two are not short of resources to do any remedial works at schools or at any public buildings, what we need is the staff to visit and make proper representation and then report to me this is what

is lacking, co-operation” Hopkinson said.

The REO is of the views that the recent protest was planned and aimed at embarrassing him and questioned that if the RDC wanted to protest his leadership then they could have done it while President David Granger was in the Region on Monday. He said councillors could have met the President and aired their views since he was in the region.

APNU opted out protest During the recent protest, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) councillors opted to abstain, explaining that they feel that once there is co-operation between the government and opposition side beautiful things can happen in Region Two. The Government Councillor who represents APNU on the house, Julian Cummings, said he opted to abstain from the protest because he feels that the council can work together despite differences.

Julian did not attend the council meeting because of health reasons but explained if he had, he would have not joined the protest.

On Tuesday eight opposition councillors and two Alliance for Change councillors hosted a peaceful protest in front the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building echoing calls for the REO to resign.

The protest stemmed from

Six students added to DDL Foundation “THE DDL Foundation makes our dreams possible.” These were among the words of thanks from Nicholas Mohabir of Hyde Park, Mahaicony River and The Bishop’s High School.

Nicholas was at the time delivering a thank you message to the members of the DDL foundation on behalf of his fellow beneficiaries of the 2018 batch. This year’s awardees are: Somira Dainty of Linden, Natalia Squires of Georgetown, and Deevina Chan of Pouderoyen, WBD, who gained places at Queen’s College, and Anasie Fredericks of Tapakuma Lake, Essequibo Coast, Garnett Bristol of Kuru Kururu, and Nicholas Mohabir of Hyde Park, Mahaicony River, who gained places at The Bishop’s High School.

In a release, DDL said these six firstformers were selected after having met the criteria by excelling at the National Grade Six Examinations and will join more than twenty other students who are currently benefitting from full scholarships under the DDL Foundation. The DDL Foundation is now

in its ninth year and, since 2015 when the first awardees graduated from high school, the foundation now accepts new awardees and recognises graduates each year. The scholarship covers the main costs associated with attending school. These include books, uniforms, transportation, and meals where necessary. All students who have excelled in the National Grade Six Examination and who have demonstrated their need for assistance, because of their financial or social constraints, can apply to the Foundation.

The Foundation was launched in December 2010 with the goal of advancing the education of students who have excelled in the National Grade Six Examination and have demonstrated a need for assistance.

At a simple ceremony held last Thursday at the boardroom of Demerara Bank Limited, Chairman of the DDL Foundation, Mr. Harryram Parmesar, welcomed the recipients and congratulated them on their See page 16

Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson

Hopkinson not attending the monthly statutory meeting.

The councillors, during the protest, said that: “Meeting after meeting there are key issues raised [and] no meaningful follow ups are done by the REO to fix the issues, the problems keep recurring and if he keeps absenting then the problems and issues the region face will continue to reoccur” the head of the RDC, Devanand Ramdatt had said.

Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

Friday, October 12, 2018 –– 05:00hrs –– 06:30hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

Superintendent Linden Lord heads 'E' Division

SENIOR Superintendent Linden Lord, who has been appointed as Commander of 'E' Division (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice), plans to reduce crime in the region through intelligence-led police operations.

He also plans to work along with regional officials, stakeholders and residents since he believes; it takes an entire community to keep it safe. After 28 years of service to the Guyana Police Force, Lord has been given his first appointment as Commander of a division and said it is a rather satisfying and ecstatic feeling of accomplishment.

Lord said he plans on getting to know the culture of the residents. He has already met with the Members of the Cops and Faith, since he believes that body also plays a pivotal role in pacifying, especially domestic matters. He plans on working closely with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) since he too spent most of his years as a detective. “I intend to get the entire team up and running so that most of the operations and crime investigations will be intelligence led, that is the way the force is going at this time, you get your intel, so you can get success out of those investigations,” Lord said.

In addition to crime fighting, Lord also plans on keeping traffic offences at minimum and continuing the aggressive anti-narcotics campaign which has seen several discoveries and destruction of marijuana fields, especially along the outlying areas in Region 10. Lord commenced his tenure with a meet and greet and walk about with regional officials such as Regional Chairman, Renis Morian and Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arindell. He was also shown the crime prone areas.

Lord joined the GPF on the 16th January 1985. Since then he continued to be elevated in rank and would have served in various branches and fields. He spent time at the narcotic branch, the CID headquarters, he also recalled being involved in investigations into some of the most high profile crimes in Guyana such as the Bartica and Lusignan Massacre and was stationed on the East Coast during the high crime wave. He described himself as a people person and said his office is always opened to the public. Lord’s predecessor, Superintendent Anthony Vanderhyden, expressed confidence that Lord will continue to work that he had started.

He is pleased to pass the baton on to such a dedicated officer.

15

Newly appointed Commander of ‘E’ Division, Linden Lord (left) poses with Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arindell and outgoing Commander, Anthony Vanderhyden

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

DoE seeking to mainstream environmental sector

THE Department of the Environment (DoE), under the Ministry of the Presidency, is looking to mainstream the local environmental sector by establishing a database which will assimilate information.

This was disclosed by Project manager of Rio

Conventions Mainstreaming project at the DoE, Michelle Klass in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle recently. At the time, she was speaking on the department’s efforts towards strengthening technical capacities to mainstream and monitor the implementa-

tion of the Rio Convention through policy coordination.

In 2016, Guyana signed onto the United Nations (UN) Rio Convention, which encompasses the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and

Smart Stops for municipalities soon THE Ministry of Communities will soon be rolling out new and modern solar-powered bush shelters, called Smart Stops, in several municipalities across the country.

The Smart Stops will feature solar lighting, USB charging ports, free Wi-Fi, advertisement spaces, information spaces, protective guard rails and garbage receptacles.

They will initially be mounted in 9 municipalities: Anna Regina, Corriverton, Bartica, Georgetown, Rose Hall, Linden, Lethem, New Amsterdam and Mabaruma.

The models of the new sheds are differently designed from those positioned around the city.

“It will be a ‘green’ bush shed powered by solar panels and persons who seek shelter can also charge their laptops, their phones and get free Wi-Fi,” the ministry’s Pub-

A model of what the Smart Stops will look like lic Affairs Officer Danielle Campbell-Lowe said.

She stated further: “The intention is to ensure that every municipality has one so that persons who may not have access to Wi-Fi can go there or persons who are on the road and they’re running out of battery [charge] they can recharge their cell phones.”

A model of this green

stop will be available for viewing at Guyana’s first ever Green Guyana Expo to be hosted at the National Stadium and Ramada Hotel from October 18-21.

The Ministry of Communities has made public Invitation for Bids (IFB) to eligible bidders to submit their proposals for the civil works no later than October 30, 2018.

the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

These are international environmental agendas Guyana has pledged to initiate by 2020.

According to Klass, “We have started to achieve some of our expected outcomes.”

She explained that under the convention, Guyana has quite a few obligations which guide the objectives of the mainstreaming project she is responsible for. “A major output of this project is the establishment of an Environmental Information Monitoring and Management System (EIMMS),” she highlighted, and went on to explain that this is a system that will network existing databases in the environmental sector and reconcile their content.

In a nutshell, she explained that what the DoE is doing is firstly, is setting up a national spatial database system where it will try to “harmonise” environmental data for the country. Though this seems like an easy enough task, Klass posited: “This is a very ambitious project we have set out to do,” and added that there are some negotiations that need to be had with some of the agencies before the release of information, because of their privacy policies.

She nevertheless said, “But once we have that system in place - and of course we have all the data from the agencies, we can make that data accessible to the public so that they can use the in-

formation to their benefit.”

The data will be garnered in phases and she said, “It’s a living database that will be updated whenever new things such as new innovations or new projects occur.” So, at all times there will be up-to-date information on the environmental sector for public consumption. Aside from public consumption, the project manager also shared: “I believe it is going to be very useful for environmental agencies because we have to meet certain obligations on the Rio Conventions [and] we have to report on those conventions to the international bodies so that database will help us to in achieving those conventions.”

Added to this, the department has also begun working out the protocols needed for the sharing of data through the EIMMS. To set this data sharing in motion, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been developed for the environmental agencies and Klass disclosed that the department is currently in the negotiation phase with

Project manager of Rio Conventions Mainstreaming project at the DoE, Michelle Klass [Adrian Narine photo] the agencies. A government-based website found at: doe.gov.gy has already been completed and it will be linked to the EIMMS also.

The site is currently being monitored to track how many users peruse the site and it is a developing platform where the work of the DoE, its partner agencies and projects will be published.

Six students ...

From page 13 successes in the National Grade Six Examination.

He challenged them to take full advantage of the opportunities they are being afforded and advised that they remain focussed on their goals. He warned them that it is easy to get distracted now and they “must be very careful to avoid the distractions that are all around.”

The Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited, Mr. Komal Samaroo, in his remarks to the recipients, noted that the awardees “arrived where they have as a result of past effort.” He added that “The company recognises your talent and effort and we like to help those demonstrate that they are willing to help themselves but need additional help.” Samaroo closed by saying that “It was therefore a joy to [be]able to support their hard work and determined efforts.”

The Foundation comprises mainly volunteers from the DDL staff and includes a mentorship program where each child is linked to a mentor who will monitor the performance of the child and provide the necessary moral and other support during the period of their relationship with the Foundation. While the initial funding was set up by the Company, income also comes from employee fund-raising activities and donations from employees who donate amounts from their salaries monthly. The Foundation is being managed by a board of directors under the Chairmanship of Mr. Harryram Parmesar. Other directors of the Foundation are: Mrs. Sharda Veeren-Chand, Mrs. Evelyn Hamilton, and Ms. Sylvia Conway. Mr. Vasudeo Singh is the treasurer to the Foundation, while Ms. Allison Thorne is the legal adviser and Mrs. Sharon Sue-Hang serves as secretary to the Board.

Nicholas pledged that he and his “fellow awardees intend to continue to work very hard to remain on top by the time they get to the end of high school.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

Childcare Agency, educators in sensitisation seminar … sound caution to those who put children at risk

By Leroy Smith

HEAD of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ann Greene on Thursday said she is very confident that the nation’s educators can do much more in identifying instances of abuse of children who turn up for school and called on them to do everything in their power to bring the children out of those situations.

She was at the time speaking to a group of educators who gathered at the Regency Hotel on Hadfield Street for a seminar to foster collaboration and a better working relationship between the agency and educators.

She also called on media operatives and those persons on social media to be very responsible in the way they report and treat with issues involving children. Her calls in that respect are nothing new.

According to the law as well as the guidelines of the United Nations Rights of Child Convention, children who are perpetrators and victims of crimes should not have their identity disclosed be it by face, association or any other forms which allow the children to be identified.

She made it clear that in Guyana, the issue is still a problem which exists and which causes further embarrassment and more traumatic experiences for children.

The event, which was hosted at the Regency Hotel at Hadfield Street, brought together teachers from North and South Ruimveldt.

At the event which lasted for one day and was similar to one done with the Guyana Police Force some time ago, teachers were spoken to on the issues of childcare and protection, abuse, partnerships, understanding their responsibilities in the context of child protection and care, laws under which children are protected, those who can be prosecuted for neglecting their duties, gender concept and stereotyping and understanding trafficking in persons among other areas.

“Working together for the protection of children and families” was the theme under which the event was held on Thursday.

In her address, the director of Childcare Services, in an almost two hour presentation to the educators, said that they must understand what they do and why they do it. She

told them that contrary to popular belief, the department which she heads is not in the business of seeking children out to remove them from their families.

Greene said that removing children from their families is always a last resort and when the decision has to be made to move a child, it is always in the best interest of the child given the circumstances at the time.

The childcare head said her department is only interested in having effective collaboration with all stakeholders.

Greene also cautioned the teachers that anytime there are cases where abuse or other forms of violations are meted out against children and the police become involved as they should, the police cannot conclude or carry out their investigations without contacting the Childcare and Protection Agency. She called on the teachers to also ensure that they themselves inform the department when certain developments are taking place as it relates to children and crimes perpetrated against them or involving them.

A passionate Greene noted that there is still need for a special victims unit for children who are abused, as this will allow for swifter investigation, prosecution and closure for the victims.

She said that what is being seen in the courts with respect to rape cases and the accused being jailed, dates back to offences they committed years ago.

As it relates to the issue of holding persons for 72 hours and then releasing them on bail, Greene said the practice is one of the easier ways out for the police. She told teachers that the notion of the 72 hours does not mean that a police is just supposed to pick up someone and hold them for 72 hours then release them.

“Those persons could be passed through court within 72 hours and then you have the other three months to get your case file fully completed,” she explained.

Teachers were reminded that they can do wonders in making the children, who have so many pains and suffering at home, feel comfortable when they arrive at school.

They were advised against contributing to the victimisation of the children by way of actions and comments. She spoke especially to the issue of correcting children who misbehave.

Director of Childcare Agency, Ann Greene addressing the educators

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

Rush for lands along Linden/Lethem corridor … Morian says Region 10 residents must be given priority

WITH talks of the imminent commencement of construction of the Linden to Lethem Highway, the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, is being flocked with applications for lands along that corridor.

Being cognisant of the possibility of that corridor becoming an economic hub, applicants from all across Guyana, are rushing to secure plots of land to establish business ventures. Regional Chairman, Renis Morian said he has noted the influx of applications coming to his office for approval from the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission for as much as 30 acres of land.

He said while he is not in opposition to investments, he believes that the system is unfair since several Lindeners applying for significantly less acres of land, are being told that there is no land.

“I start to observe that the persons, applying for 20 and 30 acres are getting through and the persons who are coming and

Regional Chairman Renis Morian making application for one and two acres are not getting through,” he said.

“Outside of religion, race, party or whatever, we are saying once you are living in Region 10, while any Guyanese in any other region can apply, we think residents in Region 10 should first benefit because persons outside are seeing that 50 years from now, you can’t buy land along the corridor,” he noted, while relating that he did not approve of those applications from non-residents of Linden seeking large portions of land. He is asking Lands and Survey to bring a balance to

the application process so that all can benefit and not only persons who can afford many acres. “Until, we see that balance, we will not sign for them,” he said. He is also calling for the applicants to submit their business proposals of which they have intentions of utilising the lands for.

Morian also rubbished the bureaucracy and insubordinate slowness that the average Lindener is experiencing to obtain residential or farming house lots, which are forcing them, especially young couples to squat. “We need help, we need to know why it takes so long at NICIL and Lands and Survey Commission.” Morian said that he sought ministerial intervention to bring a solution to the issue of which Lindeners continue to vent their frustration over, time and time again. “Why these things have to reach the level of the minister, when they have people on the ground that can deal with them,” he asked?

He is hoping the system is sorted out soonest.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

Miss India Guyana

Sashing Ceremony for this weekend

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he Miss India Guyana pageant will see its top 10 finalists being sashed this Sunday at the M&M Snackette Banquet Hall.

These young ladies were selected after weeks of being vetted by the pageant judges and have since begun training to prepare for pageant night on October 27.

Meet the 10 confident young ladies vying to be the crown and a chance to represent their country:

rate for weddings and parties in my free time. My goal in life is to help the less fortunate especially children who are unable to reach their full potential due to financial restraints,” she shared.

Delegate #3: Farisha Razak Age: 18 years old

Delegate #2: Maya Persaud Age: 24 years old

Delegate #1: Umilla Ganpat Age: 19

Hailing from the Ancient County of Berbice, Ganpat considers herself an active, out-going young lady, who spent her early days being young and carefree within her family of seven, and of Friendship on the East Bank of Demerara.

A country girl at heart who always enjoys the simple pleasures of life, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends and other relatives, treasuring every moment she gets to spend with them, having once almost lost it all in a tragic accident. For Umilla, the experience has taught her to always be thankful to God for spared life, health and strength, “I have learnt to take life seriously and live each day fulfilled and to the best of my abilities,” she says.

She enjoys going to the Mandir, singing, dancing, sewing, fishing, and cooking. She runs a small catering business called Chrissy’s Cake and is very proud to have joined a line of powerful and successful women on the active path of entrepreneurship “I consider myself multi-talented as I also deco-

Maya describes herself as confident, ambitious and artistic. Being a former contestant on the E-Networks Emerging Voices talent show, Maya is no newcomer to being in the limelight. She considers herself a vibrant young lady hailing from the small village of Soesdyke, where she and her four siblings were raised by their mother single-handedly. She has a passion for advocating awareness of depression and mental health.

“In life, I have had many dark days but I’ve never let that bring me down, instead those days have made me into the strong woman I am today,” she says.

Though she currently works as a cashier, Maya aspires to one day being an entrepreneur and becoming someone that persons can look up to for motivation and added guidance. She joined the Miss India Guyana Pageant because she believes it will help her in her pursuit of becoming an active role model.

“I consider myself very blessed to see each day and if I shall win Miss India Worldwide Guyana it would be a dream come true not just for me but for my mother as well.

She likes spending time with my family and friends, and going to the Mandir and learning about my rich culture and traditions.

An accomplished dance coach at her High School, Razak enjoys dancing, singing, playing sports and spending quality time with her two younger brothers. She assists in her family’s block making business.

She’s currently pursuing General Educational Diploma (GED) and wants to explore many countries and cultures across the globe, which makes it no surprise that her career goal is to become a Flight Attendant. Towards that end, she is also in the process of learning four foreign languages. Another goal of hers is becoming a professional model. As a Guyanese of Indian descent, her focus is to educate and contribute towards the maintenance of her traditional customs and culture.

“shine as no other ordinary girl has shined before”. She works at the Guyana Revenue Authority where she has worked for the past seven years. She is very business oriented obtaining her diploma in Business Studies from Nations University.

She credits herself with having outstanding communication and social skills and is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

She is a lead dancer of well-known Bollywood dance group “Ishara Dance Troupe”, which has been performing both locally and internationally for some seven years now. She has been performing alongside the dance troupe, at countless charity events; namely, the nirvana society which facilitates concerts and feeding programmes for children and elders. Her passion for pageantry comes from her longing to give back to society. It is her desire as queen, to bring joy and happiness to those children who may not be living with families who are not financially equipped to care for them adequately.

Delegate #5: Shoshanna Ramdeen Age: 22 years old

Delegate #4: Oma Davi Singh Age: 23 years old

Uma Davi is as confident as can be that she’s going to be the one to walk away with the Miss India Guyana crown, and to

Hailing from the West Coast of Demerara, this aspiring medical practitioner is currently a third-year student at the Greenheart Medical University.

When Shoshanna is not at her home in Tuschen with her mom and sibling, you may find her volunteering in NGOs, dancing or socializing with her friends. She describes herself as a selfless, driven, committed individual, traits she acquired while a student at the Zeeburg Secondary school.

An avid reader, Shoshanna draws much of her inspiration from writers who convey their real experiences presenting accounts of their challenges, and revealing how they overcame them. She believes that one is not necessarily born with courage, but rather, one is born with potential.

Delegate #7: Truvanie Persaud Age: 18 years old

Delegate #6: Bibi Saudia Safik Age: 20 years old

Standing at five feet 10 inches Bibi considers herself a humble individual whose personality is filled with motivation, a positive attitude and a fearless mindset.

She embraces the philosophy of believing in yourself and having faith in your abilities. Her greatest belief is that “Nothing comes easy in life, but if you believe in yourself then anything is possible”.

“Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be happy or successful,” she says.

In her leisure time, she enjoys socialising, singing Indian music, travelling and exploring new places. Most of her time away from work is spent with her parents and younger sibling at home since she believes “The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing”. Saudia is currently employed with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region Three), working at the West Demerara Regional Hospital as an Accounts Clerk.

She is currently enrolled as an Associates Of Business Executives (ABE) student at Nations University, with the hopes of completing her Masters in Business Management by 2020. In five years, Saudia sees herself as being a Manager or CEO of a reputable company.

An active young adult, Truvanie likes to have a positive attitude toward everything that happens in her life.

“My family taught me that no matter what happens it is significant to preserve a sincere smile on our faces.

Even if something bad occurs, my parents told me to find something positive. As long as we are alive, there should be something good in the surrounding world,” she expressed.

She is currently a phlebotomy student at the Qualitest Medical Institute, upon completing her studies and gaining her Bachelor’s Degree she hopes to become a registered nurse. She says she has a humble personality, filled with ambition and determination, and the qualities of benevolence.

Truvanie is a competitive table tennis player, getting into the sport has helped her to move away from being a shy girl and becoming confident and high spirited, developing her ability to focus and concentrate.

She has a deep admiration for her mother, who she credits for helping her become the young lady she is today.

Turn to page 21

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO PASSED

T

Commemorating the MAAFA-African holocaust

O D AY w i t h t h e rise of the sea, the African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) will commemorate on the seawall by the bandstand an act of respect and remembrance to the ancestors of Afro-New World peoples, with special reference to the colonies now known as the Republic of Guyana; who in their millions over 400 years have perished in the scourge of the Atlantic Slave Trade, benefiting the economic

and cultural foundations of the Americas. In Ritual Pageantry, this necessary rite will be done to draw us away from the trivial and serious now, to the profound total, to reflect and understand that from our ancestral fount a tremendous sacrifice was imposed and brutally conducted. A sacrifice that commenced the making of the Americas, not forgetting the Africans that suffered on the continent through the Arab slave trade, but this commem-

orates the horrors of the middle passage and times that followed. I was questioned in the early years when the ‘African Holocaust’ was first launched if ACDA was now worshipping ancestors. I was going from Hadfield Street to Brickdam when a colleague called me from the entrance of the Brickdam Cathedral.

I was irritated by his question so I was impatient, and asked him who was his favourite Saint? He replied Saint Peter.

“So you pray to his name occasionally?” I asked and he responded, “Yes, he’s a Saint.” I accused him, “But it’s a statue and if he did live, he was a man and was called a Saint by other men, so describe what you’re doing?” The argument attracted two other persons- another acquaintance and his lady friend. A balancing question was asked by the only female, which threw everything into perspective “Wuh actually the gathering pon de sea wall mean?” I explained that

entire era because not much has been done to disseminate the published history of that period, and there is a serious independent library of material in existence. From Themes of Afro-Guyanese History to the Emancipation Magazines, to its Illustrated editions over a period of 20 years, to the publications by other Guyanese on the subject, nor is it encouraged in the visual or dramatic arts.

None of that Literature was made available to the school system, so how are they to

millions of Africans perished in the slave trade, whose blood numerous Guyanese share and it is the decent and conscious thing to remember that terrible sobering experience. It’s in our national anthem, “…both Bondsmen and free, laid their bones on your shore, This soil so they hallowed and from them are we…” The answer brought some level of agreement, and also revealed the realisation that sometimes hostility is a mask that hides the confusion of not knowing; and the taboo translates to the pride of asking for clarification, which admits to ignorance.

But ignorance is obvious if the subject has hardly been taught. There is a kind of black-out on the conscious Guyanese landscape to that

know, much less understand across our other human variations (races)?

The MAAFA in our context should be a case study that every Guyanese school child should have an understanding of, because it tells the story of every existing estate, town and village from its genesis to exodus, to glimpses of its salvation periods, to its secret wars, and will explain openly diversity within the five geographic nationalities that constitute our nation. Don’t raise your eyebrows when I say five instead of six, just follow the Facts; Amerindians, (all Mongolian tribes who had migrated to the new world before Columbus) Africans, (with specific reference to Africans brought during the Slave Trade and

not travellers who came before) Europeans, (Columbus, Conquistadores, all other colonising continental Europeans which would include the Portuguese and their Moorish blood) East Indians, (who came during Indentureship) Chinese, (who also came as indentured workers). Without an expanded knowledge of the African Holocaust, a comprehensive history of Guyana cannot be told or ever understood. It all begins with recognising what and why the commemoration is held on the 12, October annually and to explore and digest the brutal and unpretentious Chronicles of what transpired before the slave ships arrived and unravel the inhumanity and humanity of what came after, is the grim and real history of our beginnings.

This is the only place where the natural process towards national cohesion should and can begin, to purge the historical consciousness of our people crucified by racist politics and self-serving fictions.

The MAAFA commemoration though humble, and still, but not as much misunderstood today, places all other national festivals and celebrations in the context of the symbolic history of the nation of Guyana; as modest representations of what followed after, from the tortured bosom of the MAAFA. We peer timidly and selectively into the consequences but shun the details of the nature of the impetus. Can you imagine travelling for months in the hold of a ship, populated by dysentery, rats and death, shackled to dying and dead kin’s men, hearing the screams of men and women who have succumbed to madness, awakened to drag the corpse of your brother, along with the fevered body of a brutalised young female, then throw them overboard to the school of sharks who have made the death ships their companion? With incredible will and strength must be attributed to our ancestors who survived, it is our responsibility to honour their memory, and by our deeds respect and comprehend the sacrifices they endured as our living legacy, it begins with the commemoration of MAAFA.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

Miss India Guyana ...

Delegate #8: Dhanita Walter Age: 23 years old

Hailing from the tropical county of Demerara, Dhanita possesses a very pleasant and simple personality with a love to keep learning and experiencing new things in life. She is a very committed and persistence person who believes in the key to work hard and keep moving forward whenever you encounter obstacles in life.

An optimist, Dhanita takes part in singing at her Mandir and dancing on stage for cultural events. Being the only female in her family, this vigorous young lady single-handedly manages her household responsibilities, work commitment, studies,

and pageantry.

Dhanita is currently a student of Accountancy Training Centre (ATC) where she is currently pursuing her advanced Diploma Certificate in Marketing and Business Management. She is also an employee at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

This young lady is striving to elevate herself in the world of the business and to become a senior manager for a reputable company in the future. However, she wants to develop the sensational and unique Indian culture in her country and for it to be spread across the globe.

Delegate #9: Bibi Sherina Mohamed Age: 21 years old

Bibi originated from the village of Foulis on the East Coast Demerara. She possesses a personality filled with determination and countless ambition. Bibi considers herself humble, reliable and intelligent and lives by the philosophy of “be the change you want to see in the world” by Mahatma Gandhi.

This exceptional young lady who enjoys dancing, baking, planning surprise parties, gardening and modelling in her free time. After obtaining 10 successful passes within her CSEC Examinations, Bibi is currently enrolled as an ABE student pursuing her Associate Degree in Business Management and it is her hope to read for her Master’s in Business Management in the future.

Bibi Sherina considers herself a well-rounded young woman within society, one who sets a leading example for other young individuals, showing that life doesn’t come to a stop after achieving your goals.

vice plaque from the Bishops High Old Students Association. Intellectually self-motivated, Mukhram is the holder of an Associate’s Degree of Arts in Economics (CAPE) in addition to being awarded 13 CXC subjects.

She has been involved in

Delegate #10: Surujdai Mukhram Age: 21 years old

Surujdai considers herself the epitome of confidence and determination, believing that hard work and dedication will aid her path to success.

A proud alumna of Bishops High School, this energetic young humanitarian is the founder of the Inter-Environmental Club in 2014, which promotes protecting and preserving our environment while helping our community. This one act of humanity led her toward receiving the prestigious community ser-

DJ Stress boat cruise ready to take sail

A

ll nature lovers are in for a treat as DJ Stress boat cruise gets ready for October 28 from Parika to Supenaam.

The boat cruise will leave the Parika waterway promptly at 09:00hrs sharp and will make its way further into the mighty Essequibo River.

According to Paul Adrian Bonar Jnr aka “DJ Stress” the boat cruise is one with a difference and he is therefore urging persons, especially nature lovers, to grab their tickets early.

Patrons supporting the event will get the opportunity to visit their friends and relatives residing on the Essequibo Coast since the ferry will be moor at Supenaam for two hours then depart.

DJ Stress said persons will also get the opportunity to tap into Essequibo tourism by visiting the various lakes. He is currently promoting the cruise on his “Morning Drive” on 89.5FM show and already many persons have won themselves tickets. He is therefore encouraging persons with tickets to board the Chinese ferry early, so as to avoid the last-minute rush.

A party mood will be created with the 71-sound system, DJ Stephan, Selector Andy from Mega Mix Reload and Aaron from the One-man band will be singing. There will also be grand prizes to be won on the boat. Tickets are available at various locations in Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice.

From page 19 many sports.

This enthusiastic youth counsellor and programme coordinator organises weekly classes, motivational sessions and workshops, monthly haircuts for the children, birthday parties, game days and movie days.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

IT’S time for the weekend again, people! There are quite a few big events going off this weekend with a particular DJ celebrating his birthday. The Circus continues tonight and throughout the weekend, UGSS P.O.E.T.S event also returns this weekend. And Miss India Guyana is having its sashing ceremony of the 10 finalists and the reveal of the Mrs Indian Guyana this Sunday. So don’t stay cooped up at home.

Today The World Famous Suarez Brothers Circus continues at the D’Urban Park. Ticket prices are $1,500 per child and $2,300 per adult for the bleachers; $2,000 per child and $3,500 per adult for the middle section; and $2,500 per child and $4,700 per adult for the VIP zone.

The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents “Latin Night”. Get two Desperados Tequila Beers for $1,000.

Tomorrow This Saturday Club 704 will be lit with the biggest birth night celebration of the year with “Set the Trend: The Third Edition” the official birthday party for Guyana’s #1 DJ Gully Ras. It’s a night of elegant fun and celebration. Music by Set the Trend DJs Pulse Entertainment is headed to the strip at Giftland Mall for Latin Night. A night of mesmerising music, Latin-themed cocktails and the gorgeous Latino girls. Don’t know the moves? Then let the dance instructors guide you for the ultimate Latin dance experience. Live performances by exotic Latin dancers and more. Music by DJ Ryan and DJ Anisha. Tickets: $1500 (Pay more at the door) The sexiest party to ever touch Guyana is back, it’s “Red Light District: French Maids Edition” happening at the District Ultra Lounge. Featuring two international DJs, DJ Kidd Frost and DJ PStar Perry from Trinidad. Come experience a night to remember.

New Money Entertainment brings to you again another major event called “Fine Whine” at the YWCA on Brickdam. Music by DJ Darry & Selector Alex, as well as DJ Protocol & Selector Stan. Free Jell-O shots for the first 100 Ladies upon Entry. Come out in your numbers and support de thing. Admission: $1,000 University of Guyana Student Society in collaboration with Music, Art Culture Foundation and The Pergola Smokehouse and Lounge presents “Talent off Campus, P.O.E.T.S: Push Off Early Tomorrow’s Sunday” at the Courtyard Mall. You will surely leave inspired by the Vibes, Art, & Food.

What else could you ask for to end your week? Admission: $1,000.

Sunday Sundays were meant for the 70s & 80s! The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant & Lounge presents “Dinner and 70s and 80s music” 704 Sports Bar presents “Pizza and Beer” buy one pitcher of draft beer and one 10” pizza and another pitcher of beer free and a serving of chicken tenders at half price.

Miss India Worldwide Guyana 2018 presents the Miss India Guyana Sashing Ceremony and Mrs India Guyana Reveal at the M&M Banquet Hall, EBD. Emcee by Joel Ghansham and a special appearance by the beautiful and charming Mrs India Guyana 2016 - Samantha Singh as she crowns her successor. Admission: $1,500.

Aracari Resort Casino to host ‘Weekend Bonanza’

R

ight after a smashing opening ceremony last Friday, the Management of the Aracari Resort Lotto Blast Casino is doing everything in its power to ensure customers remain satisfied and well entertained.

Customers swarmed the venue with every intention of raking in on the walloping opportunities at winning cash and many came out smiling after carting off cash packages ranging from $3,000 to over

$61,000 in winnings.

As such, management of the hotel has given back to its supporters by way of allowing them to win up to three Luxury Deluxe Rooms for an overnight stay with free breakfast and access to gym and pool, by simply arriving at the casino from Friday and playing at the machines. This promotion runs until Sunday.

Persons arriving at the facility will be made to drop their particulars (name address and

phone number) in a special box provided and will be contacted if they are the lucky winners when the grand draw is conducted at the Aracari Resort poolside on Monday, October 15.

The resort’s General Manager, Alex Wayne in a brief comment said that this initiative is just the beginning of many others to come in the near future, all geared at ‘giving back’ to their many faithful supporters and customers.

National Dance company to host 39th Dance Season’ Under the theme ‘METAMORPHOSIS’, 16 members of the National Dance Company will perform choreographies which cover abstraction, tradition, narrative and avant-garde forms using drama and dance.

They will be supported by a group of Associate members aged -12 – 17 years This year’s programme is divided into an opening sequence –‘THE PURGE’ which offers an imaginative solution to dealing with societal ills. This is followed by four main sub-themes – • ‘Emergence’- the evolution of a new world • ‘Identity’- which advocates for a cohesive society • ‘Praises’ - religious perspectives • ‘Love Boat’ –a series of flashback episodes of the inhabitants of the‘new world’ The music used in the production covers an extensive genre inclusive of classical, Indian, Reggae, Jazz, African, Hip-hop etc and while providing entertainment for general audiences will be of great benefit to students and teachers of the arts especially those who are preparing for CXC- Theatre Arts, CAPE –Performing Arts and ICA –Certificate and Diploma levels.

Lucky winners inside the Lotto Blast Casino last weekend

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 12, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 12, 2018

18th World Council of Domino Federations Championships … Team Guyana in control AFTER six days of heated exchanges between the six participating countries, the Eldorado World Council of Domino Federations Championship will climax today at the Carifesta Sports Complex, with Guyana looking good to win at least the female three-hand and is in third place in the male three-hand.

Apart from hosts Guyana, this year, which marks the 18th edition of the biennial championship, will see

Antigua and Barbuda, the USA, Anguilla, St Lucia and Barbados vying for the several top prizes up for grabs.

Heading into today’s final day of the championships, Guyana are on 17 points in the female threehand, leading Barbados and Anguilla who are tied on 13.5 points for second place, while Antigua and Barbuda are on 10 points, the USA 11 and St Lucia at the bottom of the cellar on seven points.

In the male three-hand, Guyana are on 15 points behind joint leaders Barbados and Antigua who are locked on 16 points. St Lucia are on 13 points, Anguilla 12 and the USA 11.

Antigua and Barbuda were down to compete in each of the quarter-finals in the females pair, while in the males, the Antiguans will do battle against Barbados and St Lucia. Also in the male pairs quarter-finals, St Lucia will do battle against Barbados, Guyana and St Lucia.

In the Mixed Pairs semi-finals, Antigua will do battle against Anguilla and St Lucia. Antigua and Barbuda are the defending champions.

Guyana Oil Company, Demerara Distillers Ltd, under their El Dorado brand, and Ministry of Social Cohesion Department of Culture, Youth and Sport are the tournament sponsors.

GFF to launch ‘Always’ National Women’s Development League today IN an effort to provide a consistent platform for women to play the game of football and develop their football skills, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) announced that they will launch the GFF-Always National Women’s Development League today at the SleepIn Hotel, Brickdam.

Ansa McAl has been listed as a major sponsor and full details will be given by GFF president Wayne Forde, Padma Kunjbeharry, head of Ansa McAl’s Business Unit, and Valerie Garrido-Lowe – Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs - who is also Patron of Women’s Football in Guyana.

The GFF’s announcement comes on the backdrop of the game’s global governing body FIFA’s launch of its

first-ever global strategy for women’s football, which charts the course for how FIFA will work with confederations and member associations (MAs), clubs and players, the media, fans and other stakeholders to realise the full potentials that exist within the women’s game.

FIFA strongly believes that women’s football brings one very important benefit to the many young girls and women involved in the game – empowerment. Encouraging empowerment through football, growing the game, getting more girls involved in it earlier and keeping women in football longer are all key elements of FIFA’s Women’s Football Strategy.

As part of its commitment to supporting and furthering the women’s game, FIFA established its first-ever

Women’s Football Division in 2016 under Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman.

The Women’s Football Division will work closely with MAs around the world via workshops and special initiatives to assist them in bringing together key stakeholders to discuss, develop and implement their respective women’s football strategies and to ensure the greatest impact possible of their efforts to develop and grow the women’s game.

FIFA actively promotes women’s football worldwide through major competitions such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay as well as events, campaigns and development programmes.

Guyana Jaguars beat ...

The leftarm orthodox spinner also picked up skipper Leon Johnson, caught and bowled for 2 (11 balls); Anthony Bramble, caught by wicketkeeper Dennis Smith for 2 (8 balls); Ricardo Adams, caught by Shillingford for 2 (7 balls).

Griffith and Christopher Barnwell had shared a 38-run (57 balls) second wicket partnership before there was a massive slide as the rest of the batting order folded up like an accordion with eight wickets going down with only 72 runs added to the overall total.

Griffith made 64 that included one six and six

FROM BACK PAGE

fours off 73 balls and exited centre-stage at 159 for 2 after 26.4 overs.

Barnwell was not in rhythm and hit one six and one four in his 29 off 37 balls while Raymon Reifer did not register a single boundary in his painstaking 28 off 51 deliveries.

Reifer scored 20 singles and four doubles while there were 26 dot balls in his innings.

The pitch was on the slow side and required good footwork and technique and sensible stroke selection but those attributes were sadly lacking from among the batsmen as they succumbed in quick and dramatic fashion.

Noble House Seafoods 2nd Division 2-Day competition resumes this weekend ACTION in the Noble House Seafoods 2nd Division (2-Day) cricket competition will continue on Saturday and Sunday (October 13-14) at Camp Ayanganna from 10:30hrs with UG facing home-side GDF. Meanwhile the Georgetown Cricket Association/Friends of Cricket U-17 (100-vers) cricket competition will also resume on Saturday at 09:30hrs with Transport SC facing

Georgetown ECO Champs at the Gandhi Youth Organisation ground while DCC take on GCC at GNIC and Bel Air RUBiS play Malteenoes SC at Ogle.

The New Building Society 2nd Division (40-Overs) cricket competition also resumes with action in Zone ‘A’ on Sunday at DCC when the home team faces Diplomats SC from 10:30hrs.

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28

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 12, 2018

Aussies complete great escape after Khawaja heroics (REUTERS) - Usman Khawaja batted bravely for nearly nine hours to make 141 and help Australia salvage a draw in the first Test against Pakistan in Dubai yesterday.

Set an improbable victory target of 462, Australia resumed on 136-3 hoping to survive the final day to force a draw at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The overnight pair of Khawaja and Travis Head played sensibly to deny the Pakistan attack in the morning session and guide their team to 215-3 at lunch.

Pakistan threatened to

slice through the Australian middle order when Head was trapped lbw for 72 by off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez.

Debutant Marnus Labuschagne soon followed, dismissed by leg-spinner Yasir Shah for 13.

After looking vulnerable against the spinners for the first half-hour on a deteriorating pitch, Australia captain Tim Paine settled down and built a crucial partnership with Khawaja.

Khawaja completed his century off 224 balls with 10 fours, becoming only the fifth Australian to score a hundred

in the fourth innings of a Test match in Asia. “(The plan was to) Just bat. Wasn’t thinking too much,” Khawaja, who was adjudged man-of-the-match award, said.

“It was decent but it was getting tougher and tougher.

We thought that if we batted two sessions we’d be in good stead.”

Shah removed Khawaja, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle in quick succession, keeping Pakistan’s victory hopes alive until the last over of the match.

But Paine (61) and Nathan Lyon (5) remained un-

Usman Khawaja, though, used the feet brilliantly to play some audacious shots that took him to his seventh Test hundred, and first in Asia. (Getty Images)

beaten to seal the draw as Australia finished on 362-8 - the second highest fourth-innings score by a visiting team in a Test in Asia.

“It was a extremely tough Test match. Pakistan played very well and had us under the pump for three days,” Paine said.

“Everyone had a plan. Usman was more

Scoreboard PAKISTAN 1st innings 482: Australia 1st innings 202 PAKISTAN 2nd innings 181-6 declared AUSTRALIA 2nd innings o/n 136-3 Aaron Finch lbw Mohammad Abbas 49 Usman Khawaja lbw Yasir Shah 141 Shaun Marsh c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Abbas 0 Mitchell Marsh lbw Mohammad Abbas 0 Travis Head lbw Mohammad Hafeez 72 Marnus Labuschagne lbw Yasir Shah 13 Tim Paine not out 61 Mitchell Starc c Babar Azam b Yasir Shah 1 Peter Siddle lbw Yasir Shah 0 Nathan Lyon not out 5 Extras: (b-13, lb-4, nb-3) 20 Total: (eight wkts, 139.5 overs) 362-8 Fall of wickets: 1-87, 2-87, 3-87, 4-219, 5-252, 6-331, 7-333, 8-333.

Bowling: Mohammad Abbas 27-7-56-3, Mohammad Hafeez 6-0-29-1, Yasir Shah 43.5-9-114-4, Wahab Riaz 16-3-42-0, (nb3), Bilal Asif 37-8-87-0, Haris Sohail 9-116-0, Asad Shafiq 1-0-1-0.

defensive than usual. There was a bit of a collapse but the guys have been working hard over the last few months and I’m happy everything’s gone to plan.”

Abu Dhabi will host the second and final Test starting on Tuesday.

Great escapes this decade

Pakistan v Australia, Dubai, 2018 Usman Khawaja, two years ago deemed incompetent in Asian conditions, and Tim Paine, in his second Test as captain, were the heroes as Australia survived four sessions against a strong Pakistan bowling attack in the fourth innings. Khawaja batted more than 300 balls for his 141, and was supported by first Travis Head, who got 72 off 175 and then Paine, who got 61 off 194. Once Khawaja was dismissed, two quick wickets followed, leaving Paine to bat out 12.1 overs with No.10 Nathan Lyon. What made the performance special was that this was an Australian line-up that had lost their best two batsmen to bans and were hence massive underdogs.

New Zealand v England, Christchurch, 2018 Having won the first Test, New Zealand needed a draw to take the series. It looked unlikely when England had them six down with 50-plus overs left in the Test. Then Colin de Grandhomme and Ish Sodhi batted out 25.5 overs for the seventh wicket. Sodhi went on to get 56 off 168 balls, but the most gutsy performance was by No.9 Neil Wagner, who got 7 off 103.

West Indies v England, Antigua, 2015 With more than 120 overs to bat out in the fourth innings, West Indies were five down inside 70.

Denesh Ramdin, captaining the side, battled for 141 balls, and then Jason Holder, batting at No.8, scored a century. He needed help from No.9 Kemar Roach, who survived 55 balls to help the home team secure the draw.

New Zealand v England, Auckland, 2013 A heart-stopping series decider! With 143 overs to bat out, England hung on, just about. Ian Bell blocked for nearly six hours, Stuart Broad took 62 balls to get off the mark, Monty Panesar’s comical crawl to safety became a meme and Matt Prior produced one of England’s greatest matchsaving hundreds to stave off defeat.

South Africa v India, Johannesburg, 2013 After setting a target of 458, a new-look India were dreaming of an overseas win over a South African line-up filled with greats. Tenacious centuries from Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers didn’t just thwart India, they took South Africa within eight runs of the biggest run chase ever.

Australia v South Africa, Adelaide, 2012 Once again South Africa showed their prowess under pressure in Tests. Four-and-a-half sessions to bat out on a wearing Adelaide surface? No problem. Faf du Plessis took up 376 balls as he conjured one of Test cricket’s finest debut centuries, ‘Mr 360’ AB de Villiers put away his outrageous array of strokes to make a boundary-less 220-ball 33, and a hamstrung Jacques Kallis stuck it out for nearly two and a half hours.

South Africa v England, Cape Town, 2010 England have made several great escapes over the years. This one was as tense as they get. With 141 overs to survive, the top three got them off to a solid start, and then Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell stayed together for 57 overs. Quick wickets meant the last pair, Graeme Swann and Graham Onions, had to survive 17 balls to save the Test. Despite some plays and misses and a failed review by South Africa, they managed it. (ESPN Cricinfo)

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 12, 2018

BCB launches 2019 Mike’s Pharmacy Under-15 tournament WITH just over two months before the end of the year, the pro-active Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has launched its 2019 Inter-club Under-15 tournament.

The BCB only completed its 2018 tournament in September but in its quest to be properly prepared for the Inter-county season which begins in February 2019, the 2019 Edition was launched early.

The tournament will begin in three weeks, using the required date of birth for the 2019 Inter-county season.

BCB president Hilbert Foster stated that the 2018 Inter-club tournament was a huge success with Albion Community Centre being crowned Champions after defeating favourites Rose Hall Town Farfan & Mendes by six runs at the Albion Sports Complex.

Players like Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Leon Cecil, Pavendra Ganesh, Hemendra Gurdyal, Rampertab Ramnauth, Jonathan De Veira, Jeremy

Sandia, Isiah Thorne, Zeymul Ramsammy, Shreedat Roopnarine, Hemchand Ragubeer, Andy Thagraj dominated the last tournament with outstanding individual performances.

Foster expects at least 20 teams to participate in the tournament which would be used to select players for several trial matches. A training squad of 26 players would be selected, based on performances after the first three rounds of the tournament, for the trial matches.

The trials will be sponsored by Nand Persaud Co. Ltd and the Berbice Team would be selected by the Albert Smith-led selection committee. Once selected, the team would undertake two months of intense training and coaching to be fully prepared to defend their title.

Clubs like Albion Community Centre, Rose Hall Town Farfan & Mendes, Blairmont Community Centre, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Young Warriors Cricket Club, Rose Hall Canje, Port Mourant Cricket Club,

No. 73 Cricket Club and Plaisance are expected to be among teams taking part in the historic tournament.

It would be the first time in the long history of Berbice cricket that a tournament would actually start before the year. Foster stated that with almost all the 2018 Berbice Under-15 players being overage for the 2019 Guyana Cricket Board Tournament, it was very important to start early preparation so that the Berbice selectors would have adequate time to select the best possible replacements.

The energetic president was full of praise for the support of Mike’s Pharmacy.

The outstanding work of the BCB, he stated, would not have been possible without the support of sponsors like Mike’s and he has committed his Board to organising another successful tournament.

Managing Director Lakeram Singh stated that Mike’s Pharmacy was very impressed by the hard work and organising skills of the Berbice Cricket Board. Ev-

Singh’s half-century leads GCC to U-17 win against MYO RAHUL Singh’s fine batting form continued at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) ground last Sunday when he hit a half-century to help the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) to a five-wicket win over the home team in the GCA Friends of Cricket Hundred 100 Overs’ U-17 Tournament.

MYO won the toss and batted first, but the GCC bowlers proved effective and prevented any early onslaught on the small ground.

Runs did come, mostly from the bat of Ricardo Ramdehol, but it was not until later in the innings when he had batted himself in. The opener played pivotal roles in two partnerships, which brought respectability to the innings.

His first was a 31-run second-wicket stand with T. Caesar (8) and the other a 49-run third-wicket partnership with Ziynul Ramsammy (31).

Ramsammy struck three fours and a six, while Ram-

Rahul Singh is developing into a quality opening batsman.

dehol, who finished with 53 runs, fired five fours and four sixes in his stay at the crease.

He did the most damage against A. Persaud as he raced from his mid-30s to his half-century in one over.

When the opener fell, the visitors’ bowling attack

had already done significant damage to the batting lineup and, with little resistance left, they were able to hold them to 143 in 34.4 overs.

Thirteen-year-old skipper, Zachary Jodah, and Darius Andrews led the bowling attack with three wickets each, while J. Charles picked up two.

Singh was ultra-aggressive when GCC batted. He belted five sixes and three fours in 39 balls to reach his 56. The 15-year-old’s main partnership was for the third-wicket with Ravaldo Phillips. The pair added 65 runs with the latter hitting two fours and two sixes in his 26 runs.

Although both became victims of Niran Bissu, the damage was done, as the other batsmen just had to play sensible cricket to ensure the win.

Bissu finished with three wickets for 27 runs from 5.3 overs.

BCB president Hilbert Foster receives sponsorship from Wayne Johnson of Mike’s Pharmacy.

ery commitment to Mike’s Pharmacy was fulfilled by the Berbice Board while the company also received

massive and widespread media coverage throughout the tournament.

Mike’s Pharmacy, Singh

disclosed, would continue to support Berbice Cricket once the game is administered properly.

Interested clubs are asked to contact Foster on 3374562, Angela Haniff on 3332375 or Robby Saywack on 660-0049 to register before Monday (October 15). The entrance fee is non-existent but teams would be required to register at least 16 players.

All players will have to be properly attired in white and have a birth certificate to verify date of birth.

Players will also have to be attending school as part of the Berbice Cricket Board’s Say Yes to Education Programme.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 12, 2018

German magazine ‘stands by’ story of Ronaldo rape allegation THE German magazine that reported a rape allegation made against footballer Cristiano Ronaldo says it has “no reason” to doubt the authenticity of key documents used in its story.

Ronaldo, 33, denies assaulting Kathryn Mayorga at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009.

Lawyers representing the Juventus player said on Wednesday that documents had been “completely fabricated”.

But Der Spiegel said: “We have hundreds of documents from different sources that substantiate our reporting.”

It added in a statement: “We stand by our reporting.

We have no reason to believe that those documents are not authentic.

“Furthermore, as always and before publishing every single article in Der Spiegel, we have meticulously factchecked our information and had it legally reviewed.

“The statement that was issued by (Ronaldo’s lawyer) Peter Christiansen on behalf of Cristiano Ronaldo presents the usual path that Mr Ronaldo and his lawyers have taken in the past when unsuccessfully fighting our investigative work.”

The magazine’s story centres on a questionnaire, which it says came from Ronaldo’s lawyers, in which the Portugal international admits Mayorga, 34, said “no” and “stop” during the alleged attack.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Christiansen said the documents were “pure inventions” and the result of a 2015 cyberattack, during which “electronic data was stolen” from “dozens of entities (including law firms) in different parts of Europe”.

He added: “This hacker tried to sell such information, and a media outlet irresponsibly ended up publishing some of the stolen documents, significant parts of

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus from Real Madrid last summer

which were altered and/or completely fabricated.”

Der Spiegel responded by saying: “In our article, we quote two versions of a document with statements by Mr Ronaldo.

“It’s a questionnaire that comes from his lawyers and describes the course of the night, in which the alleged rape occurred. The first version of this questionnaire, in which Ronaldo is quoted as saying that Ms Mayorga said

‘no’ and ‘stop’, is consistent with many details of Ms Mayorga’s description of the incident.

“Both also state that he apologised to her afterwards.

In a later version of this questionnaire, Mr Ronaldo denies the accusation of rape and denies apologising to Ms Mayorga.”

Christiansen said his client’s position continues to be that “what happened in 2009 in Las Vegas was completely

consensual”.

He added: “So that there are no doubts: Cristiano Ronaldo vehemently denies all the accusations in this civil action, in consistency with what he has done in the last nine years.”

‘ADMISSION OF PAYMENT’ Der Spiegel also believes Ronaldo’s representatives have changed their narrative regarding the alleged payment that was made to Mayorga by Ronaldo’s lawyers in 2010.

Mayorga, who the magazine says filed a report with Las Vegas police shortly after the alleged incident, reportedly reached an outof-court settlement with Ronaldo involving a $375 000 (£288 000) payment for agreeing never to go public with the allegations.

Christiansen says Ronaldo does not deny he entered into an agreement, but “the reasons that led him to do so are at least to be distorted”.

He added: “This agreement is by no means a confession of guilt.”

Der Spiegel said: “When we published an article about the settlement agreement between Ms Mayorga and Mr Ronaldo in 2017, his advisers

USA shock Hurricanes to record first Super50 victory BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – USA Cricket’s spinning duo of Nosthusha Kenjige and Timil Patel bamboozled the Leeward Islands Hurricanes batsmen to record a shock victory in their Regional Super50 contest at Kensington Oval on Wednesday night.

Man-of-the-Match Kenjige claimed three wickets and Patel accounted for two as USA routed the Hurricanes for just 109, 88 runs short of their intended target, with USA having earlier been dismissed for 197.

In a stunning batting collapse, the Hurricanes lost their

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday October 12, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 65 (Queen’s Park Oval, 1971) (2) 774 runs Today’s Quiz: (1) How many runs Rohan Kanhai scored against India in Tests?

(2) What is Rohan Kanhai’s highest Test score in India?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Barbados Cricket Association director Ignatius Marshall presents Nosthusha Kenjige with the Player-of-the-Match prize.

(CWI Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks LaTouche Photography)

last six wickets for just 19 runs, as the USA recorded their first win of the competition.

Kenjige and Patel also received good support, with each of the other four bowlers used all claiming wickets.

The Hurricanes found themselves in trouble from as early as the second over when Chesney Hughes was dismissed by Jasdeep Singh without a run on the board.

Left-arm fast bowler El-

more Hutchinson then struck 13 runs later, removing Akeem Saunders for nine to leave the score 13 for two. That soon became 68-4 following the dismissals of Montcin Hodge (18) and captain Devon Thomas for 17.

A brief partnership between top-scorer Orlando Peters and Terrence Warde temporarily halted the slide of wickets before Kenjige and Patel took control.

With the score on 90-4, Ken-

jige had Peters stumped for 37 and followed that up by bowling Rahkeem Cornwall three runs later.

Patel then caught and bowled Warde for four, before Kenjige snared his final wicket by having Jaison Peters stumped for one run as the Hurricanes slumped to 98-8.

The match was over 11 runs later when Patel had Sheldon Cottrell leg-before-wicket for a duck.

Earlier, in their turn at the crease several USA batsmen got starts but failed to carry on.

Patel led the way with a pedestrian knock of 39 which came from 80 balls, but Monank Patel (27), Steven Taylor (22) and Alex Amsterdam who made 21, all made useful contributions.

Leg-spinner Damion Jacobs was the pick of the Hurricanes bowlers with 3-40 from 10 overs, while Cornwall, Jeremiah Louis and Hughes supported with two wickets apiece.

called it ‘nothing but a piece of journalistic fiction’.

“Now, Mr Ronaldo admits that he agreed to that settlement.”

The magazine’s statement added: “Before publishing our story about the rape accusations, we gave Mr Ronaldo and his lawyers the opportunity to respond to the allegations.

“They could have disputed the facts that we presented to them. They did not do that.

In no way did they claim that parts of our information were ‘pure inventions’. One of his lawyers threatened to sue us for publishing because he said that we infringed Mr Ronaldo’s personal rights.

So far, we have not received anything in this regard.

“Only Kathryn Mayorga and Cristiano Ronaldo know the truth about the incident that occurred on June 13, 2009. It’s not our job to judge. What we do is to report. We tell both sides of the story.

“The responsible authorities of Nevada will determine the following steps in this process. So far, of course the presumption of innocence applies to Mr Ronaldo.” (BBC Sport)

Scoreboard USA innings J. Malhotra c Thomas b Cottrell 8 M. Patel c & b Jacobs 27 S. Taylor c Peters b Cornwall 22 A. Amsterdam c & b Jacobs 21 T. Patel c Cornwall b Hughes 39 D. Wakefield c Hughes b Jacobs 11 K. Silva c Cottrell b Hughes 8 E. Hutchinson c Saunders b Cornwall 15 J. Singh c Hughes b Louis 14 N. Kenjige not out 14 K. Phillip c & b Louis 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-2, nb-1, w-14) 18 Total: (all out, 49.3 overs) 197 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-61, 3-65, 4-98, 5-116, 6-135, 7-162, 8-168, 9-189.

Bowling: Cottrell 5-0-30-1, Louis 5.30-37-2, Cornwall 10-1-23-2, Jacobs 10-0-40-3, Warde 10-2-26-0, Hughes 9-1-38-2.

HURRICANES innings M. Hodge c Wakefield b Philip 18 C. Hughes c M Patel b Singh 0 A. Saunders b Hutchinson 9 D. Thomas c Malhotra b Silva 17 O. Peters stp. Malhotra b Kenjige 37 T. Warde c & b T Patel 4 R. Cornwall b Kenjige 1 R. Peters stp. Malhotra b Kenjige 1 J. Louis run-out 2 D. Jacobs not out 11 S. Cottrell lbw b T. Patel 0 Extras: (lb-4, w-5) 9 Total: (all out, 30.1 overs) 109 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-13, 3-37, 4-68, 5-90, 6-93, 7-95, 8-98, 9-99.

Bowling: Hutchinson 5-2-4-1, Singh 5-0-28-1, Philip 5-0-21-1, Silva 5-1-261, Kenjige 8-3-22-3, T Patel 2.1-0-4-2.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 12, 2018

Windies captain hopes for long-term coach after Stuart Law

By Alagappan Muthu in Hyderabad WEST INDIES are about to lose their head coach Stuart Law at the end of the year.

Before that, in 2016, they lost Phil Simmons. And before that, in 2014, they lost Ottis Gibson. The captain Jason Holder praised his team-mates for keeping up with such a churn but hoped the next coach will be able to stick around longer.

“It’s difficult. We have had a number of coaches in the last five years. And I must commend the guys because they have really been professional to be able to adjust to each and every coach that we’ve had.

“A lot of people don’t understand what goes on behind the scenes. And that’s pretty much an example of the things the players have had to deal with.

Credit must go to the

individuals in the group because despite who coaches the team, we are still judged on the cricket that we play. But all this has a part to do with the cricket that we produce.

“That’s why I don’t get too caught up with people saying what they say, because within, I know what really goes on within the dynamics of the team. It’s not an excuse or looking for things to ease pressure, but at the end of the day you deal with reality.

Anybody would say that the only way to get results as a team is by coming close together. But if the dynamics of the team changes quite a bit, it’s hard to build something. Every time it seems as though you’re building something, there’s almost a barrier, some kind of obstacle.

“But that’s life. I think Stuart has brought a different dynamic in terms of professionalism. He’s

obviously tried to implement certain structures and certain methods, which we needed to change, and credit really must go to Stuart Law for that.

Hopefully, whoever comes in, we could just settle on a coach for a little while longer and build something positive for the next couple of years.”

West Indies’ performance in the first Test against India in Rajkot - they lost all 20 wickets in four sessions - drew a lot of flak, with cricket pundits and former players suggesting on social media that they weren’t good enough to play Test cricket.

Holder had come across some of these unflattering comments, but he brushed them aside with grace, dignity and some decent statistics too.

“We’re playing the No.1 team, India, in their backyard. And history would show we haven’t won a Test

Head Coach Stuart Law

match here since 1994, and if you look at the players who came through West Indies cricket - I think Brian Lara and these greats have been playing all that time.

“Sure, we probably haven’t won as many series as we’d like. But within the last year, I think we’ve won two out of four or

Windies get Holder, Roach boost ahead of second and final Test

Jason Holder

HYDERABAD, India (Reuters) West Indies, boosted by the return of regular captain Jason Holder and fast bowler Kemar Roach, have a plan for young India opener Prithvi Shaw in the second and final Test in Hyderabad, all-rounder Roston Chase said yesterday.

Eighteen-year-old Shaw smashed a fluent 134 on his Test debut last week, setting the tone for India’s victory by an innings and 272 runs in the series opener in Rajkot.

India’s biggest Test victory came against a West Indies side who sorely missed the injured Holder and Roach, who had gone home following a family bereavement, as the hosts went 1-0 up in the two-match series.

“It’s always good to have the captain back,” Chase, who made a fighting 53 in West Indies’ first innings in Rajkot, told reporters on

Kemar Roach

the eve of the second Test.

“I can’t really say who is playing but it’s really good to have Kemar Roach back. (He’s) a very senior player and brings a lot of experience to the team. It’s good to have both of them back.”

India batted only once in Rajkot, amassing 649 for nine before declaring, and West Indies crumbled under the mountain of runs to lose inside three days.

Denying India a flying start will be crucial to their hopes of levelling the series in Hyderabad and Chase, who bowled 26 overs of off-spin for the lone wicket of Ajinkya Rahane in Rajkot, said his team would be better prepared for Shaw.

“We had a long chat after the first Test and came up with some plans,” the 26-year-old said.

“We discussed how we are look-

ing to bowl at him in the second Test along with some of the other batters.

I can’t obviously discuss our plans in the conference. I think we have a better idea of what we are looking to do against him.”

Shaw’s dream debut prompted comparisons with fellow Mumbaikar and Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar.

India captain Virat Kohli, however, does not want to burden the teenager with such expectations.

“This guy is supremely talented and he has got great ability, as everyone saw,” Kohli told reporters yesterday.

“He is a keen learner, a very sharp guy. We all are very happy for him, but I think we should not compare him to anyone yet or put him in a space where he starts feeling pressure of any kind.”

five series we’ve played.

So I don’t understand why people would be this harsh towards us.

“But everyone is entitled to their opinion. I just focus primarily on what I have to do and what the team has to do. There’s not point worrying about what people have to say because people will always have (something) to say. The only way we can silence the critics - or try to silence them, because I don’t think they’ll ever shut up - is by playing (good) cricket.”

Holder’s immediate focus is on getting himself fit for the second Test against India in Hyderabad tomorrow. He missed the Rajkot Test with an ankle injury, but has since resumed bowling off his full run-up.

“I am pushing really hard to be ready for the Test match. In the last Test match, it just wasn’t right. I had a scan and it didn’t turn out to be too bad. But, it’s a matter

of managing the pain. Injuries aren’t new to me. I didn’t want to start a Test match and then be in a situation where I am not able to finish it. I feel a lot stronger now and the pain has decreased.

It’s matter of sustaining for five days.”

Their lead fast bowler Shannon Gabriel is also under a cloud - Holder said they’ll take a call on the morning of the match - but Kemar Roach was in full flow at training at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium and will likely slot back into the XI. The bowling coach Corey Collymore put their loss in Rajkot down to undisciplined bowling in the first session of the match, and the return of Roach could help improve that.

(ESPN Cricinfo).

Entries for the KMTC’s Pre-Diwali race meet close on Sunday RACEHORSE owners and trainers have up to Sunday to register their horses for the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club’s (KMTC) Pre-Diwali race meet, scheduled for October 21 at the club’s facility situated at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice.

The six-race card will have as its feature event a six-furlong race for horses classified `H1 and Lower’ and the winning stable will be rewarded with $250 000, while the second-, third- and fourth-place finishers will earn $125 000, $62 000 and $31 000 respectively. Entrance fee is $30 000.

The co-feature event is a five-furlong race for two-yearold maiden animals and the winner will earn $200 000, while other top three performers will receive $100 000, $50 000 and $25 000 respectively. Registration fee is $24 000.

The other five races are all over a distance of five-furlongs one for horses classified `L’ non-earners that carries a first prize of $100 000. The second-place finisher will earn $50 000, while the third- and fourth-place finishers will receive $25 000 and $13 000 respectively. Registration fee is $12 000.

Another of the five-furlong races is open to horses classified `L’ Open and this race carries a first prize $140 000. The second- to fourth-place finishers will receive $70 000, $35 000 and $18 000 respectively and the registration fee is $17 000. ‘l’ Non-winners will also contest a five-furlong event for a first prize of $120 000. The second- to fourth-place finishers will be rewarded with $60 000, $30 000 and $15 000 respectively and the registration fee for this race is $14 000.

The other race on the day’s programme is for animals classified `J3’ and `K’ and the winner will earn $160 000 while the second-place finisher will receive $80 000. The third- and fourth-place horses will earn $40 000 and $20 000 in that order. Registration fee is $19 000.

The day’s programme will be conducted under the Rules and Regulations of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority.

Racehorse owners and trainers interested in registering their animals for any of the events can make contact with Ivan Dipnarine (331-0316), Justice Kennard (623-7609 or 225-4818) Fazal Habibulla (657-7010), Dennis Deroop (640-6396) or Compton Sancho (602-1567).

German magazine ‘stands by’ story of Ronaldo rape allegation

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18th World Council of Domino Federations Championships … Team Guyana in control

A packed Carifesta Sports Complex during the Eldorado World Council of Domino Federations Championships.

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Judge paying close attention to a game between Guyana and Antigua &Barbados (Adrian Narine photos)

GFF to launch

‘Always’ National Women’s Development League today

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Guyana’s Jalade Trim in action against Barbados, at the National Track and Field Centre in the CONCACAF Girls U-17 Qualifying Championship. (Samuel Maughn photo)

Guyana Jaguars beat Sherfane Rutherford

Volcanoes by 93 runs

By Brij Parasnath SPINNERS Veerasammy Permaul, Ramaal Lewis and Ricardo Adams combined to subdue and mesmerise the Windwards Volcanoes batsmen and became the chief architects of destruction which allowed the Guyana Jaguars to stay on course for one of the semi-finalist berths with another convincing 93-run win in their Cricket West Indies (CWI) Group A Super50 encounter at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy last evening.

It was the Guyanese third consecutive triumph in as many matches, after they succumbed to defeat to the odds-on favourite, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in their first game, and kept their winning ways by defeating the defending champions, Volcanoes, who were bowled out for 138 in 36.3 overs.

Lewis (7.3-0-25-4), Permaul (10-0-32-3), Adams (8-1-22-2) and Clinton Pestano (5-0-13-1) were Jaguars wicket-takers who proved too much for their opponents whose chances of advancing to the semi-finals seem to be in jeopardy. The Super50 crown is quietly slipping away from their grasp.

Batting first, after being asked to take first strike by Windwards’ skipper Shane Shillingford, Guyana Jaguars were bowled out for 231 in 49 overs after openers, Trevon Griffith and Sherfane Rutherford, had posted 121 for the first wicket stand in 17.1 overs.

Splendid half-centuries from the left-handed openers provided the Jaguars with a solid platform to push for a big total which did not materialise because of the inept batting display by the middle and lower-order batsmen who were put under intense pressure from the Windwards spinners, Larry Edwards (10-1-34-4), skipper Shane Shillingford (10-0-47-3) and Alick Athanaze (9-1-34-1) and surprisingly gifted their wickets away too easily.

Rutherford, promoted to open the innings following the departure of the inform Chandrapaul Hemraj who travelled to India with the senior West Indies ODIs squad for the five-match series which will follow the second Test which commences today, thrilled with attacking strokes that yielded one six and ten fours off 61 balls before he was dismissed by off-spinner Shillingford for 69.

Rutherford outshone his senior partner before he was caught by Delorn Johnson off the first ball of the eigh-

Veerasammy Permaul

teenth over.

Griffith joined his junior partner in the pavilion when he offered Kirk Edwards a catch off the bowling of Edwards who finished with his second four-wicket haul and career best of 4 for 34.

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

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27 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018