Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 02 09 2016

No. 104662

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Public Servants wage hike

Gov't to go ahead with 10% …to keep union engaged, looks to 2017

Get education right

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...lest there be consequences ‒ Dr Roopnaraine

Pupils of Winfer Gardens Primary get ready to release a set of balloons in the air to signal the launch of Education Month (Delano Williams photo)

Teachers’ reports burn Olato Sam 21

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Miner killed 10 in Pomeroon boat accident P.

Accused ECD serial bandit remanded 10 P.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

President lauds First Peoples' fortitude

By Ravin Singh THE rich cultural heritage of Guyana’s first peoples,

the Amerindians, is under threat due to several factors which President David Granger said should not be

‒ in face of tremendous odds

allowed to go unchecked.

He made the observation last evening before hundreds of Indigenous Peoples, comprising nine nations, at the launch of Indigenous Heritage month, which is being celebrated this year under the theme, “Our Culture, Earth’s Future, Save the Environment, Live the Indigenous Way”.

Tasked with delivering the feature address at the annual event, which is marked by celebration in all forms, the president made no bones about examining critical issues facing indigenous communities across Guyana.

“Indigenous communities are the repository of the cultural heritage of our First Peoples,” he said, adding: “The cultural heritage of our indigenous communities, unfortunately, is under threat.”

SLOW ECONOMIC GROWTH He explained that by under threat, he meant, for instance, that the slow pace of economic growth continues to threaten the communities at reference, while limited economic opportunities continue to contribute to distress and migration.

In turn, this migration of

which he speaks, he said, has led to a loss in human capital to neighbouring towns in Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, all of which are Guyana’s immediate neighbours.

But economic challenges aside, he said, our indigenous communities are also plagued by social problems, which, unfortunately, continue to increase. He lists as

reckless mining and logging, and the abuse of miners and trafficking of persons. All of the foregoing, he said, have helped contribute to the deterioration of the quality of life in some hinterland communities.

DESPITE THE CHALLENGES But what is, however, admirable about Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples, the pres-

cay and economic decline,” President Granger told the gathering.

The Indigenous Peoples account for over 10 per cent of Guyana’s population of approximately 770,000 people, while they occupy over 14 per cent of the country’s territory in 212 communities.

In light of this, the president underscored the need for strong systems of government at the community level,

Participating in a traditional dance are: President David Granger, third right; Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife, Mrs Sita Nagamootoo, third and fourth right, respectively; and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, left (Photos by Delano Williams)

being among those challenges poor education standards in hinterland communities, vector-borne diseases, environmental degradation by

ident said, is that even with all these challenges, they are still the custodians of the patrimony of the country’s hinterland.

“It is they who protect our natural assets through their intimate relationship with nature,” he said. “The customs of our Indigenous Peoples can be preserved and protected, only if we have cohesive communities free from the threat of social de-

due to the distance between communities and the remoteness of their locations.

“Indigenous communities are remote, and need strong structure of government.

Management of these 212 communities is compounded by the complexities of issues they face,” he said, adding that due to small members and great distances, it is difficult to give them the quality

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Gov't to go ahead with 10% …to keep union engaged, looks to 2017 AMID the uncertainty as to whether the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) will accept or reject government’s final offer of 10% salary increase to the lowest-paid public servants, President David Granger said on Thursday that his administration will proceed with the package, even as he committed to continued engagement with the union for the rest of the year.

Speaking on his weekly programme, The Public Interest, President Granger said the 10% is as much as the government can do as of September 1, 2016. He said the administration was in the process of preparing its budget for an early reading in December and as such, they need to wrap up this aspect of their expenditures. President Granger said too that the final wages and salaries increase offer should not be viewed as unjust, but as what the government can afford at this time. Asked by a reporter how he will respond to reactions by some that the wage offer is unjust, Granger said: “It is not unjust; it is what is affordable at present.” President Granger justified the government’s final offer of 10 per cent for the lowest level of public servants and one per cent for the highest paid by stating that his administration did not anticipate the “volume of indebtedness” that exists.

He said government has been bailing out the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) at billions of dollars for years, while noting that there has been a drop in

commodity prices globally.

The fall in commodity prices has affected the country’s revenues. “We have not been able to find sufficient funding for the social agencies,” said President Granger, who noted that the University of Guyana (UG), the public school system and the health system are still in need of adequate funds. Government has lifted the old age pension ceiling, but it was not a significant increase.

“I am not saying that the public servants do not deserve more, but we did everything that is possible … we entered into negotiations in good faith…we haven’t discontinued negotiations, but that is the final offer we put on the table because we have to prepare next year’s budget and we have to tidy up this business before the next quarter,” he added.

The President noted too that he met with the Guyana Public Service Union’s (GPSU) President Patrick Yarde recently and stressed the need for an “efficient public service.” He told journalists on the programme that his administration will continue to engage the union.

Should the GPSU refuse the government’s offer, President Granger said government is prepared to proceed with that which it offered. “The award that we have put forward is as much as we can do as at the 1st September - we intend to proceed with that… we’d like to encourage the union to remain engaged with government’s negotiators, because we have to look at 2017 and as I said, there are

going to be other elements on the table…not only salary… there are other things the union requested of us.”

President Granger made it clear that talks have not been discontinued, but its offer to pay a 10 per cent increase to persons earning $99,000 or less, six per cent to persons who earn between $100,000 and $299,000, five per cent to public servants earning between $300,000 and $799,000, two per cent for those earning between $800,000 and $999,000 and one per cent for those earning above $1M still stands.

“We want to continue to speak with the union for the rest of this year so that we have an outcome in 2017 that is satisfactory to both sides,” the President declared.

The GPSU last Thursday said government’s “final offer” on the wages and salaries talks, will be decided upon today at the union’s General Council meeting and has maintained its argument that public servants ought to be provided with a “living wage.”

That union has been calling on the government to lift wages and salaries to a living wage, resolve the issue of de-bunching within the salary scales as well as to address the adequacy of allowances paid to public servants.

Negotiations between the APNU+AFC coalition government and the GPSU began in June this year and resulted with the government initially offering a 5.5 per cent increase for public servants earning below $100,000.

That proposal was rejected by

Bandits shoot Diamond ‒ flee businesswoman empty-handed A BUSINESSWOMAN operating a supermarket at her Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) residence was shot in the the face by bandits on Wednesday evening while attempting to secure her premises. Police say 56-year-old Gomattie Ramrattan was going about her business as usual when she noticed two masked men scaling the rear fence of the property.

Springing into action, she rushed to close the back door so they couldn’t get

into the house proper, but one of the bandits saw her and promptly shot her.

But despite her incapacitation, Ramrattan succeeded in securing the premises, thereby leaving the bandits no alternative than to flee empty-handed.

The badly injured mother of two, meanwhile, was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, from whence she was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital to undergo surgery. Police are investigating.

Injured businesswoman, Gomattie Ramrattan

President David Granger

the GPSU. Instead, the union proposed a flat increase of $7,500 monthly added to the salaries of public servants at December 31, 2015, as well as to the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each of bands 1 – 14 of the Schedule of Salary in the Public Service; and a 25 per cent increase across the board to the salary of all public servants as well as the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each of the bands 1- 14.

For 2017, it was proposed that there be a flat increase of $7,000 monthly added to the salaries of public servants at the end of December 2016, along with the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each band. Additionally, a 20 per cent increase across the board on all salaries as at December 2016 for public servants, coupled with the amount payable at the minimum and maximum

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

of each of the 14 bands.

In 2018, the GPSU recommended a flat increase of $9,000 monthly added to the salaries at the end of the previous year, as well as the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each band. A 20 per cent across the board was also recommended in 2018. The union noted that in each of the years an additional increase should be provided for to cover inflation as determined by the Bureau of Statistics.

On Thursday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo called on the government to fulfil its manifesto promise to provide substantial salary increases for public servants. Jagdeo, a former president, said the one-year- old administration is playing “fancy footworks again,” referencing the salary increases granted last year for government ministers. He argued that public servants at

the lower end of the tier will not benefit from a 10 per cent as stated by the government, but between a six and seven per cent increase in their salaries.

“They promised the public servants substantial increases; secondly, they took the huge salary increases for themselves. When you look at the weighted average, it is not 10 per cent. [They] announced a high percentage but made it effective from July the last time. It is fancy footworks again. When you look at the weighted average, this could be depending on the dispersing and how many people are in different categories, it may be around 6-6.5/ 7 per cent increase across the board.”

The former president cautioned citizens that they should examine government’s proposal carefully.

“People have to be very, very careful about this,” he said, while noting that the government has “tens of billions of dollars sitting in bank accounts of these entities; they had argued we were keeping money outside of the Consolidated Fund to steal.”

Jagdeo said with the alleged amount outside of the Consolidated Fund, government can afford to meet the requests of the union.

“It is either they transfer it in now and fulfil their elections promises, or I think if they transfer it in now then the GPSU’s demand will be payable,” said Jagdeo.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Venezuela sees huge rival marches

HUNDREDS of thousands of rival demonstrators in Venezuela are marching through the streets of the capital, Caracas.

One group is calling for the removal of President Nicolas Maduro.

They blame him for Venezuela’s deep economic crisis, and accuse the electoral commission of deliberately delaying a referendum that could shorten his stay in power.

Supporters of Mr Maduro are also rallying in huge numbers.

The government accuses the opposition of trying to mount a coup. It said the opposition had failed to attract the one million people

they were expecting in their march, in what the authorities dubbed the “Takeover of Caracas”.

“The nation has triumphed; they wanted to intimidate the people, but the people are here,” said Mr Maduro at a rally in central Caracas.

But opposition leaders said their protest had gathered at least their anticipated one million people.

“We have shown to the world the importance of Venezuela, and how much it wants change,” said opposition politician, Jesus Torrealba.

Dressed predominantly in white, they chanted “We are going to bring down Maduro.”

Protesters said they had enough of the policies of the governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela.

“We are going to defeat

Even members of indigenous groups came to Caracas to take part in yesterday’s rally hunger, crime, inflation and corruption. They’ve done nothing in 17 years; their time is finished,” Naty Gutierrez told Reuters.

In the run-up to the march, a number of opposition politicians were detained.

Last week, Daniel Ceballos of the opposition ‘Popular Will’ party was returned to prison, after having spent a year under house arrest awaiting trial on charges of rebellion.

The Interior Ministry said he was planning on escaping from house arrest

to carry out acts of violence during yesterday’s rally.

Mr Ceballos was one of the politicians arrested in 2014 over violent anti-government protests that swept through Venezuela at the time.

Forty-three people on both sides of the political divide where killed during those protests.

‘Popular Will’ party activists, Carlos Melo and Yon Goicoechea have also been arrested over the past few days, the first suspected of carrying a “detonator cord”, and the latter of carrying

explosives.

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles said he hoped that they could fill the main avenues of Caracas with people protesting peacefully.

The opposition hopes the march will pressure the electoral authorities into allowing them to launch the second petition needed to trigger the recall referendum as soon as possible.

Timing is key, as the date

Rocket explodes at Cape Canaveral A ROCKET operated by the aerospace company, SpaceX, has exploded on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral where it was being test-fired ahead of a launch.

The force of the blast shook buildings several miles away.

SpaceX said “an anomaly” had occurred while the rocket was being loaded with fuel, but that no-one was injured.

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when the referendum is held will determine what happens next.

If a referendum should go against the president before 10 January, new elections will be held, which the opposition hopes to win.

But if it is held after that date and Mr Maduro is recalled, his loyal vice-president will serve out the end of his term until 2019.

(BBC)

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The rocket’s payload, an Israeli-built communications satellite for Facebook, due to be launched tomorrow, was also destroyed, it added.

Facebook, in partnership with Eutelsat Communications, had been due to use the Amos-6 satellite to deliver broadband Internet coverage for swathes of sub-Saharan Africa as part of its Internet. org initiative.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Get education right …or nothing else will go right-Dr Roopnaraine

By Vishani Ragoobeer

EDUCATION Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine believes that greater emphasis must be placed in ensuring that the education system here is specifically tailored to be in the best interests of ‘each child.’

He was at the time giving the feature address at the launch of Education Month under the theme” Each Child Matters: Stakeholders Unite for the Enhancement of Education.”

“What I know and I am deeply convinced about, is that if we cannot get education right - then nothing else will go right. It is that fundamental,” Dr Roopnaraine told the gathering at the launch.

He said that the theme for this month is “unique” as it places emphasis on “a truly child-centered education and the role of the stakeholders in this realisation.” He said too that this year, “the focus is on reiterating to the stakeholders how important education has been and continues to be to their very existence, growth and development as individuals and the development of society at large.”

The minister also said that the children, parents, educators, employers, private education providers and the government can be identified as stakeholders, but in this “mosaic” the children are the “central” figures since they are both the “objects and subjects,”

since they need to benefit and in turn, benefit the rest of society.

Improving and developing education is a feat that cannot be achieved only by the parents or educators, it is one which needs everyone’s input, Dr. Roopnaraine asserted, noting that a “fertile collaboration” is needed between the classroom and the home; “Education of the child is too important to be left only to the parents or only to teachers.”

The minister said government remains committed to the cohesion of the education system, pointing out that since last year’s education month to now there have been the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Education System and appointments of coordinators for the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and for the private schools in Guyana.

The CoI, he noted, “Is that process that will allow all of the stakeholders to express their relative, their reflective and perspective views of the system. This will allow for the creation of an education system that will enable the stakeholders to be both beneficiaries and benefactors,” the minister stated.

He closed his message by stating, “If we are to inspire our children, if we are to provide them with the necessary energy and the necessary skills to make themselves productive and whole human beings, then we have a lot of work to

do.” He added that this task “would be best done if we forge an active partnership between the schools and the home.”

Acting Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson, speaking to the theme that calls on all stakeholders, said “it is fundamental that the parent-teacher collaboration be enhanced and fostered.” He continued: “teachers have a fundamental role to play in helping children fulfill their dreams regardless of their socio-economic status” and that “the community spirit is a vital ingredient to the effectiveness of education delivery.”

Underscoring the need for all stakeholders to be involved in the development of education, this launch also featured messages from the PTA, the Guyana Teachers Union and UNICEF. PTA Representative, Mr. Robert Forrester sought to raise another view that not “every” child matters, but “each” child matters, regardless of their physical, social or economic differences but considering their individualities.

S i m i l a r l y, U N I C E F Representative to Guyana and Suriname, Ms. Marianne Flach said that “Education is a basic human right,” stating too that all rights of the child must be considered when providing them with an education.

“Enrolling your child into school is not enough,” she stated and added that all stakeholders must “create

Children of the Winfer Garden Primary School pose for a photo in celebration of Education Month with Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine (centre), UNICEF Representative to Guyana and Suriname, Ms. Marianne Flach (left) and Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton (right) an environment” that children would be comfortable in disregarding all inequities and considering their special needs. “Each child matter,” she said.

President of the Guyana Teachers Union, Mr. Mark Lyte on the other hand, said the theme is indeed “pertinent”. However, he noted

that a call to unite must not only come about when there is a launching of an event, but rather be at all times.

“For education to impact this nation some important things must be seriously considered,” he said.

The GTU President said that for positive changes to be made all

stakeholders must be given a “true sense of value” and much pride within the sector “must be buried.”

He said that the Ministry of Education needs stakeholders like the GTU, just as the GTU needs the ministry and added that parents also need to be involved.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Amerindian Heritage Month THIS month is designated Amerindian Heritage Month.

President Cheddi Jagan in 1995 declared the month to honour the contributions of the nation’s First Peoples, given its specific significance. On 10th September, 1957, Stephen Campbell was elected to the National Assembly, making him the first Amerindian to be a Member of Parliament.

This year’s observance will be held under the theme: “Our Culture, Earth’s future” and provides numerous opportunities for our diverse society to know more about the Amerindian community, and ways in which our common interests can be pursued to the collective growth and development of all the people and nation. For it is only through understanding, appreciation and respect for the other, accompanied by requisite institutional protection, can people in a multicultural society co-exist in peace and harmony.

This month’s event coming on the heels of the just concluded four-day conference of Amerindian Leaders (22nd- 26th August), presents additional opportunity to shine the spotlight on the equal importance of this group to nation-building and their contributions thus far. Whereas the Toshaos conference allowed for the 212 indigenous communities meeting among themselves to craft a course of action for their development, including electing their leaders, Heritage Month allows for national and expansive participation in the unique cultures of our First Peoples.

To this country’s credit and that of its various administrations, there remain continuous efforts on the part of Government to ensure the Amerindian culture, i.e. way of life, gets its deserving space and respect in the national culture, that is, the Guyanese way of life. Such augur well for our national motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”

Though this community came to these shores through the Bering Strait of their own volition, the foundation of this society as we know it was laid on exploitation and discrimination, and ensnared the group as the first casualty. Thus today, this oneness of experience-though groups have been affected by varying degrees- requires of us in seeking to understand the heritage of the other, to do so with open, enquiring and receptive minds.

This year’s theme addresses the earth, more particularly its future, in the context of the Amerindian culture. It is to this nation’s benefit to learn how this community, who primarily occupy the hinterland regions, has been able to co-exist with nature through the centuries. Also, when the world is also looking at alternative medicine, foods and other merchandise, including those organically grown and preserved, lessons can be learnt and economic and employment opportunities present from and within this community.

Where emphases are placed on Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, which entail good environmental practices and the use and proper management of indigenous resources, those on the coastland can be empowered with knowledge from their hinterland counterparts. The fascination and fierce loyalty to modern technology, it should be borne in mind that over the ages this would have evolved from earliest man’s intuition and wisdom in understanding the environment and developing the tools to enhance his well-being.

For instance, before the clock man told time from the sun, understood weather patterns and planned farming events through observation of atmospheric factors with almost scientific accuracy. Such techniques have been preserved in some communities. And though such may today be considered ‘backward’, technological advancement could not have taken place without them and it would be good for the society to hear

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Pandit clears air on controversial presentation Dear editor,

I AM penning this letter in relation to an article captioned “Heritage month interfaith service marred by controversial presentation.” Guyana Times Thursday, September 1st, 2016.

Firstly, I wish to offer an apology to the Minister of Indigenous People’s, Affairs the Hon Mr Sidney Allicock, MP, and the indigenous peoples for this rather unfortunate turn of events, because the essence of my presentation, although it may seem controversial, was misrepresented by sections of the media.

My presentation was in no way meant to discredit our indigenous peoples and their ways of life or anyone, but was geared to promote mutual re-

spect for our indigenous culture whatever they may be despite some(if true) may conflict with our Constitution, because in my presentation I spoke to CULTURE that was part of the theme “Our culture, Earth’s people,” (save the environment, live the indigenous way) which states ‘culture is the behaviour patterns, beliefs, and other products of a particular group of people, such as values, work patterns, music, dress, diet and ceremonies, that are passed on from generation to generation.

A cultural group can be either large or small, but whatever its size, the group culture influences the identity, learning and social behaviour of its members.’ However, on the theme “save the environment,” I did not accuse Exxon Mobil of robbing earth as was reported by sections of

the media, but I used Exxon Mobil as a classic example to say, that we are taking from the earth what we did not put in; therefore, we should live the indigenous way by living in harmony with our environment and to take from the earth what we need and not selfishly take from it. Finally, I am convinced that I’m living in a neurotic society and this neurosis is so common, it is almost like walking on egg shells, where you have to measure your thoughts and weigh your words, but notwithstanding this, while I firmly support press freedom, I wish to remind the media that press freedom comes at the expense of responsible and objective reporting.

Regards Pandit Deodatt M. Tillack

President lauds First...

From page 2

The Surama Culture group doing a welcome dance at the launch of Indigenous Heritage Month yesterday at the Sophia Exhibition Ground

of governance they deserve.

As such, he charged the communities to strengthen its system of governance as they work towards building stronger communities with help from central Government.

A GOOD YEAR Meanwhile, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, reflected on events of the past year, saying that it was a watershed year.

“As we reflect on September 2015 to September 2016, we must focus on the

year ahead. I believe that it was a good year for the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana; it was a year when self-determination was a focal point for villages and leaders and the National Toshaos Council,” the minister said, adding that it was also a year in which youth became another focal point, referencing the Hinterland Youth Employment Scheme, which he said was touching the lives of about 2000 youths and 400 tutors.

“The programme is being able to frame the minds of

of these traditions. Similar stories can be said about the environment, including navigating the rainforests without modern technologies such as the compass, the ability to outsmart one’s prey, along with knowledge of the flora and fauna, including its nutritional and medicinal values.

In architecture, persons can witness the marvel of the ingenuity of the Wai Wai tribe in construction of the Umana Yana (Wai Wai meaning “meeting place of the people”) without nails. This structure is situated on Main Street adjacent to the Pegasus, (Le Meridien Hotel) and was constructed in 1972 during the Forbes Burnham administration for Guyana’s hosting of the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference. The building was used as the VIP Lounge and recreation centre for the dignitaries and has retained its pre-eminence for events hosting.

Outside of the above evidence can readily be seen in the

young people who are the key to success,” the minister said, adding: “Youths will strengthen the resolve of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana.”

Remarks were also made

by Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; Adviser to the Minister, Mervyn Williams; and representatives of Indigenous Peoples groups across the country.

Cultural presentations, including traditional singing and dancing by several

groups, also punctuated the programme, which lasted for just over two hours.

Complementing the launch were booths filled with art and craft, and perhaps the most anticipated item of indigenous culture, food.

The event, which facilitates the gathering of like-minded souls, will continue for the rest of the month, and feature exhibits, performances, and other cultural orientations dominating the heritage observance.

country’s name, Guyana ( i.e. land of many waters) national flag the Arrowhead, which pays homage to the potency of the arrow), national honours (Cacique Crown of Honour and Arrow of Achievement), coat of arms (crest is an Amerindian head-dress), in foods there are the renowned pepperpot and cassava bread, the airport (Timehri), and for relaxation the hammock, to name some.

Our Amerindian brothers and sisters have contributed to every facet of this nation’s growth and development and space will not allow the recounting of such. Neither will one month suffice in recounting this proud heritage. And though the children of independent Guyana have had the benefit of learning of the Amerindian heritage to varying degrees, creating more opportunities for deeper knowledge can only work to the holistic development of all the people.

Happy heritage month!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

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OP-ED

DPI flays PPP ‘misinformation’ on public servants’ salary hike

‒ says minimum-wage public servants pocket $235,980 more since May 2015 ‒ coalition gov’t working towards better salaries for public servants THE Department of Public Information provides the following comprehensive rebuttal to misinformation emanating from the opposition People’s Progressive Party. The latest installment has come via the PPP General-Secretary, Mr Clement Rohee.

The opposition-cuddling Guyana Times newspaper dutifully reported, in its Tuesday August 30th 2016 edition, “… Rohee noted that the 10 per cent increase was a betrayal of the Public Service and was not reflective of the 20 per cent increases promised by the coalition members on the campaign trail.” Mr. Rohee’s attention is directed to page 25 of the APNU+AFC Coalition’s manifesto, which states as follows: “The APNU+AFC Coalition will: “…increase the salaries of all government workers, on a graduated basis, with the lowest paid receiving a 10% rise”.”

Mr Rohee’s attention is further directed to page 81 of the 2015 budget presentation of the Minister of Finance, Mr Winston Jordan.

Item 6.17 reads: “Effective July 1, 2015, all other public servants will receive a 5 percent salary increase plus an additional $5,000 monthly. This, Mr. Speaker, will allow for a greater increase in the lower income brackets.

For example, a worker currently earning $50,000 will have a monthly increase of $7,500, or 15 percent; a person currently receiving

Director of Public Information, Imran Khan

a salary of $100,000 would get a 10 percent increase.

Since the bulk of the public servants earn $100,000 and below, these are substantial increases, more than was promised to these categories of workers.”

Minister Jordan went on to explain, as outlined in the chart below (which is extracted from the budget presentation), that the salary increases provided for in the Coalition Government’s first budget was, in fact, significantly above what was promised in its manifesto and amounted to an historic increase of 26.4% for the lowest-paid category of workers and 17.1% and 15% in the next bands.

In addition, in December of 2015, the Coalition Government made a oneoff payment of $50,000 to every public servant. To place this in a comparative context, under the PPP, a public servant earning the PPP minimum wage of

$39,540 for the second half of 2014 (July 1 to December 31) took home a total of $237,240. Under the Coalition Government, for the corresponding six-month period in 2015 (July 1, 2015 to December 31), the same employee took home $350,000 (representing $50,000 salary per month + $50,000 Christmas bonus in December).

Within the first 50 days in office, the Coalition Government put measures in place for the same worker to take home $112,760 more than they did under the PPP. Further, still under the Coalition Government, the tax threshold has been increased and is now pegged at $55,000 per month. Rohee’s attention is directed to page 73 of Minister Jordan’s 2016 budget presentation.

Item 6.13 reads: “Mr Speaker, I propose to amend the Income Tax Act to increase the income tax threshold to $660,000, from $600,000. With this measure, over 68,000 workers will be removed from the income tax roll, in addition to the fact that workers have an additional disposable income annually.” The DPI implores Mr Rohee not to ignore these facts and to eschew vacuous rhetoric and frantic politicking geared towards misleading the Guyanese public which is increasingly apathetic towards such hollow messaging.

CLARIFICATION OF WAGE BILL 2. Mr Rohee was also reported as saying that “Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo [who] at the 2016 May Day Rally declared that Government had set aside $43.8 billion and $6.63 billion for INCREASED benefits and allowances in the 2016 Budget, for public servants”.

What Prime Minister Nagamootoo, in fact, said is, “(T)his year the Coalition set aside $43.8 billion for wages and salaries, as employment costs; and an additional $6.6 billion for benefits and allowances”. The Prime Minister explained

that the total employment bill stands at $50.4 Billion in the 2016 estimates and added that “any increase has to await the report of the Lutchman Commission and negotiations…”

The Coalition Government recognises that public servants deserve higher salaries to compensate for the many years they had been kept in bondage on what was described as ‘starvation wages’ under the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar regimes. The Coalition Government, in 15 months in office, has had to stretch limited resources to conduct a concerted campaign in

defence of Guyana’s territorial integrity, rebuild the public service, fix broken infrastructure, control a rebellious prison population, combat the ravages of El Nino, combat crime, fight and contain ZIKA, pay hefty judgment sums for cases lost or mishandled under the previous administration and to host local government elections which were denied under the PPP government for 22 years.

UNTOLD STORY – public servants have taken home $235,980 more The untold story is that minimum-wage public ser-

vants have taken home a total of $789,540 for the 15 months of the Coalition Government being in office. Under the PPP they would have taken home $553,560 for the same period, a difference of $235,980.

GOOD FAITH The Coalition Government has demonstrably acted in good faith with regard to increase in public servants’ salaries and remains committed to the goal of realising the good life for all. The DPI appeals to the opposition PPP to act responsibly and honestly in the discourse of these and other matters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Bandits rob Coverden supermarket A FRUSTRATED businessman is seeking an audience with the Minister of Public Security and the Commissioner of Police after armed bandits robbed his supermarket at Coverden, East Bank Demerara and threated to kill his staff if the matter is reported to the police.

The robbery occurred at about 19:30pm Wednesday evening at Fresh Mart Supermarket, Coverden Public Road, East Bank Demerara, police said. No one was injured. Fearful for the safety of his staff and himself, the businessman, who requested anonymity, said that the police are investigation the matter but with all the videos, photographic and technical evidence submitted to the investigators, he is of the opinion that there is some reluctance in really solving the case.

The proprietor of the business is offering $1M cash reward for vital information leading to the capture of the robbers. “Two of the bandits were masked, one was unmasked and all

appear unwilling,” the businessman emphasised.

Underscoring that he has no confidence in some policemen the businessman said his dealing with some ranks at the Diamond and Providence Police Station leaves much to be desired from the police force.

“Every time I go to these stations and make important reports, the police ask me for a concrete lead such as names, location, vehicular num-

ber plates, descriptions of things I won’t have an idea of, I can only provide limited information that’s why I visit the police station in the first place to assist me,” the businessman explained. “If I know the information they wanted why would I not try to help them solve a case faster, or do they want citizens to take the law in their own hands and go about the place solving their own issues?”

The supermarket that was robbed One of the bandits from the CCTV footage

of them had guns. I gave the police the CCTV pictures and footage and the feeling I got is that they weren’t going to do anything because one of the officers told me they were closed for the night, I don’t know since when police station is close,” he explained.

He explained that the location from the stolen phone was even submitted to the police since he has someone in the telecommunications

sector who traced the stolen phone. “They (police) said they would have come back to the scene Thursday morning at 8am (and) now its minutes of 1pm and no one is here. The $1M I’m offering is to ensure that the men are caught, right now I have private people working on it and if they make a breakthrough I would like to deal with senior officers and give them the evidence since the police at Providence Station

Sonia Noel holding fund-raising fashion show for Henry Rodney LOCAL fashion guru Sonia Noel in keeping with her mantra to give back to society will be hosting a fund- raiser on Sunday, September 11, 2016 to assist comedian Henry Rodney and hairstylist and makeup artist for Guyana Fashion Weekend (GFW) with finances for their medical expenses.

Rodney started feeling weak sometime last year and noted that his ability to perform basis tasks became increasingly difficult as he slowed down tremendously. He had told the Guyana Chronicle that he was unable to stand for prolonged periods, even while performing on stage.

As such, the famous comedian sought treatment for his condition and was told by one doctor that he is “suspected” to have Parkinson’s disease. In a statement to the media, on Wednesday, Noel said ‘Style Mission’is a charitable event which comprises fashion with a purpose. Noel through her foundation named after her began the mission a few years ago. The Mission features her work and is designed to provide assistance to the less fortunate, and financially challenged.

“This year, Style Mission returns with a bang! Featuring a cross-section of local designers, all part of Guyana Fashion Week (GFW) 2016, under the creative direction of the Caribbean’s fashion guru, Richard Young,” a statement from Noel said.

According to Noel, this year’s event is aimed at assisting “two outstanding persons of the creative arts, seeking further medical attention.” This year’s Style Mission comes just ahead of the annual GFW and will highlight the work of designers, hairdressers and make-up artists. Additionally, the likes of Ron Robinson, Mirano Isaacs, Jennifer Thomas, Sonia Yard and Russell Lancaster are scheduled to participate.

There will also be a jewellery auction

by King’s Jewellery World and painting by Devina Deputron, as well as a “signature piece” by Noel. “Giving back is in my DNS,” said Noel, who believes that there is great need for philanthropy in Guyana. She was recently bestowed with an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from the Global Oved Dei Seminary and University (GODSU) in the United States.

“These accolades were given to me, but they are for the young girl or boys who are afraid to dream and think big,” Noel had said on her Facebook page recently.

The ‘Style Mission’ will be held at the Pegasus Hotel from 16:00hrs.Tickets cost $2500 and $4000, and are available at Nigel’s Supermarket and at the Pegasus Hotel.

Models pose in outfits designed

by Sonia Noel

Guyana participates in ICT conference in Shanghai THE Guyana team led by Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes is currently participating in a 3-day global integrated conference in Shanghai, China titled: “Huawei Connect 2016”.

The conference is part of the delegation’s agenda for the visit to China. A release from the Ministry noted that the main purpose of this visit is to engage the principals of Huawei Technology Company Ltd., the firm that constructed the US$32M E-Government network in coastal Guyana.

The three-day conference is a staple on Huawei’s annual global interface calendar. It provides a platform for the leaders in the ICT industry around the world to share assumptions, explore directions, and create theories that will propel the development of green, smart, information-driven societies in this 21st Century. This is according to William Xu, Huawei’s Chief Strategy Marketing Officer.

According to the release, the HUAWEI CONNECT conference this year has attracted some 20,000 leaders and experts from over 120 countries and regions. It is largely focused on the use of advanced Cloud technologies to upgrade the functioning of businesses while preserving ecosystems.

The Chinese company plans to launch nine flagship

Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes (centre), Floyd Levi, Head of the E-Government Unit (left) and Clement Henry, Manager of the Citizen Security Strengthening project, Ministry of Public Security

solutions during the conference, including Cloud storage, Cloud services and the SDN unified controller. These solutions will enable businesses and governments to transform much more quickly to digital operations. The platforms being presented have been designed for nine major ‘industries’ including government and public sector, finance, telecommunication, energy, and media.

The conference concludes today. The Ministerial team will then continue their engagements with Huawei’s principals at their Shenzhen headquarters, their factories and installations in Beijing and Shanghai. The delegation includes Floyd Levi, Head of the E-Government Unit, and Clement Henry, Manager of the Citizen Security Strengthening project, Ministry of Public Security.

This visit to China is multi-pronged. It is aimed at securing the long term viability of Guyana’s telecommunication networks, and acquiring technical assistance for the broad ICT expansion programme into all unserved areas, including Bartica, Linden, Kwakwani, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Annai, Lethem and the whole of the Hinterland region.

The team will also negotiate with Huawei for training resources that will ultimately provide a cadre of more than 50 certified and highly competent ICT Engineers. The latter is to push forward the expansion programme.

Guyana also anticipates that the application of advanced Cloud technologies will help us to create specialised ICT strategies that will improve our citizens’ security.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Health, a standard pillar ‒ of our human world IT IS surprising that we have never cultivated a policy of health consciousness that enveloped moving exhibits, translating the values of fruits, vegetables of all kinds and the benefits and dangers of meats into simplified wall posters for kitchens and snackettes.

There are simple ailments that we mention in passing conversation that we know so little about.

Years ago, as a bachelor, I had a good friend called ‘Bone-Dry Parker,’ a name that was attributed to him because of the dry coconuts he sold. He has since passed on.

There was this young man who did odds-and-ends jobs, always with a smile on his face.

JAUNDICE AND ‘BITTERS’ After not seeing him for a while, I enquired from Parker where this youngster was; Parker replied that he had died. Seems that he was afflicted by jaundice, and was advised to drink ‘bitters’; it killed him.

I thought at the time that is what you did when you had jaundice; no one had ever told me or the young man’s adviser otherwise.

Years later, I myself developed jaundice; Dr Hughley Hanoman was my doctor. I was in hospital for

eight to 10 days, and there I learnt all I had to know about that condition.

Do not use anything fatty, nor any ‘corilla bitters’; use jam on toast bread, and absolutely no eggs or pepperpot etc. I also stopped eating on the road. I was warned that a good source of jaundice is “recycled food”; food that wasn’t sold a day or two before; wasn’t properly stored; and that rats and roaches had urinated on.

My mother had 12 children; two didn’t make it, but 10 of us are alive. During the years I spent with her, I learnt that when fathering children, to let their mother[s] use lots of papaya and avocado pear so as to cleanse the skin of the babies before they’re born. I never researched the science, but it seems to be true so far.

I’ve seen avocado plastered on faces as a beauty treatment; eating it would be even more acute science, I’m positive.

‘BUSH MEDICINE’ In 2013, I bought what I considered an important local publication at Austin’s called, ‘USES OF MEDICAL PLANTS IN GUYANA,’ published by the Evergreen Club. This booklet was a first of its kind, from my experience, on local ‘Bush Medicine’.

And though I’m not quali-

fied to offer a critique on its content, I do recognise many of the plants catalogued.

And though I was unaware of their scientific names, it is an interesting publication nevertheless.

What I do lament, however, is that the format of the presentation did not do justice to its content.

But as a self-publisher, I well understand the financial constraints that would have placed restrictions on pages that should have had professionally done photographs or renderings of plants in full colour, rather than skewed illustrations that did not do display justice because of the space available.

We know very little of some of the simplest ailments that affect us; and as for the argument on how much sleep we need, most young men are misguided by adult males who subcribe to an adage I’ve coined over the years, which is that ‘Stupidity and wickedness also grow old’.

SLEEP DEPRIVATION The fact of the matter is that the old argument that when you’re young, you need only four to five hours of sleep per day simply does not hold water! How many young people have crashed, fatally, because of sleep deprivation.

I was at the Kuru Kuru College in its formative years when, while in a ‘Jeep’ heading there from Linden one night, a hectic argument ensued about the winner of the Linden Beauty Pageant, whose brother, ‘Sears’, worked at the college.

The next we knew was that one minute we were talking; the next we were awakening from a deep sleep that had overcome us like magic, and the ‘Jeep’ was swerving on the then lonely highway of its own accord.

Luckily, the driver was able to take a firm hold of the wheel, and edge the ‘Jeep’ into the brush for a necessary ‘five’. This was around 23:00hrs. When we

finally awoke, the sky was grey! We were both teenagers who hadn’t slept for more than seven hours in two days. And had it been the Linden highway of today, we most likely would have been dead. So much for the fictional abilities of youth!

NOTHING BUT WATER We are also unaware of a simple thirst-quenching source. I have a friend, a former paramilitary officer, who developed a serious condition over the past few years. He confessed to me that for the longest while, he’s been slaking his thirst with Coca Cola.

But he of all people should know better, because, for many years, one of the dictates of his military career was that his canteen was one of his best friends; that water is a matter of life and death.

Nothing else supplements water; not beers, beverages or energy drinks.

None can intercept dehydration but clean water.

I am yet to understand how my colleague, Dr. Desrey Fox, was wrongly diagnosed and allowed to die.

The Public Hospital has to be rehabilitated; too many horror stories emerge from that facility, and it’s the only destination for the 95% of cash-strapped Guyanese.

How can someone who has not passed English, Human Biology and Human and Social Biology become a nurse? Are the Cuba scholarship recipients returning as interns or doctors?

Sources in the medical field doubt the latter. Enormous problems like this cannot be fixed by the click of a finger, but the Ministry of Public Health needs to have an edu-tainment programme to help us not end up at any medical facility, with facts about whether cucumber and lemon juice actually help with hypertension.

Don’t assume that we know! And now you know that we don’t, don’t leave us in the dark!

Several injured in Moruca boat accident RELATIVES of several persons who were injured in a boat accident in the Moruca sub-region on Wednesday are calling on the authorities to arrest a popular boat operator who was allegedly involved in similar incidents in recent months.

According to reports, a boat which was piloted

by Cecil Rayman was traversing the waterway in the vicinity of the White Water village, loaded with passengers including schoolchildren, who were preparing for school, when another vessel came into their path.

That vessel was being operated by a well-known operator called ‘Scarface.’

This newspaper understands that Rayman and two passengers were flung from his vessel and were subsequently air-dashed to the city, where they are receiving medical attention. One of

the men is said to be critically injured and is a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Rayman’s relatives noted that the man was operating his vessel on the way to the Mabaruma area when the other vessel came into his path. He reported-

ly made attempts to pilot his boat into the bushes to avoid serious injury to his passengers.

Moruca residents reported that ‘Scarface’ has been responsible for several incidents in the past, some of which allegedly resulted in fatal conse-

quences. There have been several river accidents in the North West District in recent months, the most recent which occurred in the Aruka River last week, resulting in the deaths of two children. The children’s mother remains hospitalised.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Miner killed in Pomeroon boat accident A BOAT collision in the Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Wednesday night has left one man dead and two others escaping without any injuries, Commander of ‘G Division Superintendent Kevin Adonis has confirmed.

Dead is Ryan DeFreitas, 28, of Lower Pomeroon.

His brother Felix DeFreitas, 14 of Lower Pomeroon was not injured and another person called “Ray” was also not injured.

Reports reveal that DeFreitas was a passenger in one of the boats that was

involved in the collision and he was tossed overboard as a result of the accident. His body was later fished out of the river and taken to the Suddie Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem . The police have launched an investigation.

According to a relative, the dead man is the father of a four-year-old girl and previously worked as a gold miner. He recently stopped because of an accident in the interior that damaged his legs.

“He didn’t go in the backdam for a long time since an accident dam-

Dead: Ryan DeFreitas

aged both legs, so he was at home,” the relative told this publication “When he reach into the accident he was going to pick up some workmen for someone.”

Accused ECD serial bandit remanded

A handcuffed Shemroy Hackette before he entered the Magistrate’s court

AN accused serial robber operating on the East Coast Demerara was Thursday remanded to prison after being charged with ten offences he allegedly committed from July 1 - August 29, 2016.

Twenty-seven–year old Shemroy Hackette known as “Donkey” of Lot 137, Bare Root East Coast Demerara appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

He was remanded to prison until September 30, 2016 for a report on whether the matters will be tried summarily or indictable. He pleaded not guilty to two of the ten charges, which include two counts of being in possession of a pistol and matching ammunition; he was not required to plead to

the six counts of robbery under arms and two counts of discharging a loaded firearm.

It is alleged that on July 1, in the company of others armed with a shotgun Hackette robbed Xie-Thi-Fang of a iPhone 6, a quantity of Digicel and GT&T phone cards and $120,000 all totaling $380,000 the property of Xie-Thi-Fang.

Subsequently, on July 7, after robbing Chen-BiFen at gun point of items worth $85,000 at Coldingen, ECD he discharged a loaded firearm with intent to maim disfigure and cause grievous bodily harm at Lance Corporal Hilton Benjamin and Police Constable Mavin Richards, who were acting in execution of their duties at Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara.

Meanwhile on August

24, at Vryheid’s Lust, ECD in the company of others and armed with a gun, he allegedly robbed Elizabeth Lindy of $360,000 property of Cho-Fei and a cell phone property of Lindy, Kizzian Windsor of a cellphone worth $50,000 and from Sherman Persaud a cellphone of $29,000. Further, it is alleged that on August 29, at Enmore, ECD being armed with a shotgun Hackette robbed Hamid Ameer Ramlagan of $3M and a .32 Taurus pistol, a quantity of gold jewelry and a DVR system all valued at $383,000, the property of Maimoon Ramlagan.

It is also alleged that he had in his possession a 9mm pistol and twelve matching ammunition without being a holder of a fire arm license.

Police prosecutor, Sherlock King said bail should not be granted since Hackett may continue to commit more offences if he is granted pretrial liberty. It was also noted that investigations into the allegations are incomplete.

According to police, the suspect was positively identified during several identification parades conducted Wednesday in relation to six recent armed robberies. He was nabbed last Monday in Bare Root, East Coast Demerara.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Tender Board will be strengthened …to help speed up budgetary spending

President David Granger speaking to reporters on the sideline of an Interfaith Service held at the Indigenous Village to usher in Indigenous Heritage Month

THE capacity of the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTA) will be enhanced amid concerns over the pace at which the budget is being expended.

Reports indicate that less than 50 per cent of the 2016 National Budget has thus far been expended. Speaking on the issue on Wednesday, President Granger said his Government has taken note of the situation and has underscored the importance of establishing planning units across ministries, and boosting the capacity of the NPTA ahead of the 2017 National Budget.

In offering his justification, the President pointed out that the 15 Government ministries all utilize the services of the single board.

“The board obviously needs to be expanded or given the capability to remove the bottleneck. There is a bottleneck, it is not a question of administrative or governmental incompetence, there is a bottleneck,” President Granger said.

He noted that the Government is solving the problem in two parts. “One, we are establishing the planning units and two, broadening the National Procurement and Tender Administration.” The Pres-

ident said Government is also moving ahead with the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).

As such, he believes that by the end of the year, the process will be accelerated.

However, he is maintaining that at this stage it is a matter of planning and not incompetence on the part of the executing bodies.

“There needs to be more careful planning, so that the budgetary allocations could be spent in a timely manner.

It is a question of planning; there is no incompetence or inefficiency,” President Granger said.

In a recent interview with this newspaper, Finance Minister Winston Jordan described the situation as “unfavourable.”

He too emphasized the need to have the Public Procurement Tender Board strengthened along with other agencies. “For instance, we are already speeding up the process with the Public Tender Board. We are strengthening agencies and evaluating implementation processes,” he explained.

Among other considerations contributing to failure of the system, the Finance Minister said, was “so-called interference,” which is being removed.

He singled out Region Six to state that while months of controversy had existed there, and blame for sloth had been thrown on the Regional Executive Officer (REO), the failure has been recognized as having to do with slow implementation systems in the region.

Minister Jordan also believes that some agencies “May have been caught off guard with an early 2016 budget.” He opined that some agencies were “so accustomed to being relaxed and lackadaisical (in their approach to getting things done) that they were surprised by the early budget and were unable to get their footing.”

Months past Government’s first year in office, its officials are still trying to fix a lot of what is wrong with the system it inherited from the previous administration.

Minister Jordan declared: “Yes, it is embarrassing” to have spent such a meagre percentage of what has been budgeted for development so far into the year. However, he said increases in public sector wages, granted within the last couple of days, should take the Government a further $50B into the budget.

Gov’t to find lands for Konawaruk miners THE Ministry of Natural Resources has committed to sourcing state lands in the Potaro/Siparuni region for the small gold miners who were operating in the North Fork Backdam at Konawaruk before their equipment was seized by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Recently, the group of miners petitioned the Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, the Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes and GGMC Commissioner (ag) Newell Dennison, saying that they were tired of raiding lands in order to provide for themselves and families.

The miners had their equipment seized by mines officers attached to the GGMC and by law enforcement officers, because they were found working on lands belonging to Tesouro Resources (Mining).

During the meeting, the officials not only agreed to source state lands and/or engage Tesouro Resources with the hope of having sections of the mined-out area transferred to the small miners to execute a landreclamation project, but also agreed to have the seized equipment returned to the miners. However, the miners were mandated to sign a document, agree-

ing not to engage in illegal mining.

One of the miners, Garfield Wint, told the Guyana Chronicle that they are pleased with the commitment by the Government ministers “We are trying to get this land under a syndicate.

I don’t want it for myself, but for us and the future generation,” Wint told this newspaper.

As such, he said the group of miners that met with the Natural Resources Ministers on Tuesday is now in the process of forming a small miners union.

He said for too long, miners have gone unrepresented, contending that the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) does not look out for the “small man.”

“GGDMA don’t look out for a small man like me, they look out for the big miners. You can’t go and complain to GGDMA for these people, because GGDMA is a part of these people,” he posited.

Wint explained that the union will seek to fulfil a number of objectives, including increasing financial access to small miners, the establishment of a pension scheme and the execution of a number of community projects.

Minister Broomes had brought the miners’

concerns to light last week following a visit to Konawaruk. She had said that it breaks her heart to see miners suffering, explaining that the problems facing miners have been ongoing for decades, but she is hopeful there would soon be equality across the proverbial board in the mining industry.

Minister Broomes had visited the area earlier this year, and had promised to speak with Tesouro Mining.

“The area is a place where the company would not go back and work, but the lil crumbs off of the table is what you are asking for. I went back — I didn’t take your petition lightly — I went to the Commissioner Acting GGMC and I asked him to call the company in.

I am going to tell you quite frankly [that] the company said ‘no way, I don’t want them around’.”

She made it clear that neither she nor the GGMC can force the mining company to allow small miners to work on the worked-out mines.

“We need to look at how we deal with land… look at the mining permits so that we can come back to the table and re-examine the amount of land that you finish[sic] working, and what are you going to do with it now?” the minister declared.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Women dominate PNCR central executive

Attorney-at-Law James Bond

Chairperson of the National Council of Women, Volda Lawrence

Director of Sport Christopher Jones

City Mayor Patricia Chase–Green

THE Central Executive Committee of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has been released by the party and notably, the body is dominated by women. Of the twelve appointees, eight are females.

Meanwhile, Attorney-at-law James Bond and Director of Sport Christopher Jones join a number of party stalwarts who were elected to the committee during its recently concluded 19th Biennial Delegates’ Congress. Both Bond and Jones competed in the election for office bearers. Jones who was also competing for the post of Vice-Chairman dropped out of the race, while Bond who followed through secured 148 votes while other competitors including former Regional Chairman for Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica) Clement Corlette who secured 8 votes, Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence secured 396 votes while Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton, obtained 227.

Members of the Central Executive Committee are: Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix, Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, Attorney-at-Law James Bond, Vice-Chairperson of the PNCR’s North

American chapter Lurlene Nestor, Larry London, Carol Smith-Joseph, City Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, Hazel Pinder, Mortimer Mingo, Clement Corlette, Jennifer Ferreira-Dougal, Regional Chairman for Region Four, Genevieve Allen and Advisor to the Ministry of Education Cheryl Sampson.

The female arm of the party, the National Council of Women (NCW) also elected new officers; Volda Lawrence will serve as chairperson, while first and second Vice Chairpersons are Carol Smith-Joseph and Alshazie Baksh Ramlakhan respectively. Yonette Fortune has been elected Assistant National Secretary while Hazel Pinder and Ramwattie Jagdeo were elected Treasurer and Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer respectively.

Nineteen persons competed for position on the Central Committee of the NCW of which only fifteen of those persons were elected. President David Granger was returned unopposed as Leader of the Party, with Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, Lawrence and Norton returning as Chairman, First and Second Vice Chairpersons respectively.

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan has been elected Treasurer of the party.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

27 TRAINED TO OPERATE HEAVY-DUTY EQUIPMENT 4 as assessors and 10 in Region 7. It was also noted that soon, similar training will be conducted in Region 6.

The closing ceremony

was also attended by Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott.

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence bordered by Minister Keith Scott on the left and BIT Chairman Clinton Williams on the right. Also in photo are graduates of the Heavy Duty Equipment Training Programme and representatives of the programme

TWENTY-seven youths have been trained to operate heavy-duty equipment as part of a Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programme.

The Heavy-duty Equipment Programme, which forms part of the National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment, was facilitated by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Ministry of Social Protection, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Presidency – Office of Youth Empowerment.

In delivering the feature address during the closing ceremony, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence said the programme was designed with two primary objectives. “This initiative had a dual purpose; in the light of the increased demand for skilled heavy-duty equipment operators and the scarcity or complete absence of trained operators within all the administrative regions, the intention was to provide the opportunity for numerous young people to acquire skills that will make them employable in their respective regions and thereafter to be attached to the relevant ministries or transition to other areas to fulfill this need,” Minister Lawrence explained.

According to the minister, who also has responsibility for the Department of Labour, BIT has been sensitive to the needs of the job market. “BIT has embarked on programmes which are interspersed with practical content akin to the “incubation” period, at the end of which youths are provided with a pathway that can lead to the ownership of their own businesses,” Minister Lawrence further explained.

The BIT programme was initiated in 2013 based on a request from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO), which at the time has lost the majority of its graduates to the Mining Sector.

However, through the BIT programme, the num-

bers have increased significantly and many other sectors such as forestry and public infrastructure have benefitted from this expansion. To date, more than 350 youths have been trained through the BIT initiative.

An additional 30 is being trained in Mahdia.

“No doubt, we must raise our hats to the Board of Industrial Training for its foresight and commitment to the development of our youth through its programmes which are affordable, (and) provide adequate practice time and exposure to quality

training,” the Social Protection Minister posited.

She stated that as the country strives for economic sustainability, it is imperative that standards are established through the continuous training and education.

Just last week the Ministry of Social Protection, in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Population Fund convened a high level policy dialogue in an effort to craft programming for the advancement of adolescents and youths. Government, Minister Lawrence said, is cognizant of the issues af-

fecting youths, and is currently working to address them in order to harness and utilise their full potential.

Also delivering remarks at the closing ceremony was the chairman of BIT, Clinton Williams. Williams, in his remarks, explained that operators were drawn from five administrative regions to participate in the three months training programme.

According to him, BIT plans to train 135 persons in 2016 and 300 in 2017.

For the Guyana Police Force, 72 officers have already been trained in Region

Friday, September 2, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Saturday, September 3, 2016 - 05:30 hrs Sunday, September 4, 2016 - 05:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Aries Over-confidence or over-commitment, whether yours or someone else’s, is a warning sign that you’re reading a situation at work incorrectly. You may believe someone else isn’t doing his or her part. But don’t over-compensate today and sacrifice your integrity in the process, since the planetary focus on nebulous Neptune and inflationary Jupiter can produce promises without substance. It’s tempting to exaggerate when making your point, but being concise in communication with a specific goal in mind will be more fruitful. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Taurus There are fuzzy boundaries between a casual friendship and a more intimate connection today. Unfortunately, your brain may be going on vacation while retrograde Mercury stumbles into excessive Jupiter, distorting reality by magnifying the importance of a spontaneous conversation. In fact, a tense alliance between illusory Neptune and the Sun in your 5th House of Spontaneity creates an air of fantasy everywhere you turn. Be careful what you put in motion when offering someone your hand or your heart. Wait until your clarity returns before making your move.

Gemini You may feel like you’re lost in a Hall of Mirrors as you see a distorted version of the world reflected back at you today. It’s nearly impossible to know what’s real when the Sun forms a disquieting opposition with surreal Neptune. Disillusionment can follow if you allow yourself to be distracted by fantasies of sensual enjoyment rather than utilising your imagination for more practical purposes. Author John Maxwell wrote, “Dreams don’t work unless you do.”

Cancer Whether you are pursuing a passionate interest or promoting a creative project, ask specific questions to make sure your words are completely understood. The Sun opposes spiritual Neptune in your 9th House of Future Vision, infusing you with hope for a better tomorrow. Meanwhile, an abundant Mercury-Jupiter connection spews more creative ideas than you can use, enticing you with fantasies just beyond your reach. Honour your lofty aspirations with commitment and hard work, because fulfilling your dream is a gift to yourself that also inspires others.

Leo The people you work with might struggle to see your special gifts now, perhaps in part due to your own lack of clarity. Whatever the cause, you’re likely to be misunderstood when the Sun in your 2nd House of Self-Esteem opposes deceptive Neptune. Fortunately, you can still express your dreams effectively if you limit your vision and reveal the big picture step by step. Precision in communication can be yours if you simply stay on topic without any deviation. Once you make your point, stop talking long enough to let your words sink in.

Virgo You are the go-to person that everyone seems to rely on today, and your communication skills are on point. A highly intelligent conjunction of messenger Mercury with optimistic Jupiter empowers you to share what’s on your mind. However, your logic and reason are tested now that the Sun opposes delusional Neptune in your 7th House of Others. Compassion for someone who seems lost or simple gullibility might cloud your judgment. Nevertheless, relationship wounds may be healed if you can overlook petty differences and see the best in everyone.

Libra Although you might try to narrow your thinking and filter out excess noise with so many planets in critical Virgo, mental Mercury’s alignment with expansive Jupiter widens your intellectual horizons. Additionally, the Sun’s opposition to nebulous Neptune can fuel your dreams or lull you with a false sense of security. Don’t stress trying to fine-tune the fuzzy spectrum of reality now. Instead of concentrating on any single event, pay attention to the entire mix. As Mark Twain said, “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.”

Scorpio Your vivid imagination adds an extra sparkle to your world today. A dynamic opposition between the brilliant Sun and elusive Neptune can attract people who are all flash and little substance. Diaphanous Neptune’s presence in your 5th House of Romance is a perfect condition for falling for a fairy tale, but risky for making lasting commitments. As long as you don’t engage in serious business, you can have a great time now without facing negative consequences. As Anais Nin wrote, “We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.”

Sagittarius Finishing your work should be a piece of cake today as long as you don’t promise too much. Mercury’s retrograde dance with overconfident Jupiter occurs in your 10th House of Public Responsibility, encouraging you to underestimate the complexity of a project. However, you might end up spreading your energy so thin to fulfill your commitments in a timely manner that you fall short on all fronts. Even if you think you can stay on track, every little thing that happens lures you away from being practical now. Idealism loses to pragmatism when it comes to taking care of business.

Capricorn Your enthusiasm is on the rise, yet you may lose focus today if your goals fade into the shrouded mists of uncertainty. Although the Sun’s opposition to nebulous Neptune opens your heart to the unlimited potential of the future, it can also set you up for failure if your expectations are not grounded in reality. However, even impractical dreams fill your soul with the promise of a better tomorrow. Instead of planning too far ahead, concentrate on doing the best you can in the present moment. Once you’ve successfully navigated the current challenges, your life will blossom in ways you can’t imagine.

Aquarius Protecting your material resources makes sense today because even a short lapse of attention to your finances could create trouble fast. In fact, a major purchase may be a bad idea now that the Sun in your 8th House of Shared Resources opposes flaky Neptune in your 2nd House of Money. Investing in someone else’s fantasy can be a costly experience, emotionally and economically. Cultivating self-respect helps prevent another person’s neediness from draining your bank account or damaging your confidence.

Pisces You’re motivated to look past the limits of reality today, even though you don’t know what you might find. However, your judgment may not be very sound when the Sun opposes metaphysical Neptune in your intuitive sign. Nevertheless, the most outlandish dreams are worthy of consideration now. Keep the doors to your imagination open as wide as possible because you have the magic touch to manifest miracles if you believe in yourself.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Local reporter for UN Fellowship LOCAL online reporter Kurt Campbell has been selected by the United Nations (UN) to participate in its annual Reham Al Farra Memorial Journalist Fellowship Programme, in New York over the next four weeks.

Campbell is notably the second Guyanese to participate in the Fellowship Programme since its inception in 1980. The first local journalist to benefit from the programme was News Source’s Gordon Moseley who participated in 2004.

Additionally, Campbell is the only person from the Caribbean selected to participate in the Fellowship this year.

Annually, the UN selects 15 journalists from around the world to participate in the fellowship programme which was established by the United Nations General Assembly with the aim of exposing junior and mid-level journalists from developing countries to the work of the Organisation.

It also provides an opportunity to meet journalists from other countries and exchange ideas with

cle that being informed that he was selected to participate did not come as a surprise as he was confident of success, but his elation came from the fact that he is the second local journalist to be selected to participate.

According to the 27-yearold journalist, it was ‘a dream come true’ for him. He said his hard work over the years has paid off and his participation in the Journalist Fellowship Programme will be used as a stepping stone for him. “I am overjoyed; grate-

Local Journalist Kurt Campbell

UN communication professionals. Speaking with Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, Campbell said he is elated that he has been selected by the UN to participate in the Fellowship. He noted that he first applied in 2015 but was unsuccessful.

He did not let the disappointment faced in 2015 deter him from trying again and this year he emerged successful. He told Guyana Chroni-

Sleep-In Hotel set to open casino in November THE recently opened SleepIn Hotel is set to open its casino facility this November, according to its proprietor, Clifton Bacchus.

Bacchus told the Guyana Chronicle he is optimistic that his establishment will receive the required licence to facilitate his operation in the coming months. Currently, the hotelier is not in possession of a casino licence, but said that he has applied for the remaining certificate which is scheduled for Region Four.

“Yes. It [casino] will be open in November,” Bacchus told the Guyana Chronicle.

When asked about a positive response from the country’s Gaming Board, which is responsible for issuing such licences, Bacchus said that he had not received a response but noted, “I applied and I don’t see any difficulty [with acquiring the licence].”

When contacted, Chairman of the Gaming Authority Board, Roysdale Forde, provided no information on the status of the third and final licence authorised for the region. Some controversy exists over the issuance of the final casino licence since one businessman, Omprakash ‘Buddy’ Shivraj of Buddy’s Hotel, said

a Memorandum of Agreement which placed him in line for the last licence under the previous government was cancelled by them, just before they lost the general elections which put them out of office last May. Shivraj became concerned that after spending millions on his unfinished hotel at his Sheriff Street location, the project has been stalled, given the seemingly low prospects of him now being able to operate a casino without a licence, one of the key features of his hotel.

Bacchus on the other hand has been identified as a “good friend” of the previous People’s Progressive Party and a staunch party supporter. Observers claim this as the reason for the licence being designated for Sleep-In, a facility frequented by the upper echelons of the PPP, in particular.

The state-built Marriott Hotel, which has seen its share of corruption, and lacking transparency accusations, along with the Princess Ramada Hotel on the East Bank of Demerara, are holders of the other two licences. Bacchus is hopeful that his Church Street hotel and casino facilities will employ some 300 persons.

ful…I am thankful to the UN as I believe this (fellowship programme) will serve as an enriching experience that speaks to self-development.

It is much needed exposure that will allow me to return to Guyana and share my experiences with my colleagues.”

Having started his journey in the media back in 2012, Campbell was a television and radio news presenter on the state owned National Communications Network (NCN) after which he moved to online news agency In-

ews. He now works at News Source, another local online media entity.

Campbell will spend four weeks (September 8 through October 5, 2016) working at the UN Headquarters in Manhattan, New York. According to the UN Department of Public Information, participants are expected to continue working in journalism or broadcasting and help to promote a better understanding of the UN in their respective countries.

Participants must be

aged between 22 and 35 and currently employed by a recognized media organisation, with several years of professional experience and oral and written fluency in English. The fourteen other countries participating in this year’s fellowship are Cote d’Ivoire, Oman, Sudan, Malaysia, Cuba, Kenya, Guatemala, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Namibia, Nigeria, Myanmar and Mongolia.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Home of Eccles family burglarised

By Michel Outridge

A FAMILY of three is contemplating their next move following the second break and enter and larceny at their Lot 619, Fourth Street, Eccles New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara home on Wednesday.

Distressed home owner, Warren Lord told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday that they all left home for varying activities but when his wife Camille Persaud returned home after 15:00h on Wednesday she found two of the three dogs on the road and their home broken into.

Lord explained that the robber (s) gained entry to the yard via the back chain link fence by ripping out a sec-

tion after which they prised opened a rear window and entered the one-flat concrete house. The very upset man said the perpetrators spent a lot of time in the edifice where they vandalised the ceiling, walls, doors and other sections of the house.

Lord added that the bandits also ransacked the place, room by room and selected what they wanted. They family is still trying to ascertain what is missing but so far, electronics including tablets, television set, jewels, money and their 10-year-old son’s school supplies were stolen, including his footwear.

Lord said they have three ferocious dogs; two were in the yard while the other was locked away. He believes

Part of the ceiling which was ripped out by the bandits during the home invasion

The back window where the robbers gained entry by prising it open

that something was fed to the dogs causing them to become disoriented, giving the home invaders an opportunity to enter the yard.

The couple and their son have been living at the location for about a year and a few months and it is the second such incident, which they said has shaken them to the core and they are thinking of what to do next. “The bandits did whatever they wanted and had the time to because even the soap is missing,� Lord said.

The matter was reported to the Providence Police Sta-

tion but up to press time, no arrests were made. Neighbours related that they did not see or heard anything but a handful of villagers in that community are victims of similar incidents, reportedly by a gang of young men but are afraid to speak out.

It is reported that the break-ins are regular, especially to residents who leave their home for work during the day. It was also observed that some sections of that village is overgrown with bushes and the area is without telephone service.

One of the ransacked rooms

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Deadly Drop-in Centre fire

Gov't to give family houselot, home …outlines series of other measures SOCIAL Protection Minister Volda Lawrence on Thursday announced that the government will provide a plot of land and a “fully furnished two-bedroom house” to the George family whose two sons Joshua, 6 and Antonio, 2 died in the July fire, which destroyed the Drop-in Centre on Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

“This is not a compensation (for the death of Joshua and Antonio George). We cannot measure the lives of two children by a piece of land and a fully-furnished house,” Lawrence said during Thursday’s meeting with the parents of the deceased children and senior ministry officers at her Lamaha and East Streets office.

According to the ministry, the Drop-in Centre fire began “on the western section of the upper flat and as the fire engulfed the building, Antonio George and Joshua George were trapped in the lower flat and their bodies were later found among the debris,” according to a Guyana Police Force statement then.

President David Granger ordered an investigation into the deadly fire and Colonel Windee Algernon of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), a female, spearheaded the inquiry. Algernon’s Commission of Inquiry (COI) final re-

port was submitted on schedule mid-August. The findings and the recommendations of her COI report was given to the children’s mother, Sonia, in the presence of Social Protection Ministry officials.

Meanwhile, according to the ministry, Lawrence acknowledged the increased hardship faced by the George family since the night of the deadly July 7 fire, which claimed their children’s lives.

To help minimise their pain, the minister Thursday unveiled a long-term plan by the Social Protection Ministry to help improve the skills of the parents; reunite their surviving children with them; help improve the economic standing of that family, and ensure the children are properly integrated in their new schools.

On the latter, Shaquan George will attend North Georgetown Secondary School on transfer from Christ Church Secondary which he secured following the results of the 2016 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) tests, while his sister Shania, will be transferred from St Agnes Primary to Stella Maris Primary by request of their mother, Sonia. This was confirmed by MOSP Ministerial Advisor Mr John Adams following Thursday’s meeting.

The ministry will also provide all necessary para-

GWI board sacks Goring as debt-collection boss THE Board of Directors of the Guyana Water Incorporated, following a specially convened board meeting yesterday, have decided to terminate the services of Mr. Lear Goring as the entity’s Debt Recovery Manager.

A statement from GWI on Wednesday confirmed that Mr. Goring was sent on administrative leave pending investigations into reports that he was not qualified for the position of Debt Recovery Manager.

“The decision comes following a review of Mr. Goring’s credentials, which do not satisfy the requirements outlined for the position. It should also be noted that the decision taken was based solely on a review of his qualification for the job,” the GWI statement revealed.

The statement concluded,

Lear Goring

“The Chairman, board of directors and management of GWI wish Mr. Goring all the best in his future endeavors.”

Media reports had revealed that Mr Goring was convicted twice by the United States in the 1990’s after he was caught smuggling drugs to the country. He was deported twice and has served time in the US.

phernalia the school-aged children need to begin classes during the new school year which begins Monday.

Lawrence explained that her ministry’s support for the family will continue until the George parents can “take psychosocial and economic control” of their family.

Under the menu of measures detailed by Lawrence,

Permanent Secretary (PS), Ms. Lorene Baird; Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ms Ann Greene and Director of Social Services (DSS), Mr. Whentworth Tanner, a Social Worker, not attached to the Social Protection Ministry, have been identified to provide the necessary professional help the family will need.

CPA’s Greene will prepare a programme designed to provide critically-needed

counselling for the parents and specific strategies to help reintegrate the other siblings, currently in CPA care, with their family, the ministry said. “The Ministry wants to ensure that the issues which prompted the CPA to remove all the George children from their Chapel Street, Lodge home are satisfactorily resolved before undertaking the reintegration process.

Counselling is badly needed for the parents,” Ms Greene

emphasised.

Meanwhile, Sonia George, the children’s mother, asked Minister Lawrence and her team for a week to respond to the government’s offer.

This is expected to be made known next week when the two sides will meet at Lawrence’s office. If she accepts the offer, the MOSP will ensure they are in the new environment “before Christmas” Lawrence said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Henna designs...

All the rage these days

OFTEN seen adorning the appendages of Hindu and Muslim brides during traditional wedding ceremonies, henna designs (known as Mehendi or Mehndi in some cultures) have, over the past few years, increased in popularity, and have trickled outside of tradition to become part of a wider list of events in Guyana and around the world.

In Guyana, where our culture is richly influenced by Indian practices, henna designs are therefore not uncommon, and the growing demand and popularity of the art has led many makeup artists to adopt this skill, so as to provide their clients with this attractive artistic accessory for various events.

GROWING DEMAND “Long ago, when you saw a woman with henna, it meant that she had gotten married,” says Satya Khan, makeup artist and owner of Serenity Beauty, which provides makeup and henna design services for all occasions.

“Now, you see bridesmaids, family members and other persons doing it as well.”

Occasions would range from weddings to religious and cultural functions, holidays, baby showers, or even just photo shoots, and Satya says that Satya Khan, makeup persons of all religions indulge and henna artist in the practice as well. and owner of “I started doing it when I Serenity Beauty

not also part of the package.

“The beauty is in the intricacy and the clarity in the designs; it really adds something to an overall look for that special event,” she said.

Some of Satya’s henna designs

Henna for luck, as well as joy and beauty used to dance,” Satya said.

“I would do it for myself and my friends, and they encour-

aged me to make it a public service, because we saw the demand was growing.”

Now, there is hardly an event that she attends to apply makeup, where henna is

ORIGIN Derived from henna, a flowering plant which produces the dye used in henna designs, henna designing involves the painting of floral-themed art on to the body, using the dark henna powder in paste form. The completed design is then coated with a sugar-based solution to deepen the colour. And, depending on the intricacy of the design, the process could take from as little as 15 minutes to an hour to complete.

Worldwide, the practice of using henna as body paint is said to be observed among many cultures in countries where the henna plant grows (some believe it originated in Egypt before the plant was taken to India in 700AD).

The ceremonial use of henna for weddings is mostly practised in the Indian sub-continent, and among Indian cultures worldwide.

H e n n a d e s i g n s a re also used in some parts of Northern Africa, and the Horn of Africa. In Islam, henna is regarded as having Barakah (blessings), and is applied for luck, as well as joy and beauty.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Guyanese ‘represent’ --allowed to shine @ Caribbean celebrations in the US

AS part of a thrust to bring a piece of home to Guyanese in the United States of America, and in honour of the country’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, several entities have promoted central Caribbean events in various parts of the country, giving Guyanese artistes the chance to showcase their talent and providing them with valuable exposure.

Among those events were the Jubilee Tour which was hosted in June, and took artistes to Delaware, Washington D.C., Virginia, New York and other locations; the Caribbean Style and Culture Awards; Guyana Family Day; and the recently concluded Guyana Day event hosted by HUGE Entertainment.

‘Guyana Day’ featured a lineup of several well-known artistes, among them Natural Black, Mystic, Adrian Dutchin, Poonam Singh, Mahendra Ramkellawan, Jumo Primo, Fojo, Terry Gajraj, Little J, Gaddie G, Kwasi Ace, Kapa Shanti, and Jackie Jaxx.

The Buzz caught up with a few of those performers, to find out how they felt about performing on the ‘big stage’ in an effort to promote Guyanese talent.

response I got was overwhelming,” Jackie said, adding that the exposure is great for local artistes, because there is usually a large mixture of cultures there who openly welcome different types of music. “Promoters should unite and get more Guyanese artistes out to the people, because many really look forward to meeting them,” she said.

Each event, she said, was equally overwhelming, and the exposure has provided her with opportunities to connect with producers and other business persons.

DON JOHNSON. Some of you may know him as the son of ‘Mr. Dynamix’ himself, Ian Johnson. Though having migrated some time now, Don remains committed to his Guyanese heritage, and promoting Guyanese music and culture.

Though he was not on the Jackie Jaxx official lineup, his close friend, events, Jackie said that the had been excited to finally see Jackie, allowed him some stage time to perform his own response at all of these events her perform live.

‘

Being able to perform as a Guyanese was spectacular; it was really an honour, and the response I got was overwhelming’ –Jackie Jaxx

was great, adding that she met persons who knew her music, and who expressed that they

JACKIE JAXX. After making waves with her recent single, “Guyana” and “Money”, this talented artiste moves on to represent Guyana at several events, including the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Guyana and Barbados in Washington D.C., the Caribbean Style and Culture Awards, the Detroit Caribbean Festival and other Carib central shows.

Speaking on her experience at several of these

“Being able to perform as a Guyanese was spectacular; it single, ‘In the morning’.

Don said it was a priviwas really an honour, and the lege to be given the chance to perform at the show. “The show has a great presence, and provides artistes with a grand stage to showcase themselves to the world,” he said.

Don Johnson

TO N I E K A T H O M P SON. Her single ‘Feva’ has been heating up the airwaves in Guyana, and the artistes herself has been promoting those and other tracks off her upcoming EP via Guyana’s Jubilee Tour. Tonieka’s favourite performance was actually at the Guyana Day event in

Kwasi ‘Ace’ Edmondson Washington D.C., which was hosted by Caribe Guyana. “I loved the vibe; the whole Guyanese community came out despite the weather… I feel very good about representing my country of birth.

Although Barbados is the place where I live, wherever I go I have to represent Guyana,” she said.

Tonieka is currently working behind the scenes to complete several projects, including the launch of her music video for ‘Feva’ via BET. Later this month, she will also launch her EP in Guyana.

KWASI ACE. According to this lyrically talented artiste, who performed at the Guyana Day event, there were some hiccups in the area of sound and the time allotted to artistes. “But we are professionals, so we worked with that, and gave the peo-

ple what they bargained for,” Kwasi said, adding: “I went out there and did my best. I didn’t get to perform some of the songs I rehearsed, but as an artiste, you have to learn to work with the ups and downs and pros and cons. But I believe I gave a good performance.”

As summer draws to a close, and as Labour Day sets in, these and other artistes will be given the chance to perform at other Caribbean showcases such as the upcoming Carifesta Music and Arts Festival, in Washington D.C. Others have lauded the promotion of such events, which they say keeps the Caribbean people grounded, by continuing to highlight their work and talent in places which can provide them with increased exposure and possible opportunities.

Chris Brown in trouble... Again!

Chris Brown

CHRIS Brown’s accuser, Baylee Curran’s credibility has been called into question after an alleged text from Curran to a friend said she was going to set the singer up.

But Curran denies she sent the text, and the guy who allegedly received it says he hasn’t talked to her since 2015.

TMZ said they had a copy of a text exchange between the former beauty queen and a man named Safari.

According to the gossip site, the text, allegedly sent at

2:57am on Tuesday, reportedly reads: “Hey safari don’t you know this freak Chris Brown is kicking me out of his house because I called his friend jewelry fake can you come get me my Uber is messing up if not I’m going to set him up and call the cops and say that he tried to shoot me and that will teach him a lesson I’m going to set his a** up. Lol come get me.”

Safari reportedly replied: “Really that’s f*** up you ain’t going to do that your

wrong if you do.”

Brown’s attorney, Mark Geragos reportedly has the text in question. But the text exchange might not be ‘legit’.

Curran told TMZ she never sent it, and TMZ says they spoke to Safari, who said he had not been in contact with Curran since last year.

Safari also alleged that Curran stole his Rolex last year, TMZ reports. So why would she be texting him?

According to multiple media reports, Curran was alleged to be involved in a theft of a luxury handbag in

2013, along with a wallet and cash inside. She denied the accusations.

Curran was also reportedly stripped of her title in July as 2016 Miss California Regional State for breach of contract.

Curran accused Brown of pointing a gun on her this week at his private residence.

She called the police, and the singer was arrested after a 14-hour standoff, but was released on $250,000 bail on Tuesday night. He faces the charge of assault with a deadly weapon.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Rihanna plants kiss on Drake --at Miami Concert

THE notion of Drake appearing to pine for Rihanna is a tale as old as time, but Rihanna finally kissed Drake during a concert in Miami on Wednesday night.

Let’s take a look at the facts on the ground: Longsuffering, emotionally sensitive boy loves girl who is possibly too cool. But there is chemistry, and there is ardent hope. And there are unabashed, sincere declarations of true love on the part of the romantic boy.

They collaborate on tons of hit songs that include music videos that necessitate making out with each other, and generally behaving in a couple-like manner, which might add to the boy’s optimism.

This went on for nearly a decade, which you can read about in excruciat-

ing detail, until all of the events of the past ten years came to a head on Sunday night, when one Aubrey Drake Graham presented the apple of his eye, one Robyn Rihanna Fenty, with her MTV VMA Vanguard award, and a heartfelt declaration of his eternal love.

He attempted to consummate the relationship he has pined for throughout his whole feelings-laden life by planting a kiss on her on the MTV stage.

Ri-Ri, self-actualised queen that she is, however, seemed to be having none of it, and appeared to promptly dodge the smooch and pat his head maternally, thus effectively putting him back in the friend zone where he has seemingly resided for most of their flirtatious friend-

ship.

People have always pittied Drake throughout his career, as evidenced by the excellent Drake’s Tears memes and also the fact that he has been compared to AJ Soprano and Chandler Bing.

H o w e v e r, a f t e r t h e VMAs, pity for Drake was at an all-time high. Just take a look at the headlines!

Drake must have been moping about it for days, because our girl finally took pity on him and benevolently bestowed a kiss on the

most “extra” (her words) of lover boys.

So, let’s call a moratorium on the pity parties for Drake, because, after nearly a decade of waiting, Aubrey finally got that kiss. Whether or not this will turn Aubrih into real-

ity, or it all turns out to be some elaborate trolling on all of us (including Drizzy)

by Rihanna remains to be seen, but until then, revel in the glory that is Drake’s supreme bliss over finally getting some love from RiRi. (Time.com)

verse Guyana 2016 kicks off with its ‘Sashing Ceremony’ at Gravity Lounge at 18:30hrs.

Get a chance to meet the national finalists as they embark on their journey to win the crown, and

to enter the raffle to win free tickets to the Coronation Night on September 17 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Georgetown.

Buzzing this weekend TODAY THE Caribbean Youth

Environment presents Cocktails and Conversations: Speed Dating/

Networking Edition at the Dutch Bottle Café at 19:00hrs.

Come and enjoy the opportunity to indulge in a variety of cocktails, as well as networking and meeting new friends and catching up with old ones in a social atmosphere.

Tickets cost $1,000 each, and entitles you to ONE free cocktail and entry into the Speed Dating/ Networking rounds.

Proceeds will go towards upcoming activities for the group.

TOMORROW Heaven Entertainment presents the EDM party, “Dreamer”, which will be hosted at Gravity Lounge from 17:00hrs.

It will be the biggest EDM event of the summer. Rave in the open air and enjoy free hookah until 19:00hrs, and later move inside and prepare to have an electrifying time. Tickets cost $2,000.

SUNDAY The road to Miss Uni-

Admission: $2,000 at the door.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Digicel hosts first Back-to-School Fun Fair the community and this is just one of the many activities that we use to connect and do so in a significant way.”

James noted that youth development is deemed an important area to the Telecommunications Company and Digicel has taken its annual back-to-school dental outreach across the country for the past six years. From its inception, the outreach has expanded.

This year children from Timehri, Hararuni, Tuschen, Mahaica, Berbice and Georgetown benefited from the various services.

After getting their haircuts and dental check-ups, the children were treated to bouncy castle, fun games, face painting, ice cream from

Bruster’s, snacks from JR Burgers, back-to-school kits and cash vouchers for backto-school shopping at Giftland Mall and Austin’s Book Store, which were won during the stage show hosted by Digicel’s Brand Ambassador Jomo “Rubber waist” Primo.

Over 1500 children from across the six locations benefited from the dental clinic this year. The Dental Outreach programme was done in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central .

Digicel recently concluded its School’s Football Championship, as well as its ‘Bring the Beat’ Amateur DJ competition. Both events sought to develop the innate talents of youths across Guyana.

Children having their hair cut at Digicel’s back-to-school outreach held at the National Cultural Centre tarmac on Thursday.

DIGICEL Guyana on Thursday hosted its first Back-to-School Fun Fair at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) Tarmac, with over 1000 children benefitting from free dental, health

and barbering services.

Marketing Manger Jacqueline James said she was extremely pleased with the turnout: “We are happy that there was a great turnout today. We are out here today

for the children; this is the first time we are doing this event on such a large scale and based on the response, we will be doing it much bigger next year. We are committed to giving back to

Teachers’ complaints helped force out Olato Sam

COMPLAINTS by teachers among other things caused government not to renew the contract of former Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam, Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has said.

Roopnaraine also hinted that Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary), Marcel Raymond Hutson is not unlikely to get the n o d a s S a m ’s r e p l a c ement. “It’s not unlikely, we have to make a determination of what needs to be done and whether Mr Hutson himself feels that he is up to executing these tasks,” the minister told the Government Information Agency (GINA), on Thursday. Hutson has a Trained Class 1 Grade 1 Teacher’s Certificate,a Bachelor of Social Science Degree in Sociology, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education Administration and a Master’s in Education Management, Planning and Supervision.

Additionally, he holds

Former CEO, Olato Sam a certificate in the Management and Delivery of Education in Guyana via the Ministry of Education’s first Teacher Cadet Scheme, a Certificate in Reforming School Supervision for Quality Improvement (IIEP) through UNESCO and a Certificate of Training in Project Management through the Government of Guyana and Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Meanwhile, questioned about the reasons surrounding the non-renewal of Sam’s

contract, the minister explained that the decision was one aimed at ensuring the proper execution of the ministry’s policies. “It’s not a shift in policy; it’s a reinforcement of policy …. It’s just that we want to ensure that the CEO is in fact carrying out policy directions of the ministry. There were some areas where we had complaints from teachers and that kind of thing… they were credible enough for one to question whether or not this is the right person for the job,” Minister Roopnaraine explained.

Further, the minister said the continued presence of the former CEO at the Ministry of Education, despite previous announcements of his departure, is to allow him the full benefits of leave which would have accumulated over the years. In January 2011, Sam was appointed the CEO following the retirement of Mrs Genevieve White-Nedd, who had acted for more than five years without confirmation.

Children queue at the National Cultural Centre tarmac to benefit from Digicel’s back-to-school outreach

West Bank man jailed for narco trafficking DWAYNE King, 33, of Lot 165, Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara was on Thursday sentenced to 60 months imprisonment after he was found guilty

by Magistrate Judy Latchman of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

King was implicated by his girlfriend, Vanessa Moore, 43, a United Kingdom-based Guyanese who was charged with smuggling 2.9 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

It is alleged that on November 3, 2015 at CJIA, Timehri, Moore had in her possession 2.9 kilogrammes of cocaine for trafficking.

According to the facts,

Moore was arrested at the CJIA after she was found with cocaine concealed in two bottles of El Dorado rum.

Magistrate Latchman found King guilty based on the militating factor presented to the court.

She stated that King’s actions spoke louder than his words. She added that King made Moore missed her initial flight back to London. He then paid for her ticket.

King had accompanied her to the airport but when she was subjected to a search King left her to collect a CD from his car for her but he never returned to deliver the CD after which the drugs were found on

Moore. Police report stated that Moore had been given the two bottles of rum by King, who had asked her to deliver them to a friend in London.

During the trial King denied giving Moore the bottles of rum for a friend in London. However, on the day in question before Moore could board the flight she was subjected to a search. It was during the search, he said, that two bottles of locally-produced rum were found in her suitcase and a further search revealed that the bottles contained the cocaine.

The matter of which Moore was charged for is still before Magistrate Latchman.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Brazil overrun Ecuador in World Cup qualifier

(REUTERS)-A decisive performance from Gabriel Jesus, who scored twice and made another goal, gave Brazil a deserved 3-0 win over Ecuador yesterday and helped get their qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia back on track.

Neymar slotted home a penalty after Gabriel Jesus was brought down in 71 minutes.

The Palmerias forward doubled their lead 17 minutes later when he cleverly flicked home a cross from full back

Neymar (10) of Brazil celebrates after scoring a penalty goal against Ecuador. REUTERS/ Guillermo Granja

Marcelo.

He got his second and Brazil's third in injury time when he completed a counter attack with a curling shot from the edge of the box.

"You don't get a better debut than that do you?" said Gabriel Jesus, the 19-year old who will join Manchester City at the end of the year. "I am very happy to score on my debut not just for the goals but for the debut and the team."

The win was Brazil's first in Quito for 33 years.

Although Ecuador started well, tormenting Brazil down

the flanks, there were few chances for either side in a scrappy first half.

Brazil came into the game in the second period and were helped when Juan Carlos Paredes got a red card just moments after the visitors had opened the scoring.

The result lifts Brazil into fourth place in the 10team South American group, though there were still two more games to come later yesterday.

Group leaders Uruguay faced Argentina in Mendoza, while Copa America cham-

pions Chile play Paraguay in Asuncion.

In earlier matches, Colombia overcame Venezuela 2-0 in Barranquilla, while Bolivia's new coach Angel Guillermo Hoyos got his reign off to the perfect start with a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Peru.

James Rodriguez got Colombia's opener just a minute into the second half before Macnelly Torres sealed the win 10 minutes from time.

Wilker Angel and Rolf Feltscher were sent off for Venezuela but goalkeeper Daniel Hernandez saved his

side from further embarrassment by stopping second-half penalties from both Carlos Bacca and Rodriguez.

In La Paz, Bolivia's Pablo Escobar put the home side ahead in 37 minutes with a spectacular free kick from long range and then Ronaldo Raldes doubled their lead with three minutes remaining when he headed home a corner kick.

The top four teams in the group qualify automatically for Russia 2018 and the fifth-placed side goes into an intercontinental play off.

Premier League outlay tops $1.5B in window Jamaica’s sprint

(REUTERS) - Records tumbled in the transfer window as Premier League spending totalled £1.165B ($1.54B), financial analyst Deloitte’s Sports Business Group said yesterday.

The outlay represents a 34 percent rise on the previous highest in all windows of £870M set 12 months ago and means the overall spending by clubs in 2016-17 already represents a record for a single Premier League season.

“This is the fourth consecutive year the summer transfer spending record ... has been broken,” said

Business Group partner Dan Jones in a statement.

“At the start of the 201314 season the summer transfer spending record stood at £500M and the fact this record has more than doubled since then is a clear indicator of the financial growth of the league.”

Manchester United broke the world record when they re-signed France midfielder Paul Pogba from Juventus for a fee of £89M, eclipsing the previous highest of 100 million euros (£84.20M) paid by Real Madrid for Gareth Bale in 2013.Manchester City were one of 13 Premier League

AN investigation into a payment made during Tokyo’s successful bid to host the 2020 Olympics has found no evidence of bribery.

Japanese officials have been cleared of any wrongdoing in connection with a 2.8M Singapore dollar payment (£1.55M; $2.05M) made to a consultancy firm.

French prosecutors said they were investigating the sum in May this year as part of a corruption inquiry.

But a Japanese panel found the payment did not break any Japanese laws.

The payment had been linked to the son of the exworld athletics chief Lamine Diack, who was a member of the International Olympics Committee at the time.

Both Lamine and his son, Papa Massata Diack, are

already under investigation in France. Both deny ever receiving money in connection with the Japanese bid, while Japanese officials say the payment was for consultancy services.

The payment from bid executives was made to Black Tidings, a company led by an associate of Papa Massata Diack.

“The investigation team concludes that it does not form any crime under the penal code of France, and furthermore, that no violation of the IOC code of ethics can be found,” the report said.

“What was most important for the team was to probe whether the bid committee in fact bribed someone,” one of the panel members, Yoshihisa Hayakawa, said.

“We think the investigation cleared the group of any

clubs who surpassed their own transfer records when they paid £47.5M to sign Everton defender John Stones.

“For those clubs traditionally at the upper end of the table who have been investing most significantly, their commercial revenue growth has also been a critical enabler of the increases in spending,” Jones said.

Champions Leicester City’s 30 million euros swoop for striker Islam Slimani from Sporting Lisbon was one of the biggest moves on a hectic deadline day on Wednesday.

“We also saw a record

level of Premier League summer deadline day spending this window,” said Jones, “with £155M spent in the final 24 hours.

“Chelsea also splashed out around £34M to bring Paris St Germain defender David Luiz back for a second spell at Stamford Bridge and Tottenham Hotspur spent £30M to sign midfielder Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle United.

The combined outlay of the two Manchester clubs made up 42 percent of the league’s spending in the window, according to Spreadex.com.

Papa Massata Diack, like his father, faces corruption allegations in France. suspicion in this regard.”

However, he said the probe had limitations, and was unable to interview either the Diacks or the head of the consulting company, which has since ceased trading. He said the panel had “done all we can within our ability”.

Japan’s bid was ultimately successful, defeating Istanbul and Madrid in the process.

French prosecutors widened their corruption investigation into athletics earlier this year to include the bidding and voting process for both the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.

Lamine Diack was arrested in 2015 on corruption and money-laundering charges, over allegations he took payments for deferring sanctions against Russian drugs cheats.

Papa Massata, who was employed by his father as a marketing consultant for the IAAF, is also under investigation, and a warrant for his arrest was issued by Interpol. He lives in Senegal. He says both he and his father are innocent of any wrongdoing. (BBC Sport)

queen Thompson ...

From back page

Race trophy for a seventh consecutive time.

The Frenchman shared first place with American Sam Kendricks after both cleared 5.90 metres with Olympic champion Thiago da Silva withdrawing after going over at 5.84.

Asafa Powell, 33, again ran under 10 seconds to win the men’s 100m in 9.94, while Kendra Harrison was the women’s 100m hurdles winner, having set a world record in London in July after failing to qualify for the United States Olympic team.

Basketball `No bribery’ found in action set for Cliff Tokyo Olympic payment Anderson Sports Hall this weekend

THE local basketball scene will see a boost over the weekend with the presence of the De Arend (The Eagles) Club out of Suriname. The visitors are scheduled to clash with two of the top clubs in Guyana on Saturday and Sunday.

The club holds the top seed in Suriname and this tour is scheduled to be the first in a series of trips in a basketball exchange programme.

The club will take on TGH Pacesetters on Saturday night in the feature game. The supporting games will feature Plaisance Guardians taking on the Republic Bank Nets, and the National U-16 facing the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association U-19 Select.

On Sunday night the Bounty Colts will take on the visitors with Rose Hall Jammers facing Pepsi Sonics and Dynas Ravens challenging Linden’s Victory Valley Royals in supporting matchups.

The games begin at 18:30hrs and will be at the newly refurbished Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

TEN Sports deal to make Sony major cricket broadcaster

By Sudipto Ganguly MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - The $385 million acquisition of TEN Sports is set to make Sony Pictures Networks a major cricket broadcaster in Asia as it seeks to expand its Twenty20-dominated portfolio.

Sony Corp-owned SPN holds broadcast rights for the annual cash-rich Indian Premier League Twenty20

cricket tournament while also having the rights for the domestic leagues in South Africa and the West Indies.

TEN sports will now add all three formats of international cricket to the network with the broadcast rights of boards in South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

SPN’s biggest competitor Star Sports, a unit of Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, owns rights

to cricket giants India’s home matches, Australia, England and also the International Cricket Council-organised World Cups.

“We have IPL which is the biggest cricket property. That will now be complemented by the rights of five cricket boards that TEN Sports has rights to,” SPN chief executive N.P. Singh told Reuters in an interview.

“We are already the

SPN chief execvutive N.P. Singh home of international football. We will now get the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.”

Besides broadcasting the NBA and the NFL in India, SPN also holds rights for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the Under-17 World Cup, and soccer leagues such as Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A and the English FA Cup. With TEN also holding rights for football’s UEFA Champions League, Europa League, French League and English Football League Cup among other sports, it will be a strong mix.

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE TEN Sports also operates in several countries in South Asia, as well as the Maldives, Singa-

pore, Hong Kong, Middle East and the Caribbean, and will help SPN become a household name in those regions.

“It’s a deal of strategic importance for Sony. It’s a step in the direction of consolidating our position in sports broadcasting,” Singh said by phone.

“TEN comes with a very strong brand and has been in the market for over a decade now and has been successful.

The network of channels also has a very strong portfolio of rights which complement our existing sports channels.

“They have a strong footprint outside India as well.

All this put together, it made perfect sense for us to make the acquisition.”

SPN, which last year struck a deal with sports

broadcaster ESPN to launch new channels and foray into digital market, a Walt Disney unit, will continue to retain all the three brands -- Sony SIX, Sony ESPN and TEN -- as of now.

Singh said growth in advertising revenue in India was dependent on events and an event like the IPL has seen a year-on-year growth of upwards of 15 percent.

They are also focusing their efforts on growing their digital platform Sony LIV. “If there are big events like the FIFA or the Cricket World Cup during the year you will see a surge in ad revenues,” he said. “We are looking at upping our ante on original content creation exclusive for our digital platform.”

Stokes and Bairstow... from page 29 on them.

Adil Rashid took three wickets for 47 runs while Moeen Ali finished with figures of 2-39 as England rarely lost control.

Pakistan gave themselves a platform to push on having moved to 110 for two in the 23rd over, but they never managed to gain the upper hand as England kept a tight control on their innings.

The tourists enjoyed early success when England’s Jason Roy (14) edged Mo-

hammad Irfan to Mohammad Rizwan in the third over.

The hosts’ Alex Hales, Joe Root and Eoin Morgan were also dismissed to leave England on 72-4 in the 15th over.

But Stokes hit 69 from 70 balls in a 103-run fifth-wicket partnership with Bairstow to energise the home team.

Stokes’ innings ended one run short of his ODI best when he tried to heave an Imad delivery over the boundary allowing Babar Azam to take a simple catch on the rope with England

on 175.

Bairstow was then runout for 61 after trying to pinch a single off an Umar Gul delivery only for Azhar Ali’s superb piece of fielding to leave him inches short of the crease and England needing 23 more runs for victory.

There was to be no collapse, however, and England comfortably reached their target with Moeen Ali (45 not out) thrashing two sixes off the bowling of Azhar Ali in the 48th over to guide the hosts over the line.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Franz Beckenbauer investigated by Swiss prosecutors (REUTERS) - Swiss authorities have opened c r i m i n a l p ro c e e d i n g s against German football great Franz Beckenbauer and two former presidents of Germany’s football federation (DFB) in connection with its successful bid for the 2006 World Cup. The Attorney General’s office (OAG) in Bern said the proceedings related to allegations of fraud, criminal mismanagement, money-laundering and misappropriation.

Raids were carried out simultaneously in eight locations yesterday with the cooperation of authorities in Germany and Austria, the OAG said.

In all, four members of the 2006 tournament’s organising committee, were placed under investigation.

They were Beckenbauer - who led West Germany to World Cup wins as both player and manager - former DFB presidents Theo Zwanziger and Wolfgang Niersbach, and former secretary general Horst Schmidt.

Beckenbauer, who could not immediately be reached for comment yesterday, has previously admitted to making mistakes but has denied wrongdoing.

Widely regarded as one

members of the committee’s executive board “inducing the other committee members to act in a manner that caused DFB a financial loss.”

Franz Beckenbauer of the game’s finest players, he captained the West Germany team that won the 1974 World Cup and was coach when they won again in 1990.

Now 70, he is also a former member of world football body FIFA’s executive committee.

Earlier this year, Germ a n y ’s D F B c o m m i s sioned a report into alleged irregularities over the awarding of the 2006 World Cup. The report, published in March, said that while there was no evidence of Germany paying FIFA members in return for votes, payments were made to at least one former FIFA official through a web of accounts involving several other firms or individuals, including Beckenbauer.

FIFA has been in tur-

moil after a wave of indictments last year of football officials on corruption-related charges, and been forced to investigate how a number of World Cups were awarded, notably the 2018 finals to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar.

‘FINANCIAL LOSS’ The OAG said its investigations focused on the joint financing of a gala, initially at the cost of 7 million euros ($7.80M), later reduced to 6.7 million euros.

“It is suspected that the suspects knew that this sum was not being used to fund the gala event, but instead to repay a debt that was not incurred by the DFB,” said the statement.

It said the suspects may have “wilfully misled” other

Stokes and Bairstow fifties set up England win (REUTERS) - England’s Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow struck half-centuries to guide the hosts to a four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the fourth oneday international in Headingley, Leeds yesterday as they went 4-0 ahead in the five-match series.

England, who amassed a world record ODI total of 444 for three when they won by 169 runs at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, restricted Pakistan to 247 for eight in their 50 overs, before easing to a match-winning 252-6 with two overs remaining.

Pakistan’s innings was anchored by Azhar Ali’s 80 off 104 balls, while Imad Wasim was again impressive with an unbeaten 41-ball 57.

Ben Stokes makes his fourth ODI halfcentury against Pakistan at Leeds. that England had imposed However, the tourists struggled to shake off the shackles

turn to page 28

The World Cup affair, which shocked soccer-mad Germany, was triggered by the payment from the DFB to FIFA, which the

DFB said last year was the return of a loan via the ruling body from the late Adidas chief Robert Louis-Dreyfus.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Two Guyanese in Canadian team to face Bermuda

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada -Guyanese Dilon Heyliger and Mark Montfort have been included in the Canada High Performance (HP) squad scheduled to play two limited overs matches against Bermuda, set for the Maple Leaf Cricket Club ground, King City, today and tomorrow.

The Bermudans’ visit to Canada forms part of that country’s preparation for the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Division 4 which will take place in California in October/November.

While here, the Bermudans are scheduled to play four matches, including the two against the Canada HP team. They are also down to

Dilon Heyliger meet the Toronto & District Cricket Association (T&DCA) Super Elite finalists

Venus rises to occasion with straight-sets win (REUTERS) - Sixth-seeded Venus Williams stayed on track for a possible semi-finals clash with sister Serena by sprinting past German Julia Goerges to reach the third round of the U.S. Open tennis yesterday.

Williams, 36, relied on her big serve when pressed in posting a 6-2, 6-3 victory under the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium, turning away four of five break points held by the 64th-ranked Goerges.

Williams, the U.S. Open winner of 2000 and 2001, was runner-up to top seed

Martina Hingis as an unseeded player in the inaugural year of Ashe Stadium and 19 years later finished the first U.S. Open day session played entirely under a roof.

“1997 was a long time ago,” Williams said on court after her victory. “I’m so grateful to be here still playing, still winning matches and I can’t wait for the next round.”

The elder Williams sister will next play either 26th seed Laura Siegemund of Germany or unseeded American Nicole Gibbs.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday September 02, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 309 players (2) 171 players Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has been listed as the first (or # 1) player to represent the WI in Tests?

(2) Who has been listed as the first (or # 1) player to represent the WI in ODIs? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Mississauga Ramblers next Tuesday at Iceland, Mississauga while the final match will be against a Canada Select X1 on Wednesday at King City.

Heyliger, a former Guyana Youth player at both the Under-15 and 19 levels, who now resides in Toronto, represents Vikings while off-spinning all-rounder Montfort, the son of long-standing umpire Peter Montfort, plays for Brampton Masters in the T&DCA Super Six tournament.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport prior to the start of the cricket season in Toronto, the burly, talented Essequibian all-rounder Heyliger, who also plied his trade in England and the Caribbean, pointed out that that he was confident that in the

not- too-distant future he will don Canadian colours.

“My aspiration is to represent Team Canada and ensure the Canadian cricket team gets a higher ranking at the international level and also to ensure more supporters come out to watch the sport.”

Contacted on Wednesday night, an elated Heyliger admitted that he wasn’t that pleased with his performances this current season nevertheless feels he’s capable of doing well against the Bermudans.

The former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) first division all-rounder who was also selected in the Guyana T20 squad in 2011 despite not being part of the playing 11, said the experience was quite electrifying and satisfying. “I decided to build on the

success of Guyana’s cricket and move on to gain some international experience.”

Before migrating to Canada, Montfort also played first division cricket for the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) under the guidance of former Guyana and West Indies off-spinner and later chairman of selectors, Clyde Butts.

According to Cricket Canada president Ranjit Saini, “Cricket Canada is pleased to host Bermuda and provide an opportunity for our players to gain meaningful experience.”

The Canada HP team is: Srimantha Wijeyeratne (capt.), Varun Sehdev, Shahid Ahmadzai, Charnjit Singh, Sudeepta Aurka, Mark Montfort, Dilon Heyliger, Malinga Gayan,

Rayyan Pathan, Azghar Hotak, Parveen Saroye, Saad Bin Zafar, Bhavindu Adihetty, Armaan Kapoor, Daksh Talwar, Faraz Maqsood Bermuda squad: Terryn Fray (captain), Dion Stovell, Greg Maybury, Kamau Leverock, Okera Bascombe, Joshua Gilbert, Jordan DeSilva, Dennico Holis, Jordan Smith, Micah Simmons, Brian Hall, Zeko Burgess and Cejay Outerbridge.

Coaching and Support: Clay Smith (National coach), Gershen Gibbons (Chair, High Performance Programme), Danielle Gibbons (physiotherapist), Lorenzo Tucker (assistant coach/match analyst), Reginald Tucker (assistant coach). Umpire is Melvin Best.

Murray shuts out noise, Granollers to reach third round (REUTERS) - Andy Murray shut out the New York noise and the game of Marcel Granollers of Spain with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 win yesterday to reach the third round of the US Open.

The Wimbledon and Olympic champion ground down the world number 45 in a match involving numerous lung-busting rallies and played under a cacophony of sound with the $150M (£113.09M) roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium court closed.

Andy Murray

At times, the players could barely hear the ball off their strings and the rain hammering on the roof was almost deafening but second seed Murray kept calm to clinch a convincing victory.

“At first we didn’t know if there was just more people come in at the change of ends, but then we quickly realised it was the rain,” Murray said.

“It was tough, you couldn’t really hear the ball which makes it tricky. But we’re lucky to play under

the roof; otherwise there wouldn’t be any tennis so it’s good for everyone.”

Murray led 5-2 in the first set only for Granollers to hit back but the Scot won a game lasting more than 10 minutes to break and clinch it on his seventh set point.

Andy Murray shut out the New York noise and the game of Marcel Granollers of Spain with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 win yesterday to reach the third round of the US Open.

Suriname Spartans to participate in DJ Stress’ Champions T20 Cup … Number of international stars expected A TEAM of cricketers from Suriname will battle a Berbice Super Squad XI in the DJ Stress’ Champions T20 Cup, set for Sunday September 11, at the Albion Sports Complex.

The game, which is set to commence at 16:00hrs is the curtain-raiser ahead of the 20:00hrs feature clash.

The feature match

includes Guyanese Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan.

The pair of former West Indies captains join overseas stars Darren Sammy, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Mohamed, Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, Rayad Emrit and Kieron Pollard.

Hometown boys,

Shimron Hetmyer, Assad Fudadin, Gajanand S i n g h , Ve e r a s a m m y Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Jonathon Foo, Anthony Bramble and Gudakesh Motie, will also be a part of the feature game.

Dave’s West Indian Imports will sponsor Chanderpaul and former Guyana

Under-19 batsman Akshay Homraj who now resides in the USA. The 20-year-old righthander played for Guyana Under-19s in 2013 and 2014, and says he is excited to return home, and once again play at Albion, a club he represented when he lived at Number 48 Village, Corentyne.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 2, 2016

Two uncapped players in Windies women training camp … Guyanese Erva Giddings and Grenadian Akeira Peters named ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) - Two uncapped players have been named in a squad of 18 to attend a training camp in Jamaica next month, ahead of the One-day International (ODI) home series between West Indies Women and England Women.

Erva Giddings, a 30-yearold all-rounder from Guyana, and Akeira Peters, a 22-yearold medium pacer from Grenada, have been asked to attend the camp which runs from September 16 to 30.

The bulk of the training outfit comprises members of the squad who won the Women’s World Twenty20 trophy, the likes of Merissa Aguilleira, Deandra Dottin,

Stafanie Taylor, and Anisa Mohammed.

The camp will also mark the return of left-handed all-rounder Shanel Daley to the fold following a near two-year absence, due to a knee injury.

“We are happy to welcome back Shanel. She was one of the top ODI and T20I bowlers in the Caribbean and was also highly rated in the ICC Women Players’ Rankings,” said Courtney Browne, chairman of the Selection Panel.

“Shanel brings a wealth of experience back to the squad and will highly challenge for a place in the final 13.”

The series against England Women comprises five ODIs, the last three of which will count towards the ICC Women’s Cham-

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Nat. U-17 League

WDFA action resumes this weekend

… Dartmouth, Mahaicony post wins MATCHES on the West Demerara in the inaugural GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League are set to restart this weekend after weeks off due to consistent rain and a damaged outfield.

Tomorrow, Slingerz FC will match skills with Beavers FC from 12:00hrs while at the same time on Sunday, Eagles United will oppose Wales United.

BERBICE FA Mahaicony took full advantage of home turf to turn back the challenge of Monedderlust with a solid 3-0 whipping of their West Berbice Challengers.

Leading their victory bid was Shane McKenzie who hammered in a second-half brace after they were sent on their way compliments of a Nathan Johnny 28th minute strike.

McKenzie found shooting range in the 65th and 68th minutes and made no mistake in converting both chances to seal full points for Mahaicony.

Rivalry continued yesterday at the same venue when Lichfield Nuggets took on Paradise Invaders.

ESSEQUIBO FA Last Saturday at the Queenstown ground, Dartmouth Dominators mauled Good Hope 7-0 on the back of a helmet-trick off the boot of Terrence Marks. Sunday’s match saw Henrietta winning via walkover from Queenstown United.

pionship to be contested between October 8 and 19 at the Trelawny Multiplex and Sabina Park in Jamaica.

T h e I C C Wo m e n ’s Championship is a multiyear, bilateral competition between the top eight international women’s sides that will lead to automatic qualification for the top four teams to next year’s ICC Women’s World Cup to be hosted by the England & Wales Cricket Board.

“The squad of 18 com-

Erva Giddings toured Sri Lanka with the West Indies team in 2008 and represented Guyana in the WICB 2010 Women’s Championship, in Grenada.

prises members of our Women’s World Twenty20-winning squad, along with other talented players from the recent Regional Women’s Tournament played in Guyana,” said Browne.

“The Selection Panel will reduce the squad to 13 at the end of the training camp, as we look forward to a highly competitive series against England Women”.

The Windies Women are currently second in the standings on 20 points - four behind current ODI World champions Australia Women - and one ahead

of England Women.

They are due to complete their schedule of ICC Women’s Championship matches in November on the road against India Women.

SQUAD: Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Erva Giddings, Stacy-Ann King, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Akeira Peters, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman, Tremayne Smartt, Stafanie Taylor.

Australia to conduct ‘meaty’ review after Sri Lanka flop (REUTERS) - Cricket Australia will pore over its high performance systems in a ‘meaty’ review following the 3-0 Test series whitewash to Sri Lanka, chief executive James Sutherland has said.

Australia lost their world number one ranking in Tests due to the series defeat and burnished their reputation as home-track bullies after their batsmen again proved hapless against spin bowling on turning wickets.

With a huge challenge in the subcontinent looming against India in less than six months, Sutherland said probing questions were being asked of the national set-up.

“Are some of the fundamental things that we are doing to prepare our players to perform well and be highly competitive in subcontinental conditions passing the test?” Sutherland said in comments published

by Fairfax Media.

“I think that’s where the review gets a little bit more meaty and challenging and more fundamental, going right down into questioning our high performance systems as well.”

Sutherland’s comments come days after former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden slammed the high performance unit for having too much power over the team and selections.

Hayden claimed head coach and selector Darren Lehmann and the high performance unit headed by former rugby international Pat Howard were undermining the players’ ability to build a strong culture.

“The players have got to actually wrestle back some of their own power from within rather than listening to your physios, your strength and conditioning coaches, your high performance manager and even your coach for that matter and actually dig in as a group and build the culture,” Hayden, a former teammate of Lehmann, fumed on local radio station Triple M. Australia hired Sri Lanka

spin great Muttiah Muralitharan as a coaching consultant to help their batsmen prepare for the South Asian nation’s pitches but many appeared clueless when facing veteran left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who took 28 wickets and was named man-of-the-series.

Cricket Australia also regularly sends ‘A’ and youth teams to the subcontinent but some were failing to adapt, Sutherland said.

“To be a bona fide international cricketer in this day

and age you need to be able to adapt to conditions in Australia, conditions in England, conditions in the subcontinent ... wherever you play,” he said.

“And that adaptability is something that needs to be reviewed because some are adapting and some aren’t.”

Australia gained some consolation from the Sri Lanka tour on Wednesday, with the one-day side winning the fourth match to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.

Basketball action set for Cliff Anderson Sports Hall this weekend See story on page 27

Jamaica’s sprint queen Thompson trumps rivals again (REUTERS) - Jamaica’s sprint queen Elaine Thompson again edged her rivals as she set a Diamond League record in the women’s 200 metres yesterday to continue the form that brought her two gold medals at last month’s Rio Olympics.

Thompson came home in 21.85 seconds to beat Dutch world champion Dafne Schippers and evergreen American Allyson Felix in hot conditions as the final Diamond League places in 16 different events were decided in the Swiss city. Schippers ran her best time this season but was still one hundredth of a second behind Thompson with Felix third in 22.02.

“I’ve not been home since Rio and I’m longing to get back to Jamaica,” said Thompson, who will first run in Brussels on September 9 before head-

ing home.

Kenyan-born teenager Ruth Jebet, who won Bahrain’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, was far off the 3 000m steeplechase world record she set in Paris on Saturday but still romped home in 9.07.00 in front of a capacity crowd at the Letzigrund.

South Africa’s Caster Semenya continued her dominance in the women’s 800m in 1.56.44 in a race that had every finalist from Rio in the field and repeated the podium places with Francine Niyonsaba (Burundi) and Margaret Wambui (Kenya) second and third.

Renaud Lavillenie gained a measure of revenge for defeat in the Olympic men’s pole vault final by becoming the first athlete to win the Diamond turn to page 27

Elaine Thompson of Jamaica (L) wins the 200m women ahead of Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands. (REUTERS/Ruben Sprich)

Tigers captain Mortaza looks forward to working with hero Walsh BANGLADESH limited-overs captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza has expressed delight at the prospect of working with West Indies bowling legend Courtney Walsh.

Walsh is expected to officially join the unit on Tuesday as a Specialist Bowling Coach, having recently signed a three-year contract.

Mortaza, who admits to being a boyhood fan of the fast bowler, expects the West Indian’s presence to be a major boon for the Asian team.

“Obviously it’s great to have a high-profile player like him. Not only the pacers, I think he will help all the players in the dressing room. I hope our bowling department will benefit hugely, especially in Test cricket.

“I am expecting a lot from him and I hope all the players will think the same,” Mortaza said.

“I was always a huge fan of Walsh. I watched him bowl since my childhood,” he added.

Walsh occupied the post of West Indies selector for the last two years and was recently manager of the Under-15 select team on tour of the UK. The team had three wins, 2 losses. Prior to that Walsh served as manager for the Under-19 team to the 2012 World Cup and has toured with the men’s senior team as an assigned selector. (Sportsmax)

Bangladesh’s fast bowlers are looking forward to learn the secrets behind Courtney Walsh’s fitness over a 17-year playing career © P

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016