Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 01 11 2016

Gladstone Mack 105 not out Page 5

6 with microcephaly No. 104722

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016

Price: $80

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‒ mother fears stigmatisation

Linden toll booth opens Page 8

Guyanese man perishes in Maryland fire Page 9

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A new break for Linden: Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams breaks a coconut to symbolically relaunch the Linden Toll Station on Monday. Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valarie Patterson (left) and Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, in all smiles, look on

Bartica massacre

‘Mikey’ pleads guilty to manslaughter Page 2

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Bartica massacre: ‘Mikey’ pleads guilty to manslaughter

ONE OF FIVE accused indicted for the murder of nine civilians and three policemen on February 17, 2008 at Bartica has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of murder, but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

This accused made his plea before Justice Roxane George in the Demerara High Court on Monday.

In her opening address, State Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar told the court that on February 17, 2008 at Bartica, the accused Michael Caesar, called “Mikey”, travelled from Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara along with other members of the Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins gang, to Bartica, Essequibo River; and when the boat reached the location, Caesar was armed with an AK-47 assault rifle along with two magazines, and he was dressed in a soldier’s uniform.

Kaulesar stated that Caesar and others left the boat and went to the Bartica Police Station, and within minutes, gunshots could be heard.

Sometime after, he returned with others in a vehicle, carrying two chests made of steel, a bullet-proof vest and more guns.

There, she said, ‘Fineman” shot six men who were put to lie on the stelling, after which the gang members re-entered the boat with the items.

The prosecutor told the court that the group joined a jeep and travelled to Linden,

Michael ‘Mikey’ Caesar

where they hid and divided the money and gold. Kaulesar said the accused left the jurisdiction on March 8, 2009, but a police officer travelled to Suriname and brought him back.

Caesar was held at Springlands Police Station and then taken to Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Eve Leary, Georgetown. At CID headquarters, he made a written caution statement which was witnessed by Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum in the presence of a Justice of the Peace.

Kaulesar added that in the caution statement, Caesar admitted, among other things, that three weeks prior to the incident, he was informed that they were going on a “big wuk.” She related that the accused spoke of joining the boat behind Pegasus Hotel and travelling to Nabaclis, where others joined them.

Kaulesar said that with regard to the incident at

Bartica, Caesar admitted to shooting “blind, blind” and driving down the road in a police vehicle while licking shots “wild, wild.”

She said Caesar spoke of them getting guns and two canisters. After their escape, he was given $700,000 by “Fineman”, and gold which he sold for $900,000.

Kaulesar told the court that, on March 8, 2009, Caesar was put on an identification parade held by Assistant Superintendent of Police Lord at CID HQ, and it was viewed by Dwayne Williams, who identified Caesar.

She said 12 persons, including three policemen, were killed during the incident, which became known as the ‘Bartica Massacre.’

At the end of the submissions, Justice George asked the accused if he understood what was being said in the court, and he said he did; after which he was told that he would have to return to court on December 16, 2016 at 11:00hrs for sentencing and probation report.

Caesar has two other matters which have not yet been filed, and when he returns to court, he would be sentenced for the 12 counts of manslaughter in addition to the two other matters.

The accused is being represented by attorney Maxwell McKay. The five accused: Mark Royden, called ‘Durant Williams’; Dennis Williams, aka ‘Anaconda’; Clebert Reece, called ‘Chi-Chi’; Michael

Caesar and Roger Simon, allegedly murdered 12 men at Bartica on February 17, 2008.

The five are facing 12 counts of murder, one count of terrorism, one count of unlawful wounding and three counts of break and enter and larceny.

During the February 17, 2008 rampage, nine civilians and three cops were gunned down by a group of heavily armed men who descended on Bartica at nightfall. Those

who lost their lives were: Bartica residents Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian and Irving Ferreira; policemen stationed at the Bartica Police Station: Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne; Deonarine Singh of Wakenaam; Ronald Gomes of Kuru-Kururu; Ashraf Khan of Middlesex, Essequibo; Abdool Yasseen; Errol Thomas of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo; and Baldeo Singh of Montrose,

East Coast Demerara.

Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins, according to the police, led the gang on the rampage in Bartica, as well as the one that converged on Lusignan on January 26, 2008. Rawlins was killed during a joint services’ operation on August 28, 2008.

With his death and the arrest and prosecution of the five suspects, it appeared as though the police had closed their investigation.

GuySuCo to commence aerial spraying trials

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder during the meeting with representatives of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) on Monday

THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is set to commence aerial spraying to test proposed buffer zones based on a proposal which was presented on Monday to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and representatives of the Pesticides and Toxic

Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB).

The aim of the trial is to determine spray drifts during aerial spraying.

Given several studies and review of international guidelines and buffer zones, GuySuCo stated, a buffer zone of 500m is suitable to adequately limit any negative effects of aerial spraying by aircraft, the Agriculture Ministry (MoA) has said in a report.

According to the MoA, being the only corporation in Guyana with uninterrupted experience in agrichemical and fertiliser applications, GuySuCo has always established clear guidelines for the safe use and handling of agrichemicals, which include procedures for aerial application.

The corporation’s aerial operations have kept abreast with international standards

in equipment and environmental guidelines for drift management.

GuySuCo’s chemical applications are mainly herbicides for weed management, and applying fertilisers and cane ripeners, whereas insecticides that are toxic chemicals are rarely used in the industry, and are not applied by the corporation’s aircraft.

Dr. Harold Davis, a consultant scientist attached to GuySuCo, has said the rationale for the proposed buffer zones was based on what obtains in other countries; a consideration of the capability of the equipment and the properties of the chemicals being applied; previous studies carried out by the corporation.

“Based on a previous study carried out in 2011, the evidence supports the proposed buffer zone. Wind Turn to page 9 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

6 with microcephaly ‒ mother fears stigmatisation

By Ariana Gordon SIX babies have been diagnosed with microcephaly so far for 2016, mere months after the first case of zika infection was registered in Guyana.

The cases have not been linked to the zika virus, as none of the pregnant mothers has developed signs and symptoms associated with the virus, which broke out in neighbouring Brazil in late 2014. One of these six babies was a stillbirth.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes Aegypti mosquito, and can be passed from a pregnant woman to her foetus. It can also be spread through sexual contact.

Once a pregnant woman is infected, her baby can have defects when born.

The CDC also noted that those infected with the virus either would not have symptoms or would have mild symptoms; but the most common of the symptoms are fever, rashes, joint pain, conjunctivitis, and headache.

There is currently no vaccine or cure for the zika virus.

Microcephaly, on the other hand, is a birth defect wherein a baby’s head is smaller than usual when compared to babies of the same age and sex.

Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that may not have been fully developed during pregnancy, or have stopped growing after birth, the CDC said.

The occurrence of microcephaly was a shocker for Felicia Lewis, 18, a first time mother who had never previously heard of the disease.

Opening up to Guyana Chron-

icle after some hesitation, Lewis, who hails from Region 7, in a low tone of voice, said she was expecting nothing but a healthy baby girl.

“I was surprised at first, but not scared,” she said, pointing out that despite the abnormality she embraced her new born with deep love, care and affection. The infant, born in September, has been doing well, and family members have been very supportive, the young mother said.

“I worry about her… because she was born with this sickness,” Lewis said, relating that her husband was also worried, but “told me everything would be okay… because we trust in God”.

While upbeat about the future of her child, the young mother said she is a bit worried that her daughter would be subjected to stigmatisation once society finds out that she has microcephaly.

Guyana’s first case of zika infection was reported in January, a few months after Brazil reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) that it suspected it had 141 cases of microcephaly in Pernambuco state.

By November 2015, that country had declared a national public health emergency as cases of microcephaly continued to increase. The following month, Brazil reported 2,975 suspected cases of microcephaly, a number which was higher than any other part of the north-east region.

So far, Guyana has reported only 35 cases of zika. Zika, however, was not the only infection that was prevalent around that time, as chikungunya was still on the radar.

Like zika, chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease that is transmitted by the aedes

aegypti mosquito, the same mosquito known to spread dengue and yellow fever diseases.

Adolescent Health Coordinator of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Oneka Scott, was the acting Maternal and Child Health Director just around the time the second baby was born here with microcephaly after the outbreak in Brazil.

HIGH GEAR Health officials, she said, went into high gear. “We have a team approach. The Government, through the Ministry of Public Health, has paid lots of attention to psycho-social support; it is not easy giving birth to a child with microcephaly,” she said, while noting that locally there is some doubt of the correlation between microcephaly and zika.

Earlier this year, the New England Journal of Medicine published the preliminary results of a large study done on pregnant Colombian women infected with zika; and according to that study, of nearly 12,000 pregnant women infected with the virus, there was no case of microcephaly.

Brazil, however, has sought to link the two; and that is something that must not be taken for granted, said Dr. Scott.

“This is the basis of our response, because we need to prepare these women if any were diagnosed with zika. We needed to have information out there that would lend to informed choices; not for everybody to jump and say ‘Oh, I am diagnosed with zika’, or ‘I have symptoms and I want to have an abortion because I am pregnant’,” she told Guyana Chronicle.

When the first case was di-

Dr Oneka Scott

agnosed here, a team of workers -- including a surveillance officer, a doctor, public health nurse, a representative of the vector control office and a counsellor -- was formed to provide psycho-social support to pregnant women who were infected with zika.

“We tell them what to expect; what are the likely outcomes and, most importantly, what are their choices,” Dr. Scott said, noting that abortion is legal and remains an option.

“It isn’t just another child, it is a child with special needs,” she stressed, disclosing that the six mothers who delivered babies with microcephaly were not previously diagnosed with zika.

Dr. Scott also pointed out that microcephaly is not new in Guyana, and has been around even before zika.

“We do not know where our baseline is… if it is that we saw one or two microcephaly babies per year; this is less than a month that we have six. So you have to put a question mark of doubt, and you have to act upon that doubt and create an action plan…which is already created because of the association of zika and microcephaly,” she added.

According to her, during investigation, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) could not state the

Disability and Rehabilitation Director Ariana Mangar

number of babies born there with microcephaly. “Nobody could have told me for 2014 or 2015 if we had two or three cases,” the doctor told Guyana Chronicle.

MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACH The Ministry of Public Health is collaborating with the Ministries of Education and Social Protection to create a multi-sectoral approach to dealing with children born with microcephaly.

“To have a child with microcephaly -– a child with special needs, the development is slow. They reach milestones less, the care may be more, and you may have a child who cannot be put in regular daycare; so some type of public assistance or external Government support is needed. The Ministry of Public Health cannot do it alone,” Dr. Scott said, noting that rehabilitation for each child is a must.

Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, Director of the Maternal and Child Health Department of the Ministry of Public Health, has been working on the protocols, work plan and other documents relative to microcephaly, even before a case was reported.

Disability and Rehabilitation Director Ariane Mangar said that when children are

born they are evaluated, and those with abnormalities are referred to a rehabilitation facility for treatment.

At these State facilities, all services are free of cost.

Mangar, like Dr. Scott, made it clear that microcephaly is not a new phenomenon here, but noted that persons are more aware of it now because of the zika virus and all the reports related to it.

Psychologist Mosa Hutson said that while there is much awareness about zika, not much is known about microcephaly; and this gap must be closed, since it can help in staving off stigmatisation.

“There (are) lots of stigma attached to people and children who are differently-abled…. Young parents are not as strong as the experienced ones, and we have to support them. The child must have as much support as possible, despite what society would say,” she said.

Hutson noted that the brunt of the worry comes from what people say. She stressed that parents ought not to be ashamed if they see their child are born with microcephaly.

She is currently working to have group sessions with mothers who have children that are infected with microcephaly, to facilitate information sharing among them so that they can better care for their bundles of joy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Road fatalities, accidents rise - Guyanese urged to take more precautions GUYANESE are being urged to take more precautions when traversing the roadways, given that for this year a total of 109 persons have lost their lives due to road accidents.

This announcement was made by Traffic Chief Dion Moore during the launch of National Road Safety

Month 2016, done under the theme “Life does not have a reset button, drive carefully.” This theme was touted throughout the programme, as officials sought to usher in the month with the hope of reducing the number of road accidents.

According to Moore, as opposed to last year,

Members of the Guyana National Road Safety Council conducting a simulation exercise, showing how accidents are dealt with

when 82 road accidents were recorded and 96 deaths were occasioned, this year’s statistics stand at 90 accidents and 109 deaths, and there are yet two months remaining in this year. He indicated that these figures showed a rise of 21 per cent in accidents and 14 per cent

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in deaths.

The figures were deemed unacceptable by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who noted that Guyana has the highest suicide, domestic violence and gun-use rates in the Caribbean, and this upward trend in road fatalities might even add to that list.

“In order to curb this situation, we need to work on improving individual responsibility, given that this is the only way we can move forward,” the minister admonished.

Making reference to a Guyana Chronicle article,

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the Minister said that lack of care costs a lot, given that for this year a sum of $4.3 Billion has been spent because of accidents. That money, he said, could have been spent to develop other sectors which need the support.

He said that if persons were to take their responsibilities seriously, the situation would be remedied.

Speaking about the progress of Operation Safeway, Minister Ramjattan said there have been decreases in accidents and increases in charges, with 679 persons being charged in a month for improperly

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using the roads.

Statistics show that, for this year, a total of 56,695 persons had been charged for improper use of the roads; whereas last year a total of 47,911 persons had been so charged. Charges include reckless driving.

Though the number of persons charged has increased this year, the Minister condemned the increase in road fatalities and called on all stakeholders to take charge and ensure that betterment prevails.

PAHO/WHO Officer Jean Alexandre and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, expressed similar views, noting that more stringent systems were needed to fight road accidents.

Ferguson indicated that the system by which drivers’ licences are issued needed to be revisited, while a demerit system needed to be implemented.

And members of the Guyana National Road Safety Council highlighted that they have a packed list of events for this month, and would hope to even target schools in order to sensitize the youths on road safety.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Gladstone Mack is 105 not out

By Shirley Thomas

GUYANA’S longest surviving centenarian, Mr. Gladstone Mack, yesterday celebrated his 105th birth anniversary; but delighted though he was at this achievement, he feels he has run ‘the race’, and is now ready to meet his Maker.

“I am happy that I have lived to see 105, and (I) give God all the glory for the great things He has done,” Mack said. “But personally, I know that I have made it right with my Saviour, and anytime He is ready for me, I’ll respond to His call. Oh, how I am glad to be in that sweet home that He has prepared for me!” Mack told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday.

Looking at him as he prayed, it was obvious that, beneath it all, he was missing his wonderful wife of 60 years -- Viola Mack, née Fortune -who transitioned about seven years ago, after a wonderful union that was premised on the principles of God. UNUSUAL RESPONSE Considering his responses to be quite unlike the usual expressions of birthday sentiments, the Guyana Chronicle modestly enquired of ‘Brother Mack’, as he is fondly called, whether he would consider making it to 110, but he replied in the negative.

Asked how much longer he would like to go, Brother Mack replied, “If it’s tomorrow self!”

Then, after a few moments, he quietly confided that, based

- now ready to meet ‘The Maker’

Centenarian Mr. Gladstone Mack celebrated his 105th birthday yesterday. In his right hand is the award he received from the Government of Guyana during Independence Jubilee celebrations for being the oldest surviving man in Guyana in 2016. At left is his eldest daughter, Mrs. Winifred Camacho (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

on how he feels these days, he does not think he could make it much longer.

He admitted that of late he’s been feeling as if he’s on his last, as he’s often given to ‘giddiness’ -- a swinging in the head, and a great discomfort in the left region of his chest; not to mention the pain in his knees and the swelling in his insteps, all of which have rendered him immobile.

But even though he’s now confined to bed, his daughters consider his health to be average, since he can still do some of the things he loves doing. He has also been able to benefit from monthly church visitations and services, since

he has a son who is a Church of Christ pastor and he also receives monthly visits from Reverend Glennis Spencer, Superintendent of the Trinity Methodist Church. Additionally, he receives occasional check-ups from his doctor through home visits.

But his occasional feelings of ill-health are invariably overcome by the abundant love that exists in the home in which Brother Mack lives, and all his needs are met.

FAMILY MAN He currently resides with his daughter, Ms. Violet Crawford, and her family at their Block ‘E’ Sophia home, where

he is the pride of the family.

The former Methodist Church elder is the proud father of 10 children, all of whom are alive and are more than 50 years old.

He has 30 grand-children; 70 great-grand-children; and five great-great-grands, of whom he is justly proud, given that they are proud examples of the values and principles he stands for.

What makes him even more proud is the fact that, during Guyana’s Independence Jubilee celebrations held in May, he was awarded for being the oldest male centenarian in Guyana. He was, years ago, also awarded by the Guyana Marketing Corporation for his sterling contribution to the agricultural sector whilst he was a farmer working on the Essequibo Coast.

However, being visually impaired and confined to bed these days does not, in any way, restrict his entertainment or deny him opportunity to keep abreast with current affairs.

He is constantly tuned in to the television, and makes it a point of duty to listen to ‘Judge Judy’, one of his favourite television programmes.

Of late he is more con-

cerned with the horror stories making the news, and is praying that things would become better.

As for the foods that tickle his fancy, in spite of having to rely on dentures, he’s an ardent lover of fried chicken and French fries; pholourie and, naturally at his age, soup. And having been a vegetable farmer for the greater part of his life, he likes ground provisions, which he uses either in soups or crushed and served with stewed chicken.

With Christmas just around the corner, our centenarian, who hails from Aurora on the Essequibo Coast, reflected on the fun times he had had with his dear wife, Viola, and their ten children.

“With ten children to raise,” he recalled, “it was generally hard to make ends meet; but my wife and I always ensured our children had a good Christmas, and that the entire family was present in church.”

And being a stickler for discipline, the siblings dared not frown, even when they got the Christmas gift that was not particularly their first choice, as it was a rule of thumb in the

home that they show appreciation for whatever their parents were able to give them, and accept it with love.

Such values were handed down by his father, William Augustus Mack, who had also been a pastor.

CHILDHOOD Reflecting on his childhood, Brother Mack recalls that his mother died when he was just two years old, so his father took another wife.

But since his step-mother was not kind to him, when he became 14 years old he travelled to Georgetown to live with an aunt. A few years later he would return to Aurora, where he fell heels over head in love with his neighbour’s daughter, the beautiful Viola.

The two subsequently tied the proverbial knot, paving the way for the coming into being of a wonderful family of nine children. Brother Mack had a son before meeting his wife, and the boy was accepted into the family.

In observance of Brother Mack’s signature milestone, a private family gathering will be held at his daughter Violet Crawford’s home on Saturday afternoon.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

CHANGE is a constant in human existence. Making decisions to effect change, be it in one’s personal life, an organisation, or a major system in government, are necessary for growth and development. In the political realm citizens vote not only with the desire to re-elect an incumbent or change a government, but also with expectation that whoever wins, their lives and the society will change for the better, albeit the rhetoric or fear of doom expressed if the party of choice lost.

Perception held that effecting change for the better is difficult because there are personnel who served under previous administrations that are still employed, may only have merit in as far as it is nurtured through inaction. Accepting this thinking ignores the fact that managed change requires a vision, emerging from a philosophy/belief to achieve desired goals.

Where the policy maker holds such a vision, constructing its framework requires collaborating with the technical and administrative personnel in helping to craft a programme.

That identified programme will require approval, followed by implementation. Implementing a programme calls for the development of major job objectives of each department and individual. It is upon these completion of jobs assigned that individual and departments are being appraised to determine whether they have confirmed and delivered on what is expected of them.

Addressing the citizens’ desire for a professional public service acknowledges that not only an individual’s academic qualifications which are brought to the job that matters, but an understanding of the role in making the department or ministry achieve its objectives. An appreciation of this would recognise that political association, though a fundamental right, is immaterial to the ability to deliver within the confines of the laws and meeting deadlines in the execution of task in every sphere of activity.

Where our society has lost too many professionals to the politics of association, denuding the professionalism of the service and contributing to brain drain, reversing of this unwise approach to governance constitutes change. Outside of the traditional public service, the teaching and nursing sectors were affected by the irresponsible policy of the former administration as flippantly adumbrated by a minister to ‘let them go, we’ll train more.”

For instance the services provided by the Ministry of Public Health, including its sourcing and storage of medical supplies, continue to attract condemnation by citizens, some of which are not undeserving. Though it is acknowledged, some of the deficiencies were inherited and improving the service requires a vision that would factor-in long, medium, and short term plans.

At the same time policymakers have to be cognisant of the fact that a public who relies primarily on the state-funded healthcare system will be less inclined to accept the view that poor performance or undermining of the service has to do with retaining personnel who served previous governments.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

There is much to be achieved by us working together

Dear Editor,

I REFER to a letter written by the former Local Government Minister Mr. Norman Whittaker and captioned “A guide for citizens, local gov’t officers on the budget process for municipalities, NDCs,” (SN, Oct 21).

I thank Mr. Whittaker for raising the issues he has introduced, as this action can kick-start meaningful discussions on the many points that were made. I wish to respond now to some of the matters raised, and will, in a subsequent letter, address other points as well as other misleading statements made

by Mr. Whittaker in another letter published in the SN on October 31.

While his contention -– that budgets (estimates of income and expenditure) should be in place by the end of the year -- is essentially correct (see Section 54 of the Local Government Act, Cap 28:02, for NDCs; and Section 155 of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Cap 28:01, for municipalities), Mr. Whittaker’s letter contains misleading assertions which I would attempt to address.

Whittaker introduces an important element in the manner in which local government organs (LGOs) view or approach their responsibilities by stating that the “primary source of revenue are rates (on properties) and (other) taxes paid by residents who own properties situated within the Municipalities/NDCs.” He then refers to “scarce financial resources”, and how to allocate those resources in the budget process.

The starting point of his contention is “scarcity of resources.” Based on the law, I beg to differ with his view, though agreeing that resources are always scarce.

I wish to inform Mr. Whittaker that Section 54 (1) of the Local Government Act, Cap 28:02, clearly states that local organs have the authority to fix their rates

(on the appraised value of properties) “to meet (their) expenditure needs.” This means that when those needs are identified, a council has the power to set the levels of rates on properties and other taxes to garner revenue to meet those needs. Therefore Mr. Whittaker’s emphasis on the “scarcity of resources” is misplaced, since the legislation (Cap 28:02) by which our actions must be guided focuses not on scarcity, but on the authority of the organs to set their own rates to meet their needs.

Editor, we are at a crossroads. How does a council see its role? Does it view itself as having a minimalist role in the governance of its area? Does it have a wide, deep, self-assertive role, as is permitted by law; or a role somewhere along that spectrum? Those are important questions, because the answers determine how a council should act.

Following the historic local government elections of March 18, 2016, President Granger said those elections would change the face of local government forever.

Clearly, what the President was alluding to was that, with the elections, the entire construct of local government would change, not just the election of new councillors.

The clear thrust of the President’s statement was that under his administration local government would become relevant as it would be restructured to maximise functionality, and be supported to be effective in the discharge of its responsibilities.

Mr. Whittaker, in his letter, stated that the budget must be “presented to the Minister of Communities for the Minister’s approval.

Without this approval, the Council could not levy and collect taxes, let alone expend those taxes.” This particular statement shocked me, since it is not true, and I am surprised at Mr. Whittaker’s ignorance.

Again, permit me to inform Mr. Whittaker that Sections 157 and 158 of

Cap 28:01, which mandate ministerial approval, were both deleted by the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Act No 15 of 2013 -- which was passed by the National Assembly on August 7, 2013 and was assented to by President Ramotar on November 6, 2013.

Editor, my shock at his ignorance stems from the fact that at that time Mr. Whittaker was a member of the National Assembly, and actually took the floor and debated the Bill. Even more shocking is this: at the time, he was the subject minister!

Therefore, as things stand, Section 155 of the Act applies. According to that section, the authority to approve estimates of the revenues and expenditure resides in the councils alone.

Ministerial approval is not required.

I urge councillors and citizens not to be misled by Mr. Whittaker’s obvious lack of knowledge.

In relation to Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), the legislative provisions are the same. It would be recalled that the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2012 –- which freed local government from central control -– was passed in the National assembly on August 7, 2013.

President Ramotar refused to give his assent.

Again, we see evidence that the PPP regime has a philosophy of centralising power in the executive branch of government, and denying people their constitutional right to enjoy local democracy and to manage and develop their communities.

Correcting this wrong, the new administration brought back the identical Bill to the National Assembly; and following its passage on July 30, 2015, it immediately received presidential assent.

Editor, the difference in political philosophies could not be clearer. The Local Government (Amendment) Act 2015 (Act No. 5 of 2015), signed into law on

August 5 by President Granger, is proof positive of the administration’s desire and determination to ensure that the system of local government is enacted and rehabilitated.

I cannot overemphasise the extent to which the administration is committed to empowerment of local government organs. The Local Government (Amendment) Act 2015 is revolutionary in scope. No longer do NDCs require ministerial approval to employ their own staff (officers and servants) or to approve their budgets (amendments to Secs 42 and 54).

Furthermore, the obnoxious and offensive provisions that allowed a Minister to remove an elected council and appoint an Interim Management Committee (IMC) have been excised from the legislation.

Whittaker’s letter, perhaps unwittingly, reveals the mindset of the former regime: one of hoarding power at the centre, while keeping local government weak. On the other hand, this administration is committed to empowering local democratic organs, so that they can function maximally. Although we know that this cannot be achieved overnight, because it is required by law and it is the correct way to go in order to push development, the administration is bound to this strategic direction.

I wish to iterate Government’s commitment to working with all stakeholders, including the parliamentary opposition. I interpret Mr. Whittaker’s letter to indicate a willingness of the opposition to discuss the issues faced by Guyanese. I welcome such discussion, and assure that the administration remains receptive to dialogue. There is much to be achieved by us working together, and there are many constructive suggestions in Mr. Whittaker’s letter that can lead to better management of communities.

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation continues to experience an overload of patients coming from outlying regions for services not provided at the healthcare institutions in their region. It may be opportune for the national budget, which takes on a broad national plan to give consideration to improving services in outlying regions such as the New Amsterdam Hospital, which can attend

to residents in the Berbice region.

In similar vein, in the education system the present critique and review of the curriculum and calling on students to explore more elective paths, bringing about the change required for the formulation of a vision by the policymaker that will lead to a programme and its implementation.

Every citizen is import-

ant to Guyana’s development and it requires that each feels this way and is treated likewise. Whereas in the past policies were made to ensure an uneven playing field and denial of equal opportunities, deviating from such divisive practices will bring about change for the better.

The focus on making decision because it is the correct thing to do, after looking at the options and

available facts, would see actions driven by principles not personalities. It will also accept that no person or group has the monopoly on knowledge, and in the presence of this, accepting criticism and being able to engage in self-critique are functions of change that would bring about growth and development in the nation’s body politics.

Regards, RONALD BULKAN Minister of Communities

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

The MoA can discount our concerns by frontally

addressing the technical issues raised

Dear Editor, THE letter written by Charles Sohan and published in the Stabroek News of October 31, 2016 provides an opportunity for Ground Structures Engineering Consultants (GSEC) to provide clarity on the Ministry of Agriculture’s (MoA) evaluation process.

The GSEC would first like to indicate that the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) did not reject our bid. The MoA modified our score to that of a qualifying score with the expectation that we would withdraw our protest made to the Bid Protest Committee; but we will not acquiesce to the MoA request until the technical issues we have raised are addressed.

The MoA advanced GSEC’s failure to take into consideration the approved Construction Supervision & Quality Assurance Plan (CSQAP) and the Operation, Maintenance and Surveillance Plan (OMS) -- which were issued with the Request for Proposal (RFP) -- as one of the reasons for not initially providing us with the now qualifying score.

The following statements are taken directly from GSEC’s technical proposal: “The CSQAP mandates the performance of Proctor

and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests on borrow pit material. The soil stability analyses require soil strength parameters. The CBR test, while indicative of soil strength, provides no information which is applicable to slope stability analyses.

This test must be replaced either by the Unconsolidated Undrained Triaxial (UU) compression or Unconfined Compression (CU) test. The CU test is no longer used by the more competent geotechnical engineering firms. The UU test should replace the CBR tests.”

Another statement in our technical proposal reads: “The CSQAP under the section titled Dam Monitoring mandates tests to assess increase in soil strength. This defeats the purpose of the one-dimensional consolidation and Consolidated Undrained Triaxial Compression Test with pore pressure measurements. These tests yield time to consolidation and shear strength – effective stress relationships. The soil strengths are therefore inferable from the percent consolidation which has occurred up to the time of interest. This data can be used to determine the increase in embankment safety factor with time, and eliminates the need for additional field tests if pore pressure monitoring

confirms the estimated level of pore pressure dissipation”.

Another statement in our Technical Proposal reads: “Equipment such as the vibrating wire piezometers and settlement plates will be installed in the embankment foundation before fill placement commences, if the specifications mandate that the actual foundation settlement must be monitored. The high tensile steel wire for the vibrating wire piezometers and the staff of the settlement plates will be extended through the embankment as filling progresses. Slope inclinometers will be installed after the completion of construction work.”

Instrumentation such as pore pressure transducers, slope inclinometers and settlement plates are integral parts of the dam surveillance equipment, as detailed in Section 6: “Monitoring and Surveillance” of the OMS. These quotes, taken from the GSEC Technical Proposal, indicate full consideration of both the CSQAP and OMS, and directly rebut the claims of the MoA. GSEC is not responsible for the evaluation committee’s inability to comprehend elementary geotechnical engineering principles. However, we are not prepared to have that absence of technical competence affect our sound

MoTP rails against ‘malicious’ Guyana Times letter Dear Editor,

THE Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) refutes the deliberately misleading and malicious letter which was carried in the Monday, October 31, 2016 edition of the Guyana Times under the title “Crime will be with us for the foreseeable future”.

In that letter, the author misquoted His Excellency President David Granger in an attempt to create mischief in the society.

The author of the letter, Mr. Neil Adams, claims that the President, in his address to Parliament on October 13, 2016, said: “the Opposition is responsible for crimes in Guyana”, and they “were killing black youths” when they were in Government”.

He even provided statistics to support his point, stating that “400 young black men were murdered by the PPP/C regime.”

The Ministry is categorically condemning these assertions, and is disappointed that such a letter could be

published despite the fact that the President’s speech was publicised via television, radio, the Internet and other communication platforms.

The assertions carried in the letter have no basis in fact, and were clearly designed to mislead the public. The Ministry is therefore calling for an immediate retraction of the letter by the publishers of the Guyana Times.

Contrary to the letter, in his address to Parliament, the President said: “Dreams of a ‘good life’ turned into a horrible nightmare at the dawn of the new millennium. The most unforgettable experiences and most frightening evidence of our descent into chaos were the bloody, drug-driven, decade-long ‘Troubles’. The ‘Troubles’ will be remembered as the darkest hour in our history.

It was a time of the uninvestigated assassination of a Minister; of the investigation into the alleged implication of another Minister in the direction of a ‘death squad’; of the alleged implication of yet

another Minister in the acquisition of a computer to track the telephone communication and location of adversaries targeted for assassination.

It was a time of arbitrary arrests; of disappearances and of torture of young men; of the surge in armed robberies, narco-trafficking and gun-running. During that first deadly decade, there were 1,317 murders and 7,865 armed robberies.”

The Ministry of the Presidency is calling for an immediate retraction of this letter, and urges that media entities act more responsibly by ensuring that the content of their publications is factual. While the Government of Guyana promotes and supports press freedoms, it is also important that the media treat with responsibility their role to provide accurate information to the members of the public.

Regards, MINISTRY OF THE PRESIDENCY

technical position.

Charles Sohan’s statement -- that GSEC cannot lodge a protest to the World Bank -- is not substantiated by the World Bank document titled “Guidelines Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants”.

Appendix 3 – Action by the Bank, Section 13 specifically states: “Communications, including complaints, the Bank receives from consultants after the opening of the technical proposals will be handled as follows: In the case of contracts not subject to prior review by the Bank, any communication or its relevant extracts, as deemed appropriate, will be sent to the Borrower for due consideration and appropriate action.

“The borrower shall provide all relevant documentation to the Bank for review and comments. In the case of contracts subject to prior review, the Bank shall

examine the communication, in consultation with the Borrower, and if it needs additional information, shall request it from the Borrower.

If additional information or clarification is required from the consultant, the Bank shall ask the Borrower to obtain it and comment on or incorporate it, as appropriate, in the evaluation report. The Bank’s review will not be completed until the communication is fully examined and considered.

“Communications received from consultants involving allegations of fraud and corruption may warrant a different treatment due to reasons of confidentiality.

In such cases, the Bank shall apply due care and discretion in sharing information deemed appropriate with the Borrower.”

GSEC has exercised its right to take its request for answers to the World Bank in accordance with the above guideline. The expectation is

that the MoA will provide to the World Bank the clarifications GSEC has requested.

Charles Sohan’s support of the MoA contention that the project must follow the “contract document” is dangerous. This assumes that the technical issues related to sound implementation of the project are not relevant.

The construction of the Hope Bridge approaches and the Charity Wharf both followed the contract document and lacked technical soundness.

The results of slavishly following the contract document are visible in the case of the Hope Bridge and invisible in the case of the Charity Wharf.

GSEC takes seriously its responsibility to provide sound and technically defensible solutions to all its clients. The MoA can discount our concerns by frontally addressing the technical issues raised.

Regards, CHARLES P. CERES

8

Linden toll booth opens GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Region 10 loggers would not be significantly affected from paying a concession of 25% of the toll.

“I must tell you it’s mere cents per BM (board measure). We calculated it with the loggers while we were talking, and I worked it out with them: under 50 cents….

So this contribution that the loggers would be making is not something anyone should cry about,” Holland said.

Speaking on behalf of the Region 10 Loggers Association, Mr. Colin Anderson said loggers were now in a position to understand what the Council is doing, and the need to garner funds to undertake developmental projects.

“We, as loggers, we understand that this toll booth is necessary, and we will try our Attorney General Basil Williams, Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valarie Patterson (left); and Deputy Mayor Waneka Arrindell (right)

By Vanessa Braithwaite AFTER months of deliberations and consultations, the Linden Toll Station was finally reopened at Kara Kara on Monday, October 31st; and will commence operating from today, Tuesday November 1st.

The simple booth-opening ceremony was attended by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, who had opined that the booth was closed by the People’s Progressive Party Administration in an attempt to starve Linden residents of much-needed revenues; Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valarie Patterson; Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira; Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, Deputy Mayor Waneka Arindell, Regional Chairman Renis Morian, Regional Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph, Deputy Director of Community Development Council, Sandra Adams; Regional Democratic Councillors and Municipal Councillors.

In his feature address, Minister Williams said, “This long-awaited day as a landmark occasion that is truly deserving of the people of Linden.” He posited that the toll booth’s operation had been arbitrarily discontinued

by the previous government, which had engaged him on the matter with the reasoning that the booth’s operation had not been properly gazetted.

Williams said it was an intentional move to cut revenues from Linden, as lumber giant Bai Shan Lin subsequently begun operating.

“You lost millions of dollars, and it wasn’t by accident; it was deliberate…. The reopening of this toll booth is really the return of people’s power to Linden,” Williams affirmed.

The Linden municipality will now be able to garner funds independently, and it is estimated that at least $3M will be garnered monthly, or more than $36M on an annual basis.

“Municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils can now garner revenue. They can now move around the world to find investors. They could make their own plans to develop their communities…. You have the flexibility to do all of these things under your newfound independence; and this could only be but the beginning of your efforts, that is: the restoration of this toll booth in garnering revenue for this municipality,” Williams declared.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Minister Patterson,

who posited that the reopening of the toll booth signals the return of democracy to the people of Linden. This democracy, she said, came after 23 years of dependency and marginalisation.

Patterson said that through this APNU- AFC Government democracy has been restored, and the toll booth is a fitting example of this.

“Today I want to congratulate you on the reorganisation that is taking place in the Council and the re-establishment of this economic activity in Linden,” she said.

Mayor Holland said that although the toll booth would bring in significant revenue, it would not answer all of the town’s economic problems. “The revenues will assist with the repairing of roads and other infrastructure that are being destroyed as a result of the traversing of heavy-duty and lumber trucks,” he said.

The Mayor said large companies were abusing Linden, and he expressed gratitude to Minister Williams for dealing with the process expeditiously.

Holland said that although there was some bad publicity and negativity during the process, he is happy that he now has the support of the loggers. He revealed that the

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams, bursts a coconut to symbolically reopen the Kara Kara Toll Booth

best to work with the Council to realize the good and the prosperity of the municipality of Linden,” he said.

The toll booth operations will see the imposition of tolls for the use of the roads by 18 categories of vehicles, particularly vehicles passing through the town with fuel, lumber or merchandise.

These include lumber trucks; machine haulers; container trucks; canters selling beverages, fish, fruits and vegetables; dry goods etc. The tolls will range from $2000 to $7000. Linden-registered businesses would be subjected to paying only 25% of the toll for their category of vehicle. Hire cars, private cars and vehicles entering the town for domestic purposes will not be subjected to paying the tolls.

Following an order by then Local Government Minister Clinton Collymore, the toll station was disbanded on September 26, 2013, sixteen years after it was opened under the stewardship of the then Mayor, Stanley Smith. In addition to the toll booth, the Council will be looking to garner more revenues with the establishment of various initiatives. These include the return of the Mahdia to Lethem Bus Park to Wismar, the re-evaluation of rates and taxes paid by residents, the return of the municipal airstrip, and solid waste management and alternative energy.

Certain crimes drive negative perception ‒ Ramnarine

CRIMES that are seemingly committed with impunity can be alarming since they create and drive perceptions of the failures or absence of proper law enforcement, Police Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine said during a press briefing on Monday at Eve Leary.

“But the current efforts of law enforcement are certainly efforts we can all be proud of and should be proud of, if not exceedingly proud of,

in the circumstances. Many times we are hamstrung by forces beyond our control,” he explained.

Ramnarine underscored that the current dispensation with so many senior officers who are still on leave, left a gap in the system where many suddenly took up leadership and command interchangeably. “I would only hope that such a period does not revisit the Guyana Police Force again,” he said.

He explained that with some 40 senior and junior officers and dozens of inspec-

tors being on annual vacation leave, including several key officers, would have posed many administrative and operational challenges.

Ramnarine said the policemen and woman of this country in the Guyana Police Force are endeavouring to serve and to protect.

“In law enforcement we will never get the full extent of appreciation and understanding from those we serve because of circumstances and factors which diminish the good effect we make,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Guyanese man Duo charged with hijacking taxi perishes in Maryland fire

By Svetlana Marshall A US-BASED Guyanese perished in a fire in Maryland, USA while one of his cousins jumped to safety.

Dead is Neville Gilgeous, 61.

According to a report carried by ABC7, fire broke out some time before 04:30h on Sunday at a home at Lot 1505, Ballinger Avenue, Landover, Maryland.

Gilgeous’ lifeless body was found inside the house while two other persons were taken to a hospital for undisclosed injuries.

Upon learning of Gilgeous’ death, his friends and family wept bitterly.

His wife, Cloreen CraigGilgeous, who resides here in Guyana, could not hold back the tears. After more than 36 years of knowing each other, the two had finally tied the knot on December 26, 2015.

Speaking to Guyana Chronicle from her home in Linden, Mrs Gilgeous said her husband, who was residing in New York, had travelled to Maryland along with a cousin. There they met his brother who had arranged for them to repair a “boiler”.

Gilgeous was a contractor who focused mainly on construction.

Based on information received, Mrs Gilgeous said after a hard day’s work, he fell asleep in a chair in his brother’s Lot 1505, Ballinger Avenue home.

“His older brother was telling me, that Neville was sleeping in a chair downstairs, and he wake him and

Dead: Neville Gilgeous and his wife Cloreen in happier times

took him upstairs because he had a new bed and said he couldn’t allow his brother to sleep in the chair,” she said.

The two brothers along with their cousin began to converse but they soon fell asleep.

It is alleged that the cousin, who smokes, fell asleep with a cigarette in his hands on the same bed with Mr Gilgeous.

“Like he (the cousin) feel the fire and wake up.

He said he wake up Neville and thought that Neville was behind him when he jumped through the window, but Neville was still sleeping,” the grieving wife said.

Mr Gilgeous’ older brother who was in another room was alerted and immediately ran to the bedroom in the upper flat of the house to find his brother engulfed in flames.

“He tried saving Neville but was too late,” she cried.

Guyana Chronicle understands that the survivors suffered burns to their bodies.

Mrs Gilgeous had last

spoken to her husband the Saturday before the fire, while he was heading to Maryland.

“When we were talking a sad feeling came over me,” she recalled.

After work that day, he had called for his wife, but the calls went unanswered.

“He called me at 11:21pm.

I tried getting him back but my phone had acting up. I was getting this bad feeling inside,” she posited.

Mr Gilgeous leaves to mourn his wife, and nine children. According to his wife, he was a fun-loving individual who was always willing to extend a helping hand. “He was a very nice person, hard working. You could have never find him vex. He was more than a husband, somebody who was always trying to help people and give a good encouragement,” she said while reflecting on the life of her husband.

They had last seen each other in May 2016 while on vacation in Barbados.

The House in Maryland, USA where the fire claimed the life of Neville Gilgeous (ABC7 Photo)

AN ALLEGED carjacker and a female accomplice were on Monday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Leron Daly, charged with armed robbery of a taxi driver.

Robert Beckles and Sharda Thomas both pleaded not guilty to the joint charge which alleges that while being armed with a gun on October 26, at Diamond, East Bank Demerara they robbed Lakeram Budburgh of his Toyota Primo motor car valued $3M, $10,000 in cash and a BLU cellphone valued $15,000.

According to Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru the duo went to King of Diamond Taxi Service and boarded Budburgh’s taxi requesting to be taken to 14th Street in Diamond Housing Scheme.

Upon reaching 14th

Robert Beckles

Street the taxi driver was told that he had passed their destination and they requested that he turn around. This he did and upon disembarking the vehicle Beckles placed a gun to Budburgh’s head and

relieved him of the car with the items inside.

Budburgh quickly called his taxi base, where drivers set up road blocks at the Diamond access roads. The stolen car subsequently crashed along the Friendship, E.B.D area with Thomas trapped inside.

The male accused had managed to escape on foot but was later apprehended by the police with assistance from public spirited persons.

Mangru strongly opposed the duo being released on bail since a gun was used in the commission of the crime. He also pointed out that Beckles was currently being investigated by the police in several criminal matters in the East Bank district.

Magistrate Daly ruled in the prosecution’s favor and remanded the two until December 5.

GuySuCo to commence... speeds were taken into consideration,” Dr. Davis said.

However, the Deputy Registrar of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) mentioned seven instances that occurred during the period 2009 to 2013, when personnel from GuySuCo, the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were part of investigating teams that confirmed cases of farmers being affected by the drift from aircraft spraying.

“In total, we would have had 24 reported cases for that period involving GuySuCo, but only seven of those cases were found to be as a result of aerial spraying of chemicals,” Mr. Amichand said. In response to those cases, Dr. Davis reassured that those cases would have occurred while aerial spraying was done outside of the regulated guidelines.

FAVOURABLE FACTORS “If all the factors are favourable; meaning: if a pilot operates within the time, wind speed and other guidelines, drift should not occur. Spraying should only be effected between 6:00 hrs and 9:00 hrs. You cannot use human error to define a buffer zone. If persons

are operating outside of the guidelines, then the instances for drift will occur,” Dr. Davis informed.

Minister Holder, in expressing concern for pilot error, has said that the PTCCB has to work within a given framework, to safeguard the health of persons. “For instance, if pilot error occurs in three out of every 10 applications, then it becomes an issue,” he said.

Responding to Minister Holder’s concerns, Dr. Davis indicated that all efforts were being employed to avoid pilot error; and in the event of an error occurring, the pilot would be held responsible.

Minister Holder has indicated that in developing proposals, policies have to be looked at in the light of what might be occurring in agriculture in the future. “As GuySuCo moves towards diversification, it wouldn’t be sugarcane alone under cultivation. Also, location-specific issues should be taken into consideration.

In our proposals, we have to be general but at the same time we have to be specific in terms of both the location of estates and the chemicals being used,” he said.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, George Jervis, has indicated that realistic systems and guidelines need to be put in place to avoid error in every aspect of agriculture. “Every aspect of agriculture that the

From page 2

Ministry intends to enter into on a large scale in order to really develop the industry can only be profitable if we employ aerial spraying.

Buffer zones must be standardized, so we need to be careful and factor in possible effects on people’s lives and livelihoods,” Mr. Jervis said.

It was explained that drifts can be reduced by applying adjuvants in the tank mixtures. Adjuvants are designed to reduce drift by increasing droplet size, by increasing viscosity of the spray solution, or by producing a larger particle or globule that contains the applied material. These chemicals can be classified as: (1) invert emulsions, (2) spray thickeners, (3) particulating agents, or (4) foaming agents.

Additionally, maintenance of equipment plays an integral role in drift spraying. It is important that all machinery and equipment used to carry out aerial spraying be maintained within recommended time periods. Faulty equipment can result in leaks and accidents, which can result in serious effects to persons and the environment.

Registrar of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, Trecia David-Garnath, has committed to working along with GuySuCo and other related agencies to ensure that all guidelines are followed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Driver to be charged for assaulting handicapped man – Ramnarine

CHARGES will be filed in court today against a bus driver, who assaulted a handicapped man after crashing into the rear of his vehicle last Tuesday, acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine said.

“Both matters are being dealt with, in case of the assault a charge will be filed…. and in the case of a traffic matter also,” Ramnarine said.

Police have received a statement from the complainant Roger Gautier.

According to eyewitness, Paul Fraser, while he was travelling home, he witnessed

an accident between a bus and a car on the East Bank Demerara carriageway.

Following the accident, the driver of the bus exited his vehicle and abused the driver of the car, a handicapped man.

Looking to ensure that the handicapped man was not taken advantage of, he exited his vehicle and placed himself between the bus driver and the handicapped man.

He explained in a letter published in the media that he was in front of the Harbour Bridge Mall when minibus, licence plate # BNN 3629, which was in the lane to his right, and was northbound,

bumped into the back of a car which was in front of him.

There was no obvious damage to either vehicle, and he noticed a child, aged two or three in the car.

“As I remained in my vehicle, I observed the driver of the minibus exit his vehicle, and begin to verbally abuse the driver of the car in front of him, which he had just bumped into. I then saw him pull back his right hand, and punch the driver of the car, through the open window of the car, in his face. The driver of the car was still sitting in his car when he was hit, and the child, who was sitting in the front seat of the car, was

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine

now crying. At this point, I exited my vehicle, and stood between the obviously irate mini bus driver, and the assaulted driver of the car,”

Fraser stated.

As Mr Fraser tried to intervene, he said the minibus driver told him that he works at the Ministry of the Pres-

idency. He further said that he could do as he likes, and would “deal with me”.

“Looking for assistance in disarming the situation, I beckoned to the police officers who were directing traffic at the Harbour Bridge for help. I then noticed that the only passenger of the mini bus appeared to be a uniformed officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).”

Mr Fraser lamented that the GDF officer eventually emerged from the minibus and proceeded to defend the actions of the irate driver to the police, saying that the car had hit the bus.

The GDF officer then claimed that he sat in the vehicle, and did not render any assistance because he could not open his door, Fraser said.

Unfair competition, aerodrome congestion …addressed at GCAA/NATA meeting

NATA President Annette Arjoon seated with Director General Egbert Field (centre) and others meeting stakeholders

UNFAIR competition at the Eugene F. Correria Airport, aerodrome congestion, accident and incident investigations and search and rescue coordination were among a number of issues discussed when new Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director General, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field met with members of the Na-

tional Air Transport Association (NATA) last week.

Field told the Guyana Chronicle that the body reiterated their concerns about congestion at the former Ogle Airport and sought the intervention of the Authority to ensure the smooth functioning of the airdrome. NATA, a break from the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana (AOAG) requested a review

of the procedures in a bid to improve easy movement at the facility.

Operators at the Ogle location had noted that while the majority of operators are forced to use one taxi way, another company operating at the facility has the unfair advantage of it alone having its own taxi facility. This, inconvenience operators say, has Turn to page 11 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Refusal of treatment led to ‒ doctor Crystal Gibson’s death says

By Svetlana Marshall CONTRARY to reports that 19-year-old Crystal Gibson died as a result of negligence at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), Head of the Nephrology Department, Dr Kishore Persaud said every effort was made to save the teen but she, with the support of her father, had refused earlier medical attention.

Gibson died on October 17, as a result of kidney failure. Her father, Obed Gibson, subsequently told reporters that his daughter had to wait approximately four days before she was able to receive dialysis.

But Dr Persaud, in an interview with Guyana Chronicle, said Mr Gibson did not tell the whole truth.

The 19-year-old, he explained, was managed by a team of experts within the medical field, inclusive of himself, a transplant sur-

geon; a nephrologist; a dietitian; social worker and a pharmacist.

According to him, when he saw the young lady for the first time, her kidney was failing her. He said from the initial stage, she had objected to the treatment and a request was made to meet with her immediate relatives.

“He (the father) said, they have no relationship with the mother, and she has no concern about this kid.

He said he was the primary person for this girl,” Dr Persaud recalled. The father was then informed that his daughter had reached stage five kidney failure.

During a subsequent visit to the clinic, Dr Persaud said Mr Gibson was given the option of having his daughter undergo a preemptive kidney transplant. However, Mr Gibson, who is also ill, reportedly told the doctor that there was no one willing to donate a kidney.

Given that the transplant

Head of the Nephrology Department, Dr Kishore Persaud

was not possible, Dr Persaud reportedly told Mr Gibson that he should prepare his daughter for dialysis. Two months after, the teen with the support of her daughter had refused to abide by the treatment plan.

Unfair competition... been causing them to lose money and valuable time having to wait on the taxi because of the procedure that is currently available.

NATA is very interested in seeing a better accident and incident investigation unit, the Director General said. He explained that NATA is supportive of the GCAA having a separate unit for the investigation of aviation matters and to see the unit being more independent. Field had told the newspaper previously that moves are afoot to “delink” the unit from the GCAA. Like NATA, Field believes that GCAA’s continued connection with the accident unit is a conflict of interest matter. He noted also that having an independent investigation unit, is a matter that the international aviation body, ICAO insists on.

Search and rescue operations need to be better coordinated NATA believes. They suggested to the GCAA that the body

consider training with international experts to better equip the designated teams that are sent out on rescue missions. The GCAA currently operates a Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC).

This centre involves the efforts of the GCAA, the Guyana Defence Force, police and others that may be designated according to the requirements of a specific rescue operation.

NATA believes however that better mechanisms should be put in place to equip not only rescuers, but operators and other related personnel.

Hinterland airstrips also had the agency’s attention.

Discussions were had about a report on the out of town facilities which according to Field, is currently with the Minister of infrastructure. Hinterland airstrips have been a burning concern for all operators traversing hinterland locations. The maintenance of these airstrips is sometimes done by operators as

From page 10

they conduct their business from these locations on a daily basis. A consistent programme for the management of the interior airstrips has been on the front burner for a long time.

NATA also spoke to the GCAA head about unfair competition at the former Ogle airport. The matter has been one of contention as operators continue to identify one operator as having privilege over others. They have spoken about the unfair distribution of land, the upkeep of the facility, and the right to input among other activities. NATA has invited the GCAA to tour the Eugene F. Correria Airport for a firsthand view of the functioning of the facility. GCAA is expected to take up the association on its offer.

Outside of this, discussions between NATA and the GCAA have revealed that the agency will be audited at the end of November. The GCAA has not been audited since 2007.

“I sit there over half of an hour, and I tried to plead with him to admit this girl. I told him she is getting sick, her blood count is dropping, and she is going to get what you call uraemia because all of the toxin in her body is building up and rather than she coming to us at a rush in the emergency, and it will be too late to do something, let us do something now to save your daughter’s life,” Dr Persaud recalled.

But Mr Gibson reportedly refused to have his daughter admitted.

“I was pleading with both of them for this girl to be admitted but they refused.

I called the social worker, the social worker came speak with them individually, the dietitian had work with them and I think the pharmacist also had a word with them… at the end of the

day, the decision made by the daughter and her father was to refuse admission,” he added.

DECISION DOCUMENTED The Head of the Nephrology Department said it was not until the 19-year-old had reached a crisis stage that she was returned to the clinic by her father.

“She came to the clinic but she was so swollen I didn’t recognise her... I told the father this girl is very sick now, we need to get her admitted; they didn’t even want to admit her that day.”

According to the surgeon, after hours of pleading with the father, a decision was taken later that day to have his daughter admitted, she was admitted on Friday, October 14, 2016.

“When she went to the

ward her blood count was very low. At that stage she still didn’t want to accept dialysis but we did order a catheter for her. We ordered the blood and we had her on oxygen monitoring her in the ward,” he explained. They were able to secure the blood

by Saturday.

On Monday, October 17, she was placed on the dialysis machine for a period of three hours but by that night, the 19-year-old had developed pulmonary edema resulting in her death. Every effort, Dr Persaud said was made to save the teen.

“One dialysis doesn’t save somebody’s life,” he said while reiterating that had the teen received dialysis in the earlier stages of her illness, she would have been alive.

Crystal Gibson was laid to rest on October 25.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Draft regulations for broadcast sector being reviewed

By Ariana Gordon PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo, currently reviewing for the broadcast sector draft regulations that are geared at guiding the licensing of local radio and television operations, told the Guyana Chronicle he intends to have the regulations tabled before the National Assembly soon.

“I have received a copy of what appears to be reworked draft regularizations…. These are regulations that (have) to be deduced to give some specific content to the Broadcast Act…which sets out policies; but then the regulations would set out the modalities, the procedures, standards that have to be

satisfied…,” he said.

He added: “I intend to lay them in the Parliament as soon as I am satisfied that they’d be helpful in the process of doing both review and granting of the licences.”

The Prime Minister had, in August, expressed concern over what had appeared to be the stymieing of efforts to provide full television and radio coverage to citizens across Guyana. He had told the Guyana Chronicle then that draft regulations were sent to him by the Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), Leonard Craig, and those regulations were reviewed and dispatched to the Attorney General’s Office for further examination.

The Chief Parliamentary Counsel had, at that time, sent the draft regulations back to the GNBA, but no further action had been taken by the board.

“It appears as if the humbug was the board itself… because, from what I gather, they seem to have had a crisis in interpersonal relationships; and if I say so very specific in parlance that could be easily understood: men couldn’t get along (with each other),” the Prime Minister explained.

He explained that the GNBA Chairman and a few directors were at loggerheads over various matters, and the work of the board had consequently been affected.

The Prime Minister said that efforts to correct some

of the licences deemed to be issued wrongfully by the former People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Administration were torpedoed by “the lack of cooperation on the board”.

“I am disappointed that the board has not earlier concluded its consideration of regulations under which the regularising of the spectrum could be done…review, revoke, granting licences.

It would open the door of opportunities to have these things done, and more particularly to satisfy the public expectations,” the Prime Minister added.

Nagamootoo had, back in August, slammed the GNBA Board for having the regulations “languishing in the

bosom of the board, or at a sub-committee of the board”.

The Prime Minister said the GNBA has been hamstrung in the discharge of its mandate, and it was indicated to him, through the Chairman of the Board, that there are problems brewing that can assume “crisis dimensions”.

He noted it is important that the process of reviewing, revoking, and issuing of licences should begin, as the APNU-AFC Coalition Government has made several promises to the people and it intends to fulfill those promises.

“Guyanese people deserve better…the spectrum belongs to the people of Guyana, it is a national resource; it is not something

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

that belongs to any private person, and one cannot simply arrogate to one’s self the right to broadcast in a select area. I would like to see television and radio cover all parts of Guyana. Every citizen of this country has a right to know what is taking place in this country,” he had told Guyana Chronicle.

‘No case submission’ PNCR elects new sets murder accused free Region 10 executive CLIFTON Graham burst into tears before exiting the High Court on Monday after Justice Roxane George upheld the no-case submission in the murder trial of taxi driver Rawlston Bernard Henry between May 2 and May 3, 2009 at Onion Field, La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara.

After Justice George made the declaration in court the 12-member jury announced a ‘not guilty’ verdict in favour of Graham, who once again became a free man.

Before he was allowed to go, Justice George told him to walk on the straight and narrow path after being given a second chance.

Justice George said, “Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are and “Moon a run till day catch am.” She told him that his choice of friends back then was not wholesome.

The state was represented

by Tuanna Hardy in association with Diana Kaulesar while, the Defence Counsel was Maxwell McKay. Graham was indicted for the capital offence and pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that between May 2 and 3, 2009 at LBI, he

Chairman of the PNCR, Basil Williams congratulates the newly elected executives for Region 10. From right are: Chairperson, Sandra Adams; Vice Chairman Douglas Gittens. Also in the photo are Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valarie Patterson Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira (center) who was elected as CEC representative. They are joined by other elected executives Murdered: Taxi driver: Rawlston Bernard Henry

Freed: Clifton Graham

murdered Henry.

At the start of the trial Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy in her opening address told the court that on May 2 the accused, along with others, hired Henry to take them to the East Coast Demerara.

She said that sometime after, Graham and his accomplices held the driver at knife-point, ordered him to a location at Onion Field, stripped his car and killed him.

According to reports, the accused and others had hired the taxi driver from the Demico area of downtown Georgetown after which they hijacked the motorcar he was driving.

The car was found miles

away at Plaisance in a trench minus its speakers and music system among other things.

Henry, 42, of 15 Durban Backlands operated his taxi PKK 9036 within the Demico House area when he was hired, hijacked and murdered.

The body of the father of five was found around 17:00 hrs on May 2, 2009 by residents. At the time sleuths were probing the discovery of a silver-grey Toyota Carina 212 motorcar, with bloodstains inside and parts missing.

Henry’s body bore several chops to the neck and his hands were tied and mouth covered with duct tape.

THE Region 10 arm of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on Saturday held its regional conference under the theme UBANTU meaning” I am who I am because of who we are”, during which it elected members to key positions in the region.

The party’s Chairman Basil Williams attended the conference. Also present were: Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence, Party General Secretary Mr. Oscar Clarke, His Worship the Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland and Regional Democratic Council Chairman, Mr. Renis Morian.

Sandra Adams was unopposed for the position of Chairperson for Region 10. Adams is also Deputy Director for Community

Development Council. She was reelected to the position as she served in that capacity since the 1999 elections.

Adams who is the sister of Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valarie Patterson also served in the capacity as Regional Party Coordinator.

Elected to the position of Vice-Chairman was Regional Democratic Councillor, Mr. Douglas Gittens. Mr. Walter Glasgow was elected as Secretary, Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira was elected as Central Executive Committee (CEC) representative. Other committee members are Melanie Samuels, Doleresse McDonald and Winston Caesar.

The newly elected members made several projections, but said building a modernised party office was a priority which they are

aiming to be completed for the party’s 60th Anniversary in 2017.

Adams who gave an overview of the party said that the regional election was an important step for the party to take after 17 years as there are a lot of plans to foster assistance to the people. This will be done through the party and the ministries. “We will be doing a lot of outreaches going into the Berbice River in this very new week...I am happy and I am willing to teach the younger folk in the party what the party is all about,” she posited.

PNCR Chairman, Basil Williams said that the conference was peaceful, with healthy discussions emerging and the newly elected executives have a mandate to assist the people in giving them the good life that was promised.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

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President praises work of Lutheran body ‒ at quincentenary observance of Lutheranism

President David Granger greets a young worshipper at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church during the quincentenary observances of Lutheranism

PRESIDENT David Granger joined the congregation of the Ebenezer Lutheran Church in the township of New Amsterdam, East Berbice-Corentyne, (Region Six) last Sunday morning to celebrate the quincentenary anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the world, also known as ‘the Reformation’.

In extending congratulations to the leaders and members of the church on this landmark occasion, the President said the Lutheran Church must be commended for its longevity and the continuity of its work in Guyana, including its work in educating the nation’s children.

“The Lutheran Church’s expansion of membership from 1875 marked a period of acculturation. There are, today, 14 parishes and more than 50 congregations in Demerara and Berbice. I wish all success to the activities that the church will launch in the coming 12 months to commemorate the commencement of the Protestant Reformation. I encourage… the church to continue to be dedicated to its mission of promoting religious understanding during the coming year,” President Granger said.

The Protestant Reformation is a movement that was triggered when the German Protestant Theologian Martin Luther (1483-1546) challenged the Roman Catholic Church on its indulgences, using the power of the press to spread his ideas and causing an upheaval in the Catholic Church.

Speaking from a historical point of view, the President said that Martin Luther, on October 31, 1517, nailed one of his 95 theses, “The Power and Efficacy of Indulgences”, on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Saxony in Germany; and this courageous act, though seemingly simple at first, engendered the most significant

change in Christian doctrine since the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

“It triggered a religious upheaval known as the Protestant Reformation throughout all of Europe and the world. The Protestant Reformation challenged Roman Catholic Orthodoxy.

Branches of Christianity developed in the form of new churches, religious organisations and sects. The religious map of Europe was redrawn. Countries of the south more or less remained within the Roman Catholic domain. Many of those of the north became part of the ‘reformed’ churches.

“The Protestant Reformation is the mother of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana. It is the oldest Church in Guyana. The Dutch planter class introduced the church here in October 1743, two hundred and seventy-three (273) years ago,” he said.

He added that the 1763 Berbice Revolt of enslaved Africans led to the church being relocated to New Amsterdam, which has remained the home of Lutheranism in Guyana.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan remarked that the auspicious occasion must be celebrated, since the church has made significant contributions to the development of the country, a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency has said.

“Lutherans in Guyana have played an important role in Guyana over the years, as the President said, in education. Your church has worked very closely in many communities of our country, especially among the poor and depressed communities, bringing hope to many people who would have lost hope, and bringing faith where faith was not present. Continue to do the good work that you have been doing in our country,” Armogan encouraged.

President David Granger interacting with some members of the congregation of the Ebenezer Lutheran Church during the ‘Reformation Sunday’ service

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Thompson new head of GAPSO Inc. was elected secretary, while Mr. Clyde Layne of the Massy Group of Companies was reappointed treasurer.

The four elected executive committee members are Johnny Mortley of Guyoil; Lester Elliot of Kalibur Security; Francis Nwaneri of GNIC; and Nicholas Braithwaite of SSAMS, who was nominated to serve as Public Relations Officer.

The executive body will hold its first meeting over the coming weeks, to chart strategies for the years ahead.

Christopher Thompson

MR. Christopher Thompson of Sentinel Security Inc. was last Thursday elected president of the Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAPSO).

A release from the association said the former GAPSO secretary was unanimously elected president at a special meeting, on October 27, 2016, held to oversee the business of the association for the next two years.

In his acceptance speech, Thompson thanked GAPSO members for the confidence they reposed in him and the support he has received, then outlined his vision to provide

direction and leadership to the association as he builds on the vision of the GAPSO founding fathers.

He expressed interest in improving GAPSO’s role in society, including having amendments made to the Private Security Act, providing training opportunities for employees of member organisations, expanding the GAPSO membership base, and seeking greater cooperation with the Guyana Police Force.

Mr. Whittington Braithwaite of SSAMS was elected Vice President of GAPSO; Mr. Ghalee Khan of Integrated Security Services

Tuesday, Novemeber 1, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Thursday, November 3, 2016 - 05:00 hrs

PNCR mourns passing of longstanding member THE People’s National Congress Reform mourns the death of one of its longstanding members, Kenneth Chance also known as “Six Head”.

Chance, the party said in a release, passed away on Monday after a suffering a stroke. “He was a vibrant member of the PNCR and an activist, not only in his community of Albouystown, but farther afield.”

According to the PNCR, Chance was a founding member of the Justice for Jermaine Committee which was formed after the death of an Albouystown youth who was killed at the hands

Kenneth ‘Six Head’ Chance passed away on Monday

of a policeman in May 1996.

Chance was also one of the candidates in this year’s lo-

cal government elections and apart from being active in the political field, he was the owner of a Reggae Club where he once taught music.

“He was known as “Six Head” because of his drive behind the late world rated champ, Andrew “Six Head” Lewis motivating him to become a boxer.”

“On behalf of the Party Leader, other members of the General Council, the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and indeed the entire membership, we offer sincere condolences to his sorrowing family, relatives and friends,” the PNCR statement added.

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English Racing Tips Redcar 08:40 hrs Game Starter 09:40 hrs Assisted 10:10 hrs Visitant 10:40 hrs Storm Rock 11:10 hrs Hard To Handel 11:40 hrs Social Media 12:10 hrs Sea Of Hope Exeter 09:20 hrs Bistouri D’Honore 09:50 hrs Poisoned Berry 10:20 hrs Garde La Victoire 10:50 hrs Emerging Force 11:20 hrs Silver Commander 11:50 hrs Mother Meldrum 12:20 hrs Baraza Wolverhampton 09:30 hrs Rapid Ranger 10:00 hrs Life On Mars 10:30 hrs A Sure Welcome 11:00 hrs National Service 11:30 hrs Seeking Magic 12:00 hrs Stanley 12:30 hrs Protest 13:00 hrs Oregon Gift South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth 08:30 hrs Silver Willow 09:05 hrs Elusive Wave 09:45 hrs Miranda Frost 10:20 hrs Always In Charge 10:55 hrs Just Sensual American Racing Tips Philadelphia Park Race 1 Saint Finian Race 2 Baychimo Race 3 Forty Nine waits Race 4 Square Shooter Race 5 Stonescape Race 6 Dynasir Race 7 Dixie Runner Race 8 Great Stuff Race 9 Win Wish

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday November 1, 2016

Cremer rises to the GDF retain top to rally Zimbabwe Terrence Alli Boxing (REUTERS)-Captain Graeme Cremer scored his maiden test century on Monday to help Zimbabwe avoid the follow-on as they scored 373 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 537 in the first Test.

Sri Lanka closed the third day five without loss in their second innings, a 169-run overall lead.

Cremer’s ton received an ecstatic reception from the small crowd as Zimbabwe showed gutsy determination that had been missing through six successive test defeats going into the two-match series against the in-form but injury-hit Sri Lankans.

Zimbabwe’s lower-order rally was inspired by their captain, whose previous high test score was 43 against Bangladesh three years ago.

Cremer shared a 132-run partnership for the seventh wicket with wicketkeeper

The 30-year-old Cremer was 102 not out off 207 balls at the end of the innings.

Moor fell for 79, fending off a bouncer to hand teenage debutant Lahiru Kumara

his first test wicket.

Ti r i p a n o ( 4 6 ) w a s trapped lbw by Kusal Mendes, usually a wicketkeeper and bowling only his second over in Test cricket.

SCOREBOARD Graeme Cremer recorded a maiden Test century AGAINST Sri Lanka in Harare on the 3rd day.

Peter Moor, playing only his second test, and another 92run stand with Donald Tiripano for the eighth wicket.

SRI LANKA 1st innings 537 (U. Tharanga 110no, K. Perera 110, K. Silva 94, D. Karunaratne 56, A. Gunaratne 54; G. Cremer 4-142) Zimbabwe 1st innings (Overnight: 88-1) T. Mawoyo c Gunaratne b Lakmal 45 B. Chari lbw b Herath 5 H. Masakadza c Karunaratne b Lakmal 33 C. Ervine lbw b D. Perera 12 S. Williams c Gunaratne b Herath 10 M. Waller lbw b D. Perera 22 P. Moor c D. Perera b Kumara 79 G. Cremer not out 102 D. Tiripano lbw b K. Mendis 46 C. Mumba b Herath 1 C. Mpofu b Lakmal

2 Extras (b-4 lb-4 nb-1 w-7) 16 Total (all out, 107.5 overs) 373 Fall of wickets: 1-21 B. Chari,2-92 T. Mawoyo,3-92 H. Masakadza,4-111

S. Williams,5-134 C. Ervine,6-139 M. Waller,7-271 P. Moor,8-363 D. Tiripano,9-366 C. Mumba,10-373 C. Mpofu Bowling: S. Lakmal 21.5 - 3 - 69 - 3(nb-1), L. Kumara 22 - 3 - 90 - 1(w-2),R. Herath 37 - 5 - 97 – 3, D. Perera 18 - 1 - 66 – 2, A. Gunaratne 3 - 0 - 23 – 0, D. de Silva 2 - 0 - 10 – 0, K. Mendis 4 - 0 - 10 – 1.

SRI LANKA 2nd innings D. Karunaratne not out 1 K. Silva not out 3 Extras (nb-1) 1 Total (for no loss, 3 overs) 5 Fall of wickets: To bat: K. Mendis, K. Perera, D. de Silva, U. Tharanga, A. Gunaratne, D. Perera, R. Herath, S. Lakmal, L. Kumara Bowling: C. Mpofu 2 - 2 - 0 – 0, G. Cremer 1 - 0 - 5 - 0(nb-1).

Germany coach Loew extends contract to 2020 (REUTERS)-Germany coach Joachim Loew has extended his contract with the world champions by two years until 2020, the German football association (DFB) said yesterday.

The 56-year-old, who will become the second-longest serving Germany manager behind Sepp Herberger, has been in the job since 2006 and led his team to victory in the 2014 World Cup. They have reached at least the semi-finals in the last five major tournaments, winning 94 of his 141 games in charge.

“The aim is the repeat in Russia in 2018 the success of Rio in 2014,” Loew told reporters.

Joachim Loew will become the secondlongest serving Germany manager “Beyond that is the Eu- moment was a good one to ropean title. That is a special extend the contract.” challenge. We did not make Loew’s previous conit this year. For me it is a big tract had run to the 2018 aim,” Loew added.

World Cup in Russia and “We have a vision and he will now lead the team’s things we want to achieve Euro 2020 campaign. in the future and I think this DFB boss Reinhard Grin-

del said the early contract extension would help in preparing for the 2018 World Cup with Germany on track to qualify.

“He is the best coach which we could imagine for our team,” Grindel said.

“We have common goals we want to defend our world title in 2018 and we want in 2020, after coming close this year in France, to be European champions.

An assistant to predecessor Juergen Klinsmann from 2004-2006, Loew has only limited Bundesliga experience, having coached VfB Stuttgart before jobs in Austria and Turkey prior to working with the national team.

Public to vote in FIFA player awards

(Reuters)-FIFA will allow the public to vote in a rebranded version of its player of the year of the award, world soccer’s governing body said yetserday.

The annual ceremony in Zurich, which until last year was jointly organised with France Football and known as the Ballon d’Or, would be renamed “The Best FIFA Football Awards” following

a split with the French magazine, a statement said.

Under the new system, half the votes would belong to the players and coaches of the world’s 211 national teams and half to the public, who will take part via an online ballot, and selected media representatives.

“This event will be about football and its most passionate participants – players,

coaches and fans,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“It is a new event with new approaches to celebrating the game we all love.”

Eight awards will be handed out altogether, including the best coach, best women’s player and women’s coach, the fair play award and fan award.

Last year’s player of the year award, won by Lionel

Messi ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, saw apparently tactical voting by the players.

Messi, voting as Argentina captain, picked his Barcelona team mates Luis Suarez, Neymar and Andres Iniesta and Ronaldo, voting as Portugal captain, chose his Real Madrid team mates Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale.

championships title

… Williamson, Mounter named Best Boxer in respective categories

By Michael DaSilva THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) retained championship honours when the curtains came down on the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) Terrence Alli National Open Championships at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, on Sunday night.

Rose Hall Jammers’ (RHJ) Joel Williamson was named Best Elite Boxer, while Essequibo Boxing Gym’s (Esse) Akiel Mounter was adjudged Best Youth Boxer on show.

The soldiers accumulated 15 points to win the Best Gym award while Republican Gym (Guyana Prison Service) placed second with seven points.

The Army head coach and Technical Director of the GBA, Terrence Poole, was named Best Coach of the championships.

Williamson was given the Best Boxer award after scoring a thirdround Technical Knock Out victory over GDF’s Triston Browne on the opening night (Friday) of the championships in the lightweight division.

He then returned the following night and registered a knockout win at two minutes nine seconds of the first round against Anandram Dharamaj of the Republican Gym. Williamson capped off his quest for championship honours with a points decision win against GDF’s Rhondel Douglas in the final on Sunday night and was deservedly rewarded for his success.

Mounter,who competed in the middleweight division of the Youth category,scored a unanimous

decision win against Stephon Smith of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) Gym on Saturday night, then recorded another points decision win against Shekel Jamon also of the FYF gym on Sunday evening.

In other results from Sunday night’s finals, Jamal Eastman of the RHJ gym registered a knockout win against Ryan Albert in their lightweight contest in the Youth category.

In the Elite category, Richard Subratte of the FYF gym scored a technical knock-out win at two minutes 45 seconds of the second round in his junior flyweight fight against GDF’s Victor Low; Julius Kesney ((RHJ) lost on points to Republican’s Kevin Allicock in their flyweight contest; Steffon Green (GDF) stopped his gym mate Clairmont Gibson at two minutes 5 seconds of the first round in their bantamweight contest; Colin Lewis of the GDF was too good for his gym-mate Aquany Harvey in their junior welterweight bout, winning by a unanimous decision.

In the welterweight final, Marley Ross of the GDF lost to Republican’s Joshua Joseph in their welterweight bout and Dennis Thomas (Police) stopped Joshua Fraser at two minutes 35 seconds of the second round in their middleweight fight.

In the heavyweight division, Brian Leitch (Republican) lost on points to his gym-mate Jason Backer and in the super heavyweight, Floyd Cato retired on his stool at the end of the first round when he faced his gymmate Renee Lewis.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday November 1, 2016

Wins for Walton Hall and Devonshire Castle in Lall Brothers T20 tourney

By Errol Stephney WALTON Hall registered an exciting four-wicket victory over Young Achievers on Sunday at the Walton Hall ground in the Lall Brothers Memorial T20 Tournament as play continued in North Essequibo.

After winning the toss, Walton Hall chose to bowl first. Penetrative spells from off-spinner Uvindra Balgobin -3-18 (4 overs) and seamer Lochin Persaud 2-26 (3 overs) aided in restricting Young Achievers to 138-7 from their allotted 20 overs.

O n l y Ta m e s h w a r Dhanpaul’s counterattacking 34,which included 3x6 and 2x4,served to bolster the innings. In reply, Walton Hall,despite losing three wickets within six overs,eventually consolidated and reached their target of 140 in 18 overs,losing 8 wickets in the process.

It was left-handed Latchman Singh’s respon-

sible yet colourful innings of 48( 5x4) that ease the tension and gained victory for his team.

In the second match at the same venue, Devonshire Castle remained unbeaten with an authoritative display against Charity.

Winning the toss and batting first, Devonshire Castle tallied 135-7 from their 20 overs with skipper Anthony Persaud top scoring with 34 ,including 2x6 and 2x4.

He was supported by Essequibo’s senior batsman Avinash Persaud with 25( 3x6).

A hostile spell of fast bowling

by Ajay Jailall( 4-14 from 4 overs) was mainly responsible for Charity’s demolition for just 48 from 18 overs. The Competition continues.

Meanwhile ,Walton Hall and Imam Bacchus Sports Club will compete for the title in the Dillip Singh Double ‘D’ Mall’s 20/20 tournament in this Sunday’s final at the Walton Hall ground.

Representing Imam Bacchus will be former national batsmen Yogeshwar Lall, Latchman Rohit and Rovindra Parasram,while Walton Hall will feature Essequibo’s senior inter-county players Vishwanauth Lall, Lochin Persaud and Uvindra Balgobin.

The third place playoff will be between Ravens and Charity.That game will be played first from 2:30 pm. The finals will then be played under floodlights.

Both matches will be officiated by Deva Dass and Wazeer Dhanraj along with Hakim Khan who will perform the duties of Match Referee.

Trophies and cash incentives will be presented by sponsor Dillip Singh,and he will be assisted by representatives of the North Essequibo Cricket Committee. Regional Executive Officer of Region 2,Mr. Rupert Hopkinson,is also expected to grace the occasion.

Uitvlugt maintain unbeaten run with 2-1 win over Den Amstel

UITVLUGT Warriors maintained their unbeaten run in the West Demerara Football Association/STAG Beer Senior League with a 2-1 win over Den Amstel when action in the league continued on Sunday at the Den Amstel ground with a double- header.

After missed opportunities by both teams during the first session and a goalless first half, Gavin Graham sent the home team into the lead with a 46th minute

conversion, but the visitors (Uitvlugt) responded with a Keon Duke 62nd minute goal which levelled the score and six minutes later, Jamal Petty scored the winning goal.

As a result, Uitvlugt Warriors moved to 25 points with eight wins and one draw while Den Amstel,who suffered their first loss after eight matches (with one draw) has 22 points and is currently placed second.

Meanwhile, in the open-

ing game of the double-header card, Golden Warriors ended their campaign in the league with a 2-0 win against Beavers and is placed seventh in the points standing with 11 points.

Delon Lewis netted a brace for the winners in the 6th and 37th minutes.

B e a v e r s re m a i n e e d ninth in the standing with seven points.

The league will continue on Saturday and Sunday with three more matches.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday November 1, 2016

WJ Enterprise embraces Guyana Softball Cup 6 cy, will be on offer for trips to Baganara, Arrowpoint, Aruwai and Kaieteur/Orinduik falls.

Ten hampers will also be up for grabs. Regal made a clean-sweep of the titles last

Nasheena Narine (second left) of WJ Enterprise presents the cheque to GFSCA President, Ramchand Ragbeer in the presence of Ricky Deonarain (left) and Wayne Jones bowl off Friday morning

WJ Enterprise, under its Croxley Copy Paper, yesterday confirmed its alliance with the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) for this weekend’s Guyana Softball Cup 6 championship.

At a simple ceremony at its Regent Street location, the company’s representative, Nasheena Narine, presented a cheque for an undisclosed amount to members of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association.

This is the third year that WJ Enterprise has aligned itself with the country’s biggest softball event, and present to accept the company’s contribution were GFSCA President Ramchand Ragbeer, Vice-president Ricky Deonarain and Organising

Secretary, Wayne Jones.

Narine, speaking on behalf of WJ Enterprise, said the management and staff are happy to be part of this “prestigious tournament”, and she is confident the GFSCA will pull off another successful competition.

Ragbeer expressed appreciation to the entity for its continued support, adding that all arrangements are currently being finalised to ensure another high-quality tournament.

Jones assured that another weekend of heated softball rivalry is guaranteed, as from all indications, the overseas teams are coming full throttle to face their Guyanese counterparts.

The tournament, which has attracted a total of 24 teams in the Male Open and Male Masters categories, will

and concludes under floodlights on Sunday night at the DCC ground in Queenstown.

Admission to the finals on Sunday is $1,000 and action is set to bowl off at 11:00hrs.

Teams from Guyana, Canada, Florida and New York will compete in the three-day competition, which will utilise the big white ball.

The teams will be batting for lucrative prizes, as well as some massive trophies put up

by Trophy Stall, while fans will be in for a treat as they can win one of four trips for two to four local resorts. All patrons need to do is retain their half-tickets and listen on the PA system for their numbers to be called.

Tickets for two, compliments of Survival Travel Agen-

GDF wins Joint Services swimming and road relay competitions

AS the athletics competition of the Inter-Services Annual Athletics Championships (ISAAC),also called the Joint Services Championships begin today with defending champions,the Guyana Defence Force having a slight lead over the Guyana Police Force (GPF),after copping the swimming and road relay competitions when the event started last Sunday.

GDF finished with 197 points to take the swimming win ahead of their archrival, Police,who were the defending champions in the swimming competition.

For their efforts,Police ended not too far behind with 184 points. The third place went to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) which mustered up nine points, and following closely was the Guyana Fire Service

(GFS) with seven points.

R a n d o l p h D o o b a y, Ashanti Carington and Corenna Valewin were just a few of the swimmers whose performances helped the GDF to a takeover of the swimming competition at the National Aquatic Centre.

Doobay took gold in the men’s 50m butterfly with a time of 32.45 seconds, where he touched the wall just before Police’s Deon Primus, who came in second in 34.16.

Doobay also picked up bronze in the men’s 50m freestyle, when Primus got the better of him. Doobay’s 27.90 seconds swim was just good enough for third place after Primus clinched the win in 27.03 seconds, while GDF’s Clarvin Baptiste took second (27.34s).

Primus also ended with the gold in the men’s 50m

breaststroke with a time of 36.68 seconds.in other wins for GDF:Carrington won in the women’50m freestyle (38.89s), Valewin won in the women’s 200m freestyle (3:27.00s), Quacy Fraser dominated the men’s 50m backstroke (37.94s) and Noel Culpepper ruled in the men’s 400m freestyle (6:03.16s).

Earlier in the day, Police again took blows as GDF ran away with the road relay race and the full 10 points.

The GDF team comprised Onesto Thomas, Tyshan Bentick, Odwin Tudor, Jamal Evans, and Ashanti Scott. Police ended with 8 points for their second place finish, where the team was made up of Quacy Morian, Jonathan Fergundes, Nathaniel Giddings, Grivon Grant, and Jevina Sampson.

year, winning both the Open and Masters categories.

The tournament has attracted corporate support from Stag Beer, Rubis Guyana, Trophy Stall, Survival

Group of Business, Steve’s Jewellery, Clear Waters, Busta Soft Drinks, Rohan Auto Spares, A&R Jewanram Printery, WJ Enterprise and Mike’s Pharmacy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday November 1, 2016

Hemraj, Bacchus hit half-centuries on day-one of warm-up match

By Stephan Sookram

ROUSING half centuries from Chanderpaul Hemraj and opener Robin Bacchus were the highlights on the first day of the Guyana Jaguars four-day warm-up game at the Everest Cricket Ground as Christopher Barnwell’s XI ended on 2737 after 86 overs.

Batting first,the Barnwell XI batsmen were put on the back foot early by the Vishal Singh- led bowlers with the Christopher Barnwell drives through the off dismissal of Kandasammy side on Day one of the Jaguar’s PCL warmSurujnarine for eight. Suru- up game at Everest (Adrian Narine Photo) jnarine’s high tempo start with dra Chandrika with the score yesterday. two boundaries was cut short at 17, giving Raymond Reifer The trouble continued as when he was caught by Rajen- the first of his two wickets the new-comer Kevin Boodie

Determinators ‘hammer’ Buxton Youth developers 7-1 MAHAICA Determinators were determined as ever on Sunday as they `hammered’ Buxton Youth developers 7-1 when the two sides faced off in a fixture of the Guyana Football Federation/NAMILCO National Under-17 League at the Golden Grove ground, east Coast Demerara.

On the same day and at the same venue, BV/Triumph came from behind to edge Plaisance 2-1.

In the Mahaica Determinators versus Buxton Youth Developers’ fixture, Julius Hamilton netted a helmet-trick for the winners in the 2nd, 46th, 55th and 86th minute, while support came from Nicholas Jardine, martin Wilson and Omari Walcott

who all found the back of the opposition’s net in the seventh, 32nd and 66th minutes respectively.

Meshane Thomas scored for Buxton Youth Developers in the 56th minute.

In the other game, Jaheem Hinds sent Plaisance into the lead with a 21st minute goal but Omari Glasgow was also on target in the 57th and 66th minutes to give BV/Triumph victory.

On Saturday at the Golden Grove ground also, Buxton United defeated Buxton Stars 2-0 through goals off the boot of Kobe Durant in the 19th and 25th minutes.Also on Saturday and at the same venue, Bachelors Adventure/ Paradise Sports Club were held to a 1-1 draw by Ann’s

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday November 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) Jack Noriega-9/95 (WI vs IND, Trinidad, 1971) (2) Desmond Haynes (16); Shiv Chanderpaul (14); Brian Lara (12); Clive Lloyd (11) Today’s Quiz: (1) When Younis Khan scored his 33rd Test century, how many were against the West Indies?

(2) When did Pakistan contest their 400th Test?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Grove.

Randy Hamilton scored for Ann’s Grove in the 41st minute while Tishawn Gordon levelled the score in the 74th minute.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Den Amstel, the leaders of the West Demerara Football Association’s Leg of the Intra-Association league,secured a walk over victory from wales United and moved to 24 points from eight matches with a plus 15 goal difference.

In related news on the WDFA league, Slingerz crushed Beavers 4-1 at the Den Amstel ground to move into second spot in the points standing.

Odel Duncan netted a brace in the fourth and 11th minutes, while Troy Skeete and Brentol Bobb scored in the fifth and 47th minutes respectively, while Akeem Caesar scored for Beavers in the 14th minute.

returned to the pavilion four balls later without scoring after notching a Raun Johnson delivery to wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble.

Tevin Imlach then partnered opener Robin Bacchus with the duo carrying the score to 87 before the former fell for 25,caught behind off Anthony Adams. This brought out Hemraj who joined Bacchus in the center and together they carried the score to 94 before the opener pushed a delivery back to Adams and was caught.

Bacchus’ innings of 51 spanned two hours and 13 minutes and lasted for 74

balls with 4X6. His dismissal brought together the pair of Hemraj and Bhaskar Yadram.

The promising Yadram,who partnered the more senior Hemraj,stroked the ball well as the duo settled the innings, pushing well past the 150 mark before Hemraj was bowled by Pestano.

Hemraj, however,had managed to get over the half century mark and looked well-set when his stumps broke at 65. His innings, laced with 5x4 and 4x6,was paced through approximately one hour and a half and left Yadram and skipper Christo-

pher Barnwell at 181.

Yadram’s innings ended on 33 when he was caught

by Pestano off the bowling of Reifer.Johnathon Foo went for 15 which took an hour and 10 minutes and had one boundary and represented the last wicket to fall.

At the close, Barnwell was on 40 not out while his partner, Seon Hetmyer,was on 12.

The wicket-takers for Vishal Singh’s XI were Anthony Adams with 3-90 off 26 overs ,Raymond Reifer 2-15, Raun Johnson 1-39 and Pestano1- 38.

Day two starts at 09:30hrs, today.

Bookie’s century leads Christ Church to NSSCL Zone final …Saraswat Secondary also book finals berth A brilliant century from skipper Alphius Bookie led Christ Church Secondary to victory over Richard Ishmael Secondary in a rescheduled North Georgetown zone semi-final yesterday at the GNIC ground as the 2016 edition of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) continued.

Richard Ishmael earned the right to face Christ Church in the rescheduled semi-final after they won a protest against School of the Nation who defeated them in the previous round but who fielded an overaged player.

Batting first,Christ Church scored 159/6 in 25 overs. Bookie led the way with a responsible 110 not out off just 88 balls. Bookie’s knock included 11 fours and seven sixes. Ariel Tilho gave good support as he contributed 20. Bowling for Richard

Ismheal, Kristoff Nedd took 3/26.

Richard Ishmael was then dismissed for 80 from 16.2 overs to give Christ Church a comfortable victory. Bowling for Christ Church, Renaldo Mohamed took 4/10 while Bookie had 2/22.

With this victory,Christ Church will now face Chase Academy in a North Georgetown Zone final clash.

Over at the Zeeburg ground, Saraswat Secondary booked a place in the West

The squad that will be captained by Nikita Miller is comprised of John Campbell, Trevon Griffith, Devon Thomas, Jermaine Blackwood, Brandon King, Shacaya Thomas, Andre McCarthy, Chadwick Walton, Damion Jacobs, Derval Green, Marquino Mindley, and Jason Dawes.

The team that is being coached by former Jamaica and West Indies opening batsman Robert Samuels will have David Bernard as its fitness trainer and Matthew Parchment as its physiotherapist.

Following their opening match, the Jamaica Scorpions will take on the Windward Islands at home from November

Andre Seepersaud

Coast Demerara zone final against SVN College when they defeated Zeeburg Secondary by 40 runs.

Saraswat Secondary,batting first,scored166/9 in their 30 overs. Rajesh Rampersaud top-scored with 45 and Dexroy Hyman made 23. Bowling for Zeeburg, Andre Seepersaud took 4/11 and Jetendra Ghisiwian had 2/29.

Zeeburg Secondary fell for 126 in 22.5 overs in their reply. Andre Seepersaud topscored with 33 and Parmanand Prabhudyal made 30. Bowling for Saraswat Secondary, Kevin Latchoo had 3/32.

The NSSCL continues tomorrow with the North Georgetown zone final clash between defending champions Chase Academy and Christ Church at GCC from 10:30 hrs while at Zeeburg, Saraswat Secondary and SVN will do battle in the West Coast Demerara zone final.

Miller to lead Jamaica Scorpions in first PCL match against Guyana

JAMAICA named their 14-man squad yesterday for the first match of the 2016-17 WICB’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) that gets under way on November 11, 2016 with the full slate of matches.

The Jamaica Scorpions will play their first match, away to the Guyana Jaguars, November 11-14.

18-21.

They then host the Barbados Pride from November 2528 and the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force from December 8 to 11.

Jamaica then play the Leeward Islands Hurricanes away in a day-night match from December 15-18.

(Sportsmax.com)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday November 1, 2016

Brathwaite nears century as West Indies recover KRAIGG Brathwaite will spend a night in the nervous nineties after leading West Indies’ fightback against Pakistan in the third Test in Sharjah yesterday.

Replying to Pakistan’s 281 all out in the United Arab Emirates, the Windies were in trouble at 68-4, but the watchful Brathwaite anchored a revival to steer his team to 244-6 at stumps on day two, the opener ending the day 95 not out alongside captain Jason Holder (6 no).

His team still trailing Pakistan by 37, Brathwaite will hope to reach a deserved century and make further inroads as the Caribbean side seek to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash.

Phil Simmons’ team, the designated visitors in the contest on neutral territory,

Marlon Samuels was trapped lbw by Yasir Shah (1-56) for a duck three overs later.

Jermaine Blackwood got a start but failed to build on his 23, some poor footwork seeing him slice Amir (2-44) to Asad Shafiq at gully while attempting a drive.

Roston Chase and surviving opener Brathwaite came together to mount some resistance, putting on 83 for the fifth wicket.

Chase reached 50 but progressed no further, Amir’s angled delivery eliciting an outside edge taken at slip by Younis Khan.

Shane Dowrich picked up where Chase left off by providing strong support for Brathwaite in another 83-run stand. He survived being dropped on 15 but

Kraigg Brathwaite plays a short-arm jab late in the day in his unbeaten 95. made a bad start to their first innings, as Wahab Riaz (265) struck to remove Leon Johnson (1) lbw in the fourth over, a dismissal that prompted the West Indies’ top order to flounder early in their reply.

Zulfiqar Babar (1-45) tempted Darren Bravo (11) to try and clear mid-off, but he succeeded only in slicing the ball to cover, where a diving Mohammad Amir took an acrobatic first catch in Test cricket.

South American 10km, Suriname leg

Forde, Josiah-Tanner,Thomas and Missigher take top spots IN their customary dominating style,Guyana’s Cleveland “Little Kenyan” Forde and Euleen Josiah-Tanner took the men’s and women’s win respectively, in the first leg of the South American 10km race which ran off last Saturday in Suriname.

Also participating and doing well at the event were Guyana’s Cleveland Thomas and Winston Missigher, who finished second and third respectively, behind Forde.

Coming off a season when he ruled in all but one of the 10km events he participated in locally, Forde clocked 34 minutes 9 seconds to take the first win of the three-part race.The time represented one of Forde’s slowest this season, and it remains to be seen if he will need to up the ante when he competes in the Panama and Guyana legs of the event which is set for November 13 and November 20, respectively.

The time is also down from the 31 minutes 54 sec- The South American 10km top three:L-R Cleveland onds that he clocked in the Forde, Cleveland Thomas and Winston Missigher

same race last year, when he won.

Thomas took second in a time of 34 minutes and 16 seconds, and was happy with how things ended, though somewhat dismayed that he again could not cop a win.

Though Forde and Missigher were unavailable for post-race comments, Thomas was on hand and he told Chronicle Sport that: “I’m satisfied with my performance even though it would have been nice to win the race, but I know in some previous races I have droped back a little,so seeing my improvement from my last race I must be happy with my position.

I know there is so more work to be done so I will be going back and continue my hard training in preparation for the 2 leg of the south American 10km and all my others races as I am hoping to finish my year on a high.”

Missigher placed third in a time of 34 minutes 25 seconds.

fell just short of a half century of his own, out for 47 when he chopped Wahab onto his stumps.

The same fate had befallen Pakistan’s tail-enders earlier in the day. Resum-

ing on 255-8, they added a further 26 runs. Alzarri Joseph (2-57) did the damage, as length balls caused both Amir (20) and Yasir (12) to drag onto their own stumps.

SCOREBOARD

PAKISTAN 1st innings (Overnight: 255-8) S. Aslam c Holder b Bishoo 74 Az. Ali c K. Brathwaite b Gabriel 0 A. Shafiq lbw b Gabriel 0 Y. Khan c Johnson b Chase 51 Misbah-ul-Haq c Dowrich Bishoo

53 S. Ahmed b Gabriel 51 M. Nawaz st Dowrich b Bishoo 6 W. Riaz lbw b Bishoo 4 Y. Shah b Joseph 12 M. Amir b Joseph 20 Z. Babar not out 1 Extras (lb-4 nb-4 w-1) 9 Total (all out, 90.5 overs) 281 Fall of wickets: 1-1 Az. Ali,2-1 A. Shafiq,3-107 Y. Khan,4-150 S. Aslam,5-230 Misbah-ul-Haq,6-242 M. Nawaz,7-248 S. Ahmed,8-248 W. Riaz,9-280 M. Amir,10-281 Y. Shah Bowling: S. Gabriel 21 - 1 - 67 - 3(nb-2), A. Joseph 16.5 - 5 - 57 - 2(nb-2 w-1), J. Holder 12 - 4 - 29 – 0, R. Chase

20 - 5 - 47 – 1, D. Bishoo 21 3 - 77 – 4.

WEST INDIES 1st innings K. Brathwaite not out 95 L. Johnsonlbw b Riaz 1 Da. Bravo c Amir b Babar 11 M. Samuels lbw b Shah 0 J. Blackwood c Shafiq b Amir

23 R. Chase c Y. Khan b Amir 50 S. Dowrich b Riaz 47 J. Holder not out 6 Extras(lb-6 nb-5) 11 Total (for 6 wickets, 78 overs) 244 Fall of wickets: 1-6 L. Johnson,2-32 Da. Bravo,3-38 M. Samuels,4-68 J. Blackwood,5-151 R. Chase,6-234 S. Dowrich To bat: D. Bishoo, S. Gabriel, A. Joseph Bowling: M. Amir 17 - 4 - 44 - 2(nb2), W. Riaz 16 - 0 - 65 - 2(nb-3) Y. Shah 18 - 2 - 56 – 1, Z. Babar 17 - 3 - 45 - 1 , M. Nawaz 4 - 0 - 12 – 0, Az. Ali 6 - 0 - 16 – 0.

Burnham Court hosts basketball action

THE Burnham Court was the place to be Sunday night as three matches were played. The games featured one Berbice/ Georgetown match-up, one West Side/Georgetown match-up and one U-23 match-up. The matches were each played in four quarters of 10 minutes each and running time.

In the first game of the night, TGH Pacesetters cut the wings of the Eagles,winning 50-40 on the back of a 23-point performance by Pacesetter’s prolific guard Nathan Saul.

The game was played up-tempo with Pacesetters jumping out to an early lead and finishing the first half 23-21. Saul was kept at bay with 6 points. The second half started with Pacesetters outscoring their opponents 15-8 in the third quarter and at this point Pacesetters simply held on while scoring 12 points in the last quarter to win the game.For Eagles,Lyndon Johnson led the way with 10 points.

The second game of the night featured Colts U-23 and West Side Warriors Seniors,with the former winning 40-32.

For Colts, it was balanced-scoring combined with a constant rotation of players that led to their win over the West Side team.

The game was won in the first quarter with Colts leading 17-2 at the quarter’s close,due to their transition game. The second quarter saw low scoring with Colts scoring 8 points to the West Side’s 5 points to finish the half 25-7.

From there,Colts maintained the lead despite scrappy moments,for a comfortable win. Devon Murray had 13 points in his team’s losing effort with Oneil Heywood finishing with 9 points. For Colts, Jafar Gibbons top scored with 10 while Jonathan Mangra added 8 points.

The last game of the night saw the Colts senior side manhandling a Rose Hall Jammers side 73-57. Colts had their team boosted with new signees, Jermaine Slater and Dennis Niles,and saw good output from the new players.

The first half finished 34-28 in favour of Colts who battled in the post against the physically stronger Berbice team. The game at that point was very even with neither team relenting and Berbice’s main players, Michael Bowen and Jamal Felix,keeping their side in the game. Felix and Bowen would finish with 18 and 12 respectively in the losing effort.

It was equal scoring from the Georgetown-based side with Shelroy Thomas, Jermaine Slater, Kurt Elias, Shane Webster and Stanton Rose scoring 10, 10, 12,11 and 10 respectively to secure the second half 39-27.

Colts won the game due to the low post offense from Webster, Elias and Slater combined with hot midrange and three-point scoring from their guards Thomas and Rose.

Brathwaite nears century as West Indies recover (See Story on page 27 )

GDF retain Terrence Alli Boxing championships title … Williamson, Mounter named Best Boxer in respective categories

(See Story on page 23 )

GDF’s Rhondel Douglas being issued with a mandatory eight count by referee Romona Agard during his lightweight fight against RHJ’s Joel Williamson at the National Gymnasium on Sunday night. Williamson was subsequently named Best Elite boxer (Samuel Maughn photo).

Haiti trounce Antigua & Barbuda 4-0 Public to vote in to take Caribbean Under-20 title FIFA player awards (See Story on page 23 )

Haiti (pictured) celebrates after defeating Antigua & Barbuda in the final of the Caribbean under-20 qualifier on Sunday, in Willemstad Curacao. (Photo: David Heykoop) WILLEMSTAD, Curacao – Roberto Louima and Ronaldo Damus scored two goals each as Haiti earned a 4-0 win over Antigua & Barbuda in the final of the Caribbean Under-20 qualifier on Sunday at the Stadion Ergilio Hato.

With the victory, the Haitians completed the competition -- which started in June and qualified five teams to the

next year’s CONCACAF Under-20 Championship – unbeaten with a 7W-1D-0L record.

A pair of goals by Louima (21’, 38’) gave Les Grenadiers a 2-0 lead at halftime and then Damus (47’, 85’) struck twice to increase his finals total to a team-best six tallies.

Antigua & Barbuda was shutout for a second straight

game, losing for the first time in the tournament (4-3-1).

In the match for third place, Mikiel Thomas struck with two minutes left in normal time to propel Bermuda past Trinidad & Tobago, 2-1. Knory Scott (44’) gave the Bermudians a 1-0 lead late in the first half, only for Josh Toussaint (49’) to level just minutes after the break.

Each of the four sides had previously secured places in the 2017 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship slated to be played in Costa Rica from February 17-March 5.

The other participants in the 12-team field are: the host nation, Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, St. Kitts & Nevis and the United States.

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Lionel Messi won last year’s player of the year award TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016