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88 complete youth leadership training programme
‘Pursue a better way’ No. 104900
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017
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…Trotman urges paradigm shift in relations between government, unions
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President David Granger surrounded by members of the Local Government Officers Union during one of his many stops as part of his Labour Day activities
Fulfill your promises – Lewis urges gov’t
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GPHC to get new Antenatal clinic Doctor assaulted batch of Soda Lime opens for Linden by patient at West …after New GPC recalled defective supply teenage mothers Dem Hospital Page 9
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Fulfill your promises 2
– Lewis urges gov’t By Ariana Gordon TRADE Union leaders on Monday called on the government to fulfill its promises to the working-class people of the country. Veteran Trade Unionist and General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis was the voice behind the call and noted the need for the full restoration of collective bargaining here. On assuming office the APNU+AFC Government has upheld collective bargaining. “Our united voices are calling for those promises to be fulfilled…if his (President
heed the call for this form of unity,” said Lewis. The GTUC, he said, affirms that unity in purpose remains more significant and recognises that “unity must run much deeper than a gathering in physical proximity.” “Therefore it is for the trade union movement to continue its quest for deepening relationships and forging that unity of purpose that at times evade us. That unity that we advocate is premised on safeguarding and protecting human rights and dignity, equal pay, better conditions for workers, safe environment, respect for the right to freedom of association and col-
which is consistent with the mandate given us in the Guyana Constitution.”
STRUGGLE Meanwhile, Lewis called on workers to remain constant in the recognition that theirs is a right to struggle and to demand and to ensure that all the achievements are safeguard. “We the workers must remain constant regardless of who is in or out of power. We have to keep our voices united and resolutely on course. We have to keep our eyes on the prize. The politicians don’t grant us any favour. You elected them and they are entrusted with the responsibility to work for all, not only the elites at the top,” he added amid loud applause.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
der his stewardship things will be different. Our unified voices are today raised, calling for these changes to be manifest.” The GTUC, he added, demands that strident action to have a resolution on all outstanding matters between the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) and the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union. “This is the longest running struggle, where foreign force is being allowed to threaten the nation’s sovereignty when the laws so protect its citizens.” The Union, he said, acknowledges a letter sent by the Ministry of Social Protection to BCGI and GB&GWU with a view at going to the bargaining table. “…we will not rest our calls for justice,
General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, Lincoln Lewis speaks at the 2017 May Day rally at the National Park (Samuel Maughn photo)
A showcase of unity as members of the trade union movement and government and opposition representatives hold hands (Samuel Maughn photo)
David Granger) promises do not materialise; they are saying we are damn fools.” Lewis made the comments while addressing workers at a rally held in the National Park. Following the rally President Granger made visits to the headquarters of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Workers’ Union (GPTWU) and the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU). In his address to public servants, Lewis reminded that it is was President Granger, who in 2011, while serving as Leader of the Opposition, called for a united trade union movement and noted the President’s subsequent charge last year, while opening the Guyana Trades Union Congress. Monday’s May Day rally saw representatives from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), GTUC, and members of Government and the Opposition. “In 2017 the national unions have
lective bargaining and good governance,” emphasised the GTUC General Secretary. The Trade Union movement he said is unified because of President Granger and as such the very movement, “raise our voices in unity calling on him to honour the letter sent by us in September 2016 requesting engagement,
The restoration of collective bargaining in the public sector and the return of the agency-shop for public service unions were also among the calls made by Lewis. “These were the things undermined by the previous government that President Granger would have condemned; indicating that un-
until justice is attained, not only perceived but real. The previous regime vindictively allowed BCGI to violate our laws because of who the workers are,” he added. Additionally, the trade union movement called on President Granger to re-establish a Ministry of Labour as that Ministry is important
for the shaping and executing of labour policies that affect all workers, past, present and potential. “We the people…trust that these requests today will not be a challenge for the President, given his stated commitment and desire for trade union unity, and that which he has sought and achieved here today. If they are still
Public servants listen keenly to a speaker on Monday during a May Day rally held at the National Park, Thomas Lands (Samuel Maughn photo)
friends of the trade union movement as they were prior to 2015, they must prove it. We speak with one voice on these issues.” Lewis stressed that the trade union movement does not exist in isolation but functions in an environment of politicians, employers, and workers (past, present and potential). He noted that as a movement with an inherent culture of organising, negotiating functional conflict and protest, the movement understands the importance of all variables. “In this context we further recognise the relationship between the union and politicians are cyclical, dependent on whether or not they are in power or the opposition. Those who find us as not relevant today are the same ones that would have found [us] relevant yesteryear, and the cycle continues as political seasons change,” he said noting that trade unionist do not have the option of “cherry picking human rights”.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
‘Pursue a better way’
…Trotman urges paradigm shift in relations between government, unions By Ariana Gordon TRADE Unions must be prepared to pursue a paradigm shift where reasonableness, consensus and co-operation take the place of antagonism, conflict, rejections and bad faith bargaining, Minister of Natural Resources,Raphael Trotman told members of the trades’ union movement on Monday. Trotman, who spoke on behalf of President David Granger, said the labour movement must adapt to the ever changing nature of relations globally and noted that it is important that the “crucible of struggle produces not just about a better wage and a better working condition, but, ultimately, better relationships between unions; better relationships between unions and workers, and better relationships between workers, their unions, and the Government.” He said too that with the paradigm, the survival of organised labour and the nation-state as we know it can best be insulated from the external threats and shocks that consistently bombard us and provide an armour of protection and arm us with tools and weapons to adapt and fight. “No longer therefore must we consider the struggle here in Guyana to be “us” versus “them” but now “us” and them”,” said Trotman. He noted that there is need for a redefined relationship between workers, their representative unions and the government.
The Minister of Natural Resources reminded of President Granger’s charge to the Trade Unions last year at the Triennial Delegates’ Congress of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) for a ‘new model’ for labour relations. On that occasion, the President said it was imperative that workers’ confidence be restored while enhancing capacity building of trade unions must be taken into consideration. A new model he said ought to be examined to take into consideration changes in the job market. As such, Trotman posited that it is necessary to “go back to the future” when political parties, government and the trade unions were better aligned and worked in tandem. “The President and Government of this Cooperative Republic of Guyana are ready to recommit to this new order - one in which we work as partners and not as contenders,” he stated. Trotman continued: “Consider if you may the global realities of trade through the Internet and deliveries come to our doors in lighting speed. Consider if you will, the dwindling influence of trade unionism, and consider that in a few years this country will not only be a green state,it will be an oil producing state. Where do we go from here is the question that must be answered and that answer can only come if we sit together and agree.” The Minister,who was accompanied by Ministers of Social Protection, Amna Ally and Keith Scott; Min-
Opposition Member of Parliament,Gail Teixeira, Ministers of Natural Resources and Social Protection, Raphael Trotman and Amna Ally respectfully join hands with GTUC President,Coretta Mc Donald and other union representatives in a show of solidarity on Monday at the National Park. (Samuel Maughn photo)
Minister of Natural Resources,Raphael Trotman,makes a point on Monday during the May Day rally held at the National Park as former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds looks on. (Samuel Maughn photo)
ster of Business, Dominic Gaskin;Ministers within the Ministries of Finance and Infrastructure,Jaipaul Sharma and Annette Ferguson respectively, made it clear that “the bounties are as extensive as the challenges are manifold.” According to Trotman,
Guyana must not fail to prepare for the wealth which awaits it and as such cooperation is a must. “We simply cannot fail to prepare and we simply cannot fail to cooperate and draw closer to each other. The choice is ours and to government the actions we
have to take are self-evident.” Meanwhile, Trotman noted that while workers are being celebrated, his government accepts that the relationship with the unions and its constituents are not in “a perfectly healthy place” and said government is aware
there is unease with some of the government policies and programmes. “I assure you that the discomfort we feel today will give way to pleasure tomorrow. To prepare us for the transition into a green state and to prepare for the windfall that is soon to come from petroleum revenues, it (is) important that we bring some fiscal alignment and fiscal discipline to our spending, and to our relationships with each other. Your government is not oblivious to your struggles and neither is it uncaring and unresponsive to your needs. We ask for time and we ask for your engagement.” He asserted that a failure to change will only have a negative impact on the country and its people while adding that the APNU +AFC administration is not anti-union and wants the best for nationTurn to page 8 ►
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Donald Trump: I would be honoured to meet Kim Jong-un [BBC] - US President Donald Trump has said he would be “honoured” to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in the right circumstances. “If it would be appropriate for me to meet with him, I would - absolutely. I would be honoured to do it,” he told news organisation Bloomberg on Monday. The previous day he described Mr Kim as a “pretty smart cookie”. The comments come amid escalating tensions over North Korea’s nuclear programme. The White House issued a statement following Mr Trump’s remarks, saying North Korea would need to meet many conditions before any meeting between the two leaders could take place. Spokesman Sean Spicer said Washington wanted to see the North end its provocative behaviour immediately. “Clearly conditions are not there right now,” he added. In Sunday’s interview with CBS, President Trump
noted Mr Kim had assumed power at a young age, despite dealing with “some very tough people”. He said he had “no idea” whether Mr Kim was sane. The North Korean leader had his uncle executed two years after he came to power, and is suspected of ordering the recent killing of his half-brother. President Trump, asked what he made of the North Korean leader, told CBS: “People are saying: ‘Is he sane?’ I have no idea... but he was a young man of 26 or 27... when his father died. He’s dealing with obviously very tough people, in particular the generals and others. “And at a very young age, he was able to assume power. A lot of people, I’m sure, tried to take that power away, whether it was his uncle or anybody else. And he was able to do it. So obviously, he’s a pretty smart cookie.” On Saturday North Ko-
rea conducted its second failed ballistic missile test in two weeks. Tensions in the region have increased lately, with both North and South Korea conducting military exercises. The US sent warships to the region and began installing a controversial anti-missile system in South Korea last week. On Sunday, an article from Pyongyang’s state-run news agency KCNA urged the US to “ponder over the catastrophic consequences to be entailed by their foolish military provocation”. North Korea has carried out repeated missile tests in recent months and is threatening to conduct its sixth nuclear test. President Trump told CBS the US was “not going to be very happy” if further tests were carried out. When asked whether this would mean military action he said: “I don’t know. I mean, we’ll see.”
Turbulence injures 27 on Aeroflot flight to Bangkok [BBC] - At least 27 people were hurt when an Aeroflot flight from Moscow to Bangkok hit a patch of severe turbulence. No injuries were life-threatening, but several passengers suffered broken bones and three needed surgery, Russian officials said. A passenger described being “hurled” up to the ceiling, trying to cling on amid shaking which “wouldn’t stop”. The turbulence occurred in clear skies, which meant the crew were not able to warn passengers, the airline said. “The reasons behind the injures were that some of the passengers had not had their seatbelts fastened,” Aeroflot said in a statement. Mobile phone footage of the aftermath of the incident showed injured people lying in the aisles, with packets of food and other items scattered on the floor. “We were hurled up into the roof of the plane, it was practically impossible to hold on,”
a passenger who gave her first name as Yevgenia told Rossiya 24 by phone. “It felt like the shaking wouldn’t stop, that we would just crash,” she added. The pilot, Aleksandr Ruzov, said the turbulence was “impossible to predict”, in an interview with the Russia 24 news channel. He said the worst effects were felt at the back of the plane. The incident took place about 40 minutes before the Boeing 777 carrying 313 passengers was due to land in Bangkok. Twenty-four of those injured were Russians while the other three were Thai, the Rus-
sian embassy in Thailand said. Fifteen people, including one child, were admitted to hospitals in Bangkok, a health ministry spokesman told the Russian news agency Interfax. Three people needed surgery, two for multiple leg fractures and one for broken ribs, he said. By early evening on Monday, 14 passengers remained in hospital, according to Aeroflot, which has said it will pay the medical costs of the injured. The airline said the pilot’s experience amounted to more than 23,000 flight hours and that about 750 cases of clearair turbulence are recorded in civil aviation every year.
The plane was a Boeing 777, carrying 313 passengers
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Venezuela hikes minimum wage by 60% [BBC] - Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has ordered a 60% increase in the country’s minimum wage, effective from Monday. Including food subsidies, the worst-paid workers will now take home about 200,000 bolivars a month - less than $50 (£38) at the black market rate. The pay rise is the third this year from Mr Maduro, and aims to benefit government workers and the military. It comes a month after deadly protests erupted in the country. Demonstrators first took
to the streets on 1 April to demand elections, after the courts tried to strengthen the president’s grip on power. Marches in various cities descended into clashes between riot police and protesters, which have left 28 people dead. Observers fear 1 May could bring a spike in unrest, with opposition and pro-government supporters planning rival marches. Pope Francis has offered to mediate between the Maduro government and its opponents, but the opposition has rejected the overture. Its leaders say the president has
Brazilian ex-billionaire leaves jail [BBC] - A Brazilian oil and mining magnate, who was once one of the richest men in the world, has left a notorious prison in Rio de Janeiro for house arrest ahead of a corruption trial. Eike Batista had an estimated worth of more than $35bn (£27bn) five years ago, but lost most of it as his empire collapsed. He is accused of bribery and hiding illegal funds offshore, but denies any wrongdoing. He was arrested in January. Batista’s lawyers argued that he had been put in prison merely to placate public opinion. High court judge Gilmar Mendes ruled that Batista could await his trial under house arrest because none of the alleged crimes involved violence or threats to others. Under Brazilian law, Batista would have been sent to a special prison wing if he had held a university degree. But as he dropped out before finishing his engineering degree in Germany, he was serving time in an ordinary cell with six other inmates at the Bangu penitentiary. Many Brazilian jails are overcrowded and controlled by criminal gangs. The authorities in Rio say, however, that
Eike Batista
is not the case at Bangu. Under the terms of his release, Batista must remain at his home in Rio de Janeiro and can be visited by the police at any moment without warning. He is also not allowed to act as a director of his remaining companies. He will stand trial alongside the ex-governor of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Cabral, who allegedly took $16.5m in bribes from Batista. The former billionaire is also facing accusations in the United States, where investors argue that he knew that oil exploration contracts won by one of his companies were worthless. They also allege that he lied about new oil discoveries worth trillions of dollars. Batista denies the charges, and has said he will help the authorities in their efforts to tackle corruption - which he says is widespread in Brazil.
President Nicolas Maduro
installed a dictatorship, and blame him for Venezuela’s economic crisis. Even a 60% pay rise may come as scant consolation to millions of the country’s workers, whose buying power has been damaged by a stricken currency. Critics say the move will merely fuel the country’s runaway inflation rate. Venezuela has one of the world’s highest inflation rates, which could hit 720%
this year according to the International Monetary Fund. Even residents of traditionally pro-Maduro districts have been joining the protests against him in recent days. “I have been a month now joining in all the protests because I want my country to be free of this dictatorship,” said 42-yearold Yoleida Viloria, a hairdresser from the capital, Caracas.
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Editorial
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Labour struggle THE trade union movement in Guyana continues to struggle to unify its members, a reality that was on full display at Monday’s annual Labour Day parade. And though the two main umbrella unions- Federation of Independent Trade Union of Guyana (FITUG) and Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) were able for the second consecutive year to hold one rally and one march, they are really not paying attention to their members,most of whom yearn for new leadership. Any casual observer would have noticed that apart from the revelry and perhaps the occasion to interact,workers who showed up at the rally had little interest in what their union leaders had to say, which was evident by the hundreds who opted not to go to the rally following the march. And even those who attended the rally, for most part were too busy catching up with their colleagues to pay any heed to what was being said. Such a response should not be seen as disrespect but rather a show of anger from workers-many of whom have seen little for being part of a union. The annual May Day event has its genesis in workers losing their lives and suffering injuries during strike action to protest for just working conditions, notably an 8-hour work day (4th May 1886, Chicago, USA). This act by the workers, which is consistent with the universal right to self-determination, freedom of association, collective bargaining and involvement in management and decision-making processes that affect one’s wellbeing have shaped universal declarations, charters, conventions and local laws. While the right to freedom of association respects the right
not to associate, those who choose to associate and work as a collective should be allowed to do so. However, when the workers participated in activities yesterday they did so in an environment that had markedly changed. The vast majority of workers do not see their unions as capable enough of representing them, which has led many to give up their membership. May Day rallies were used in the past to galvanise workers to promote their rights and also lobby for better working conditions. It is the one day when workers and their representatives have the country’s leaders’ attention, but instead the occasion over the years has been used to settle political scores. The result is that not much is achieved for workers on Labour Day. There is no denying that most of the heads of trade union organisations here have been in those positions for the past three decades- some even longer. Their presence has effectively killed the spirit of young activists raring to make a significant contribution. There needs to be sweeping changes such like being attempted at the Guyana Public Service Union. President David Granger was right when in addressing the Guyana Trade Unions Congress (GTUC) 4th Triennial Delegates conference late last year, he made it clear that while the GTUC should be proud of its historical record,as it was a vanguard of the struggle for a good life for workers, the union’s model now needs to be re-examined and that members must now look at its role and redefine itself. President Granger said that trade unions ought to consider the changes that are taking place not only in Guyana but around the world. He said too that
the trade union movement must position itself to promote self-employment amongst workers as a means of reducing unemployment. Mechanisms such as credit unions run by trade unions can help the unemployed with credit to launch their own businesses,and he urged the GTUC to examine ways to provide seed capital, skills training and mentoring to encourage job creation through entrepreneurship. Labour’s history in shaping universal rights, freedoms and conditions of work that are taken for granted ought not to be ignored. Where workers of this country first distinguished themselves as an organised force in 1905 to stand up to the employer and demand a say at the table to influence their conditions of work,is enough for them to fight to save their unions. While governments are expected to set the tone and standard for how citizens will be treated, workers who are part of the trade union movement must now demand more from their leaders or fire them.
Some questions by Anil Nandlall Dear Editor I have been charged for stealing books, the subscriptions for which were paid for by the Government of Guyana, which I specifically requested as a condition of my service as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and which was granted by the President of the Republic of Guyana. The market value for these books is about $420,000. Sometime in the mid1980s, the then Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr. Keith Massiah, was offered the position of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs by President Desmond Hoyte, upon his retirement as Chancellor. Chancellor
Massiah indicated his willingness to accept the appointment only if he would enjoy the same remuneration package which he enjoyed as Chancellor. This package was more than double of what a Minister was paid at the time. Mr. Desmond Hoyte granted that request. Mr. Massiah was appointed Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and was paid that remuneration package for several years until they lost the 1992 elections. The total sum paid even then would have run into millions of dollars. Should Mr. Keith Massiah now not be charged with larceny? The Coalition Government as a collective, sat at a Cabinet meeting and made a decision to pay themselves
a 50% increase in salary as part of their contract of service. The incredible rationale was that they were earning this level of income prior to their appointment. I challenge anyone of them, publicly, to prove that they were earning this level of income. This increase in salary is a recurring monthly expenditure on the treasury,running into millions per month and hundreds of millions, annually. Should each of them not be charged with obtaining money by fraud or by false pretenses? Additionally, at the same Cabinet meeting,Moses Nagamootoo demanded that the Prime Minister’s salary, as a matter of principle, must be higher than that of the Attorney General. As a result,
his salary was increased by a further few hundred thousand to make it higher than the Attorney General’s. Again, this became part of his contract for service. I challenge the Prime Minister to show that he was earning $1.7M per month prior to his appointment. Again, this is a monthly recurring expenditure that is costing taxpayers over $20M annually. Should the Prime Minister not be charged for obtaining money by fraud? On top of this astronomical increase in salaries, I am aware that the Government is renting residential premises in which ministers reside at an average monthly rental of $500,000 -$1M. This is costing the treasury millions of dollars annually. These
rentals are obviously part of these ministers’ contract of service. Should they not be charged with some fraudulent offence as well? Two ministers are currently on scholarships;this must be part of their contract of service. These two scholarships are costing taxpayers approximately $7M. Should charges not be filed here too? By a Cabinet decision, this Government rents a house in Albouystown from a party crony for $14M per month to use as a drug bond when a property of similar size, condition and in the same neighbourhood can be rented for $150,000 per month;and when they refused the same square footage of space offered
to them in writing at the New GPC Storage Bond, a world-class storage facility for pharmaceuticals, at a rental of $1.3M per month. Taxpayers continue to pay this $14M in rent monthly. Why should the entire Cabinet not be charged for this criminal wastage of taxpayers’ money. As President David Granger said to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo recently, “I recognise that Governments change and the shoe is on the other foot.” Clearly, his Attorney General does not understand this reality. Regards Mohabir Anil Nandlall M.P Attorney-at-law
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Alexander has final go at Cox Dear Editor,
Against the advice of many, I am penning this response to Cox’s latest letter “Mr Alexander peddling halftruths”. I am doing so to ensure that Cox does not half my truths. He seems to be clinging to some letter from the Loan Agency that stated that he had up to 2006 to clear his indebtedness. He further contends that I have to ‘reconcile with that fact.’ I don’t know who Cox is attempting to blindfold by selective disclosure. At the end of his first year, 2001, he had not fulfilled his obligation to repay his loan on a monthly basis. He was therefore denied loans in 2002 and 2003. The registration forms to which he refers were an initiation of the registration process and were never signed off by the University because
he had not fulfilled the final requirement for registration, i.e payment of fees. He was refused loans in 2001 and 2002. Let him produce those forms to a third party, in my presence, and I will expose his fallacy. In fact, he can produce all of his documents and let’s determine the truth, as opposed to the legalese, in the public court. He proposed this approach. I am prepared to facilitate such an encounter if your media house or anyone else is prepared to be the arbiter. He was not registered. His massive further halving of the truth is that in 2003 monies sent to the University by the Loan Agency were not applied to his name. Any money sent by the Loan Agency is on the basis of a loan agreement, a copy of which is provided to the student after he or she would
have been awarded a loan. In 2003, Cox was not awarded a loan. He cannot produce such a document. Had he been awarded one, there would have been no need for the facility that was offered to him. He would have simply provided that document and completed his registration. I repeat,there was no hiccup in 2003. Cox’ s contention is contrived. Mr Rheka and his letter entered the picture long after 2003, by which time the University had closed the case. Imagine, Cox did not complete his registration and is now hanging his argument on some contention that he was never written to and that he had never withdrawn or been expelled. How can someone withdraw or be expelled when he or she is not on the record as a student? All along the issue of
being wronged was about the University not releasing ‘his grades’. Now it is about some application in 2004. I have no knowledge of that matter. No Registrar routinely deals with such matters and incidentally,I was not Registrar as he claims, in 2003. I became Registrar in 2009. May it also be recorded that I never initiated public correspondence on this matter. I have been a respondent to Cox’s and his ilks’ exposés in the press. May it also be recorded that I never apologised and have no reason to apologise to Cox. On that matter I am prepared to face him in court. Here after I will desist from responding to Cox and company since I have agreed to public arbitration as Cox proposed. Regards Vincent Alexander
GuySuCo IMC has performed abysmally Dear Editor, The abysmal and unacceptable performance of GuySuCo’s IMC continues unabatedly although the taxpayers of this country are required to pay these men millions per month. After 10 weeks of operation in the 1st crop 2017 at week-ending April 22, 2017, the industry produced about 41,000 tons of sugar or 55% achievement of its target which is just over 74,000 tons. At this time, according to the industry’s production plan, it should have produced about 66,000t sugar. This means that sugar production is lagging by some 25,000t. It will take at least six weeks from here on, at 5,000t per week, to achieve the target. In the first place, did GuySuCo have sufficient canes to produce the 74,000t it set itself to make? It is impossible to realise the target since cane harvesting would not be possible in the upcoming rainy season. From the present grinding pattern, it is clear that the crop is coming to an end and from all indications,the crop performance will be the worst in recent memory. As I said before, the GuySuCo’s IMC is very consistent in delivering record poor performances. The highly-paid team delivered the lowest production in 25 years in 2016,and is well on their way to delivering yet another record-lowest first crop production in 25 years. Sugar recovery is extremely poor and
the IMC appears to be quite pleased with blaming everything under the sun except themselves. Not so long ago, they took credit for 2015’s performance,citing good management and rewarded themselves with fabulous salaries and perks. In the meantime, the IMC has a platoon of executive pensioners on excursion from estate to estate swallowing scarce resources and not bringing any value to the business. The overall performance confirms this. It is instructive to note that Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt Estates have achieved 67%, 77% and 79% of their targets respectively as at week-ending April 22, 2017. Will the Government ask why such poor performance at all estates, especially those which His Excellency announced that he will retain? Editor, I am certain that GuySuCo and the IMC boys are considering their scapegoat at this time for the crop’s dismal performance. Undoubtedly, the upcoming rainy weather and the demotivated workers would certainly be blamed. Having taken such an inordinately long time to announce its crop target at the beginning of the year, it is logical to assume that the IMC must have considered the impacts of the last El Nino and La Nina phenomena, workers morale, poor cane growth in the fields, etc, etc in arriving at the target of just over 74,000t. If these
variables were not factored into the schedule, it is proof that incompetence in GuySuCo’s management has reached new heights. The volatile and poor relationship between workers and GuySuCo’s bureaucrats is a direct result of GuySuCo’s irresponsible IMC causing
workers to react in defence of their livelihoods. The IMC has effectively placed Government in an embarrassing position politically, economically and socially and justify the closure of estates. Regards Sookram Persaud
Collapse of Indian Monument is cosmic justice Dear Editor I AM not superstitious but last week’s media reports of the sudden ‘inexplicable crash’ of the foundation being built at Palmyra to accommodate the replica of the ship which brought the first set of our forefathers from India to the Highbury sugar plantation is portentous of ‘cosmic justice’ against those who are bent on desecrating the sacred memory which Highbury represents. Indeed, I am now inclined to warn future visitors to the site at Palmyra to be extremely careful lest they become victims of any other form of ‘cosmic justice’! It is indeed difficult to reconcile the apparently peremptory decision (made by whom?) to have the site of the arrival of the first batch of Indian immigrants ‘shifted’ from Highbury on the East Bank of Berbice to Palmyra on the Canje/Corentyne coast! To me it is almost sacrilegious to attempt rewriting our history for any reason whatsoever let alone the contrived one being peddled that ‘Highbury is too far or difficult to access.’ “Too far or too difficult for whom?” is a logical question…and if the answer is “for the politicians”, then surely they have the pow-
er and resources to fix the road (now reduced to a continuous stretch of potholes). In any event there are thousands of residents who live and work along the East Bank of Berbice who are forced to use this solitary road which connects with Highbury and beyond. Alternatively, those ‘city-wallahs’ who are unable to go the small extra distance to Highbury can indulge their sentiments by attending celebrations at the Indian Monument site at the corner of Camp & Church Streets in Georgetown. The feigned or ‘manufactured’ reason for shifting the location of the memorial marking the arrival of our forefathers actually insults our collective intelligence; it is obviously insensitive to the true sentiments of the descendants of the original Indian immigrants to Guyana; it is tantamount to celebrating the ‘Berbice Slave Rebellion’ in Essequibo or observing the ‘Enmore Martyrs Day’ in Blairmont or Skeldon! I take this opportunity to urge all like-minded Guyanese to continue to visit the Highbury site on the 5th May as they have been continually doing in the past years. Regards Nowrang Persaud
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
GPHC to get new batch of Soda Lime …after New GPC recalled defective supply The New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (NGPC), major supplier of pharmaceuticals, drugs and medical supplies is in the process of replacing fourteen bottles of lifesaving ‘soda lime’ which have been discovered to be defective, creating a shortage of the product within the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). The MoPH is assuring staff and patients of the
GPHC to stay calm and not panic since the problem is already being rectified, and the hospital also has an alternative source of supply. According to a press statement from the MoPH, the NGPC promised to replace the 14 bottles of the defective product “as soon as this stock arrives” in the country. Several bottles of the soda lime, which is used for the absorption of carbon monoxide to help patients
breathe while they are under anaesthesia, has been discovered defective after theatre staff at the GPHC reported that the soda lime has deteriorated from granular to powdered form, the Ministry said. “As such, it is useless to the ventilator used to help patients breathe while undergoing surgery,” the statement said. This is the first time that this has ever been reported. The ministry said NGPC responded promptly to the
complaint and promised to “take immediate action to recall the remaining amounts (and explained that the deteriorated supply) cannot be used because of the possibility of environmental and health-safety effects,” MoPH said. PRODUCT ALREADY RECALLED Meanwhile, in a statement of its own the New GPC said on April 19, 2017 it received a notice from GPHC that 14 out of 24 bottles of
Soda Lime 5kg, which it supplied on Feb 21, 2017 on a purchase order, were crushed and unsuitable for use. “We immediately instituted a recall, took possession and quarantined the 14 bottles on the same day (April 19). We also immediately notified the Hospital that the product will be replaced from another source and have since repurchased it. The replacement batch is in transit by airfreight and should arrive in less than two weeks,” the company said in a statement. “NEW GPC did not manufacture this item. It was imported. Soda Lime comes in a granulated form but can go bad if improperly stored or handled and will become crushed or powdered if the bottle is shaken,” the company explained in its release. It added that the label contains instructions for proper storage and a clear warning to discontinue use of the product if the granules become crushed or powered. “While this is unusual it can happen with sensitive products such as Soda Lime for reasons mentioned above and hence the need for constant monitoring. It should be noted that NEW GPC followed standard protocol for incidents of this type.” NO SODA LIME IN STOCK The Ministry of Public Health said that “the GPHC, the only referral hospital in Guyana, currently has no soda lime in stock. However, in case of an emergency, the semi-autonomous agency can get supplies from
A photo of the Soda Lime label used by the GPHC
the Woodlands Hospital in Georgetown, a source said. The source said the two institutions routinely assist each other. It was also confirmed Monday afternoon that the GPHC had no patients needing the product,” the statement said. This degradation from granular to powdered form poses several health challenges including an increased resistance of the gas passing through; reduction of the amount of carbon dioxide needed to be absorbed by the patient and the fact that the “dust can escape from the canister through the circuit to the patients, causing irritation to the upper respiratory tract and mucus membranes,” GPHC explained. If the degraded product is used it can also present other toxicological effects including irritation of the patients’ eyes and skin and lung injury to the staff handling the powdered form of the soda lime. “With this in mind, GPHC is strongly objecting to its use and is requesting another batch of Soda Lime,” the ministry said.
Pursue a...
al good and workers. “Unions too must see the bigger picture and support the thrust for the greater good for the greater number and not cling to anachronistic ideas and notions that are evidently failing. These revelations which can easily be misconstrued as unfair criticisms are simply made to advise the unions that it is time to change for the better,” said Trotman. Additionally, Trotman said in this the second anniversary of the coalition government, his government is pleased that it has been able to fulfill many of the promises made in its 2015 manifesto under the heading “Industrial Relations and Labour Welfare”. He pointed to a number of areas including the restoration of collective bargaining, the increase in minimum wage in public
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and private sector, and the increase in pension for senior citizens. “We are fully cognizant of the fact that these increases are not fully adequate to satisfy the needs of our workers past and present but please be assured that we are doing the best we can in the present circumstances.” The Minister of Natural Resources assured that there is no denying that trade unions have a role to play in every democratic society, but believes that the time is now to adopt a new approach in the conduct of their affairs. He congratulated the trade union movement for maintaining what he termed a “joint and unified rally” for the second consecutive year after being separated for many years. That separation resulted in dual rallies.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
AFC Cares lends helping hand to Linden families in need
DURING the Alliance For Change’s National Executive Committee meeting in Linden,the party took time out to donate food hampers to three persons and their families who are experiencing challenging circumstances. The party donated one hamper to Rene Bridglall of Wisroc Housing Scheme,who lost her home to fire recently. The party further committed to providing additional assistance in the rebuilding of Ms. Bridglall’s home. Also receiving hampers were Shamine Williams of Blueberry Hill,a teacher at Wismar Christianburg Secondary School who suffered a stroke,and Carol Chester of Central Amelia’s Ward who lost her husband after a prolonged illness. The initiative forms part of the party’s ‘AFC Cares’ programme which seeks to assist vulnerable persons in our society along with per-
AFC leaders,including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo;AFC Leader and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman;Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin and MP, Audwin Rutherford,pose with recipients of the donation
sons experiencing difficult circumstances. Party executives, including Leader Raphael Trotman;Chairman Khem-
raj Ramjattan;Vice Chair,Cathy Hughes;Elder Statesman and Political Advisor,Moses Nagamootoo;Treasurer Dominic Gaskin and
executive member,David Patterson,were on hand to make the presentations and offer words of comfort, support and encouragement to
the recipients and members of their families. The party hosted its NEC meeting at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre in Linden
on Saturday, April 29th. It was the party’s second NEC for 2017, following its National Conference in January.
Yarde claims ‘political movement’ behind his ouster FIGHTING to remain in office after decades of being at the helm, President of the Guyana Public Service Union, Patrick Yarde on Monday said that there was a massive political movement and other involvement in the union’s still to be declared elections. Yarde said in a Labour Day message that the ‘massive political involvement’ was with a “clear and determined assignment to create
multiple divisions in the rank of our members and to discredit and decapitate the leadership of the Union.” Gregory Gaspar, who had challenged Yarde at the polls, has expressed confidence in defeating the veteran trade unionist. “Our tenure of renewal in office as an executive being due in 2017 action was taken in accordance with our rules correctly and transparently to comply with this process
in a most cost-effective and professional manner. While we were alerted and sensitive to certain irritants, we eventually recognised there was a massive political and other involvement in our elections process…” This movement, Yarde said has encountered difficulty and the failure to obstruct the holding of elections; orchestrated with intensified focus on misleading and threatening mem-
bers, disrupting the counting of votes and undermining the credibility of the election process. “The instances of unprofessional, unethical conduct, overwhelming dishonesty and a vicious campaign to dislodge the serving leaders were evident and abominable. It is clear to your union leaders that we are faced with a situation to defend ourselves from an attacking element that we helped to create in the
fight for justice, however unfortunate. We are confident that we can overcome this unwarranted assault, it has somewhat fragmented our union in an undesirable manner. However, we will not allow this misfortune to restrain our struggle for progress nor discourage us,” the GPSU head stated. He said in eliminating “the obstacles in our way, we must mobilise now to confront the existing injus-
tices in order to etch out a future that is built on fairness, justice and human rights. “As a public-sector union, we recognise and are confident that we are integral to the foundation of a just and democratic society and that our fight is a fight for all. On behalf of the Executive Council I extend best wishes to all workers for a Happy May Day 2017,” Yarded statement ended.
Antenatal clinic opens for Linden teenage mothers GIVEN the alarming number of teenage pregnancies in the mining town of Linden, the Linden Hospital Complex has opened an antenatal clinic for teenage mothers since they are considered high-risk. The clinic commenced operations last month and according to Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Farouk Riyasat of the LHC, some 40 teenage mothers are already benefiting from the clinic, which is operating at both the Mackenzie and Upper
Demerara Hospitals. “The response is good, we have about 40 teenage pregnancies right now and that would be counting all the teenagers in the region,” he said. In the hospital’s mission to continue along the path of no maternal deaths, the decision was made to have the young ‘high-risk’ mothers ranging from the ages of 13-19 to attend clinic at the hospital, so as to benefit from specialised care, rather than to attend antenatal clinic at a health
centre. According to statistics coming out of LHC, 18% of the deliveries done are on teenagers. Dr. Farouk Riyasat, who deemed the situation worrying, revealed that the statistics show that for 2016, out of the 998 live births at the hospital, 179 were delivered to teenage mothers. Therefore every month approximately 14 teenagers are delivering babies at the hospital. The statistics also show that for 2016, two of these teenagers were HIV positive.
The high teenage delivery rate creates a correlation with the hospital’s high rate of caesarean deliveries. For the year 2016, the percentage of total C-Section stands at 30. “A lot of them are really young, 15 years, 14 years, they don’t have the anatomy, the space to deliver,” Riyasat said in a previous interview. All the cases are reported to the Ministry of Social Protection and a large percentage of the girls are from the Indigenous communities on the
Linden Soesdyke Highway and riverine communities in Region 10. This was corroborated by Probation Social Services Officer, Amrel Beckles, attached to the Ministry of Social Protection’s office in Linden. She also added that a large percentage of the girls are from the mined-out communities in Region 10, such as Coomacka Mines, Nottinghamshire, Old England and Three Friends. Beckles added that the ministry is aware of the
situation and does follow up on the reported cases. Once the girls willingly give a statement identifying the father and they are found, they are charged with statutory rape. The Ministry is also involved in sensitisation exercises in collaboration with non-governmental organisations across Linden. The bodies would visit schools and other institutions in an effort to bring awareness to the consequences of early involvement in sexual activity.
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Hundreds brave rains – to rally ‘round labour By Sherah Alleyne HUNDREDS of workers from the various unions all across the country braved the weather yet another year to march together in observance of Labour Day. The march saw the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) coming together for the second consecutive year in over two decades, putting aside their differences and gyrating in
one accord through the streets of Georgetown to the sweet melodies of Guyanese soca and chutney tunes. Union workers from all corners of Guyana flooded the streets of Georgetown, decked out in traditional red, umbrella in hand and colourful banners and placards aloft proclaiming their various messages. The march commenced at Parade Ground on lower Middle Street, before making its way into Main Street and then onto the Avenue of
the Republic, straight into D’Urban Street and then all the way to the National Park for the unity rally, where government ministers and representatives of the Parliamentary Opposition were waiting to pay their respects and have their say. Along the way, the Guyana Chronicle caught up with GTUC’s General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis, and he made the telling observation that today’s political movement is no longer driven by philosophy but by opportunism. And his reason for saying this is that while the unions continue to be guided by the
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
ILO (International Labour Organisation)’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, they find themselves in conflict with the political movements in their respective countries. What needs to be done to address the disconnect, he said, is not so much a reassignment of the programme of the labour movement, but a re-assessment as to what is the thinking of our political leaders. THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES He also feels that unions
here need to start organising and mobilising, because nothing has ever been achieved without a struggle, and for him, the struggle continues. “Workers rights is still a pressing issue that workers face,” Lewis said. “People are being dismissed in contravention of the law, and all they are being told is that they would be paid severance. The law and workers rights should be respected.” The Guyana Chronicle also caught up with FITUG Vice-President, Komal
Chand who opined that both his organisation and GTUC should continue working together, so they can have a stronger voice. Among unions on the march besides GTUC anD FITUG were: The Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU); the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU); the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU); the Union of Agriculture and Allied Workers (UAAW); and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU).
‘Tide Runner’ did not sink Doctor assaulted THE Speed Boat Association at Parika is refuting media reports that the ‘Tide Runner’ speed boat sank on April 25, but said while the passenger vessel experienced a minor difficulty, its captain skillfully manoeuvred to the bank of Hogg Island, allowing passengers to disembark
and then safely lodged the vessel. An article published in the Guyana Chronicle on April 26 under the headline ‘Passenger vessel sinks near Hogg Island’ reported that the vessel sank shortly after departing Supenaam for Parika in the Essequibo River that Wednesday
morning. However, Secretary of the Speed Boat Association, Parika, Curtis Adams told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that the boat left Supenaam en route to Parika, and while the boat was in the vicinity of Leguan, the captain observed a funny sound coming from
the engine; he then stopped the throttle. As a result, a small piece of the cotton used to block the seam was removed from below one of the seats, causing water to slowly seep in. Adams said the Captain, who was not the boat’s usual captain, thought it would be dangerous to cross from Leguan to Parika, and acted wisely by taking the vessel on the flat at the bank of Hogg Island, to ensure all passengers were safe and avoid the boat sinking. “The cotton probably didn’t fit properly and with the stomping it might have come out,” Adams assumed. He, however, assured the Guyana Chronicle that no passenger lost anything and no one was injured. “It didn’t go down… he would have taken it unto the flat… the bank, the flat there next to the bushes, and rested there because the tide was low. It was the proper thing to do,” Adams explained. “Tide Runner hasn’t been involved in any tragedy or so on. It was kind of a minor something. It happens sometimes. What we have to do is make periodical checks to these boats,” Adams told the Guyana Chronicle.
by patient at West Dem Hospital
CHAOS broke out at the West Demerara Hospital around 20:30hrs Sunday when a patient assaulted a doctor and damaged hospital property after he was informed that an X-ray could not have been done on his arm at that time of the night. Police on the West Demerara are investigating the matter in which it was alleged that a middle-aged resident of Belle West, West Bank Demerara ‘chucked’ and pushed the doctor while his relatives encouraged him. The doctor, whose name has been withheld, was on duty at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency department when the man visited seeking medical attention for pain in his left arm. Police
Commander, Leslie James,told the Guyana Chronicle Monday that after the doctor informed the man that the x-ray department was closed at the time and advised him to visit a private institution, he became annoyed and chucked the doctor and pushed him. Police said the man appeared drunk, and along with his relatives, was berated by another patient at the hospital. At this time, the man and his relatives became irate and a scuffle ensued between them and the man who scolded them about their attitude toward the doctor. Hospital property was damaged during the brawl. The matter was reported to police and statements were taken. Police investigations continue.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Trotman, Teixeira trade barbs at ‘May Day’ rally
By Svetlana Marshall PEOPLE’S Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Member and Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, amid loud heckling painted a dim future for Guyana when she addressed workers at a Labour Day rally in the National Park on Monday. But her views were countered by Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, who said the country was being aligned for takeoff. Teixeira, who spoke on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, said the economic and political situation in the country, leaves Guyanese uncertain about the future. “Workers from every sector and people from all walks of life are apprehensive and profoundly uncertain, not only about their daily existence but more importantly, about their future, their children’s future and the future of our country. These fears and apprehensions are well founded. They see their conditions and quality of life deteriorating every day, and, they are confused,” she stated. The Opposition Chief Whip added that many of achievements made by the working-class after years of struggle are now being threatened as she pointed to the Sugar, Rice, and Bauxite Industries. “Every productive sector is on the decline; in the sugar industry, estates are being closed and thousands are being dismissed; in the rice sector, they are no new markets and no competitive price for paddy; in the mining sector, small and medium-scale miners can no longer afford the cost of production; in the forestry sector, they are no markets for logs; in the commercial sector, there is a drastic decline in trade and commerce,” she pointed out. The deteriorating economic circumstances,
she added, are leading to the devaluation of currency and increase in the cost of imports. The situation, the Opposition Chief Whip posited, is further compounded by harsh polices and tax measures imposed by the administration on the working- class. Despite their political affiliation, Guyanese from all walks of life are concerned about the state of affairs of the country. HARD DECISIONS But these claims were rebutted by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. He said sometimes “hard decisions” must be taken, while pointing to the ailing sugar industry. “You cannot treat a failing organ with an aspirin… sometimes drastic measures have to be taken.” Over the last 21 months, the Administration has pumped $32B into the industry. In making his case on behalf of Government, Trotman said when the previous government had taken a decision to close the factory and estate at Diamond, it was considered necessary, along with the decision to privatise the Bauxite Industry. Just like it was then, the Natural Resources Minister said, today it has become necessary to make some difficult decisions. CARING GOVERNMENT “So when we wonder, why it is that foreign currency is scarce and why is it that people are complaining, it is because this government in a caring way have put $32B, the equivalent that was spent on the Skeldon Estate in 21 months, into an ailing industry. The time has come for change,” he said. He said in the not so distant future Guyana will not only be a green state but an oil producing state, as he warned the populace not to be fooled by nay-
sayers, who are contending that only a few will gain employment in the oil industry. However, the Minister explained that in order to prepare Guyana for that which is to come, it is important to have fiscal alignment and fiscal discipline. “Your government is not oblivious to your struggles, neither it is uncaring or unresponsive to your needs, we ask for your time, we ask for patience, we ask for your engagement.” Also making a presentation was young trade unionist and member of the City Constabulary, Latoya Drakes, who called on government to do more for the young people of Guyana, saying that the situation currently is less than desirable. “For the youths of Guyana, the situation at this time is depressing, and ahead, it is not the hope-filled rosy picture we expected. It is disheartening that promises of youth empowerment and the creation of new, stable and decent jobs remain largely unfulfilled,” Drakes told a few hundreds of workers, who had marched along the streets of Georgetown before culminating at the National Park for a rally. Minister Trotman was among the Government Ministers present. The others included Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Karen Cummings; the Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson; and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin. Former President Donald Ramotar, former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds; former Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green; and former Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran, were among the officials present.
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Moruca on the move
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
– to erect its own shopping mall, other key facilities soon By Vanessa Braithwaite THE Barima-Waini Sub-Region of Moruca is to soon have its own shopping mall, thanks to the
cumulation of a generous grant of G$1M to each of its 11 communities, courtesy of President David Granger. According to Ms Anette Danese, Area Councillor of
the communities of Aqueiro and Huradia, located in Santa Rosa, because of the need for such a facility at Moruca, area councillors unanimously agreed, with the Toshao’s
blessing, to use the money for the benefit of the entire sub-region. “We are trying to bulk the million-dollar per an area, so we will be receiving $11M,” Danese said. “And we want to put a mall at the market in front there at our central; we want
events are held there. “We have a very good sports club in the area,” Danese said, “so we give the money to them so that they could build a snackette at the ball field.” Another $5M grant that was given to the community through the Community Development Plans (CDP) was used to buy the community
will be funded by the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs with a grant of $1.5M. Danese said she only learnt about the availability of the grant lately, while attending the National Toshaos Council in Georgetown, and was encouraged to complete the proposal so that the funds can be released at the earliest opportunity.
A roof-top view of Moruca
to do a mall with this 2017 presidential grant,” she added. Moruca is divided into 11 titled communities, among them Santa Rosa, Assakata, Chinese Landing, Waramuri, Santa Cruz and Kariako. Santa Rosa, the largest and more populated of all the communities, has an estimated population of 5000 residents and is governed by a Village Council led by a Toshao. SPORTS CLUB SNACKETTE Danese said, too, that a decision was also taken to pool the 2016 Jubilee Grant of $1M given each of the communities, and give it to the Moruca sports club to build a snackette. The snackette, she said, when completed, will bring in some well-earned income for the sports club, which is the pride and joy of Moruca, since all of the communities’ football and cricket matches, as well as other sporting
a bus, which the Councillor said was a necessity for the residents. “We buy a bus with it; it helps out the schoolchildren, pensioners, everybody,” Danese said, adding: “You see when the bus down, is like everybody does be affected; everybody does be at a loss.” She said that since the driver for the bus also lives in the Aqueiro area, there is no need for the bus to leave the community to go elsewhere, as is the case in some of the other areas. COMMUNITY CENTRE The Council is also in the process of finalising a project proposal for a community centre, which is badly needed in the area. “When we have our meetings and so,” Danese said, “we do it in open spaces; we don’t have a building we can go and sit in, or for activities to be held.” That project, she said,
“We are really grateful for these grants; they are helping our communities a lot,” she said. She noted, however, that the community of Aqueiro is in dire need of computers for its Internet hub, which was constructed under the previous administration. Without computers and Internet access, she said, the building is of no use to the community; the only means persons have of accessing the Internet is via their cellular phones, which is not very cost-effective for research purposes. As such, residents are asking for the hub to be upgraded, and computers to be provided. “This will really assist students, especially the Internet,” Danese said, adding: “The only way we access Internet is by our phones and at the Santa Rosa Secondary School. In this area alone, we have close to 500 residents.”
Tattoo removal procedure – Junior GDF too expensive ranks stress FOLLOWING the recent enforcement of the tattoo policy at the Guyana Defence Force, ranks affected by this are calling for the policy to be reviewed, or for financial assistance to be given to them since the medical procedure to remove the tattoos are way beyond the reach of their pockets. Back in January, the GDF announced that in keeping with the tattoo policy outlined in Article 4066, a decision
was taken that ranks with visible tattoos should have them removed by May 2017. That deadline has since been extended to September 2017. As GDF Public Relations Personnel, Major Delbert George told the Guyana Chronicle back in January, there are certain policies governing the operations of the army and all of its officers, including new recruits, and they must upheld. Those policies, he said,
also speak to the visibility of tattoos while wearing any form of military attire, including PC shorts and military training T-shirts. The Guyana Chronicle sought the opinion of some junior ranks on the matter, and many have said they fear they might lose their jobs since they simply cannot afford the cost of removing the tattoos by laser treatment. Some are also labelling Turn to page 16 ►
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Labour Day Rally...
‘Stand firm! Stand strong!’ – Chand hails ‘unity and togetherness’ of recent observances, developments By Svetlana Marshall VICE-President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Komal Chand, on Monday called on unions countrywide to stand firm in the face of rising challenges. He did so from the standpoint of what he sees as the unity and togetherness that characterises this year’s Labour Day Rally, which marks the second consecutive year the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and FITUG have collaborated to host the event. “In recent months, we have seen improved collaboration and cooperation among our bodies. This is indeed a positive development,” Chand told the multitude of working-class people gathered at the National
Park to celebrate the event, adding that the challenges of the day demand greater unity, a sentiment that was expressed by many of the other trade unionists and political leaders who took to the podium. “Today, we see hardwon benefits, conditions and rights won through struggles and sacrifices, under attack and at risk of being rolled back,” he said, adding: “It is incumbent on us all to defend, protect and advance our class-gains, and help to build a country that will assure that our tomorrows are better; one where our rights are upheld and our lives are qualitatively enriched.” RISING CHALLENGES Though his claims of rising challenges and mounting pressures for the work-
Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira
FITUG Vice-President Komal Chand at Monday’s May Day Rally
ing-class were later rebuffed by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphel Trotman, who spoke on the government’s behalf at the rally, Chand opined that the promise of ‘A Good Life’ is far from being realised. He said that what may have helped contribute to this state of affairs is the
seeming decline of the country’s economy, and the under-performance of the productive sectors, which have all helped to further devalue the Guyana dollar. “In such situations,” the veteran trade unionist said, “the working people and their families are the hardest-hit victims.
“They experience nowa-days increases, oftentimes steep, in the cost-of-living; there is the shuttering of businesses, or the reduction of business activity, which have brought on retrenchments; the obvious dire consequences that will result from reduced national expenditure; the unfortu-
nate decline of workers’ savings and pension funds in real terms, among other things. “Clearly, in such trying times, not ‘A Good Life’ but a grim future is ahead.” Looking on the bright side, however, Chand said the government would do well to take the necessary measures to stimulate growth within the economy. Turning his attention to Turn to page 18 ►
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Labour Day 2017 in photos
Workers attached to the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) on the march Monday during the May Day Parade around the city
Representatives of the General Workers Union on the move along Main Street
President David Granger distributed special buttons with th Child in School” to teachers at the GTU’s Labour Day c
Members of the Guyana Police Force’s music band perfo renditions at the National Park during the May Day
President David Granger distributes little tokens to teach gathered at the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) on M
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
President David Granger makes a point to President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Mark Lyte (right) as other Union representatives look on. Immediately behind the President is Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally
he words “Every celebrations
GWI workers march through city streets as part of May Day activities on Monday Hamilton Green: Former Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green has a word with this little lass as he prepared to march with workers on Monday
General Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) Carvil Duncan (left) and Opposition Members of Parliament Juan Edghill (centre) and Dharamkumar Seeraj (right) apparently discussing labour-related matters at the National Park on Monday
Nurses also participated in this year’s May Day observance
ormed several y rally
Labour Day in motion
On the road yesterday
hers who were Monday
Some of the workers gathered at the National Park listen to the many messages delivered as part of May Day 2017 observances (Photos by Samuel Maughn)
At the GTUC’s head office, President David Granger met with this little guy who plans to become the President of Guyana when he gets older
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Copa-Turkish Airlines pact opens Guyana to Africa, Eurasia and Far East AN agreement to operate joint flights was signed on Friday between Star Alliance members Copa and Turkish Airlines, and is a major game- changer for the travel industry of Latin America and the Caribbean. This is especially important to Guyana, a country very much isolated from global hubs.
Now travelers can fly Copa Airlines from Guyana to Panama City and connect with Turkish Airlines’ vast global network to cities in Africa, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle and Far East. Through this code-sharing agreement, these two top global carriers will offer passengers seamless connection from 74 destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean,
including Guyana, four times a week to 226 international destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle and Far East and Australia on the Turkish Airlines network. Turkish Airlines (THY), a state owned company, operates 337 aircraft and has been chosen as Europe’s best airline for the past six years by Skytrax survey. A codeshare agreement allows
two or more airlines to list certain flights in a reservation system under each other’s names. This means, for example, a businessman from Beijing or Dubai can reach Guyana via Istanbul and Panama City, and luggage check to the final destination seamlessly, subject to government approvals. In 2018, Turkey will open one of the iconic airports in
the world that will rival those in Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Singapore, with six runways, capable of handling 200 million passengers. This project will cost the Turkish government about US$7 billion. It will replace the Ataturk Istanbul Airport, which still offers passengers many comforts, easy and frequent connections via Istanbul. Guyana on the other hand, by the end of 2017,
will finally complete the modernisation and expansion of its Cheddi Jagan International Airport after many delays and setbacks. More significantly, since the discovery of major oil reserves off the shores of Guyana, its aviation and tourism industries are poised to grow if there is sound planning and transparency. (Caribbean News Now)
Tattoo removal... the edict as unfair, since they were recruited into the army with their tattoos, only to be told now, years after in some cases, that they should have them removed or face the consequences. One private based at Camp Ayangana who completed his training in 2015, revealed that the GDF has put him between a rock and a hard place since he cannot afford to lose his job, nor to have the tattoo removed. The young soldier said when he did the interview to join the army, he did so with all of his tattoos on his arms and neck visible. He recalled that at the time, the interviewer was Colonel George Allan Lewis, now Brigadier and Chief of Staff, and he had asked about the tattoos and what he planned doing about them. And his response was, “I said, Sir, there’s nothing I can do about the tattoos, as right now, I am just trying to seek a job to help my family in whatever way I can help them.” He said that after giving his reply some thought, Lewis asked whether he planned on getting any more tattoos, and he answered in the negative. Probably satisfied with his response, the youngster said, he was subsequently accepted into army and completed his training successfully. A RECENT DIRECTIVE He said that it was only last December while serving recruits Christmas Lunch that President David Granger, after seeing ranks with visible tattoos, enquired about the enactment of the policy. It was thereafter, he said, that the order was instituted for the removal of all visible tattoos. Badly wanting to keep his job, the recruit said he immediately visited the Balwant Singh Hospital, where he asked about the removal procedure and was told that it would cost $30-$35, 000 per session, and that it would require three to four sessions to have them all removed. Clearly at his wits end to
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find a solution, the youngster said: “I have a young child; I does pay a house mortgage of $25, 000; my salary is only $58, 000. “I am a private soldier; I have so much responsibility on my hands, they putting me in something that I can’t afford. “And even though it will take four sessions and the ink wouldn’t be in my skin anymore, the mark will be left like a brand.” it will be.” He said that after realising the quandary he was in, he then sought the advice of his Commander, but did not receive a positive response. He explained what transpired: “I went at my Commander of my unit and I said, ‘Sir, you know I came in the work with these tattoos, and I asking that when we draw we double April, if you can help me with something to put towards starting the treatment.’ “I explained to him the debts I have to pay: A house mortgage plus I have a young baby who is just five going on six months... Plus I have to look after my girl; she going full- time school. “My salary is just $58,000; that is why I go and ask he. I walked out the office feeling down and depressed, because I said at least he could have seen I really want the work and he could have helped me.” That approach having failed, he said, he next opted to write the Chief of Staff seeking his assistance, but was told that he was not allowed to do so. Another rank, a reservist, said he too was recruited with his tattoo on his upper left arm, but was told that he would need to have them removed. He said he made several efforts to do so, but all he got for his pains is a terrible skin infection which continues to spread. The ranks are also claiming that their dismissal will be a breach of their contract, since their three year tenure is not yet completed.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
GEPAC observes 20th anniversary …Ontario’s premier lauds contributions to province By Frederick Halley TWO weeks after its counterparts from the Guyana Ex-Police Association of America (GEPAOA) celebrated their golden jubilee, the Guyana Ex-Police Association of Canada (GEPAC) observed its 20th anniversary with a gala dinner and dance last Saturday night at the Rembrandt Banquet Hall, Scarborough, Toronto. And as evidenced at GEPAO’s celebration when GEPAC lend its unwavering support, the New Yorkers, led by president Leroy Charles,turned up in large numbers in a show of camaraderie to mark the auspicious occasion which also saw Ontario’s Minister of Education, Mitzie Hunter in attendance. The Jamaican born
Hunter, who represented Ontario’s Premier Kathleen Wynne, delivered a personal message from the Liberal leader, offering special congratulations to members of GEPAC on achieving the milestone anniversary,and commending them for “the important role you play in enhancing the life of the community and in highlighting the richness and vibrancy of Guyanese culture.” According to the premier, “the members of this diverse and dynamic community are an integral part of our multicultural success story and they continue to make Ontario an even better place to live. I am grateful for their many enduring contributions to the social, economic and cultural life of our province.” Hunter also showered praise on GEPAC and the
leadership of its president,John O’Dell,before handing over a commemoration plaque on behalf of Premier Wynne. Alluding to the fact that GEPAC’s sister organization, the GEPAOA, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year as well, O’Dell told the packed audience that his organization is inspired to aspire. “Fifty years is certainly a milestone and I can only say thank you to GEPAOA for their leadership, their tenacity and their drive to excel. I am certain that in another 50 years, you will be at a different plateau in your organisation. We love you, we appreciate all of you and we certainly intend to learn from you.” According to O’Dell, “as we celebrate 20 years of fellowship, camaraderie and community work, we reflect on our accomplish-
Minister Hunter greets GEPAOA president, Leroy Charles, in the presence of O’Dell
ments and the things we are yet to do. Our goals are simple:To be a sisterhood and brotherhood for each other and to embrace the community at large, thereby making our world a better place.” The GEPAC president also paid tribute to the work of women in Ontario, singling out Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Mitzie Hunter, whose “work ethic and her devotion to public service can only propel her to greater things. Then we have Luann Jones, who leads Canada’s first black owned funeral home. I have seen the work she does and it is remarkable. Then we continue to uplift our strong women in politics, in that of Mishelle Butters. May your path be guided to success, no matter which way you turn.” O’Dell reminded the audience that GEPAC had earlier in the week laid to rest one of its founding member and stalwart in that of Roger Mattar,who served as president during the period 2009 – 2011. Mattar joined the then British Guiana Police Force in 1961 and in his various assignments, earned quite a reputation in the Canine
Ontario’s Minister of Education,Mitzie Hunter,presents commemoration plaque to GEPAC’s president, John O’Dell
unit as a dog-handler. In paying tribute to the late Mattar, O’Dell declared that “we thank the universe for allowing us to know Roger Mattar;as he will be sorely missed.” Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada Clarissa Riehl, who was represented by Consul at the Guyana Consulate in Toronto, Mishelle Butters, pointed out that GEPAC’s desired objectives “to improve your community and to preserve Guyana’s culture and heritage are laudable.” According to the high commissioner, Guyanese
come from a rich multicultural, multiracial, multi-religious background and our ability to live harmoniously with each other and celebrate each other religious and other activities is a worthy heritage.” Congratulatory messages were also received from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; Mayor of Toronto,John Tory;Toronto Chief of Police,Mark Saunders;GEPAOA president,Leroy Charles;Alliance of Guyanese Canadian Organisations and the Guyana Ex-Soldiers Association of Canada.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
88 complete youth leadership training programme
EIGHTY-EIGHT young people yesterday graduated from the Youth Leadership Training Programme hosted at the Madewini Training Centre by the Office of the Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment. This is one in a series of programmes, which began last year and has seen over 200 young people being trained in practical leadership related skills as part of the current administration’s plan to provide young people with the necessary skills to tackle the challenges facing youth in the country. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo presented the charge to the graduates and urged them to use the time they have now to develop their skills to prepare themselves for Guyana’s oil and
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment, Mr. Aubrey Norton and other facilitators pose with the 88 graduates of the Youth Leadership Training Course
gas future. “This country will be very rich as the new frontier of oil and gas. We
Twelve-year-old Fenny Adrian is the youngest graduate of the programme. He proudly receives his certificate from Mr. Ronald Austin, Senior Education and Training Officer at the Office of the Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment
have now become the one bright spot in the world where all eyes are looking, but we need not only to be rich but also to be safe and the only way our country can be safe and secure our riches is if we have dedicated leadership and you are the leaders. Time is moving very quickly and you have to be prepared for that leadership,” he said. He also encouraged them to take the lessons they have learned and to put it into practise as they return to their communities. “This is an opportunity that will help you through in life. You must look forward to the best in relationships. You might have come from different communities with different political persuasions but when you say the national pledge; that has nothing to do with your political persuasion. It has to do with this individual, who
‘Stand firm... his favourite hobby-horse as President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), this being the fate of the ailing sugar industry, Chand said FITUG strongly believes that the challenges facing the industry are not insurmountable; except that the government seems hellbent on scaling down the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO). “While various officials of the Executive are telling us that ‘sugar is too big to fail’ and that the ‘sugar will never die’, we see their actions not in sync with their utterances. “The sad and dis-
turbing reality, at this time, is that the government seems intent on pushing thousands of ordinary, hardworking, decent Guyanese into a life of desperation and possibly depravity,” he contended. He feels that the government’s plans for the Sugar Industry are riddled with loopholes, and from all indications, there is a clear need to return to the drawing board. Despite naysayers, FITUG is holding firm to its position that the Sugar Industry can be transformed into a viable and sustainable industry. “We hold that the industry has possibilities for
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its sustenance and success; we hold that with the proper elements -- the present workforce, a capable management and with considered innovative measures -Government support will be required for a period only, as the industry moves to turnaround itself,” he stated. Among those who spoke at Monday’s rally was People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Member and Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, who amidst loud heckling, echoed similar sentiments as Chand did, in that she foresees a dim future for Guyana under the current administration.
The Programme also featured cultural performances. Here, two of the participants perform an interpretive dance
decided that I must love my country, I must salute my flag and love my fellow citizen and do good. The ‘I’ is not the party. The ‘I’ is you; that powerful force that will make the country come together. [The future of the country] must be brought together so that we can develop our rich resources and we can become an envy of the world where we can be respected as citizens of the world and not for which race or nationality we come from,” the Prime Minister said. Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment, Mr. Aubrey Norton, describing the programme, said that it features components that can help to mould responsible citizens. “What we have attempted to do is to put together the critical things that are necessary for them to begin the process of becoming leaders. It is my sincere hope that they will utilise the information, return
to their communities [and] work with young people. We believe if young people are given leadership they will be valuable resources that will [contribute] to the benefit of Guyana,” he said. The Youth Leadership Training Programme is divided into two Modules; Module One of the training features lessons in leadership skills, event planning, communications, effective public speaking, meeting procedures and organising youth organisations, while Module Two focuses on skills such as writing reports and minutes, the formulation and implementation of policy, how to conduct meetings as well as social psychology and team building exercises. The participants hailed from Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two), Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three), Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), Mahaica-Ber-
bice (Region Five), East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six), Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven), Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight) and Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10). Some of the participants expressed how useful they found the components of the programme as well as their eagerness to be role models for the young people in their own communities. Ms. Christine Chanderpaul, from Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, said that her community doesn’t currently have a youth group but she has been encouraged to start one having attended the training programme. “This programme has clarified a lot of things for me especially in public speaking and it is also important for learning how to be leaders. In my community there are lots of children not going to school regularly and I think that forming a youth group in my community would help them to become better leaders and teach them to go to school and can help to enhance our community as a whole,” she said. Ms. Shoba Kamptapersaud from Black Push Polder, Berbice said that it is important for young people to develop their leadership skills in order to be good role models for other young people in their communities. “I learned to be a better leader in my community and how to help young people to achieve their goals and to encourage them to be the best that they can be,” she said. Mr. Michael Sinclair, from Rose Hall said that he is very grateful to have been part of the programme and that he will take the lessons he learned throughout his professional life. “I learned the roles of leaders and what they are expected to do. It is a very good initiative… We should teach more young people to be better leaders because it is the younger generation that will lead the country in the future,” he said. The event also featured cultural performances put on by the graduates including dances, poetry and musical renditions. Prime Minister Nagamootoo was also given a tour of the Madewini Training Centre. The Youth Leadership and Training Programmes fall in line with the fourth strategic area of the National Youth Policy of Guyana, which was adopted by the National Assembly in October last year. (Ministry of the Presidency)
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Pakistan seize advantage after Windies costly blemishes BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Three wickets in the final session helped West Indies claw their way back after three earlier blemishes had put Pakistan firmly in control of the second Test at Kensington Oval here yesterday. Replying to West Indies’ first innings of 312 all out, Pakistan finished the second day of the pivotal contest on 172 for three – 140 runs adrift of the lead. Prolific opener Azhar Ali was already in sight of triple figures unbeaten on
81 and was partnered by captain Misbah-ul-Haq on seven. Right-handed opener Ahmed Shehzad lived a charmed life for his 70, benefiting from three chances before becoming one of two wickets to fall to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo who finished with two for 53. The Caribbean side had earlier squandered the opportunity to build a sizeable first innings lead when they lost their last four wickets for 26 runs to be dismissed for 312, 65 minutes before lunch. Disappointingly, neither overnight batsmen – century-maker Roston Chase nor captain Jason Holder – managed to add to their scores, falling within the first nine balls of the morning. Holder, unbeaten on 58 at the start, perished to the day’s third delivery when he edged one from seamer Mohammad Abbas and was caught by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed. Six balls later in the following over, Chase edged left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir low to Younis Khan at second slip, to depart for 131. The tail folded quickly with Bishoo (14) and Alzarri Joseph (8) providing little resistance. Abbas picked up two of the wickets to fall to finish with four for 56 while Amir claimed three for 65 and leg-spinner Yasir Shah, two for 83. In the 14 overs available before lunch, West Indies muffed their only chance to get an early breakthrough as Pakistan worked their way to 36 without loss at the break. Shehzad had made three with the score on five when he chipped fast bowler Shan-
non Gabriel loosely to midon where Vishal Singh was slow off the mark and grassed the low offering in the third over. West Indies also had only themselves to blame in the following session as Shehzad was twice let-off through noballs as he and Azhar put on 155 for the first wicket. Having reached 21 an hour after lunch with the score on 57, Shehzad played around one from Gabriel which came back and was adjudged lbw, only for replays to show the Trinidadian had over-stepped. Fortune continued to shine on Shehzad. On 32, he charged off-spinner Roston Chase 10 minutes before tea, missed and was stumped by Shane Dowrich but again, replays revealed an illegal delivery. The let-offs meant Pakistan reached tea safely on 106 without loss and they batted through the next hour without alarm to further frustrate West Indies. Azhar, who completed his 26th Test half-century in the
fourth over before tea when he swept Bishoo to the square boundary, has so far faced 193 deliveries in a shade over five hours at the crease and counted seven fours. Shehzad, unbeaten at tea on 40, reached his fourth Test half-century 20 minutes after the resumption and had faced 191 balls in just over four hours and struck eight fours, when his luck finally ran out. An hour from the close, he prodded forward to one from Bishoo which spun, took the edge and carried low to slip where Shai Hope grasped the offering. His dismissal triggered a slide for Pakistan where three wickets tumbled in the space of 23 runs. In the following over, Babar Azam got a leading edge back to Gabriel to fall without scoring at 156 for two and 20 balls later, veteran outstanding righthander Younis Khan also fell for nought, pulling a long hop from Bishoo to Gabriel at short mid-wicket.
SCOREBOARD
WEST INDIES 1st innings (o/n 286 for six)
K. Brathwaite c wkp.. S. Ahmed b M. Amir 9 K. Powell lbw b M. Amir 38 S. Hetmyer c A. Ali b M. Abbas 1 S. Hope c wkp. S. Ahmed b Y. Shah 5 R. Chase c Y. Khan b M. Amir 131 V. Singh c Y.s Khan b M. Abbas3 S. Dowrich c Y. Khan b S. Khan 29 J. Holder c wkp.S. Ahmed b M. Abbas 58 D. Bishoo c Y. Shah b M. Abbas 14 A. Joseph b Y. Shah 8 S. Gabriel not out 0 Extras: (b-4, lb-10, w-2) 16 Total: (all out, 98.5 overs) 312 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-13, 3-37, 4-102, 5-107, 6-154, 7-286, 8-286, 9-312. Bowling: Mohammad Amir
26-6-65-3, Mohammad Abbas 23-6-56-4 (w-2), Yasir Shah 25.5-2-83-2, Shadab Khan 23-3-90-1, Azhar Ali 1-0-4-0. PAKISTAN 1st innings Azhar Ali not out 81 Ahmed Shehzad c Hope b Bishoo 70 Babar Azam c & b Gabriel 0 Younis Khan c Gabriel b Bishoo 0 Misbah-ul-Haq not out 7 Extras: (b-2, lb-3, nb-9) 14 Total: (3 wkts, 69 overs) 172 Fall of wickets: 1-155 , 2-156, 3-161. Bowling: Gabriel 16-3-451 (nb-8), Joseph 11-3-24-0, Chase 11-1-37-0 (nb-1), Holder 10-6-8-0, Bishoo 21-8-53-2. Position: Pakistan trail by 140 runs with seven first innings wickets intact.
Asafa enters Guinness Book of World Records KINGSTON, Jamaica Jamaican sprinter and former world 100-metre record-holder Asafa Powell is now the holder of a Guinness World Record. According to a release from the athlete’s management, Powell has
been named a record holder for most competitive 100-metre races completed in under 10 seconds. Powell has 97 such runs. The athlete, who refers to himself as the ‘Sub10 King’, recorded his 97th sub-10 clocking with
9.94 seconds in an IAAF Diamond League race in Zurich last year. According to the release, Powell will seek his 98th sub-10 run at the IAAF Diamond League opener in Doha, Qatar on Friday. (Reprinted from Jamaica Observer)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Supergiant Stokes blasts Hamilton puzzled by match-winning century ‘odd weekend’ in Sochi BEN Stokes made a scintillating maiden Twenty20 century on his return from injury as Rising Pune Supergiants beat Gujarat Lions by five wickets to move a step closer to securing an Indian Premier League play-off place. Stokes sat out two matches after damaging his shoulder, but the England all-rounder allayed concerns over his fitness by smashing a magnificent unbeaten 103 from only 63 balls at MCA Stadium yesterday. In-form spinner Imran Tahir (3-27) was the pick of the bowlers yet again and there were also three wickets for Jaydev Unadkat as Pune restricted the Lions to 161 all out, before Stokes rescued the home side from 42-4. Pradeep Sangwan got rid of Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith in the first over, but Suresh Raina’s side were unable to remove the brutal Stokes, who put on 76 with MS Dhoni and finished off the job with Dan Christian despite struggling with cramp. Brendan McCullum (45 from 27 balls) and Ishan Kishan (31 off 24) got the Lions off to a flyer as they tried to banish the memories of a super-over defeat to Mumbai Indians, putting on 55 for the first wicket in six overs. Not surprisingly it was South Africa spinner Tahir who made the breakthrough, getting Kishan caught at short third man before deceiving Aaron Finch, who was caught and bowled after Raina had been run-out. Tahir was on a hat-trick when
By Alan Baldwin
Ben Stokes
he cleaned up Dwayne Smith first ball and conceded only 27 runs from his four overs, while Unadkat struck three times later in the innings as the wickets tumbled far too frequently for the Lions. Dinesh Karthik added a brisk 29 and Gujarat’s total looked far better when Sangwan trapped Rahane leg-before and also bounced out the prolific Smith two balls later to put Pune in a mess on 8-2. Manoj Tiwary also failed and Pune were deeper in the mire when Rahul Tripathi was run-out following a mix-up with Stokes, who then took the innings by the scruff of the neck with a mature knock. The powerful left-hander shifted through the gears, launching Sangwan over longon for six and hitting Ravindra
Jadeja, the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, for back-to-back sixes. England’s Test vice-captain raced to his second IPL half-century and thrived on the responsibility under pressure, dishing out some brutal treatment with support from the composed Dhoni. Dhoni struggled to get going and fell for 26 from 33 balls, but Stokes took the role as finisher on this occasion, showing why Pune made him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history, despite struggling with cramp. Stokes hit six maximums in a breathtaking knock, leaving Christian to strike the winning six runs with a ball to spare. (Omnisport)
(REUTERS) - Lewis Hamilton was left puzzled by a ‘very odd weekend’ after struggling to fourth place in Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix while Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas celebrated his first Formula One victory. “I can’t explain it right now,” the Briton, still second in the world championship but now 13 points behind Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, told reporters. “We’ll do some work over this week to fully understand it. I have some feelings about how it (the car) felt in the race and qualifying, I have some ideas. Lots of work will be done to figure it out.” Hamilton arrived in Sochi as a two-time winner at the Olympic Park street circuit, a track where only his Mercedes team had won since the first race there in 2014, but he struggled to find his rhythm. Bottas, who had largely the same set-up, was consistently quicker and out-qualified him for third place on the starting grid behind the two Ferraris. While Bottas made a scorching start to seize the lead into the first corner, the
Lewis Hamilton
triple world champion was feeling the heat. “Why is my car overheating?” he asked at one point. “I’m out of the race (to win) now,” he added, with about two-thirds of the distance remaining. Hamilton, whose bid for a fourth title last season was wrecked by reliability issues, finished 36 seconds behind the winner. It was the first time that he had finished off the podium since Malaysia in October 2016, when his engine expired while he was leading the race in what was ultimately a championship-deciding blow. “In the race I had over-
heating but I think I could have kept up with the guys ahead but I should have been further up with better pace in general,” he said. “And that was lacking from Saturday onwards. “From probably lap five onwards I had to just slow down and stay in fourth (place). A lot of turning down of the settings and (power) unit and then one of the cylinders was cutting because of the temperature issue. “So I was going to be fourth from very early on.” Team boss Toto Wolff said Mercedes had not been able to give Hamilton the car he needed.
RCB out of IPL play-off contention after defeat to Mumbai MUMBAI Indians pulled off a well-timed chase to move back to the top of the IPL points table and eliminate Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from play-off contention. RCB were finally put out of their misery as a five-wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians ended their play-off hopes in the Indian Premier League. Mumbai chased down 163 with a ball to spare at the Wankhede Stadium, thanks chiefly to Rohit Sharma’s impressive 56 not out - AB de Villiers (43) having top-scored in RCB’s 162-8 after the visitors won the toss and opted to bat. Having moved back to the top of the table, Mumbai are eight points clear of the fifth-placed Kings XI Punjab with four games to play and look a shoo-in for their seventh trip to the play-offs. Virat Kohli, however, will go back to the drawing board after an eighth defeat of the season that has seen
his Bangalore side twice dismissed for less than 100 - including an IPL-record low 49 all out. Things looked ominous for RCB when Kohli (20) picked out Rohit at midwicket off Mitchell McClenaghan to leave them 40-2 yesterday, but Travis Head (12 off 15) played a neat supporting role as de Villiers teed off to spark hopes of a repeat of his mesmeric 133 not out on this ground in 2015. After hitting three fours and as many sixes, the South Africa international perished when he top-edged Krunal Pandya to fine-leg, but Pawan Negi (35) and Kedar Jadhav (28) steadied the ship and RCB may have been happy to just offer something defendable. They could not have asked for a better start to the second dig, as Parthiv Patel fell first ball, but Jos Buttler (33) and Nitish Rana (27) quickly got Mumbai back up to the required rate. Replays showed that
Buttler had been fortunate on 17 when he gloved a bouncer through to the keeper, but appeals were not forthcoming and the umpires did not spot it. The England international’s luck was out when he half-heartedly chipped to extra cover, but that brought Rohit to the crease and he swiftly got into his rhythm. Negi (2-17) bowled brilliantly to keep RCB in the game, and Shane Watson’s typically economical efforts in the 17th over left Mumbai needing 30 from their last 18 balls. Hardik Pandya (14 not out) tilted the momentum Mumbai’s way, blasting the last ball of the 18th over for six before he and Rohit took it to the last to seal victory and move back to the top of the pile. Caption: Rohit Sharma targets the leg side during his impressive unbeaten 56 for Mumbai Indians.
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Joshua keen on Klitschko Real do not have rematch after Wembley triumph mental edge over (REUTERS) - IBF, WBA and IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is eager for a rematch with Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko following the pair’s thrilling fight at Wembley on Saturday. Joshua defeated 41-yearold Klitshcko after 11 rounds in British boxing’s biggest bout to extend his winning streak to 19 fights. Klitschko’s record now stands at 64 wins with five losses. A clause in their contract allows the beaten fighter to ask for a rematch but Klitschko said he would take some time before making a decision. “A rematch will be good, because of the type of fight we had,” Joshua told reporters. “I think he will want to fight again, because a fighter is the last one to know when to stop. But I think the team around him, his (soon-to-be) wife, because they normally wear the
trousers, and his brother might advise him differently.” Joshua said he respected Klitschko and had no qualms about a rematch. “I have the ultimate respect for him inside and out-
side of the ring. I wouldn’t mind fighting him again if he wants the rematch. It’s up to him. So if he’d like to fight again, no problem,” Joshua said. If Klitschko retires, Joshua could face fellow Brit-
on and former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who is yet to regain his boxing licence, after the two traded words on Twitter last week.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane
By Rik Sharma |
Anthony Joshua with Wladimir Klitschko after the fight - (Action Images via Reuters/ Andrew Couldridge Livepic)
The first Formula One win is the hardest, Lauda tells Bottas By Alan Baldwin | SOCHI, Russia, (Reuters) - Valtteri Bottas waited 81 races for his first Formula One win to come along but it will get easier for the Finn after Sunday’s success in Russia, according to former world champion Niki Lauda. “To win the first grand prix is always the most difficult one,” the retired triple champion and non-executive chairman of Bottas’s Mercedes team, told reporters. “This I know out of my own experience. So every one that comes next, for him his life is easier. He has proved that he can win. “As soon as you win the first grand prix, a big load comes off,” added the Austrian, who was surprised Ferrari did not win in Sochi given their race pace and having both cars starting on the front row. Instead, Bottas roared past both Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen to seize the lead into the first corner in a move that decided the outcome. The Finn has had to wait longer than most to scale the top step of the podium but the man he replaced in January, retired 2016 world
Atletico – coach Zidane
Winner and Mercedes Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland holds the trophy on the podium. (REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov)
champion Nico Rosberg, took his first victory in his 111th grand prix start after also starting out at Williams. Fellow-Finn Mika Hakkinen, world champion in 1998 and 1999 with McLaren, took 96 races.
Only last week, reporters were asking Bottas about having to accept so-called ‘team orders’ and help triple champion teammate Lewis Hamilton in the title battle against Vettel but it looks different already.
Bottas is now just 10 points adrift of Hamilton and, having started the season as an emergency stopgap, can now quite legitimately see himself in the championship mix. That situation poses another headache for Hamilton but is one that Mercedes are relaxed about having to manage. They do not expect the relationship to turn sour as it did between the Briton and Rosberg. “He (Bottas) took up that risky move to be Lewis Hamilton’s teammate, to take over the reigning world champion’s car, and I think that he has done a very good job,” said team boss Toto Wolff. “The relationship between the two is very intact, Lewis was one of the first to congratulate Valtteri on his first race victory and I think that shows the respect that they have towards each other. “Nevertheless, both of them are fierce competitors and they will want to win races and fight for a championship; but I don’t think it will affect the relationship and the dynamics within the team like it did in the last years between Nico and Lewis.”
MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - Real Madrid do not have a psychological advantage over Champions League semi-final opponents Atletico Madrid despite beating them in two finals in three years, coach Zinedine Zidane said yesterday. As well as victories in Lisbon (2014) and Milan (2016), Real knocked Atletico out of the competition in the 2015 quarter-finals. Atletico have never lifted European club football’s most prestigious trophy while Real have won it a record 11 times. Zidane, however, thinks the past will be irrelevant when the teams meet today in the first leg at the Bernabeu. “It means nothing that we’ve beaten them in this competition,” he told reporters yesterday. “I’m not thinking about Cardiff (the venue for the final) either. We have to win tomorrow’s game. We have prepared well and we are ready. “Everyone is pumped up and we’re ready for the runin. I wish the game would start now.” The Frenchman confirmed that defender Raphael Varane is fit to play after recovering from a hamstring problem, but Pepe and Gareth Bale will miss the game due to injury. Isco is likely to start in place of Wales forward Bale after being rested for the 2-1 win over Valencia on Saturday. IMPORTANT GOAL The midfielder recalled
Sergio Ramos’s stoppage-time goal against Atletico in Lisbon that levelled the score and forced the 2014 final into extra time with Real winning 4-1. “It still makes my hairs stand up,” Isco told the club website (www.realmadrid.com). “It was a really important goal; when he scored it I knew we wouldn’t lose. It came at a key moment and I felt like I’d also scored the goal.” Isco also remembered the penalty shootout against Atletico in Milan last year which Real won 5-3. “It’s the most stressful moment in my entire career,” he said. “In those moments I was in my own world, I only remember that when Cristiano (Ronaldo) scored the winning goal we ran to embrace him and it’s a moment that I’ll never forget.” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said his team must give everything they can to reach the final, fighting like “fans”. “We will try to compete in this game with the desire that any Atletico Madrid fan has,” Simeone told a news conference. “Zidane’s work is spectacular; he’s taken his team to a very good level. They will try to do us harm from the start by pressing a lot from the beginning.” Rojiblancos captain Gabi added: “We have to control our emotions. It makes me excited to (play to) be in another final, we all want to reach this final but we have to control our emotions to have a perfect game and try and beat Madrid.”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Champions Trophy pullout unlikely as BCCI meets on Sunday (REUTERS) - The Indian cricket board (BCCI) will meet on Sunday to consider an additional revenue offer from the game’s world governing body but regardless of what decision they come to, a Champions Trophy pullout by the holders looks unlikely. Unaccustomed to being snubbed at the International Cricket Council (ICC) meetings, the BCCI was
outvoted 13-1 last week in its bid to stall a new revenue model which considerably slashes India’s share from global events in the 2015-2023 cycle. Unimpressed by the $293 million forecast, down from the $570 million it would have received under the 2014 arrangement, the BCCI responded by refusing to name the squad for next month’s Champions Tro-
phy before the April 25 deadline. ICC president Shashank Manohar, a former BCCI chief, has tabled an additional $100 million and the India board will discuss the offer at Sunday’s special general body meeting. The operations of the BCCI are currently being supervised by four court-appointed administrators and the head of the committee, Vinod Rai, told
ICC president Shashank Manohar
Reuters last week that it was “too early” to comment on a possible pullout of Champions Trophy. Another of the quartet, Ramchandra Guha, has since made it clear he wants India to defend the title they won in 2013 at the June 1-18 tournament in England and Wales. “Speaking in my personal capacity, as a cricket fan, I believe the Indian cricket team must absolute-
ly take part in the Champions Trophy,” Guha, a historian, tweeted. “Boycotting or threatening to boycott a prestigious international tournament does not become a great cricketing nation.” Under the Members Participation Agreement for the Champions Trophy, there is no scope for sanctions for missing the deadline for naming squads.
Changes made to the RSTC’s seven-race `Photo Finish’ card SOME changes have been made to the Rising Sun Turf Club’s (RSTC) seven-race `Photo Finish’ seven-race card that is billed for Sunday at the club’s facility, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice. According to information received, because of the response from racehorse owners and sponsors, the or-
ganisers – Jumbo Auto Sales and Stables, in conjunction with the RSTC, decided to increase the prize moneys for some of the races. The feature event remains the 1400m race horses classified D3 and Lower with $1M up for the winner. Among the top Guyana and West Indian-bred hors-
es that have already been registered for this event are Golden Blue Echo, Lady Budapest, Just Call Me Boss and Spite Fire. An 1100m race is also on the cards and this will be for horses classified H3 and Lower and four-year-old non-earners for 2017 and carries a first-place prize of $350 000.
European Athletics calls for new record ratification laws (REUTERS) - European Athletics called yesterday for new record ratification rules to maintain the integrity of the sport which could impact heavily on existing marks. The organisation wants higher technical standards and increased doping control measures, with recognition for previous race records not satisfying new rules to be transferred to performances that meet the criteria. European Athletics will forward a report to the International Association of
Athletics Federations (IAAF) which will study it at its Council meeting in August. The report proposes that world and European records should only be recognised if the performance is achieved at an approved event where high standards of officiating and technical equipment can be guaranteed. It also calls for an agreed number of doping control tests in the months before the performance and the doping sample after the record to be stored and made available
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
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) Collis King & Ranjie Nanan (2) 33 & 49 Today’s Quiz:
(1) How many Test matches Pakistan have now
played at Sabina Park? How many have they won?
(2)Who was voted ‘Man of the Match’ at the end
of the first Test of the current WI/PAK series? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
IAAF president Sebastian Coe
for re-testing for 10 years. “I like this because it underlines that we (athletics governing bodies) have put into place doping control systems and technology that are more robust and safer than 15 or even 10 years ago,” IAAF president Sebastian Coe said. “There will be athletes, current record holders, who will feel that the history we are recalibrating will take something away from them but I think this is a step in the right direction and if organised and structured properly we have a good chance of winning back credibility in this area.”
The other five races on the day’s card are all over 1400 metres and they are all open to horses classified G1 and Lower and E3 non-winners over the past six months; a race for three-yearold Guyana-bred horses; a J2 and Lower race; a race for `I’ maiden horses and a race for Cow horses. The winner of the E3
and Lower non-earners will receive $400 000, while the winner of the three-yearold Guyana bred horses will earn $250 000. The winner of the J2 and Lower event will take home $175 000, while the winner of the Cow horses event will earn $100 000. Among the other 46 horses already registered
for the day’s activity are: Brave Sky, Jack in My Style, Release the Beast, Goodwill Boy, Red and Lovely, Honey Flow, Climate Change, Big Man Boss, Puppy Tail, Mischevious Marker and Firing Line. The top jockey, trainer and stable will be rewarded.
England one of four nations keen to host 2022 Commonwealth Games ENGLAND has been confirmed as one of four competing countries to have submitted an expression of interest in hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Australia, Canada and Malaysia are also interested in hosting the Games, which was stripped from Durban in March. Liverpool, London and Birmingham are the English cities to have declared an interest in staging the event. The Commonwealth Games Federation says a final decision is unlikely before early autumn. “We are delighted with the level of initial interest expressed by nations across the Commonwealth and look forward to working with all parties as plans develop for a Games to be proud of in 2022,” said CGF chief executive David Grevemberg. “An expert CGF Review Team will work with each country in the evaluation of proposals of potential host cities.” The expression of interest has been submitted by the UK government, who has been canvassing interest from cities around the country. The Commonwealth Games is held every four years and feature athletes
from more than 50 countries, mostly former British colonies. Britain last hosted the Games in Glasgow in 2014,
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while the 2002 event was staged in Manchester. The next edition takes place on Australia’s Gold Coast in 2018. (BBC Sport) Yarmouth 09:20 hrs To Wafij 09:50 hrs Bequia 10:25 hrs Hope Is High 11:00 hrs Ms Gillard 11:30 hrs Gothic Empire 12:00 hrs Across Dubai 12:30 hrs Wahiba Irish Racing Tips Ballonrobe 11:45 hrs Timi Roli 12:20 hrs Landsman 12:50 hrs Black Label 13:20 hrs Political Theatre 13:50 hrs Lizzies Champ 14:20 hrs Killer Crow 14:50 hrs Black warrior 15:20 hrs Gleesons Tipp American Racing Tips Philadelphia Park Race 1 Vibrant Ginger Race 2 Cass in Stone Race 3 Mr. Charles Race 4 Metal magic Race 5 West Shore Drive Race 6 Zipper’s Hero Race 7 Smokin Red Hot Race 8 Papa’s Missile Race 9 Moon River Baby
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Mocha Champs FC elects new executive; Noel Harry is president
FOLLOWING years of not having a full executive committee to chart the way forward for the many youths in the village of Mocha on the East Bank of Demerera, members of the Mocha Champs Football Club (MCFC) last Sunday afternoon elected a new executive committee at the Mocha Arcadia Community Centre. Long-standing member and president, Noel Harry, was retained to lead the club which has been one of the oldest members of the East
Bank Football Association (EBFA) The club also won the first association senior league. Vice-president is Herman Prince while Ms Olive Harrison will serve as secretary while Ms Bernetta Ann Baker has taken on responsibilities as treasurer. Technical Director is Lindon Harrison with Walter Giles the Equipment and Field Director. The three committee members are Seenauth Ramsahai, MsAbeeva Kurt and Natasha Forris.
The elections were conducted by EBFA president Franklin Wilson who challenged to new body to work collectively towards bringing back Mocha Champs to the high standards they had achieved in the past. Wilson also encouraged Harry and his team to focus their energies on development of the youth players, as this is the focus of the association. Wilson took the The new Mocha Champ FC executive: Seated from left, opportunity to present 10 Noel Harry, Olive Harrison, Natasha Forris), Bernetta Ann footballs to the club to assist Baker. Standing from left are Lindon Harrison (TD), Walter Giles, Herman Prince, Seenauth Ramsahai and Tyshawn in ther preparation of their Forris (Club captain). teams.
Harry expressed gratitude to the members for their confidence in him and promised to do his best along with the executive members to bring back the club to its former glory days with the help of the parents and community members. The new body is expected to meet today (Tuesday) to work on a programme for the club as well as put systems in place for participation in the association’s Ralph Green-sponsored Under-11 League which is expected to kick off shortly.
South Africa remain number one in ODI rankings SOUTH Africa have retained their position as the best team in One Day International (ODI) cricket, following the annual May 1 update from the International Cricket Council (ICC). After a 5-0 whitewash of Australia in October 2016, followed by ODI series wins over Sri Lanka and New Zealand in 2017, the Proteas gained four points to take their total tally to 123 points in the rankings. World champions Aus-
tralia remain in second place with 118 points while Champions Trophy winners India have overtaken New Zealand to third with 117 points. England remain in fifth while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh occupy the sixth and seventh spots respectively despite losing points. Most interestingly, eighth place Pakistan have maintained a lead over ninth place West Indies despite losing two points. With the gap between the
two being nine points, it could prove crucial with regard to the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019. Along with hosts England, the top seven-ranked ODI sides as of September 30 will automatically qualify for the competition and as things stand, Pakistan will feature in England. As for West Indies, it looks increasingly likely that they will have to seek progress to the competition through the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in 2018.
Below are the full rankings:
South Africa remain number one in the ODI rankings.
Rank Nation Points 1. South Africa 123 2. Australia 118 3. India 117 4. New Zealand 115 5. England 109 6. Sri Lanka 93 7. Bangladesh 91 8. Pakistan 88 9. West Indies 79 10. Afghanistan 52 11. Zimbabwe 46 12. Ireland 43
Ramlakhan tops senior field, Dundas leads juniors at Precision Pistol Shoot JOSHUA Ramlakhan improved his second-place position in the previous competition as he shot his way to the top spot when the Smallbore Section of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) held its second .22 Precision Pistol Shoot for the year at the Tactical Services
The top three shooters from the senior and junior categories display their medals.
Unit Range last Saturday. Attracting another large turnout of shooters, the seniors competed at the 7-, 10- and 15-metre distances while the juniors tested each other at 5, 7 and 10 metres. Ramlakhan edged out Azaad Hassan for the top spot by a single point, 214 to 213 with the third place
going to Randy Sarjoo who amassed 211 points. Dundas took the junior category with 208 points ahead of Clayton Charles who managed 202 with the third place taken by Randy Barnwell one point back on 201. Barnwell had ended second in the previous competition.
Mocha Champs FC elects new P.31 executive; Noel Harry is president
Pakistan seize advantage after Windies costly blemishes
U.S. governing body facing expulsion from ICC
See page 27
ICC chief executive David Richardson
Mohammad Abbas finished with 4 for 56, the best figures for a Pakistan paceman at Kensington Oval
(REUTERS) - The United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) faces expulsion from the International Cricket Council (ICC) in June, the sport’s global governing body said yesterday. USACA was suspended in 2015 with several reinstatement conditions after the ICC found that the organisation did not have widespread authority over the country’s cricket activities and lacked unity. The ICC said USACA had failed to work successfully with a group set up to help them rectify the position and had breached several other reinstatement conditions. “Our focus throughout this two-year process has been on the unification of the USA cricket community behind USACA to grow and develop the sport,” ICC chief executive David Richardson said in statement yesterday. “USACA’s refusal to engage in the process ... its apparent failure to put the ICC Board-approved constitution before its members without legitimate excuse undermines the all-important objective of uniting the sport.” A resolution to expel USACA will be voted on at a meeting of the ICC Full Council in June.
Asafa enters Guinness Book of World Records See page 27
Azhar Ali watched wickets fall around him but held fort to finish unbeaten on 81 Asafa Powell Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208
TUESDAY, MAY, 2 , 2017