Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 01 06 2016

Billions owed No. 104569

WEDNESDAY JUNE 1, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

… over $8B owed to UG Student Loan Agency

Page 3

A confident Australian side arrived in Guyana on Tuesday morning conscious of the fact that quick adaptation will be vital to their success against the hosts West Indies and the other touring South African side in the upcoming Tri-Nation Series, starting Friday (Adrian Narine photo)

Berbice Woman plunges 16 Top Cop strips 3 mechanic ‘strip club’ from Wismar/ 16 Mackenzie Bridge crushed to death allegations Page

Page

Page

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

PPP changed rules for old age pension …in violation of Pension Act

THE auditing firm Nizam Ali and Company has said efforts should be made to ensure that the policies of the Ministry of Social Protection (MSP) are aligned

with the Old Age Pension Act. The recommendation was made in response to key findings which have indicated that the MSP’s policies are

inconsistent with the Old Age Pension Act. “The Act requires that a person be resident in Guyana for 20 years immediately preceding application, whilst the (MSP’s) policy prescribes that the person be domiciled in Guyana for two years preceding application,” the auditors pointed out in a report submitted to the Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma.

The report, submitted on April 15, 2016, is based on a review of the Old Age Pen-

sion Scheme for the period January 1, 2015 to May 31, 2015.

While the Act disqualifies persons who are residents of any public or charitable institution which provides board and lodge without charge, the MSP’s Policy states that such persons should not be excluded as ineligible.

“Ten (10) instances were noted (when) payments were made to persons who are inmates at public charitable institutions,” the auditors reported.

Additionally, the Act mandates that a means test be applied in assessing the eligibility of an applicant,

but this is not required by the MSP, according to its policy.

“During the period January 2015 to May 2015, we observed that the (MSP) did not apply a means test in evaluating the eligibility of new applicants. Further, the (MSP’s) policy set out in Section A (Application and Approval Process) suggests that no means test is done,” the auditors further revealed.

Based on the findings, the Ministry of Social Protection, formerly the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, has breached Sections 4 (C), 4 (D) and 9 (A) of the Old Age Pension Act.

According to the auditors, “The Ministry could not provide any documentation to support the authority on which their policies are founded.”

Nizam Ali and Company has therefore advised that the MSP complies with the Act. “The Old Age Pension Act does not provide for the vesting of authority for the variation of any provisions contemplated in the Act. Therefore, if the intention is that the Ministry’s policies are to suffice, then the Old Age Pension Act should be amended accordingly,” the company has advised.

Car theft accused gets bail A 20-YEAR-OLD porter was on Tuesday placed on $40,000 bail when he appeared before city mag-

istrate Dylon Bess on a simple larceny charge.

Tamish Bowen of West Ruimveldt Back Road, Georgetown is accused of stealing Andy Beckham’s $1.1M motor car on May 25 at Georgetown.

Bowen first admitted the crime, telling the court: “It was an old car… I found the keys inside but I didn’t know it could have moved, so I decided to turn it and the lights

came on”.

However, Magistrate Bess changed Bowen’s plea to not guilty after the man told him: “Sir, I didn’t touch no car valued so much. That price lil too expensive fuh ah old car”.

Prosecutor Christopher Morris objected to bail on ground that the accused did not have a fixed place of abode, but Bowen was granted bail and ordered to return to court on June 14.

Billions owed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

3

… over $8B owed to UG Student Loan Agency

By Svetlana Marshall MERELY $679.9M of the $9.4B pumped into the University of Guyana Student Loan Agency have been repaid. And of the 25,000-plus beneficiaries of this facility, merely seven per cent have repaid their loans.

The foregoing has been revealed in the report of a forensic audit done on the Student Loan Agency for the period December 2011 to May 2015. This audit was done by R. Seebarran and Co, Chartered Accountants, on the instructions of Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

However, information and data have been included for an earlier period to allow for a better understanding of the operations of the agency from its inception to present time.

According to the report submitted to Minister Jordan, from 1994 to May 2015, the Government of Guyana, through the National Budget, approved $9,489,453,973 or US$45.5M, using the current rate of exchange of G$210 to US$1.

However, during the period April 2011 to December 2014, $1.8B or US$8.5M were received by the agency.

Loans issued during the audited period (academic years 2011-2012 to 20142015) amounted to approximately $1.5B, of which $1.4B were issued to stu-

orders, the vast majority of which were implemented after action was taken by the Agency.

“We have verified that the Agency has made some attempts to recover outstanding amounts through occasional letters of reminder; and whenever the students have cause to visit the Agency, they are encouraged to settle their liabilities,” the auditors stated.

The University of Guyana Student Loan Agency at Turkeyen Campus dents at Turkeyen Campus and $148.7M were issued to students at the Tain Campus.

Up to the end of December 2014, 25,335 students had obtained loans to a total value of $9,159,644,463.

“Of the total number of students who have received loans (25,335), 4,713 or 18.6% are recent graduates or are still students; 1,776 or 7% have repaid their loans, totalling $679,918,794 including principal and interest,” the auditors pointed out.

Five students had their loans written off, while 1,278 of students, or 5 per cent, have been paying, but not all are up-to-date, the auditors stated. In fact, 17,56l, or

69.4% of the loan portfolios, are deemed delinquent because students have not been honouring their indebtedness.

“This is a clear indication that the Ministry of Finance -- and by extension the Agency -- has not pursued the defaulters with a view to recover their indebtedness,” the auditors have said.

Rawle Sue-Hu, who has been managing the Student Loan Agency for more than 15 years, informed the auditors that his department is not equipped to pursue defaulters. Sue-Hu reportedly made it clear that the agency was never instructed to operate the Student Loan Fund as a revolving fund, and he laid

the responsibility at the feet of the Finance Ministry.

“Mr. Sue-Ho explained that because the contracts are between the Government and the students, and the fact that the Agency was never set up to recover the loans, students have not been honouring their contractual obligations to repay the loans in accordance with their contracts,” the auditors stated.

According to Sue-Hu, several attempts were made to have the Ministry, and by extension the Government, to address this problem, but to no avail.

On the other hand, in excess of $12M are repaid monthly through deduction

Britain reiterates support for Guyana in border controversy

By Alva Solomon FOLLOWING Monday’s shooting incident at Eteringbang on the Guyana border with Venezuela, a British Member of Parliament (MP) has said that the United Kingdom supports Guyana’s position regarding its territorial boundary with its western neighbour.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, James Duddridge, told the media during a briefing on Tuesday afternoon that the boundary was fixed in the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal in Paris.

“The UK supports the territorial integrity of your

country unequivocally,” Duddridge told reporters at the Bel Air Gardens residence of British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn.

He reiterated that the territorial integrity of Guyana is fixed, and noted that it was fixed in 1889.

He said Britain and its offices here also support the country’s position on the border controversy.

Last Monday afternoon, three officials of the Mines Services Division of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), together with a boat captain, reportedly managed to escape unhurt when the boat in which they were travelling became the object of a

fusillade of gunshots fired by persons suspected to be Venezuelan soldiers.

Acting GGMC Commissioner Newell Dennison confirmed the incident, which occurred sometime after lunch on Monday. He said the verbal report he received indicated that the officers were in the vicinity of Eteringbang, in the Cuyuni area near the Guyana border with Venezuela, when shots were fired from the Venezuelan side of the border.

Dennison said he was told the gunshots were fired across the bow of the vessel.

Reports are that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is preparing to dispatch a report on the matter to the Ministry

of Foreign Affairs. The army and the police have been briefed following the Monday incident, which occurred at a time of heightened tension between Guyana and its western neighbour regarding the border controversy.

Last February, President Granger met with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and emphasised that: “After 50 years, the Guyanese people are united and they are determined to maintain territorial integrity”.

President Granger has expressed confidence in the UN Secretary-General, who is preparing to demit office this year, to select the best course of action to finally resolve the controversy via a juridical process.

RECOMMENDATIONS Considering the prevailing problems facing the Student Loan Agency, the auditors have recommended that the student loans be managed as “Student Revolving Loans” with immediate effect.

“This will allow outstanding loans to be collected and used for future loans without the Government having to provide additional amounts,” the auditors explained.

According to the auditors, “There is no need for the Government to budget for any further funds for the Agency,” given the current bank balances and outstanding payments.

The Finance Ministry has also been advised to have for-

mal letters sent to students, reminding them of their obligation to repay their loans.

Failing which, legal proceeding should be instituted, the auditors recommended.

“Where students cannot be located, or have failed to respond to written and oral communication, the guarantors should be pursued. (Additionally), the Ministry of Finance should include on its website a page referred to as the ‘Student Loan Agency’, and include the names of the defaulters.”

This recommendation is among other recommendations made to the Ministry of Finance to be implemented by the Loan Agency.

The Student Loan Agency was established in 1995 to manage the Student Loan Account, and not a Student Revolving Fund Account. Currently, the agency falls under the direct supervision of the Finance Secretary, but its day to day affairs are managed

by Sue-Hu, who is currently supported by nine full time staff members. However, there is at the Tain Campus one staff member who provides support throughout the year.

Woman plunges from Wismar/ Mackenzie Bridge THE SEARCH is on for the body of an unidentified, dreadlocked young woman of about 20 years who, on Tuesday morning, leaped to her death from the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge into the Demerara River.

Traffic patrol officer Madijah Wills was at the bridge and witnessed the entire incident. She said the young woman of African descent was dressed in a pink top and a dark blue skirt, her dreadlocks were untidy, she was bare-footed and seemed to be of unsound mind.

The young woman walked across the bridge and headed to a nearby stall, where she became embroiled in a fight with stall owners. She walked a little distance, and then made a sudden turn on the bridge before jumping into the river.

Guyana Chronicle understands that drivers at the northern entrance of the bridge ran to the young woman’s rescue, but it was too late. The patrol officer said she saw the young woman’s hands go up and down twice, and then she went under completely. A crowd quickly assembled as divers scrambled to locate the body.

Divisional Commander Calvin Brutus confirmed the incident and said that ranks would be viewing the surveillance footage while investigating the incident.

This in the first case of suicide in Linden for the year, even as there has been an upsurge in cases across the country. In December of 2013, Linden businessman Collis Mentis drove a 4x4 Tundra off the Mackenzie/Wismar bridge to his death in the river.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday June 1, 2016

UG, Hugh Wooding to enter new pact

THE UNIVERSITY of Guyana (UG) and the Hugh Wooding Law School are seeking to broker a new agreement to cater for UG law graduates. This was revealed by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, at a recent press conference.

The original agreement came to an end in 2013, but that agreement had catered only for automatic entry into the law school for Guyanese, and not for foreign students who had completed the programme at UG. “A new, collaborative agreement was drawn up, and in that, Guyana has added 10 persons who would be non-Guyanese graduates, and that would include students from Belize, Jamaica and so on…so that would be 25 plus 10,” Minister

… to include 35 top students

Williams indicated.

He added that Belize is supporting Guyana with the

Attorney General Basil Williams new agreement, as a number of Belizeans complete their Bachelor of Law’s Degree at UG and ultimately would benefit from such an agreement.

“This came up at the last Council of Legal Education (CLE) meeting, and Guyana indicated clearly, through the Head of Department of Law, that we were ready to sign the agreement which was referred to a sub-committee that is looking at the issue,” Minister Williams explained.

Since establishment of the Council of Legal Education, member countries should have contributed to the upkeep of the Hugh Wooding Law School. However, over the years, many countries either did not meet their contribution in full or not at all, Guyana being one such country.

“The fact of the matter is (that) a lot of the countries are also moving away from the underlying philosophy that caused the law school to be set up, which is to foster integration…. Countries are now looking at being self-sufficient: setting up their own law school… Antigua is looking to set up one, Bahamas has set up one, so has Jamaica,” Minister Williams explained.

Nevertheless, Guyana was granted permission by the CLE to establish its law

DATE: 28/5/2016 G

01 04 08 12 15 22 16

31/5/2016

05

06

12

school, but the availability of funding for such a venture is the major challenge for this becoming a reality.

“Whether it is established via a public-private venture, we believe that the law school should be under the aegis of the CLE, because graduates would be able to practise in the entire CARICOM, as against being confined to Guyana,” he explained.

In the meantime, the administration is exploring the possibility of making financial contributions to the Law School, Minister Williams explained.

In the past, students from Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago completed only part 1 of the LLB in the respective territories before heading to UWI’s Cave Hill campus in Barbados to complete parts two and three. This process saw graduates attaining a UWI LLB degree which gave them automatic entry into the Hugh Wooding Law School in the twin-island republic. This practice no longer exists, as each territory offers the full degree programme. (GINA)

14

15

31/5/2016

0

Charged with attempted murder of ex-lover AFTER almost two months on the run for allegedly attempting to kill his estranged wife, Colwyn Alex Croal, aka ‘Brother,’ of Canvas City, Wismar, Linden has on Tuesday been remanded to prison by Linden Magistrate Clive Nurse.

The two charges he faces read that: at 178 Blue Berry Hill, Wismar on April 3, 2016, the accused, with intent to commit murder, discharged a loaded firearm at Sherwin Hughes and Simone Belle Croal.

The accused was last weekend apprehended by law enforcement officers at Tabatinga, Lethem.

According to Divisional Commander Ravindra Budram, through a proactive approach and intelCOLWYN CROAL ligence-gathering, police ranks in ‘F’ Division were able to apprehend the wanted man for questioning in relation to the shooting.

Croal is said to have attacked Belle at a stall in the Mackenzie market, and later waited at her home with a loaded firearm. Upon her arrival there, he allegedly discharged several rounds at the car in which she was travelling. The woman was shot three times, while her male cousin was shot twice.

Croal’s car was found in the vicinity of Buck Town the following morning, and police raided his known hiding spots.

Croal has, on several occasions, been on the other side of the law, and a month before the incident, he staged a protest for the removal of Divisional Commander Calvin Brutus for allegedly tormenting him and accusing him of crimes he knew nothing about. His next court appearance will be on June 29, 2016.

8

6

31/5/2016

02

03

04

06 09 15

21

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday June 1, 2016

Woman found dead in apartment – 2 arrested

By Rabindra Rooplall

FOLLOWING screams of “help! Police!” in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, police discovered the lifeless body of 49-year-old security guard Latchmini Shivpujan in her apartment at Old Road, Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

The mother of two was employed by Kalibur Security Service and was previously stationed at the GECOM office at Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

Police have since apprehended an ex-boyfriend and his relative who are assisting with investigations.

Shivpujan’s body was discovered with lacerations on the upper right thigh close to the waist.

According to reports, another woman named Emanuel Lawrence lived in the upper flat of the building and she told police that in the wee hours of Tuesday morning she heard Latchmini saying “ow man don’t do that” then shouts of “Manny, Manny”, apparently calling on her but she heard nothing after.

Residents in the area said that the woman, who has many male visitors at her home, was heard screaming for help intermittently and a phone call was made to the police station.

A patrol visited the home at “day clean” when the

body was discovered.

However, a police source disclosed that a patrol was dispatched to the area when a call was made on the first occasion, but the police did not locate the address given.

Police subsequently returned and then they made the discovery.

An unfazed elder sister, Mahadai Singh said she will not be attending Shivpujan’s funeral since there is nothing good she can say about her sister and other family members feel the same.

“Almost 15 years ago she came from Venezuela and dumped her two children on me and she gone and meh ain’t no where she gone. The boy and girl who was under 10 years, born and grow in Venezuela and they couldn’t speak English. My brother-in-law had to take back the children to Venezuela because they missed their father,” she explained.

Mrs Singh said the now dead woman has eight sisters and a brother who have not had any real bonding relationship with her.

“Imagine none of her family ain’t got no photo of her, proper contact with her, we don’t even know where she live, her children in Venezuela don’t even know if she is dead, that is the life she lived. She wasn’t close with nobody that was the life she wanted, reckless

The body of the female security guard was found in her apartment on the lower flat of this building and carefree. She was a very beautiful woman, one time she hair ‘red, red’ with one man and another time she deh with another,” her sister recounted.

6

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

The Tri-nation Series

THE West Indies, Australia and South Africa Cricket Teams have arrived here for the first leg of a tri-nation One Day International series.

Coming off of their recent triumph in the T20 World Cup, the Caribbean boys would be expected to perform well, although knowledgeable cricket fans are aware of the formidable task ahead.

According to Cricinfo statistics compiled during Australia’s most recent tour of the West Indies, Australia swept a two-match Test series to retain the Frank Worrell Trophy. Australia’s last limited overs matches in the Caribbean came in March 2012, when they played five ODIs and two T20Is, along with three Tests. The two sides split the ODI series with two wins each and a tie in the third ODI in St Vincent, when Darren Sammy was run out with two balls to spare. They also split the T20 series.

South Africa, on the other hand, demolished the Caribbean boys on their last tour of the West Indies in 2010, sweeping two T20Is and five ODIs before claiming the three-Test series with a 2-0 scoreline.

Only a drawn runfest in St Kitts kept them from going a perfect 10 for 10 on tour.

The Caribbean side’s last encounter with South Africa came in Australia, at the World Cup in February, when AB de Villiers struck the fastest 150 in ODI history to pave the way for a 257-run South Africa win, tied for the biggest margin of defeat by runs in World Cup history.

These figures do not give much hope to a struggling West Indies Team racked by administrative and other problems. However, the team’s strong showing in the T20 World Cup indeed represents a sign of resurgence.

There is no denying that the regional side has had its fair share of controversies and embarrassments. Even the team that has been selected for this tournament is mired in controversy, particularly because of the omission of notable stars such as Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russel, and the two-time T20 World Cup winning captain Darren Sammy.

And such has been the state of affairs of the Caribbean team for the past two decades; but in all of its travails, the players have soldiered on, strong in faith, testing the extreme limits of the game. This was best displayed in the World T20 finals at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, where the Caribbean side stunned a rampant England side to become the first team to win the World T20 Trophy twice.

That victory has certainly reignited in adoring Caribbean fans hope that their team would once again become champions of world cricket.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday June 1, 2016

Those ‘damning’ audit findings Dear Editor, THIS is a response to the forensic audit report for the Guyana Water Authority Inc. which was carried by your newspaper. Importantly, the auditor did not seek an explanation from me on the various matters listed under the item “Chief Executive Officer”. This is a clear breach of professional and international auditing standards and procedures.

Further, the auditor intentionally excluded my detailed explanation to the Board of Directors made in June 2015, since a hearing was conducted on these same matters and a decision was taken by the then Board and communicated to me by way of a letter dated June 17,2015. In that letter, the Board stated that, having reviewed my response to the various queries raised by the internal auditor, it was dissatisfied with the explanation provided with respect to the accident involving motor vehicle PPP 9050. The Board requested that I repay the

assessed valuation of the vehicle in the sum of four and a half million dollars ($4,500,000). I agreed, and repayment com menced in July 2015, and will end in June 2016.

I tendered my resignation from GWI, which the Board accepted by waiving the required three (3) months’ notice and paying me all the benefits.

The question to be asked is: why did the forensic auditor intentionally reproduce the internal auditors’ report to the Board and did not include my responses to each of the matters? It seems that the clear objective was to suppress information which would have miniaturized and obliterated his frivolous findings.

On the matter of advances for site visits, these were all cleared by me and approved by the Director of Finance, and never was any query raised. All these site visits were made in furtherance of the Hinterland Water Strategy and in keeping with the advances taken. The relevant regional officers, village councils and commu-

nities in the various regions would be able to attest to this.

The contract of employment was drawn up by the relevant authorities (which I accepted) in terms of remuneration and conditions of service. In the case of payment of gratuity, this was based on good leadership and management provided by me.

The many managerial initiatives, innovations, systems’ improvements and strategies implemented can easily be found in GWI’s documentation. All of these were designed to turn the utility around, having regard to the state of the company when I took over as Chief Executive. The then Board and top management, especially the Chairman and the Directors of Finance and Human Resources, were aware of the above contributions, and it can be implied that they, by their non-objection, approved the payment of the gratuity, and programmed it in the payroll without any solicitation by me.

The initiation of an investigation against the CEO was the result of external directives to the Chairman of the Board after the May 11th, 2015 elections, and is meant to embarrass and witchhunt top executives and replace them with persons affiliated to the new regime.

Finally, GWI was under good management under my tenure, and, for each of three (3) years, received unqualified audit opinions from the external auditors, after failing to achieve this important objective for several years. In this regard, there is no surprise whatsoever that no financial irregularities had been unearthed by the forensic auditor in the multi-billion-dollar utility, except that spurious and speculative observations were made of clearing of advances taken by the Chief Executive to further the community outreach of GWI in the hinterland.

Regards, SHAIK BAKSH

Desecration of our national symbols

Dear Editor, DURING these days of celebrating the Jubilee Independence year of our

beautiful Guyana, we get to see and hear about our own national symbols made by patriotic Guyanese and

Cricket occupies a special place in our history.

It binds our people together is a celebration of our cultures, and is our pride and passion. In a past era, it was the medium through which our brave Caribbean men showed their fans that on a cricket field they are as good as, and equal to, any among their oppressors.

The triumph of the male, female and Under-19 teams in the international arena this year has signalled that the greatness of the Caribbean team has not been lost, although it may have been absent for a long time; and it is beginning to emerge again. We can only hope that this new series will provide the Caribbean people with something more to smile about, even as we also hope that the bosses and leaders of the game in the region would work towards shepherding the West Indies on the path to again ascend the heights of greatness.

non-Guyanese. This is really a moment to celebrate our own heritage, because we are worthy of our own heritage. It is heartening for me to see and hear this in our celebrations of independence.

We have a rich heritage, and it is fitting that we showcase this, so that our children learn to be patriotic. But allow me say some regarding the disheartening desecration of our national symbols. Our Golden Arrowhead is all over the place, and is being trampled on. This is really an insult to our flag. Our National Anthem is being sung in an inappropriate manner. I heard a group of

foreigners (non-Guyanese) signing the National Anthem with off-note screaming. And of course, let me not mention the posture they used to sing.

I felt they were insulting our National Anthem. Pity is that they live in Guyana and insult the land that gives them shelter and food.

My question is: do we have a law against the people who intentionally insult or desecrate our national symbols? I know that in some countries such persons would face a term of imprisonment of up to three years, or be fined.

Regards, JONATHAN SINGH

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday June 1, 2016

Hoyte hailed as visionary leader

GUYANA’s late President, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, who was responsible for implementation of the highly praised Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), has been hailed as the architect of Guyana’s economic development from 1988 to 1992.

Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, in delivering a lecture on “Development and Social Impact, 1988 – 1992”, credited Hoyte for standing committed to sustainable economic growth to enhance the lives of all Guyanese, even in the midst of national and global economic upheavals.

The seventh commemorative lecture on the life and works of Hoyte, Guyana’s second Executive President, was hosted by the Hugh Desmond Hoyte (HDH) Committee at the Pegasus Hotel on Monday evening.

Minister Lawrence, who was the main speaker at the event, said Hoyte, in 1985, assumed the presidency amidst intense national and global social and economic upheavals, even as Guyana experienced a collapse of infrastructural and social services and public utilities.

However, with commitment to a market-oriented economy, he created a revived social and economic climate, taking the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in favourable comparison with other CARICOM countries.

“Guyana was reeling from the impact of the global oil crisis, and (was) constrained by a crippling external debt burden. Internally, there was an acute shortage of foreign exchange; restrictions on the importation of some food and other items; a collapse of infrastructure, social services and public utilities,” Lawrence explained.

But, she said, “Through his stewardship, we made it through the rain.” She added that Hoyte’s ERP was responsible for massive debt write-offs and the rebuilding of many communities throughout Guyana’s administrative regions.

Despite having “challenges on all fronts” and at all levels, at a time when public morale was at a low end as economic decline manifested, Hoyte demonstrated strength and character, being a “stickler for order”, the rule of law, professionalism and integrity, she explained.

“Mr Hoyte resolutely accepted the responsibilities and challenges of governance; and given the urgency attached to reactivating the productive sectors and rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, he committed to a market-oriented development strategy and

deliberately crafted a new development thrust - the Economic Recovery Program (ERP).

“The ERP, a comprehensive matrix of policies and measures designed to

Late President of Guyana, Hugh Desmond Hoyte restore the sustainable economic development of the country, propelled Guyana to several years of continuous growth, unmatched by any of the policies of the successor Administration, who were the political beneficiaries of the success of the ERP”, Lawrence pointed out.

Lawrence declared that Hoyte’s development initiative was praised by both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. She quoted the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as saying the ERP “was radical in its objectives, comprehensive in its scope, and courageous in its implementation”.

Lawrence also said the World Bank described the program as a movement to economic liberalization which enabled the realization of benefits.

“Up to 1997, Guyana’s

economy grew at an average rate of 7.1 percent, and fiscal and external deficits were reduced.

State-owned enterprises were privatized, import substitution policies were abolished, and the Government increased spending for poverty reduction,” the World Bank had said.

SOCIAL SAFETY NETS SIMAP, Public Service Investment Programme (PSIP), and the Secondary School Reform Programme (SSRP) were listed as a few of his “social safety nets” (initiatives) to cushion the effects of social spending and for the countrywide reduction of poverty, Minister Lawrence stated.

She also pointed out that Hoyte was described by the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham as a man who “possessed the finer qualities of life: intellectual honesty, true statesmanship, and effervescent leadership”.

Sir Shridath Ramphal has also observed that “…

Guyana, for all its present problems, is a better place because Desmond Hoyte was there to bridge the Presidencies of Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan; and in doing so, to establish those markers of national democracy and personal integrity that are the monuments already erected by his life of service to Guyana.”

Lawrence added that “Hoyte was a judicious leader, an unsung hero whose courage, shrewdness, astute political insight and profound concern for the people inspired him to chart a programme which

President David Granger was among the audience at the Hugh Desmond Hoyte Commemorative Lecture at the Pegasus Hotel on Monday evening (Photo by Samuel Maughn) was intended to unite the Guyanese people while achieving national economic and social development.”

The lecture, held in honour of the 87th birth anniversary of the late President (March 9), was graced with the presence of President David Granger, former Brigadier Joseph Singh, and other dignitaries and executive members of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), besides school children and mem-

bers of the public.

According to the HDH Committee, lectures were previously delivered by Dr. Tyrone Ferguson, late Head of the Presidential Secretariat; Sir John Mitchell, former Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Mr. Carl Greenidge, former Minister of Finance; Mr. Stanley Ming, one of the founders of the Reform component of the Party and a reputable businessman; Major General (ret’d) Jo-

seph Singh; and Mrs. Supriya Singh-Bodden, CCH. “Hugh Desmond Hoyte, SC, was the second Executive President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and is widely credited for restoring growth in the economy by implementing an Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) whose essential elements are still manifest in the existing economic policies,” the HDH Committee said in a statement earlier.

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

It should not be oil alone - British MP warns against heavy dependence on oil and gas sector

By Alva Solomon GUYANA is to benefit from the receipt of £$53M in financial assistance from the United Kingdom, and that country has noted its willingness to assist in development of the local business sector, including in oil and

various bodies, including the Government, the Opposition and civil society among others, Duddridge told reporters during a briefing that the financial aid will be expended in various sectors of the economy, including infrastructure, health, economic development, and governance. The

British Member of Parliament James Duddridge interacting with media operatives gas initiatives.

This was revealed on Tuesday by visiting British Member of Parliament (MP) James Duddridge during a press briefing at the Bel Air Gardens residence of British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn.

In Guyana to meet with

fund is part of a wider £360M fund which the British Government will expend on the Caribbean region on various projects.

Speaking on the specifics of the fund earmarked for Guyana, Quinn said proposals from Guyana on various projects have been sent to

the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), which will administer the fund on behalf of Britain.

He said funds will be directed to projects such as water supply networks and hinterland airstrip development, the latter being aimed at improving access to “difficult-to-reach areas”.

He said that funding would also go towards the development of ports and habours, as well as dredging of the Demerara River.

Questioned on assistance to the oil and gas sector, Duddridge said the British Government is interested in providing any form of assis- British Member of Parliament James Duddridge makes a point during the press tance to the development of briefing as British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn listens the sector here. examine its relationship The visiting MP is also He said there are British explore its business potential. with the region.

He spoke of the country’s expected to raise the subject companies which are inThe visiting British MP of the death penalty. He said “good, educated workforce” volved in oil and gas explorawas expected to discuss a that in Guyana the legislation tion, and noted his country’s as well as its English speakrange of issues when he met regarding persons being put ing ability, the latter which he experience and technical with Government officials. to death for criminal matters termed the language of busiexpertise in this regard.

Security sector reform is a remain in place, and that is a ness.

Guyana, being ranked He, however, cautioned key item on his agenda. He situation which leaves Guyat number 137 on the interthat some countries have was expected to present an ana in the cold, since such national index of countries had oil “and it is no longer assessment of the security legislation does not exist with ease of doing business economically viable”. He sector in the form of a docu- in any other nation on the is significant, he said. added that “oil isn’t a single ment to Government officials continent.

He said British Prime answer to a single country’s last evening. The document Minister David Cameron “The British Governproblems”. To this end, he provides an analysis of the ment’s position is that the has called for the resetnoted that diversification of current state of the security death penalty is inapprothe economy bodes well for ting of relations with the sector in Guyana, and what priate for any crime that Caribbean, a move which prosperity for Guyana. steps can potentially be taken has been committed,” Dudhe noted gives Britain an Duddridge noted that to reform the sector. opportunity to “pivot” and dridge has affirmed.

Guyana is positioned well to

Safe zones needed … Broomes calls for mapping of safe mining zones in Region 8

By Svetlana Marshall THERE IS an urgent need to have the Potaro-Siparuni Region re-evaluated, to determine safe mining zones, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, said on Tuesday.

M i n i s t e r B r o o m e s ’s statement comes at a time when the area is faced with another mining casualty.

Last Sunday, 18-year-old Ramal Williams had his life cut short when a mining pit caved in on him while he was working in the notorious Konawaruk Backdam, Potaro, Region 8.

Just two months ago, Konawaruk was the scene of another mining accident which claimed the life of another teenager. On May 17, 2015, 11 miners were killed at Mowasie Backdam, Region 8, when a pit collapsed.

In an interview with Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, Minister Broomes said that, in addition to placing tremendous emphasis on preventative measures, the mining areas should be re-evaluated as part of a pilot project.

“We must have engineers go in and evaluate the whole area, the whole of Region 8: Mahdia, White Hole and St. Elizabeth, to assess the soil types in the different locations,” she said.

Minister Broomes, along with officials from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), was on Tuesday scheduled to visit the scene of Sunday’s accident; however, the visit was rescheduled for today.

Minister Broomes will visit Konawaruk Backdam today to ascertain the circumstances leading to the death of the miner.

Additionally, a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) will be launched to fully investigate the matter within 72 hours.

Ahead of the investigations, the Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources said, there is a clear need to have the Mining Regulations fully enforced

by GGMC officers on the ground.

“These areas need to be monitored by technical people,” she posited.

A CoI into the death of 19-year-old Trenton Sebastian in April revealed that the

Eighteen-year-old Ramal Williams who lost his life while working in Konawaruk Backdam “absence of controls to make the mine-face safe” was a major contributing factor to his death. Sebastian died on March 14, 2016 when a mine collapsed at Konawaruk Backdam.

Last September, another CoI revealed that 25 deaths were recorded in 16 accidents within a 12-month period, 75 per cent of which were due to the collapse of mining pits. The principal cause of pit failure accidents was identified as the neglect

of safe mining practices.

Additionally, there was evidence that shortcuts were being taken in an effort to raise production.

President David Granger set up the CoI, and mandated it to investigate mining deaths by following the accident at Mowasie Backdam.

According to the report, from 2010 to 2015, a total of 62 miners, mostly young men, have died in the industry. The CoI also found that there exists a laidback culture to safety, and as such, clear rules must be applied and enforced.

A draft plan of action was presented by acting Commissioner of the GGMC, Newell Dennison, and included strategies for Occupational Health and Safety. In addition, it included plans for collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection, improvement at the technical levels, continuous and systematic training, enhancement of education, and instituting a certification requirement for the general managers of the mining operations, along with public and miners’ education.

Dharamlall’s file with DPP for advice – Crime Chief

THE alleged gun threat file involving People’s Progressive Party (PPP) backbencher Nigel Dharamlall is with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has confirmed.

Dharamlall, a former permanent secretary of the then Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, is accused of issuing threats to an official PPP MP of the Inter-American DeNigel Dharamlall velopment Bank. Media reports indicate that the alleged threat was made last week at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

In a very terse statement, attorney for Dharamlall, Glenn Hanoman, said: “Given the sensational speculations and inaccurate information already in the public domain, I am constrained, on behalf of my client, to clarify the following: we, first and foremost, wish for the matter to be thoroughly and professionally investigated. Secondly, and towards this end, I have advised my client not to comment on the issue or engage the media so as not to interfere with, or prejudice, this process. My client unequivocally denies any involvement in any criminal act,” Hanoman’s statement affirmed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Surviving cancer and other potholes in Guyana

9

Devika Tinsarran: A source of inspiration IT WAS a beautiful Sunday morning; just perfect for lunch outdoors. As we three (Devika, mom and me) settled into our seats on the terrace of the restaurant, I was struck by how beautiful Devika looked with her face-framing ebony hair now growing back quite thickly on her once bald head.

“You look great with short hair,” I remarked to her. She gave a little chuckle. “Thanks. It’s just great to have hair again.”

I remembered Devika having long, luxuriously, curly hair.

I ran my fingers through my own newly-cut hair, trying to imagine what it must feel like to be bald.

With confirmation from Mt. Sinai Hospital that I am a carrier of the BRCA1 gene, along with all my necessary medical evaluations (CT scans, biopsy, ultrasound, blood work), there was no getting away from chemotherapy -- eight rounds to be exact -- and some radiation sessions; just how many would be determined later.

Sitting opposite me that Sunday morning in December was a woman who had just completed the exact treatment I was now facing.

ment,” Devika responded.

I didn’t like the idea of GPHC for any sort of treatment. It wasn’t the lack of good medical practitioners that concerned me; it was the lack of care from the nurses who worked there.

I shared my experience with Devika. “I visited the GPHC, trying to enquire how to join the ‘chemo’ clinic just last week, and I came home frustrated by the rude nurses I met at the various surgical, diabetic and general clinics,” I said.

OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED Devika Tinsarran was officially diagnosed in April 2015.

In 2014, before her diagnosis, she had done the fine-needle biopsy which had assured her that it was just a giant fibroadenoma. However, during this time, she would complain about excruciating pain in her breast, tiredness, vomiting and weight loss. This led her to having a lumpectomy done to remove what should have been a fibroadenoma, but much like mine, it turned out to be a malignant tumour.

As we started to dig into our grub, Devika shared her emotional experience of finding out she had cancer for the first time. “What did you do? Did you know what stage then?”

Mom and I rattled questions off to her.

With a smile on her face, she said, “When I was told I had breast cancer, I became numb. I looked at my ‘doc’ as he continued to speak, and I just heard myself stop him.

“I said, ‘Stop! Whatever you're about to say right now wouldn't make any sense to me! Give me a couple of days, and I'll come back and we can go on from there.’”

I could relate to her reaction. Devika continued, “I didn't want to do ‘chemo’, but I decided to, after a lot of consideration and my ‘doc’ telling me that my cancer was extremely aggressive, and that within a year’s time it will all be too late.”

“No one knew where to direct me, and I felt as though I was disturbing the nurses from something. I did not feel comfortable.”

Devika explained to me that the Oncology Unit of the GPHC was located in its own building behind the Accident and Emergency area.

“Ohhhhhh!” my mom and I both chimed in. No nurse I had spoken to in my brief visit to the GPHC had told me anything close to that. Aside from the medical posters donated by USAID and other organisations, there is no signage or floor plan on the walls, explaining where all the clinics and departments can be located.

Devika sang the praises of the nurses in the Oncology Unit.

“I don’t know about the other nursing staff, but the ones in ‘chemo’ with me were wonderful; they’re like family to me now.”

She assured me that her treatment at the GPHC was comfortable, and recommended that I do it there. “And it's free,” she added.

GENETICALLY PREDISPOSED Because of our age and health statistics, it is very likely Devika and I have both been genetically predisposed to cancer.

“What was the chemotherapy like? Where did you do it?”

I asked, as I chomped down on the stir-fried pak choy on the plate in front of me.

“My ‘doc’ had recommended GPHC. I was skeptical at first, but once I got there and met everyone in the Oncology Unit, I felt comfortable, and decided to go ahead with treat-

‘CHEMO’ Chemotherapy can cost as much as $150,000 to $200,000 per cycle at private institutions. I was reminded that services like free healthcare are one of the reasons why we pay taxes, and we should take advantage of them once we are in a position to do so.

We continued to touch on many side effects of chemotherapy. Devika explained that each round, or cycle, would be administered intravenously, and the procedure lasts up to three hours each time.

There was a break of 21 days between each cycle, for the patient to be able to build their white blood cells up, and to maintain a healthy immune system through vitamin and food

intake.

Devika told us a bit about the different ‘chemo’ drugs, and how they affected her.

“I did eight rounds: I did four AC and four Paclitaxel. AC made me so sick I was vomiting every time I ate or drank anything. I was so tired all the time. Lost my hair after the very first round!”

My mom and I exchanged significant looks. I touched my hair again. I had cut my once almost waist-length hair earlier that week; I felt it would be easier to cut my hair off slowly, in my own time, rather than have it fall while it was still so long. I felt it would be less traumatic.

Devika continued: “It was emotional to see my hair fall; I had long, beautiful, curly hair! I knew it was going to fall, so I started to cut it off, bit by bit.

Then one morning I woke up and I took off my sleeping cap, and the entire front of my head was bald! The hair was all in the cap! It was then I decided I didn't want to see that every day. But what was the real touchy part was that moment I decided to have my brother shave it all off! I cried for the first time when I saw myself with no hair.

“Paclitaxel made every bone in my body ache; I couldn't walk on my own for days; my husband had to be my arms and legs.”

Devika, while sharing her story with us, continued to have a smile on her face, no matter how painful the memory was. And this, in essence, is part of what has made Devika such a fighter: her positivity, perseverance and strength.

We spoke briefly about radiation, which she describes as “tiring”, and not being able to shower for a month during radiation, as well as the severe burns and scarring she experienced after.

Her story inspired me that day to be brave and make the hard decisions I needed to if I wanted to enjoy a healthy and long life. Speaking to someone who had survived what seemed like such an ordeal and still be in good spirits was very promising to me.

Before leaving the restaurant, I asked her how she was able to get through it all. I felt overwhelmed just imagining her struggle.

I could feel the powerful energy of her words as she responded. “I realised that life can be taken from us, just like that…I live now, every day, trying to help as many people that will let me help them fight this disease.

“I wake up every day thankful for all I have: wonderful husband who has been my absolute rock through my battle; caring family and friends; and my faith in God, which helped me through it.

“I forgive easily now, and I don't let anything bother me….

I eat healthy, I exercise, and laugh as much as possible.”

Devika has just had her clinical three-month check-up, and is doing great.

Next Week: My first round of chemotherapy

Dried tomato project soon to begin in Paramakatoi RESIDENTS of Paramakatoi, Region Eight, will be launching a project that would allow them to grow, dry, package and market organic tomatoes. This project will be supported by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs through the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) and other partners.

This project will hopefully solve the issue of unemployment in the community, and will boost the region’s ‘green and sustainable village economy’ initiative. Paramakatoi, a very remote village located in Region Eight, has very vast and fertile lands, and its residents have long been producing organic herbs, greens and fruits.

During a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, said the Ministry, along with IAST, had engaged residents about the

project, and the farmers have signed up to plant tomatoes. She explained that the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has agreed to provide the seedlings to the farmers, and soon 100 of these seedlings will be handed over to each farmer. An agriculture officer who is based in the region will be monitoring the project.

She said it is not economical to bring the tomatoes to Georgetown because it is very costly. “Those are organic tomatoes and Guyanese will not buy them, so we decided that the North American and European markets are best, and so we came up with the idea of dried tomatoes, ship it to Georgetown and then train the Indigenous people to produce the salad dressing; so we have great plans for that,” Minister Lowe explained.

The Ministry has also met with Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Pierre Giroux, who is very interested in the

project and is willing to provide some funding through some of his associates. A training centre will also be established in the community to train the youths who will spearhead the project. These youths are already being trained in the area of agriculture, through the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) project.

On a long-term basis, Minister Garrido-Lowe said, talks are ongoing to have a branch of IAST set up in the region to train youths in agro-processing. Through the 2016 regional budget, Region Eight has, for the first time, been allocated $33.4M for its agriculture programme. A number of projects are on stream, including training for farmers and staff of the regional office, along with the construction of three shade houses in Kopinang, Kato and Mahdia. The region also plans to expand its rice cultivation to facilitate an additional seven acres in Monkey Mountain. (GINA)

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Guyanese wanted for Suriname double-murder SURINAMESE police have issued a wanted bulletin for Bisoen Kevin, 22. He is wanted for questioning in relation to the murder of Guyanese Leelawattie Sookhoo and her daughter, Tisha Ahiram, in that country.

It is believed that Kevin absconded to Guyana after he committed the

gruesome acts.

On May 24 last, the bodies of Sookhoo, 37, and her 10-year-old daughter were found in a house in Paramaribo, Suriname. A report out of Suriname stated that they were suspected to have been slain by a 22-yearold man who is now wanted by police. According

to the report, a neighbour, Stacy Harris, said Sookhoo and her daughter, along with the man, had visited her home the day before their bodies were discovered, but nothing seemed to be amiss.

The man reportedly moved to the area three months ago, while Sookhoo and her daughter

Wanted: Bisoen Kevin

moved into the same house about a month ago.

According to the neighbour, the killing may have stemmed from jealousy, since the suspect was upset that Sookhoo’s ex-husband had visited her recently.

Reports further disclosed that Sookhoo, formerly of Sparta, Essequibo Coast, Guyana, was a mother of five. The mother and daughter were found strangled at their Nieuw Amsterdam apartment, a village in District

Commewijne, Suriname.

The Surinamese lawmen were directed to the building after the employer of the woman’s boyfriend reported that he failed to turn up for work. The police said it appeared that a rope had been used to strangle the females.

Relatives of Sookhoo disclosed that she had been living in Suriname for several years, and had been partnering with a boyfriend in a fishing business.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Jubilee 50/50 Payment Plan extended THE MINISTRY of Communities, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), has extended to Thursday, June 2, the deadline to complete payment under the Jubilee 50/50 Payment Plan.

According to a release from the Office of the Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams-Patterson, the extension is applicable to those persons who, at the end of April, would have completed paying the first half of the cost of the land that was allocated to them.

“Those persons would have qualified for a 50 per cent discount on the second

half. They now have until June 2 to complete their payment in order to maintain the discount,” the release stated.

The CH&PA announced in February that it was slashing 25 per cent off the initial cost of house lots, but applicants must have first paid down 50 per cent by May 1.

Minister Adams-Patterson, who made the disclosure, announced that the initiative, called the CH&PA 50/50 Payment Plan, is all part and parcel of a programme of activities the Min-

istry has planned for the 50th Independence Anniversary celebration.

She explained that once 50 per cent of the initial cost of the house lot was paid by May 1, then 50 per cent of the remainder would be deducted by the Housing Authority.

As the minister further explained, “If you have an allocation, a house lot for $1M, and by May 1 you would have completed paying $500,000, which is 50 per cent, you will have a 50 per cent reduction on the balance.

So you will have a discount of $250,000. I think that you cannot want anything better than that.”

She cautioned that while the initiative is in keeping with the Government’s intention of providing Guyanese with affordable house lots, this “Jubilee offer” does not apply to applicants whose house lots cost in excess of $3M; and it is not applicable to persons who have lots in the remigrant, industrial and commercial zones.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Firemen to face the law

FOUR officers of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) are under close arrest as investigations continue into the alleged theft of a mobile phone from a fire scene at the home of Traffic Chief Dion Moore at Belfield, East Coast Demerara early on Tuesday morning.

Two phones were discovered missing from the home of the Traffic Chief after a fire of electrical origin, which started at about 00:45 hours,

was extinguished, saving the home from total destruction.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle has said the Guyana Fire Service will not tolerate any level of criminality among its ranks, and any officer found guilty of theft will be liable to punishment just like any other individual. Gentle said he received a report from the Traffic Chief that the phone was discovered by one of the officers in the fire engine.

A GFS unit from Maha-

ica responded to the report of the fire at Moore’s home sometime after 1:00 hour yesterday, and, with the help of public-spirited persons in the neighbourhood, was able to extinguish the fire, ventilate the home, and get the occupants out.

After the fire, Moore’s family observed that the cellphone was missing from a bedroom and raised an alarm. A search was conducted, and one of the

phones was discovered in the fire engine.

“It’s clearly a case that someone had to touch it!”

Gentle told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday. He said all four of the ranks on the scene at the time have been detained and interrogated by investigators from the Guyana Fire Service ‘C’ Division and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Gentle said the matter would be dealt with at the highest level, since the GFS has a no-tolerance policy against criminal activity.

“We do not condone any act of indiscipline or uncivil behaviour,” he said, adding that the alleged perpetrators had caused the Moore family additional grief “instead of helping the people to preserve their property.”

“Theft is a criminal offence. Any person (who commits theft) is culpable to face the full (force) of the law. We don’t keep those kinds of persons in our ranks. It is an unfortunate incident…we never expected a member of the joint services -- who wears uniform, who is there to serve and protect -- to descend to that level,” Gentle said.

He said this was the first incident of theft involving on-duty officers of the GFC in over 15 years. There once was a similar occurrence involving cash and jewellery being among the booty taken. The stuff was discovered in the homes of three of the officers who attended to that fire, and they were immediately dismissed, Gentle said.

He said that on behalf of

the GFS, he had personally offered an apology to the Traffic Chief.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the scene of the fire, at about 9:00 hours yesterday, Traffic Chief Moore, who was recently injured in a road accident, related to the Guyana Chronicle that he has no mobile phone, as both had gone missing. He also disclosed that one was recovered in the fire engine that was on the scene.

Contacted by the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, ‘C’ Division Commander Marlon Chapman confirmed that four officers of the Guyana Fire Service had been taken into custody and questioned, but were later released. He said the phone was recovered, and was not damaged.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

King warns against ‘anyhow’ use of generators CITY HALL is requesting businesses that utilise generators in the City to observe all protocols and regulations pertaining to the use of this piece of equipment.

In a press release, Town Clerk Royston King expressed concern at the increasing number of persons operating generators within the capital’s central commercial hub.

According to King, it has been observed that some persons who utilise generators

are storing them under canopies or overhead sheds, some of which are above public pavements and walkways.

The Town Clerk has said: “Not only is this practice against fire regulations, City by-laws and environmental standards, but it is also dangerous to life and limb.”

He said the Council has “statutory obligation to ensure the health and safety of every citizen, and the following action goes against this.”

Persons wishing to op-

erate or utilise generators within the City must seek professional information from the relevant authorities, which would include the City Engineer ’s Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for environmental

Georgetown Town Clerk Royston King

guidance.

“Apart from the danger posed, these generators give off emissions that we are not certain of, and some of them leak oil that falls onto our pavements.

So we are calling on those involved to desist from

operating those generators without observing the regulations in place. Failure to do so will result in the Town Clerk and his team moving to enforce regulations pertaining to this matter,” the release concluded.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday June 1, 2016

Fire ravages Traffic Chief’s home

By Shauna Jemmott

TRAGEDY struck the home of Traffic Chief Dion Moore in the wee hours of Tuesday morning when a fire, said to be electrical in origin, began in the lower

fellow teachers from Hope Secondary School, where his wife works. The Guyana Fire Service had already left the scene, and neighbours were removing damaged furniture and other debris from the burnt home.

then spread, burning the plastic ceiling in the home.

A unit from Mahaica responded to a telephone call reporting the fire, and was able to extinguish the fire, ventilate the home and get the occupants out to safety.

the upper flat of their home when they were aroused by the heavy presence of smoke. They raised an alarm, and neighbours telephoned the Guyana Fire Service, which arrived on the scene some minutes

Neighbours assisting in removing debris from the home of the Traffic Chief, which was saved from total destruction by the Guyana Fire Service and residents who formed a bucket brigade flat of his home at Lot 89 Belfield, East Coast Demerara.

The fire started at about 00:45 hours, and when the Guyana Chronicle arrived at the scene at about 9:00 hours, Moore, who was recently injured in an accident, was sitting under a shed at the front of the house.

Officials from the Guyana Police Force were there to give their support, as were

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday that investigations have revealed that the fire, which started in the kitchen area in the lower flat of the house, was electrical in origin. Gentle said two electrical appliances – a kettle and a radio - were left plugged in, and there was a malfunction in the electrical system at the house which resulted in the fire. The fire

Gentle said he is pleased that occupants of the home became alert to the presence of the fire early, as they were all asleep when the fire started and the results could have been worse.

While the Guyana Chronicle was at the scene, the Traffic Chief, still visibly frustrated, related that his wife Jonnel and their three children, aged 13, 10 and five, were asleep in

Some of the damaged household appliances and furniture which were removed from the home

later.

Moore said that although he is still unable to walk on his own, he and his wife managed to climb over the patio in the upper flat and onto a shed, where neighbours used a ladder to get them down from the blazing building.

“I had to climb across the verandah. I don’t know how I did it, but I did,” Moore told the Guyana Chronicle.

He praised his neighbours who, after rescuing the family from the building, broke the door to the lower flat and started a bucket brigade, putting the fire out.

In March this year, Moore was travelling along the Providence Public Road, EBD in a private motor vehicle when the driver lost control of same and collided with a utility pole.

Moore sustained injuries and had to be hospitalised.

Currently on medical leave, Moore said he suffered millions of dollars in losses and his mobile phones were missing, but one was found in the Guyana Fire Service vehicle which was at the scene.

15

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Top Cop strips ‘strip club’ allegations - threatens legal action against news agency

By Derwayne Wills A REPORT from Citizens’ Report, an online news agency formerly located in the Bharrat Jagdeo Foundation building in Queenstown, Georgetown, has left the public relations arm of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) scrambling to deny allegations of unfair treatment meted out to two women officers.

In a contentious report published by Citizens’ Report, it was disclosed that Deputy Police Superintendent Denise Griffith-Jacobis had been unfair treated because she had ordered the closing of an Alberttown ‘strip club’ while Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud was inside the premises.

The article went on to cite “top ranking sources in the Force” who were allegedly concerned that, following the matter, DSP Griffith-Jacobis was transferred to the courts

from the Number 3 Sub-Division of ‘A’ Division because of the alleged ‘strip club’ incident; and further, that she was denied overseas training.

The online news agency is believed to be closely aligned with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

From its initial report, the Alberttown club was allegedly closed in keeping with the 02:00am curfew imposed by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan sometime last year.

The police statement denied that Commissioner Persaud had entered any strip club in Guyana “other than for professional purposes”, of which none was done within the last five years.

On the matter of Griffith-Jacobis’s transfer, the police statement said this “had to do with poor performances [of the officer in question] highlighted in consistent reports provided

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR)”.

Griffith-Jacobis’s alleged denial of access to overseas training was also cited on the Citizens’ Report website, where it was noted that she “completed her law studies locally and had an option to travel to two different countries to complete the final leg of

her studies so that she can become a lawyer, but the Force -- on the instructions of the Commissioner -- has not granted the officer the leave to have these studies completed”.

In arresting the untruth, the police said Griffith-Jacobis had not completed her

studies at the University of Guyana, which is a prerequisite for her to pursue studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Another officer who had applied along with Griffith-Jacobis had been granted permission in 2014 to pursue studies at UWI, and “should be completing his studies shortly”, the statement continued.

The Force distanced itself from allegations of preferential treatment in granting leave for officers to pursue studies abroad, saying such permissions “is outside the control of the Force, since it requires the Government’s approval”.

The Citizens’ Report article cited the case of another officer, an unnamed female Superintendent who was allegedly barred from pursuing a temporary job opportunity

abroad for which she had applied and had successfully acquired.

The post with an international sports body, according to Citizens’ Report, was open to female security personnel in several countries, and entailed some amount of training abroad, paid for in-full by the body.

The police statement said the training “was not supported by the Force because the said officer was disciplined for breach of standard operational procedures regarding her engagements with the sports institution”.

The police release said the Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating the “provision of false information to the media”, adding that “it is likely that legal action would be taken by the Commissioner of Police against those responsible for Citizens’ Report”.

Berbice mechanic crushed to death

By Nafeeza Yahya RADESHWAR Rampadarat, called ‘Randy’, of 423 Block X, Belvedere, Corentyne Berbice had his head crushed on the Belvedere Public Road on Tuesday after he was struck down by a lorry in what is being treated as a hit-and-run accident that flung his body some distance away from the scene.

The 27-year-old had been employed as a mechanic at Kris Jagdeo Construction Company. The Guyana Chronicle understands that, following investigations, the police were able to detain the driver of the motor lorry. The vehicle is contracted to the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Albion Estate.

Davendra Rampadarat,

brother of the deceased,

Dead: Radeshwar Rampadarat said Randy left home for his place of employment at about 05:00hrs, and at 05:15 hrs, he received a call informing the family of the accident.

“We get a call saying

Randy get in an accident, let we go road quick; so I tell my parents and we run out to the road,” Davendra said.

He recalled seeing the lifeless body of his brother covered in blood lying in the middle of the public road.

“He was in a bad state.

The right side of the body was completely damaged.

His head was smashed in and his hands and feet appeared broken… Whatever hit him down hit him (with) power,” the elder brother recalled.

Rose Rampadarat, the dead man’s mother, tearfully described her son as a hardworking individual who had a “few bad habits”. She said she spoke to him before retiring to bed, and did not see him before he left for work.

The scene of the accident

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Fraudster jailed for 18 months FORTY-EIGHT-year-old Gopaul Tiwari has been sentenced to 54 months’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges of fraudulent conversion, false pretence, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The businessman of 72 Craig, East Bank Demerara admitted to city Magistrate Judy Latchman on Tuesday that on May 28, 2015, at Georgetown, being solely entrusted by Ghardarie Sewnarine with the sum of $10.4M to pay the Deeds Registry, he fraudulently converted the sum to his own use and benefit.

It was also alleged that on the same day, with intent

port. The court further heard that Tiwari conspired with persons known and unknown to forge a transport purporting to show same was issued by the Guyana Deeds Registry.

Although he has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment on each of the three charges, the sentences will run concurrently and he will only serve 18 months in total incarceration.

Tiwari was additionally charged with two counts of shooting at police officers Convicted trickster Gopaul Tiwari to defraud, he uttered to Sewnarine a false trans-

4 years, $19M fine for drug trafficker OSSIE Mc Farlane of Hopetown, West Coast Berbice was on Tuesday jailed for four years and fined $19.5M after Blairmont Magistrate Rhondell Weever found him guilty of possessing 12.7 kilograms of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking.

This fine represents approximately three times the value of the narcotics found in his possession.

The 35-year-old accused had pleaded not guilty to the offence, but evidence led by Prosecutor Inspector Althea Solomon revealed that at about 23:05 hrs on September 29, McFarlane, driving a silver grey 212 motorcar, refused to stop at a police roadblock on the West Berbice Highway outside Fort Wellington Police Station.

His unexpected action reportedly caused the ranks to have to jump out of the path of his vehicle to avoid being seriously injured.

The police quickly scrambled into their own vehicle and gave chase.

They caught up with the vehicle at Plantation Hope, about 10 miles away. In McFarlane’s presence, they searched

the vehicle and found eight packets of what appeared to be compressed cannabis sativa in a multi-coloured bag.

He was arrested and charged after tests revealed the substance was cannabis sativa.

In his failed defence, McFarlane, who was represented by attorneys-at-law Mursalene Bacchus and Perry Gossai, had claimed that he never drove away from the police road block, and that he never had knowledge that the illegal substance was in his car.

He said that when the police surrounded his vehicle at Plantation Hope, he had stopped at the corner of the road because the sole passenger in his vehicle had gone into the bushes to ease his bowels.

However, Prosecutor Solomon, who was assisted

by Corporal Racquel Mars, told the court that McFarlane had never brought the mystery passenger to court to testify on his behalf.

“He never said who the passenger was, where he had collected him from, or even what the man looked like,” the prosecutor said.

Mike Tyson freed of armed robbery charge A RESIDENT of Constellation Street, Tucville, Georgetown, on Tuesday had the charge of armed robbery dismissed against him by City Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Mike Tyson, a 24-year-old father of three, who resides at 563 Constellation Street, Tucville was acquitted of the charge which read that on July 1, at Durban Backlands, Georgetown, while in the company of another and being armed with a gun, he robbed Eason Grimes of a motor car valued $3.2 million, a cellular phone valued $20,000, a driver’s licence valued $2000, a passport valued $2000 and $34,000 in cash, all to a total value of $3,258,000.

The case was dismissed on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove key elements of the offence.

In March Tyson was sentenced to a 58-month jail sentence for robbing a taxi driver of his car and jailed again for 18 months on a similar offence before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

who tried to arrest him, but he maintained his plea of not guilty to those charges, and those cases will be called again on June 8.

According to reports, police ranks acting on information received, stopped motor car PVV 2401 being driven by Tiwari. When the cops approached Tiwari’s car, the man allegedly discharged several rounds, hitting two of them, while reversing down a one-way street. A few hours later, he was found hiding in a yard.

Gem Sanford-Johnson is new Bar Association President THE GUYANA BAR Association (GBA) held its Annual General Meeting last Friday night and a new Executive Council was elected for the fiscal year 2016/2017 with Attorney-at-Law, Gem Sanford-Johnson as the new president.

Other members of the Executive are Vice Presidents, Sadie Amin and Mohamed Ali; Secretary, Excellence Dazzell; Assistant Secretary, Telisha Williams and Treasurer Mohamed Ali. Committee members are Alaira Murphy, Randalyn Rowe, Jermaine Jarvis, Blenden Brasford, Teni Housty and Trevon Humphrey.

It is likely that the new GBA President and her team will meet shortly to discuss plans for the future.

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

PPP ups pressure for Surujbally’s ouster CONTINUING its pressure campaign for the removal of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr Steve Surujbally, members of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), including its General Secretary Clement Rohee, staged a protest outside the GECOM headquarters on Tuesday.

“This is an ongoing campaign that we have mounted,” Rohee told this newspaper outside GECOM’s Kingston headquarters. “This is part of our demands for electoral reforms which we are pressing to happen; and we are positive that, come next elections, these reforms will be implemented.”

After being voted out of office by the APNU+AFC coalition, the PPP had called for a number of electoral reforms, including a new house-to-house registration and an electronic registration process.

Following its defeat at the May 11, 2015 polls, the PPP filed an elections petition at the High Court. Efforts by GECOM officials to have the petition quashed were rejected by then Chief Justice Ian Chang, who maintained the Party was well within its right to access additional information from GECOM by way of the Validity of Elections Act. The now-parliamentary Opposition PPP is calling for a recount of votes cast in the May 11 polls.

“We have no confidence in (Dr) Surujbally,” Rohee said, as party activists shouted in the background for the resignation of the GECOM chairman. He continued, “The machinery is also one that is quite questionable, and we will continue (protesting) until our demands are met.”

Asked about the latest progress with the elections petition, Rohee said there was no progress to report, as the

Supporters of the PPP during the protest outside GECOM’s office

Wednesday June 1st, 2016 - 14:00 hrs Thursday June 2nd, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Friday June 3rd, 2016 - 14:30 hrs

matter remains pending. “This is not a campaign that is seasonal; this is not a campaign that is aimed at encompassing a one-off objective; this is a campaign that is aimed at achieving a long-term directive,” he declared.

The PPP General Secretary said his Party will continue to apply pressure on Guyana’s elections-monitoring agency through protests, petitions, and international pressure. “Half of the population is now on our side, and it’s only a question of having others come over to us…we are very optimistic that it will happen,” Rohee said.

General Secretary of the PPP, Clement Rohee, leading the protest

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 1, 2016

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday June 1, 2016

Aussie captain predicts Warriors beat Thunder to set up Tri-Nation ODI series NBA Finals rematch with Cavaliers ...tough Learning conditions key

(THE Sports Xchange) The Golden State Warriors beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 96-88 in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Monday to set up a rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA Championship.

Stephen Curry hit five second-half 3-pointers and scored 36 points in all for Golden State, who will host the opener of the best-ofseven NBA Finals tomorrow in Oakland.

The defending NBA champions, who rallied from a 3-1 series deficits, were down by 13 in the first half and eight early in the third quarter before gunning their way to a shot at becoming the NBA’s first repeat winner since Miami in 2012 and ‘13.

Golden State, who made seven 3-pointers in the first half, got 10 over the final 24 minutes to catch and pass the Thunder, the third-seeded team in the Western playoffs.

Klay Thompson and Draymond Green bombed in consecutive threes to give the Warriors an 88-77 lead with 4:44 to go, but the Thunder would not go quietly.

R u s s e l l We s t b r o o k scored on a drive and Kevin Durant scored seven consecutive points, and

all of a sudden Oklahoma City were back within 90-86 with 1:40 to play.

However, Curry, fouled on a desperation 3-point attempt, cashed in three free throws, then iced Golden State’s comeback with one final 3-pointer with 26.8 sec-

from beyond the arc (45.9 percent) than overall (43.5 percent).

Curry also found time for eight assists.

Thompson hit six 3-pointers to account for almost all of his 21 points, helping Golden State outscore Okla-

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during the fourth quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena.

The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. onds left, opening a 10-point lead.

Curry finished 13-for-24 from the field and 7-for-12 from 3-point range on a night when the Warriors shot better

homa City 51-21 on long-distance shots.

Green added 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds for the Warriors, who became just the 10th

team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series.

Durant led the Thunder with 27 points, hitting 10 of his 19 shots and three of his seven 3-point attempts. He also had seven rebounds.

We s t b r o o k r e c o r d e d a 19-point, 13-assist double-double, but he shot just 7-for-21.

Oklahoma City shot just 38.2 percent from the field and made only seven of its 27 3-point attempts.

Serge Ibaka added 16 points for the Thunder, who were seeking to become first team in NBA history to beat two 65-win teams in the same playoffs.

Oklahoma City eliminated the West’s second seed, the San Antonio Spurs, in the second round.

While the Warriors were holding the Thunder to five field goals in the third quarter, Curry was heating up at the other end of the court.

Golden State trailed 4842 at the half before using a 15-6 spurt to open the third quarter and go up 57-54, their first lead since the second minute of the game.

The 15 points were the result of five 3-pointers, including three by Curry, who had made only two the entire first half.

Rashford, Sturridge make England Euro 2016 squad (REUTERS) Strikers Marcus Rashford and Daniel Sturridge made Roy Hodgson’s final 23-man England squad for Euro 2016 yesterday but winger Andros Townsend and midfielders Danny Drinkwater and Fabian Delph were left out.

England are taking five forwards to the 24-team tournament in France, which starts on June 10, with Sturridge selected despite doubts over a calf problem.

The injury had forced the Liverpool striker to miss England’s last two friendly matches, including Friday’s win over Australia in Sunderland.

The 18-year-old Rashford, who signed a new long-term deal with Manchester United on Monday, became the youngest player to score on his England debut in the 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light.

He scored that goal 138 seconds into what was only his 19th professional match, marking him out as one of the brightest emerging prospects and winning plaudits from Hodgson.

“He would not be out of place in anyone’s 23,” the manager said at the time.

Delph pulled out of the squad with an injury last

week and Ross Barkley was preferred to Drinkwater, a key player in the rise of underdogs Leicester City to Premier League champions this season.

Townsend, a natural winger, had been in impres-

MARCUS RASHFORD sive form towards the end of the season in Newcastle United’s failed bid to avoid relegation but Hodgson kept faith with Raheem Sterling.

Drinkwater, who made his England debut in March, said on Instagram he was disappointed not to have made

the cut but added that the season had otherwise been “a huge positive”.

Drinkwater’s supporters voiced their disappointment on social media while former England midfielder Ray Wilkins said he was surprised by the decision.

“I thought he had a really good chance,” he told Sky Sports television.

“I think the way England play is slightly different to the way Danny has played at Leicester, but he’s been without a shadow of a doubt one of the best English midfield players in the Premier League.”

England, who face Portugal tomorrow in their last warm-up match before the tournament, are in Group B with Russia, Wales and Slovakia.

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Tom Heaton (Burnley) Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool) Midfielders: Dele Alli

(Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) F o r w a r d s : Wa y n e Rooney (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

for success, says Smith

By Stephan Sookram

A CONFIDENT and cautious Australian side arrived yesterday morning in Guyana conscious of the fact that quick adaptation will be vital to their success against the hosts West Indies and the other touring South African side in the upcoming Tri-Nations series, starting Friday.

They have already conceded that their best bet is to learn the conditions as quickly as possible and identify the type of cricket that may best suit them, skipper Steven Smith announced to the media.

It will be a drastic change of the norm for the Aussies like Smith, who are accustomed to the bouncy, faster, skiddy natured pitches of down under to the slower more balanced pitches of the West Indies.

The all-rounder nonetheless backs his side to get over that hurdle quickly.

“We just have to look at the conditions, sum them up quickly and hopefully play well from there. That’s what our team does pretty well. We’re trying to sum up the conditions as quickly as possible; play according to the way we need to play,” the right-hander said.

He continued, “It’s going to be a tough series, obviously the West Indies they play some good cricket at home and obviously coming off a high from the T20 world cup victory and South Africa are a very good one day side so I think it’s going to make for a very good series.”

His players’ recent stints in the Indian Premier League (IPL) will also put them at an advantage, especially when it comes to facing several of the West Indian bowlers.

“I guess my experience will be good, I’ve played with Sunil Narine; I’ve played against Sunil Narine; I know him a little bit. I think that the rest of the players have seen him a bit, so hopefully we can handle him well and have a successful series,” Smith added.

SPIN THE KEY? Meanwhile, coach Justin Langer may have already thrown out his side’s game plan ahead of their Guyana matches, the first of which takes place on Sunday against West Indies.

They will have a chance to do some reconnaissance as to how the pitch plays on Friday when the West Indies take on the South Africans, though coach, the former Aussie opener, has hinted at the possibility of a spin attack.

“We’re expecting the wicket here to spin and we’ve got some good options if that is the case. We’ve got Lyons, and Zampa, the leg-spinner; Glen Maxwell can bowl a bit of off-spin as well, so whatever the conditions are, we are looking forward to a really tough competition,” said Langer.

Langer, unfazed yet cautious of the opposition contended, “Whoever South Africa or West Indies pick is none of our business; who we pick is our business and we will make sure that we have our best team to play our best cricket.” The South African squad arrived yesterday afternoon after playing the West Indies President’s Xi on Sunday.

11:50 hrs Hi Dancer 12:20 hrs Cape Caster

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:35 hrs Jet Intombi 09:10 hrs Poivre 09:50 hrs Roy’s Roll’s Royce 10:25 hrs Overly Impressed IRISH RACING TIPS Punchestown 12:50 hrs Sizing Platinum 13:20 hrs First Lieutenant 13:50 hrs Samanntom 14:20 hrs Saturnas 14:50 hrs Ashuria 15:20 hrs Princely CONN

15:50 HRS Fly Rory Fly ENGLISH RACING TIPS Fontwell 09:10 hrs El Bandit 09:40 hrs Easy Street 10:10 hrs Jackfield 11:10 hrs Alderley Heights 11:40 hrs Venetian Lad 12:10 hrs Turn Turk CARTMEL 09:20 hrs Taylor 09:50 hrs Tullyglush 10:20 hrs Formidableopponent 11:20 hrs Lilbitluso

RIPON 13:30 hrs Combustable 14:00 hrs Mecca’s Missus 14:30 hrs Rantan 15:00 hrs Eccleston 15:30 hrs Fastnet Tempest 16:00 hrs Stormin Tom AMERICAN RACING TIPS Gulfstream Park Race 1 Concert Stage Race 2 Remembering Richie Race 3 Twinkling Race 4 Maxine Race 5 Arty’sbourbongirl Race 6 Gagaoveryou Race 7 Russian Creek Race 8 Angel Of Love

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday June 1, 2016

FIRST BALL: THE UPCOMING TRI-NATIONS Inside Edge ODI SERIES

THE Tri-Nations One-Day International series involving the West Indies, Australia and South Africa is scheduled to commence at the National Stadium, Providence, on Friday June 3 and end at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, on Sunday, June 26 when the final is billed to be contested.

The 10-match series promises to be an exciting affair with the International Cricket Council’s top team (Australia) and the number three ranked side (South Africa) strong favourites against a wilting West Indies outfit languishing at eighth position, but one that is capable of springing surprises.

The record shows that the West Indies and Australia have been engaged in 135 ODIs with the Aussies winning 70 of the encounters, as against the West Indies count of 59. Three of the games have ended in ties, while another three were designated ‘no results.’

The first duel between these two great cricketing nations occurred on neutral territory in the inaugural World Cup staged in England in 1975. The West Indies already having easily disposed of the minnows Sri Lanka and earning a thrilling one-wicket victory over Pakistan were set to play their last preliminary game against the Aussies at the Kennington Oval in London on June 14.

Clive Lloyd, the Windies skipper, called correctly and had no hesitation in requesting of his opposite number, Ian Chappell, to take first use of the wicket in the face of slightly overcast conditions. His bowlers responded admirably, dismissing the Australians for just 192 in 53.4 of the allotment of 60 overs per side.

In fact, the Aussies were stuttering at 61 for five at one stage, which included the prize wickets of the Chappell brothers, Ian and Greg, both caught by wicketkeeper Deryck Murray off outstanding outswingers produced by Keith Boyce-all in the space of six deliveries.

It was left to the middle-order batsman Ross Edwards (58) and the wicketkeeper Rod Marsh (52 not out) to save some face with a fighting sixth-wicket partnership of 99, but once Edwards fell to a reckless shot off the part-timer Viv Richards, the end came too swiftly for Australian comfort.

The speed ace Andy Roberts claimed 3 for 39, Boyce 2 for 38 and Richards 2 for 18 amidst brilliant West Indies fielding and catching.

The Caribbean side then made light work of the victory target, racing to 195 for three in 46 overs to romp to a com-

prehensive seven-wicket win and book a place in one of the semi-finals alongside New Zealand.

After losing the young opener Gordon Greenidge leg before wicket to the experienced Max Walker for 16 with the score at 29, Roy Fredericks (58 with 5 fours) and Alvin Kallicharran with a ‘Player of the Match’ knock of 78, added 124 for the second wicket in a blistering stand that sent the partisan West Indian crowd into a frenzy.

Though Fredericks played some rollicking

ALVIN KALLICHARRAN square cuts and deft shots of his own, it was the little left-hander Kallicharran who really set the Oval alight, cracking 13 fours and one six in a most entertaining and exciting 78.

In a most memorable period of play, he tore into Australia’s premier fast bowler Dennis Lillee whom he dispatched for 35 runs off 10 deliveries with a sequence of hooks, pulls and drives which yielded scores of 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 1, 4, 6, 0 and 4.

Amidst the carnage, Lillee, Walker and the off-spinner Ashley Mallet bagged a wicket apiece.

Like the West Indies and Australia’s first engagement, the Windies and South Africa first played each other in an ODI game in a World Cup-the fifth tournament which was held in Australia and New Zealand in 1992.

Of course, due to South Africa’s apartheid policies and their subsequent isolation from the international cricketing fold for 22 years between 1970 and 1992, the team could have only resumed playing international games after the ban had been lifted.

Shortly before the commencement of the World Cup, South Africa had visited India for a three-match series under the veteran Clive

With Edwin Seeraj

Rice, but he was now replaced by Kepler Wessels, who had the experience of turning out in 54 ODIs in Australian colours between 1983 and 1985.

The West Indies-South Africa game was played at Christchurch on March 5, 1992 on a quick pitch, where the faster bowlers ruled supreme. West Indies, under Richie Richardson, on winning the toss, decided to field first and reduced the South Africans to just 200 for eight off their full quota of 50 overs.

Some five batsmen registered scores between 20 and 23, but it was the number three batsman, Peter Kirsten-with the aid of a runner for the better part of his innings-who lent some respectability to the cause with a solid 56 spread over 91 deliveries and aided by just two fours.

The late, great Malcolm Marshall-involved in the penultimate game of his illustrious career-bowled beautifully to end with two for 26, while Curtly Ambrose (2/34) and Andy Cummins (2/40) lent admirable support.

The West Indies were soon rocked back at 19 for four with Brian Lara-opening the batting-departing for nine. He was soon followed by Richardson (1), Carl Hooper (0) and Keith Arthurton (0) to a combination of testing bowling and reckless shots.

Augustine Logie with a pugnacious 61 (69 balls, 9 fours and a six) and the veteran opener Desmond Haynes with a brave 30 were the top-scorers. Haynes was struck twice on his right forefinger which was already in a splint and he was forced to retire with the intention of visiting the hospital, but when two more wickets fell quickly, he returned.

From 116 for six, the West Indies crashed to 136 all out in 38.4 overs as the right-arm medium-fast bowler, Meyrick Pringle, returned remarkable figures of four for 11 off 6.4 overs with all of his wickets coming in the space of 11 balls-a performance good enough to earn him the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

Richard Snell (2/16) and Adrian Kuiper (2/51) also assisted in carrying the South Africans to a comfortable 64-run win.

To date, the West Indies and South Africa have engaged each other in 58 ODIs. The South Africans have been victorious in no less than 43 games, while the West Indies are lagging behind on 13. The teams have played to one tie and one game was declared a ‘no result.’

Though the Australians and South Afri-

cans contested their first Test against each other in 1902-03, it was not until February 26, 1992 that they engaged themselves in an ODI for the first time when the sides met at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the World Cup. Coincidentally, the very first Test match and the last between the two teams on Australian soil before the ban was imposed was played on the very ground on which this historic ODI game was scheduled to be witnessed-the Sydney Cricket Ground.

On winning the toss in a match that was reduced to 49 overs per side, the Australian skipper Allan Border opted to bat first, but his team struggled to a paltry 170 for nine, averaging just 3.46 runs per over in the process.

After a promising start of 42 between the openers David Boon (27) and Geoff Marsh (25), Border’s team lost wickets at regular intervals slipping from 76 for one to 108 for five and then eventually to the innings total of 170 for nine.

The fast bowler Allan Donald led the way with three for 34, ably supported

by Brian McMillan’s effort of two for 35, but it was Adrian Kuiper’s two for 15-dismissing Rod Marsh and Border with consecutive deliveries-that perhaps had the greatest impact.

The spectacular fielding of Jonty Rhodes at cover was the talk of the town.

South Africa then cruised to an emphatic nine-wicket victory, hurrying to 171 for one in 46.5 overs with captain Wessels carving an unbeaten 81 (148 balls, 9 fours) against his former team. He added 74 for the first wicket with Andrew Hudson (28) and an unfinished 97-run second-wicket stand with Peter Kirsten (49 not out) as the Proteas flexed their muscles irresistibly.

In an effort to stem the tide, Australia used seven bowlers, but in the end only the off-spinner Peter Taylor with one for 32 had any success.

It didn’t help Australia’s cause that wicketkeeper Ian Healey pulled a hamstring while batting and couldn’t take the field. David Boon took on the duties behind the stumps and from all reports, the Aussie’s fielding was poor.

Currently, the two sides have played 88 ODIs against each other with the Aussies winning 46 games as opposed to 39 wins for South Africa. Three games have ended in ties.

So, let the series begin!

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday June 1, 2016

HACC start SCA Elite League on resounding note

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada -- Already with an imposing record in the Premiere League after romping to six consecutive championships, Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) have signalled their intentions to continue their dominance in the inaugural Elite League following two impressive victories in the opening rounds of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) 2016 season here.

HACC’s latest win came via a five-wicket thrashing over Scarborough Cricket Club (SCC) at the Terry Fox ground in Scarborough on Sunday, following their opening-round triumph against Bawa Cricket Club who were penalised for their atrocious onfield behaviour at Ashtonbee the previous weekend.

Set a modest 99 for victory after restricting last season’s Premiere League finalists, SCC, to 98 all out in 39.5 overs, HACC were in a spot of bother at 45 for five in the 12th over before former Guyana captain Damodar Daesrath (21 not out) and Zaheer Allard (28 not out) averted any further alarms, reaching the required target in 23.1 overs. Opener Surendra Seeraj had earlier hit 25.

SCC’s innings was undermined by Daesrath, who

completed a fine all-round performance, claiming four for eight in 7.5 overs while Allard supported well with three for 19 off 9 overs. SCC’s main scorer was Somar Lukman with 34 while S. Raj scored 23.

In the opening fixture, which ended with opponents Bawa conceding victory after HACC were well in command

and needing a mere five runs to complete the formality. There were several useful performances, chief among them was the all-round effort of Seeraj who bagged three for 21 when Bawa batted and came back to slam a quick-fire 36 with three sixes and three fours.

Needing 151 for victory after Bawa were bowled out for 150 in 48.4 overs, HACC

were 146 for five in 26.4 overs when their opponents disrupted the game in a show of poor gamesmanship. The umpires subsequently awarded the game to HACC while the matter is engaging the attention of the SCA. When the game was unnecessarily aborted, skipper Hemnarine Chattergoon was undefeated on 33 with two sixes

and a four while Daesrath had earlier smashed two sixes and two fours in 27 and Doodnauth Singh 27, Apart from Seeraj, vice-captain Rishi Samuel (three for 12 and Munaf Khan (two for 33) were the main bowlers while Daesrath bowled an immaculate spell of eight overs for 10 runs, including five consecutive maidens.

Though unavoidably absent from both games, HACC president Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan is understandably pleased with the performances of his charges and is looking forward to another great season. HACC will take on Highland Creek Cricket Club in their next game, set for Saturday, June 11 at Ashtonbee.

HACC players before the start of Sunday’s game versus Scarborough Cricket Club. Skipper Hemnarine Chattergoon is extreme right (stooping)

Anderson tops Test rankings after Sri Lanka success

ENGLAND fast bowler James Anderson has jumped above compatriot Stuart Broad at the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test bowling rankings after his fine display in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka.

Anderson has so far picked up 18 wickets in the three-match series, including a 10-wicket haul in the opening Test at Leeds, as he guided England to an unassailable 2-0 lead over the tourists at Chester-leStreet on Monday.

The 33-year-old became the fourth England bowler to top the Test bowling rankings after Ian Botham, Steve Harmison and Broad, cricket’s governing body said on its website (www.icc-cricket.com).

Despite picking up 10 wickets in the Sri Lanka series, Broad dropped down to third, one place below Indian spinner Ravichandran JAMES ANDERSON Ashwin, who retained second.

Australia’s Steve Smith tops the Test batsman rankings, while Joe Root maintained his second place after scoring a half-century in England’s second Test win against Sri Lanka.

Australia and India currently sit first and second respectively in the Test team rankings. England are fourth.

Zimbabwe sacks Masakadza, Whatmore ZIMBABWE has sacked captain Hamilton Masakadza and head coach Dav Whatmore, following the board’s review of the team’s performance at the World T20 in March.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has given Graeme Cremer and Makhaya Ntini the interim roles of captain and head coach, respectively, while appointing Lance Klusener as batting coach on a twoyear contract.

The board has also restructured the selection panel, which will now consist of a convener, the head coach, and the assistant coach.

Tatenda Taibu, the former Zimbabwe captain, has been appointed convener, and, according to a ZC release, “will have additional responsibilities in development and high performance, and will also assist ZC in bringing former Zimbabwe players back into local cricket.”

The loss of captaincy

completes a strange few months for Masakadza: he was dropped in October 2015, then came back,

Hamilton Masakadza has been sacked as Zimbabwe captain, four months after taking over the role scored heavily and took over the captaincy in all three formats following Elton Chigumbura’s resignation in January.

He had a modest World T20, scoring 20, 12 and 11, and was run-out twice, exemplifying an error-prone Zimbabwe side that failed to reach the Super10 stage of the tournament. The leg-spinner Cremer, one of Zimbabwe’s most consistent performers leading up to the World T20, missed the tournament with a fractured left forearm.

The former Australia batsman Whatmore, who has previously coached Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, took over as Zimbabwe’s head coach in December 2014, after Steve Mangongo’s sacking following a fractious fivemonth reign.

Ntini, the former South Africa fast bowler, was appointed as his assistant in January 2016. ESPNcricinfo understands Mangongo is the frontrunner to take over again as head coach in the coming months.

Klusener, the former South Africa all-rounder, has

prior involvement with Zimbabwe cricket. He played for the Mutare-based Mountaineers franchise in 2010.

Klusener was one of the big-name signings for the Stanbic T20. Like many of the internationals who played in that event, Klusener was not paid in full and was understood to still be owed money by ZC several years after the tournament.

His latest coaching assignment came to an end in February, when he was sacked by the South African domestic franchise Dolphins. Before that, he served a short stint as a lower-order batting consultant to South Africa’s Test side ahead of their home series against England.

Taibu returns to Zimbabwe cricket after four years, having retired at the age of 29 to pursue a career as a pastor. He has recently been playing club cricket in the UK. (ESPN Cricinfo)

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday June 1, 2016

Messi will testify in tax fraud trial tomorrow

(REUTERS) - The trial of Lionel Messi on charges of tax evasion opened in Barcelona yesterday, but injury prevented soccer’s five-time World Player-ofthe-Year from attending.

The Barcelona star will be in court tomorrow to testify.

Messi and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, are accused by the Spanish tax office of defrauding the government of 4.2 million euros ($4.7M) between 2007 and 2009. They could face jail terms of up to 22 months if found guilty.

Both have denied the allegations and missed yesterday’s hearing, which lasted over an hour. The 28-year-old player and his father are not obliged to attend the court every day, but they will have to testify

tomorrow.

“The intention of Mr Lionel was to attend the plenary

LIONEL MESSI hearing, but he has suffered an injury,” Messi’s lawyer, Javier Sanchez-Vera, said in court. He presented a medical report.

The Barcelona forward hurt his back during Argentina’s international friendly against Honduras last Friday.

Asked by the judge whether Messi would attend tomorrow’s hearing, the lawyer said he would.

The case centres on the player’s image rights and a web of shell companies allegedly used to evade taxes on income from those rights. Yesterday’s hearing showed that Spain’s tax office made 20 inspections of Messi during its two-year investigation.

According to the prosecutors’ office, revenue was hidden using shell companies in Uruguay, Belize, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Messi and his father paid five million euros to the tax authorities as a

“corrective” measure after being formally investigated in June 2013.

In addition to Messi, Spain’s tax office has also begun investigating the finances of high-profile Barcelona players such as Neymar Jr, Javier Mascherano and Adriano.

A resident in Barcelona since 2000, Messi became a Spanish citizen in 2005.

He is 10th on Forbes Magazine’s list of the world’s highest-earning athletes over the past decade, with an income of $350M. Messi has scored 314 goals in 348 appearances for Barca. His five World Footballer-of-the-Year titles are a record. He has also won eight La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey trophies and four Champions League crowns with Barca.

Guyanese perform well at Hampton International Games GOLD medal wins by CARIFTA Games bronze medallist Andrea Foster, along with Natrena Hooper, and a second-place finish by the Guyana Defence Force men’s 4x100m team, were just some of the medal wins by Guyanese at the 39th Hampton International Games held last weekend at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Along with Foster and Hooper GDF’s Doman Williams landed gold with his 14.18m distance in the men’s triple jump.

Foster, who earlier this year won bronze in both the Girls’ Under-20 800m and 1500m at the CARIFTA Games, took gold for these events at the Hampton Games.

Foster did 2:19.04s in the women’s 800m for an easy win over Trinidad’s April Francis, who finished on a time of 2:25.13s. Foster was at it again in the 1500m championing the race in a time of 4:55.92s.

She once again ended ahead of Francis who clocked 5:14.39s, while Caryl Hamilton took third in a time of 6:42.81s.

Hooper fared well in the

Hooper is one of several Guyanese athletes who attended the event hoping to make Olympic standard to qualify for the upcoming Rio Olympics in August.

Guyana’s Andrea Foster at the Hampton International Games field events securing gold in the women’s triple jump and high jump. In the triple jump Hooper made it across 12.62m for the win, and in the high jump she cleared 1.78m. Jeanelle Ovid made it to 1.65m to take second place.

Her high jump, however, is still just short of the 1.93m qualifying mark.

Apart from the jumps, Hooper also ran the 200m where she placed fourth on a time of 24.22 secs. The race was won by Kamaria Durant in a time of 23.19 secs.

After a gaping win in their heats, the GDF men’s team, anchored by Davin Fraser, ended with a second place in the 4x100m relay after clocking a time of 41.86 secs. The relay was started by Rupert Perry, while Rodney Eion and Akeem Stewart were the middle men.

Outside of his win with the team, Stewart also celebrated a silver medal win from his performance in the men’s 200m finals.

Stewart touched the finish line in a time of 21.45 secs, beaten only by the 21.37 secs run by Trinidad’s Kevin Haynes.

Also landing some of that hardware up for grabs was Men’s javelin record-holder Leslain Baird who placed third in that event.

Baird’s key throw covered a distance of 62.12m.

The win for the event went to Trinidad’s Shaquille Waithe who managed to cover a distance of 77.17m.

Grenada’s Anderson Peters was second with a 76.75m throw.

National Junior Karate Championships completed THE Guyana Karate Federation held its National Junior Karate Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall last Sunday. The competitors took part in the Kata and Kumite forms in the 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-17 male and female categories.

In the Kata form, the Male 6-8 category saw Pratush Deokinandan taking first, Mario Hodge took second, Nigel Clarke took third, while the female 6-8 saw Aarti Ramgolam first and Pooja Lam second.

In the male 9-11 category Doodnauth Jairam took first, Matthew Gurahoo second, Clint Jones took third, while the female category saw Riana Narine first, Aminata Diallo second and Jasmin Hodge third.

Seon Wesley took first, Mekhi Proffit took second and Sruti Jairam third in the male 12-14 category.

In the male 15-17 years, Avinash Ramgolam took first, Andru Rambarran second, Charles Benjamin third.

Chelcia Benjamin was the lone competitor taking first.

In the 6-8 Kumite form, Nigel Clarke, Jeremy Betton and Amar Jairam took first, second and third respectively. Aarti Ramgolam and Pooja Lam took first and second in the female category.

In the male 9-11 categories Kumite -40 KG Doodnauth Jairam took first, Owen Betton second and Xavier Henry third. Shaquan Norville took first and Clint Jones took second in the Kumite +40 KG. In the female 9-11 Kumite, Jasmin Hodge took first, Riana Narine second.

Mark Crawford, Jonathon Ramsuchit and Dominic Wharton took first, second, third respectively in the Kumite -45 KG and Sruti Jairam, Orlando Giddings and Mekhi Proffitt walked away with first, second, third respectively in the Kumite 45+ KG. The female 15-17 Chelcia Benjamin was the only competitor taking home first.

The male 15-17 -55 KG Tulsidas Hira, Christopher Ramkissoon, Michael Crawford walked away with first, second and third respectively while Andru Rambarran, Antuan Headley and Mortimer Giddings came first, second and third in the Kumite 55+ KG. The best male contestant went to Doodnauth Jairam, while Riana Narine was the best female contestant.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday June 01, 2016)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Sunrisers Hyderbaad (2) Ben Cutting (SH)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) How many matches are scheduled for the Tri-Nations ODI series involving WI, SA & Australia?

(2) Where and when is the final game of the Tri-Nations ODI series scheduled to be played?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday June 1, 2016

Antigua and Barbuda to invest millions in Windies cricket PRIME Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, has reiterated his rejection of any attempt to dissolve the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) while stating that the West Indies can become the most exciting and most valuable cricket product in the world.

To that end the Prime Minister revealed that his government, in partnership with the WICB, is in negotiation with the Stanford liquidator receiver to acquire the Stanford Cricket

Ground, Sticky Wicket and other amenities valued at US$6M. His government, he said, will underwrite up to 50 per cent of that amount.

Prime Minister Browne was addressing a gathering celebrating the WICB’s 90th year of recognition by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Antigua.

“I categorically reject the call for the dissolution of the West Indies Cricket Board, and I do so in my capacity as Chairman of the Committee govern-

Prime Minister Gaston Browne

ing West Indies Cricket.

I believe firmly that to dissolve the board would be to plunge West Indies Cricket into further chaos and confusion,” he said.

Asserting that governance could be an issue, the PM also asked that the board and other stakeholders take the necessary and appropriate actions to ensure that the governance framework is strengthened; that there is greater transparency and accountability; and the disputes/differences that will arise from time to time

be managed much better than they are now.

He believes when the disputes end up in the public domain, it damages the image of the cricket product. He therefore urged the board to “create a more suitable dispute resolution mechanism in resolving the issues between the board and players going forward.

Prime Minister Browne congratulated the West Indies Under-19 and the senior male and female teams, noting that their world cup

victories should serve as a platform for greater unity for the board and players and for all stakeholders.

The milestone was also recognised by the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, who stated that cricket has created an evolution and revolution for the people of the region. He noted the radical changes in the game which took place and highlighted that the format changes were imminent and “there was more to come”.(Sportsmax.com)

World Junior Champs gold is his best ever race – Usain Bolt

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Despite all his achievements, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt has singled out his gold medal winning performance as a 15-year-old at the World Junior Championship in Kingston, as his best accomplishment.

“I think my best achieve-

ment was winning the World Juniors in Jamaica and the reason is because it was actually in Jamaica. “It feels much better and more pleasurable to win in front of your home crowd,” he explained.

Bolt made the revelation during the Digicel launch of

Simmons not bothered by shock Windies losses WEST Indies coach Phil Simmons has expressed little concern for the form of the regional team heading into the tri-nation series, despite losing both warmup matches to a Barbados squad.

Concerns were recently raised about the enormity of the task ahead for the team, who will face Australia and South Africa beginning on Friday, following the losses to Barbados; Simmons, however, explained that there were extenuating circumstances.

“We played two warm-up games, we had five players missing so I’m not worried about that, we have a good camp where the guys worked hard, so that was the important thing,” Simmons said.

According to SimPHIL SIMMONS mons, the object of the team which will be without some of its top players will be to win the tournament, a result that would be their first series victory since defeating Bangladesh in 2014.

“In any tournament, the first aspect about it is winning and that’s how I play the game, to win every time I go into a game; so we are going to try and look for the best way we as a team can win the tournament,” he added.

The West Indies will play South Africa on Friday, followed by a match against Australia on Sunday, and then the two visiting powerhouses will play on Tuesday.

Australia are the current world champions, while South Africa are ranked number three in the One Day International format.

its “Bring The Beat” campaign for the Rio Olympics today at the Terra Nova Hotel.

Bolt was severely tested, not by his peers, but by some sharp-witted youngsters who extracted some unusual answers. He was peppered with questions from several youngsters aged between six and 10 -years-old from across the Caribbean in an interactive session that lasted for approximately one hour.

The event was hosted by nine year-old Naleighna-Kae McLean who asked a series of questions before opening the floor to her fellow young journalists, most of which Bolt had to dig deep to answer.

The fastest man in history was quizzed about his fears; his mental toughness compared to Asafa Powell’s; his coach; how many girlfriends he had?, what he does during his free time and his favourite food.

USAIN BOLT Most of the times, Bolt, stumped by the questions, laughed loudly, took deep breaths before constructing his reply. And he gave some interesting answers.

Bolt, the most successful sprinter revealed he has a fear of losing at big championships; loves pork and has American basketballer Kevin

Garnett, track star Michael Johnson and Jamaica’s Don Quarrie as well as his father Wellesley Bolt as his role models.

“My greatest fear is actually losing at a championship, that’s my greatest fear, like losing at the Olympics,” said Bolt.

“How many girlfriends

do you have?”, flew at him, as Bolt and the audience burst into laughter. “One,” he replied.

Bolt then took pictures with the children, signed t-shirts, pictures, books and anything they wanted him to put his signature on.(Reprinted from Jamaica Observer)

Hero renews CPL sponsorship INDIAN-based two-wheel vehicle manufacturers Hero MotoCorp have announced a three-year renewal of its current sponsorship arrangement with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The company, which began its association with the CPL in 2015 has so far reportedly been pleased with the association and will now assume the role of title sponsors until 2018.

“Cricket continues to be one of the

most popular sports in various parts of the world, and the Hero CPL has become an eagerly-awaited annual event for cricket fans not just in the Caribbean but across the globe.

The extension of our Title Sponsorship of the Hero CPL is also in keeping with the increasing global presence of Brand Hero, which is now present in 30 countries across Asia, Africa and South and Central America.

The Hero CPL is now set to be-

come one of the important events in Hero’s annual global sporting calendar,” said Chairman, Managing Director & CEO of Hero MotoCorp Ltd Pawan Munjal.

The 2016 competition will be played between June 29 and August 7 at venues across seven territories - Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago, and Fort Lauderdale in the USA. (Sportsmax.com)

Antigua and Barbuda to invest millions in Windies cricket see story on page 31

Aussie captain predicts tough Tri-Nation ODI series ... Learning conditions key for success, says Smith

see story on page 27

Sport Director Chris Jones (extreme right) greets the Australian Cricket team yesterday morning at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (Adrian Narine photo)

Forde clears air on Richardson’s suspension from ‘Golden Jaguars’ CFU squad PRESIDENT of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Monday cleared the air on Gregory `Jackie Chan’ Richardson’s suspension from being a part of the `Golden Jaguars’ squad for their two second-round engagements in the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) Caribbean Men’s Cup. Guyana’s `Golden Jaguars’ will face Curacao today in Curacao and subsequently take on United States Virgin Islands (USVI) later in the week.

Addressing members of the media post-Ordinary Congress briefing on Monday, Forde refuted the news article carried in another section of the media which stated that Richardson has been unjustly sidelined from being a part

of the `Golden Jaguars’ squad for their upcoming second-round CFU matches against Curacao today and their other match against USVI. Forde in his response said the article was completely inaccurate and explained that the incident which occurred at Leonora, West Coast Demerara in the game between Pele Football Club and Alpha United Football Club had a measure of threat and violence to the officials of the game.

The GFF head said when the executive committee got the facts and report from the match commissioner, they felt that for something that serious, the Federation cannot allow a player to go on and represent the country when

Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson there are issues of threat to the safety of an official on the field.

For this to happen, Forde said, that individual will first have to be cleared by the Disciplinary Com-

mittee.

According to Forde, Richardson and the other members of his team that were mentioned in the match commissioner’s report have all been referred to the Disciplinary Committee and the only time they will be allowed to play in local or international competitions is if they are cleared by the Disciplinary Committee.

Forde said the CFU Caribbean Men’s Cup has many weeks ahead and once Richardson is cleared by the Disciplinary Committee and the national team’s management feels that he should be called up for further engagements, then his right would be protected to represent Guyana on the field of play.

Forde emphasised that

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

the decisions taken by the Executive Committee are never personal, “we have to protect the image of the game and we understand that some of these players have a very strong and passionate following.

“We have to look at the image of football, both locally and internationally; we simply cannot have a situation where a referee is threatened to the extent that security is needed to take the field to restrain players, and

within a matter of days, that player is allowed to be a part of the set up,” Forde stated.

Meanwhile, Richie Richards (Alpha United) has been called to the national squad as a second goalkeeper and Anthony `Awo’ Abrams has been called to replace Christopher Nurse who has indicated his unavailability for the games against Curacao today and USVI later in the week, while Samuel Cox has been named team captain.

Hero renews CPL sponsorship see story on page 31

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016