Guyana chronicle e paper 10 27 2017

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GECOM’s work must go on No. 105078

(VAT Inclusive)

–– says prime minister, attorney general Page 3

Administering of HPV Vaccine begins

PaPgaege 1417

GTU plans two-day countrywide strike Page 8

Pensioner killed in Zeeburg accident

Page 14

Don’t worry, you’ll be okay: this child in background is being reassured that there is no need for fear. Medex Charleen Howard Mohabir (right) and a technician getting things in order to administer the HPV Vaccine on a pupil of Mae’s Primary School, Subryanville, Georgetown on Thursday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Man gets life imprisonment for raping boy

Page 10

Guyana Energy Agency under investigation Page 14

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Jagdeo deliberately submitted flawed lists –– for GECOM post, says attorney general

By Svetlana Marshall ATTORNEY GENERAL and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams,said Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo left President David Granger no other choice than to resort to the proviso provided for in Article 161 (2) of the Constitution, which allows him to appointment a Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) chairman outside of the lists of nominees submitted.

During a live televised interview on the National Communications Network (NCN) with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, the attorney general from the onset stated that President Granger’s appointment of Justice Patterson as the chairman of GECOM was in keeping with the Constitution.

“When making such a decision under Article 111, the President is empowered to do so by his own deliberate judgment and under Article 182 it is very clear that the President is not personally liable to the act he performed in execution of his function, in other words, he has immunity and is not liable in civil or criminal proceedings in the office and after he leaves the office,” the legal affairs minister explained.

Upon setting the record straight, he said the three lists of nominees submitted by the Opposition Leader were

designed to point the President to particular candidates in favour of the Opposition.

According to Article 161 (2) of the Constitution, “the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has

persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly.”

The attorney general said

General, Norman Mc Lean; Business Executive, Ramesh Dookhoo; Businesswoman and Indian Rights activist, Rhyaan Shah; and History Professor, James Rose.

Minister Williams recalled that subsequent to the first list of nominees, the Opposition Leader requested a list of criteria and in re-

Referencing to the case of Marcel Gaskin vs.

AG, the attorney general pointed out that acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire ruled that the President is not obliged to accept the list or the persons named in it, if he is of the view that the list is deficient, either in

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, weighing in on President David Granger’s appointment of Justice James Patterson as GECOM chairman during a televised interview with Beverly Alert. held office as a judge of a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six

it was difficult for the President to select a nominee from the first list since it consisted of individuals aligned with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/Civic). Those nominees included: Governance and Conflict Resolution Specialist, Lawrence Lachmansingh; Attorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram; retired Major

sponse the President stated that the nominees should not be activists in any form and should not have any political affiliation.

Despite being furnished with the guidelines, he said, the Opposition Leader continued to insert persons on the subsequent lists that were not fit and proper for the post.

totality or in the names that have been included.

IMPROPER LISTS “Mr. Jagdeo has been putting names on the lists that he knows don’t qualify… and then has one person, and that person he desires, and he hopes that that one person would be selected…. But the Presi-

dent could not have selected a friend of the Leader of the Opposition or a member of his party,” Minister Williams explained.

Faced with three lists of a total of 18 nominees that were unacceptable, he said President Granger resorted to the proviso to Article 161 (2). The Article is triggered when a President rejects a list of six nominees submitted by the Opposition Leader for the Chairmanship of GECOM. In her ruling, the chief justice stated that the President in the exercise of his judgment to reject the final list, could have “resort to the proviso to Article 161(2) which permits the President to act independently to appoint a person of the Judicial category to be the chairman of GECOM, that is a person who is presumptively fit and proper.”

DID NOT ACT UNILATERALLY The attorney general said based on the series of events that unfolded from the time, a request was made for the list of six nominees to be submitted to the last meeting with the Opposition Leader, it is not true to say that the President acted “unilaterally”.

“After three lists that were not properly composed by the Opposition Leader, deliberately so, the President as part of the process had to resort to the proviso, otherwise, we would not have had a Turn to page 3 ►

GECOM’s work must go on

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

–– says prime minister, attorney general

By Svetlana Marshall THE High Court action taken by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) seeking to quash President David Granger’s appointment of retired Justice James Patterson as chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has not impeded the work of the Commission, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said on Thursday.

Speaking during a live televised interview on the National Communications Network (NCN), in the presence of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said the work of the Commission will go on.

“It is not going to stop the work of the Elections Commission (and) it is not going to stop the work of the Government,” the prime minister told the moderator, Beverly Alert.

In filing the High Court action, the PPP has argued that the presidential appointment of Justice Patterson is unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal, null and void and of no effect, and as such, the appointment should be revoked.

Though it respects the right of the Opposition to move the court, Government has made it clear that the President’s decision was in keeping with Article 161 of

the Constitution, and is of legal effect.

“The court action is part and parcel of the constitu-

sented fabricated information, in attempted to argue that Justice Patterson is an affiliate of the People’s Nation-

nouncement that has received widespread criticism.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said the announcement comes at a time when the country cannot afford to

The work of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will go on, says Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo tional order, part and parcel of the democratic process, part and parcel of the separation of power,” the prime minister noted.

“We cannot be intimidated if you exercise your right to respect the separation of power and you choose to go to one of the arms of the State for adjudication, that is what the court is there for, so we will meet it on its merit, even if it is on its dis-merit but we will meet it,” he further added.

That aside, the attorney general said the PPP in filing the High Court action pre-

al Congress Reform (PNCR) – the party that forms a major part of the coalition Government.

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, in response to President Granger’s appointment of Justice Patterson as Chairman of GECOM had threatened that the Opposition will take a non-cooperative approach towards then Government at the local, national and regional levels.

Jagdeo had also announced that the Opposition would also withdraw its participation from the National Borders Commission – an an-

Jagdeo deliberately ...

From page 2

chairman of GECOM,” the attorney general said.

Weighing in on the issue, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said it was critical for the President to appoint a Chairman for the Elections Commission.

“While this is not an election year…

Local Government Elections are carded for 2018, next year, so you have to start the preparation for that. Then you have to start the process of identifying electoral officers, if you want to go into the elections. Then, General Election is 2020, just two years thereafter. So you needed a functional Commission. You need the Commission to be in place with a head,” the prime minister said.

He said the democratic rights of the

Guyanese people ought not to be sacrificed for the “whims and fancies” of the Opposition Leader. According to the prime minister, Jagdeo, a former President, inserted nominees on the lists who would have assured him a third term in office.

“This whole thing is not about the Elections Commission, it is not about the people of Guyana… this is about the empowerment, the placement of an individual in position of authority,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo posited. He added that Jagdeo is obsessed with returning to office come 2020, when Guyana will be producing oil.

The prime minister and attorney general both condemned the vilification of Justice Patterson by the Opposition, in its attempts to gain political leverage.

have fragmentation. According to him, the Opposition Leader’s decision is nothing short of treacherous.

“Abandonment of a national duty to send an expres-

sion of unity in the face of an enemy that our border comes first, our country comes first, our territory comes first, our sovereignty comes first, you indicated because you got a little grouse over the selection of a person to be the Elections Commission Chairperson, you got grouse against your country and you will pull out from the borders commission? That is treacherous!” the prime minister said.

Weighing in on the issue

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of non-cooperation, the attorney general said he was surprised when the three PPP nominees for the Local Government Commission (LGC), Carol Sooba, Clinton Collymore, and Norman Whittaker, appeared at State House to be sworn in

by President Granger days after Jagdeo had issued his threats.

However, Minister Williams made it clear that people are not heeding to the calls of the Opposition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Spotlight placed on safety -- as National Aviation Safety Conference opens

By Ariana Gordon THE National Aviation Safety Conference opened on Thursday at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown amid calls

for stakeholders to work towards building and embracing strong safety standards while learning from mistakes of the past.

Themed, “Safety--the Pillar of Sustainability”, Director-General, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field stressed that the conference will allow for stakeholders to examine thoroughly innovative ways to manage risks within the sector.

The GCAA’s focus is ensuring that the industry has the competence and capacity to manage their own safety. It is not the job of the GCAA to do it for

them, said Field who noted that it takes time to develop the kind of attitude and approach to safety and risk management.

He said the two-day conference provides the opportunity for local aviation experts to hear from highly qualified international and local experts about the latest developments in safety systems and human factors.

“Forums like this are valuable for sharing this type of information but in my experience, I have found that safety management is an exercise in which the right attitude and behaviour is crucial to sustainable safety performance.”

Field noted that safety is not just about following the regulations and having the right manuals or having a safety officer in the organisation, or ticking the books.

The GCAA director-general made it clear that while regulation is an important part of the safety equation “it is not the big picture”.

He explained that the Authority is striving to play a greater leadership role in exposing operators and all stakeholders to the right safety behaviour and attitude.

“When conducting surveillance, we don’t always

pick up all the safety risks and any auditor would be able to tell you that we don’t have all the right safety data and we struggle at times to recruit and maintain the right kind of individual to do those jobs.”

He noted too that “an operator will always be better placed than the regulator to know and understand the safety risks they face in their particular circumstances”.

Field stressed that it is not the GCAA’s role to fly or train pilots despite this view being shared by some. He said the GCAA has to remain independent in its tasks to be able to move from encouragement

to enforcement as the need arises.

FAR FROM THE TRUTH He pointed to a myth which states that as long as the operator meets the regulator’s requirements then they are safe. “No, this is far from the truth. The regulations can only seek to cover what we believe are the minimum, necessary requirements and they can never hope to cover all situations and circumstances.”

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Spotlight placed...

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tions as well as to do risk management and analysis of their own organisations so as to demonstrate more innovative ways to manage their risks.

“We as regulators must work with operators, instilling (in) the operator the element of safety in the work they have to do themselves.

If an operator relies only on the regulator to identify safety practices in their system, then they are sticking their heads in the sand.

GCAA’s surveillance and safety programmes should be complementary to what an operator does,” emphasised Field.

And while the GCAA is actively looking to safety management systems here, the director-general said much more needs to be done and will be done to foster and support the risk management across the varying sects of aviation.

He posited that the Authority is not only a regulator but also a facilitator.

“We help the industry to grow in a safe and orderly manner while supporting and advising them.” He disputed assertions that the GCAA has a purely punitive approach following an aircraft accident, rather than a safety benefit approach where lessons are learned to prevent recurrence.

“I just want to make it clear, accidents when investigated by the Authority is not for punitive or to castigate or condemn the operator or the pilot. We look at it as trying to find the cause of the accident and in finding the cause, we can prevent future accidents… not to say if there are willful mistakes or if willfully done by the operator or pilot we will not take action,” Field explained.

He alluded to the fact that the aviation sector is on the rise and pointed to the booming oil and gas sector here which is to be fully operational by 2020, while stressing that Guyana cannot grow without the aviation sector which plays a critical role in the development of the economy.

The influx of helicopters here as a result of the oil production must be catered for, said Field who noted that several challenges await the GCAA. PATCH THE CRACKS “Aviation is not complexly without danger and we have to look for all those cracks where elements of safety doesn’t exist and try to patch those cracks. The GCAA is working steadfastly in dealing with those safety issues. Nothing is utopian, nothing is 100 per

cent but we are working steadfastly,” he told the gathering of aviation experts and officials.

Thus far, the GCAA has invested over $300M in the development of ADS-B system (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) which allows air traffic controllers to track aircraft.

Additionally, the GCAA head alluded to the progress being made in the sector, noting that Guyana has received the ICAO President’s Council certificate for improvement in its compliance with the ICAO standards.

Guyana has moved from 44 per cent to 64.4 per cent.

“I am sure if ICAO comes now to do an audit, we should be somewhere in the 70 per cent compliance,” he said, stressing that the Authority is working with stakeholders to address safety issues. “… Please remember it will take time. We cannot do it all in one bit and we have to be cautious because there is no room for error.

Similarly, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is Acting President, told the gathering of aviation officials and participants that the conference is timely, given the recent death of two pilots within the past few months.

SAFETY IMPERATIVE “For the aviation industry to be viable and profitable, it must provide safety on the ground as well as in the air. Safety is not just a government concern; safety is a business of the aviation sector. It is central to the aviation system,” said the prime minister.

He, like Field, noted that the country’s aviation sector is on the rise and the number of flights internally is testimony of the growth of the sector. He said over the years, Government and its partners have invested over $50B to the aviation sector with the aim of modernising it.

But despite all the positives occurring in the sector, the prime minister made it clear that much more needs to be done as regards safety. He said too that the APNU+AFC administration is concerned about the spike in accidents within the industry.

The government is also worried about search and rescue operations which he said often turns into search and recover.

“We need to take a keen look at that because our precious resources—pilots, are first in line. These events only reinforce the need for diligence and safety and security in the aviation sector,” said Prime Minister Nagamootoo.

He alluded to the Civil Aviation Bill 2017 which was sent to a special Select Committee for fine-tuning earlier this year. The new bill seeks to repeal and replace the Civil Aviation Act Chapter 53:01 and bring Guyana’s aviation law into conformity with primary legislation regulating civil aviation currently found in other parts of the world.

The bill also makes provisions for the enablement of the Chicago Convention and the agreement establishing the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System.

The prime minister noted the potential which exists within the aviation sector and called for meaningful cooperation.

Similarly, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, said safety is a critical area of focus for the administration and noted that it is necessary to facilitate the economic and social affairs of the country.

She too pointed to the improvements relative to the ICAO standards and dubbed last year as one of the most significant in the country’s history as it relates to compliance.

“As the sector grows and evolves, the safety challenges would be increased and we as a nation must be prepared but at the same time,

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develop safety management systems to ensure that we eliminate the safety threats and risks within each system,” stated Ferguson.

The minister with responsibility for the aviation sector challenged stakeholders to work in unison towards building and embracing a strong safety culture, while maintaining the high standard of best practices.

Her sentiments were echoed

by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.

The Aviation Safety Conference concludes today with discussions on the effect of safety culture on controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) risk, which will be presented by Captain Jonathan Fitt (Safety Manager, LIAT Ltd.1974); loss of control in flight,

by Beverley Drake, Programme Manager, Office of Government and Industry Affairs, National Transport Safety Board (NTSB), USA; the importance of SMS in aircraft operations, by Ray Adams, Director of Quality and Safety and Ryan Borne, Regional Sales Manager (Bristow US LLC.).

There will also be a panel discussion on safety in single engine operation before the Conference is closed. Ministers of Business, Citizenship and Public Security, Dominic Gaskin, Winston Felix and Khemraj Ramjattan,

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

A better, cleaner, greener city

…but taxes must be paid

Indisputably, the constitutional significance of May 2015 that heralded the historical change of government, also commenced an unprecedented groundswell of civic action on the part of citizens in the respective communities of the capital city that was soon to spread to rural communities and other parts of Guyana. Without any central direction, citizens willingly came together and began to rid their communities of garbage, a perennial source for complaint that had assumed national crisis proportions.

It was heartening to observe members of the corporate community, who not only took the responsibility for cleaning their immediate environs, but also adopted other sections of the City for this laudable exercise. Even the military did their duty in participating in an exercise that could not have commenced sooner. Definitely, the cue for this unprecedented sense of nationalism, begun with the then newly sworn-in President Granger, the then Mayor, Hamilton Greene and a team of officials, visiting the decades-neglected Independence Arch, and announcing its planned restoration from decades of neglect.

This symbol of our attaining nationhood in May, 1966, has since been restored, and was the focal point of a wreath-laying ceremony at the 2015 Independence Day observances, honouring the country’s heroes.

Then entered the former Mayor and City Council ( M&CC). Much to his credit, the then Chief Citizen, Hamilton Green is on record for consistency in his call for a changing of Citizens’ hazardous treatment of their communities, and his goal of restoring Georgetown to its former glory. His efforts and trials towards such an end are well known, and will not detain us here. Except to say that events since May 2015 have afforded the municipality much support from central government, in the execution of plans for this grand project of the restoration of the Capital City.

Against the background of a meeting between President Granger and high officials from the Municipality, at which

he would have reiterated his “green vision” for Guyana, a well-defined programme towards this end was subsequently announced by the Town Clerk, Royston King. This initiative must be described as well thought out and comprehensive, for its scope, purpose and vision.

As would be expected, it began with encompassing the views of stakeholders and the general citizenry, since both the problem, and particularly the solution, emanates from the latter. And this has been best illustrated by the tons of garbage that had been removed from communities.

Let it be emphasized that our citizens must be reminded about the dangers of their city and its surrounding communities that had become filthy, and grown hazardous from years of insalubrious practices. It was a reflection of the many individuals whose personal hygienic and anti - environmental habits that had brought a capital city, once renowned for its pristine and scenic beauty, to shame, scorn and derision. Not to forget other contributing factors as well. We must all understand, and accept, that our communities, and by extension, our capital, is a reflection of our collective actions. Therefore, it is incumbent that all citizens engage in positive practices that will always advance our immediate environs. Such can only redound to a cleaner city.

At this time of writing, there seems to be some reminders, though on a very small scale, of littering in the form of plastics on some parapets and in drains. We hope that this is not an indication of a return to a once plastic choked city.

Concomitantly though, it is evident that our capital city has undergone significant changes. Gone are the numerous garbage dumps and the smell of putridity ; canals and waterways have been desilted; parapets and reserves are better tended, with much of the jungle–like vegetation removed; the ugly sight of plastic bottles and Styrofoam are no longer strewn around the City. These changes are coupled with the fact that garbage is now removed in a timely manner, although there was the recent hiccup with garbage contractors.

Citizens must continue to desist from dumping and other unwholesome acts. Arising out of all this is the quicker draining of those parts of the City that have for years endured flood waters from voluminous downpours.

It is obvious, too, that City Hall’s grand initiative encompasses not only plans for a “green city”, but also the key plan for fostering cohesive communities, through which there will be a restoration of recreational parks and playgrounds, as is evidenced by the Merriman’s Mall project, and areas in Ruimveldt. This is indeed very commendable, since it will encourage conversations and dialogue among citizens for a better understanding of who we are as Guyanese, and the necessity of joining together in furthering the goal of a united Guyana. For it should be reminded that it is from communities from which citizens emerge for the component of the nation.

Let it be reminded of all that it takes money to pay for the daily sanitation of our city, as carried out by the M&CC. This means that citizens, especially from the business community, should pay their taxes when due. It is abominable that the commercial sector that owes the astounding sum in excess of $3B, can still expect the Municipality to remove their garbage. If less affluent citizens, especially the senior citizens who punctiliously service their civic obligations, can do so, then why does this social grouping continue to evade their responsibilities?

There can be no excuses for what we perceive is a deliberate flouting of this important observation of the City laws.

It is instructive to note that although there have been many amnesty calls – many defaulters are known to ignore such.

We can only conclude that this is a deliberate flouting of a plan that may assist such citizens. How shameful!

Let us all, as good citizens, continue to participate in, and support this grand design for a cleaner, greener city. This is not a one-off exercise, but a daily strategy that should be part of our daily lives. But it costs the City authorities moneys to perform daily sanitation and other maintenance functions. The latter can only be possible if citizens, especially defaulters in the business community, pay their share of taxes.

No more marginalisation ever again

Dear Editor

The recent Constitutional appointment by His Excellency David Arthur Granger has publicly revealed what Africans in Guyana and the Caribbean all know, Indians do not want to be ruled by an African Leader because they believe they are superior to Africans. Former

President Jadgeo insulted democracy, the spirit of the Constitution, the Guyanese Nation and the High offices of the Presidency, when in his first and only legitimate constitutional list submitted on December 21, 2016, he had the racist political gall and incredible audacity to name Rhyaan Shah, Christopher Ram, Ramesh Dookhoo, Major-General

(retired) Norman Mc Lean, Lawrence Lachmansingh and Professor Dr. James Rose.

Any fair minded Guyanese would recognize that this list was a political list with many who were neither “fit nor proper” or former judges.

Indeed, Norman Mclean was born on November 23, 1935, making him

82 years of age in a few weeks. Rhyaan Shah is a well-known partisan Indian Supremacist and most of the others had long and deep political and questionable financial beneficial relationships with the PPP. The Private Sector Commission (and its highly questionable network of business and civil affiliates) which through its actions of the last

30 years can be justly called a culpable partner of the PPP in the economic rape and pillage of Guyana; the Guyana Human Rights Association (GRHA) which has never championed land rights or equal rights for African Guyanese; Lawyers and Accountants and so called Businessmen and Women whom have benefited in the past in a developed “criminal state”

of money laundering, theft and embezzlement etc.; and all others groups who are now claiming “an end to democracy”… all know and have supported by their silence the racist behavior of Bharrat Jagdeo who ruled Guyana unconstitutionally for 12 years.

These now “recently converted and born again Turm to Page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

No more marginalization... moral agents” said nothing when Jagdeo conspired with a convicted Indian drug lord Roger Khan to kill over 400 Africans.

This was not the end of democracy in their eyes.

This genocide and extra-constitutional killings were normal in their version of a democracy or ethnic state.

They said nothing when Jagdeo unilaterally transferred hundreds of thousands of hectares of land to Indians in Guyana and from India.

They said nothing when he gave away lucrative licences, contracts and other state patrimony to Indians; they hid their faces and remained silent when the UN investigators in 2009 announced the PPP marginalized Africans in Guyana economically, culturally, politically and socially.

Their silence was conspicuously loud when Donald

Ramotar prorogued parliament in 2015. In fact, they continue to be silent in the face of irrefutable and compelling evidence that Jagdeo’s racism makes him a “not fit and proper” person to be in Parliament.

In essence, these groups, better known as the second opposition force in Guyana, are not calling for an investigation into “crimes against humanity” just as the recent call by African organizations when the WEGPAD UNHCR group recently visited Guyana.

President Granger has courageously responded to the racist strategy of Bharat Jagdeo.

He has followed the Constitution and exercised his constitutional Presidential perogative.

He has shown leadership in bringing closure to a PPP designed agenda to frustrate the appointment of a Chair-

person for GEOCOM. He has signaled his intention to get on with the serious business of government.

He has sent a clear message to international observers and investors that Guyana’s development and progress will not be impeded by the racist political and economic agenda of Jagdeo’s disgraceful PPP. Calls of “rigged elections” are for liars, cheats, scamps and racists.

These individuals and organizations know GECOM has 7 votes and both the PPP and the APNU/AFC have 3 votes each.

How can Justice Patterson’s appointment result in rigged elections?

It was Gocool Boodhoo who was caught rigging the last elections. He was and is from the PPP. It was the Jagdeo’s puppet Donald Ramotar who

committed the greatest threat against democracy in Guyana when he prorogued parliament in 2015.

It was the PPP who aggressively and unpleasantly hounded the previous Chairman of GECOM out of his position because he refused to bow to their demands or turn a blind eye to the PPP’s shenanigans.

Africans in Guyana, the international community and well-intentioned Guyanese need to support the President in his lawful interpretation of the Constitution and for his decision to promptly abide by the Rule of Law in Guyana. Today, the PSC, GCCI, GMSA, bankers, Indian Supremacists, accountants, lawyers and others whom have illegitimately benefited under the PPP are showing their true colours as they continue to sabotage our “democracy” with the hope of again plun-

dering Guyana with its new found oil wealth.

Never again will Africans sit idly by and be marginalized. Never again will Guyanese sit by and observe their country being run by international drugs and narcotics smugglers.

Kudos to the President for his brave actions in standing up for Guyana.

The silent majority of Guyanese people understand the indecent and corrupt motivation of the PPP and its loud propaganda prone affiliates. They recognise that the PPP are the original engineers of Fake News. They are seething with anger at the shenanigans of this group led by Bharat Jagdeo and his evil and corrupt band of affiliates.

May “democracy continue to live”; May justice reign supreme.

The international community must never allow itself to be fooled again by

From Page 6

the PPP at the expense of a racist and international narco-business agenda targeted against this Government and the long suffering people of Guyana.

In this state of heightened global terrorism and far reaching terrorist financial and other networks, the PPP can never be trusted ever again to administer the affairs of Guyana. That frightening proposition could threaten the peace, stability and security of the entire Caribbean Region.

SIGNED The African Cultural and Development Association Pan African Group (Guyana) Branch The All African Guyanese Association Concerned Citizens in the Diaspora

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

GTU plans two-day countrywide strike

THE Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) is currently galvanising teachers across the country to join it in strike actions next week, following what it said was an unfruitful meeting with the Ministry of Education on Thursday.

The meeting with Education Minister, Nicolette Henry, and other officials reportedly lasted under 10 minutes when the GTU team, headed by president Mark Lyte,

walked out after the minister failed to address the issues placed before her, including the multi-year proposal.

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald told Guyana Chronicle on Thursday that the GTU team was invited to the meeting with the education minister and was expecting some positive word on the way forward regarding the increase of salaries for teachers.

She said the minister

Ministry of Education officials in meeting with members of the Guyana Teachers Union on Thursday

Friday October 27th, - 09:30 hrs Saturday October 28th, - 08:00 hrs Sunday October 29th, - 12:30 hrs

instead began a power point presentation on something off topic.

“We turned up at the meeting that we were invited to and we wanted to hear about the minister’s counter proposal to our salary proposal. Instead, the minister had a power point presentation to deliver on non-salary issues,” she said.

According to McDonald, the minister appeared unaware of the issue and began talking about things unrelated to the subject matter.

Among those were her complaints that several regions failed to provide the information of upgraded teachers. The GTU immediately objected to the discussion, reminding the minister what the team was really there to address.

McDonald said the GTU team had to leave, especially since the minister thrusted upon the members a proposal for teachers similar to what government an-

nounced last week for public servants.

She said GTU officials informed the minister that they would be willing to have another meeting when government gets the numbers right.

Teachers, she said, will be embarking on industrial actions next Thursday and Friday.

Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, the Ministry of Education said that its meeting with the Guyana Teachers Union was intended to discuss a number of issues that have been highlighted by the union.

Chief among the issues, the ministry said, was the proposed multi-year agreement (2016 to 2020).

“The proposal addresses both financial and non-financial matters. The Presi-

dent of the GTU, Mr. Mark Lyte said that based on the last meeting that was held with the Ministry in August 2017, the union would have communicated that it has no problem with the manner in which the Ministry will address the non-financial issues,” the ministry said.

According to the post, Lyte stated that the GTU is very concerned about the financial aspect of the proposal regarding salary increases, debunching, allowances and duty-free concessions.

It was at this point that Education Minister Nicolette Henry informed the GTU representatives that government can only offer wage increases in keeping with those offered to public servants.

The ministry said GTU was dissatisfied with the

response and decided that the meeting should not continue and together left the boardroom.

“Following the meeting, Minister Henry reiterated that at this point in time, the Government of Guyana is proposing to all of its public servants including teachers, increases which have been made public,” the ministry said.

Last Thursday, the GTU had threatened industrial action, contending that its regular submission of issues to government was falling on deaf ears.

These issues include the debunching payments, outstanding since 2006, the $40 million housing project in the pipeline since 2006 and more recently, the salary proposal presented to the Ministry of Education.

Alleged mastermind wants to come clean –– about the murder of the two Bourda pensioners

THE alleged mastermind in the murder of the two Bourda pensioners in their home earlier in the month wants to speak out and tell the court the truth about what led to the women’s death.

Christopher Khan, called Imran Khan, who is one of three men jointly charged for the double murder, told Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday that he is ready to tell the truth after spending almost two weeks on remand.

The 25-year-old, along with his two accomplices, Steven Andrews (26) and Phillip Suffrien (23), all of Albouystown are jointly charged for the double murder which, according to reports, occurred between October 2 and 3 at Lot 243 South Road and Albert Street, Bourda.

The trio is alleged to have murdered Constance Fraser, 89, and her niece, 77-yearold Phyllis Caesar during the course of a robbery.

The men, during their second court appearance on Thursday, had their matter adjourned until November 20

The alleged mastermind: Christopher Khan, called 'Imran Khan' for a report on the prosecution file.

It was then that Khan seized the opportunity to tell the Chief Magistrate: “I don’t want to waste the courts’ time; I want to speak out about what really happened.”

In response, the Chief Magistrate told Khan that he will get his time to talk when the preliminary inquiry com-

mences.

According to reports, the two women, both pensioners, were found lying face down in separate bedrooms at their Bourda home on October 3, with their hands and feet bound and mouths gagged.

According to a relative, the house was ransacked, and quite a few items appeared to be missing.

Reports from the police have since revealed that a door to the upper half of the twoflat building was breached.

Relatives said this was the third time the women had been robbed. One recalled that during the last robbery, the intruders had made off with cellular phones and money. It was also the second time they had been robbed after receiving their monthly pensions.

Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, who did the post mortem on both women gave as the cause of death in both cases asphyxiation due to suffocation and manual strangulation, compounded by trauma to the head.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Rodrigues gets 30 years for killing mother, son

ORIN Rodrigues, 23, of Moblissa, Soesdyke/Linden Highway has been sentenced to 30 years each for manslaughter of a mother and her son when he appeared before Justice Brassington Reynolds in the Georgetown High Court on Thursday.

The sentences will run concurrently. The judge started at a base of 42 years but deducted five years for the guilty plea, four years for time served and three years for remorse.

In total, Justice Reynolds deducted 12 years, leaving Rodrigues to serve 30 years behind bars.

After the sentencing, a pensive Rodrigues exited a packed courtroom which contained relatives of the deceased as well as his family members.

According to Probation Officer Michelle Small, who is attached to Region 10, Rodrigues was born in the North West District (NWD) from a common law union between his parents. When

he was an infant, they separated.

His mother however, started a new relationship which bore eight children and after encountering financial difficulties he exited the school system and entered the world of work at a young age to assist in supporting his family.

She related that Rodrigues had a normal childhood but is semi-literate and was not in a serious relationship.

The deceased and the accused were not related but occasionally consumed alcohol together and prior to the incident he had no altercations with that family.

Small told the court that Rodrigues’ prison record speaks well of him and he is part of the boxing team.

She said that the accused suffered from an emotional loss when his parents separated.

Small told the court that the family of the deceased said following the death of their mother and brother,

rapid alcohol consumption which was a normal practice of recreation in his community.

In his plea of mitigation, Defence Attorney Maxwell McKay said the accused is a boxer in prison and attend church services regularly and has shown remorse for what he did.

Rodrigues, 21, was only 17 when the incident took place and his attorney asked for a reasonable sentence from the judge.

The accused: Orin Rodrigues their father turned to alcohol abuse and he was subsequently killed in a road accident.

She stated that the accused has expressed genuine remorse for his actions and has accepted responsibility for it.

He hails form a stable home but moved toward

BEGGED FOR MERCY Rodrigues also asked the judge for mercy and begged for a reasonable sentence.

Justice Brassington Reynolds before handing down the sentence told the court that the incident is a tragedy on so many levels and it is ironic that a talented young man has found himself in such a position.

The judge added that by the actions of the deceased, two families are distraught

and pointed out that the incident is indeed a tragedy because of lack of social services in remote communities where Rodrigues lives.

The judge told the court that the accused did not benefit from adequate exposure to education and noted his circumstance would have been different had he not leave school so young.

The judge added that it is painful for him but justice must be served given the fact that two lives have gone to waste and after listening to the probation report among other things, he handed down his sentence.

On November, 30, 2013, in the County of Demerara, Orin Rodrigues murdered Molly James, 30, and Aaron James, 15.

He pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter when he made his first court appeared before Justice Reynolds.

It is alleged on the day in question, at 14:00hrs, Molly’s teenage daughter was

at Moblissa Creek washing when the accused forcible engaged in sexual intercourse with her by threatening her with a knife.

Afterwards, she told her mother about the incident and they made a complaint to the Ameila’s ward Police Outpost. In his caution statement dated December 1, 2013, the accused admitted to having sex with the teenager and he became enraged when he learnt that she and her mother had reported the matter to the police.

In a fit of rage, he picked up a knife and went to Molly’s house at about midnight and saw them sleeping and reportedly stabbed them and escaped.

He was later arrested and charged for the double murder of Molly James and her son Aaron James at Moblissa on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

The State was represented by Shawnette Austin and Lisa Cave while the defence attorney was Maxwell McKay.

18 years for killing cousin-in-law

TRUDY Samuels called “Jad” and “Jadi”, 22, has been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for the 2016 manslaughter of his cousin-in-law when he appeared before Justice Brassington Reynolds in the Georgetown High Court on Thursday.

The judge started at a base of 30 years but deducted five years for his cooperation/had taken weapon to the pastor, two years for time served and five years owing to certain mitigation features/probation report.

As such, a total of 12 years was deducted and he will serve 18 years imprisonment.

Probation Officer Aggrey Azore told the court that he prepared the probation report after interviewing members of Santa Mission and both relatives of the deceased and the accused.

He told the court that Samuels was born at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and came from a broken home after his parents separated and went on to have other children with different partners.

Azore stated that the accused went to live with his grandmother at a young age and left the formal school system to work due to finan-

cial issues.

The probation officer said the conduct of the accused is good and he did not display any violent behaviour and is also of good character. Samuels is said to be a hard worker and at an early age he was engaged in fishing to sustain his family.

Azore told the court that

The accused: Trudy Samuels Samuels is a family-oriented person, good-natured and a kind and loving individual and the deceased is his cousin’s husband and they were celebrating her birthday after which they went to a wake house.

He also spoke well of his record since incarnation and the incident has surprised the community and both families given the fact he was not prone to violence.

Azore also noted that the wife of the deceased said with the loss of her husband, four children are left without a father and their performance in school has diminished and they are devastated.

GREAT REMORSE Azore told the court that the accused has shown great remorse for his actions and pleaded with the court for mercy in which a reasonable sentence should be handed down, given the fact that the accused has recognised his mistake and is in the process of reformation.

Defence Attorney Satyesh Kissoon said Samuels tried to render assistance in taking the deceased to the hospital but it was too late.

Kissoon added that the probation report speaks well of the accused but a life was lost nevertheless which has rendered a wife and four children without a husband and father.

Justice Reynolds after listening to the proceeding said for the second time on Thursday he has need to describe the incident as a tragedy where two families are tramautised due to alcohol abuse.

He told the court that if the community was more proactive, the incident could

have been avoided and the incomplete education of the accused coupled with alcohol abuse resulted in the loss of a life.

According to the state’s case, on February 22, 2016, in the county of Demerara Samuel murdered Joseph Jaundoo called “Teddy” or “Ted”.

Nikita Jaundoo, wife of the deceased reported that the accused and her husband were all at a ‘wake’ house in Santa Mission. They left the wake for home, however her husband returned to the wake house for their sons.

After some time, her sons came home saying their father sent them. She was told something and she returned to the wake house where she saw the deceased and the accused fighting and parted them and took her husband home.

The accused was sitting on the steps of their home when she saw the accused coming towards them and her husband ran upstairs.

The accused pushed her aside and went into their house, after which she went behind them, where she them saw the him stabbing her husband with a knife and pulled him off.

The accused was later arrested and charged for murder.

According to reports

from the village, the men were imbibing alcohol at a wake house in the community where ‘jokes’ were reportedly made. The ‘jokes’ were not taken lightly by Samuels, and there was an altercation between the two men.

Persons parted them, af-

ter which Jaundoo proceeded home and the accused followed him and there he reportedly fatally stabbed him.

The State was represented by Shawnette Austin and Lisa Cave while the defence attorney was Satyesh Kissoon.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Travel agent slips away with $10M

POLICE are investigating a multimillion-dollar fraud involving a staff of Muneshwer’s Travel Agency who is said to have travelled to the US this month.

The staff is a known travel agent and has also worked with Travel Span, Globe Span and Fly Jamaica.

Reports indicate that the agent collected almost $10M from persons, who paid for their flights, but instead of being issued with their tickets, they were given travel itineraries.

She cancelled most of the bookings before they were processed.

Several passengers who

paid monies to book tickets with the Muneshwer’s Travel Agency are now seeking compensation.

Over two dozen frustrated persons have recently visited the travel agency at the company’s Water Street, Georgetown office with their itineraries and complaints.

One of the victims, Yolanda Bess, said on July 29, 2017, she visited Muneshwers Travel Service to purchase a return ticket which cost $169,000.

“I made a down payment of $130,000 and later in the week another payment of $39,000. I dealt with a customer representative by name of Priya

Lall, she give me a print out of two tickets of which my return was a fake print out, in addition to that she give me all assurance that my flight confirmed,” Bess explained.

She added: “I called the airline of which I’m supposed to travel back with, only to hear there isn’t anything in the system for me. So I called the travel agency to query my ticket.

They said that Priya Lall no longer works with them and apparently she made a reservation for my return and cancel it, which mean she stole my money and now I don’t have a return ticket.”

Officials of the Mune-

shwer’s Travel Agency confirmed that Lall abused the system and used the opportunity to exploit a

weekly report system that is usually submitted by respective airlines, before making her escape.

Police confirmed that the travel agency discovered the fraud in the first week of October 2017.

Man gets life imprisonment for raping boy MARK Campbell has been sentenced to life imprisonment for two counts of sexual activity with a child under 12 years old after a 12-member jury found him guilty of the offence on Thursday.

After a few hours of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after which Simone Morris-Ramlall handed down the sentence.

In the closed door trial, the child testified and the State said that on the first count during 2011, the incident took place and on the second count, it happened in 2012 in the County of Demerara.

No witness was called for the defence and he Campbell represented himself during the trial in which the victim said he was seven years old on the first count and was eight on the second count.

Justice Morris-Ramlall told the court that the accused will have to serve 30 years in jail before he is eligible for parole after giving him the life sentence.

In response the accused said he did not get a fair trial and saw what played out from the start and do not know how the jury found him guilty.

Justice Morris-Ramlall told Campbell that the jury has “found you guilty.”

Campbell was reportedly asked by the mother of the child to take care of the child because she worked nights and he violated him in the worse possible way.

Justice Morris-Ramlall said the accused did not bestow love on the child and therefore he should not ask the court for mercy.

The belligerent accused was led away to jail in a rather sour mood.

Wismar taxi driver walks free –– after magistrate dismisses trafficking case

CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday dismissed the case against taxi driver, Glenmore McBean, called “Short Man”, who was charged for ‘ganja’ trafficking.

McBean, 43, of Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden was accused of having in his possession for the purpose of trafficking over 7 kilogrammes of cannabis on July 16, 2017 at the Soesdyke/Junction of the

Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

In her ruling, the chief Magistrate stated that Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford failed to prove her case, since the witnesses were discredited under cross-examination in court.

The magistrate, therefore, upheld the no case submission made by defense attorney, Glen Hanoman.

According to reports, on the day in question, CANU

ranks received intelligence about the drugs since the accused was in the Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara area.

This led to a road block being set up at the Soesdyke-Linden Highway to intercept the accused with the narcotics.

It was during a search of his vehicle that McBean allegedly confessed to having a bag of weed in the trunk.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

‘Trini’ jailed, fined for trafficking

TRINIDADIAN entertainer Cornelius Thomas was on Thursday sentenced to 54 months imprisonment along with a fine of $566,000 by Magistrate Dylon Bess for trafficking narcotics.

Thomas, after almost a month of trial, was found guilty of the offence which stated that on May 28 at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, he had in his possession 834 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

The 31-year-old gospel-show promoter and entertainer was unrepresented by an attorney. The case was prosecuted by Police Lance Corporal Christopher Morris.

The prosecution contended that on the day in question, the police received Cornelius Thomas information and with the assistance of his landlord, searched the man’s premises at Mandela Avenue and found the substance in several Ziploc bags. The defendant was accordingly told of the offence and was charged.

Magistrate Bess, in his ruling, told the court that he was satisfied that Thomas had control of the drugs, since it was found in his room.

Thomas begged the Magistrate to let him serve his sentence at a prison in his homeland, Trinidad, but apparently his plea fell on deaf ears.

In handing down the sentence, the Magistrate advised Thomas that should he fail to pay the $566,000 fine, he will have to spend an additional six months in jail.

Serial robber remanded to prison ––for Digicel Sheriff Street armed robbery last month

A 33-YEAR-OLD construction worker was on Thursday remanded to prison on two armed robbery charges in relation to the brazen daylight robbery in September at the Digicel Sheriff Street outlet.

Lennox Kurt, of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plea to the two indictable Lennox Kurt charges.

Particulars of the first charge allege that on September 20, at Sheriff Street, Georgetown while being in the company of others and armed with guns, Kurt robbed Diana Andrews of a Samsung 7Edge valued $200,000, along with other items totalling $1.4M, property of Digicel.

It is further alleged that Kurt and his cohorts also robbed Andrews of her Samsung J3 cellphone valued $30,000.

Kurt was not required to plea to the charge since the prosecutor, Inspector Arwin Moore requested that the matter remain indictable.

As the prosecutor explained, there is footage from the store’s CCTV camera which puts the defendant, who was not wearing any mask at the time, at the scene of the crime.

Moore further said that Kurt is wanted by the police in ‘A’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ Divisions for similar crimes.

Not waiting to hear more, the Chief Magistrate remanded Kurt to prison until November 17, on the grounds of public safety.

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Epileptics are not ‘demon-possessed’ GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

-- Foundation urges persons with condition to see a doctor and not religious leader

By Tajeram Mohabir NOT much is often heard about epilepsy in Guyana, largely because it is not a condition that is endemic here, and the cases that do occur, seldom if ever, gain the spotlight except in cases that result in death.

Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain, and according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is characterised by recurrent seizures, which are brief episodes of involuntary movement.

It may involve a part of the body or the entire body and sometimes, it is accompanied by the loss of consciousness and the control of bowel or bladder functions.

The WHO explains that the seizure episodes are as a result of excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells, and pointed out that different parts of the brain can be the site of such discharges.

Seizures can vary from brief to severe and prolonged convulsions and in terms of frequency, can vary from one per year to several per day.

One seizure is not an indication of epilepsy since about 10 per cent of people worldwide have one seizure in their lifetime, the WHO said, elaborating that the condition is evident when a person experiences two or more unprovoked attacks.

These often result in temporary loss of awareness and disturbances of movement, sensation, mood or other cognitive factors.

In Guyana, while there are a number of cases, there is no national data collection on epilepsy, even though the condition affects both the young and old.

And when it happens, it could be a temporary knockout blow.

Christopher France, 23, told then Guyana Chronicle that his first seizure occurred when he was 13, the second at 20, followed by multiple occurrences.

On most of these both occasions, he could vaguely remember what happened to him.

“I cannot fully remember what happened, during the last attack I was in bed and I fell asleep following the attack and when I woke up, I had another attack, and I fell asleep again.”

For La Quanza Williams, a dental student at the University of Guyana (UG), her experience was a little worst.

WOKE UP IN HOSPITAL “One month ago I was in Church’s Chicken eating ice-cream when I suffered an attack. All was going well

when I felt light-headed, my vision started to get blurred and all I could remember after was that I fell to the ground.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital,” related Williams.

That was one of several attacks she had suffered since she experienced her first in 2015.

France said his experiences drove him to join the Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana, an organisation founded by Dr Thomas Singh, a professor of economics at the University of Guyana (UG), who was an epileptic in his younger days.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana was formed in

spirits.

Sara Scott, who is a director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana, said the “evil” or “demonic” possession belief is not the only myth associated with epilepsy.

“The majority of people do not know how to handle epilepsy cases. There is a very common remedy that people believe would work, and this involve putting a spoon in the mouth of people who are getting a seizure. This could do more harm than good to the affected person since there is great danger in this, in that the affected person can suffer damage to the teeth or choke on the spoon.”

Both Scott and France,

Ptolemy Reid Centre Rehabilitation Officer, Cynthia Massay

UG medical student, Sara Scott

Dental student, La Quanza Williams

attached to it.

Unlike what some people believe, he said the illness is not a mental health issue but a neurological condition with common symptoms which include fidgeting, shaking, staring into space, repetitive movements, inattentiveness and daydreaming.

abnormalities and severe head injury.

Treatment in Guyana is not always easy. From time to time there are shortages of anti-epilepsy drugs, and with only one neurologist in Guyana, cases are tended to by general physicians who dispense treatment to the best of their ability.

France, Scott and Dr Mootoo told this publication that the local health system is not well-equipped to treat epilepsy cases, and that the Epilepsy Foundation has been making diligent efforts to help affected persons.

Early detection of epilepsy is essential to avoiding an attack and the Foundation will soon be acquiring an Electroencephalography (EEG) machine to help in this regard.

The machine will be the first in Guyana.

This aside, the foundation has been able to get a US neurologist to come here and treat affected persons, as well as train health personnel to handle epilepsy cases.

It is also in the process of establishing a data base of epilepsy cases in Guyana, and in the meantime members have established a social networking group, which facilitates the sharing of information and advice among affected persons.

In addition, the Foundation has been visiting schools and other organisations to raise awareness about epilepsy.

On their part, both France and Williams told Guyana Chronicle that they have been able to cope with the illness through the support of their families and friends and taking their mediations as prescribed by their doctors.

France, who is a director of the Foundation, also advised that persons who suffer epilepsy attacks must seek professional help.

“When you get an attack, it is best in the interest of your health that you call your doctor and not your pastor,” he urged.

IMPINGEMENT

University of Guyana (UG) medical student, Christopher France, taking his medication during a period of study(Tajeram Mohabir photo)

2014, and since coming on stream it has been at the forefront in advocating for care and treatment of persons with epilepsy, as well as raising awareness of the illness.

France also pointed out that aside from better care and more awareness on epilepsy, central to the work of the foundation is the dispelling of some of the myths associated with the illness.

“People still believe that persons with epilepsy are demon-possessed or mad, and some instead of taking these persons for medical attention, they are taken to religious leaders, which is really unhelpful,” he lamented.

Because of the gross lack of awareness, some people with epilepsy are neglected by their family, who believe that they are possessed by evil

who are final year UG medical students, explained that people at the time of the attack do not have control of their movements, and if they happen to bite their tongue, they might choke on their blood.

To prevent such eventuality, the medical students noted that it is advisable that affected persons be put on their side, pointing out that if they do bit their tongues, the blood will seep through at the side of their mouth.

DO NOT HOLD DOWN “Holding down an epileptic person is never advisable since it can result in injuries, fractures and dislocations.

What is advisable is that the surroundings of a person suffering an attack should be cleared, especially of any sharp object and body of wa-

ter,” France said.

In recent years, there have been cases of epileptics drowning.

In June 2012, Harry Booday of Lima Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, drowned in his flooded yard after suffering a seizure, and in September 2015, Romona Thomas, a mother of two, also drowned in the Lower Pomeroon River when she suffered an attack while washing clothes.

France emphasised that epileptic attacks should not be taken lightly. He advised that if the shaking and seizures last for more than five minutes, the ambulance should be summoned as the patient’s condition at that time will require medical attention.

This, he said is necessary for the good health of the patient, even as he pointed out that epilepsy is a condition with probably the most myths

In students, the condition may impinge on their learning depending on how it is treated, Cynthia Massay, a rehabilitation officer at the Ptolemy Reid Centre said, while noting that it does not affect the capacity of the learner.

“In fact, some of the people who are affected are well-educated people. The problem we have is, that schools tend to avoid accepting epilepsy students and this happens mainly because parents and teachers know little about epilepsy, and as such, they do not know how to respond to these cases. It is for this reason that the education of the affected child is delayed,” Massay said.

The Ptolemy Reid Centre helps in the treatment of persons with epilepsy as well as other forms of disability, and teaches parents and educators of ways to tackle the condition. Treatment is also provided at hospitals and some health centres.

Since the formation of the Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana, more than 100 cases have been referred to doctors both at private and public health institutions.

Some of these patients are treated by Dr Malika Mootoo, who said the majority of them are children, and some of the cases are severe.

Epilepsy is not contagious, and the condition that affects most people is called idiopathic epilepsy which has no identifiable cause. Symptomatic epilepsy on the other hand has identifiable causes and these include brain damage from prenatal injuries, congenital

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Get it right from start GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

–– former TT energy minister offers advice on Petroleum Bill

By Vanessa Braithwaite FORMER Minister of Energy of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) Kevin Ramnarine said the draft Petroleum Commission Bill should be revised to lessen the power of the subject minister over the Petroleum Commission and to build public confidence in that agency.

Ramnarine was at the time addressing businesspersons at the Linden Enterprise Network on Monday.

He based his advice on his experience in the energy sector and on the mistakes made by his own government which have resulted in State-owned energy company Petrotrin being bankrupt.

He commended the government for drafting the 28 page bill which is presently before a Special Select Parliamentary Committee, but stated that it should be made right from the start, since not doing so will create permanent problems.

“It’s a piece of work that they have done… it is one of the most important pieces of law that will ever be passed in this country… if you get it wrong from the start it is very likely that you will get it wrong all together, it is better you get it right from day one,” he said.

Ramnarine also said that it is paramount that the commission be instituted earliest since it is less than three years since Exxon will commence oil production and in doing so, the government should remember that accountability should be given priority since the oil belongs to the people.

The bill proposes that Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman will appoint the board which includes nine members and a commissioner but the commissioner cannot vote.

Ramnarine, however, suggested that the minister should appoint the board and the board should appoint the commissioner.

should have qualifications in law.”

The bill also proposes that out of the nine directors, one should be a member of the Opposition, which should also be appointed by the minister.

Ramnarine proposes that the bill should state that the member of the Opposition should be appointed on the advice of the Opposition Leader.

Former TT Energy Minister, Kevin Ramnarine The secretary of the board will also be appointed by the minister. Ramnarine however stated that the secretary should be an attorney-at law.

“I do not see that in the Act, this is a board that is running a petroleum commission that will command 60 per cent of the Guyana economy in the near future, so the bill should therefore say, there shall be a corporate secretary and the corporate secretary

MINIMISE CONFLICT “What we are trying to do is to minimise conflict… and it creates tension in society, it has to legislate for that not to happen,” he posited, adding that rather than a member of civil society or academia be added to the board, it should be from both sectors of society.

He also proposed that a member of the Guyana Lands and Survey and the Environmental Protection

Agency should sit on the board, thus making it more effective.

In addition to the membership, Ramnarine further suggested that the life of the board should be more than one year.

“I would give the board a longer term; I would give the board, maybe three or five years.” The commission, he said should not be micro-managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and should be given the needed autonomy to function effectively.

Former Minister Ramnarine encouraged the government to make sure credibility is given precedence since public trust of the commission is paramount in addition to it earning the respect of the international oil and gas companies.

The energy expert articulated that Guyana has a chance to start on a clean slate and should use this to study the many oil pro-

ducing companies in the world and to use each performance to decide where the country should be; whether it should be close to Norway, one of the leading oil producing companies in the world, or closer to Venezuela, which is currently experiencing an economic crises.

The six-part Petroleum Commission Bill has 51 sections which cover areas pertaining to the establishment and incorporation of the Petroleum Commission, functions and duties of the Commission, and financing among others.

The Bill makes provision for the establishment of a Petroleum Commission to serve as a regulatory agency for Guyana’s oil and gas industry.

The establishment of a new regulatory agency will see the responsibility being taken from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Administering of HPV Vaccine begins

By Shirley Thomas AS Guyana braces to wage an unrelenting battle against the spread of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) - the virus that causes cervical cancers in women, the Ministry of Public Health on Thursday launched the administering of the HPV Vaccine at Mae’s Primary School, Subryan Ville, Georgetown.

It was part of a massive campaign to be rolled out nationally against HPV. Thursday’s target at Mae’s was 56.

Staff of the Ministry of Public Health and teachers worked well into the afternoon to ensure the target was realised, with the aim of keeping the beneficiaries out of harm’s way, even as many wailed for fear of the needles.

The vaccine is being administered to girls aged 9 to 13 year, but technically can be given to girls 9 to 26 years old said Medex Charleen Howard Mohabir, Maternal and Child Health Regional Supervisor, adding that plans are on the cards for boys too, to be immunised against the virus in the future.

Mohabir said that health care providers will be visiting the schools within the respective communities and holding discussions with the teachers, as well as children, in order to allay any fears they might have.

She stressed the importance of putting them at ease, since in order to give them the vaccine the children have to be calm.

She said in its communication sessions, health workers ensure that they tell the nation about the virus: How it is transmitted; the dangers associated with it; its effects as well as the

A father tries to console his daughter as her turn comes around to be vaccinated (Samuel Maughn photo)

side effects; and how to respond.

Expressing her thoughts about the day’s exercise, Medex Mohabir said that even though the day’s target was 56, they anticipate that when they visit the public schools, the numbers will be significantly more.

“But we are all energised and fuelled up to work with teachers and parents,” she as-

sured.

More than 36,000 girls between the ages of nine and 16 years are targeted to be immunised with the HPV vaccine following the re-launch of the HPV immunisation campaign.

This was made known to journalists at a press conference by health officials from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Ministry of Public Health.

PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow said that the main purpose of the HPV vaccine is to prevent cervical cancer. The vaccine also protects against genital warts in both females and males.

Dr. Morris Edwards explained that, based on research dated 2003 to 2012, it has been found that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Guyana and that that research has shown that for the period 2003 to 2012, there have been more than 6,500 cancer diagnoses.

The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with Merck Sharp and Dhome (MSD), a few weeks ago, relaunched the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination project, to guard against cervical cancer in Guyana, said to be one the most prevalent cancers around.

Phoenix Recovery Project coordinator passes on A PALL of gloom has descended on the Mon Repos-based Phoenix Recovery Project as a result of the death of its coordinator, Clarence Young, who died on Tuesday night in the United States, where he had travelled recently to seek further medical attention.

The untimely demise of this Trinidad-native is being seen as a great blow to the project, which he founded when he migrated from his homeland many years ago, following his own `success story’ from substance abuse.

So successful was his inroads in helping drug addicts both young and old, that the programme was in 2011 conferred with one

of this country’s national awards, the Medal of Service (MS).

Clarence Young

There were many success stories from the lips of those who had once lost their way to drug abuse and

addictions, but benefitted from the experience and guidance which brought them back on their feet.

A Facebook tribute from the Board and Directors stated that Young had left the land of his birth to fulfill a promise to Natalie Stephenson, to commence a drug recovery programme in 1995. That stay saw him working at places such as Prashad’s Hospital and Salvation Army, Tiger Bay, Hadfield Street and Plaisance.

It was in 2006 that he opened Phoenix as his first in-house programme, which to date is the only programme that currently caters for female drug addicts. (Wendella Davidson)

Guyana Energy Agency under investigation

RANKS of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) on Thursday visited the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and departed with several boxes of files and records around 10:20 hours following a search there.

The visit was made in connection with a forensic audit on the agency’s operation by the Ministry of the Presidency, which allegedly pointed to instances of malpractices and mismanagement regarding the purchase of fuel.

Head of SOCU Sydney James said a warrant for the search was obtained from a City magistrate on Thursday and GEA head Dr Mahender Sharma and other staff were cooperating with investigators.

Pensioner killed in Zeeburg accident A 65-YEAR-OLD cyclist is dead and a motorcar driver in police custody following an accident at Zeeburg Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD) Thursday night.

Dead is Latchman Khemraj, a watchman of Zeeburg North, WCD. Reports indicate that the driver of motorcar PVV 6310 was heading eastward along the northern side of the road when he collided with the pensioner.

Khemraj was pronounced dead at the Lenora Cottage Hospital. The driver of the motorcar was identified as

The vehicle that was involved in the deadly accident Thursday night (Rabindra Rooplall Photo)

Davendra Gendalall. Results of a breathalyser test conducted on him found that his was above the legal limit.

Gendalall reportedly

told relatives he only had four beers and while driving the cyclist rode in front of the vehicle resulting in the fatal accident.

Wanted bulletin issued for Leon Allister

Police have issued a wanted bulletin for Leon Allister for questioning in relation to simple larceny committed on Alwin Lewis and escape from lawful custody.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Leon Allister, 24, of 2494 Tuschen Housing

Wanted: Leon Allister

Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-1389, 227-2128, 226-7065, 225-2227, 225-0575, 911 or the nearest police station.

The police said all information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Cancer survivors honoured

By Nafeeza Yahya

AS part of Cancer Awareness Month, RD Production through the, “I’m a big deal empowerment and beauty pageant”, in partnership with Nand Persaud Charity Foundation honoured five cancer survivors in Berbice.

The event was held at the St. Francis Community Developers Headquarters, in Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant and saw the survivors treated to a luncheon and presented with hampers compliments of Sterling Products Limited.

The delegates, who are part of the inaugural “I’m a big deal” pageant slated for November 18, 2017 at the Albion Sports Complex used the opportunity to help raise awareness of the disease and encouraged those present to focus on their health and look for early signs that may save their lives.

Audrey Morris, a nurse attached to the Guyana Can-

cer Foundation in her very informative and interactive presentation encouraged women to practice regular self-examinations and demonstrated the various methods used to help identify lumps and other warning sings.

Morris explained that with early detection, the chances of saving lives are greater since medical personnel can try to control and in many cases isolate and remove the disease before it spreads and becomes life-threatening.

“Your health is in your hands,” she told those gathered.

Breast cancer survivor Tessa Johnson-Rose, 51, in her passionate presentation

Four of the survivors who were honoured as part of Cancer Awareness Month

Region Five fisherfolk get concrete tarmac

By Clifford Stanley

FISHERMEN docking at the Abary sluice after fishing in the Atlantic are now benefiting from a spacious concrete tarmac built by the Region Five Administration to help them conduct their operations on site without discomfort during rainy weather.

docking post for over 35 fishing vessels and was an area where fish vendors and fish exporters would frequent to purchase from fishermen.

“This has been and continues to be a very busy point of sale for catches,” he said.

The administration had observed that the area had usually been in a deplor-

the regional administration decided to build the tarmac close to the docking area and requested the required sum of money from Central Government in its 2017 budget.

Ve t e r a n f i s h e r m a n Dyal also known as “Dow” was high in praise of the initiative.

“We have over one hundred fishermen op-

The recently constructed tarmac at Abary, Region Five that was built for fisherfolk of the region

Regional Engineer Dhanpaul Sukha disclosed that the tarmac was completed to the tune of $9.3M under the administration’s capital programme for Region Five for 2017.

He explained that the regional administration had observed that the sluice at the Abary River mouth had been the

able state when it rains.

“It got muddy after rainfall. Vehicles going to the docking area either got bogged down or found it impossible to get there, thereby making life difficult for all concerned at these times. The aesthetics of the area during the rainy season had left much to be desired,” he said.

Against this backdrop,

erating from this sluice.

This thing is nice. Excellent. Before this when the rain fall we used to have to fetch the fish for a long distance to get to the buyers. This is something we needed for the longest while.

All the fishermen here are happy about this project by the region. No complaints,” he said.

spoke of the challenges she faced after she was diagnosed.

After being told she can never get pregnant, she was able to defy the odds and is now the mother of two healthy baby boys.

“When I was diagnosed I was told I would never have children or if I have children they wouldn’t be normal. I went against all odds and I asked and begged even one child at least if I should die in the process well I die, if I die when my child is born something will be left to be reminded of me. I was given a year off treatment to try, I got pregnant when I was four months pregnant, I start to lose the baby and when I

went to the doctor they told me prepare myself to get the baby but the baby won’t live and I asked the doctor can you do anything and they said all they can do is suture up the uterus … that worked and I was able to deliver at nine months. Having cancer is not a death sentence, with the right approach, you can beat it,” the proud mother said.

The survivors shared their stories about their battle with the dreaded disease that affects hundreds of men and women in Guyana.

Globally cancer is responsible for one in six deaths and is the second leading causes of death worldwide.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Juke Ross releases moving video

--for new ‘Shadows in the Dark’ track Just like “Colour Me”, “Shadows in the Dark” is also a simple song, depending mostly on the melody of Ross’ vocals, backed by his guitar. And as has been pointed out before, “It’s in this simplicity that

LOCAL songster Juke Ross earlier this week released a video to go along with his latest single, “Shadows in the Dark”, which has been getting nothing but high praise since its release some two weeks ago, leaving fans and critics continuing to sing the gospel of big things in store for Ross and his music.

In the video, the 23-year-old, in what is fast becoming his signature style, sits with his guitar in his ever-present baseball cap and belts out a touching, abstract tune.

“Shadows in the Dark is about a lingering sad-

ness fueled by loss,” Ross said in an interview with Pigeons and Planes.

It’s also about “A realisation of not only loss, but despair, and a second surrendering; surrendering to be saved by what’s lost,” he said, adding: “I just wanted to write a song that would make me feel less sad. There’s no way I could’ve felt immediately happy, and so, less sad would have to do.”

Described as “one of the most cinematic songs”, the poignant track grips listeners from the get-go, as Ross stays true as the emotional singer that everyone came to know him as with his hit single, “Colour Me”.

Ross’ musicianship shines.”

He truly glows in this one.

“Days of old we spend the night light the spliff to ease the fight sit around and drift away wake right up and start again,” reads the first verse

of the simple, yet passionate song.

“Catch me now as I fall too deep catch me now as my soul is weak catch me now in my darkest days catch me now before I

lose my ways,” the vocalist pleads towards the end of the song.

“Shadows in the Dark” is the first song to be released since Ross, whose real name is Hubert Norville, signed with Republic Records earlier this year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Youth, age and the dictates of civilization THIS article was inspired

by Ruel Johnson’s piece on ‘Youth in Politics’ carried in the October 10, 2017 edition of the Guyana Chronicle that puts the spotlight on the prejudices of ‘Ageism’, though the article in itself is an analogy of the evolution of young people in local politics.

This was compounded by the appointment of Justice Patterson to the Chair of GECOM, about whose age much has been said.

Four years ago I marvelled at Irving Kahn, the American investor and philanthropist, who, at 106, was still running his New York City family business.

He would pass away on February 24, 2015 at the ripe old age of 109, so I have a different take on the age issue.

My father was around 39 when he told me: “Stupid, wicked and scampish people does grow old, so old ain’t always wisdom.

“And some young people born stupid, and gon dead stupid, so don’t be one ah dem.” That, at an early age, defined my take on the question of age.

The first person to discuss Egyptology with me, and introduce me to Cheikh Anta Diop, one of the greatest minds of modern Africa, was one Mr H.H. Nicholson.

I took a while to read that book. Nicholson was in his mid-80s at the time, I believe.

He donated his home and collection of African art to create the first and still only African museum of Guyana.

By comparison, the example of Bharrat Jagdeo, who was thrown into power by, in my opinion, a very bitter Mrs Janet Jagan. Nicknamed ‘De Lil Bwoy’, Jagdeo was young, brash and proved a tremendous disaster for this country. I need not elaborate; and he does not stand alone on modern history’s stage. Pol Pot, Napoleon, Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin were all young men whose problem lay in defying the values that allowed them to rise to prominence; to project ideas that were in defiance of the foundations on which they stood.

PASSIONS OF POPULARITY The dragon of the ego belched forth the passions of popularity that consumes reason, logic and the uncom-

fortable acceptance of an alternative external position.

To some extent, both young Burnham and Jagan committed errors that could have been avoided, had they advisers that were not colonials but were previously nation builders.

Jagan’s governance did bankrupt the colony, and Burnham’s ideological heroism brought us to our knees.

It took the political elder at that point, Desmond Hoyte, to resurrect Guyana, and ‘De Lil Bwoy’, Bharrat, to undo it all within a decade.

Some years ago, Raphael Trotman suggested the formation of a Council of Elders.

That idea coincided with the one I had about recording personalities in culture as well as social trends. In Guyana, we do not document our his-

tory as it unfolds; that is why crooks and charlatans are able to lie and convince good people. We live in a different age today: Our seniors are healthier, their minds are sharp, and they’re physically fit enough.

Llewellyn John, at 93, is still winning cases. Imagine that! Scientists are predicting that with the health knowledge available, humans can last say at least 150 years, but the stress of living is killing most of us at a young age.

The concerns about Justice Patterson has little to do with age; the lamentations are political, and rest with the double agendas of the public opinion mirage-makers of our time in business and politics.

But to get back to considerations of the national knowledge-base of documenting our senior human

resources, much has still to be done for the archives etc, though measures are being put in place for centres of special research.

The president’s former residence is being prepared in that respect; the process has to be widened further, also to all edutainment dimensions.

KREOLE DAY In 2012, on the 200th Anniversary of Georgetown, I presented a concept called “Kreole Day” to the steering committee of ACDA. With no resources but the amicable collaboration of the then Mayor and other sympathetic ears, we pulled it off, showcasing craft, fashion and artworks. There was a TV programme, and Mayor Hamilton Green was invited. He took the programme

over through his contribution that consisted of his detailed knowledge about the development of modern Georgetown.

I and my colleagues were intrigued. My next encounter was last year when, for the first time, I had a friendly group chat with Oscar Clarke at the Skeldon Energy Inc. Office. He related some diplomatic engagements that Burnham had in Russia, and some of his own experiences as Home Affairs Minister.

Again, I panicked. Are these episodes documented to prevent a young Guyana to not try to reinvent the wheel, through a wealth of functional knowledge?

Next was my buddy Ronald Austin, veteran diplomat.

The things I learn from these gentlemen further empowered my national awareness, and

damn my hopelessness that I’m unable to finance both electronic and physical documentations.

The question of age that has been brought to the fore unveils an imbalance in our understanding of how the First World nations stay ahead. America, The UK, China, Singapore, South Africa, Brazil and Canada are separated from their knowledge-base of elders only through death. And by then they would have documented all that is needed to be known.

A close friend from West Ruimveldt, who was like family, passed recently. Her eldest daughter sat with me and complained about anomalies in employment in Canada where she now lives.

THAT’S LIFE “It’s not fair, Barry; they’re not employing the young graduates who’ve got student loans to pay. They’re employing senior guys because of their experience,” she said.

I sheepishly shrugged my shoulders, because, if tomorrow I have the finance to serve the global market with my graphic art magazines, and I need inking and colourists with a knowledge of best paper preferences, resources in licensing to other language audiences with a knowledge of Who’s Who to connect the dots, who am I going to engage? The University graduate or the proven graduate of the industry?

There’s a thing called ‘cropping’ during wartime, where newly arrived officers with the arrogance of military academy are allowed to pick up the apparent souvenir enemy general’s ceremonial hat left casually. The new officer is allowed to eagerly reach for it. His own veteran subordinates are aware that it is most likely booby trapped.

They do this to prevent him from inevitably getting them killed.

So, yes youth! Embodying the future must be involved in politics; they must be tutored in its written and non-fiction oral history. They must understand why they must beware the ‘Greeks bearing gifts’, thus they must read the relevant Homer, and know to be careful who you dine with.

The best people to teach you this are the chefs of yesterday, who are here today with half a century’s wisdom to tell the myriad tale.

Ed Sheeran approves

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

--of Taylor Swift’s new boyfriend (US Weekly) The stamp of approval! Taylor Swift has stayed mum about her relationship with boyfriend Joe Alwyn, but her close friend, Ed Sheeran has plenty of kind words for his fellow ‘Brit’.

“He’s really nice,” the “Shape of You” singer, 26,

said of the Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk actor, also 26, during an interview on the Capital London Breakfast Show on Thursday. “Really, really friendly; really good dude,” he added.

Sheeran knows this because he recently spent some time with Swift, 27, while

she was in the U.K. “We’re in touch quite a fair bit, you know,” he explained. “She’s been in London quite a bit as well.”

Though it is unclear when the pop star began dating Alwyn, their romance first made headlines in May. “They have quite a low-

key relationship, which Taylor likes,” a source recently told Us Weekly, adding that Swift and her beau are “very much in love.”

Swift has been slowly emerging into the spotlight again, ahead of the November 10 release of her sixth album, Reputation. “I think the songs are great,” Sheeran dished on Thursday.

“She’s really putting everything into the visuals as well. The visuals are really

impressive. I think people will like the album!”

Some of the 10-time Grammy winner’s other pals have also shared their opinion of the highly anticipated record. “It’s honestly so inspiring,” Selena Gomez told Beats 1 Radio’s Zane Lowe on Wednesday. “It’s really cool to surround yourself with people and be involved with people who are inspiring and changing the way that they dictate what they love,

whether it’s acting or music.

And she’s one of those people who will continue to do that,” she added.

The “Look What You Made Me Do” singer’s BFF Abigail Lucier echoed similar sentiments. “The old Taylor might be dead, but the new Taylor is well worth the wait,” she wrote on Instagram on Thursday.

“November 10…Ready for it?”

Popcaan fans up in arms

--accuse Alkaline of copying their idol (DancehallHipHop.com) Alkaline is being accused of stealing Popcaan‘s flow for his new song, “Hard Tackle.”

Dancehall HipHop reported this week that Alkaline’s new song, “Hard Tackle” is the top trending dancehall song on YouTube.

The anti-haters anthem was released last Saturday, and already it’s stirring up some controversies with Popcaan fans going on the attack, claiming that the Vendetta boss bites his style from his 2016 hustle anthem, “Nah Idle”.

Poppy injected a catchy line in the chorus, “You cyaa just a idle, a idle, a idle, a idle / Granny tell mi say yo mouth need waan bible.”

Fans are comparing that line to Alkaline’s chorus, “That’s why me say hard tackle, hard tackle, hard tackle, hard tackle / Life every day is a hard battle.”

Listening to the two songs, you will hear a dis-

tinct difference, but the Unruly fans are adamant that their artist’s style was used by the Vendetta leader.

Alkaline fans are pushing back, saying he would never copy Popcaan or any artist.

“Alkaline on a different level from everyone, and that is the truth about this music and some Jamaica people they are so fool,” one fan wrote. “Alkaline do everything in is own way to

please his self and the Vendetta families who show him love in everything that he do in music.”

Some fans are saying that there are more similarities between “Hard Tackle” and an old Mavado song, “Gun Battle” than with Popcaan’s “Nah Idle”.

In fact, Popcaan was widely criticised by Vendetta fans last year for stealing Alkaline’s “New Level Unlocked”.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Seen Up, Stitchie Vybz Machine and Blue Flame.

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Join the Massy Stores Team as they participate in the Breast Cancer Walk, in collaboration with the Cancer Institute of Guyana!

There’ll be tee-shirts on sale at Massy Stores for $2000, or you can purchase yours at the Cancer Institute.

The team is assembling at Parade Ground, so look out for their banner!

The Digicel Curried Duck Festival will sizzle this weekend at 63 Beach, Corentyne where there will be over $1M to be won!

See performances by Sally Sagram and Jumo, with music by Crown Vibes! Admission’s free!

IT’S the weekend before Halloween, and while Halloween is not a Guyanese festival, over the years it’s been gaining a lot of traction.

And now, Guyanese party goers look forward to the scare-filled parties every year! This year, the parties are going to be as plentiful and as varied as they are going to be scary!

We’ll also be seeing the rise of our regular Caribbean culture being entwined in the mix! There’s a j’ouvert party, there’s going to be Game of Thrones themes, Walking Dead, and even a little carnival!

And when it’s not scary, it’s going to be sexy! But of course, Hallaween isn’t the only thing that November is known for, and the breast cancer awareness activities also continue with Massy Stores organising a walk for this Sunday.

Also on this Sunday will be Digicel’s annual Duck Curry Competition at 63 Beach, way up on the Corentyne.

TODAY

As usual, there’s the Jamaican After-work Lime at the Tower Suites Poolside tonight!

Bucket specials on Red Stripe Beer and Dragon Stout to go alongside the extensive line-up of Jamaican cuisine, just the way it’s made in Jam Yard.

It’s also Giftland’s first Halloween Costume Party, and it’s going to be a “Carnival Circus Costume Party” at the Giftland Entertainment Strip!

You can expect live performances by Shal Marshall and Behold the Jury! The event will also feature a haunted house, carnival games, fire breathers, Halloween treats, sweets, drink specials and so much more! Music by Marcus XBass, SmiDJit, DJ Eon Black and DJ King Keev! Tickets: $2000.

Get ready for “Blood Rain”!

On the night before Thriller, Pulse Entertainment in collaboration with the GMR&SC will drench you in “Blood Rain”. The first ever Halloween J’Ouvert Party in Guyana at the GMR&SC parking lot.

So, after work today, get dressed down ‘cause we’re painting the GMR&SC parking lot in BLOOD! Get Free fangs and other party props on entry! Play Blood J’Ouvert through the night to the sinister mixes of Count Energy, Counts Ryan, Anisha and Shizzle! Tickets: $1500.

TOMORROW

The Aura Bar & Lounge will be filled with exciting music from top DJs and enticing Halloween costumes to help you get your scare on as they present “Glamour and Gore”!

Party starts from 22:00hrs! Early-bird tickets: $2000.

Get ready for the scariest event of the year as Club 704 presents, “The Walking Dead: Halloween Party”!

Pulse Entertainment presents “Thriller 2017: Seven Kingdoms and the Iron Throne”, dubbed the sexiest Halloween costume party ever at Palm Court and District Ultra Lounge!

This year’s is one like no other with two epic locations. Choose which side of the wall your’e on!

Bow to the Night King beyond the wall and party with the giants, the living dead and the wildlings; or journey through the Seven Kingdoms and sit on the Iron Throne and meet the high powers that be!

All costumes allowed! Early-bird tickets, $3000; VIP, $8,000.

LUST EWS brings to you “Role Play: The Sexiest Lingerie, Costume Event in the Country” at the Blue Iguana Sports Bar at the corner of Fifth and Light Streets, Alberttown!

Walk with an adventurous attitude, an open mind, and get ready for a sexy night! Tickets: $2000.

It’s “Make-up and Magaritas” at Java Coffee Bar, where professional make-up artists will create your Halloween Fantasy, Halloween Margarita and bomb specials all night, and scary good shots & food specials!

592Tees is doing it BIG, presenting “Reggae in D’ Yard” at the Courtyard Mall!

With the purchase of a ticket to “Reggae In D’ Yard”, patrons receive $1200 in store credit.

Come out and enjoy live music from A.C.E.D the band, Tennicia De Freitas, and DJ Mix Master Tony.

SUNDAY

Selector Face Cordel and the Mango Lane team presents Grill Sunday at Mango Lane, East Ruimveldt, starting from 13:00hrs! Music and entertainment by Selector Face and

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Bramble and Hemraj stabilise Jaguars batting on day one

By Rajiv Bisnauth

HALF-centuries from Anthony Bramble and Chanderpaul Hemraj along with a composed 45 from Sherfane Rutherford put the Guyana Jaguars in a promising position at the end of day one of their first round Professional Cricket League (PCL) fourday game against the Jamaica Scorpions.

When play ended yesterday at the National Stadium, Providence, the new-look Guyana Jaguars line-up recovered well to close on 258-8.

From a position of 150-6, Bramble (62) and Rutherford put the Jaguars in complete command by the end of the day with a seventh-wicket stand of 83 runs. Hemraj had earlier made an unruffled 60.

When play began the Scorpions captain Paul Palmer won the toss and elected to field under overcast skies, a decision which saw both openers, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Rajendra Chandrika struggled initially after they chose to adopt a cautious start.

However, the left-handed Chanderpaul got the innings

going in the fifth over with the first boundary when he whipped pacer, Derval Green, through square leg. On the other hand, the right-handed Chandrika gradually grew in confidence, and cut Jason Dawes for his first boundary, before dispatching Green for three sweetly-timed boundaries.

But the overcast conditions would have encouraged Palmer to continue with pace at one end, which eventually created the breakthrough when Green (2-60), had Chandrika caught behind in the 17th over after spending 71 minutes at the crease.

Chanderpaul Hemraj joined his Everest Cricket Club teammate, and began fluently, but after batting 105 minutes and facing 78 balls, the young Chanderpaul was taken at first slip off left-arm wrist spinner Dennis Bulli (2-52), two overs before lunch.

Guyana reached the interval at 65-2, with Hemraj on 22 and Johnson on two. With a new-look Jaguars’ line-up, there was extra responsibility on the pair.

They responded to the task

somewhat, putting together 45 runs for the third-wicket and in the process played some elegant strokes before Johnson’s 44-ball innings was undone by a straight ball from off-spinner Damani Sewell, who was the most successful bowler with 3-69.

Bhaskar Yadram then departed, bowled by Bulli without scoring, at 101-4. Thereafter, Anthony Bramble teamed up with Hemraj, and the duo settled down into cruise mode, rotating the strike and picking up the odd boundary before the left-handed Hemraj, who had earlier hit six fours and a six off Bulli, brought up his second fifty at this level in 126 minutes, facing 89 balls.

However, Sewell claimed the wicket of Hemraj after Garth Garvey held on to a wonderful catch at silly midoff. His innings lasted for 101 balls, 179 minutes, inclusive of seven fours and a six.

Keemo Paul accompanied Bramble, and signaled his intention straight away, hitting Sewell’s first-ball for six, but seven balls later he edged Green to wicket-keeper Romaine Morrison, at 150-6.

Notwithstanding the mid-innings wobble, the threetimes defending champions remain firmly in control with Bramble and Sherfane Rutherford at the crease.

Bramble started the final session in aggressive mood, hitting three stylish boundaries off Green in the first over after the interval.

However, the duo interspersed moments of rare aggression with periods of watchful defence, and during that period, Bramble registered his sixth fifty off 95 balls before Dawes (1-32), broke the partnership when he removed Bramble, who faced 122 balls in 165 minutes at the crease.

At that point, Rutherford continued to build his innings, but was bowled by Sewell just before the close. His innings spanned 150 minutes, 105 balls with six fours.

Romario Shepherd, who survived a chance on the final delivery off Sewell, along with Veerasammy Permaul, will resume today. The Jaguars omitted Akshaya Persaud and Anthony Adams from their 13-man squad. Play resumes today at 09:30hrs.

Beckles wants end to self-serving Windies player principles

UWI Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles has called for an end to individual players choosing self over the interests of

representing the region.

With the advent of increasing and lucrative Twenty20 leagues across the world, there has often emerged a conflict of interest for the region’s most talented players as international engagements often conflict with the competitions.

It is hoped that recent reworked legislation by Cricket West Indies(CWI), aimed at ameliorating the situation, will soon bear fruit, but Beckles believes a part of the change must also come from the Windies players themselves.

“Can you imagine in Australia, in England, in India, the selectors picking a team of their eleven best players and four or five of them say: ‘I am

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not available because I have other matches to play’.

Because those are societies that take the citizenship seriously, the nation takes its identity seriously and the citizen represents the nation.

The nation, of course, has the conversation with the citizens and this is where we Caribbean people are at,” Beckles said at the official opening of the Sagicor UWI High Performance Centre at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex.

For his part, Beckles a noted cricket historian claims he had encouraged Windies captain Jason Holder to encourage the next generation of players to put regional pride ahead of their own self-in-

terest.

“Each time I meet with Jason Holder, I always say one thing to him: ‘Lead, lead your generation, talk to them, and find the balance between maximizing your income and representing your nation’.

You cannot have young men who walk out of the team and cherry-pick when they are going to play from when they are not going to play,” Beckles said.

“We are the only team that does not put our best eleven cricketers to represent the nation because the citizen sees himself as superior to the society, that his personal cause is superior to the cause of his country.”(Sportsmax)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Women’s Ashes series

Australia seal second ODI win over England AUSTRALIA took a fourpoint lead in the Women’s Ashes series with a commanding win over England in the second one-day international at Coffs Harbour.

Skipper Rachael Haynes, dropped on 60, hit a career-best 89 in 56 balls as the hosts added 94 in the last 10 overs in their 296-6, having been asked to bat.

England were then handed a revised target of 285 in 46 overs after rain.

But they were bowled out for 209, losing by 75 runs on the DLS method, as Katherine Brunt made a maiden fifty.

Victory each ODI is worth two points, with the final ODI taking place on Sunday at the same venue.

The one-off Test at the North Sydney Oval next month is worth four points, and the series ends with three Twenty20s.

Australia need eight points in the series to retain

Rachael Haynes struck three sixes and nine fours in a stand of 86 with Ellyse Perry

the Ashes.

They were given an excellent platform by openers Nicole Bolton (66) and Alyssa Healy (56), who shared an opening partnership of 98 in 20 overs.

Ellyse Perry survived a return chance to Brunt on 41 and accelerated superbly, particularly strong on the leg side and looking set for a maiden international century before she was smartly stumped by Sarah Taylor for 67 off 76 balls in the 46th

over.

Left-hander Haynes combined powerful hitting down the ground with some deft strokeplay but was badly spilled at deep mid-wicket on 60 by Tammy Beaumont.

Leading from the front in the absence of regular captain Meg Lanning, who will miss the series through injury, Haynes lofted the next ball imperiously down the ground for six in a Brunt over which cost 21.

(BBC Sport)

Pakistan cruise to victory in first T20 PAKISTAN maintained their run of ruthless whiteball performances against Sri Lanka, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 series courtesy of a resounding seven-wicket victory on Thursday.

Sri Lanka were reeling from a 5-0 whitewash in the one-day international rubber and look set for more misery in the shortest form after being rolled out for 102 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Each of Pakistan’s six bowlers claimed at least one wicket as Sri Lanka struggled badly with the bat, run-aball 23s from Sadeera Samarawickrama and Seekkuge Prasanna representing the most significant innings.

Hasan Ali continued

his hot streak with a career-best 3-23 while Usman Khan (2-20) also impressed.

Mohammad Hafeez then followed up his 2-10 with an unbeaten 25 alongside Shoaib Malik (42no off 31) to leave the visitors with much to ponder ahead of the second T20 at the same venue on Friday.

With the last match in the series set to be held in Lahore, a number of Sri Lanka regulars - including captain Upul Tharanga and Lasith Malinga - had opted out of the games due to safety concerns.

Already below full strength, the tone was set for the tourists’ day when Dilshan Munaweera was cleaned up

by Imad Wasim from the third ball of the match, and

Pakistan kept a stranglehold throughout the innings.

Hafeez - still an eligible option despite his action being reported for a third time earlier this month - claimed two victims in the 12th over to leave Sri Lanka tottering ominously on 66-6.

Prasanna did crunch Hafeez for the first of his two maximums in the off-spinner’s next set of six, but that was as good as it got as Hasan and Usman eviscerated the tail.

Sri Lanka claimed the early scalps of Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam to give themselves a glimmer of hope, but the experience of Shoaib and Hafeez saw Pakistan through to another convincing victory.

South Africa beat Bangladesh by 20 runs BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, (Reuters) - Quinton de Kock scored his highest Twenty20 international score of 59 to lead South Africa to a 20-run victory over Bangladesh on Thursday in the first game of the series.

De Kock scored his runs off 44 balls and shared an 79-run partnership with AB de Villiers as South Africa piled up a total of 195 for four after winning the toss.

Bangladesh fell short in their reply, finishing on 175-9 despite a bludgeoning start in which Soumya Sarkar struck 47 off 31 balls before a review had him trapped lbw to Andile Phehlukwayo, who finished with figures of 2-25 off his

four overs.

There were two wickets on his international debut for Robbie Frylinck after a surprise call-up by South Africa for the 33-year-old bowler, including removing Bangladesh captain

Quinton de Kock

Shakib Al Hasan for 13.

The home triumph was built on the second-wicket partnership between De Kock and De Villiers, who added 49 off 27 balls.

Bangladesh threatened to make full use of perfect batting conditions as they started with purpose and were averaging more than 10 runs an over before wickets began to tumble and their run rate was pulled back.

Bangladesh complete their five-week tour with a second T20 international in Potchefstroom on Sunday. They were comprehensively beaten in two tests and hammered by South Africa in the three one-day internationals.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Pakistan’s bus attack hero hails Sri Lanka cricketers’ return LAHORE: Driver Meher Muhammad Khalil became a hero when militants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team bus on a busy street in Lahore in 2009, holding his nerve under gunfire to whisk them to safety.

Eight years later he is ready to welcome Sri Lanka back for militancy-wracked Pakistan’s first cricket match against a top international team since that terrible day.

The bus ambush, in which eight people were killed and eight wounded, including seven Sri Lankan players, drove cricket and most other international sports from Pakistan for years.

But security has now improved, and Sri Lan-

ka agreed Monday to go ahead with its visit to Pakistan this week for a Twenty20 match in Lahore on Sunday , despite fears expressed by some players.

Khalil says the hype surrounding Sri Lanka’s return has sharpened his memories of the assault on the morning of March 3, 2009 as he drove the team to Qaddafi Stadium.

Two elite police vehicles were in front of the bus as he eased on to Liberty roundabout in the heart of Lahore when Pakistani Taliban militants opened fire, spraying bullets along the convoy.

“First I thought it was fireworks for our guest team,” he told AFP, standing in the street where the ambush began.

‘Softball in a new, dispensation bowls off today ... 18 billed for today

By Rajiv Bisnauth DUBBED ‘softball in a new dispensation’, the Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup bowls off today, with 18 games across various venues in Georgetown.

Six games will be played in the Masters’ category while 12 games are slated for the All Stars division.

For the All Stars fixture, six games are billed for the Everest Cricket Club ground, while two games each are scheduled for the YMCA, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and the Malteenoes Cricket Club (MSC) grounds.

For the 09:30hrs games at Everest; Success will play Speedboat (Pitch 1), Spartan opposes Regal (Pitch 2), and Dutch 4 Warriors take on Hillfoot (Pitch 3).

At YMCA, SVC of New York play Farm X1 (Pitch 1) while DeHoop will battle Queens All Stars of New York. The final game for the morning session will see Ross Kill playing Boots at Malteenoes.

In the afternoon session which is set to commence at 13:00hrs, a similar amount of games are scheduled to be played, with Spartan taking on Speedboat, Dutch 4 Warriors playing Regal and Success battling Hillfoot.

Those three games are billed for Everest on Pitch 1, 2 and

3 respectively.

Over at YMCA, SVC will battle Boots while DeHoop and Farm X1 play each other at DCC. Ross Kill and Queens will match skills at Malteenoes.

Meanwhile, in the Masters’ category, two games each will be played at DCC, Malteenoes and GNIC. In the morning from 9:30hrs; Amazon is set to play Enterprise at DCC; Regal opposes HS Masters at Maltenooes and NY Hustlers take on Tropical Spring at GNIC. In the afternoon, Amazon will play Tropical Spring at DCC, Regal battle Enterprise at Malteenoes and NY Hustlers oppose HS Masters at GNIC. The three-day tournament continues tomorrow and concludes on Sunday, with the final to be played at Everest, where $600 000 will be up for grabs in the Open category, while the Masters will vie for the winners’ purse of $500, 000. Both categories will have a runners-up prize of $100,000 as well as trophies.

Lighted bails will be used in the competition and added entertainment will be provided by the Crossover band and cheerleaders during the finals.

The tournament is being played in collaboration with the National Sports Commission.

“Then a man came in front of me (and) fired straight at me with a Kalashnikov... I realized, it’s not fireworks.”

ter airlifted them right out from its grassy pitch.

In the harrowing aftermath, Khalil was awarded medals and given cash prizes

(Flashback): Meher Mohammad Khalil, the bus driver who drove the Sri Lankan cricket team to safety during an attack by gunmen on March 3, poses with his award cheque for 500,00 Pakistan rupees(USD 6,222) following a ceremony in Lahore on March 18 2009 (File photo by AFP..

The militants shot the drivers first, he said, killing the two in the lead vehicles on the spot.

Khalil saw their vehicles skid one to the left and one to the right, opening a path down the center — and then he hit the accelerator. “They fired intensely on the vehicle, and also lobbed a hand grenade and fired a rocket,” he said, but both missed.

He does not remember hitting the brakes, he said, until he had driven the bus right inside Qaddafi Stadium.

A security cordon was thrown up and he and the players stayed there until a Pakistani military helicop-

from grateful Pakistani and Sri Lankan officials.

But Pakistan’s security continued to deteriorate, and the Taliban kept gaining ground.

Khalil’s newfound VIP status just made him a target, he feared, and by the end of the year he had fled the country, first to Morocco then to South Africa.

By 2013, however, he had returned to Pakistan, and once more drives a bus in Lahore.

Pakistan’s fortunes, meanwhile, have improved, with a dramatic uptick in security in recent years, although militants still carry out spectacular attacks.

The growing confidence led to a visit by minnows Zimbabwe in 2015 — a small step in cricket terms, but as the Pakistani national anthem rang out in Qaddafi Stadium for the first time since 2009, a giant leap for home fans.

It was followed by the final this March for the hugely popular Pakistan Super League, where fans held up banners proclaiming “Pakistan wins today.”

And last month a World XI side led by Faf du Plessis visited for three T20 matches, with the foreign players hailing the series as “more than cricket.”

International Crick et Council (ICC) officials acknowledged that Pakistan had made “tremendous strides,” though there was still a long way to go.

The T20 finale comes at the end of a series otherwise played in the United Arab Emirates, where Pakistan have held their “home” internationals since the ambush.

Sri Lanka’s return, officials hope, will represent another turning point.

“See what a brave nation they are,” Khalil said, his eyes glittering. “That this incident happened to them and still that team is coming to play in our country.

“The whole of Pakistan should give them protocol (respect) and welcome them very warmly.”

Sri Lankan officials have said they agreed to the game after assessments by Sri Lankan and Pakistan authorities, independent security experts and the ICC. The country’s cricket chief, Thilanga Sumathipala, has previously appealed for an end to Pakistan’s isolation and urged other teams to come to play.

Khalil, however, urged caution, calling for “foolproof security” for all foreign players in Pakistan.

The Sri Lankan players had been nervous the night before the ambush, he said, describing a conversation with batsman Kumar Sangakkara that evening.

“Sangakkara asked me: ‘Mr. Muhammad, are we people safe in Pakistan?’“ “I told him nothing will happen, and if, God forbid, something happens then thousands of people like me will sacrifice our lives for you.”

The next day, after their worst fears came true with Sangakkara among the wounded, he visited the Sri Lankan player in hospital.

“He told me, ‘You are a great man... You are my hero,’” Khalil said.

GBA/ Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate Championships boxes off tonight

THE Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA)/Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate Championships will box off tonight from 19:00hrs at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue with 12 bouts.

More than 11 boxing gyms will compete for individual and champion gym honours, including the recently-formed Savanah Boxing Gym of Lethem which will be represented by three male boxers and two females.

The three-night championships will also include boxers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Republican, Young Achiev-

Lennox Blackmoore

e r s , F o r g o t t e n Yo u t h Foundation (FYF) and Harpy Eagles of Georgetown, Vergenoegen of West Coast Demerara, Rose Hall Jammers of Berbice, and Casrryl’s and Pocket Rockets of Linden.

The GDF are the defending champion gym but are expected to be hard pressed by the Republicans this time around.

Among the boxers expected to be on show later are standouts from the GBA’s Andrew `Six Head’

Lewis National Novices championships that were held earlier this year and 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 were done last evening at the national Gymnasium.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

Futsal teams eager to thrill Linden on Sunday THE selection of teams desirous of participating in Sunday’s PNCR 60th Anniversary Day of Sports/ Family Fun Day is becoming increasingly difficult for Coordinator of the futsal segment, Wayne ‘Harry’ Griffith.

According to Griffith, who spoke with the event coordinator yesterday, more and more teams are calling him, asking to be part of the day’s activity and the overwhelming response is creating headache for him, since he can only accommodate a certain number because of the oneday nature of the celebration.

“I’ve had representatives from at least fifteen teams contact me via telephone, asking that they be part of the tournament and it is proving a difficult task for me to tell them no, but because we are only playing for one day, I’ve had to refuse some of them,” Griffith stated.

The most popular referee

in the futsal format informed that originally he had selected eight teams each from Georgetown and Linden, but has had to increase that number to accommodate three more teams from the respective communities to make it a total of twenty-two teams that will vie for top honours throughout the day.

Griffith said Georgetown’s composition will include Sparta Boss, who is undoubtedly the most popular team in the shorter format, while new kids on the block, Future Stars, are also included in the lineup.

The other teams invited are Leopold Street, Tiger Bay, Albouystown ‘A’, Back Circle, West Front Road, ‘Gold is Money’, Bent Street, Hustlers, OL Skool Ballers, and Broad Street.

They will join Linden’s Silver Bullets, High Rollers, Swag Entertainment, Plantain & Cheese All Stars, Magics, Team 25, BlueBerry Hill, Mike’s Stars and Ame-

Payless Variety Store, Powerade to sponsor weekend of cycle races THE Payless Variety Store and Powerade will sponsor one cycle programme each over the weekend, beginning at 09:00hrs tomorrow with an 11-race programme around the inner circuit of the National Park.

This programme is being sponsored by payless Variety Store and the feature 35-lap event is opened to school boys, novices and invitational riders and is expected to attract the cream of the country’s pedal pushers, including Raynauth Jeffrey,Raul Leal, Jamal John, Orville Hinds, Andrew Hicks, Geron Williams, Briton John and Curtis Dey, among others.

The 10-lap race for juveniles as well as the junior categories are also expected to be keenly contested; so is the veterans’ under and over 45 years age group five-lap events.

There will also be two and three-lap races for BMX riders and a five-lap race for mountain bikers.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Banks DIH Limited under its Powerade brand will sponsor a 50-mile road race in the West Demerara area.

The event will wheel off at 8:00hrs from outside the Wales Police Station, West Bank Demerara and the seniors and juniors will journey to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo before turning back to finish at Schoonord, near the Demerara Harbour Bridge, while the juveniles, mountain bikers and veterans will turn back from Uitvlugt and also finish at Schoonord.

The top six overall finishers will be rewarded for their efforts as well as the top three juniors, juveniles, veterans under and over 45 yeas and the top three mountain bikers.

Six prime prizes will be up for grabs during the course of the event.

Both programmes are being coordinated by cycling coach, Hassan Mohamed.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday October 27, 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) Clifford Roach-122 (vs ENG, Barbados, 1930) (2) Dave Houghton-121 (vs IND, Harare, 1992) Today’s Quiz: (1) What were Shai Hope scores in the first Test of the current WI/

ZIM series?

(2) Who top-scored for ZIM in the first innings?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

lia’s Ward Russians.

Meanwhile, a similar sort of buzz is permeating the dominoes, athletics and basketball disciplines.

The domino fraternity is challenging the futsal group to see which discipline will provide more support for the day’s activity and according to the event’s organisers, it is too close to call.

The caretakers of the sport promise to have teams from all across the country compete in the competition; so it is clear that the community of Linden will be flooded by Guyanese from every Region.

The organisers are reminding all participants who will be using the transportation provided, that buses are scheduled to depart the Square of the Revolution at 07:30 hrs, so teams and representatives will have to be at the location 30 minutes before departure time to cater for a prompt 10:00 hrs start in Linden.

Action in a recent Futsal tournament

Exciting double-header anticipated in tonight’s Brusches Classic semi-finals

By Joe Chapman

FIREWORKS are expected tonight when four of the country’s top basketball clubs collide in the 6th Brusches Classic semi-finals tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Hard Court.

Bounty Colts, Georgetown’s number one club, will come up against another City power house in Ravens in the opening game of the planned double-header at 19:00 hrs.

In the second game, Victory valley Royals, Linden’s hottest club at the moment, will face the Amelia’s Ward jets at 21:00 hours.

Colts will be led by their brilliant guard and captain, Shelroy Thomas, who has led them superbly this season and with such talented players like

Dennis Niles, Shane Webster, Timothy Thompson, Dave Causeway and the likelihood of young prospect Stanton Rose being available, this team will be hard to beat.

Chris Williams

Ravens on the other hand will be no pushovers and can cause an upset, based on their showing against Plaisance

Guardians.

Ryan Stephney’s input will be the key for the Ravens tonight and with Travis Burnett controlling the back-court, the battle will be won by the team which settles in better than the other at the MSC outdoor facility.

Tyrone Hamid and Jermain Slater will make up the front court setting and with the experienced Ryan Gullen, a game is on hand for basketball fans to see.

The second semi-final is one that will also grip attention as Royals have been unbeaten in the last tournament which they are certain to win, and having beaten Jets in that championship, they are confident that they can win again tonight.

Harold Adams, captain Chris Williams, Alwyn Rod-

ney who had a good game after a long break from the game and veteran Trevor Profitt will be pressed by the Jets. How well young Yannick Tappin asserts himself can also be a factor for the Royals chances winning this game.

At the same time, Jets have some good inside players in Adrian Webster and Donnel Benjamin but they will depend on their floor-general, Akeem Kanhai and shooting guard, Orin Rose, to see them through.

However, the likes of Joel Webster and Shannon Cadogan will be handy once they come to the party and play well.

This semi-final set of matches will pave the way for the grand final where at stake is $300,000, while the beaten finalist receives $200,000 and third place finisher $100,000.

Venus stuns Muguruza to advance at WTA Finals

By John O’Brien

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Venus Williams gained revenge for her Wimbledon final defeat by Garbine Muguruza when the American advanced to the last four of the WTA Finals with a gutsy 7-5 6-4 victory over the Spanish world number two on Thursday.

Both players knew a win would secure a passage to the semi-finals as they held identical 1-1 records in White Group play at the season-ending event but the 37-yearold was stronger on the key points and moved brilliantly around the court to progress.

Muguruza had brushed

aside Williams to claim her second grand slam title in July but any hopes she had of repeating the feat were snuffed out by a resolute opponent, who simply refused to buckle in the tense Singapore Indoor Stadium encounter.

“I played an amazing opponent who has had an amazing year so I was so happy to win the last point,” Williams said in a courtside interview.

The victory enabled Williams, who won this event in 2008, to advance along with pool winner Karolina Pliskova, who won her first two matches but ended round-robin play with a 6-3 6-1 defeat by Jelena Ostapenko earlier on Thursday.

The winner-takes-all showdown started with Williams looking to dictate terms, pushing Muguruza around

USA’s Venus Williams

the court and attacking her second serve as the Spaniard countered by pushing the American back with her deep groundstrokes.

The 37-year-old continued to pick away at the Muguruza serve but an ace and a string of big forehand winners helped stave off the early threat as both combatants took the fight to each other in a high-class encounter.

The pair traded service breaks before Muguruza failed to hold on and send the opener into a tiebreak when Williams converted her third set point after the back-peddling Spaniard dumped a forehand into the net.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 27, 2017

International Race of Champions

Prem’s Electrical and B.M. Soat Auto Spares on board THE Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) International Race of Champions is picking up pace with two new sponsors confirmed so far.

Prem’s Electrical and B.M. Soat Auto Spares are the two companies who yesterday handed over their contribution to the event.

In handing over Prem Electrical’s contribution, representative Nirmala Sukhram stated that the company has been on board for a number of years and continues to be satisfied by the event.

She added that a lot of the sport’s competitors use products from Prem’s Electrical, hence the company’s decision to continually give back.

Meanwhile, B.M. Soat’s Afraz Mohamed echoed the same sentiments as Sukhram, saying, “We at B.M. Soat Auto Spares are very big fans of racing. We’ve been supporting it for a number of years and we hope to continue to do so.”

In collecting the sponsorships, GMR&SC representative Saurica Singh expressed the club’s delight for the

various partnerships.

The twenty-seven race programme is billed for November 11 and 12 at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.

In addition to the local races, the club has also included two sets of new events.

The much talked about Radical SR3 will make their debut here during that event as part of what the club deems ‘giving back to the

Children under-12 will be admitted free.

Qualification will also be held on Saturday morning from 10:00hrs with races beginning from 14:00hrs.

Scrutineering will take place on Thursday and Friday and before qualification on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the club is organising weekend passes for those patrons desirous of viewing both days of action as well as VIP passes.

Enmore CCCC anniversary T20 Cricket Festival set for Sunday

Prem’s Electrical representative Nirmala Singh (right) hands over sponsorship cheque to GMR&SC’s Saurica Singh.

Cato hits 90 before Leeward Islands Hurricanes fight back ST GEORGE, Grenada, (CMC) – Roland Cato failed to reach his maiden first-class hundred, as he led Windward Islands Volcanoes’ batting before Leeward Islands Hurricanes fought back with a cluster of late wickets in the Regional 4-Day Championship on Thursday.

The former Windwards Under-19 captain hit 90 to anchor the Volcanoes to 220 for seven in their first innings at the close on the first day of the first round match at the National Cricket Stadium.

Cato struck five fours and one six from 154 balls and shared two successive century stands that were at the heart of the home team’s batting.

He shared 50 with discarded West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards for the third wicket, and followed up with a 105-run stand with Kavem Hodge for the fourth wicket before they were dismissed within four balls of each other.

Familiarity bred success for Mervyn Matthew, the former Volcanoes fast-medium

fans.’

There are also three professional drift cars that are expected for the event, so that persons can be introduced to and excited by the different forms of entertainment on both days.

Saturday will be treated as just a race day, with adults being charged 1,000 and children over 12 years $500. On Sunday, adults will be charged $2,000 and children over 12 years $1,000.

bowler, as he was the pick of the Hurricanes’ bowlers with 3-22 from 15 overs.

Volcanoes suffered an early setback, when Devon Smith was caught behind of Jeremiah Louis for 16 inside the first hour.

Just when it appeared they were inching to lunch without further loss, new Volcanoes captain Tyrone Theophile was run out for 23.

After lunch, Matthew struck when he trapped Edwards lbw for 35, but Cato and Hodge brought stability to the innings, ensuring the Volcanoes did not lose another wicket before tea.

After the break, Hodge and Cato carried the hosts

past the 200-run mark before they were dismissed within quick succession.

Gavin Tonge removed Hodge for 41, triggering a slide that also saw Cato, Gian Benjamin and Liam Sebastien dismissed cheaply, as the Volcanoes lost four wickets for five runs in the space off 26 balls.

color, R.Kissoon Construction Service, Motor Trend Auto Spares and Repairs, Radesh Furniture Est. D&E Tent Rental, Navindra Latchman, Cone Island, Banks DIH, SE Auto Sales and Auto Spares, Cricket Zone USA and Young Takers Sound System.

All funds will go towards the Enmore CCCC cricket programme and cricket tour to Trinidad and Tobago. Admission to the venue is free.

SEE TEAM LISTS BELOW: Enmore CCCC: Bheemraj Ramkelawan, Rudolph Singh, Gavin Moriah, Satesh Jainarine, Imran Hassan, Ranjeet Heeralall, Navindra Gobin, Chris Surat, Yuvraj Dyal, C. Mars, J. Persaud and C. Balgobin.

Helena Number One and Two: K. Seedyal, D. Singh, T. Singh, R. Ramkissoon, S. Sattaur, Q. Holder, G. Gopaul, N. Persaud, A. Ramsarran, J. Persaud and T. Seedyal.

Strathavon SC: Gobinraj Hemraj, Mohan Ronald, Richard Chatura, Ganesh Sugrim, Seechand Budhu, Zaki Salim, Qaiaram Hemraj, Kevin Latiff, Rovin Hemraj, Naresh Samaroo, Jermain Tyndall, Aditya Ramnarain and Chatterpaul

Hemraj.

Everest Masters: Rajesh Singh, Sahadeo Hardaiow, Basil Persaud, Hemraj Garbarran, Saheen Mohamed, Imtiaz Sadik, Rohan Sarjoo, David Harper, Johnny Azeez, Rakesh Gangaram, Ronald Jaisingh, Satyendra Khemraj, Ramesh Narine and Anil Beharry.

Enmore Masters: Shameer Shahib, Anil Persaud, Chaitram Ramlall, Winston London, Ganeshram Diaram, Wystan Luke, Seemangal Yadram, Chatterpaul Singh, Bashur Khan, Vishwanauth Gobin, Deonarine Mangal, Latchman Yadram, Bheemraj Ramkelawan and Adrian Persaud.

Lower East Coast: Suresh Boodhoo, Randy Dhanraj, Ravi Singh, Assad Mohamed, Bharrat Samaroo, Kevin Kowlessar, Floyd James, Sewchand Sanichar, Sherwin Hassanah, Jermaine Martins, Anthony Ifill, Shekdar Seopaul and Cordel Mars.

Upper East Coast: Mortimer King, Kishan DaSilva, Arif Samad, Keon Roberts, Suresh Chamandat, Shailendra Singh, Hemraj Garbarran, Narindra Singh, Darshan Persaud, Gavin Moriah, Anthony Fraser and Suresh Jainarine.

Rain forces abandonment of day one

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – No play was possible in the day/night, third “Test” between Windies “A” and Sri Lanka “A” on Thursday.

Rain forced the umpires to abandon play with a ball being bowled around 5 pm – about three hours after the scheduled start – on the first day at Sabina Park in the Jamaica capital.

The three-match series is level 1-1, after Windies “A” won the first “Test” by an innings and 13 runs at the Trelawny Multiplex on the Jamaica north coast two Saturdays ago, and Sri Lanka “A” recovered to win the second “Test” by 280 at the same venue a week later.

Roland Cato

SCOREBOARD VOLCANOES 1st Innings D Smith c wkpr Thomas b Louis 16 *T Theophile run out 23 K Edwards lbw b Matthew 35 R Cato c Carty b Matthew 90 K Hodge c Taylor b Tonge 41 L Sebastien lbw b Warde 3 +G Benjamin c wkpr Thomas b Matthew 2 S Shillingford not out 0 A Alexander not out 2 Extras: (b3, lb2, nb3) 8 TOTAL (7 wkts, 85 overs) 220

THE Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (Enmore CCCC) will be hosting several T20 cricket matches as part of its anniversary celebration on Sunday at the Enmore Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara.

Several past and present national players are expected to showcase their T20 skills in what promises to be an action-packed day.

For the first time at the former first-class venue, hardball cricket will be played under artificial lights with 2016 T20 champions- Strathavon SC, along with Helena Number One and Two and Enmore CCCC competing for the Lakeram Ramkelawan Memorial Cup and cash prizes.

In the supporting games, Everest CC will take on Enmore Masters while Upper East Coast will battle Lower East Coast for bragging rights.

The first game will commence at 09:30hrs, with the final being played under floodlights. Popular music system, food and drink bars will also be available, along with games for children and a raffle.

This event is sponsored by Rajin Auto Paint, Nexa Auto-

S Lewis, D Johnson to bat Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-58, 3-105, 4-213, 5-213, 6-217, 7-218 Bowling: Matthew 15-5-22-3 (nb2); Louis 14-4-30-1 (nb1); Tonge 10-5-23-1; Campbell 153-35-0; Bonner 12-1-45-0; Taylor 11-0-35-0; Warde 8-1-24-1 HURRICANES: N Bonner, J Campbell, K Carty, C Hughes, *+D Thomas, A Saunders, J Taylor, J Louis, M Matthew, G Tonge, T Warde

Barbados Pride, Red Force first day hit by rain BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Very little play was possible between Barbados Pride and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in the Regional 4-Day Championship, due to wet conditions on Thursday here.

Red Force reached nought without loss in their first innings at the close on the first day of their day/night, first round

match at Kensington Oval before rain and soggy conditions curtailed the rest of play.

The start had been delayed by an hour, due to wet patches on the outfield caused by rain in the island overnight and during the morning period.

Justin Greaves was only able to four deliveries to left-handed Amir Jangoo in just two minutes of play before the

rain interrupted.

Umpires Leslie Reifer Jr and Jacqueline Williams made a number of inspections of the outfield after the rain stopped, but cloudy conditions, the gathering evening gloom and light winds failed to assist with the drying of the field.

Play on the remaining days is scheduled to start at 1:30 pm local time.

Prem’s Electrical and B.M. Soat Auto Spares on board See Page 27

Bramble and Hemraj stabilise Jaguars batting on day one See Page 23

Chanderpaul Hemraj plays an upper-cut during his knock. (Samuel Maughn photos)

Anthony Bramble pulls during his innings yesterday.

National Schools Championships set for November 26 – December 1 at Leonora

Beckles wants end to self-serving Windies player principles See Page 23

Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (District 10) is the most decorated District.

By Rawle Toney THE country’s top athletes will converge at the Leonora Track and Field Facility for the National Schools Track and Field Championships, which will be held from November 26 – December 1. It will be the first time that the event is being held at the $1.084B facility which was opened in 2015.

The logistics and other details of the championships is not yet known. This year’s National Schools Championships is expected to be

a ‘farewell’ hosting, as the organisers are preparing to change the current format which will see the secondary school level competition being held in March during the Easter term.

With this change, as of 2018, the Championships will see a separate hosting of the primary school level competition, which will continue to be held during the Christmas term.

In addition to the splitting up and moving of the secondary schools competition, neither of these competi-

tions will involve a teachers’ championships segment, as was the norm.

Head of the Physical Education at the Unit of Allied Arts, Nicholas Fraser, stated that the changes come as the organisers look to begin taking into consideration some of the recommendations made in a proposal submitted following the ‘Forum on the Development of the National Schools Championships in Guyana’ held at the National Centre for Education Resource Development

(NCERD) in January, 2015.

This event involves athletes from all across Guyana, grouped into 15 districts competing in athletics, cycling and swimming.

The National Schools Championships is organised by the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers Union.

Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani holds the most overall titles (15), having won last year’s championship which was hosted at the Guyana National Stadium.

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UWI Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017