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Region Five launches tourism, investment magazine Page 16

Positive outlook No. 105065

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

–– GuySuCo projected to be ‘cash positive’ in 2020

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Counselling for family of murdered Berbice teen Page 7

Guyana to benefit from US$40M CDB grant Page 2

It was an atmosphere of celebration and chanting of sacred hymns when the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha East Bank Demerara leg of the Diwali motorcade got underway at the Diamond Tarmac on Friday (Adrian Narine photo)

Redundant GuySuCo workers wil not be abandoned

Middle-aged man dies from burns

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Refreshing look

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

–– City Hall removes vendors from western pavement of Demico House By Telesha Ramnarine

DUE to an increase in the prevalence of criminal activities under Demico House, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), through the City Constabulary, took a decision this week to remove vendors from the western side of the business. On a site visit Friday morning, having already removed the vendors on Tuesday, Constabulary Superintendent Lau-

weapons. The parents have to be contacted before the family is referred for social services. “From time to time, citizens have been complaining of being molested on this part of the pavement and around this environment, causing an obstruction of business; and persons are unable to use this carriageway freely,” Gittens explained. She said the officers have decided to start this operation because the ‘Christmas season’

The western pavement under Demico House has been a hub for robbers. The City Council intends to keep it clear rel Gittens told the Guyana Chronicle that close to 50 persons were arrested last month for crime-related activities. What is alarming, according to her, is that among those being arrested are school- children who are often found loitering during school hours, and in possession of offensive

will soon be here. “We’re trying our best along with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) because we are into the Christmas season. So if we don’t start at some point, by the time the Christmas season is upon us, we won’t be able to control what’s going on.” M&CC Public Relations

Officer Debra Lewis, who was also on the scene, offered that the notices were served to the vendors both verbally and in writing. “We have information about the western carriageway where criminal activities are prevalent. The whole focus is to rid the area of criminal elements and to allow citizens to traverse the area incident-free. Not that we want to deprive anyone of their livelihood, but it’s in the interest of all those who are in the area,” Lewis remarked. According to her, Banks DIH Limited wrote to Mayor Patricia Chase-Green expressing concern over the safety of those who traverse the area. “This is a portion of Banks property, and they are taxpayers. So if they make a request to the Council, then we have an obligation to carry it out,” Gittens rejoined, adding that the vendors in front of the business on Croal Street were allowed because the majority of them are on the Council’s reserves. Lewis continued that because those who operate liquor

M&CC Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis has a word with “Scratchy” (sitting) who has been vending under Demico for 25 years (Telesha Ramnarine photos) shops in the area provide no washroom facilities, customers often resort to using the drains. “Drains are being used as public toilets and that is not good for the citizens.” The M&CC has often been criticised for allowing vendors to creep back into the very locations from which they were removed. But this time, Gittens said it is a possibility that the Constabulary will collaborate

with the GPF to have officers stationed at strategic points. In fact, she disclosed that police booths will be set up all across the city as Christmas gets closer. One vendor well known as “Scratchy,” told reporters that he has been operating a stall there for the past 25 years and that he makes it his duty to keep the place clean, even paying for his garbage to be removed.

Claiming to be the first vendor under Demico, he lauded the work of the M&CC and said although he complied and removed, he will still continue to hustle, but in the right way. He called for a greater police presence in the area, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, because he said he continues to witness numerous robberies about which he cannot do anything.

Guyana to benefit from US$40M CDB grant THE Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) poverty-fighting flagship programme, the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), has unveiled an ambitious plan for its ninth cycle and Guyana is one of several nations to benefit. The bank has negotiated more funds for the BNTF, taken steps to improve the programme’s efficiency and effectiveness, and will strengthen partnerships with the private sector. These innovations are being outlined to BNTF stakeholders during a series of project launch workshops, which are taking place in the nine participating countries, where stakeholders will also receive guidance on implementing the new cycle. CDB’s acting Portfolio Manager for the BNTF, George Yearwood, said the countries stand to benefit from a grant allocation of US$40.8 million, which could be boosted by funding secured through private sector partnerships. “CDB has negotiated increased contributions for the Special Development Fund, to secure grant resources for BNTF sub-projects to tackle poverty in the Region. Also, the bank will seek to leverage additional resources through partnerships with the private sector, charities and other civil society organisations,” said Yearwood. He also noted that country projects found to be performing well during the mid-term review may be in line for additional funding. “The funds from BNTF are to be carefully targeted

through an evidence-based country policy framework or action plan which responds to poverty, particularly in rural areas. And, CDB has set aside an incentive amount of US$ 5.2 million, which will be distributed at midterm based on project performance,” added Yearwood. Other changes designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the BNTF programme and to accelerate social transformation include restructuring of implementing agencies in some countries; expansion of the areas of support to include livelihoods enhancement; shortening the process flow from identification to implementation; increasing the upper limit of a sub-project’s cost to US$1 million; improving CDB’s internal processes for sub-project appraisal and approval; and introducing new tools for enhanced monitoring and evaluation. The project launch workshop was held in Saint Lucia on October 4 and 5, and in Guyana on October 9 and 10. Other launches already scheduled include Jamaica on October 17 and 18; Belize on October 23 and 24; Grenada on November 7 and 8, and Suriname on March 30 and 31, 2018. BNTF’s ninth cycle was approved in March 2017, and will run until December 31, 2020. Under the eighth cycle, BNTF allocated US$12.388 million for supporting projects in Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Positive outlook

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

–– GuySuCo projected to be ‘cash positive’ in 2020

By Svetlana Marshall FOR the next two years, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) would require financial support to stay afloat, but by 2020 the corporation is expected to be ‘cash positive’ with no need for Government’s intervention, according to GuySuCo Finance Director and Deputy Chief Executive Office (DCEO) Paul Bhim.

needing subvention but by 2020 we should be self-sufficient and cash positive,” the DCEO emphasised. For decades billions of taxpayers’ dollars have been pumped into what is now considered as the ailing sugar industry. In 2015, GuySuCo received a $12B subvention. That year, the corporation had raked in $19.6B in revenues, but its labour cost stood at $21.4B. Bhim said in addition to labour,

in Guyana to the National Assembly in May 2017, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder said that the future the industry lies in a smaller sector, with reduced losses and cash deficits, but coupled with a separate and profitable diversified enterprise, which would ensure a viable future. In accordance with that White Paper, it was outlined that the “New GuySuCo” would consist of only three estates and

000 from a high of 16, 000, and focus on only three estates and three factories, Bhim said sugar production in 2020 is estimated at 150, 000 tonnes. But with Blairmont having the capacity to expand, another 10, 000 tonnes could be produced. That tonnage is expected to satisfy demand in the local market (25,000 tonnes pa), CARICOM and regional (50,000 – 60,000

sugar by 36 per cent over a four-year period that began in 2006. The EU was forced to withdraw the preferential treatment as a consequence of global pressures to liberalise its trade. And though a large quantity of sugar is still being sold to Europe, Guyana continues to reel from the effects of the significantly reduced price of sugar. “The world market price is about US$310US

it needs only about 10 per cent of refined white sugar to make certain products and the rest could come from plantation white sugar. Bhim said if Guyana, Jamaica and Belize – members of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean – could press the CARICOM Secretariat to grant them the Common External Tariff, white sugar coming in extra regionally could attract a tariff of

Left to right: Gavin Ramnarain, Head of the Agricultural Research Centre; Deodat Sukhoo, Chief Industrial Relations Manager; Audreyanna Thomas, Senior Communications Officer; Paul Bhim, Finance Director and DCEO; and Yusuf Abdul, General Manager- Technical Services. (Adrian Narine photo) Bhim was among senior officials from the sugar corporation who addressed reporters on the future of the sugar industry during a televised press conference at the National Communications Network (NCN) on Friday. Yusuf Abdul, General Manager,Technical Services; Deodat Sukhoo, Chief Industrial Relations Manager; Gavin Ramnarain, Head of the Agricultural Research Centre and Audreyanna Thomas, Senior Communications Officer were among those who sat on the panel. “Profitability at the end of 2020 may not be ‘possible’,” Bhim posited, but said the corporation has its eyes fixed on becoming “cash positive,” thereby removing its dependence on government’s subvention. “In 2018 and 2019 we could see ourselves still

$2B was needed for the purchase of fertilisers, another $2B for fuel, while transportation expenses totalled $1.4B. Also in 2015, the sugar corporation was required to repay the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica $2B. In 2016, the corporation received a reduced subvention of $11B, and though its labour cost that year – $18.3B – did not surpass the revenues garnered – $20.9B – Bhim said the corporation still had to clear expenses relating to fuel, transportation and fertiliser, among other things. This year, GuySuCo was given a $9B subvention. The corporation is forecast to have garnered $17.4B in revenue, while labour is expected to cost the corporation $18.5B. In unveiling government’s White Paper on the future of the sugar industry

three sugar factories. The estates would be Blairmont on the West Bank of Berbice, Albion-Rose Hall in East Berbice and the Uitvlugt-Wales estate in West Demerara. The three estates will be complete with factories and will have cane supplied from all five locations. By virtue of the amalgamation, the Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Rose Hall, Berbice factories will be closed by year-end. In the case of Enmore, that factory will be closed at the end of the year when all canes would have been harvested and the East Coast estates would be earmarked for diversification. REDUCED WORKFORCE With a contracted workforce of about 10,

tonnes pa) USA (13,000 tonnes pa) and the World Market (50,000) tonnes. Between 1959 and 2009, the sugar industry operated in a largely protected market with Guyana being among nine countries to have benefited from the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement (CSA). Additionally, Guyana along with other African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states benefited subsequently from the Sugar Protocol under the ACPEU preferential system. It also had access to the Canadian and U.S. markets at preferential rates. Preferential sales to the EU market accounted for 50 per cent of the company’s sugar output and 70 per cent of its revenues. In November 2005, the European Agriculture Council (EAC) decided to reduce the guaranteed price for

per tonne, if you think about when we were getting the preferential price, on average we were getting about US$600 per tonne,” the DCEO pointed out. Cognisant of the challenges facing the sugar industry, he said the corporation this time around will be placing significant emphasis on value-added sugars. Currently, the corporation is shifting its focus from producing raw sugar to bagged and packaged sugar. “We are also looking at doing something called Plantation White Sugar. Plantation White is really a substitute for refined white sugar,” Bhim added. According to him, CARICOM on an annual basis imports approximately 190, 000 tonnes of refined white sugar, but research has indicated that

about 30-40 per cent. At the moment brown sugar attracts a tariff of 40 per cent. Such a move would make Guyana’s plantation white sugar competitive, Bhim posited. “That’s about it in terms of sugar production, not forgetting we also have molasses, [and] we are looking at cogeneration at Albion in particular,” the DCEO he added. As part of its new business model, the Senior Communications Officer Audreyanna Thomas said GuySuCo at its Albion Estate and factory will be focusing on bulk sugar, plantation white sugar, cogeneration and molasses. At the Blairmont Estate, the focus will be on bagged and packaged sugar, while at the Uitvlugt Estate and factory would bag plantation white sugar.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Jail time for Confederate Flag disturbance

Couple pointed shotgun at Black party-goers A GEORGIA judge sentenced a man and a woman to spend years in prison on Monday for their roles in a 2015 Confederate flag

display that disturbed a group of black people attending a child’s birthday party, prosecutors said. Defendants Jose Tor-

res, 26, and Kayla Norton, 25, were convicted earlier this month of charges that include making “terroristic threats” during the confrontation in Douglas County near Atlanta, which occurred at a time of heated national debate about a flag that

many consider a symbol of racism. Georgia Superior Court Judge William McClain sentenced Torres to serve 13 years in prison, and Norton to serve 6 years in prison, Douglas County District Attorney Brian Fortner said in a phone inter-

view. Both face probation after their release, and were banished from Douglas County. Attorneys for Torres and Norton could not immediately be reached for comment. The sentences were a year longer than prosecutors had asked for, said Fortner, noting the crimes went beyond disagreements over the battle flag used by the pro-slavery South during the U.S. Civil War, which some defend as part of its heritage. “This was a case where these people pulled out a shotgun and threatened to kill p e o p l e a t a p a r t y , i ncluding children,” he said. The incident played out during heightened debate over the symbolism of the flag, triggered by the racially-motivated shooting deaths of nine black

churchgoers in South Carolina weeks earlier. Prosecutors said witnesses attending the birthday party, featuring a bouncy castle and snow cone machine, testified that people in a convoy of trucks displaying the flag shouted racial slurs as they drove by, stopping next to the party. Torres was accused of pointing a shotgun at the predominately black party-goers and threatening to kill them, prosecutors said in a news release. Norton loaded the shotgun and gave it to him, they said. The pair faced some of the most serious charges out of 15 members of the group “Respect the Flag” indicted over the incident, Fortner said. Two others facing similar charges pleaded guilty and were sentenced to lesser prison sentences.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Triple murder Video captures suspects inside karaoke bar in missionary robbery KARAOKE night at a popular bar in Marabella, Trinidad ended in a triple murder on Wednesday when gunmen walked into the crowded establishment and opened fire at patrons. Two of the victims are Ruthven ‘Man Sandy’ Sandy, 63, and Michael Scott, 48, of John Street, Marabella and San Fabien Road, Gasparillo, respectively. Up to press time, police were yet to identify the third victim. Reports are that shortly after 11 pm, gunmen dressed in dark clothing opened fire inside the Caribbean Vibes Restaurant and Bar off the Southern Main Road in Marabella. Patrons scampered for safety and when the shooting ended, Scott and the unidentified man lay dead in the bar. An unconscious Sandy was taken to San Fernando General Hospital where he died. The killers remained at large up to press time. At the bar yesterday, police investigators were inside the establishment gathering evidence.

Sandy’s son, Ako Cobham, 33, said his father was a frequent patron and karaoke singer at the bar. Cobham recalled that he was outside the bar liming when he heard the gunshots and saw people running out. DADDY DEAD Ako Cobham whose father Ruthven Sandy, 63, was among three innocent men shot dead inside a bar in Marabella on Wednesday night. Cobham is seen holding his daughter Jana, two. “It seems he was coming out of the washroom inside the bar when the shooting started. He did not sing that night. Everything happened so fast, I was in shock. My father was shot five times. They killed an innocent man for nothing,” Cobham cried. Sandy was a father of 11 and grandfather of many. The bereaved son added that unlike his father he does not frequent the bar. However, a few hours before the fatal shooting a friend picked him up and they both went to the bar.

“Who knows? I too could have been killed. We don’t know who the other dead people are. At the time, all my focus was on [my] father because he was still alive in the bar,” Cobham said. At the Forensic Science Centre in St James, Scott’s wife told Newsday they spoke just before he went to the bar to lime with co-workers. “It was a normal conversation. He told me he was making a turn to come back. But if I knew it would be the last time I would be seeing him, I would have hugged him tightly and kissed him all over. I would have told him that I loved him with all my heart,” she said. The woman, who asked not to be named, said Scott was the perfect husband. She said he was slow to anger, always smiling, kind and helpful. Plus, he was an excellent cook. She revealed that while they were married for nine years, they knew each other for 23 years. Scott was a father of three and an employee of Petrotrin.

VIDEO footage showing two masked men entering and exiting the Rousillac home of American missionaries, Michael and Kathryn Purdom, who were beaten and robbed on Tuesday night, has surfaced. The South Oropouche police is in the process of getting and examining a copy of the surveillance video in their attempt to nab the suspects who viciously beat Purdom, his wife and son, Silas, and robbed them of US, TT and EC currencies amounting to over $2,000. Purdom yesterday confirmed there were witnesses who saw the men running from their home but their identities are yet to be confirmed as they wore masks. He also confirmed that, following the brutal attack which was published in yesterday’s Newsday, the United States Embassy reached out to them to express regret and offer its assistance.

“They called me on Thursday morning and asked if there was anything we needed. They gave an undertaking to follow up with the police in their investigations. I am happy to know they reached out to us and that they are interested in what happens to us,” he said. Yesterday he spent the day trying to get a copy of his driving permit, which was in the wallet the bandits stole, as well as other documents. He said he was also scheduled to give a statement to the Oropouche police yesterday afternoon. Still shaken and traumatised by the incident, Purdom said, while they were a bit anxious, they were a little better. Purdom said while the ordeal lasted about 90 seconds, the bad memory would last a lifetime. “I don’t think this is something I will ever forget, but I trust in spiritual things and we will be all right.” His wife, in a brief tele-

phone interview also said, “We’re doing good enough. My son is doing fine. We would not let this incident deter us from our work for the Lord.” She said last night they slept better than the night before. The couple and their son, 16, had just returned from a Bible Study session at the Church of Christ, Aripero, on Tuesday night, when they were attacked. Purdom said he heard a knock on the door and, thinking it was a member of their congregation, opened without hesitation. However, waiting on the other side of the door were two masked men, carrying cutlasses. They planassed Purdom, while demanding money. His wife and son who were alerted to his screams, were also attacked. The men left after all the money the family had in their possession had been handed over to them.

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

The dark side of Social Media

THE wonders of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) must be described as the technology of the modern age, because of the revolution that it has brought to the ways in which we currently communicate with each other. Its wide-ranging components, that continue to evolve almost every day, have caused the wider world and its distant parts to be a global village. Now, at the touch of a button, distant shores are brought into the privacy of our living rooms, as we communicate via our computers and our smartphones to friends and relatives; and even seeking information on any person, anything, or place that we may wish. But it is the aspect of Social Media that is the wondrous centrepiece of this communication revolution. Whether via Twitter, SnapChat, Instagram,or the ever popular Facebook – ground-breaking events, wherever they occur, are instantly transmitted; messages, greetings relayed; and friendships are formed. In short, they allow for the creation and sharing of information, ideas, and career interests. This is networking, the heart of this system. Fundamentally, New Media (Social Media) has changed the world irrevocably, influencing the way we conduct our

daily affairs, hitherto, the way we live. However, there is the very dark side to Social Media and it is this aspect--one of them-- that we wish to highlight, in the current context of Guyana. We refer to the daily use of social media, particularly Facebook, to make racial slurs about a section of our multiethnic society. There is no doubt that this is a politically motivated strategy that forms part of the broader plan of furthering ethnic divisions in our multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society, creating racial tensions, with the objective of destabilising our society, and even the coalition government. We deem those attacks as evil and wicked, since they are meant to be personally demeaning and degrading, as they make judgement on an ethnic group’s capacity to govern, manage the important aspects of daily existence, even to live, based on the colour of their skin. Those of us who are open-minded and have read well, will know that such a narrow and offensive interpretation of human kind based on ethno-cultural interpretations of the evolution of man, has ever since been proven entirely false and without foundation. Yet, we still observe its disgusting persistence by those whose only agenda is to promote and foster the idea of domination

by race: all in the name of political power. To the intellectual authors of such a disgusting and dangerous practice and their followers, for we know who they are, we say to them the following: that their category is not a boon or credit to the current or future growth and development of this multi-ethnic society, with such a distorted view of the world, narrow too; from time immemorial, ethnicities have continued to make their contributions to the development of mankind, inclusive of this beautiful land of ours in so many ways, as their forbears would have done. Rather than use social media for such odious ends, employ it towards the better good with the exchange of ideas as to how we as Guyanese can understand each other, foster social cohesion, and in the process evolving a better land which we can bequeath to our children and grandchildren. This ought to be our legacy to the future heirs of this country – a united Guyana where everyone, irrespective of ethnicity, has a role.

Thanking GAWU, PPP, Jagdeo for making me a household name Dear Editor, MANY harsh statements were made in the press and on television by both the Opposition and GAWU in relation to my stance on the privatisation of Guysuco, especially Skeldon Estate. Yet Mr. Jagdeo himself said in the press recently that he was more concerned about the transparency of the privatisation process. Even the leader of the Opposition has implicitly accepted the fact that privatisation is the way forward for Guysuco. So why is this insane haste to crucify me? What wrongs have I committed? I am not ringing my own bell and beating my own drum, but at the last Berbice Expo and Trade Fair my

sterling contribution to the social and economic development of Region Six was highlighted by none other than the President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Mohammed Raffik. He emphasised this fact by stating that, “Mr. Harbhajan works harder than any MP in the Region and I commend him for his 58/59 all-weather road proposal and encourage him to continue his good work.” He did not state that, ‘Harbhajan cannot write grammatically correct letters or use fancy words in his diction.’ NO, he simply stated the facts. I have been receiving hundreds of complaints and have been having speedy resolutions through the various government institutions and minis-

tries to many of them, be it floods, droughts, impassable dams, drainage and irrigation issues affecting farmers, sporting events and some serious crimes. The list is long and never before has an OPM been established in Berbice to deal with such a varied assortment of social and economic issues. The representative of the prime minister’s office has been making an invaluable contribution in Berbice. What has Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha and other MPs done in Region Six? A lot of people don’t even know the MPs. They saw them as PPP activists on TV cussing down the government for everything going wrong in Berbice without realising that the PPP runs Region Six. How much assistance

have they given to victims of the recent floods? Mr. Mustapha as an MP should list his achievements at the next TV outing. Everyone knows that he was an utter failure as the Region Six Chairman. But the MP in hiding is the former Head of the Region Six Health Authority, Mr Vishwa Mahadeo. This man is not visible at all. He is worse than Mustapha. I have never seen this man writing anything about Guysuco, but he once made a special appearance at a GAWU meeting in Skeldon. I would like this man as well to list his achievements other than lambasting the government at Skeldon. There are other ‘hardly working MPs in Berbice’ who are collecting their

fat salaries which they are getting and also enjoying their duty-free concessions. These MPs should resign with immediate effect and allow some persons who really care for the progress of Region Six to take their places. Recently, I have brought to light the massive inefficiencies at the Skeldon factory which have been traced to the wilful dumping of cane juice and the falsification of records. This system was established in the PPP’s era and remained hidden all the while. This was caused by the way in which the factory itself was designed and constructed. Is GAWU ever aware of this? Is the PPP aware of this? The answer is yes, but they cannot expose it because

the blame will be placed on the ‘white elephant’ and its masters who brought it into existence. The MPs in Region Six should make a field trip to have a first-hand experience of the PPP’s ‘white elephant’ in action. Then they can go on TV and tell the public what they saw. Work for your money gentlemen. I must congratulate the PPP and GAWU for marketing me and my office so effectively, to make mine a household name in Region Six. Thanks gentlemen. Yours sincerely, Mr. Gobin Harbhajan Regional Representative - Office of the Prime Minister Regional Democratic Councillor Region Six

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Counselling for family of murdered Berbice teen

FAMILY members of murdered 13-year--old Leonard Archibald will soon receive counselling, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced on Friday. Senior psychologist attached to the ministry’s Mental Health Unit, Balagun Osunbiyi, said the counselling package has a number of measures including psycho-social and problem-solving skills, coping and refusal to yield to peer pressure. Osunbiyi said mental health workers and social workers along with a psychologist have already visited the grieving East Bank Berbice family. “As a result of the obvious trauma, the MoPH will be offering counselling for the family which will include the older children and the father Walter Archibald, who is a Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) employee and also a part-time fisherman,” Osunbiyi said He said that counselling is among a series of key interventions needed to help the family. The MoPH will also be undertaking sustained community-sensitisation programmes to help familiarise

residents with techniques to spot both perpetrators and victims of sexual assaults, the release said. “A profile of perpetrators of sexual violence reveals that some might have been victims themselves, and as a consequence has difficulties maintaining personal relationships with adults. They prey on others with unresolved sexual issues and are usually hooked on addictive substances,” the psychologist said. According to the psychologist, rapid change in behaviour; unpredictable and inexplicable mood swings; expressions of violence and ‘cutting’ themselves are among the tell-tale signs of victims of sexual violence. The body of 13-yearold Archibald of Brothers Village, East Bank Berbice, was discovered some three miles away from his home on the bank of the river in the nearby village. His body was found less than 24 hours after two suspects had confessed to raping and dumping the unconscious child in the river behind the yard of one of the accused. Archibald went missing on Sunday, September 17,

Murdered: Leonard Archibald

after leaving home to accompany his three sisters from a party in a nearby village. He was last seen riding his bicycle along the Brothers Village Public Road in a pair of trousers. According to information, the teen collected his sisters and was accompanying them home when he told them he was riding ahead and would meet them there. However, when the girls arrived home, the Overwinning Primary School teen

was not there and a search conducted failed to locate him. Following an intense investigation, several persons were questioned and two main suspects were arrested. Under intense grilling, the duo told detectives that they had snatched the teen the same night and sodomised him. The two further told investigators that after the boy fell unconscious during the ordeal, his body was dumped into the nearby river. Sometime around 15:00 hrs, on September 23, Archibald’s badly decomposed body was discovered some three miles away at Kortherbraadt Village, by four men from a search party that was out since Friday, combing all

corners of the Berbice River after the suspects confessed to murdering the teen and dumping his body in the river. Following the suspects’ admission and details of what had transpired to the investigators, members of the public called for stiffer penalties for paedophiles, including the death penalty. Police have arrested two male suspects, Hilary Edwards, 29, of Sisters Village and Odedeih Christopher, 19, of Skeldon, Corentyne and also of Sisters Village, for the death of the schoolchild. The parents of the deceased child said they will “not rest” until they receive justice for their murdered son.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Redundant GuySuCo workers will not be abandoned By Svetlana Marshall

THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has established an ‘Alternative Livelihoods Programme’ to cushion the impact of the downsizing of its workforce which is expected to be around 6,000 by 2020. The sugar industry currently has a workforce of 16,000 people, but this number will be significantly reduced as the corporation scales down operations to allow the industry to be more efficient and cost-effective. The “New GuySuCo” as it is being called will soon comprise only three estates and three factories at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt. The Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Rose Hall, Berbice factories will be closed by year-end. The Wales Estate was closed in 2016. Already, 389 sugar workers have been made redundant and paid their

severance. GuySuCo’s Chief Industrial Relations Manager Deodat Sukhoo on Friday disclosed that the corporation started its redundancy programme at the East Coast Demerara Estate this week. “The first phase at East Dem will see about 300 persons, and at the end of the crop you will see another 1,200 persons, bringing it to 1, 500,” the chief industrial relations manager disclosed. Several hundred sugar workers from Rose Hall are expected to be relieved as well. “At Skeldon, we will have to treat with those employees,” he added, while noting that there are some 2000 persons there. Sukhoo was speaking during a televised press conference at the National Communications Network (NCN). GuySuCo’s Senior Communications Officer Audreyanna Thomas, who also sat on the panel, said

GuySuCo has devised a plan to assist the thousands of workers who will be made redundant. Acknowledging that the transition will be no easy task, and that such a move would likely impact not only the sugar workers but their families as well, Thomas said the Alternative Livelihoods Programme will equip the targeted workers with the requisite skills and knowledge needed to exist outside of the sugar industry. According to her, the programme has three components with the first aspect providing an opportunity for the redundant workers to provide services on a contractual basis. “We have a number of contractual opportunities where contractors are currently providing those services to the corporation, so we are examining those opportunities to determine which of those might be available for employees

to become engaged in and provide us with services,” the senior communication officer explained. SKILLS TRAINING The second component entails a skills training programme. “Most of our employees would have worked in the sugar industry for most of their working life and so what we are attempting to do in this Alternative Livelihood Programme is re-skill our employees, those employees who would be made redundant,” Thomas further explained. According to her, the corporation has met with approximately 500 employees from the Wales and East Demerara Estates with 100 of them signalling their willingness to be retrained. Twenty-one persons have expressed interest in being trained in sewing, cosmetology and caring for the elderly, while another 26 employees so far have indicated an interest

in being trained in catering. Another 28, Thomas noted, have expressed an interest in being trained in masonry, carpentry, plumbing, mechanical and electrical works. Thirteen have signalled their willingness to be trained in small business management and business proposals, while seven other workers said they are interested in refrigeration, air conditioning and computer repairs. Some have also expressed an interest in being trained in project management and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Thomas noted that the corporation would be building partnerships with training institutions and other agencies that would assist in the training programme. This component would see sugar cane workers being transitioned into farmers. “We currently have some consultants who are assisting us on how to tran-

sition employees into farmers.” GuySuCo has committed to lease plots of lands to employees who are interested in becoming farmers. The last component entails a sustainable community programme. Through this programme, GuySuCo intends to build more resilient communities with emphasis on the sugar-dependent communities. Focus is being placed on communities in the vicinities of the Enmore, East Coast Demerara, Rose Hall and Wales Estates. “We’ve already conducted a study within these communities to determine from the residents if you are not doing sugar what else would you want to do, what are the other preferred areas of growth that you would like to do in your area and what sort of skills and training do you need to achieve those growth areas,” Thomas said.

National agriculture census returns GUYANA is set to see a return of the National Agriculture Census after 65 years as government has collaborated

with the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to resuscitate the nationwide survey.

Government is currently awaiting the final word from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the approval of the FAO as the technical agency for the national study, before the Agriculture Ministry along the National Bureau of Statistics begins what is said to be a very crucial survey. The announcement was made Friday morning when the Ministry of Agriculture officially launched the census in the ministry’s boardroom. The census is aimed at providing data that will yield sampling frame for the design of probabilistic surveys, benchmark data of the follow up and evaluation of agriculture policies and projects and becoming a national agriculture statistic system. It will enhance the country’s capacity to monitor the priority agriculture policy areas identified such as food security, higher and sustainable income for farmers, ensuring better prices for agriculture produce, facilitating access to domestic and international

markets, and increasing farm mechanism among others. Acting Permanent Secretary of Agriculture Ministry, Joylyn Nestor-Burrowes said the census will also provide a framework for the overall social and environmental dimension of agriculture in rural development including areas relating to health, education, water supply, electrification of rural areas and transportation networks. She said government has always recognised the importance of the sector in the economy. “Statistics of agriculture play a significant role in monitoring policy instruments and plans. Authorities are aware of the weaknesses and gaps in the current statistics coming out of the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the need to improve statistical methodologies in order to provide more reliable and timely statistics. It recognises that data collection work needs to be coordinated and the stats system needs to be integrated into the national stats system,” she said.

FAO representative Reuben Robertson outlined the journey the organisation has been taking since receiving a request from the government back in 2015 for technical assistance. He said the FAO responded positively to the request; however, noting three fundamental issues. They included the need for the census to allow for evidence-based decision-making, taking into consideration that the last survey was done 1952. He said government’s request fitted evenly with the country’s programming framework with the FAO, where the organisation had developed with government and stakeholders a three-year priority programme and strengthening of statistics. He said the FAO recognised the that the implementation of a census will not only aid in the strengthening of partnerships but will make way for each of the agencies and organs to have a better understanding of the types of data sets and needs.

It will also allow for the daily functioning and decision-making and allow them to get an idea of the state of the agriculture sector. The organisation, he noted, has been providing technical assistance under the preparation of the implementation of the agriculture census and called for all stakeholders to be on the “same page”. The FAO has also been working with the agriculture ministry on a comprehensive document which speaks to the scope of the agriculture project and the cost. So far the FAO has been able to complete the preparation of the project document, and worked with government to receive approval from the IDB. Government is in the process of completing the negotiation. The Agriculture Ministry will be the implementing arm of the census and the FAO the technical service provider. Meanwhile, a steering committee was also established to work along on the project.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Harmon calls for new building codes –– as Guyana observes International Day for Disaster Reduction

By Ariana Gordon MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon has called for the development of new building codes and specifications for the construction of new structures here, in light of disasters which has not only affected Guyana and the Caribbean but the world. Harmon was at the time speaking at Guyana’s observance of the International Day for Disaster Reduction 2017, held Friday at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Thomas Lands, Georgetown. “The flooding which takes place on the coast is a clear indication and the damage which takes place is also a clear indication that we have to pay close attention to

disasters by 2030.’

Minister of State Joseph Harmon izens informed about disaster preparedness mitigation, consequences and action to

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Deputy Resident Representative, Shabnam Mallick particular Region Nine… we have a plan drawn for

Foreign Affairs Minister and acting Prime Minister, Carl Greenidge looks at items on display at a booth in observance of the International Day for Disaster Reduction 2017. Also photographed is CDC Director General, Colonel (ret’d) Chabilall Ramsarup. (Delano Williams photo) not only building code, but the way in which we drain our communities, the way we pay attention to health issues -- sometimes, we want not to be flooded so we raise our land, bridges and we cause flooding to our neighbours,” said the minister of state. He suggested that several measures be immediately addressed here and pointed to the intensification of the CDC’s ongoing programme, to inform and educate citizens about safeguarding themselves when disasters occur. “I want to suggest we continue to improve and expand our communications network such as the establishment of radio stations in our regions, towns and communities to keep our cit-

be taken,” he added, while noting that the CDC is continuing to train first responders across the country. The minister said that in 2018, the training would be intensified and budgetary allocations are likely to be made for the same in the future. Additionally, he said, President David Granger has charged that the CDC has a bond established in every region, or town so that in the event roads cut off, the regions would be well equipped with equipment and materials to ensure lives and the living are sustained. “That is a very important feature, we take it very seriously and we have started work in some regions, in

the building… we believe in 2018- resources would be provided to complete that structure. We don’t want to have everything here at the centre (CDC headquarters),” said Harmon. The minister of state referenced the massive destruction which occurred as a result of Hurricanes Irma, Jose, and Maria, leaving many dead and others homeless. In Guyana, there were floods in Regions Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 recently. The minister noted that the International Day for Disaster Reduction themed “Home safe home: Reducing exposure, reducing displacement”, highlights how people and communities around the world have been reducing

Director General, CDC Col. (Ret’d), Chabilall Ramsarup their exposure to disasters, and to focus on very important aspects of disaster risk management such as the disaster prevention mitigation and preparedness resilience building through education and planning. This year marks the 28th observance of the day which continues under the “Sendai Seven” campaign, centered on the seven targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 20152030 (Sendai Framework). The framework is the first major agreement of the post2015 development agenda, with seven targets and four priorities for action. It was endorsed by the UN General Assembly following the 2015 Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR). This year’s focus is Target B: `Reducing the number of affected people by

NEVER SEEN BEFORE Meanwhile, Director General, CDC Colonel (ret’d) Chabilall Ramsarup said the Caribbean region has experienced devastation never seen before and noted the impact the three hurricanes have had on the region. He, like Minister Harmon, noted that Guyana, though largely unaffected by such levels of devastation, must ensure preparedness. “It was the first time we experienced the magnitude of flooding in Regions Seven and Eight which resulted in one death and wholesale destruction on homes and livelihood. Just last week, we had storms in the Atlantic that tore down parts of our sea defences… in Regions Five, Six, Seven, Eight and 10,” said Ramsarup. “We have to consider ourselves lucky so far, but if we don’t prepare I am afraid one day our luck may run out. I am appealing to you to make your homes safe,” he continued. The CDC director general said the Commission has placed and will continue to place significant focus on community-based, disaster risk management and regional disaster training, with the aim of ensuring persons at the grassroots level have an understanding of disaster risk management. “Our intention is to build capacity, reduce vulnerability and decentralising disaster risk management to the people who need it. At the same time, we are equipping

communities with equipment to respond immediately, and don’t have to wait on regional bodies or CDC or government. “They can capitalise on time which is essential in disaster management; we refer to this as the golden hour -- if you don’t respond during that hour, you are likely to lose lives, livelihood and property,” declared Ramsarup. Similarly, Shabnam Mallick, Deputy Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) described Guyana as fortunate, for having escaped the massive devastation which struck sister Caribbean territories. The hurricane season this year, she said, has been the busiest since 1893 with 10 hurricanes in a row wreaking havoc. “Guyana has been fortunate that it has escaped the devastation that has visited its neighbours and has generously responded to these disasters by sending relief to the affected islands in the true spirit of comradely and the spirit of being a proactive member state of the UN.” The UNDP Deputy Resident Representative noted that the CDC has thus far done a great job, and has demonstrated much dedication to providing relief to those affected and in need “Today is to acknowledge the substantial progress being made towards reduction of disaster risks and loses in life, livelihood, and economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of See page 11

A representative of the CDC responds to a question posed on Friday at a booth erected in observance of International Day for Disaster Reduction 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Legal Affairs Ministry dismisses Kissoon’s claims

THE Ministry of Legal Affairs on Friday dismissed statements made by former Deputy Solicitor-General, Prithima Kissoon. Kissoon in several media reports indicated that she was wrongfully dismissed and was subjected to abuse by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams S.C. However, that ministry refuted Kissoon’s allegations, describing them as “deceptive” while noting that it does not engage the public in relation to employment issues and more specifically, matters engaging the attention of the court. Kissoon has reportedly taken to the court for a remedy in the matter, but according to the Legal Affairs Ministry, there was no vendetta against the former deputy solicitor-general. “Ms. Prithima Tiwari Kissoon held the post of deputy solicitor-general within the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Attorney General’s Chambers between the period March 2013 to August 2017. At the time of her dismissal, she was earning in excess of one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1.2M) inclusive of allowances,” a statement from the ministry stated. During the period of November 2015 to January 2017, an investigation was undertaken in the litigation department at the ministry after it was discovered that Ms. Kissoon, who was tasked with the responsibility of conducting cases of grave importance to the State’s interest, had committed several breaches and violations under the rules and regulations of the Public Service Commission, the statement added.

“These breaches which include but are not limited to, improper preparation and drafting of legal documents, disobeying lawful instructions of her superiors (insubordination), failing to attend court in several critical matters, gross dishonesty in official dealings, improper conduct and dereliction of duties amounting to breaches under section G of the Public Service Rules 1998 as amended by 2004,” the ministry stated. GROSS DERELICTION OF INSTRUCTIONS As a result of the aforementioned, Kissoon was issued several memoranda. The ministry cited examples of what it considered to be “gross dereliction of instructions from her superiors.” “In the presence of the Attorney General, the Solicitor-General and litigation staff, she sought to mislead the litigation team stating that she was not in the Court of Appeal for the matter of the Attorney General v Desmond Morian, when in fact the Court Order dated the 4th November, 2016, reflected that she entered an appearance on behalf of the State. “In matter of Application by Carvil Duncan, where Ms. Kissoon caused the secretary to the prime minister to sign an incomplete affidavit and subsequently inserted her own facts which were gravely different to the instructions given by the deponent and caused same to be filed with the incorrect facts.” Additionally, the statement from the Ministry of Legal Affairs pointed to the matter of Application by Bharat Jagdeo, Civ-

il Appeal No.6 of 2016, where it is believed that Kissoon deliberately or negligently prepared and filed the Appeal with the incorrect party named as the Appellant, which resulted in the dismissal of the said appeal by the Court of Appeal. “Ms. Kissoon further failed to file an affidavit in answer to an application to

Former Deputy Solicitor-General, Prithima Kissoon strike out the said appeal, failed to make written submissions and consented to the contentions by the Applicant’s lawyer,” the ministry stated, while noting that former Solicitor-General Sita Ramlall had cause to pen a letter in the press on this matter. “In the matter of Harishnarine Sugrim v. AG, a matter which Ms. Kissoon had full conduct of, over Three Hundred Million dollars judgment was awarded against the State. It was observed that a particular clause in the submissions by Ms. Kissoon did not support the contention of the Honourable Attorney General. It was further observed that Counsel for the Plaintiff relied on Ms. Kissoon’s failure and used it as a vantage point in her submissions. In the matter of The Berbice Bharati Saywah

Sangha etal v AG Kissoon failed to attend court and did not instruct anyone to attend on her behalf. Judgment was rendered against the State and only when the matter was published in the newspaper was the chambers apprised of this fact,” the Ministry of Legal Affairs added, noting that there is substantial evidence of what it deems to be “Kissoon’s improper conduct.” I n e a c h c a s e m e ntioned, the ministry noted that former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, was the attorney representing the other parties. Meanwhile, between December 2016 and January 2017, Kissoon requested annual leave; her request was denied on the basis that the solicitor-general had proceeded on pre-retirement leave and Kissoon was now acting in her post. “At the time Ms. Kissoon requested the leave, the High Court and the Court of Appeal were not in recess and several matters in which she had conduct were being heard,” the ministry added, while noting that Kissoon was aware that matters under her watch which involved hundreds of millions of dollars, and were of grave importance to the State were being heard in the court at the time she requested leave as the court was not in recess. “Although Ms. Kissoon was aware that her leave had to be deferred because of the state of affairs, she absented herself from duty and presented a medical certificate thereafter. LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM The ministry contends that this behaviour illus-

trates gross irresponsibility, lack of professionalism and professional misconduct in her post as deputy solicitor- general and a clear subversion of the State’s interest. Notwithstanding her absence, she failed to apprise the chambers of the current status and dates for her matters. This abhorrent behaviour resulted in the Ms. Kissoon’s matters being called and judgments rendered in the State’s absence as reflected on the court’s record,” the statement said. It is as a result of the aforementioned, the Ministry of Legal Affairs said a complaint was made to the Public Service Commission (PSC) on the ministry’s behalf. The matter has not been heard by the PSC to date, but the ministry hopes it could be heard when the PSC reconvenes. “Ms. Kissoon was then sent on Administrative Leave and during this period deliberately flouted the rules and regulations of the Public Service Commission when she decided to leave the jurisdiction without approval, more specifically, the Public Service Rule H 12 (1) which provides for a public officer to spend vacation outside of Guyana.” Section H12(1) provides that the Permanent Secretaries/Head of departments/Regional Executive Officers may grant permission to Public servants to spend their vacation leave or other short periods of leave of absence outside of Guyana, with a copy of the notification being sent to the accountant-general and the secretary to the Public Service Commission. The sanction for such a breach includes dismissal. “In relation to this last

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams offence, the ministry has been informed and verily believes that Ms. Kissoon was afforded a full hearing and was represented by one of her attorneys, Mr. Jailall Kissoon, who represented her throughout the process, during the investigation and hearing. Hence, his appearance could not have been on behalf of Mr. Hughes, but in his own right as her attorney-ay-law, as evidenced by several documents signed by him in this capacity. As such, Ms. Kissoon’s constitutional right to legal counsel was not violated in any form or manner,” the ministry contends. The Ministry of Legal Affairs noted that while it cannot speak to Kissoon’s character within the public service for the past 10 years, her conduct since 2015 “leaves much to be desired. “Further, it is this type of unprofessionalism which led the Caribbean Court of Justice in Ruby Mitchell Anor v. John Wilson 2017 CCJ5 to conclude that certain types of errors by Counsel (Attorneys-at-Law) can amount to ‘professional misconduct’,” the ministry concluded.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

ICT specialist urges...

Join the global conversation –– lend a Caribbean perspective to hot topics

CARIBBEAN countries continue to lag behind in the global network of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), particularly in the opportunities to make formal contributions and in turn benefit from participation. This is according to senior manager of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Stakeholder Engagement for the Caribbean, Albert Daniels. He said there are a lot of things that are trending on the Internet globally that people of the Caribbean could have an input in. However, they have not been participating in global policy development. Daniels’ company is currently in Guyana participating in the Ministry of Telecommunication’s Internet Week being staged at the Pegasus Hotel. According to Daniels, the lack of participation in the global fora is hindering the extent to which Caribbean countries can harness the benefits of technologies. The company’s focus at the event is to empower Guyanese on how best they can be part of the global village of Internet technology and encourage them to become involved in the overall policy development. “If they don’t know what is happening at ICANN, or if they do not go to the meetings or participate or make comments when there is a request for public comments, then the Caribbean perspective will not feature with what is happening with the Internet,” Daniels told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday. He said the Caribbean’s participation in the opportunities offered by ICCAN is very important if it is serious about mov-

ing forward technologically. CRITICAL ROLE ICANN’s role is critical to the users of the Internet. In fact, it is the sole provider of domains and Internet Protocols (IP) addresses. According to Daniels, ICANN helps to coordinate and support the unique identifiers across the world, and has a mission of helping to ensure a stable, secure and unified global Internet. ICANN is part of the Internet ECO system, which includes six other organisations that together make a contribution to ensuring that a certain part of the Internet works. It focuses on names and numbers. All domain names, such as facebook.com, google. com and bankofguyana.gy are managed by ICAAN. According to Daniels, the international organisation has a special fund that has been set aside for ICT projects across the world. This fund is usually accessed by countries that participate in ICANN’s meetings and scheduled forums. “ICCAN now asks global governments, businesses, technical communities and academia how the money should be spent,” he said. “People who go to these meetings and participate in the discussions decide how the money should be spent,” he added. He said the Caribbean does not benefit from such opportunities, because it has no presence at the forums; there are also no proposals of ICT development programs within the Caribbean. “And so, the other people from other

countries who attend the forums and make their presentations have access to the funding,” he said. On the issue of technicalities, Daniels explained that in order for any device to be able to connect to the Internet, it needs a unique identifier, a number or IP address. That system of numbering is managed by his company. “What we do is we give out the numbers by regions, to regional organisations,” he said. “The Latin American and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC) covers Latin America and parts of the Caribbean; and ARIN, that covers North America and parts of the Caribbean.” CYBER SECURITY According to Daniels, while ICANN has a very narrow focus on domain names and numbers, there is a threat to consumers. He said hackers can have access to the Domain Name System (DMS). Because his company is very concerned about security in this regard, it generated a programme called Domain System Security Extension (DMS-SEC) which transfers the IP numbers into actual names. But for that to work, the company has to carry out some top-level features of the Internet, and the local Internet service provider has to turn on DMS SEC so that the traffic could run smoothly. He said that is one area of security that ICAAN focuses on, but there are a lot of other things it does. Internet Week Guyana has brought to-

ICANN Caribbean Senior manager, Albert Daniels gether Guyanese Internet stakeholders, regional Internet organisations, and the global technical community to address local Internet development. It consists of five premier events at one common venue, the Pegasus Hotel Guyana. Among regional and international organisations participating in the event are The Latin America and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC); the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG); the Internet Society (ISOC); the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN); and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU).

Harmon calls for new building...

From page 9

persons, businesses, communities and countries,” she stated, and noted that this year’s theme can only be achieved through coordination, cooperation and collaboration by stakeholders. “Disasters are gateways to poverty and distress for the many vulnerable,” she stressed, while noting that UNDP Guyana is working with the FAO in collaboration with the Japanese Government for climate change mitigation and building resilience in the agricultural sector here. Additionally, she disclosed that UNDP is working with the CDC to implement early warning systems targeted to the agricultural communities.

“Reducing the risks which accrue from poverty, environmental degradation is best achieved by avoiding the creation of these risks in the first place,” Mallick stated, while stressing that spreading awareness is critical to disaster risk reduction. She encouraged stakeholders to actively participate in building societies and nations that are more resilient. Also present at Friday’s observance was Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is performing the duties of Prime Minister, Carl Greenidge; representatives of the Joint Services; school children and other stakeholders.

A section of the audience gathered at the observance ceremony for the International Day for Disaster Reduction 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Middle-aged man China’s Ambassador dies from burns calls on President By Clifford Stanley

A MIDDLE-AGED man who received severe burns about the body when his Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice house was destroyed by fire Wednesday night died on Thursday. Jaikarran Sahadeo, 52, of Lot 101, Section D, Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice, succumbed while receiving medical treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital. According to reports, Jaikarran had occupied the house with his younger sister Indira Sahadeo, 50, but was home alone at the time of the fire. His sister, who spent the night with relatives a few houses away, said she had no idea of what could have caused the blaze.

“The house did not have electricity and because he was sometimes not mentally well, we never allow he to cook. He would eat meals prepared by relatives either by visiting them or having them taken to him,” Indira said. The sister said she had shared the house with her brother since they were much younger. She said they had both been unemployed and both had medical issues and had been dependent on relatives for their survival for some time now. “We stayed together as brother and sister through the years and supported each other as brother and sister and as loving siblings and now he is gone,” Indira lamented. Police have since launched an investigation into the matter.

President David Granger and China’s Ambassador to Guyana Cui Jianchun CHINA’S Ambassador to Guyana Cui Jianchun and his Deputy Chief of Mission, Yang Chenqi on Friday paid a courtesy call on President David Granger. During their discussions at State House,

Indira Sahadeo in front the remnants of her home Wednesday morning

the two sides discussed several areas of cooperation. This follows a meeting that was held between the head of state and the ambassador in March earlier this year.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Region Five launches tourism, investment magazine By Clifford Stanley

THE magazine of the Region Five Chamber of Industry and Commerce “The Potential 5” has been hailed as a very important step in the development of a robust identity for the region. “This magazine defines who you are as a region. It is a fine product: a symbol of industry and of resourcefulness; a symbol that brings together the best potentials; the best talents of this region. It is worthy of any bookshelf, so that you can take your time and go through it and be proud of the local products that you see that are produced in Region Five,” said Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who attended the launching last weekend. He also said that it will free the chamber from any allegation that the

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo receives his copy of the Potential 5 from Region Five Chamber of Commerce President Imran Saccoor at the launch at Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, last weekend. Looking on are Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal and Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin business people of Region Five do not have talent and intellect. This aside, he said the region needs to think seriously about where it wants its capital located.

“Every region must have its own capital; must have its own town. You should be proud to have a town where you can have the concentration of business; the concentration of

banking; the concentration of entertainment centres, service centres and so on. You must be proud of having your own flag that will represent the resources of Region Five, so that while

you have your national flag and you are proud to be Guyanese, you are proud to be a national patriot, you are also proud to be who you are -- citizens of Region Five. This magazine is a very good first step towards truly defining who you are as a region,” the prime minister said. Earlier, Region Five Chamber of Commerce President Imran Saccoor described the publication as the Region Five business and tourism magazine. He said the idea of the publication was to promote Region Five since the chamber believes that its members must do things differently to promote the possibilities of the region, so that they can get maximum economic benefits from its resources. “Key statistics show that Region Five produces approximately 40 per

cent of the rice in Guyana; 30 per cent of the fish in Guyana; 15 per cent of the sugar; 30 per cent dairy products for local consumption and has the largest cattle population in Guyana,” he pointed out. Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, said promoting the region as a business and commercial hub and as a place to visit was a commendable initiative. “The Potential 5 is an important way to showcase this region and to generate interest in doing business in Region Five and to build investor’s confidence in the economics of doing business in the region,” he said. Some 1000 copies of the Potential 5 are to be released for circulation and an electronic copy will be posted on the website of the Ministry of Business.

No derelict vehicles on City reserves

Derelict vehicles belonging to Courtney Benn Contracting Services have been on Council reserves for more than 10 years COURTNEY Benn Contracting Services, along with several mechanical engineers in the City, have been advised by the City Council to remove derelict vehicles and other materials off of their reserves, failing which necessary action will be taken. Public Relations Officer at Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Debra Lewis, along with Constabulary Superintendent, Laurel Gittens and other officers, paid a visit to the Water Street location of the business on Friday. Gittens told reporters that Benn has asked for an exten-

sion of his deadline to move the objects to a land at Mocha on the East Bank Demerara. He reported how he is still waiting on transportation to have it removed. The derelict vehicles, according to Gittens, have been parked along Bentick Street for well over 10 years. Lewis said should Benn fail to remove the derelict vehicles within another two weeks’ time, the M&CC will have to take necessary action. For many years now, the M&CC has talked about removing derelict vehicles from off of their parapets and have made some amount of

effort in this regard. However, there is still a large number of business owners who have not yet complied. Town Clerk Royston King had told Guyana Chronicle previously that the objects to be removed prevent easy maneuvering, particularly in vulnerable spaces. He had pointed out that the objects are an eye sore and are unsafe and illegal. “No citizen has the right to block or hinder access to public spaces,” King said, pointing out that public spaces are collectively owned by all citizens.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

'Anti-corruption is everybody’s business' –– Attorney General By Ranetta La Fleur

THE Attorney General’s Chamber and Ministry of Legal Affairs Anti-Corruption Sensitisation Seminar continued on Friday at the Anna Regina Multilateral School auditorium, Cotton Field Village, Essequibo Coast. Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, SC, Basil Williams in his opening remarks said there must be a suite of bills to address corruption. He pointed out that Guyana is second to Haiti in corruption and the more corrupt a country is, the more impov-

erished is its people. Therefore, “anti-corruption is everybody’s business because with the effects of corruption we have to develop measures to fight it and that’s why we have the SARA, whistleblower and witness protection bills. The desirable outcome is un-bribable public servants.” Regional Chairman, Region Two, Devanand Ramdatt commended the attorney general for such a timely seminar and urged the gathering to make maximum use of the distributed documents. He recommended that with the enactment of bills more consultations should be held

to update citizens of the progress. The seminar saw four presentations providing overviews of the State Assets Recovery Act 2017, the Protected Disclosures (Whistleblower) Bill 2017, State Assets Recovery Unit and the Witness Protection Bill 2017. Giving an overview of the State Asset Recovery Act 2017, Ananda Dhurjon, Legislative Drafting Consultant, said the purpose of the Act is to remove corrupt and wrongful use of state property, preserve state assets, and to recover those stolen. Dhurjon defined ‘State Assets’ as property belonging to the State, such as the property of local government authorities, statutory bodies,

and public authorities. The proceedings to recover state property are done through civil proceedings in the High Court. “The cornerstone of our State Assets Recovery Act is fairness. No innocent person will suffer any loss and the Act is designed to stem the scourge of corruption.” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), Aubrey Heath-Retemyer, highlighted that the three major forms of corruption are: procurement fraud - fraud relating to purchase of goods, services, or commissioning of construction projects; illicit capital flight - money, commodities, (gold) or other assets, whether legally obtained or

otherwise by residents, which are intentionally transferred, smuggled, or sent abroad without the knowledge of the GRA, or other regulatory authorities; and the underground economy - corrupt transactions that are prohibited by law and/or are undertaken by unauthorised providers. Heath-Retemyer defined corruption as “an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies which undermines democracy and the rule of law and leads to violations of human rights”. As such, the mission of SARU is to reduce corruption and increase transparency within government agencies and to utilise all legal means

in order to retrieve stolen national wealth, the CEO stated. Speaking on the Protected Disclosures (Whistleblower) Bill, Parliamentary Counsel, Ronetta Sargent said the purpose of the bill is to aid in combatting corruption and other wrongdoings both in the public and private sector; encourage and facilitate the making of disclosures of improper conduct to the Protected Disclosures Commission and protect persons making these disclosures. Sargent explained that information is divulged in a prescribed manner to a protected disclosures commission which receives, investigates or otherwise deals with the disclosure. (GINA/DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Arena leaves the arena

(BBC) - United States coach Bruce Arena has left his role after the side failed to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986. The US will not compete in next year’s finals in Russia after a 2-1 defeat in Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday. Former US defender Alexi Lalas said the failure was a “sad and dark moment”. “We didn’t get the job done, and I accept responsibility,” said 66-year-old Arena, who took charge for the second time last November. Arena left Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy to succeed Jurgen Klinsmann, who was sacked with the US sitting bottom of the six-country qualifying group. Arena revived their fortunes sufficiently for the US to require only a point from their final qualifying match to book their place at an eighth successive World Cup. But opponents Trin-

idad and Tobago - who had won only one of their previous nine games - beat them, and with Panama and Honduras

we can improve,” said Arena afterwards. “No doubt this process already has started and will continue so that US

ter-finals in his first spell in charge. When he took over from former Germany striker Klinsmann, he had

United States coach Bruce Arena has also won five MLS Cups with LA Galaxy and DC United

also winning, it ended the hopes of Arena’s side. “This certainly is a major setback for the senior men’s national team program and questions rightly should be asked about how

Soccer can progress.” WORLD CUP: KIDS CHIME IN ON US EXIT Arena led his country to the 2002 World Cup quar-

the best win rate of any US manager with 71 victories from his 130 games between 1998 and 2006. He has also won five MLS Cups with LA Galaxy and DC United.

Nadal, Federer remain on course for Shanghai meeting (BBC) - Top seeds Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer remain on course to meet in Shanghai after reaching the last four. World number one Nadal beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 to register his 15th consecutive win and will face fourth seed Marin Cilic in the semis. Federer will play Juan Martin del Potro in the second semi-final on Saturday if the Argentine is fit enough to play.

Rafael Nadal

Del Potro overcame a wrist injury to beat Viktor Troicki 4-6 6-1 6-4, while Federer beat Richard Gasquet 7-5 6-4. It was revealed Del Potro had suffered a “wrist contusion”, and the 16th seed will decide on Saturday morning whether he is able to face Federer. Briton Jamie Murray and Brazil’s Bruno Soares reached the doubles semi-finals with a 6-1 7-6 (8-6) victory over Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram. Victory ensured the pair,

who have won two Grand Slams and six titles together, qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals in London next month. Top seed Nadal is chasing a tour-leading seventh title this season, and beat Bulgaria’s Dimitrov for the second time in a week following his semi-final victory at the China Open. The Spaniard, 31, breezed through the first set but was unable to break Dimitrov in the second, and the Bulgarian was strong in the tie-break to force a de-

ciding set. Dimitrov, ranked eighth in the world, had break point early in the third set, but Nadal saved it with a backhand volley before winning three consecutive games. World number five Cilic secured his place in the semi-finals with a routine victory over Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas. The Croat, who has yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament, served 10 aces as he registered a 6-3 6-4 win.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

New ODI, Test leagues to be rolled out by ICC (ESPNCricinfo) - A Genuine Test match world championship and an ODI league will be introduced to international cricket after both were given in-principle agreement by the ICC Board on the final day of the governing body’s meeting in Auckland. While some details remain to be fleshed out, including the points system and the full week-by-week Future Tours Programme, the first two-year Test championship comprising the game’s top-nine teams will begin at the conclusion of the 2019 World Cup, with the top two teams by April 2021 playing in a championship final. Each competing country will play in six series over that time, three at home and three away, with all series being of a minimum two-match duration but able to be expanded to as many as five to cater for encounters such as the Ashes. The first ODI league, featuring the game’s top 13 limited-overs nations, will commence in 2020-21, running for two years leading into the 2023 World Cup, before converting to a three-year league in each

cycle beyond that. The 13th place in the ODI league will be taken by the winner of the ongoing ICC World Cricket League Championship. Each competing team will play in eight series over that time, each one being played over three matches. The days of lengthier ODI series appears to be over. Shashank Manohar, the ICC chairman, said that member countries had moved with the times by accepting the need for greater context for international cricket, responding to the demands of broadcasters, sponsors and fans. “I would like to congratulate our members on reaching this agreement and putting the interests of the development of the game first,” he said. “Bringing context to bilateral cricket is not a new challenge, but this is the first time a genuine solution has been agreed on. “This means fans around the world can enjoy international cricket knowing every game counts and in the case of the ODI league, it counts towards qualification to the ICC Cricket World Cup.”

While all Test championship matches will be played over five days, the ICC Board also approved the trial of fourday Tests in bilateral series up until 2019, following South Africa’s request to play a match over that distance against Zimbabwe during their forthcoming home season. A set of playing conditions for four-day Tests is set to be drawn up by ICC management in coming weeks. “Our priority was to develop an international cricket structure that gave context and meaning across international cricket and particularly in the Test arena. This has been delivered and every Test in the new League will be a five-day Test format,” the ICC chief executive David Richardson said. “However, throughout the discussions about the future of Test cricket it became clear that whilst context is crucial we must also consider alternatives and trial initiatives that may support the future viability of Test cricket. “The trial is exactly that, a trial, just in the same way day-night Tests and technology

have been trialled by members. Four-day Tests will also provide the new Test-playing countries with more opportunities to play the longer version of the game against more experienced opponents, which, in turn, will help them to hone their skills and close the gap with the top-nine ranked teams.” “This is a significant point in time for ICC members and our collective desire to secure a vibrant future for international bilateral cricket. The approval of both leagues is the conclusion of two years of work from the members who have explored a whole range of options to bring context to every game. The ICC Board’s decision today means we can now go and finalise a playing schedule for the first edition as well as the points system, hosting arrangements and competition terms.” Numerous questions remain about how the new league structures will unfold, particularly around the fraught issue of bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan.

Unveiling of Bolt statue set for December 3 J A M A I C A’ S C u l t u r e , Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister, Olivia Grange, has announced that the unveiling of the statue of track-and-field icon Usain Bolt will be done on December 3. Initially, the statue was due to be unveiled last Friday at the National Stadium. However, Jamaica’s Sport Ministry in a statement said that due to expected showers and thunderstorms, and the fact that some guests are unable to travel to Jamaica at this time due o recent hurricanes, “it was decided, in consultation with Usain Bolt’s management team, to reschedule this major outdoor activity”. Additionally, the reception in honour of Jamaica’s trackand-field athletes who participated in this year’s World Championships has also been rescheduled to December 3. Earlier this year Grange had described as “false news” an image circulating on social media purporting to be that

of the Usain Bolt statue. The image prompted an Internet firestorm of controversy with many contending that the stat-

hero, Sam Sharpe. “Don’t be fooled by false reporting. Watch this space for the real statue of the legend,”

Described as the greatest sprinter of all-time, Usain Bolt is Jamaica’s most decorated athlete, copping

Sports Minister Olivia Grange displays a maquette of the Usain Bolt statue at the Spanish Court Hotel in June. (Gladstone Taylor/Gleaner photo)

ue did not look anything like the Jamaican sprinting icon. Some opined that it resembled one of the country’s national

Grange subsequently said on Twitter. The statue will be commissioned by the Jamaican government.

eight gold medals in three Olympics and holding the world records for the 100m and 200m.

Valcke denies getting ‘undue advantages’ from Al-Khelaifi

Former FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke

(REUTERS) - Former FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has denied receiving “undue advantages” from Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the chief executive of Qatar’s beIN Media and president of Paris St Germain, after Swiss prosecutors opened a criminal investigation. The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) said on Thursday it suspected Valcke accepted “undue advantages” from Al-Khelaifi in connection with the award of media rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups. Yesterday, world soccer’s governing body FIFA said they were opening an investigation into the issues raised by the Swiss probe. Italian finance police said they had seized a villa in Sardinia worth seven million euros ($8.3M) which Swiss prosecutors believed was made available to Valcke by Al-Khelaifi as a bribe to try to secure the media rights. The villa was seized from an unnamed international property company in connection with crimes including fraud, corruption and forging documents, the finance police from the Sardinian city of Sassari said in a statement. It followed an investigation led by the Swiss police, which also involved investigators in France, Greece, Italy and Spain. “I just want to say that it’s not true. I have never done that; I have nev-

er received anything in exchange for anything,” Valcke told French sports daily L‘Equipe yesterday. “I refute the accusations against me or Nasser. I have received nothing from Nasser, I can assure you. There was never any exchange between Nasser and me. Never.” Valcke was Sepp Blatter’s right-hand man when the latter ran FIFA, the Swiss-based world soccer body. BeIN Media denied any wrongdoing on Thursday and said it was cooperating with officials. Valcke is serving a 10year ban from football after he was found guilty by FIFA’s former ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert of misconduct over the sale of World Cup tickets, abuse of travel expenses, attempting to sell TV rights below their market value and destruction of evidence. After being sacked from his post in January 2016, he was initially banned for 12 years, which was reduced to 10 by FIFA’s own appeal committee last June. He has denied wrongdoing and is now appealing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Ye s t e r d a y, a F I FA spokesman said they would be looking into the issues raised by the OAG probe. “We can confirm that the Investigatory Chamber of the independent Ethics Committee will initiate a preliminary investigation into the matter,” the spokesman said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Experience key to Sukhram’s dominance in golf

Christine Sukhram

Striking the ball straight down the fairways has been the hallmark of Christine Sukhram’s budding golf career. By Rajiv Bisnauth REGARDED as one of the best female golfers both locally and in the Caribbean, Christine Sukhram has her sights on winning the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) premier golf tournament – the Guyana Open, which is billed for November 4-5. The soft-spoken golfer is no pushover on the course, having won numerous prestigious tournaments in Guyana and the Caribbean. However, she is eagerly looking forward to the Guyana Open, with the aim to reclaim the

title which she last won three years ago. “I have the experience around the greens, and my long game is pretty good most of the time I’m straight down the fairways,” she told this publication during an exclusive interview on Thursday. She added, “I came back about two weeks ago from the USA so I’m not that prepared as yet, but will try to get some practice in order to fit in my work schedule, but I don’t feel that will affect my game in anyway.” Sukhram was the first introduced to the sport at age

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday October 14, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Brian Lara-191 (Bulawayo, 2003) (2) Heath Streak-127* (Harare, 2003) Today’s Quiz: (1) What are the best innings bowling figures by a WI against ZIM in Tests to date? (2) What are the best innings bowling figures by a ZIM player against the WI in Tests to date? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

six by her now deceased father Basil Sukhram, himself an avid player, coach and her mentor. S u k h r a m ’s g r o w i n g love for the sport, coupled with the convenience of the course’s location, proved very valuable for her, as she was able to practise regularly and improve on her skills. At age 28, Sukhram is at the top of her game, but she is fully aware of the challenges she is expected to face, especially from defending champion, Joann Deo, who will definitely be looking to retain the title. Deo defeated Shaunella Webster South Africa Racing Tips Tutrrontein 08:35 hrs Kilrain 09:15 hrs Broadway Trip 09:50 hrs Dame Kelly 10:25 hrs Brazuca 11:05 hrs Sun Sentinel 11:35 hrs Tammany Hall English Racing Tips Newmarket 08:50 hrs Kew Gardens 09:25 hrs Purser 10:00 hrs Expert Eye 10:40 hrs Duke Street 11:15 hrs Nobleman’s Nest

after recording a total Net 138 and a Gross of 180. “I am fully aware of the challenges, but it all depends on the format of the tournament …if they play on Gross my chances are high of winning, but if they continue playing Net I will have a tough challenge there competing with the high handicappers. “I will have a game plan set up on how I want to play every hole. That way I can balance myself and stay focused,” she concluded. Golfing fans can expect a lot from her during the tournament, as she tries to

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reclaim her position as the ‘Queen of the Greens’. Meanwhile, in a recent interview with this publication, defending male champion Avinash Persaud feels that a positive mental approach will be the key to doing well during the tournament. In a thriller last year, Persaud finished with a total Gross of 149 and a Net aggregate of 145, but emphasised that this year’s tournament will be very challenging, taking into consideration the number of good players around. As usual, golfers from

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Guyana, North America and the Caribbean will compete against one another, in what will be a highly competitive two-day tournament. The LGC is using the tournament to once again aid in the sports tourism drive, as the event will draw a wide cross-section of golfers and supporters from various countries. The LGC is anticipating a large turnout of competitors on the nine-hole course, with heated rivalry in the Championship Flight (0-9 handicap), B Flight (10-18), C Flight (19-28) and Ladies Flight. 11:30 hrs Focus On Heaven 12:05 hrs Templemary Boy 12:35 hrs FDree Ranger American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Buddy Anthony Race 2 Now in a Drive Race 3 Tiz the Light Race 4 Vigor Race 5 Bancroft Hall Race 6 Barbarossa Race 7 Partly Mocha Race 8 Engage Race 9 Rubilinda

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Local boxers suffer mixed fortunes at Wray and Nephew boxing series in Jamaica GUYANA’S four-member team of boxers to the recently concluded Wray and Nephew Fight Night Boxing Series in Jamaica suffered mixed fortunes. Two of the four boxers picked up wins while the other two lost their bouts in the onenight tournament which was held at the Alpha Sports Club, St. Elizabeth, last Saturday night. Winning for Guyana were lightweight Joel Williamson and junior welterweight Colin

Wilson, while Clairmont Gibson and Desmond Amsterdam lost their bouts to Marvin Shea and Ian Deuby of Jamaica respectively. According to reports from Jamaica, in the opening contest of the four-fight amateur card, Williamson registered a first-round technical knock-out win against Jamaica’s most accomplished lightweight boxer, Ricardo Carter, in the second fight of the night. Reports stated that it was late in the first round when

Carter began to look dazed from the punishment he received from the Guyanese (Williamson) and was knocked off his feet with a straight right and went down for the count. In the night’s third fight, Lewis defeated Jamaica Defence Force’s Patrick Sahadeo by a unanimous points-decision after Sahadeo absorbed a barrage of combinations from the Guyanese but refused to go down. In the opening bout, Gibson lost to Marvin Shea by a

majority points-decision after both fighters gave as much as they took during the three rounds and the decision could have gone either way. In the final amateur bout, middleweight Jamaican Deuby registered a majority points-decision win over Guyana’s Amsterdam. Williamson, Lewis, Gibson and Amsterdam are all gold medal winners from the last Caribbean Development Boxing Tournament which was held here in Guyana.

Cricket match at Crabwood Creek tomorrow

All packed and ready. Buddy Rampersaud (left), president Mohammed Yassin (centre) and Guru Shivram about to send off the shipment of wheelchairs and walking aids from Florida to Guyana.

FOR the third year running, Florida-Guyana Hope, a non-profit organisation based in Florida USA, will collaborate with Regal Stationery and Computer Centre for a series of charity events throughout Guyana and a feature cricket match at Crabwood Creek. The group, which comprises Guyanese that are now living in Florida, got together to accumulate resources to assist members of the Guyanese society who may need a helping hand. Since the majority of the Florida-Guyana Hope membership originally hailed from Corriverton a lot of the relief efforts are centred on that area. To m o r r o w, t h e kind-heated gentlemen will match their skills against a Corriverton United Select team in an exhibition

softball cricket match for bragging rights and fun, at the Crabwood Creek Sports Complex from 12:00hrs. Following the game, a grand donation of 40 wheelchairs and 20 walking aids will be made. In addition to the donation, the visitors will be spreading cheer to at least four Children’s Home around the country including West Demerara, East Coast Demerara and Georgetown. Some members of the Florida-Guyana Hope organisation include president Mohamed Yassin, vice-president Rajroop Ramkellawan (Bowie), treasurer Raj Bharat, secretary Guru Shivram and officers Anthony Dhannie and Buddy Rampersaud, some of whom will be part of the activities over the next few days. Other than charity work, the versatile Guya-

nese are very active on the field. In February this year, they played in the South Florida Softball Cricket League-organised Florida Cup and despite not winning the tournament they won many hearts. However, they have their fair share of troubles too. While preparations were ongoing for the annual trip to Guyana, some members were severely affected when hurricane Irma hit Florida and caused widespread damage. Yet, they decided to continue with the planned visit to help those in need. For the cricket match tomorrow, Florida-Guyana Hope members will be joined by friends including Mahendra Hardyal of Regal Stationery, Steve Narain of Steve’s Jewellery, Atif Khan of M&J Khan Grocery and Guy-

ana Times Sport Editor, John Ramsingh with the aim of making their side a more balanced one. Teams for tomorrow’s cricket match are: Corriverton United James Hart (captain), Vibert Dan (vice-captain), Anthony Seeraj, Michael Dan, Lawrence Mentis, Raymond Lowenfield, Hassan Mohamed, Mirza Ally, Patrick Mentis, Zafrul Khan, Vishal Persaud, Fabian Seerraj, Akash Lutchman and Orin George. Vishnu Hardyal is the manager. Florida-Guyana Hope; Anthony Dhannie (captain), Mahendra Hardyal (vice-captain), Raj Bharat, Jai Sahadeo, Pancho Samsundar, Butchu Kowlessar, Atif Khan, Rajin Ramkarran, Steve Narain, John Ramsingh. The manager is Mohammed Yassin and Buddy Rampersaud is the assistant manager.

Milex/Crown Mining Long Range trophy on today

… GuyanaNRA 150th Anniversary Shoot up for grabs By Stephan Sookram

FULLBORE action in the Guyana National Rifle Association (NRA) 150th Anniversary Shoot and the West Indies FullBore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) Milex Long Range Cup is on today. Set for the Timehri Rifle Ranges, the best teams in the Caribbean will be determined over the longer distances of 900- and 1000-yard ranges. Rains on Thursday meant that the GuyanaNRA 150th Anniversary Shoot had to have the final two ranges put off for today as well. Three Guyanese are into the final round, those being Fullbore captain Mahendra Persaud, Lennox Brathwaite and vice-captain Dylan Fields. Brathwaite with 103 points and 7 Vs picked up third place after a countback with the Falkland Islands’ Trevor James Bryan and Alexander Gill of Ireland who both scored the same. At the end of the three ranges Jack Alexander of Ireland leads with 103 points and 12 Vs as he beat out Andrew Paul William Daw of England on a countback. Captain Persaud with 100 and 4 Vs sits just on the boundary line at 16th and vice-captain Fields 18th with 99 and 6 Vs. At the 300-yard ranges, on Thursday, Brathwaite posted 34 and 5 Vs with Alexander scoring 35 and 4 Vs with Persaud shooting 33 and 2 Vs and Fields marking a 33 and 1 V. At the 500, it was again Jack with 35 and 5 Vs with Brathwaite again hot on his tail with 35 and 3 Vs. Persaud shot 34 with 1V with Fields marking 33 and 3 Vs. At the 600, Alexander dropped two points off a possible 35 to post 33 with 3 Vs with Brathwaite hitting 34 and 1 V to close off the day. Shortly after lunch, the heavens opened up and it was the end of the day’s proceedings. Today the West Indies Fullbore Council meets. Shooting resumes on Saturday with the Milex Cup. Following the conclusion of that Cup, the GuyanaNRA 150th Shoot will conclude.

GBA’s National Intermediate Championships set for month-end

THE Guyana Boxing Association will stage its annual National Intermediate Championships from October 27 to 29 at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue. According to information received to date, 10 boxing gyms from around the country have already registered for the championships and every night about 12 fights will be staged. The boxing gyms thus far registered are: Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Republican, Young Achievers, Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) and Harpy Eagles of Georgetown, Vergenoegen of West Coast Demerara, Rose Hall Jammers of Berbice as well as Carryl’s and Pocket Rocket

of Linden. The GDF are the defending champions but are expected to be hard-pressed by the Republicans this time around. Among the boxers expected on show later this month are standouts from the GBA’s National Novices championships held earlier this year. These boxers include the tournament champions such as GDF’s Akimo Watts (junior flyweight), Kevin Moore (bantamweight), Okimey Baker (middleweight) and Jirl Peters (light heavyweight). The categories to be contested are Youth, Elite and Female. The medical and weigh-in will be conducted on October 26.

COURTS Pee Wee Round Three on today ACTION in the COURTS Pee Wee Football competition continues today with the third round at the Banks DIH Thirst Park playfield. In the first of the games, Victoria and Mocha primary schools will clash from 10:00hrs while St Ambrose take on Smith Memorial on the adjcent pitch. Den Amstel and Co-

laaco will take pitch one in the second set of games with Redeemer and Grove expected to use pitch two. Supply and Enterprise are down for action in the third set of games for the day at 11:30hrs with Timehri and Mae’s expected to do battle on pitch two. F.E. Pollard are down to play Soesdyke Primary at 12:15hrs with J.E Burn-

ham facing Plaisance on the adjcent pitch at the same time. Goed Fortuin and Parfaite Harmonie will clash following that, with South Ruimveldt and School of the Nations competing as well. St Agnes will take on North Georgetown, Winfer Gardens play St Angela’s, West Ruimveldt play St Margaret’s and Marian

Academy oppose Sophia. Stella Maris and St Stephen’s are the next two teams in contention with Tucville and St. Pius expected to clash as well. J.E. Burnham and Goed Fortuin play the last game of the afternoon with Plaisance Orphanage and Parfaite Harmonie playing on the adjcentpitch.

Moor named to lead Zimbabwe against West Indies A (CMC) – Test batsman Peter Moor has been named to lead Zimbabwe A in their three-day warm-up match against West Indies starting in Zimbabwe tomorrow. The 26-year-old made an attractive half-century on debut against New Zealand last year here and played the last of his four Tests against Sri Lanka in Colombo last July. Selectors have chosen a strong team with seasoned one-day batsman Chamu Chibhabha and all-rounder Donald Tiripano also included. Brian Chari, Tarisai Mu-

sakanda and Tendai Chisoro, all of whom have already played international cricket,

are in the line-up. Zimbabwe A face West Indies at the Bulawayo Ath-

Zimbabwe A captain Peter Moor

letics Club in the only tour game before the first Test bowls off at Queens Sports Club on October 21. The hosts have never defeated West Indies in a Test, having lost six of their eight career meetings. SQUAD – Peter Moor (captain), Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Brian Chari, Tarisai Musakanda, Ryan Burl, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Richmond Mutumbami, Nathan Waller, Donald Tiripano, Mi chael Chinouya, Nyasha Mayavo, Tendai Chisoro, Brandon Mavuta, William Mashinge.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Williams; Phillips shine at Zones SOUTH American Youth Games silver medallist Kenisha Phillips and wellknown distance athlete Rickie Williams are sure to be some of the names to appear when the North Georgetown District 11 puts together its final team for the National Schools Championships, should it go off next month. The two Chase Academic Foundation students and many others proved they are worth their salt, after taking massive wins at the North Georgetown Inter-Zone Championships yesterday at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary. Overall it was Zone 2, comprising Bishops’ High, Christ Church, and St John’s, among others, that won the day’s Championships after amassing 361 points. Zone 3, led by St Stanislaus College, St Mary’s and St Rose’s High athletes, finished in second place with 329 points. Zone 1, with Queen’s College, placed third, with 257 points. Zone 4 of the District includes all of the primary schools within the District and ended with just 158 points, after participating in just the Under-12 categories of the day’s events. Yesterday’s activities

marked a close to the twoweek-long events as District 11 went about determining the athletes to represent it at Nationals. Missing out on last week’s Inter-school level of the competition because she was off representing the country in Chile at the South American Youth Games, Phillips was rightly given a chance to join this year’s team, and she showed that she will definitely be someone to be reckoned with when the time comes. Fresh off winning two silver medals in the Girls’ 100m and 200m at the Games, Phillips stepped out in the Girls’ Under-18 category yesterday, She blazed the trail with the win in the two events, also adding the 400m win, with an almost 100m lead on the grasstrack. In the Boys’ 5000m, Williams, a former District 1 athlete, had his usual easy time dominating his Georgetown counterparts. Williams will no doubt be looking to return to his winning stead in the 10km at Nationals, after he was dethroned last year by District 6’s Delroy Leitch. Williams also finished second in the Boys’ Under-20 1500m.

Caribbean boxing officials gather for ‘critical’ meeting today … AIBA turmoil to be topical discussion

CARIBBEAN boxing representatives will gather today at the National Resource Centre in Georgetown, for what president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle is calling a ‘critical’ meeting, especially with the sport’s global body, International Boxing Association (AIBA) in chaos. “The meeting will be looking at the Caribbean’s approach to AIBA, especially with all that’s going on,” Ninvalle highlighted yesterday. A I B A’s Ta i w a n e s e president Ching-kuo Wu was suspended by a disciplinary commission. The organisation has been riven with in-fighting for months, with Wu pitted

against most of the executive committee, who failed to remove him through a vote of no-confidence tabled in July. AIBA said that the 70-year-old was served with a provisional and immediate suspension from duties pending the conclusion of a complaint against him. It said the complaint was made by 11 AIBA executive committee members on October 1 who alleged that Wu had “violated and continues to violate various provisions of AIBA’s Statutes and Codes” and demanded his suspension. William Louis-Marie, AIBA’s Executive Director was initially scheduled to attend today’s meeting,

but Ninvalle said that the latest development at the

attendance. The America Boxing

Steve Ninvalle

sport’s governing body impeded his (Louis-Marie)

Confederation (AMBC) will be represented by its

Executive Directors Hernan Salvo and Avasldo Bisbal and, together with the eight representatives of the Caribbean, matters of importance will be addressed. “The AMBC actually wanted this meeting to be rescheduled, but I can’t do that, because, what’s happening in AIBA right now will affect us and we need to meet as a collective and figure out the way forward. We can’t suspend the meeting again, not once I’m playing any part in it and we will move on,” Ninvalle said. Ninvalle pointed out that the turmoil in AIBA could affect December’s Caribbean Championships in St Lucia since they (AIBA) had offered

US$25 000 to help the host offset expenses. “That support is huge because it’s the first time AIBA offered any financial support. Usually, we go through it alone and it’s very difficult, and that support would really help in a major way,” Ninvalle commented. Ninvalle is an Executive Director at AIBA and was recently named on the organisation’s Executive Committee Bureau but at today’s meeting, Ninvalle said, “I wear many hats, I know, but today, I’m GBA president. This meeting is very critical in terms of moving the sport forward especially with all that’s happening at AIBA.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 14, 2017

Windies A in control of Four-day match Fast bowler Keon Joseph sends down a delivery during his spell on the third day of the opening four-day ‘Test’ against Sri Lanka A. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

Franchise League 3-day tournament

Baldeo, Ivan hit contrasting centuries

BALCHAND Baldeo and Rajiv Ivan both struck contrasting hundreds as Upper Corentyne closed the second day of their seventh and final round of the Franchise League three-day tournament against Georgetown in a commanding position yesterday at the Port Mourant ground. Baldeo struck 107 off 133 balls, inclusive of 12 fours and two sixes while Ivan hit 102 in 117 balls, with nine fours and three sixes, as the hosts were bowled out for 440 in 91.3 overs. David Latchaya contributed 69 on day two. Bowling for the city side,

Shemroy Barrington claimed 6-38 while leg-spinner Steven Sankar took 4-158. Meanwhile, at Everest, East Coast closed the opening day against East Bank on 184-3. Ameer Khan and Kamesh Yadram are unbeaten on 69 and 57 respectively. West Indies youth player Bhaskar Yadram had earlier contributed 38. At Tuschen, Essequibo closed on 124-4. The other seventh round game between hosts West Berbice and Lower Corentyne was abandoned without a ball being bowled at Bush Lot.

(CMC) – Skipper Dhananjaya De Silva struck his 11th first class hundred but West Indies A still manage to restrict Sri Lanka A on the penultimate day of the first four-day ‘Test’ in Jamaica yesterday. The 26-year-old, who boasts two Test hundreds in 10 matches, struck 104 as the visitors reached 210 for seven in their first innings before rain and then bad light ended play prematurely at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium. Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with 24 and Dasun Shanaka, 20 but Sri Lanka A failed to

come to grips with the Windies A probing attack. Fast bowlers Keon Joseph (2-28) and Sheldon Cottrell (2-41), along with leg-spinner Damion Jacobs (2-33) were the other wicket-takers. After the Windies A declared at their overnight 364 for eight, they quickly made inroads into the Sri Lankan innings, reducing it to 33 for two as Ron Chandragupta (11) and Sandun Weerakkody (0) perished cheaply. However, de Silva came to his side’s rescue, anchoring three suc-

cessive partnerships to put the innings back on course. First, he put on 40 for the third wicket with Charith Asalanka (10), a further 35 for the fourth wicket with Shanaka before adding an invaluable 63 for the fifth wicket with Hasaranga. All told, the right-handed de Silva struck 10 fours and three sixes, in an innings lasting 143 balls and nearly four hours. They were well placed at 171 for four before Jacobs struck twice in successive deliveries to remove de Silva and

Guyana’s South ...

Chamika Karunaratne (0) as three wickets tumbled for 10 runs in the space of 28 deliveries. SCORES: WEST INDIES A 364 for eight (Sunil Ambris 106, Vishaul Singh 81, John Campbell 56, Rahkeem Cornwall 36; Malinda Pushpakumara 3-104, Chamika Karunaratne 2-61) SRI LANKA A 201 for seven (Dhananjaya De Silva 104, Wanindu Hasaranga 24, Dasun Shanaka 20; Keon Joseph 2-28, Damion Jacobs 2-33, Sheldon Cottrell 2-41)

Continued from back page

Minister George Norton and Deshanna Skeete with her medal. their academic pursuits. While some of the athletes were not able to make it to the celebratory session, those who did were presented with National Sports Commission medals which are usually awarded for the

highest level of performance in sport. Those who were not present will have receive their medals at a later date. The coaches from the respective sporting disciplines were also presented with medals.

The South America Youth Games gold medallist presented Minister Norton with a token on behalf of the team. Apart from Skeete’s gold medal, Guyana also secured three silver medals at the

games, and they were also secured by track and field athletes. Kenisha Phillips won two silver medals in the Girls’ 100m and 200m and Jermaine King won a silver medal in the Boys’ 100m.

Williams; Phillips shine at Zones

Guyana’s South American Youth Games athletes celebrated

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CONGRATS! (Sitting L-R) Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Minister Dr George Norton, Acting Permanent Secretary Steve Ninvalle, and Godfrey Munroe. THE Ministry of Social Cohesion and the National Sports Commission today celebrated the 15 athletes who recently returned after representing Guyana at the second South American Youth Games, held in Santiago, Chile. Guyana was represented in track and field, boxing, badminton, table tennis and

3X3 basketball at the multisport event which was held from September 28 to October 10. It was Linden’s own track and field star, Deshanna Skeete, who created history after bringing home Guyana’s first gold medal at the games for her stellar performance in the Girls’ 400 metres.

Skeete was greeted with loud applause as she entered the Boardroom of the Ministry of Social Cohesion on Main Street for a celebratory session hosted for the team. Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, who also bears responsibility for Sport, was overcome with emotion as he praised Skeete for her performance.

He told the beaming athlete that it just may be her who brings home Guyana’s elusive Olympic Gold medal. The minister congratulated all of the athletes and assured them that the ministry will not leave them in the dark but will support them in every way it can, particularly in

Chase Academic Foundation’s Kenisha Phillips takes a huge win in the Girls’ Under-18 400m yesterday.

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COURTS Pee Wee Round Three on today Milex/Crown Mining Long See page 30

COURTS Pee Wee Football action returns to the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park, for its third round this weekend. (Adrian Narine photo)

Range trophy on today

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… GuyanaNRA 150th Anniversary Shoot up for grabs

Action in the Milex/Crown Mining Long Range trophy is set for today.

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See story on page 31 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017