Things looking up at White Water 12 PAGE
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2018
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All options on the table
…Foreign Ministry team maps out broad options for ICJ …Cabinet to deliberate, give policy guidance O3 PAGE
LETHEM MASH! The community of Lethem came alive on Friday last when approximately 356 primary and secondary school children tramped along the main street, from the Airport Junction into the Lethem Wadapna Community Ground for the region’s Children’s Mash Competition. Earlier that day, persons were entertained by students from the Nursery level who paraded from the Republic Bank Junction to Gas Station Square. The primary schools participating in this year’s event were Annai, Arapaima, St Ignatius, Parikwaranau, and Potarinau. Meanwhile, at the secondary level, Parikwaranau, Sun Creek, North Annai and St Ignatius participated. The schools competed for trophies provided by the Education Ministry and the region’s business community. St Ignatius and Annai Nurseries took first and second place. At the primary level, St Ignatius, Arapaima, Annai, Kumu were placed first, second, third and fourth respectively. In the secondary school category, St Ignatius prevailed taking the first prize while Annai came second and Sand Creek third. (DPI photo)
City Constable charged for raping boy 08 PAGE
Total stakes Miner gets 15 substantial years for killing 08 11 brother claim – in budding local oil & gas industry
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Waste management, spills, air quality among major concerns – Liza Phase 2 scoping meeting hears
AT A Public Scoping meeting on Monday on the Liza Phase 2 Project, several persons from Georgetown expressed their concerns on the effects of oil production on the environment, highlighting waste management, emissions and air quality and the harming of aquatic species as some of their concerns. This meeting was held in collaboration with Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and other stakeholders. The session took place at the Marian Academy, and saw representatives of government and non-governmental organizations, members of the EPA board and Environmental Assessment Board, EEPGL project team and several consultants. The meeting served to inform members of the public on the possible effects associated with the project and to receive their feedback on what the EPA can incorporate into the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to address the concerns. Beginning the afternoon’s discussion was ExxonMobil Country Manager, Rod Henson, who presented a summary of the Liza Phase 2 project, helping the
(from left), Executive Director (ag)- Environmental Protection Agency, Kemraj Parsram; Safety Security, Health and Environment Manger of EEPGL, Michael Persaud and ExxonMobil Country Manager, Rod Henson (Photos by Samuel Maughn)
rine use and transportation, employment and livelihood, social infrastructure and services and community health and well-being. In addition, there is the potential effect of waste and discharges of solid and hazardous waste as well as effluent discharges including sanitary, cuttings, fluids, cooling and produced waste. As such, following the presentation, persons were given the opportunity to raise their concerns. Some of the main concerns singled out were: the method of management of hazardous waste; the financing for the building of equipment to manage waste whether by government or
audience better understand oil drilling and the processes leading up to it. After Henson’s presentation, the attendees were made aware of the potential effects associated with the Liza Phase 2 project which fall into three categories of physical, biological and socio-economic impacts. PHYSICAL EFFECTS Some potential effects on the physical environment are: An increase of emission of greenhouse gases, sound impacting marine environment and mammals and deposits from drills and cutting.
Attending members listening to presentations from the
Meanwhile, biologically, coastal habitats and protected areas run the risk of being affected as well as seabirds, shore birds, marine fish and coastal wild-
life. At the same time, as a result of revenue coming in from the industry, socio-economically, there may be an increase in ma-
private investors; water traffic; the migration of certain species of fish; checking for deficiencies in offshore equipment; air quality due to emissions and risk management. Present at the meeting was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Seafood Distributers, Allison Butters-Grant, who, among other concerns, pointed to the need of testing for high levels of mercury in fish. According to the CEO, mercury, depending on the level, can affect the person who consumes the fish and poses great danger especially to the fetuses of pregnant women. “In some of the fish that we currently have, there are levels of mercury with the discharge of whatever effluents… EPA will need to do extensive testing as to what those make ups are,” Butters-Grant stated. She further commented: Turn to page 3 ►
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
All options on the table …Foreign Ministry’s team maps out broad options for ICJ …Cabinet to deliberate, give policy guidance
By Svetlana Marshall FOREIGN Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge and his team of advisors and lawyers are currently finalising a report consisting of broad options the Government of Guyana must consider as it moves to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a final settlement on the longstanding territorial controversy with Venezuela. The report will be submitted to Cabinet this week. On the sideline of a National Consultative Meeting on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration at the Pegasus Hotel on Monday, Greenidge who is also performing duties as Prime Minister told reporters that Cabinet will meet this week to discuss the implications of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General (SG) Antonio Guterres’ decision to refer the Guyana/Venezuela Border Territorial Controversy to the ICJ. In the interim, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, its team of advisors and lawyers, met all day Sunday hammering out broad options the Guyanese Government should consider in moving to the World Court. “They (have) mapped out the broad options, the issues that needed immediate attention and those for which the Cabinet has to give policy guidance. So in the course of the week, that report will be presented to the Cabinet and Cabinet will make some decisions,” the Foreign Affairs Minister told reporters. Government, he explained, will have to decide on how it will approach the
ICJ and on matters relating to its legal team. In an escrow account at the Bank of Guyana, Government has already set aside US$15M to accommodate legal fees. In response to the UNSG’s decision to refer the territorial controversy to the World Court on the basis that no significant progress had been made at the level of the Good Offices process, Venezuela objected while maintaining its historical position that the Good Offices process should continue. But Minister Greenidge said the UNSG’s decision to refer the Guyana/Venezuela Territorial Controversy to the ICJ has effectively brought an end to the Good Offices process. “The Good Offices process as Guyanese know it has finished. It has been completed. We have been at it for 25 years and within the post 1966 or within the life of the Geneva Agreement, the mechanisms set out there have all been exhausted. We are now moving to the one chosen by the SG,” he said. Venezuela after agreeing and honouring the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award for half of a century, the Spanish-speaking country in 1962 unilaterally and without any basis or evidence contended that the 1899 Award was null and avoid. The 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award had given more than 90 per cent of an area to then British Guiana (now Guyana). By February 1966, the Geneva Agreement was reached. It was under that agreement that both Guyana and Venezuela in 1982 requested the intervention of the UN Secretary General
Acting President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, speaking with members of the media at the Pegasus Hotel on the Guyana/Venezuela Territorial Controversy (Photo by Delano Williams)
in deciding on the method to bring the controversy to an end. After years of no significant progress at the level of the Good Offices, Guyana requested that the matter be referred to the ICJ. Article V of the Geneva Agreement provides for Guyana and Venezuela to refer the decision of the means of settlement to an appropriate international organ on which they both agree but it also provides for the Secretary General to refer the matter to appropriate international organ if the countries fail to reach an agreement. In making his decision, Mr. Guterres also concluded that the two countries “could” benefit from the continued Good Offices of the UN through a complementary process. Minister Greenidge said Guyana has no difficulty in working along with the UNSG and other parties
involved. “We have and we will continue to be members of the UN and within the framework of the United Nations, the SG has a role in any dialogue between countries that may pose challenges in that regard, and I take it that Venezuela is clearly aware of that framework. In that regard we stand ready to work along with the SG, Venezuela and whoever else to solve any problem that may arise in this phase,” the Foreign Affairs Minister explained. However, he made it clear that the Good Offices process and all other forms of mediation have been exhausted. “In the dialogue of course, if there are any new ideas, those new ideas will be considered but the process in the court will go ahead,” he further clarified. Asked whether Guyana will go to the ICJ alone, if Venezuela upholds its position, the Foreign Af-
fairs Minister said it is a non-issue for Guyana, stating clearly that the UNSG has already handed down its decision – that is – to refer the territorial controversy to the ICJ. “The court is a forum at which you can each represent yourself, it is none of my business as to who else is there. The issue is this, that there is an allegation which forms the nub of the contention that is the controversy and that says that this Treaty of 1899 is null and void, that’s what the court has to decide,” the Foreign Minister stated. “Venezuela has said that the treaty is null and void, if they are so convinced that it is null and void that’s the forum to represent their case,” he added. Maintaining that the matter is a legal one, Minister Greenidge emphasised that it ought to be resolved at an appropriate forum – that
Waste management, spills, air quality... “I depend on the fish that are coming out of the sea where Exxon is drilling for oil so it would not only impact me, [but] it would be an impact on the fishermen who are plying their trade for decades. Butters-Grant also said that in the case of an oil
spill there will be a great socioeconomic impact and, as such, compensation to the industry is a matter that must be addressed. At the end of the session, Henson told the Guyana Chronicle that he was pleased with the meeting’s outcome, which was the
eighth of its kind and saw better quality recommendations as Guyanese begin to learn more about the oil and gas industry. “We’ve received quite a few comments, there’s a lot of interest which is quite a good thing,” Henson remarked, adding: “I think
what we’ve noticed is just how well informed the public is. I think this process, this time, has gone more [smoothly] than Phase 1 and the quality of questions and quality of recommendations are really top notch.” After all public scoping meetings on the project are
is – the ICJ. “This direction is to resolve an allegation, a claim that somehow a treaty – an international treaty is null and void. And it doesn’t matter who is listening or who doesn’t want to support their own arguments, we have said it is a legal issue; the UN has said it is a legal issue; it is to be resolved in an appropriate forum,” he posited. It is the role of the ICJ to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised United Nations organs. For the Guyana Government, the legal opinion is all that is needed to prove its case. “We are saying is that whatever opinion the ICJ cares to give will be the opinion we seek. A question has to be put to the ICJ and the ICJ will determine the extent of its own competence and that we are prepared to accept. We are not here to define the role of the ICJ. In other words we have asked the UN Secretary General to refer the matter to the ICJ, now that it has been referred, I am not going to get into a big argument as to whether it has powers,” Minister Greenidge said. “Guyana concern as conveyed to the Secretary-General is that a shadow has been cast over Guyana’s development for the last 51 years and it will remain so for as long as there is any doubt as to the status of the treaty that we signed in 1899,” he added. He maintained that the role of the court is to determine the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.
From page 2
held, a Terms of Reference (TOR) of the EIA will be compiled by the EPA and will address and include recommendations made by individuals at the various meetings. This process is necessary for environmental authorization to be granted
to EEPGL for the proposed 20-year-long petroleum production though the Liza Phase 2 offshore project. Following this compilation, the public will be given 60 days to review the information which will be made available on the EPA’s website.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 6, 2018
Dow Jones hits record low THE White House is “concerned” about the fall on US stock markets after the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 1,175 points. The leading US stock market index closed, down 4.6% at 24,345.75. The White House told CNBC: “We’re always concerned when the market loses any value, but we’re also confident in the economy’s fundamentals.” The fall surpasses a previous record 777.68 points drop on the Dow Jones during the financial crisis in
2008. That came after Congress rebuffed a $700B bank bailout plan following the collapse of investment bank, Lehman Brothers. It is the largest fall in percentage terms since August 2011, when markets dropped in the aftermath of “Black Monday” when Standard & Poor’s downgraded its credit rating of the US. US investors are reacting to small but significant changes in the outlook for the American economy, and what that might mean for the cost of borrowing.
The stock market sell-off accelerated on Friday, when the US Labour Department released employment numbers which showed stronger growth in wages than was anticipated. If salaries rise, the expectation is that people will spend more and push inflation higher. To keep that under control, America’s central bank will need to raise interest rates, which is what has spooked investors who were expecting the US Federal Reserve to increase rates only two or three times this year.
They now predict there may be a few more interest rate rises on the horizon. Monday’s sell-off was driven by firms moving to sell stocks to put more money into assets such as bonds, which benefit from higher rates, says Erin Gibbs, portfolio manager for S&P Global Market Intelligence. “This isn’t a collapse of the economy; this isn’t a concern that markets aren’t going to do well, or that corporate America isn’t going to do well,” she said. “This is concern that the economy is actually doing
much better than expected, and so we need to re-evaluate.” The fall in share prices came as Jerome Powell was sworn in as the new chair of the Federal Reserve, and it underscores the challenge he faces, to make decisions that sustain the growth of the economy without alarming investors. The Dow’s dramatic fall marks a turnaround from January, when it raced past the 25,000 and 26,000 point milestones in less than a month. President Donald Trump has tweeted a number of times about the increase in US stock markets since he was elected in November 2016. On 7 January, he wrote: “The Stock Market has been creating tremendous benefits
for our country in the form of not only Record Setting Stock Prices, but present and future Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Seven TRILLION dollars of value created since our big election win!” David Madden, market analyst at CMC Markets, said: “Equity traders were enjoying a bullish run recently, and the jolt from the major decline in the US last Friday has triggered a worldwide round of profit taking.” The decline in the Dow was closely followed by the wider S&P 500 stock index, down 4.1% and the technology-heavy Nasdaq, down 3.7%. In London, the FTSE 100 index of leading companies also fell, to close down 1.46% or 108 points lower. (BBC)
ANC steps up pressure on Zuma SOUTH Africa’s ruling party has called a meeting of its top body for Wednesday, amid growing pressure on President Jacob Zuma to
stand down. In a statement, the ANC said that the meeting was called to discuss the “management of the transition” be-
tween the Zuma and Ramaphosa administrations. On Monday, senior politicians held an emergency meeting in Johannesburg to
discuss Mr Zuma’s future. The president has resisted calls to quit over corruption allegations. Mr Zuma, 75, was replaced
Tuesday, February 6, 2018 - 9:30hrs Wednesday, February 7, 2018 - 10:30hrs
as party leader in December, and his deputy and successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, 65, would step into the presidency if he were recalled by the ANC. An ANC spokeswoman told Reuters news agency that the removal of President Zuma was not on the agenda at Monday’s meeting. The president, in power since 2009, is due to make a State of the Nation address on Thursday, and some in the party want Mr Zuma to leave office ahead of that speech. On Wednesday, the ANC’s National Executive Committee will meet. If the committee agrees to recall Mr Zuma, the BBC’s Andrew Harding says, it would be very hard for him to resist. He might even face a no-confidence motion in parliament the next day, our correspondent adds. Mr Zuma, who spent time in prison for his part in the fight against apartheid, met the ANC’s top six on Sunday. They are said to have failed to convince him to stand aside. Julius Malema, an opposition leader and former ANC member, said on Twitter that Mr Zuma had refused to go early. Other unconfirmed reports from Sunday’s meeting say that Mr Zuma asked for protection from prosecution for himself and his family.
Mr Zuma’s presidency has been overshadowed by allegations of corruption. In recent years, his links to the wealthy India-born Gupta family, who are alleged to have influenced the government through their relationship with Mr Zuma, have caused his popularity to plummet. In South Africa, it has become known as “state capture”. Both Mr Zuma and the Guptas deny the allegations. As a result, many in the ANC fear his presidency has become toxic, and is hurting the party’s standing. That appeared to be borne out at the 2016 local elections, when the ANC lost ground to the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). With a general election set for 2019, the ANC will be keen to distance itself from any more negative press - and therefore it is perhaps not surprising that Mr Ramaphosa was elected the party leader on an anti-corruption platform. However, Mr Zuma still has his supporters within the ANC - including three of the top six - so nothing is definite. On Monday, there were scuffles out the ANC headquarters between small groups of pro- and anti-Zuma supporters. (BBC)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Voir dire called in murder trial of city gold miner THE Turtle Creek Road, Five Star Backdam murder trial of city gold miner/dredge owner Timothy Adams began in the Georgetown High Court on Monday before Justice James Bovell-Drakes and a 12-member jury. On trial is Marlon Freeman who was indicted for the alleged December 23, 2013 murder which took place at North West District (NWD).
In presenting the state’s case, Prosecutor Lisa Cave told the court that between December 22 and 23, 2013 the accused allegedly murdered the miner. The accused has since pleaded not guilty and is being represented by defence attorney Folio Richards. The first witness Detective Corporal Collis Duke testified that in December 2013 he was stationed at Matthews Ridge Police
Station (CID) and at about 15:00hrs he was on duty when he received some information via telephone and he was given certain instructions. He went to Turtle Creek Road, Five Star Backdam, (NWD) and on arrival at the alleged murder scene he saw a green All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) in the area with license plate CG 6335 which was in a stationery position. Duke told the court he
observed a motionless body of a male which was face down. He later learnt that it was Timothy Adams, a gold miner of Georgetown. The police witness said he examined the body and saw there was a reddish substance which appeared to be blood oozing from a wound at the right side of the neck. Duke related that he escorted the body to the Pakera District Hospital and was present when a doctor on
duty examined the body and pronounced him dead. He added that on December 24, 2013 he returned to the hospital and uplifted the body and took it to Port Kaituma Hospital where he placed the body in the mortuary. Duke said he was present when a post mortem was conducted in the city by Dr. Nehaul Singh after he had escorted the body via a private chartered aircraft to
Georgetown and was also there for the burial. The police witness testified that he uplifted the post mortem report form CID headquarters and lodged same at the Port Kaituma Police Station and on February 1, 2018 he printed 16 photos which he took of the crime scene back in 2013. At this point, a voir dire was called to determine the admissibility of evidence in the trial.
High Court judge rules on Facebook posting
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – A High Court judge on Monday described as “reckless and scandalous” the postings of a woman on the social media, Facebook, after ruling that unsubstantiated libellous statements had caused a family to suffer “shame and embarrassment”. Justice Frank Seepersad, who said that the woman, Jenelle Burke, would have to pay to her victims damages and costs to be assessed by a Master in Chambers at a later date, said that the defendant did not dispute that the posts were on her Facebook account, but she ran the “Shaggy defence” by saying, “It wasn’t me.” In her posts, which the court heard had may have been seen by thousands of people, Burke claimed that the family in question was engaged in incestuous activities, and that the father of the family was a rapist who would engage in sexual relations with his stepson and daughter who is a minor. The telephone numbers belonging to the family members, as well as their photographs, were attached to the posts. One of the posts also stated that the minor, who was seven years old at the time, was involved in prostitution at her school. In court, the unidentified family members denied the accusations, and the High Court heard that the Facebook posts had resulted in officers of the Child Protection Unit visiting the family on one occasion to carry out investigations into the allegations. The family members, who said they were once friends with the woman, said despite making reports to the police, the insults continued, and that it was only in February last year that they became aware of the Facebook posts on Burke’s page. In her defence statement, Burke admitted that the mes-
sages were posted on her wall, but denied she was the one who did so. She contended it may have been placed there by someone else who may have had access to her account. She said as soon as she saw the posts on her page, she deleted them. But in delivering his ruling, Justice Seepersad warned that the damage which social media postings can have is significant, as the disseminated material creates a perpetual imprint in cyberspace and “there is no deletion or rectification which can be effected with respect to information uploaded to the World Wide Web, quite unlike a print copy of a book or newspaper, the copies of which could be destroyed.” He said the reach and permanency of social media is such that extreme caution has to be exercised by its users. Said Justice Seepersad: “The law needs to be pellucid, so that all concerned must understand that social media use has to be engaged in a responsible way. “Anonymity cannot obviate the need to be respectful of people’s rights and users cannot recklessly impugn a person’s character or reputation. “Words, in any form or on any forum, matter and
must be used carefully and not impulsively. Within the public purview, there is a misguided perception that the interaction over social media with flagged friends, whether on Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Viber, is private. “This notion has to be dispelled. Such communication, once uploaded, becomes public, and the said communication enjoys no cover of privacy protection. “The advent and continued use of social media now results in a circumstance where the rules, regulations, rights, and responsibilities which govern traditional media must be applied. “Social media ought not to be viewed as an unregulated media forum, and anyone who elects to express views or opinions on such a forum stands in the shoes of a journalist, and must be subjected to the standards of responsible journalism which govern traditional media.” He described Burke’s Facebooks posts as reckless and scandalous. “It is difficult to fathom how any right thinking member of society would contemplate to publish words such as those posted on the defendant’s Facebook account. Sadly, however, far too often, social media is
used as a forum to engage in this type of irresponsible and cruel discourse. “This state of affairs cannot continue unabated, and the Court therefore has elected to mould and apply the common law in a manner which gives some degree of protection to citizens. There is, entrenched in local parlance, the phrase, ‘You will pay for your mouth.’” Justice Seepersad said that given the technological revolution which now characterises modern life, “this traditional phrase has to be subject to an update, and all social media account holders
need to understand that they may now have to “Pay for their posts, if it is established that their posts are defamatory.” He said that in this case, the defendant did not dispute that the posts were on her Facebook account, noting that she had indicated that the account was set up in 2010 by “named parties who all had access to same. “She said that she did not publish the posts but removed same when they were brought to her attention. Social media accounts must be jealously guarded, just like a bank account and
access to same should be restricted, as it is a forum where views expressed will normally be attributed to the owner of the account. “One must be mindful that although the account is private, the posts emanating from the account occupy a public space and the content of these posts will be subject to public opinion and scrutiny as will the persons to whom the posts refer. Inevitably, if what the posts contain are malicious falsehoods, then those falsehoods can translate to real-world damage to someone’s reputation.
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Editorial
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 6, 2018
Celebrating Black History THIS month, the USA and Canada observe Black History Month, in recognition of the contributions of Black people to the history of those countries. Although it is not an official observance in other parts of the African Diaspora, it has, over time, become informally accepted as such. Beginning as Negro History Week in 1925 as the initiative of African-American historian and scholar, Carter G Woodson, it evolved to become Black History Month in the post-Civil Rights era in the late 1960s. In 1976 the US Government formally designated it as such. From 1976 to the present, African-Americans and Blacks in the diaspora have become more and more part of the so-called mainstream of the societies they inhabit. Despite continuous challenges, the group has made significant strides in our Caribbean. The crowning achievement was the rise of Barack Obama to the US presidency in 2008. That moment marked a more than symbolic achievement for Blacks; it was, for African-Americans, a tremendous blow struck for inclusion in formal structures -- a signal that real socio-racial equality was possible. But for all the strides made, Blacks all over the world continue to suffer from the scars of a history of bondage. It is for that reason that Black History Month continues to have great relevance. It is a reminder to Blacks and the
rest of humanity that emancipation and independence do not necessarily mean freedom; that the formal end of oppression is not logically followed by the end of the system that birthed that oppression. What does Black History Month mean for us in Guyana? In our ethnically divided country, any reference to race is generally viewed with suspicion and open condemnation. Ethnic and racial identities are contested, and are often derided as false consciousness. In such an environment, Black History Month elicits a polite nod from high and low. The notion of Black History flies in the face of a denial of ethno-racial identity. After all, Black History arises out of the recognition of Blackness as a marker of identity. A proper discourse on, and celebration of, our ethnic diversity yet beckons; for it is only within the context of an acceptance of that diversity would we be able to respectfully observe the significance of Black History to all of Guyana. Black History is pregnant with the inhumanity of slavery and the noble resistance that ensued. It is a pivotal period in Guyanese history, and has had a defining influence on our nation. It was the unravelling of slavery that led to a new migration to the then colonial outpost in the form of indentureship. The colonial regime which succeeded slavery really evolved as slavery without slaves, and, in the end, consumed all ethnic groups. The Black Village
Movement was pivotal to the development of independent freedom spaces and organised communities, which we celebrate today as Local Government. For the African Guyanese community, Black History Month could be a time for sober reflection on the state of the community. This is, of course, not a new call; it is repeated at every moment of Black observance. But it continues to be a necessary one. Some African Guyanese leaders and organisations have been making this call for some time now. They have pointed to the drift in the community, and have argued for a repair-job to be undertaken by the group. The very notion of learning Black History could be a starting point. All Guyanese should learn Black History; it should find its place in our school curriculum. One remembers two books for children written by the esteemed historian, Dr. Walter Rodney — Kofi Baadu out of Africa, and Lackshmi out of India — and asks why those books are not required reading in our schools. African Guyanese, however, have a particular responsibility to lead the way in becoming steeped in Black History.
We have to save our city from callous hands
Dear Editor:
SEVERAL events over the last year got me thinking in a deeper way about Georgetown’s green spaces, especially its trees. It began with conceptualizing a five-year Strategic Plan for Constituency 14 which included the preservation of our green spaces and our trees. This was eclipsed by Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan’s and Central Government’s Tree Planting Programme. And sadly, more recently, my thoughts turned to the brutality and ecological destruction of our green spaces in the city, the Bel Air Park Playground and the possibility of similar actions on the Farnum Playground. The Botanical Gardens has a catalogue of over 288 plants, including numerous trees. My research yielded no such re-
cord for the city proper. At the city level, it is evident that we don’t have an appreciation for what Smart Cities Dive’s online article, “Two New Tools for Planning a Healthy Urban Canopy” points out, “Trees are a vital part of urban communities, providing social, environmental, and economic benefits”. There used to be a great tree in Georgetown where the monument to the conservation of sea turtles now stand in the vicinity of Pegasus Hotel; at least two huge trees fell on Main Street over the last year and I remember another on Merriman Mall. Additionally, there used to be trees, among other places, around Bounty Supermarket on Orange Walk and Regent Street. After the store was rebuilt, the trees disappeared. And likewise, many home builders rid
parapets of trees, seeing them as obstructions; and with a chainsaw or cutlass, wiped out whole ecosystems. In Constituency 14, we used to have Eucalyptus trees lining Aubrey Barker Road. Now, most are gone. Similarly, last year I came across a post on Facebook by the New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council. The post read, “Why was the decades old tree in Esplanade Park Cut down?” It went on to state, “the tree was infested with bees, and sessions at the High Court and at the All Saints’ Primary School were frequently interrupted when the insects became agitated. Athletes who use the Park on a daily basis were also affected.” The M&TC granted permission to the Region 6 R.D.C to cut down the tree, since hives were discovered in the hollow trunk of the tree.
It was such a noble gesture by the municipality to think of the welfare of its citizens, but I keep wondering, in the delicate ecological balance that is life, if more could not be done to save the tree. The vital important of trees is outlined in another digital article, “How Climate Benefits from Trees Scale with Cities”. It informs us, “Trees influence meteorological and climatic effects at all scales of a city, from pocket parks to entire neighborhoods. However, while research has been done on the effect of trees canopies on urban environments, in general, we are only now beginning to understand how urban canopies affect climate at all scales of the city – from an individual building to a street, park, overall pattern of land use and finally, the city as a whole.” It continues, “This is the perspective taken in a recent
paper by T.R. Oke titled, “The Micrometeorology of the Urban Forest,” where he examines the ability of the urban forest to create microclimates that directly affect the residents of a city and the spaces they inhabit. Oke argues that the microclimate created by street trees is imperative to good urban design. But in order to implement it in our designs, we need to better understand the implications of scale.” We have to save our city from callous hands; people who pay only lip service to Government’s Green Agenda, who wouldn’t think twice to raze an urban forest to needlessly build a house or two for themselves. God save us, and help us save our green spaces. Regards Sherod Avery Duncan City Councillor
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 6, 2018
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If GGMC succeeds we would have no mining lands to offer foreign investors
Dear Editor,
IF a foreign gold mining company wishes to invest in Guyana, we would have no mining land, not even a process of issuing mining land to accommodate such an investment. It seems our Government has decided to exit large-scale gold mining in Guyana. There is a determined effort by the GGMC to convert all Prospecting Licences(PLs) into Mining Permits(MPs). Despite the GGMC’s own attorney advising against such a move, the Commissioner has thought it fit to seek outside counsel on the matter. The lawyer the Commissioner has chosen for a second opinion is also a miner and has financial interest in converting Pros-
pecting Licences to Mining Permits. The Commissioner should be made to release the expenses incurred to seek legal advice contradicting the GGMC’s own attorney. Documents at the GGMC have revealed that most Prospecting Licences issued by the Government are ‘non-compliant,’ a term used by the GGMC to indicate that the holders of such PLs have not paid for them nor have they fulfilled their legal obligations since receiving those lands. The GGDMA is presently lobbying to have the conditions attached to the issuance of PLs abandoned. So after their members received those PLs, received billions of dollars of Government subsidies, ignored their obligations to the Govern-
ment and Country while maximizing the benefits, the GGDMA is now advocating that there should be no obligations at all, only the benefits. Now the GGDMA wants this Government to ignore all those binding obligations to facilitate their desire to have all those PLs converted to MPs. There are reports that the GGDMA member who sits on the GGMC board, was challenging and intimidating the GGMC legal adviser at a recent board meeting because the legal adviser advised against the converting of PLs and incidentally, the GGDMA member has his own application for his own PL to be converted. Guyana does not seem to still have a policy for large-scale mining. This is
Let us display our humanity to the Venezuelans
Dear Editor,
I FEEL very hurt, sad and even depressed, as I consider the economic and social conditions Venezuela, a once great nation, has found itself in. Venezuela was such a successful, prosperous country, a benevolent nation with great, talented and amazing people. Today, its economic situation is dismal with skyrocketed inflation, severe food shortages and a woeful health care system. People are desperate as they scramble to find the money to buy scarce and expensive supplies in Venezuela. We all know that some women will do anything to support their families, including descending to the worst and oldest of occupations when there are no alternatives. On their part, the men are turning to criminality, smuggling humans, drugs and more across borders. Both men and women are coming to Guyana to find reprieve, exacerbating existing social problems and creating new ones. Just look at Trinidad where Venezuelan women have turned to prostitution and are being abused and exploited on a large scale with adults and even young girls being forced to work in bars and provide sexual favours.
The situation is replicated here in Guyana. What has happened in Venezuela is the same that happened during the Forbes Burnham era when there was a serious experimentation with socialism, all with the encouragement of then leader of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Cheddi Jagan. Socialism reduced Guyana to “beggar-my-neighbor” policy under which we were looking to Trinidad for funding and oil and depleting the resources of the Caribbean Development Bank. Back then, our women travelled to Trinidad, Barbados and Suriname and many resorted to trading their bodies and developed secondary, or in some cases, even primary, relationships in these countries without their husbands’ knowledge. During those dark years, Suriname, because of the wide border that falls in the Corentyne district, a lot of luxury and basic foods were smuggled. Basic food items were so scarce that a piece of bacalou salt fish or a cheap can of sardines was sufficient bribery to induce a government official to give a lot, perhaps even give away an entire ministry. When the minds and the hearts of the people turn, when the economy turns, it is most difficult to return them to normalcy. The
backlash under the Forbes Burnham government, which was given support by the PPP, is responsible for the difficulties we are going through today. The reality is that Dr Cheddi Jagan was giving “critical support” to the PNC regime because of his love for Socialist philosophies and was guided by the Soviet Union. Considering that Guyana is intimately aware of the social repercussions of socialist experiments, can we not find a way to help our Venezuelan brothers and sisters? We can consider giving temporary refugee status or work permits without the necessity of fees to allow the Venezuelans to get wholesome jobs. It is obvious to me that their labour is needed, considering that some of them have been absorbed by the private sector to do certain jobs that Guyanese do not want to do. Such positive actions can cause a nation to become divine. Likewise, the universe can repay a nation with evil preponderances in like fashion. Venezuela has always been kind to us, even before Hugo Chavez. Let us show some compassion for these people who are in dire straits and help them. Regards Roshan Khan
because the issuing of PLs was used by Government to incentivize large-scale and foreign investors by setting aside vast areas of land that would make such investments viable. This is the process used by Guyana Gold Fields and Troy Resources. If our Government
has decided to exit largescale mining they should make it official, abandon the issuing of PLs and change all the policies to suit. The Government should also stop wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on overseas trips and mining conventions courting foreign
investors, because if the Commissioner succeeds, we would have no mining lands to offer them. This piecemeal approach is only wasting taxpayer’s money while benefitting a select few. Regards GGMC Employee
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Miner gets 15 years for killing brother A REMORSEFUL Neville France was on Monday morning sentenced to a total of 15 years imprisonment before Justice James Bovell-Drakes in the Georgetown High Court for the 2013 murder of his brother. France had earlier last month pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter In handing down the sentence, Justice Bovell-Drakes started at a base of 62 years but deducted 20 years, the age of the deceased Richard France when he was killed; five years for time served in jail; 10 years for the early guilty plea; and 12 years for defence attorney Siand Dhurjon’s plea of mitigation.
The judge told the court that defence counsel raised some moving issues in his plea of mitigation but added that the court was concerned with justice. Justice BovellDrakes added that he relied on the caution statement the accused gave the police and it was also highlighted by the fact both were consuming alcoholic beverages. He pointed out that the deceased Richard France was drinking high wine while his brother, Neville France was consuming vodka. The judge stated that he was satisfied with the evidence led in the magistrate’s court which stated that the deceased had pelted the accused but he evaded the
object nevertheless and he took away the knife from his brother and used that same knife to stab him. The accused told the court that he was sorry and made some other muted utterances before the judge imposed the 15-year sentence. In his plea of mitigation, defence attorney, Siand Dhurjon said the accused Neville France was born in Port Kaituma, North West District in 1974 and was the father of three. He related that December 12, 2013 was the saddest day for his client and his family. Dhurjon told the court that the deceased Richard France had some serious mental issues and was an al-
Neville France: Sentenced to 15 years in jail for killing of his brother
coholic at a very young age. He added that this was supported by the father who stated in the deposition that at one time Richard broke his hand and on another occasion he injured his brother, Neville. Dhurjon said the deceased was in the habit of cursing and he would pelt their house when he was under the influence. He noted that when the post mortem was performed by Dr. Nehaul Singh he indicated that a strong scent of alcohol emanated from the stomach of the deceased. Dhurjon told the court that on the day in question the deceased was arguing with a neighbour while, he
was armed with a bow-andarrow as well as a knife. Probation Officer Remesia Lewis told the court that the accused had a normal life up to age 12 became delinquent and started to drink heavily with friends. She added that Neville France became addicted to alcohol and never went to school as such, he was unable to read and write but somehow managed to get a job with a private company before he became a gold miner. Lewis told the court that because of his heavy imbibing his relationship with his child mother ended and residents said he was always in a drunken state.
City Constable remanded on rape charge CITY Constable, Lance Corporal Clifton Pellew was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old boy. Pellew was not required to plead to the indictable offence which alleged that on August 15, 2017, he engaged in sexual activity with a minor. He was remanded to prison until February 14. According to reports, on August 15, 2017, the City Constabulary officer was caught having sex with
the boy who was detained earlier for loitering. Another corporal, Quacy Baveghens, who allegedly saw the act, later reported the incident to his supervisors--the City Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green and Town Clerk, Royston King. Corporal Baveghens was dismissed along with the suspect, but they were both subsequently reinstated following the intervention of the Ministry of Communities. Activists had picketed City Hall on several occasions, demanding that
Lance Corporal Clifton Pellew
Pellew be charged.
Man accused of torching ex-girlfriend surrenders to police A MAN accused of setting alight the home of his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend at Charity on the Essequibo Coast on Sunday, on Monday afternoon surrendered to police after he had initially escaped from their custody. Kyle Goddette had escaped from Police custody Sunday morning. Goddette, a labourer of Charity Housing scheme had signed a caution statement admitting that he did set alight the house of Chavex Watson. According to information reaching Guyana Chronicle, the incident occurred on February 3 around 03:00 hours at Lot 702 Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast. Reports are that Watson was at the time in a one-flat two-bedroom home at Charity with his girlfriend, Susanna Culpepper, the former lover of Godette, when they smelt smoking emanating nearby. They immediately got up, at which point they noticed
The victim: 17-year-old, Susanna Culpepper
the bed was on fire. They ran to the western door of the house where they saw the suspect before he fled the scene. Watson raised an alarm and neighbours quickly gathered, formed a bucket brigade and extinguished the fire. Meanwhile, Culpepper is currently at the Georgetown Public Hospital suffering from third degree burns. She was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital initially, but due to the severity of the
The main suspect, Goddette
burns, she was transferred to the GPHC. The 17-yearold had decided months ago to end the relationship with the suspect because she was allegedly constantly being abused physically. The teenager, however, had numerous threats from the suspect after the break up. Culpepper, who recently started the relationship with Watson, decided to go and spend some time with him Sunday. Culpepper’s family disclosed that the Turn to page 9 ►
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
‘Squatting is Illegal’ – Region Two REO – explains his office’s move to impound Jibb family’s building materials By: Indrawattie Natram REGION Two Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson is maintaining that squatting on Government’s reserves is illegal and calls on the public to co-operate and to desist from the illegal act. Hopkinson’s comments came after much controversy on social media about a measure he took to temporarily impound materials that were to be used by a Jibb family to construct a house allegedly on Government’s reserves. According to Hopkinson, a woman visited his office in early January 2018 seeking permission to build a house on a Government reserve after returning from Venezuela. Hopkinson said that despite his warning to her that it was illegal he received a phone call that the said family began to construct a permanent structure on a reserve at Jibb, Essequibo Coast. “I warned the family approximately seven times that they cannot squat; instead I encouraged them to apply for a house lot…in fact I told them that I will help them during the process, but they still continued,” Hopkinson told the Guyana Chronicle. The REO in addressing the issue said he then brought the matter before ‘G’ Division Commander Khali Pareshram and sought his help in getting his ranks to warn the family. Hopkinson said that in the meantime he contacted the Evergreen Paradise
The family along with the NDC Chairman
Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman Lionel Budhram on the issue. “I went to the family, I said Madam you cannot build the house here it is illegal, it is blocking our way to desilt drains in the area, this administration will not want to permit any squatting because this is unlawful, then I was told that she continued to build, I saw that there was some lumber on the road and as such I went to the station and informed the police again,” the REO said. “I personally went to the NDC and told [the Chairman] to tell the woman to desist from building. He did not do so, so I went back to the police,” Hopkinson said. He
said that he did not issue any warning letter from his office to the family because it was the NDC’s job to investigate. According to the REO, the police along with Regional Officials then visited the family and caught them in the act and as such the lumber that was on the road was impounded temporarily. “ADVICE GIVEN” Hopkinson during the interview said that the family along with the NDC Chairman was aware of the matter and advice was given in relation to the issue. ‘HOUSE LOTS AVAILABLE’ The REO said that cur-
rently there are low income homes that are available at Onderneeming and as such families can use the opportunity to apply for house lots. “If we allow squatting then other persons will use it as an opportunity and then we cannot tell them anything, I am trying to prevent a situation whereby persons are going to build houses on unoccupied land, that was the reason why the idea of building parks came about to avoid situation like these,” Hopkinson said. REGIONAL CHAIRMAN’S RESPONSE When contacted on the matter Region Two Chair-
man Devanand Ramdatt said the RDC strongly objects to the actions meted out to the young family, with two children whose schooling, he said, has been affected as a result. Ramdatt said that the matter came under the responsibility of the NDC and the actions taken by the REO staff to demolish the building do not find support from the RDC which he heads. The RDC recommends strongly that the suffering family be compensated for damages suffered within the shortest possible time. Ramdatt said that Haimwattie Sooknandan along with her husband and two children returned from Venezuela due to the present economic constraints and started to build a house on a portion on land occupied by Mr Balkarran Sooklall of Jibb. He said that written documentation dated November 30, 2017 reveals that Mr. Balkarran Sooklall who occupied the said land for over forty-eight years agreed that Sooknandan build her house temporarily on a portion of the said land. He said the Regional Vice Chairperson for the region Nandranie Coojah also visited the same day the house was demolished and raised her objection but such was not heeded. Ramdatt further said that the demolished building materials costing in excess of $500,000 were allegedly damaged and taken into the D&I com-
Region Two REO, Rupert Hopkinson
pound without any proper record or storage. He also said the Evergreen - Paradise NDC did not support the demolition of the said building and objects to such highhanded approach in addressing the matter. When contact was made to the Jibb family Haimwattie Sooknandan explained that the REO did visit her one day and told her not to build. She said she explained to him that it was a temporary structure and she had nowhere else to live. The woman then explained that she took the materials that are currently impounded on ‘credit’ and is expected to pay a monthly installment to the lumber dealers. She is also contending that there are over 40 squatters in the area and nothing was done to them.
‘Timely, fair and unbiased adjudication and disposal of cases’ – Chief Magistrate promises CHIEF Magistrate, Ann McLennan is confident that Resident Magistrate of the Rupununi Magisterial District, Justice Allan Wilson will ensure that the law is administered in a timely and efficient manner at the four courts he will preside over at Lethem, Annai, Aishalton and Karasabai, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region (Region Nine). Speaking at the recent opening of the Rupununi Magisterial District Court Office, Lethem, Magistrate McLennan said the new courts’ schedule, when it
takes effect, will see within the first week of the month, the magistrate sitting at the Lethem Court; the second week in Annai; the third at Aishalton and the fourth at the Court in Karasabai. This, she lauded, as a great improvement for the residents to access justice when compared to the previous quarterly sittings only at the Lethem Court and represents a significant milestone for the judiciary. Each of the courts will facilitate the filing of documents, affiliation of child support applications, applications for protective
orders under the Domestic Violence Act and uplifting of monies from bail and other transactions. The Magistrates, Justice McLennan noted, are now better equipped to perform their duties efficiently and effectively because they now have the tools to do so. “Cases before the court will be completed expeditiously and the distance to travel to court will be much shorter. This court opening is indeed intended to improve our court operations and services to court users.” Justice McLennan said, in recognition that access to
justice is one of the major pillars on which a society stands, that the Judiciary, which is an independent arm of Government, took steps to ensure that the constitutional rights of residents of the Rupununi Magisterial District, which is the largest, have access to justice easily. Reflecting on the challenges, the Chief Magistrate said residents were willing to make complaints which required the attention of the court, but could not do so because of the demographics of the area. “Your dreams and the dreams of your forepar-
ents have become a reality. The representation made and hard work done by your foreparents and your Toshaos and your regional representatives were not in vain.” She assured that the
Magistracy remains committed to ensuring that access to justice is available to all Guyanese, and the courts at Annai, Aishalton and Karasabai is a testimony to its “unswerving commitment.”
Man accused of... teenager was constantly threatened by the suspect that he would “damage” her. Family members also related that after their break-up, the man became bitter and used to call her from several unknown numbers. “It appears as
From page 8
though he was so obsessed and jealous, he won’t leave her alone although she told him she finished with him,” a close relative related. Police visited the scene where it was observed that the bed was partially burnt and the walls scorched.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Address drivers of migration – Greenidge urges forum FOREIGN Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge underscored the importance of maximizing the benefits of migration while reducing the drivers of it, when he addressed the opening ceremony of a National Consultative Meeting on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration at the Pegasus Hotel. Acknowledging that there are many challenges surrounding migration, the Foreign Affairs Minister said through the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, they can be addressed. “The basic challenges we have to address are to maximize the benefits of migration, reduce the drivers of migration, protect human rights of all migrants and keep the balance between security and counterproductive restrictive policies,” Greenidge told his distinguished audience. Minister Greenidge said while migration has had a negative face, the benefits of regular migration cannot be understated. “Migration in recent years has been catapulted to the forefront of the international agenda,
Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge flanked by Ambassador Michael Brotherson and IOM Regional Coordination Officer for the Caribbean and Chief of Mission in Guyana, Robert Natiello, seated at the head table.
the large movements of desperate persons, sometimes migrants and refugees and the rise of anti-immigrant political movement has cast a shadow of distrust over migration and migrants themselves. However, we must not allow these challenges to let us forget that migration has been broadly a beneficial movement for peoples across the world,” he explained. The Foreign Affairs Minister further pointed out that migration has largely been a source of economic growth, especially in the areas of innovation and sustainable development while adding that remittances have boosted the national development of many developing nations. In embracing the need
for a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, he said it is key for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and stakeholders must play their part. “We must also acknowledge that the narrative surrounding migration today is largely negative and can often be dangerous for those who are most vulnerable. It is of utmost importance that we act to reverse these narratives and not allow xenophobia and racism and other forms of discrimination to drive the agenda,” he added. In explaining the Global Compact for Migration, IOM Regional Coordination Officer for the Caribbean and Chief of Mission in
Guyana, Robert Natiello said in September 2016, Heads of State and Government, for the first time discussed the issues relating to migration and refugees at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. In adopting the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, the 193 UN Member States recognised the need for a comprehensive approach to human mobility and enhanced cooperation at the global level and committed to the development of a Global Compact on Migration. He said Monday’s meeting, which was organized by the Foreign Affairs Ministry in conjunction with the IOM, was critical and timely to the process, positing that worldwide migration will continue throughout the rest of the century to be one of the most transnational social issues. While acknowledging Guyana’s history with re-
spect to migration and its impact, the IOM Chief of Mission said the country continues to be a destination for citizens from neighbouring countries who are often times in search of work in the mining and logging Industries. “As the economy of Guyana is projected to grow… and economic activities increase with the development of infrastructure and accompanying services, the country would likely continue to be a magnet for both immigrants and returning Guyanese who would be looking for new opportunities,” he posited. For this and other reasons, he said it is even more important for the country to be an active player in the process – a commitment it has already given. Head of the Diaspora Unit of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Michael Brotherson, in his remarks, said the National Consultative Meeting on the Global Company for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is of immense importance as Guyana joins the international community in participating in the final stages of the process of the adoption of the Global Compact in 2018. “The Global Compact is centred around addressing the challenges faced by migrants today, including, but not limited to, effective
protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants, including women and children, the specific needs of migrants in vulnerable situation and combating racism, xenophobia and discrimination,” he explained. In reiterating the country’s support for the Global Compact on Migration, he said Guyana will continue to be meaningfully engaged in the process even as it remains mindful of its peculiarities. The process to develop the Global Compact for migration started in April 2017. This year, the UN General Assembly will hold an intergovernmental conference on international migration with a view to adopting the Global Compact. The Global Compact is a significant opportunity to improve the governance on migration to address the challenges associated with today’s migration, and to strengthen the contribution of migrants and migration to sustainable development. Director of Multilateral and Global Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Troy Torrington; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; and Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr. Ivelaw Griffith, were among the senior functionaries present.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Young NGO faces very first challenge
– as it launches fundraiser to help save toddler’s sight A NEWLY formed non-profit organisation, Sar and B, is calling on the public to support their effort to get three-yearold Crystal John to Cuba in order to treat her retinoblastoma. While the organisation only went public on Sunday, its founder, Bibi Sheonarine feels it’s ready to fulfil its mandate of helping those in need. Their immediate focus is on helping little Crystal, who has retinoblastoma, get to Cuba in order to save her sight and even her life. Retinoblastoma is defined as a rare form of cancer that rapidly develops from the immature cells of a retina, the light-detecting tissue of the eye. It is the most common primary malignant intraocular cancer in children, and it is almost exclusively found in young children. According to the World Health Organisation
Three-year-old Crystal John
(WHO), retinoblastoma is the most frequent neoplasm of the eye in childhood, and represents three per cent of all childhood malignancies. It is a cancer of the very young; two-thirds are diagnosed before two years of age, and 95 per cent before five years. As Sheonarine ex-
Cops say man had gun and ammo in crotch AN excavator operator was on Monday remanded to prison by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman for the offence of unlawful gun and ammunition possession. Steve Armstrong, 24, of Nutmeg Street, North Ruimveldt, denied that on February 2nd, in Lombard Street he had a .32 Taurus pistol in his possession when he did not have a licence for same. Armstrong also denied that on the same day and at the same location, he had nine live rounds of .32 ammunition in his possession. According to reports, Armstrong was apprehended on the day in question in the vicinity of Laparkan Shipping on Lombard Street after the police got word that a male was seen with a firearm in a minibus. It is alleged that Armstrong, on seeing the police approaching the minibus, tried exiting the vehicle and running away, but was caught. On searching him, the police found an unlicensed Taurus pistol with nine live rounds in his crotch. Police Prosecutor, Arwin Moore objected to Arm-
Steve Armstrong
strong being released on bail, citing the seriousness of the charges. Moore also disclosed that Armstrong had an ongoing ‘robbery under arms’ matter at the Providence Magistrate’s Court. The Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Armstrong until February 26.
plained, if Crystal’s family doesn’t get help to take her overseas for tertiary medical attention, the child may very well lose her sight altogether. At just two months old, the child developed a bulblike growth in her left eye, and after a medical checkup was done, doctors discovered that she had retinoblastoma. As a result, Crystal’s left eye was removed in order to save her life, but now, almost two-and-ahalf years after doctors had reassured her family that everything would be alright, the tumour has returned, but this time in the right eye. Sheonarine is afraid that if the child does not receive treatment in time, the right eye as well will have to be removed to stop the cancer from spreading to her brain. Persons who are interested in knowing more about the child’s condition and how they can help are asked to make contact with Sheonarine on cellphone number: 687-7171 or 690-0866.
Leslie James to head ‘A’ Division THE Guyana Police Force is expected to see some changes within its high command as of January 19, with several senior officers set to proceed on “annualised and accumulated” leave. Among officers so entitled are Assistant Commissioner of Police and ‘A’ Division Commander, Marlon Chapman; Senior Superintendent and Commander ‘C’ Division, Calvin Brutus; Senior Superintendent and Commander ‘F’ Division, Ravindradat Bhudram; and Traffic Chief, Superintendent Dion Moore. In the circumstance, Assistant Commissioner Leslie James will be taking over
‘A’ Division, leaving his ‘D’ Division in the care of Senior Superintendent Karimbaksh of ‘E’ Division. In the latter’s absence, Superintendent Vanderhyden will head ‘E’ Division, while Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper will head to ‘C’ Division. Senior Superintendent Kevin Adonis will be holding the fort for Senior Superintendent Bhudram in ‘F’ Division. Bhudram reportedly has the most accumulated time of all the officers proceeding on leave. The Traffic Chief’s Chair will be taken over by Superintendent Ashram until the return of the substantive
Traffic Chief, Dion Moore. Word is that a senior officer who is presently serving in ‘C’ Division, will be heading to the Tactical Service Unit to hold the fort for Senior Superintendent Kevin Adonis. Meanwhile, days after the return of Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud from leave, Assistant Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine went on leave. As a consequence, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken is performing the functions of A/C Administration, while Force Finance Officer Nigel Hoopie is functioning as the A/C Operation.
Total stakes substantial claim – in budding local oil & gas industry FRENCH oil firm, Total has bought stakes in several oil production blocks here, thereby making its presence felt in the potentially lucrative Guyana basin, a Reuters report stated on Monday. According to the report, Total said it was buying a 35 per cent working interest in the Canje Block, in an agreement signed with an affiliate of Canadian company, JHI Associates Inc. and Guyana-based Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc.
These two companies will retain a shared 30 per cent interest alongside operator ExxonMobil, which has a 35 per cent stake. According to the report, Total has also bought a 25 per cent working interest stake in the Kanuku Block, in an agreement with Repsol and Tullow Oil. Repsol and Tullow each have stakes of 37.5 per cent in that block. Total is quoted as saying too that it had an option to buy a 25 per cent working interest in the Orinduik
Block, in an agreement with Canadian company, Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas Ltd, which will retain a 15 per cent interest following exercise of the option, alongside Tullow Oil which has 60 per cent. Late last month, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman told the media at a press briefing that several oil firms, including Total; California-based Chevron; Brazil’s Petrobas; and Italy’s E&I have all signalled an interest in Guyana’s petroleum sector.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Things looking up at White Water – as housing project nears completion A HOUSING project at White Water in the Mabaruma sub-district of Region One (Barima-Waini) is almost complete. The project was undertaken through a new sustainable hinterland housing scheme, which was overseen by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through a US$3.1M loan.
Undertaken in three phases, it is the follow-on to the Hinterland Housing pilot project that ran from 20092015. A village council official told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday that 26 houses are almost completed, and that some families have already moved in, while others have been undergoing the finishing touches to completion. The homes were built
by residents, and according to a villager, the carpenters of White Water are committed to building the homes through an arrangement with the CH&PA. As regards the selection process, families were interviewed, and depending on their circumstance, they were selected for a house. “They were selected based on their condition of
living, or if their house was too full,” a village council official confirmed. The village, which lies close to the border with Venezuela, has a population of approximately 1,200 residents, and was targetted to benefit from the hinterland sustainable housing project, having benefitted from the initial component that ended in 2015. According to the CH&PA, the objective of the project was to improve the liveability of low-income A White Water resident outside one of the completed homes
households in pre-selected hinterland communities; improve access to housing, potable water, sanitation; and promote women empowerment. During a community meeting at the village’s multi-purpose hall in September 2016, CH&PA Senior Community Development Officer, Donell Bess-Bascom reminded residents of the success of the last project. “In White Water,” she said, “we have been able to construct 22 full houses. We were able to replace 28 roofs, and I know there have been more that we didn’t count. “White Water has been an exemplary village under this project; your performance has generally been very good, because you were the first community we started with under the last project.” She’d also said at the time: “Twelve communities will be part of this process; four of them are in Region One. These include White Water and its satellite villages that come under the administration of White Water. “We are looking at Kamwatta and Sebai in Region One, and we have eight other communities in Region Nine
that we will be implementing under this project.” Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings–Williams, who was attached to the housing sector at the time, told the residents at the meeting that during the project’s execution persons would have benefitted from jobs. “That is what cohesive, empowered and sustainable communities means; you must have local economic developmental activities right there in your communities, that is what the Ministry of Communities is encouraging every community to do. When you are thinking about community development plans, get everyone involved,” Minister Hastings-Williams said. White Water Toshao, Cleveland De Souza was appreciative that the village has been considered for another round of intervention. Under the IDB-funded Hinterland Housing Project, communities in Regions One and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) were expected to benefit, with a total of 306 full houses being constructed and 122 roofs being replaced.
Contractor on the run after wounding engineer ‘Non-payment’ sparks chopping incident
P
OLICE are hunting for a contractor who is said to have wounded an engineer over the non-payment for works completed by the suspect. Police said they were investigating an alleged wounding committed on Amainauth Chinkan, 67, a Regional Engineer of Side Line Dam, Triumph, East Coast Demerara (ECD), which occurred about 22:00hrs on February 03, 2018, at Enterprise Village, E.C.D. An investigation revealed that the victim and suspect had a misunderstanding over the non-payment for works completed by the suspect. As a result, the suspect became annoyed, armed himself with a cutlass and allegedly dealt the victim several chops on his left arm. The victim was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he underwent surgery and is in a stable condition.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
The plight of vulnerable prison – 12 officers commence training populations to identify concerns SEVENTY-FIVE inmates who are known to be mentally unstable, substance abusers, HIV positive persons, women and aging persons in prisons will be under the microscope as 10 prison officers and two police officers commenced a one-week Vulnerable Prisoners Training programme under a component of Britain Security Sector Reform Project. Conducting the training on behalf of the British High Commission is Director of CreateBetterMinds (an NGO) of Trinidad Caroline Ravello and facilitator Michel Hamilton. The training is being held at Police Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown. At the opening ceremony Acting British High Commissioner to Guyana, Ron Rimmer said the UK funded training was aimed at better equipping the police and warders in identifying and addressing issues that affect vulnerable prisoners. Adding that there are many definitions that can be attached to the term vulnerable prisoners, the High Commissioner said in the training context they are prisoners who can be the targets of bullying, suicide, self-harm and those who needed additional support to help them cope in a prison environment. Noting that the training was the first of its kind in Guyana, the British Envoy said this was born out of a request from President David Granger to include the prison sector in the UK-sponsored security sector reform review following the prison riot and fire in March 2016. Mr. Rimmer said the first part of a 12-month review was just concluded and many practical areas were identified in which the UK can further assist the Guyana Government in specialised training of the security sector. “This training is a series in the latest of tangible outcomes that the UK has undertaken or will be undertaking in the future, training has also been provided for the strategic planning unit of the
(L-R seated) Acting British High Commissioner Ron Rimmer, Director and facilitator Caroline Ravello, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and standing behind at the center Prisons Director (ag) Gladwin Samuels flanked by participants of the programme (Samuel Maughn Photo)
Guyana Police Force and a marine capability review and an aviation capability review is due to commence in early March,” the High Commissioner said. He said the training will also help the British High Commission to fulfill its responsibility to British nationals who may be incarcerated in Guyana. “The potential for a vulnerable British national being imprisoned is real and cannot be ignored. Providing this training now will help to ensure that persons are better treated and receive the correct support,” the Acting British High Commissioner said. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan said training in the prison sector was of vital importance since dealing with the needs of vulnerable prisoners was an important skillset for prison officers. “I will only ask that those who have been selected please pay attention, please come to the classes, because I know sometimes we have an attitude towards punctuality and attendance… I urge you to participate fully so that you can be more educated and informed to make the prison environment a better one,” the Minister asked. Director of Prisons (acting), Gladwin Samuels said the prison population was derived from society and a number of prisoners who are incarcerated ought not to be
there because of the need for specialised training and care. “In Guyana and across the world, the prison populations are increasing in terms of persons who are deemed as vulnerable for various reasons,” Samuels said. He said there were 75 inmates who are known to be mentally unstable and the Guyana Prison Service had partnered with the Ministry of Public Health to provide the necessary care for those persons. “Before the July 9, 2017 fire most of those prisoners (mentally unstable) were housed at Camp Street Prison where they received daily or fortnightly care from the psychiatric department of the Georgetown Public Hospital,” he said. The director said the same inmates were now spread across other prison locations where they still receive the treatment. Adding that the vulnerable section of the prison population also includes persons who are considered weak in their physical, psychological and emotional state, Samuels said the possibility of such inmates being manipulated were very high. “That is why the roles of prison officers are very important in terms of ensuring that those persons who are deemed vulnerable are not taken advantage of. I see this training as a step in the right direction in order for us to be better equipped to
identify those persons with special needs and those persons deemed vulnerable so that they can be adequately catered for,” the Prison Director said. He said trained officers will pass on to their peers the knowledge gained in order for there to be a larger pool of officers to identify the vulnerable in the prison population. “In a prison environment if a person is deemed weak several things can happen to them. They can be made to wash people’s clothes which is a violation of their right; their food can be taken away by persons who are stronger, so by being able to adequately identify these persons and as prison infrastructure is improved we would be able to provide the necessary segregation for them and also equip them with the
necessary skills they need to be reintegrated into society,” Samuels said. He urged the participants that they should focus and grasp all that was being taught. A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2016 Camp Street Prison fire which resulted in the deaths of 17 inmates has found that Indigenous inmates are among the most vulnerable population in the prison system. Apart from highlighting women, mentally- ill persons, substance abusers, HIV positive persons and aging persons, the CoI report pointed out that apart from the inhumane conditions in prison, Indigenous people suffered from additional hardships. According to the reports, “They (indigenous people) are separated completely from their families and com-
munities. Prison diet never includes food to which they are accustomed to. Indigenous people by nature are less assertive or aggressive than other population groups.” It was asserted in the report that Indigenous people endure far longer delays for trial due to the unreliability of courts in the interior regions and that their poor command of English isolated them “almost completely” from life around them. “Whereas the harshness of incarceration on females and young people compared to males receives at least a token of acknowledgement, the application of this harsh system to Amerindians is almost totally ignored—by the administration of justice, the Parole Board and the political administration,” the report stated.
Accused of stealing father’s firearm AN 18-year-old boy acadopted son of the victim. cused of stealing his faOn the day in question, ther’s gun was on Monday the victim left his firearm charged and remanded to in his bedroom under the prison by City Magistrate pillow when, it is alleged, Judy Latchman. the accused stole the weapChris Pollard of Durban on. The teen confessed to Street, Lodge, denied that stealing the firearm when on January 28 at David questioned by his father. Street, Kitty, he stole a The prosecutor objected .32 pistol valued $250,000 to the teen being released on along with 10 rounds of bail on the grounds of the matching ammunition seriousness of the charge worth $2,600, property of and also because the acPeter Pollard. cused is a repeat offender. According to the facts Chris Pollard The magistrate represented in court by Prosmanded the teen until ecutor Arwin Moore, the defendant is the February 26.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
(Seated Center) Inspector General Colonel Nazrul Hussain flanked by senior GDF officers and soldiers who benefited from the Instructors course (GDF Photo)
GDF Instructors complete courses THE Guyana Defence Force’s graduates of the Force Method and Instruction (FMOI) Course are now better prepared to function as Instructors
following their successful completion of several course modules designed to enhance their ability to teach others. Delivering closing re-
marks at their recent event at Camp Ayanganna, Inspector General Colonel Nazrul Hussain reiterated the importance of professionalism, correct attitude
and dedication. He noted too, that as time went by there was always room for improvement, and that they ought to continuously seek to widen their knowledge and
skills with regard to their anticipated roles as Instructors. Referencing the GEC acronym used by (Retired) Major General Norman Mclean, he outlined that theirs was now the task to provide: Guidance – “You have now been equipped with better knowledge to guide, so you now have a responsibility to lead and guide your students down the correct path: Example - “You must lead by example in your dress, deportment and demonstration of good qualities.” and, Control – “In order that a desired level of discipline is achieved, control is important. Continue to learn and instill the Force doctrines and policies in order to better
control the outcomes.” The FMOI is a course which is designed to empower selected troops with the knowledge and help them to develop the skills necessary to function as Instructors. As such, the participants of this FMOI, like the previous students of the course, learned how to prepare and develop Lesson Plans, Aims and Objectives and Course Content. They also gained insight into various methodologies used to deliver academic and other course content to students, various modes of evaluation, and how to prepare and present reports regarding the conduct of the courses they teach.
Broke into one car… then allegedly another A 29-year-old Leopold Street resident was on Monday charged and remanded to prison by City Magistrate Judy Latchman for breaking into a woman’s car and carting off almost $320,000 in cash and other items. Albert DeFreitas, Jr is charged for the offence which alleged that on January 31 at Parade Street, Georgetown, he stole a handbag, cellphone, laptop and other items, property of Shelly Haynes. He denied the charge. According to the facts presented in court by Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore, on the day in question, Haynes parked her motor car along Parade Street and went into a nearby school. Upon her return she discovered that the right side door of her vehicle was tampered with and her items missing. The matter was reported to the police station and investigators, upon reviewing nearby CCTV footage, saw images of the accused break-
Albert DeFreitas Jr
ing into Haynes’ car and removing the articles. Moore further pointed out that the accused, when arrested by the police, handed over the stolen laptop and cellphone. The magistrate remanded DeFreitas to prison until February 26. Last December, DeFreitas was charged for a similar offence after he allegedly broke into a car at the Kingston Seawalls. He is currently on trial before Magistrate Annett Singh for that offence.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Region Two completes award of capital works contracts RESIDENTS living in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) will soon be experiencing tremendous transformation in almost all sectors since the Region’s Tender Board (RTB) has completed the awarding of its capital projects for 2018. This is according to Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson, who said 2018 is a truly transformational period for Region Two and residents can expect significant infra-
structural changes. He said that all of the capital projects have been awarded except those that have to go to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board. Current projects, he said, are now being advertised. “All we need to develop Region Two is co-operation from the various NDCs and the RDC. One beautiful thing is that we are prepared to work this year with them to make things happen,” Hopkinson said.
Some of the Capital projects awarded included rehabilitation of State House Anna Regina Phase 4; rehabilitation of South Gate Westbury; rehabilitation of Unu Creek sluice; construction of a timber revetment at Riverstown Creek Phase 2; rehabilitation of drainage and canal embankment at Amazon, Charity; rehabilitation of box culvert at Perseverance; upgrading of road network at Cotton Field compound; and the rehabilitation of
the Oscar Joseph Hospital at Charity, among other projects. The Region had saved $118,280,485 from its Capital budget and $131,338,854 from its Current projects last year. Those monies, the REO said, were used to further develop the Region, especially to offer improved drainage and irrigation. “GIVING POWER TO THE NDCS” This year the Region will be passing the major-
ity of the responsibilities to the five Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), which will lead to their improving their functioning. The NDC will act as the ‘Clerk of Works’ for projects conducted within their areas on behalf of the Regional Administration and will be paid for doing so. “The NDC will be paid to monitor projects; the engineer will also do his part, but the engineer cannot see everything,
so we have to get people from the NDC to be part and parcel,” Hopkinson said. The REO further stated that with the revenues that will be earned from the monitoring of projects, more development can take place within their communities. He further explained that the Region also intends to have more consultative outreaches within the communities, especially b e f o r e t h e c o m m e n c ement of the projects.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Aries Sometimes, all your efforts to keep your life running smoothly seem to be for naught. You might even reach the conclusion that trying to prevent everything from falling apart is futile. Although the remnants of your previous schedule won’t offer much security, there’s also a sense of freedom that comes from your current lack of plans. You are attracted to playing outside the restraint of rules today and are willing to pay the price for your adventure. Author Paulo Coelho wrote, “Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” Taurus You’re often resistant to changes that are not already part of your strategy. In fact, your determination to stay on course today is as strong as ever. Nevertheless, you might surprise yourself with a sudden bout of flexibility now, especially if someone offers you an opportunity to expand your vision and, maybe, even make a few bucks in the process. Although you still possess the stamina to finish whatever you start today, your current attention span is not as long as you think. Fortunately, you can improve your productivity by starving your distractions and feeding your focus. Gemini You are fascinated with the myriad of possibilities that stretch out before you, but the notion of striving for success seems empty if it lacks excitement. You’re totally captivated by the most unconventional ideas, but some visions may be so unrealistic that your efforts toward manifesting them would go to waste. You can continue to build pipedreams one whim at a time or you can shift gears and concentrate on the more practical side of life. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” Cancer You are driven by your need to express what’s in your heart today, but it might not be as easy as it sounds. Part of the problem is the intensity of your current feelings, and you’re concerned that a direct approach will be upsetting to others. Although you could, in fact, shock people with your matter-of-fact style now, their reactions to your truth is not your problem unless you let it become one. Trust the process of disclosure, even if it’s uncomfortable at first. President Thomas Jefferson wrote, “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” Leo Someone may surprise you today by sharing their appreciation of you in a straightforward manner. Although this unexpected declaration could lead to a deepening of a friendship or a business partnership, it might also strengthen an emotional connection. But don’t build your hopes too high about a romantic involvement because there are variations of expectations that need to be addressed first. Nevertheless, author Todd Ruthman wrote, “It is the things in common that make relationships enjoyable, but it is the little differences that make them interesting.” Virgo Your observation that dynamics at work are unstable could lead you to worry about your job. Although there may be unresolvable problems with coworkers who appear to be disinterested in following through with their promises, you still hope to continue in your current position for a while longer. You’re not ready for reality to make employment decisions for you; you want to change your plans, but not quite yet. In the meantime, focus on your work rather than on anyone else. As Abraham Lincoln said, “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” Libra You’re longing for something momentous to happen in your love life now. You might even intentionally create a bit of mischief just for the sake of adding excitement into your day. Normally, you steer clear of this type of destabilizing behaviour, but today your boredom outweighs your need for harmony. Don’t slip into denial; listen to the frustration buried in your restless heart. Screenwriter Tate Taylor wrote, After all, the ordinary hero hiding in each of us is often the most powerful catalyst for change. Scorpio Every cell in your body is rebelling against the status quo and you can’t even imagine doing the same thing in exactly the same way today. From a rational perspective, there are areas of your life that are functioning fine and some that may not be doing as well. You might think you must focus on the unsuccessful parts and bring them up to your high standards. Nevertheless, it could be wiser to just walk away from unfinished business now. To paraphrase Toni Morrison, if you want to fly, you must give up what weighs you down. Sagittarius Most people who know you well aren’t too bothered if you behave arrogantly because they understand your intentions are honourable. Nevertheless, you could say something that is quite outrageous today. Keep in mind that you’re not likely to buy the party line, since you’re currently attracted to unorthodox people and radical ideas. However, you’re not trying to upset anyone; you’re only putting your position out in the open. Novelist Margaret Deland wrote, “Every new truth begins in a shocking heresy.” Capricorn Your current inflexibility is problematic today. You can see the most reliable path into the future and may grow convinced that it’s your only viable option. But your certainty creates more complications than you realize. You might turn down a wonderful opportunity because it’s outside your preconceived trajectory. Fortunately, you have the ability to significantly improve your life by widening your perspective and experimenting with new methods to reach your well-defined goals. Albert Einstein said, “The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size.” Aquarius You have a few tricks up your sleeve today and are prepared to use your magic as needed. Although you are eager to take others under your care, your behaviour is not only altruistic. You really do enjoy nurturing your coworkers now, but your actions also impact your life in a positive manner. Your friendly nature enables you to get what you want, especially when you turn on the charm. Nevertheless, don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re playing with a few extra aces at your disposal, giving you the distinct advantage in most interactions. Honourable intentions lead to honourable results. Pisces You might expect everyone to know what you want today without ever saying a word. You believe that you are transparent enough now that anyone who cares about you should be able to tell. Unfortunately, this line of thinking will not turn out well; your non-verbal cues are less effective than you think. Thankfully, you can remedy the potential problem without too much effort by taking a few minutes to voice your desires. Stevie Wonder said, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 6, 2018
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 6, 2018
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American Racing Tips Mahoning Valley Race 1 Major Drama Race 2 Ten Cent Hat Race 3 The Last Card Race 4 Western Tryst Race 5 Beachtown Benny Race 6 Trappingsofsilver Race 7 Stephanie’s Faith Race 8 Timefadesthepages South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:35 hrs Whorly Whorly 09:10 hrs Ouro 09:45 hrs Pure Blonde 10:20 hrs My Favourite Brown 10:55 hrs Being Fabulous 11:30 hrs Flowing Gown English Racing Tips Southwell 09:30 hrs Pacific Fleet 10:00 hrs Odds On 10:30 hrs Helen Sherbet 11:05 hrs Foolaad 11:35 hrs Sir Geoffrey 12:10 hrs Jack Blane 12:40 hrs Star Ascending Sedgefield 09:40 hrs Final Reminder 10:10 hrs Skipping On 10:45 hrs Brecon Hill 11:15 hrs Cash Again 11;50 hrs Henry’s Joy 12:20 hrs The Delray Munky Market Rasen 09:50 hrs Oistrakh Le Noir 10:20 hrs Stocial Patient 10:55 hrs Knight In Dubai 11:25 hrs Generous Day 12:00 hrs Romulus Donjon 12:30 hrs Cousin Pete
‘Fishy and Friends’ 125 miles ride a resounding success CYCLISTS and cycling enthusiasts turned out in their numbers on Sunday to join in the ‘Fishy and Friends’ group ride to Linden. The group, which had a lone female rider; Denise Jeffrey, began their journey around 05:30hrs and set out for the mining town of Linden in a solid unit riding at controlled speeds of 18-20 miles per hour. It was a fairly uneventful and smooth ride according to the organiser of the event, Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams. He described the ride as “lovely, it went
great!” The idea attracted the attention of a lot of cyclists and even some private entities along with other individuals. Cycling club Team Evolution was also part of the event and donated snacks among other things to the group riders. The club also donated beverages, sandwiches and eight chickens to the 125mile group. Williams had revealed that it was “the start of something new which I plan to continue to do across the country”.
Linden Games set for February 9-11 WITH the aim of resuscitating sports tourism in Linden and promoting the development of Region 10 through sports, the Linden Youth Leaders Group, under the patronage of Mayor Carwyn Holland, will be hosting the first-ever Linden Games from February 9 to 11. The undertaking by the non-governmental organisation is also an effort to encourage fitness, healthy living, sports tourism, Linden’s hospitality and to engage the constituencies in celebrating Linden’s sports-loving town. The Linden Games will feature several disciplines and the town’s top sportsmen and women, while providing a platform to massively promote cohesion and sports entertainment in Linden. On Friday, February 9,
from 15:00hrs, the threeday event will start with an East versus West table tennis championship at the Mackenzie High School Auditorium, followed by male and female cricket competitions at the Bayroc Community Centre ground on Saturday, February 10, starting at 10:00hrs. Also on Saturday, the town’s top ballers, representing the communities located on the east and west of the Demerara River will square off in basketball at the Mackenzie Sports Club at 20:00hrs. Apart from cycling, swimming, track and field, and dominoes, a football game between Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League champions - Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Botofago - will bring the curtain down on the inaugural Linden Games. From back page ►
Ex-USA Gymnastics...
abuse, many choosing to testify only after watching fellow survivors express a sense of catharsis. Friday’s hearing was briefly interrupted when Randall Margraves, whose three daughters were all Nassar victims, tried to attack Nassar in the courtroom before being tackled by officers. Prosecutors have said there are approximately 265 known victims in total, including Olympic gold medalists like McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisman. The scandal surrounding Nassar has reverberated far
beyond the sports world, sparking various investigations into why the U.S. Olympic Committee, sport governing body USA Gymnastics, and Michigan State University, where he also worked, failed to investigate complaints about him going back years. High-level officials at USA Gymnastics and Michigan State have been forced to resign in recent weeks. The U.S. Olympic Committee has launched an investigation into its own conduct as well as that of USA Gymnastics.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 6, 2018
Hussain achieves Unique Open title ALEEM Hussain won his second golf tournament for the year at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) Unique Open tournament last Saturday. Saturday’s action teed off a little after 08:00hrs with several local golfers vying for the numerous prizes and honours which were at stake. In a tournament which saw one group play in the morning while another took to the greens in the afternoon,
the LGC president shot a near perfect Gross 64/Net 15 under some murky conditions to bag first place. Second place went to Club vice-president Peyton George who racked up a 67 Gross/Net 23, with Richard Haniff sealing off the top three with his 67 Gross and Net 15. Best Gross went to Mike Mangal while Nearest the Pin was won by the man responsible for having the course
SA wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock ruled out of India series
Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock ruled out for four weeks.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) South Africa’s worrisome injury-list has lengthened after wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock was ruled out for up to four weeks with a wrist injury, officials said yesterday. de Kock joins stalwarts Faf du Plessis, Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers on the sidelines, though the latter is expected to resume training in the next few days. de Kock was injured during South Africa’s heavy nine-wicket loss to India in the second match of their six-game series in Pretoria on Sunday which the hosts lost to go down 2-0 ahead of the third fixture in Cape Town tomorrow. “Quinton suffered an extreme blow to the left wrist while batting in the second ODI on Sunday and felt severe pain and discomfort,” team manager Mohammed Moosajee said in a media release from Cricket South Africa. ”Further investigation revealed severe bony bruising to the area, with associated swelling around the tendon in the wrist. “This type of injury will require between 2-4 weeks to heal, which subsequently rules him out of the remainder of the ODI and T20 series against India.” South Africa already have uncapped wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen in their squad. du Plessis (finger), Steyn (heel) and de Kock will now face a race against time to be fit for the first of four home Tests against Australia that start on March. 1.
in such immaculate shape grounds superintendent Mike Gayadin. With the LGC pitching a new idea of having an annual Club Champ, points allocation towards the new Champion saw: Mike Gayadin G69/N13 4th; Roy Cummings G69/N13 5th; William Walker G69/N9 6th; Mike Mangal G70/N8 7th; Fazil Haniff G72/N14 8th; Haresh Tiwari G72/N18 9th; and Bridgelall Harry G73/N16
(From left) William Walker (for Richard Haniff), Peyton George, Mike Mangal, Aleem Hussain and Mike Gayadin
10th. Vouchers were also presented to the winners by the daughter of captain Chatterpaul Deo, two-time Women’s national champion Dr Joann
Deo. Meanwhile, in his brief remarks, Hussain said it was a good day for him but he was wary of his competition. “I had to keep
focused, because the competition in my group was fierce. Both Richard (3rd) and Haresh were neckand-neck with me until close to the finish.”
Amateur boxing body plays down IOC threat By Kate Kopczyk AMATEUR boxing’s governing body says it is “confident” the sport will be at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) has told BBC Sport it will “satisfy” the concerns of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, said he remains “extremely worried” about the AIBA’s governance and finance procedures. Bach had suggested boxing’s Olympic place could be under threat. Pat Fiacco, who is a member of the AIBA executive committee, said: “We are working in partnership with the IOC to ensure that we correct all of the mismanagement issues from the previous AIBA leadership that has created these problems. “We will ensure that we satisfy the IOC concerns. We are confident that the great sport of boxing will not be removed from the Youth Olympic Games and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.” After a two-day meeting of the IOC board in Pyeongchang ahead of the Winter Olympics, Bach confirmed an investigation has now been opened, led by the body’s chief of ethics and compliance officer. The IOC decided to uphold its decision, first taken in December 2017, to suspend funding for the AIBA until it could prove it had tightened up its governance. Bach added: “We are extremely worried about the governance in AIBA. The IOC reserves the right to review the inclusion of boxing on the programme of the Youth Olympic Games Bue-
nos Aires 2018 and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.” All contracts with AIBA have been frozen and the body
authority to the AIBA executive committee,” he added. Rakhimov was given the role after the previous president, Dr
still looking into this issue,” he told a news conference on Sunday. A threat to Olympic boxing
Nicola Adams was the first female boxer to win gold at the Olympics in 2012 and first to do the double in 2016
now says it will present a further report to the IOC by the end of April. The AIBA has described the decision as “extremely disappointing” and said it hoped the IOC board understands “that the processes necessary to implement even more measures require more time and the positive steps already taken in recent times are evidence of AIBA’s strong efforts and willingness to reform.” Last week, the IOC voiced concerns over the AIBA’s interim president, Gafur Rakhimov, who has been described as “one of Uzbekistan’s leading criminals” by the US Treasury Department. But Fiacco said they followed the rules for Rakhimov’s appointment, who has been a board member for the AIBA “for 20 years”. “We also changed the AIBA statute that now reduces the power of the president and now gives more responsibility and
Ching-Kuo Wu, was suspended over claims of mismanagement. “We took the actions that we did because we needed to stop the damage that this was causing our great sport and organisation,” Fiacco said. “We are confident that with the changes we have made to our statutes and with all of the reviews we are currently conducting through our partnership with the IOC we will ensure that the reputation of our sport is once again a very good one.” Bach has also admitted that refereeing in the sport is still a key part of the IOC inquiry. Scoring procedures of referees and judges during the Rio Olympics in 2016 were reviewed following the Games and the IOC president said those concerns remain now. “From the fact that refereeing is part of the decision we already took in December last year and we were requesting more information, you can conclude we’re
would be a blow to the future of the sport in the UK, as a history of British success at the Games has often translated into success on the professional world stage. Amir Khan won a silver medal in Athens in 2004, becoming Britain’s youngest boxing Olympic medallist at 17. The former light-welterweight world champion has just announced his return to the ring after almost two years away from the sport. Nicola Adams is a two-time Olympic champion, after becoming the first woman to claim gold in boxing in London 2012. She followed that with gold in Rio in 2016 before turning professional in January 2017. Anthony Joshua, who took gold in London in 2012 and James DeGale, who claimed the Olympic crown in 2008 in Beijing, both came through the Olympic amateur system before going on to win world titles in the paid ranks. (BBC Sport)
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Dravid prideful after India U-19 World Cup triumph RAHUL Dravid hopes India Under-19s Cricket World Cup triumph is a stepping stone for great things to come following Saturday’s eight-wicket win over Australia. Having bowled Australia out for 216 in Mount Maunganui, India made light work of a moderate total, as
Manjot Kalra saw them home in style. The opener struck an unbeaten 101 from 102 balls with eight fours and three sixes as Dravid’s men reached their target with more than 11 overs to spare. The title is India’s first since 2012, having been beaten in the final by West Indies
two years ago, and the head coach hopes this success is the first of many for this crop of players. “I’m really proud of the boys and the effort they put in,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier for them. “Hopefully it’s a memory they’ll cherish for a long, long time, but hopefully not
the lasting memory and they have many more great moments and bigger things in future. “I don’t want to mention names but everyone in the support staff has put in a great effort. We do the best for the kids.” “I enjoyed it a lot,” added man-of-the-match Kalra.
India Under-19 winning coach Rahul Dravid
“The conditions were good. Not a difficult wicket, it was flat and good to bat on. It’s
been a great environment within the team and I’ve enjoyed that.”
SCA T20 tournament to take on added significance in 2018 By Frederick Halley
TORONTO, Canada - The Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) T20 tournament will take on added significance in the 2018 season as plans are afoot for the competition to be competed over a three-day period on what is referred to as a ‘long weekend’ in Toronto, encompassing a Monday holiday. Giving an outline of the plans at last Sunday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the Agincourt Community Centre, Scarborough here, SCA president Shiv Persaud said the games will
commence on Friday evening and climax on Sunday with the grand finale. In 2017, the matches were played mainly on Saturday mornings. Persaud also disclosed that the SCA will be endeavouring to add other entertaining attractions with the hope of attracting bumper crowds on all three days. The SCA will also reintroduce a third division this year which will see an expected eight new teams compete for top honours. This tournament will be played on a 35-over per team basis unlike the Elite, Premiere, First and Second divisions which are competed over 50 overs.
Four women’s teams, including newcomers Trinity Women’s Cricket Canada - a spin-off from Superstars, Kaisoca and Superstars will vie for supremacy in the women’s division. According to founder and president of Trinity Women’s Cricket Canada, Abigail Rajkumar, she decided to establish her own club with the professional expertise, vast experience, knowledge and success within the cricket community at a national, provincial, league, board member, player and team/club levels in Ontario, Canada. Rajkumar also pointed
Flashback: Abigail Rajkumar poses with her Canadian Cricket Umpires Association (CCUA) Level One umpiring certificate.
out that Trinity Women’s Cricket Canada members are also affiliated to the Ajax
Cricket Club. She boasted of being the person accredited for leading the way and achieving success in cricket development, growth in girls/ women, junior, youth and senior male cricket with her former club and taking it from being unknown to being successful. The unavailability of grounds, including the three at Ellesemere for the past two seasons, have been a source of worry for the SCA executives but according to Persaud strenuous efforts are being made to obtain other grounds. Chairman of the SCA Disciplinary Committee,
vice-president Bisham Singh disclosed that there was a marked decrease in disciplinary matters in 2018 while there were gaps in statistics keeping and registration of players because teams were not following the instructions on the website. He, however, pointed out that the SCA executives are working to correct that situation. Singh extended thanks to members of the committee “who gave their time and efforts to attend hearings” and also pointed to the improvement on team’s behaviour towards opposing teams and players and respect shown towards umpires.
Lewis century, Narine’s hat-trick maintain Red Force winning streak CAVE HILL, Barbados, Feb 5, CMC – A Sunil Narine hattrick and a typically exhilarating Evin Lewis hundred were all Trinidad and Tobago Red Force needed to brush aside the luckless Windward Islands Volcanoes by four wickets and post their third straight win of the Regional Super50. Chasing an unintimidating 223 for victory at 3Ws Oval here Monday, Red Force reached their target in 40th over, with the opener Lewis stroking exactly 100 and fellow left-hander Amir Jangoo scoring 41. West Indies one-day vice-captain, Jason Mohammed, saw Red Force over the line with an unbeaten 29, after they lost unnecessary wickets with victory already in sight. Red Force, who were crushed by title-holders Barbados Pride in their opening match almost a week ago, have now gone unbeaten since that debacle at Kensington Oval. Sent in, Volcanoes produced their best batting effort of the tournament – 222 all out off 48.3 overs – but it was not enough to
was stumped off the next ball while Williams was trapped lbw, to have the dubious honour of being the hat-trick victim. Smith had earlier anchored three successive half-century stands to put Volcanoes in a strong position at 166 for two in the 37th over. The left-hander, short of runs Sunil Narine bagged four for 25
prevent them suffering their third defeat in the trot. Their talisman Devon Smith broke out his rut to top-score with 68 while former Test batsman Kirk Edwards got 32, Andre Fletcher, 31, and opener Johnson Charles, 29 Once again, it was the exemplary Narine who starred for Red Force, finishing with four for 25 from his 10 overs. With Volcanoes looking for a strong finish, Narine dented their hopes by picking up a hat-trick in the 46th over when he knocked over Kavem Hodge (9), Delorn Johnson (0) and Kesrick Williams (0) in successive deliveries. Hodge was taken at the wicket by Denesh Ramdin, Johnson
Evin Lewis brought up his century off 88 balls.
in the tournament, faced 113 balls and struck just three fours as he first put on 65 for the first wicket with Charles before adding a further 51 with Fletcher for the second wicket. Charles faced 44 balls and counted four fours before perishing in the 17th over and Fletcher belted two fours and sixes off 41
deliveries before departing in the 28th over. Edwards then produced a fluent knock, carving out three fours and a six in a 25-ball cameo, as he added an up tempo 49-ball 50 for the third wicket with Smith. However, once he and Smith fell in successive overs, Volcanoes collapsed badly, losing their last eight wickets for 56 runs. Leg-spinner Imran Khan (225) and fast bowler Roshon Primus (2-59) finished with two wickets apiece. In reply, Lewis quickly took the game away from Volcanoes with his third consecutive score over fifty, smashing 10 fours and three sixes off 90 balls. More significantly, he propelled a 79-run first wicket partnership off 67 balls with Tion Webster (24) before putting on 85 for the second wicket with Jangoo, who faced 71 balls in a patient innings and struck just two fours. Lewis reached his half-century off 43 deliveries and brought up his hundred off 88 balls in the 27th over, with a single into the onside.
SCOREBOARD
VOLCANOES innings
D Smith c Lewis b Imran Khan 68 J Charles c wkp Ramdin b Pierre 29 +A Fletcher c Lewis b Narine 31 K Edwards b Primus 32 T Theophile st Ramdin b Imran Khan 5 K Hodge c wkp Ramdin b Narine 9 K Mayers b Cottrell 14 *S Shillingford b Primus 20 D Johnson st Ramdin b Narine 0 K Williams lbw b Narine 0 L Edward not out 1 Extras (lb4, w7, nb2) 13 TOTAL (all out, 48.3 overs) 222 Fall of wickets: 1-65, 2-116, 3-166, 4-173, 5-174, 6-193, 7-208, 8-208, 9-208, 10-222. Bowling: Cottrell 9-0-61-1, Primus 9.3-0-592, Narine 10-1-25-4, Pierre 10-1-28-1, Imran Khan 10-0-45-2. RED FORCE innings E Lewis c Williams b Edward 100 T Webster c Theophile b Shillingford 24 A Jangoo c Shillingford b Edward 41 N Pooran c Edwards b Edward 8 J Mohammed not out 29 *+D Ramdin c wkp Fletcher b Edward 8 R Primus c Charles b Shillingford 1 S Narine not out 4 Extras (lb1, w10) 11 TOTAL (6 wkts, 39.2 overs) 226 Did not bat: Imran Khan, S Cottrell, K Pierre. Fall of wickets: 1-79, 2-164, 3-174, 4-195, 5-221, 6-222. Bowling: Johnson 3-0-24-0, Hodge 4-0-320, Mayers 5-0-35-0, Shillingford 9.2-1-43-2, Williams 4-0-33-0, Theophile 6-0-20-0, Edward 8-0-38-4. Man-of-the-Match: Evin Lewis.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 6, 2018
Paul’s five-for trumps Cornwall’s 119 as Jaguars take narrow 19-run win A FIVE-FOR from pace bowler Keemo Paul led Guyana Jaguars to a narrow 19-run victory over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the CWI Super50 match-up at Coolidge Cricket Ground on Sunday. His efforts were, however, just about enough to stave off the efforts of big-hitting man-mountain Rahkeem Cornwall who blasted 119 from 94 balls in a losing effort. Amazingly Cornwall’s display of power hitting saw him clear the boundary on 10 occasions adding to four fours. After winning the toss and electing to bat the Jaguars, led by 99 from Leon Johnson, put up a sizeable 298 for 8 in their 50 overs. Veteran opener Shivnarine Chanderpaul quickly departed, being dismissed by Justin Athaneze in the fourth over. His opening partner Chandrapaul Hemraj was, however, joined at the crease by Shimron Hetmyer and the two put together a solid 50-ball partnership to repair the early damage. The partnership ended after Hemraj (20) was run-out by Jeremiah Lewis and Hetmyer (47) caught by Lewis off the bowling of Akeal Hosein. The Jaguars had plenty more to come, however, as Johnson’s enterprising 99
Keemo Paul
Leon Johnson
from 94, which included 10 fours, and powerful middle-order hitting from Raymon Reifer (36) and Anthony Bramble (40) pushed the score along for the four-day champions. In response to the total, the Leewards lost opener Kieran Powell early on. He was dislodged by Paul after putting just 12 runs on the board. The young pace bowler continued to rip through the top order, removing Devon Thomas for 10 and the Montcin Hodge, who blasted an enterprising 48 from 50.
In-between Raymon Reifer accounted for the wicket of Marlon Samuels who made 6 from six deliveries before being caught by Veerasammy Permaul. The big-hitting efforts of Cornwall and efficient running of Terance Ward 42 from 73, however, threatened to take the game away from Guyana. That was before Paul returned to account for both of them to leave the Leewards at 282 all out.
Jennings unbeaten century keeps England Lions afloat KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Test opener Keaton Jennings warmed up for the “Test” series against West Indies A with an unbeaten hundred but England Lions’ batsmen struggled on the opening day of their three-day tour match against a Jamaica XI here Monday. The left-hander, skipper of the touring side, struck 129 not out as Lions declared their first innings on 263 for eight after they were sent in. Alex Davies, batting at number eight, gathered a breezy 53 to rally the lower order. Fast bowler Reynard Leveridge (2-23), leg-spinner Damion Jacobs (2-63) and off-spinner Jamie Merchant (2-69) all finished with two wickets apiece. Lions had hit back strongly at the close, however, with seamers Jamie Porter (2-11) and Toby
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday February 06, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 2256158) Answers to Saturday’s quiz: (1) India (2) Manjot Kalra Today’s Quiz: (1) How many times India have now won the ICC Under 19 World Cup Title? (2) Who are India’s ICC Under 19 World Cup winning captains? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Rahkeem Cornwall
Keaton Jennings
Roland-Jones (2-19) both claiming two wickets apiece to reduce the hosts to 36 for four. Kennar Lewis showed some resistance with five boundaries in 22 from 26 balls before becoming the final wicket of the day. Jennings had earlier taken centre stage as his teammates floundered around him, failing to make the most of the outing. All told, he faced 207 balls in just under 5-1/2 hours at the crease, and struck 13 fours and two sixes. Jennings posted 40 for the first wicket with Haseeb Hameed (18), 35 for the third wicket with Liam Livingstone (11) and a further 37 for the sixth wicket with Ben Foakes (18). However, with Lions struggling on 159 for six, it was a 97-run, seventh wicket stand between Jennings and Davies which lifted the innings. Davies faced 80 balls and struck eight fours before falling lbw to Jacobs.
SCOREBOARD JAGUARS innings C. Hemraj run-out 20 S. Chanderpaul b Athanaze 6 S. Hetmyer c Louis b Hosein 47 L. Johnson run-out 99 R. Reifer c Warde b Cornwall 36 A. Bramble c Berridge b Louis 40 S. Rutherford not out 33 K. Paul c Athanaze b Mathew 6 R. Shepherd run-out 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-1, w-9) 11 Total: (8 wkts, 50 overs) 298 Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-58, 3-85, 4-210, 5-250, 6-277, 7-289, 8-294. Bowling: Mathew 10-0-64-1, Athanaze 10-0-45-1, Louis 8-0-511, Cornwall 10-2-23-1, Berridge 3-0-28-0, Hosein 6-0-65-1, Warde 3-0-20-0. HURRICANES innings M. Hodge c Paul b Bishoo 48 K. Powell b Paul 12 D. Thomas c Permaul b Paul 10 M. Samuels c Permaul b Reifer 6 R. Cornwall c Chanderpaul b Paul 119 T. Warde b Paul 42 A. Hosein c wkp. Bramble b Permaul 8 J. Louis c Paul b Rutherford 5 M. Mathew c Johnson b Paul 1 J. Athanaze not out 12 S. Berridge lbw b Rutherford 0 Extras: (b-4, lb-2, w-7, nb-6) 19 Total: (all out, 45.5 overs) 282 Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-48, 3-61, 4-112, 5-248, 6-259, 7-264, 8-267, 9-271. Bowling: Shepherd 3-0-24-0, Paul 10-0-76-5, Reifer 5-1-34-0, Permaul 10-1-48-1, Bishoo 10-1-60-1, Rutherford 7.5-0-34-2. Man-of-the-Match: Rahkeem Cornwall
London to host inaugural eight-nation Athletics World Cup LONDON, England (Reuters) - A new World Cup event, featuring eight leading athletics nations and intended to attract a wider audience to the sport, will take place in London this year, British Athletics said yesterday. Britain and the United States will compete along with South Africa, Poland, France, China, Germany and Jamaica in the inaugural World Cup from July 14 to 15 at London Stadium, venue for the 2012 Olympic athletics events and last year’s world championships. “This is one of the exciting innovative events we are seeing in our sport and our thanks go to British Athletics and the Mayor of London for creating it and hosting it,” International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Sebastian Coe said in a statement. “We have 8 lanes, 8 top nations, 8 teams and a host of world class athletes lining up in each event to win the trophy and prize pot. This will be a fast-paced and exhilarating experience for athletes and fans.” One male and one female athlete from each nation will be selected for every field event and each track race up to 1500 metres, with the total prize pot set at $2M over two evening sessions. UK Athletics Chairman Richard Bowker said the World Cup event was an extension of the original idea to host a competition between Britain and the U.S. Because other countries were keen to become involved, an eight-country format was devised to extend the
UK Athletics Chairman Richard Bowker
sport’s reach to a new audience. “The two sessions will be in the evening, under lights with straight finals. There will be no heats or rounds so it should be even more exciting,” he said, adding that it might become more than a one-off. “We hope this can become a major event. The best way to do that is to ensure the success of this first edition,” he said. Bowker defended the timing, which was criticised by British athlete Kelly Sotherton on social media for clashing with soccer’s World Cup final and Wimbledon tennis final. “We were obviously aware of the dates,” said Bowker, pointing out that organisers were constrained by the stadium sharing arrangement with Premier League soccer club West Ham United. “There is limited availability. We know the World Cup Final happens in the afternoon, UK time, so we would say that everyone can come along afterwards. What a fantastic weekend of sport that will be.”
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 6, 2018
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National records tumble at GAPLF Novices/Juniors Championships … White, Cummings shine By Michelangelo Jacobus AT 69 years of age, Noel Cummings set new national records in the 66kg Master 4 Raw category on Sunday at the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation’s (GAPLF) Novices/Juniors Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). In the first GAPLF
383.5kg. White finished first by squatting 145kg, bench pressing 62.5kg and deadlifting a national record weight of 175kg. Speaking to Chronicle Sport in an exclusive interview, Runita White who is also the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the GAPLF noted; “It was my first time
Nadina Taharally set new national records at Sunday’s GAPLF Novices/Juniors meet
National Record! Runita White squatting her way to the Female Junior Raw 84+Kg title
69-year-old Noel Cummings set a new national record for the Master 4 Raw deadlift.
meet of the year Cummings strained and muscled his way to lift a combined record weight of 340kg. The sexagenarian set the Master 4 Raw squat record at 115kg, the bench press record at 85kg and the deadlift at 140kg. Meanwhile, Runita White, competing in the Female Junior Raw 84+kg category, blew away her competitors amassing 313.511 Wilks points and lifting a total of
competing and I was a bit nervous for my first two lifts. After that I calmed down and did what I would do in gym, only this time there were more weights on the bar. My goals were to try my best and to enjoy myself”. Ede Tyrell copped two first-place finishes in the Female Open Novice Raw 72kg and the Female Master 1 Raw 72kg categories. The first-place finish-
es came courtesy of a total lift weight of 262.5kg and 373.709 Wilks points; Tyrell squatted 80kg, bench-pressed 57.5kg and had a deadlift of 125kg. Lisa Oudit and Nadina Taharally who were guest lifters at the meet set new national records in their respective categories. Oudit, lifting in the Female Open Raw 84kg category, eclipsed her previous records lifting a national record total weight of 328.5kg. Her new deadlift record now stands at 142.5kg while her bench press of 61kg is a new record also. In the Female Open Raw and Female Master 1 Raw 72kg categories, Taharally lifted a total record weight of 346kg; that further broke down to national records
PM Mitchell hails Lewis’ appointment as Windies team manager ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell has hailed the appointment of Rawl Lewis as the new manager of the West Indies senior team. While Cricket West Indies is yet to make a formal announcement, several media reports have said that Grenadian Lewis, a former West Indies and Windward Islands leg-spinner, has been appointed in the position for the ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe next month. He replaces legendary former West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner, who took up the position back in 2016. “We are pleased with this appointment and on
behalf of the government and people of Grenada, we express hearty congratulations to Lewis,” Mitchell said in a statement. “Lewis has been a symbol of discipline and a hard worker and motivator and we believe he would be a major source of much-needed motivation for a battered side which lost the Test series in New Zealand 2-0, the ODI series 3-0 and the T-20 series 2-0.” The 43-year-old joined Cricket West Indies eight years ago as a project officer in the operations department, tasked with helping to manage the board’s plethora of regional tournaments. In 2016, he was named team operations manager of
the Windies squad for their successful Twenty20 World Cup campaign. He has also helped to coordinate the regional umpires exchange programme along with playing a key role in the preparation of programmes for the West Indies Under-19s. Mitchell, a keen cricket enthusiast, said Lewis’ competencies made him ideal for the new role. “All Grenada must be proud of this son of the soil who brings a wealth of playing and administrative experience to the regional set-up,” said the Caribbean leader. During his international career, Lewis played five Tests and 28 One Day Internationals.
of an 123kg squat, 65.5kg bench press and a deadlift of 157.5kg. Other results are as follows: Female Equipped Novice Overall winner: Junica Pluck - Squat 100kg, Bench 60kg, Deadlift 125kg. Total 285kg, Wilks 314.041 Overall Male Novice RAW: Bjorn Williams: Total 622.5kg, Wilks 389.187 Overall Male Novice Equipped Timothy Bagla: Total 445kg, Wilks 383.412 Novices results Male 59kg Open Equipped Keshawn Rahiman, 1st place: Total 367.5, Wilks 335.417 66kg Open RAW Noel Cummings, 1st
Place: Total 340kg, Wilks 275.842 Rajiv Indarjeet, 2nd place: Total 340kg, Wilks 261.536 66kg Open RAW Timothy Romalho, 1st place: Total 452.5kg, Wilks 365.937 Timothy Bagla, 2nd Place: Total 445kg, Wilks 383.412 74kg Open Equipped Fawaz Rampertab, 1st place: Total 515kg, Wilks 381.152 74kg Open RAW Shivdatt Hansrag, 1st place: Total 432.5kg, Wilks 319.920 Christopher Sookdeo, 2nd place: Total 410kg, Wilks 294.913 83kg Open Equipped Sherlock Rigby, 1st Place: Total 447.5kg, Wilks 313.340 83kg Open Raw Matthew Maycock, 1st Place: Total 440kg, Wilks 302.588 105kg Open RAW Bjorn Williams, 1st Place: Total, 622.5kg, Wilks 389.187 Greg Stevens, 2nd Place: Total 440kg, Wilks 271.480 120kg Open Equipped
Ramzan Mohammed, 1st Place: Total 532.5, wilks 317.530 Male Junior Championship Overall Junior Equipped Gumdra Shewdas: Total 502.5kg, Age Wilks 501.688 Overall Junior RAW Brandon Badal: Total 525kg, Age Wilks 374.417 58kg Junior Equipped Gumendra Shewdas, 1st Place: 59kg Junior Equipped Keshawn Rahiman, 1st Place: Total 367.5kg, Age Wilks 335.417 66kg Junior RAW Rajiv Indarjeet, 1st Place: Total 320kg, Age Wilks 264.151 66kg Junior Equipped Timothy Romalho, 1st Place: Total 452.5kg, Age Wilks 376.915 74kg Junior Equipped Fawaz Rampertab, 1st Place: Total 515kg, Age wilks 392.586 83kg Sub-Junior RAW Brandon Badal, 1st Place: Total 525kg, Age Wilks 374.858
STP Investment Inc. on board with Legacy ‘Magnum Mash Cup’ STP Investment Inc. is the latest corporate entity to support the Legacy ‘Magnum Mash Cup’ futsal tournament, which kicked off over the weekend and will continue tonight with a series of matches at the National Gymnasium. Yesterday the company handed over the tournament’s third place prize of $100 000 to the organisers, with Amitabh Parshad stating his entity’s willingness to help in the development of the sport and also happy to play a role in the success of the competition. Kingston, who went down Linden’s Silver Bullets (5-0), will be looking to bounce back when they face Buxton Diamond, another team who suffered loss (1-0 to Sparta Boss in the night’s opening game from 19:00hrs. Showstoppers will look to stay unbeaten when they face Sophia in the second
STP Investment Inc. makes the presentation to Legacy’s Lomel Johnson (first from right) and Esan Griffith.
fixture and MBK Ballers and Back Circle will collide in game number three. At 20:00hrs, Broad Street and Albouystown ‘B’ are set to clash, following which, Ol Skool Ballers and New Market Street will face each other. California Square, who played to a 2-2 draw with NK Ballers on the first night, will come fact-to-face with Mocha at 20:40hrs. North East La Penitence and Alexander Village will both play their first game of the tournament at 21:00hrs, and following their clash,
Future Stars confront Champion Boys. In the evening’s final game, NK Ballers will be searching for their first win in the tournament against the usually stubborn Leopold Street team. Meanwhile, after tonight’s encounter the teams will return to action on February 8, 10, 11, 12, semi-finals on February 14 and final on February 18. The team finishing second will go home with $200 000, third-placers $100 000 and fourth-placers $50 000. (Rawle Toney)
National records tumble at GAPLF Novices/ Juniors Championships
Page 23
Ex-USA Gymnastics doctor gets up to 125 more years in prison for abuse By Steve Friess CHARLOTTE, Mich. (Reuters) - Former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to an additional 40 to 125 years in prison on Monday for molesting young female gymnasts, capping weeks of horrifying testimony from nearly 200 victims about his decades of abuse. Nassar, who previously received a 40-to-175-year sentence in Ingham County, Michigan, for sexual assault, was sentenced in neighboring Eaton County on Monday on a second set of charges. He is also serving a 60-year federal term for child pornography convictions. The doctor offered a brief apology to his victims on Monday, saying, “The visions of your testimonies will forever be present in my thoughts.” But Eaton County Circuit Judge Janice Cunningham said Nassar had again suggested in a pre-sentencing interview with authorities that his conduct was legitimate medical treatment. “I am not convinced that you truly understand that what you did was wrong, and the devastating impact that you have had on the victims, their families and friends,” she told Nassar. “Clearly you are in denial.
You don’t get it.” As Cunningham delivered Nassar’s sentence on Monday, Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to make her allegations of abuse public in 2016, smiled broadly and squeezed her husband’s hand. After Nassar was led out in handcuffs, a parade of victims lined up to hug and thank Denhollander. “I‘m just ready for it to be over,” Bailey Lorencen, who was abused by Nassar as a preteen gymnast, told Reuters. “It’s finally done.” “SOULS OF LITTLE CHILDREN” Athletes were drawn to Nassar for treatment due to his reputation as the go-to doctor for Olympic gymnasts. He disguised his digital penetration of victims as “intravaginal adjustment,” a legitimate treatment sometimes used to relieve pain. In both Ingham and Eaton counties, girls and women gave wrenching and powerful accounts of how Nassar abused them, sometimes with their own parents present in the exam room. Many said they spoke out to heal their own wounds Larry Nassar, a former team USA Gymnastics doctor who pleaded guilty in November 2017 and prevent future sexual to sexual assault charges, stands in court during his sentencing hearing in the Eaton County Court in Charlotte, Michigan, U.S., February 5, 2018. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook Turn to page 19
‘Fishy and Friends’ 125 miles ride a resounding success Page 19
Linden Games set for February 9-11 Page 19
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2018