Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 03 11 2016

‘5Bs’ delivers again Page 5

Go after the facts No. 104724

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

‒ Cosbert to lead pharma corruption probe

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Triple joy!

President David Granger on Wednesday feted with the ‘Essequibo triplets’ – Ms. Radha, Ms. Rajshri and Ms. Reenica Mansaram on the occasion of their 22nd birthday, at his office at the Ministry of the Presidency. The young women said that it was their mother’s wish for them to celebrate their birthday with the President and Prime Minister, Mr Moses Nagamootoo, which they had expressed in letters to their respective offices. After presenting them with bouquets and a gift each, President Granger told the young women that it is the young generation such as themselves, which encourages and motivates his Government to create a better country and a better life for the citizens. Ms. Rajshri, who spoke on behalf of her sisters, said that they were grateful for the thought and consideration shown by the President in helping to make their day special

Diarrhoea Bandit Kuru Kururu in mom dies during shot dead outbreak Karrau by miner childbirth Page 2

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… Gov’t monitoring situation; pollution of river seen as main cause

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

Man goes berserk, decapitates neighbour BHULMATTIE Delall called “Mommy Gold”, 53, of Belvedere Squatting Area, Corentyne, Berbice, was on Wednesday decapitated by a berserk man.

At the time of the incident, the woman was at home relaxing with her two-yearold grandson, who was not hurt in the vicious attack.

According to information, the suspect Jainarine Balgobin called “Payo” had gone over to the woman’s house and threatened her.

Soon after he returned and committed the gruesome act.

Payo had also threatened three other neighbours before returning to Delall’s house where he severed her head with two chops.

“He went over by Mommy Gold and then he go over by them other people house and cuss them up and then he went over back by she with the cutlass in he hand and chop she and like he corner

Dead: Bhulmattie Delall called “Mommy Gold”

she by the fireside and how he chop she the head fall and left pon one side,” one neighbour related.

Payo was released from the Albion Police Station lockups on Tuesday after spending three days there for

Undertakers removing the body of Bhulmattie Delall called “Mommy Gold”, 53, from her home

allegedly stealing his mother’s money.

He reportedly tripped out Wednesday morning and threatened several neighbours before going to Delall.

Delall is said to be very close to Payo’s mother and would rescue her whenever

he abuses her.

The man, soon after committing the act, was arrested and taken into police custody.

According to residents, Payo had tripped out once before.

“Yesterday when he come he went over by (Bhul-

mattie) and touch she up and she holler for he mother. His mother come over and had to carry he home. When he drink he does behave really bad and treat he mother bad.

One time before he trip out too but this me can’t believe he kill that lady so this thing

mek everybody shock -- that was a good lady. She does be the one to help out he mother,” another resident at the scene related.

Delall’s daughter, Purinima Nandram, 27, who was traumatised by the incident, said she was at work in New Amsterdam when she received a call informing her to go home immediately.

Nandram said she left only to come home to find her mother dead.

“I can’t believe this. Why he had to do this to mommy?

She is a good lady always want to help people, she never like see advantage tek pon people,” the daughter cried.

Nandram said when she left home earlier her mother was in good spirits. Her two elder children ages seven and eight went to school while her two-year-old grandson stayed with Delall.

Delall leaves to mourn two daughters ages 28 and 27 and five grandchildren.

Bandit shot dead by miner A MINER shot and killed one of three bandits after they attempted to break into his 5th Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara home on Wednesday morning.

Police have apprehended one of the bandits who has been identified as a 27-yearold male from West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The man was arrested in the vicinity of the crime scene

and is assisting police with their investigation.

Police Public Relations Office Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan said investigations revealed that about 02:15hrs Wednesday morning, a 38-year-old miner was awakened by a loud noise emanating from the lower flat of his house.

Upon checking, he saw two males, one armed with a handgun, attempting to gain

entry into a southern door.

The miner raised an alarm and during this process, discharged his licensed firearm in the bandits’ direction, hitting one of them who fell.

The two other robbers, including one armed with a firearm, on seeing what happened bolted from the house and scaled the fence.

The matter was reported and ranks of a mobile patrol responded promptly and rushed the shot bandit, who was clad in a three quarter-pants and a black vest tied around his neck, to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital.

The robber who was shot twice to the neck was pronounced dead on arrival, and was subsequently taken to the

Lyken Funeral Home.

Another of the men who tried to escape was captured in the vicinity of the crime scene.

The miner who gave his name as “Rupee” said Wednesday was the seventh occasion he has been a victim of banditry and is tired of the crime situation.

Recounting what happened, he said when he heard a suspicious noise in his lower flat, he discovered three men attempting to bend his steel door to gain entry into his house.

Realising one of the men had a firearm; he immediately opened fire hitting one of them. After the ordeal, the miner said he contacted the police.

Go after the facts

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

‒ Pharma corruption probe launched A FORMER top sleuth of the Guyana Police Force, Retired Assistant Commissioner Winston Cosbert, was on Wednesday evening given the Terms of Reference (ToRs) by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, to probe the allegation of unauthorised disclosure of information, mismanagement and malpractices in the procurement of pharmaceuticals at the Ministry of Public Health.

In handing over the ToRs, Minister Harmon said that Government eagerly awaits that report and the findings, so that appropriate action can be taken. “I have the confidence in your ability; I have seen your work before and you have done inquiries before.

I look forward to the report.

This is an important inquiry … and when you have to go after these things, you have to have evidence and facts [because] Government cannot act on innuendos and hearsay.

We have to have an investigation and based on that, the Government acts,” Harmon declared.

The Board of Inquiry (BoI) will commence today and is expected to render its written report and findings to the Minister of State on or before November 30, 2016.

The Inquiry is expected to take place at Department of the Public Service and at any

other place, which the commissioner deems fit.

The Board is expected to investigate, examine and report on the “procurement and management processes by which the Ministry of Public Health awards contracts for the procurement of pharmaceuticals, services and supplies to bidders; whether there was unauthorised disclosure of any information on the procurement of pharmaceuticals by the staff of the Ministry of Public Health and the facts surrounding such unauthorised disclosure; the facts surrounding the allegation that Ms. Kandasie Aaron, without prior consent from the Ministry of Public Health, divulged any information on the procurement of pharmaceuticals; to what extent this specific disclosure is an isolated incident and if not, does it represent a more general practice at the Ministry of Public Health.”

It is also expected to investigate the procedure which exists to identify and control the unauthorised disclosure of price-sensitive information in the procurement of pharmaceuticals and how and when did the Ministry of Public Health become aware of these disclosures and what actions, if any, were taken by the ministry.

After the investigation and findings, recommenda-

tions must be made for measures that could strengthen information management systems within the ministry to improve the handling of protected information and deter any unauthorised disclosures; and remedial actions, or any other actions, against staff who are found to have acted improperly in the discharge of their public duties and those persons who have benefited from the actions of the public officials and for criminal prosecution or other actions, if any, against any such person found to have been engaged in criminal or improper conduct.

Following allegations of corruption in the medical drug procurement system, Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton had called for a Commission of Inquiry to be established to investigate the system and later submitted to Cabinet a proposal on the matter, with the recommendation that the allegations be investigated. He told the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday that the Ministry of Public Health had been given assurance that drugs would have been made available for the rest of the year, “and with two months more to go, we have an almost stuck-out”, he lamented. “I am peeved, because [I, as] the minister, [am] yet again

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, shakes hands with the Commissioner of the newly established Board of Inquiry, Mr. Winston Cosbert, who has been tasked with probing allegations of malpractices in the procurement division of the Ministry of Public Health

being provided with wrong information,” Dr. Norton stated. He said, too, that the MoPH is being held to ransom by an anonymous letter writer “who provided us with information that suggests information was being leaked to bidders, which would give them an advantage over others in the procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.”

The Public Health Minister noted that because the issue is a sensitive one, it is best that a thorough investigation be done to ascertain who the guilty players are.

He said, “mischief is afoot, and I am worried, because it will paint the Government in a bad light.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

Trial opens for trio in Bartica massacre THE Bartica Massacre trial continued on Wednesday with State Prosecutor, Diana Kaulesar laying out her case and urging the jury to consider the evidence presented in court by witnesses separately although the three accused were jointly charged.

Wednesday’s session got off to a late start before Justice Roxane George and a 12-member jury as a result of the late arrival of Defence Counsel, Saphier Hussain. When asked by Justice George his reason for being more than an hour late he said there was a road accident at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, which caused a traffic jam.

He was excused by Justice George but warned to make it at court on time

during the rest of the trial.

The opening address was made by State Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar, who told the court that on February 17, 2008 when residents were engrossed in the 20/20 cricket match being televised, the men went on a rampage having descended on Bartica at nightfall.

She said they carted off guns belonging to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) after they killed three policemen.

Kaulesar further stated that the group of men took the police vehicle and continued their onslaught in Bartica where they killed innocent civilians numbering nine, including five men, who were executed at the Bartica Stelling.

TWO businessmen from Linden and Diamond, East Bank Demerara have been taken into custody, after an unlicensed shotgun, three (live) cartridges and a small quantity of cannabis were found in their places of business, at Omai Landing, Region Eight, during separate raids.

According to a police re-

lease, about 02:30hrs, police ranks acting on information swooped down on a shop at Omai Landing and conducted a search, during which a 12-gauge shotgun and three live cartridges were found.

The release noted that the 59-year-old owner of Diamond Housing Scheme, who was present, admitted to ownership of the firearm and

She said some men who participated in the incident were arrested following an investigation conducted by the police and three of them were seated in the courtroom on Wednesday. The prosecutor then directed her submission to the 12-member jury outlining their role in the courtroom as it related to evidence being presented in the high-profile murder trial.

She asked the jury to consider only the evidence presented in court by witnesses separately although the three accused were jointly charged.

The trial started with a voir dire (a trial within a trial) to determine the admissibility of evidence in the trial. On trial are Mark Royden called “Durant,” Dennis Williams

called “Anaconda” and Roger Simon called “Goat Man” indicted for 12 counts each for the murder of nine civilians and three policemen at Bartica on February 17, 2008.

Royden is being represented by Roger Yearwood, Williams’ lawyer is Saphier Hussain and Simon’s attorney is Peter Hugh. The trial continues today at 09:00hrs.

The five accused: Mark Royden called ‘Durant Williams’, Dennis Williams aka “Anaconda”, Clebert Reece called “Chi-Chi”, Michael Caesar, and Roger Simon, allegedly murdered 12 men at Bartica on February 17, 2008.

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

counts of break and enter and larceny.

Caesar and Reece have since pleaded guilty to manslaughter separately on Monday and Tuesday and will return to the High Court on December 16, 2016 for probation reports followed by sentencing before Justice Roxane George. During the February 17, 2008 rampage nine civilians and three cops were gunned down by a group of heavily armed men, who descended on Bartica at nightfall.

Those who lost their lives were Bartica residents: Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian and Irving Ferreira; policemen stationed at the Bartica Police Station, Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, Consta-

bles Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne; Deonarine Singh of Wakenaam; Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu; Ashraf Khan of Middlesex, Essequibo; Abdool Yasseen; Errol Thomas of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and Baldeo Singh of Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

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

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

Businessmen caught with Security guard hospitalised shotgun, ammo, ganja after accident

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ammunition and will appear in court soon.

Meanwhile, police acting on further information, went to a shop at Omai Landing about 03:00hrs and conducted a search during which 29 grams of cannabis were found in small zip-lock packages.

It was noted that the 49-year-old owner who hails from One Mile, Wismar, Linden and who was present, claimed ownership of the illegal substance. He too will appear in court shortly.

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By Shirley Thomas

SIXTY-year-old Davendra Ram, a security guard employed with AH & L Kissoon, East Bank Demerara, is now warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital, suffering fractures to his left leg and arm and injuries to his head, after being involved in an accident on the La Grange, West Bank Demerara Public Road on Tuesday.

Ram, who lives at Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, recalled that

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shortly after 19:00 hrs, he was returning home, and as he was turning off the La Grange main road, into Independence Street he was struck by a motor car which hurled him through the air, causing him to land dangerously on the roadway.

The motorist, who struck him, got out of his vehicle, placed him into his car and dropped him off at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

At the hospital, he was stabilised before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

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The injured man’s daughter, Bashwantie, who was still inconsolable at his bedside Wednesday, recalled that shortly after 20:00 hrs, on Tuesday night she received a message from a nurse at the West Demerara Regional Hospital informing her that her father had been involved in an accident and that family members should come down to the hospital.

The woman said when they arrived at the hospital they could hardly recognise him. He was transferred to GPHC where he was treated and admitted to the Male Surgical Ward. When seen by this newspaper, Ram seemed to be experiencing excruciating pains in the head.

Relatives said that the motorist who caused the accident has since been arrested by the Vreed-enHoop Police.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

‘5Bs’ delivers 50 bikes, 400 pairs of shoes to Kwakwani

First Lady Sandra Granger presents a box of ‘the shoes that grow’ to a representative of the Kwakwani Primary School

location,” Minister Ally said.

The minister also said that the ‘Five Bs’ initiative has started a new chapter in the education system and the nation. “These investments that are being made will have valuable and positive long-term impacts to our human capital,” she said.

Minister Ally then commended the sponsors, who continue to give wholeheartedly towards the initiative in order to realise the President’s vision.

“Because of [your] generosity we have distributed a total of 13 buses, 10 boats and hundreds of bicycles to schools throughout Guyana,” she said.

The minister then reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring “inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all…. We as a Government will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that supportive measures [are] in place to facilitate your education,” she said.

The students also benefited from 400 pairs of shoes donated through the First Lady’s Shoes that Grow Initiative.

“These are all donations from Guyanese, at home and in the diaspora and from our Caribbean neighbours. [The shoes] have been distributed in regions one and nine, Region Ten Kwakwani is the first to get these shoes in this region and it all ties in with [the importance that] Government [has] placed on education,” Mrs Granger said. Several sport groups who were at the presentation ceremony also benefited from sporting gear from the Ministry.

The event was also attended by Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, Director of Community Development and Regional Democratic Councillor, Sandra Adams and several other representatives from the region. (Ministry of the Presidency)

MINISTER of Social our human potential ocratic society such regardless of where Cohesion, Amna Ally and to effectively par- as ours, everyone has you live, your race, was on Wednesday ticipate in any dem- the right to education, culture or geographic joined by First Lady Sandra Granger to distribute 50 bicycles and 400 pairs of shoes to school children in Kwakwani, Region Ten, under President David Granger’s ‘Boats, Buses, Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books (‘Five Bs’) programme.

In her address, Minister Ally said that education continues to be among the Government’s top priorities.

She noted that the Government is committed to providing equal access to education for children across the country, in keeping with President Granger’s vision to transform Guyana into “an education nation”.

“Access to education is fundamental Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, First Lady Sandra Granger and representatives of Region 10 with students and to the development of their brand new bicycles

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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

Time to build

constituencies offices

THERE has been strong rebuke by sections of society to the announcement by the PNCR, the major party in the APNU and coalition APNU+AFC Government, that their Members of Parliament (MPs), who are Ministers of Government would meet with the public at its Congress Place headquarters. The intellectual development and increased knowledge base of any society are reliant on integrity in public discourses.

It is the political party that conceptualises the policies of the government and has a responsibility to ensure it operates consistent with those policies. To be assured the government is doing the right thing the party has to rely on feedback from not only its members and supporters, but also the citizens at large. The practice of having ministers meeting with the public at the party office(s) is part of our political culture. It had been utilised during the governments of Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Janet Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar.

To believe that the PNCR ministers who are MPs that have responsibilities to various constituencies ought not to meet with the public at Congress Place is to believe that the PPP/C MPs ought not to meet their constituents and public at Freedom House. It is also instructive that other parties within the coalition whose MPs and Ministers of Government meet supporters and the public at their party offices don’t attract similar condemnation. That somehow in the instance of the PNCR such meeting becomes party paramountcy and deserving to be decried absent objective analysis of our political culture and customs is bringing disrepute to public political discourse and not serving the best interest of society.

This good/bad binary where in our society it boils down to race and political association is a problem that has to be confronted and rooted out through constructive discourse and action. In fairness to all sides, the PPP/C’s good cannot be the PNCR or other political parties’ bad and vice versa. The growth and development of this society require taking deliberate action- speech and deeds- to reach the stage where good and bad are universally acceptable beliefs, holding all to the same standards and subjecting all to play by the same rules.

Ours is a political system whereby elected officials are extracted from the List of Representatives, as identified by the political party, to serve in Parliament and include some who are Ministers of Government. This reality is not unique to Guyana; it is a characteristic of the Westminster system of government. Other Caribbean countries that have adopted the Westminster system, though they have the constituency-based, first-past-the-post system, some elected MPs or appointed senators of the political parties are Ministers of Government.

This also carries with it the responsibility of accounting to their constituencies. The difference with Guyana is that unlike our Caribbean counterparts, this society has not evolved to the stage where MPs have constituency offices.

And here is where the time has come to emulate best practices in legislative and political growth and development in sister member-states. For instance, in Jamaica, the State provides funding for the offices of parliamentarians to support their work in their

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

Another desperate plea to citizens of Georgetown to pay their rates and taxes Dear Editor

dents to clear all outstanding amounts, so that there will be a constant provision of much needed public services. There has always been the argument of whether the provision of quality public services should precede the payment of rates. One may say that it is fair to first benefit from a good-quality service before payment of rates is requested. To some extent, some citizens hold their rates ransom demanding that the Council first provide the requisite services.

However, in order to provide such services, the Council must expend financial resources- much of which is funded through the collected rates and taxes.

Without this revenue, the Council finds itself hard pressed to function efficiently, the way it ought to.

Paying taxes is a civic obligation of the people of any nation. This is why the Council is often encouraging residents to pay their rates and taxes. The Council has gone far and beyond to facilitate every resident of the city. It has even offered and extended its offer of amnesty which would have allowed many to benefit from reduction in arrears due. This was indeed a reasonable step taken by the Council to reach out to taxpayers.

The results of the amnesty programme were good. It assisted in getting the Council

to recuperate a good portion of its outstanding revenues and residents are again commended for their efforts to pay their taxes.

H o w e v e r, h e r e t h e Council is again pleading with residents to pay their taxes. Much has been done by the Council that deserves credit. The evidence of tax revenue being put to good use is all around Georgetown. The Council is asking residents to come out and pay their taxes so that the progress achieved so far will continue.

MARTIN Luther’s Protestant Reformation is an event that seems locked in a proverbial time capsule, even though the very existence of the tens of thousands of Christian denominations today tell the silent tale of one man’s revolution against the powers of the day.

This past week, Pope Francis left his home to mark the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in Sweden, the first Pontiff to ever do so.

Even criticised by many Roman Catholics for the move, the trip detailed meetings with senior Lutheran leaders and even historic discussions, the most we have had in history between Rome and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

The question today we should ask is not whether or not Luther was right. Most agree he was, but the Chris-

tian church is in a continuous effort to a continuous reformation, much of what Luther, a former Roman Catholic priest, started back in the day. He nailed his famous 95 theses on the church door at Wittenburg, Germany. His discontent with the Church of Rome back in the day included corrupt popes and senior church leaders. Then there were the doctrinal differences whereby Luther uniquely interpreted certain forms of scriptures. By and large though, he was right on many issues, including the clerical abuse and exploitation of the faithful back in the day. His actions might have very well pushed Rome to change her unsavoury ways and restore the church to the true principles of the Gospel.

But with 500 years of the Reformation, I do believe the Lutheran Church someday will return to the Roman fold. Pope Francis has initi-

ated that process, albeit how lengthy and time-consuming the process might be. But the healing has begun to restore cordial relations between the two churches. Pope Francis himself has expressed that desire for that unity which once existed.

In Guyana, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana (ELCG) planned a grand celebration on Sunday, October 30, to commemorate this historical fact. The event was held at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Lutheran Courts, New Amsterdam, Berbice. While every opportunity should have been extended to ease the tensions between the two churches and reach out in this healing process, I am not sure whether the Roman Catholic leader or leaders were extended an invitation to this celebration.

However, President David Granger was there as well as Region Six Chairman, Mr.

David Armogan. I’m not sure how significant those choices were. But every effort should be seized for inter- religious and inter- denominational dialogue between every religious organisation, especially between the fractured relationships caused by history between the Lutherans and the Roman Catholic Church.

Many Catholics are amazed by the bold and dynamic move by Pope Francis by returning to Sweden to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of one of the greatest religious revolutions mankind has ever known--- to reconcile leaders of the man who ‘splintered’ Christianity with leaders of Rome. A bold step forward indeed, as we too here at the local level must do our little part to foster Christian unity.

constituencies. Guyana’s MPs’ offices can be similarly built and staffed by the State, given that a MP is a constitutional office and the records of his/her

work are the property of the State. The Regional/ Geographic MPs offices, inclusive of staffing and support services, can be set up in all 10 administrative

regions. The offices for the National/Top-up MPs can be located in Georgetown.

The time has come to act, for outside of this being a progressive political step

and ensuring MPs adequately serve their constituents, it spares the society the divisive rancour and deceit which debase public discourse.

IT is a basic economic fact that if expenses outweigh revenues, then there will soon be a ‘budget deficit.’

Any entity that continuously runs a deficit budget will soon experience major financial and other implications. In just an instance, there will be need to either resuscitate/improve old revenue streams or source alternative streams.

Such is the case of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. There is need to improve revenue collection.

Thus, the Council is once again making an urgent plea for defaulting resi-

Regards Debra Lewis Public Relations Officer Mayor and City Council

Lutheran church could return to Catholic fold Dear Editor

Regards Leon Suseran

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

GPL -unveils upgrade plan says faults on 69kv line caused recent blackouts THE Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has said that the power shutdowns experienced by the Demerara- Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) was due to suspected faults on the 69kv transmission line linking the Kingston Power Station to the Sophia Substation (Dispatch Centre).

The company made this disclosure in a statement issued to the media on Wednesday, when it noted that the company was able to stabilise the system on Wednesday October 19 and restore services after making adjustments to its protection system.

Moving forward, the company said it intends to conduct a comprehensive maintenance exercise, in keeping with its Annual Maintenance Programme, on the medium voltage (11 kv, 50 Hz) and high- voltage (69kv) transmission line linking the Kingston Power Stations to the Sophia Substation scheduled for Sunday November 6, 2016.

As such, they sought to advise customers that this planned maintenance exercise, which is expected to be 10 hours, will affect areas on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Georgetown. This

will be a result of switching activities to ensure alternative-supply arrangements are carried out, and will result in some areas being without power for the duration of the exercise GPL also revealed that during 2017, the company intends to commence construction of additional transmission lines between the following locations; a second 69kv transmission line linking the Kingston substation and Sophia substation; and a second 69kv transmission line linking Sophia, Good Hope and Columbia substations for the same reasons.

These second lines will provide redundancies in the transmission network.

Additionally, four new substations will be constructed between 2017 and 2018 at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, Canal Number two, West Bank Demerara (WBD), Kuru Kuru, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and Williamsburg, East Bank Berbice (EBB).

GPL also pointed out that the majority of blackouts being experienced are the result of Feeder Trips and that there is no shortage of generating capacity in the

Demerara-Berbice Interconnection system.

Against this backdrop, the company plans to install electronic remote control devices on its distribution feeders in order to reduce the duration and frequency of these outages. This would reduce the current level of manual intervention for fault detection, isolation of affected areas and fault correction.

GENERATION According to GPL, its generation is supported by an annual maintenance programme at all generating locations. This maintenance programme determines the extent of maintenance which is determined by the number of accomplished hours of each engine.

And during the month of October, a shortfall in generating capacity at the Bartica, Anna Regina, and Farefield generation facilities resulted in periodic load-shedding to a number of served areas.

The company noted that these generating units are very old and their replacements were neglected over the years.

Bartica Two of the three generating units were unavailable

as a result of unexpected mechanical failures. At present, the company noted that two generating sets are in operation, but that one unit is operating at reduced capacity.

GPL also revealed that it has transported an operational generating unit to Bartica.

This unit will be commissioned November 1, 2016, with an operational capacity of 1.5MW. The company intends to decommission Engine No. 2 for immediate remedial work to improve the output.

Once commissioned, the total generating capacity would be 2.8MW, which the company said is significantly above the peak demand.

The power company noted too that it has commenced the procurement process for a new 1.7MW HFO generating unit for Bartica. This is expected to arrive in May next year.

Planned for the future too, is the establishment of a renewable energy supply for

the town to provide for load during the daytime. This is being done in collaboration with the Government.

ANNA REGINA In this town, the company noted that two of the three generating units were unavailable as a result of unexpected mechanical failures.

One of the two units was operating at reduced capacity.

The peak demand is 2.7MW, while available generation was 2.5MW. As a result, urgent repairs on the one unit with reduced capacity was undertaken and it has been able to increase capacity to meet peak demand.

Additionally, the third unit is undergoing a major overhaul and is expected to be re-commissioned November 11, 2016. Once this is commissioned, the company said that there will be an additional 1.3MW of generating capacity at this facility.

For this town too, the

company has commenced the procurement process for three new 60 hertz/cycle 1.7MW HFO generating units for Anna Regina. This is also expected to arrive in May of next year.

GPL also intends to complete the frequency conversion from 50hertz to 60hertz from La Union to Charity, prior to the arrival of the new generating units.

In the future too, a new hybrid (fuel/ renewable energy) Power Station is planned for Anna Regina. The company expects to partner with Independent Power Providers on the renewable energy component of the new Plant.

FAIRFIELD According to the power company, there are two units at this facility which serves villages from Hoff Van Aurich to Supenaam.

The capacity of one unit is sufficient to meet the peak demand of 1.3MW. However, at present, only one unit is available. The second unit was expected to be in operation by November 4, 2016.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

Diarrhoea outbreak in Karrau … Gov’t monitoring situation; pollution of river seen as main cause

By Ariana Gordon A TEAM of Public Health officials was on Tuesday rushed into the Indigenous community of Karrau, Region Seven, following reports of an outbreak in diarrhoea, which has so far affected some 40 residents mostly.

According to the Ministry of Public Health, the affected persons are com-

plaining of diarrhoea, severe tummy aches and vomiting.

The Guyana Chronicle was also informed that in all cases of diarrhoea, blood was evident in the stool. Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, has confirmed the reported cases and told the Guyana Chronicle that the alarm was raised on Tuesday, which prompted a team of health officers from the Bartica Public Hospital to be

dispatched to Karrau.

Karrau is located just outside of Bartica at the mouth of the Cuyuni and Mazaruni Rivers, Region Seven and is a relatively small Indigenous population that accommodates mining activities nearby. The people of that community do not have potable drinking water and rely on a stream to do their daily chores. “Tests were done but the results are inconclusive…

Karrau Creek, Region Seven

It is [a] water-borne disease, but I am not sure which bacteria are present. Tests are ongoing,” Dr Norton stated.

The Minister of Health said not only children are affected by what he termed an “outbreak,” noting that the Karrau Creek area has been troubled over the years. He explained that the community has had several health issues, but those were always kept under control, given that they have easy access to medical care at the Bartica Hospital. “There is no permanent water supply there and so the residents use water from the creek to do everything. It should be noted that there are mining areas nearby,” Dr Norton told the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday.

He stressed that while there is no source of potable water available in the community, the Ministry of Health has been emphasising the need for residents to boil and treat all water being used for consumption.

“We have been advising the residents to boil the water before drinking it… we are particularly concerned about the quality of water used for domestic purposes. “This is an Indigenous community located in an area where there are mining concessions…it is likened to a landing,” the minister explained. He said about 40 persons live in the community. “Every effort is being made to ensure hydration and treatment is being provided to those affected with diarrhoea, vomiting and fever,” the minister told the Chronicle.

HEALTH OFFICIALS Meanwhile, Toshao of the village, Bertille Thomas,has confirmed the presence of health officials of the Bartica Public Hospital. He explained that the officials visited the community upon hearing of the outbreak. He

said too that the children have been vomiting and “passing mucus with streaks of blood and complaining of heavy belly pain.”

Thomas said it was only on Wednesday that he was made aware that approximately 40 residents were unwell. He noted that his own grandchild was unwell with the same complaints and he gave him medication that eased the condition. “The children started suffering

Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton

during the week—parents didn’t take it seriously,” he told the Chronicle. The Toshao said too that children as young as one year old have been affected and according to reports, a significant number of children who attend the Karrau Primary School were absent over the past week due to the illness.

“Most people use rainwater…but due to the dry spell people get water from the row… people use the creek when they run short of water,” Thomas told the Chronicle. He could not state if boiling water for domestic use was done by residents, but noted that the water at the creek is “not too safe.”

“People bathe, swim, wash there…when the water is low it is safe for drinking,

but when the tide is high, the residue from mining would come into the creek…there is no other water supply except for the rain,” he stated.

Thomas said that there is hope for the residents of the Indigenous community, noting that works are ongoing to have a well operational by the end of this week. He said, “We have a well that is almost complete…we are doing the networking and that is at 98 per cent for the laying of the pipe. There are 200 more pipes to lay and that should be done by next week…we have to install the submerged pump.”

He gave the assurance that by next weekend the residents of Karrau will have “good water.”

Meanwhile, a teacher at the Karrau Primary School, Melrose Allicock, told the Guyana Chronicle that approximately 50 per cent of the students in the school were unwell. Many of those children have returned to school, but the others remain unwell.

“In the school a lot of the children, 50 per cent, have been experiencing diarrhoea and vomiting for about a week or so…some of them are back and some are still at home.” She said a team from the Bartica Hospital including a doctor and sanitary inspector visited the community on Tuesday.

Efforts are being made by the Ministry of Public Health to determine the cause of the illness.

Back in March, the residents of Karrau had protested contamination of the creek, noting that the creek has been polluted for several months by a miner who served on the village council.

The water in the creek was discoloured. In January, the village council called on authorities to close a mining operation which they deemed to be the cause of the creek’s pollution. “The best solution to the issue is for the Government to close this operation; so we are asking them to act in this direction,” Thomas had said.

The issue of pollution of the waterway by miners was raised with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), as well as the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the Ministry of the Presidency by way of a correspondence.

Additionally, Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford had described the creek as heavily polluted and he too called for an intervention by the authorities.

Let’s talk!

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

AS U.S. banks continue to end correspondent relations with indigenous banks in the Caribbean over money-laundering concerns, a regional conference comprising international stakeholders has supported the idea of dialogue to decide on the way forward.

Since banks in the U.S. signalled their intention to end correspondent relations with banks in the Caribbean, the region has been pushing to have this decision reversed, given the financial implications this would bring.

As such, the conference, which was held on October 27 and 28 in Antigua and Barbuda, was intended to seek solutions to this troubling issue of the withdrawal of correspondent banking relations, de-risking and the labelling of the Caribbean as a tax haven.

The conference was attended by senior representatives of international financial institutions, including; the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank; regulatory bodies; the Eu-

ropean Union Commission; the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Forum; commercial banks; central banks; governments; the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat; and the Caribbean Development Bank Endorsed at this conference was a recommendation made by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) that ongoing dialogue is needed between correspondent and respondent institutions on the matter. FATF and FSB said, “It is important for correspondent institutions to maintain an ongoing and open dialogue with the respondent institution(s), including helping them understand the correspondent’s anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism policy, engaging with them to improve their controls and processes.”

And this was welcomed by the participants at the conference, who agreed that it is a vital platform from which both correspon-

dent and respondent banks can engage in constructive dialogue leading to a permanent solution. Accordingly, the conference called on international banks to continue their provision of correspondent banking relations, while all parties implement the guidance of the FATF and the FSB. The financial watchdogs also concluded that withdrawal of correspondent banking relations “is a serious concern” to them “to the extent that de-risking may drive financial transactions into non-regulated channels, reducing transparency of financial flows and creating financial exclusion, thereby increasing exposure to money-laundering and terrorist financing risks.”

Caribbean governments, regulators and banks, participating in the conference, committed the regional jurisdictions to redouble their efforts to achieve full compliance with the international standards set by the FATF, the FSB and the OECD Global Forum.

As a result, the sum of

‒ regional conference calls for dialogue on withdrawal of U.S. banks 4.5M euros pledged by the European Union (EU) to CARIFORUM/CFATF was welcomed by the conference as a means to address such deficiencies that exist.

Other countries were urged at the conference to follow the lead of the EU. The conference also agreed that Caribbean banks should work with correspondent banks to develop pro-forma model agreements which incorporate the principles enshrined in the FATF guidance note as a basis for negotiating the provision of correspondent banking services in the future. In relation to the “unfair and unfortunate” labelling of the Caribbean as a tax haven, the conference noted in a statement that such labelling is grounded more in perception than reality. And having agreed that this labelling is grounded in perception, participating Caribbean jurisdictions resolved to launch a targeted and focused campaign aimed at eliminating this “false characterisation.”

Additionally, Caribbean jurisdictions acknowledged

that some jurisdictions have been tardy in passing legislation for the common reporting standards, and this is a key criterion used by the Global Forum in assessing jurisdictions. They also agreed that harmonisation of legislation and regulation needs to be pursued.

And what was recognised by these countries was that efficiencies can be gained from regional collaboration that bundle national operations.

They highlighted the fact that the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union countries have decided to consolidate their national Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) work into one regional operation under the purview of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

However, one of the areas of concern for the international community is the Caribbean’s perceived lack of enforcement action.

It was agreed that this is an issue that must be addressed by dedicating more resources to Financial Intelligence Units (FIU) and other rele-

vant agencies including the CFATF to perform their functions more effectively.

As a result, the Caribbean jurisdictions agreed that they have to prepare themselves adequately for evaluations by international agencies. This therefore calls for them to establish Frameworks for National Risk Assessments, National Action Plans and National AML/CTF committees, as a matter of urgency to help identify the areas of weakness within their systems, including client information systems.

In that regard, it was pointed out that data systems have to be improved, and the Action Plan for Statistics approved by their Heads of Government last July during CARICOM Heads of Government meeting should be implemented. These initiatives, the statement said, are intended to strengthen the financial reporting systems and provide greater transparency, which should raise the level of comfort of correspondent banks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

Dumpsite impasse...

Lindeners call for ‘urgent’ action ‒ following ‘gastro’ outbreak among babies, older children

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC) is calling on the relevant authorities to address, as a matter of urgency, the impassable state of the Kara Kara dumpsite access road.

The call comes in the wake of a recent outbreak of gastro-enteritis in the municipality, and though no definitive reason has been given for the flare-up, recently retired CEO of the Linden Hospital Complex, Dr. Farouk Ryasat, says it may have been caused by contaminated water.

Whatever the origin of the outbreak, the hospital saw a spiral in cases of the infection, especially in children and babies. With most of the cases being from in and around the Wismar shoreline, paediatrician, Dr. Shemika Hector, is advising residents in the neighbourhood to boil their water so as to make it safer for consumption, rather than just adding chlorine and hoping for the best.

NO ALTERNATIVE The situation with access to the Kara Kara dumpsite leaves the Council no alternative but to use the one near

Dakoura Creek, even though the facility has been deemed an environmental and health hazard. This is because the creek is a primary source of water for Wismar residents.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had, some time ago, ordered the LMTC to close the Dakoura dumpsite because of residents’ fears of the water table being contaminated through leaching.

Back in July, the municipality had reported that the Ministry of Communities had committed to repairing the access road to the Kara Kara dumpsite, so as to allow for the discontinuation

of dumping at Dakoura. But to date, the road has not been done.

According to Chairman of the Environmental Committee, Wainwright Betune, the ministry did start the process of having the road repaired, but no actual work has commenced.

“I think they did some testing of the materials that they wanted to compact the road with, and that is the last I heard of it,” Betune said, adding: “The road was an estimated $18M; and they had the contractors who were bidding come and look at it... And that was the last I

heard.”

HARSH REALITY He readily agreed that dumping at the Dakoura site is unhealthy, but said that the harsh reality is: “There isn’t anywhere else to dump in this inclement weather.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, who recently made a public call for the access road to be repaired as soon as possible.

This would have been a priority for the Council, but given that it is cash-strapped, there is very little that can be done.

The municipality continues to face challenges as it relates to garbage collection

and disposal, with limited trucks and equipment to do so effectively.

Several residents are forced to pay a private company $1600 monthly for weekly garbage collection.

Mayor Holland stressed that the situation is depressing, knowing that the residents cannot be served effectively.

“We are basically handicapped; we are limped when it comes to garbage collection. And we don’t have a compactor truck to assist and aid in the pickup of garbage. We need to have such facilities to be able to better serve our Linden community,” Holland said.

Kuru Kururu mom dies during childbirth

By Ariana Gordon A KURU Kururu family is mourning the loss of a 35-year-old mother, who died in the process of delivering her third child at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Tuesday night.

Dead is Sattie De Jesus.

She was admitted to the Public Hospital on Tuesday morning after feeling a bit unwell. According to De Jesus’ husband Odin, his wife was supposed to visit GPHC on Monday but they were of the

opinion that it was a holiday, so she waited until Tuesday morning.

“She wasn’t sick…she was due soon,” said the distraught husband. He explained that his wife was due to deliver their third child within the next two months.

“She tek in so suddenly,” he told Guyana Chronicle while recounting that he was informed that the baby was breached in De Jesus’ tummy and posed difficulty for her.

The couple’s newborn baby is said to be doing fine.

He noted that he was un-

able to travel with his wife because their five-year-old daughter was asleep and he had no one to care for her in his absence. The couple’s eldest child was in the interior at the time.

Guyana Chronicle understands that De Jesus’ suffered from hypertension during her pregnancy and her blood pressure had gone extremely high. It was due to the rocketing of her pressure that doctors at the GPHC were forced to do an emergency caesarian section (C-Section).

“The child went cross

Dead: Sattie De Jesus

way so they had to do a surgery … her pressure went high and they had to take the child, they cut her and the pressure fly to she brains… seizure, like a minor stroke… she was brain dead.”

Odin told this publication that his wife left for Georgetown from their Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway early Tuesday morning and at approximately 18:00h in the evening, he received a call from a doctor informing him of the need to visit the hospital as an emergency surgery needed to be done on his wife.

“The doctor called and tell me he wants me to sign for her surgery…I told him he has to give me an hour and half…by the time I leave home and reach down after 8pm, all I see is that she was on life support machine and the baby was already out.”

The aggrieved husband related that the doctor informed him after the surgery that his wife was in a critical condition and “she might or might not make it, there was

a 50 per cent chance.” His wife was on life support, with oxygen and heart machines attached to her along with saline. “I left and I went home and they called me after 9pm that night and tell me she gone,” he recounted.

The 35-year-old woman who hails from Phillipi, Kamarang, Region Seven was once a Patient Care Assistant at the GPHC, but her husband noted that she had worked with the GPHC for over 10 years.

According to Odin, he was a bit worried given all of the news about maternal deaths in the Public Health system but noted that he was not in a position to state anything about the treatment given to his wife on Tuesday.

“I was on the Highway so I don’t know what happened apart from what the doctor told me, my sister and my mother…the doctor sit me down and tell me fine, fine what happen to Sattie,” the saddened man told Guyana Chronicle.

Odin said the doctor that examined her wanted to have a CT Scan done but she died just before the scan could have been done. “He wanted to know if she had a stroke or what caused the seizure,” he stated. A post-mortem examination will be done on Friday morning.

When contacted on Wednesday, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud told Guyana Chronicle that he had received a notice of death that morning and explained that an inves-

tigation has been launched into the death of De Jesus.

The GPHC he said is in the process of preparing a report that has to be submitted to the Ministry of Public Health within seven days. “Copies of the clinical records, post mortem and the like have to be submitted with the report,” he explained. Dr Persaud noted that a Committee would be established to examine the matter and noted that the post mortem will “identify the underlying cause of death.”

CONCERNS Meanwhile, Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton expressed concern over the report of another maternal death in the public health system and said “this news comes at a time when efforts are being made to reduce maternal deaths.” Dr Norton told Guyana Chronicle that he is awaiting a report on De Jesus. The minister said there has been a decline in the number of maternal deaths in the public health system, noting that just prior to De Jesus there were nine maternal deaths, while there were 16 deaths last year. “That is not to say that the decline is comforting. There should be no maternal deaths,” the minister stated. Even as the country has been grappling to reduce its maternal death figures, it should be noted that a number of the maternal deaths were as a result of hypertension and other related health issues.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

Canvas City residents count losses to erosion

By Vanessa Braithwaite RESIDENTS of Canvas City located on the Wismar shore in Linden are counting their losses in the hundreds of thousands as a result of erosion which is destroying their properties.

The residents are claiming that they are “fed up” with the situation that has been plaguing them since 2011 and has been incurring expenses on their pockets as no one in authority seems to care enough to find a long-term solution to the problem.

Currently, the clogged koker that was constructed to drain water from higher communities into the creek causes the water to back up, thus resulting in it gushing into the yards of residents.

In addition to their homes being inundated during heavy rains, the widespread erosion continues to cause damage to residents’ fences, homes, foundations, kitchen gardens and businesses.

According to one distraught resident, Nichola Higgins, who was forced to rebuild an entire fence that was washed away, the situation is unbearable.

She has engaged several Government officials on the issue, but nothing significant has changed.

“Every time the rain fall, this thing is a real real hazard

A section of Canvas City koker that is clogged with garbage

Erosion in front of a resident’s yard as a result of heavy rains

to us. The koker is flooded because it needs cleaning.

I’m a single parent and I does have to pay people to clean the koker and even [if] it is clean, we does still get flood out,” she lamented.

Higgins said the two pipes in the koker to drain the water cannot withstand the quantity and pressure of water coming from other communities.

With three houses in her yard, she revealed that the losses are tremendous as the householders are forced every time it rains to repair some part of their property.

When the Guyana Chron-

icle visited her home on Wednesday, the entire front of the yard was eroded, the new fence that was reconstructed was breaking down and sections of the foundation of the home were breaking away.

A church that is located at the bottom flat of the house showed evidence of flooding, which Higgins revealed occurred a few weeks back.

She fears the situation will escalate for the worst as the rainy season is imminent.

Jennifer King, who lives at the back of the yard,has experienced the worst damage since her house is located at the bottom of the sloped land.

“When we go to the region about the damage, they said, since Mingo [former Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo] was in office, that the Government does not build back private property. There is no satisfaction when you call them. All they do is come and look and nothing else.”

Higgins believes that if an open drain is constructed, it may, if not completely alleviate the problem, bring an

ease to them.

Similar sentiments were echoed by another resident, Vanetta Green, who said that the situation is affecting her a lot and believes that if a drain is constructed, it would solve the problem.

“Is God keeping we because water just washing the land and you have to keep buying thing to keep your land. I had to take a loan to buy sand and concrete to build back the land; I can’t even live at my downstairs because every time the rain fall the place does flood out,” she said.

The residents are also forced to clean the garbage that is lodged in their yards

that comes in with the water, which they deem an environmental hazard.

They also fear that the road will next be destroyed as the foundation is already being eroded by the water pressure. On Tuesday, the residents were visited

by Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland and Regional Executive Officer Gavin Clarke.

Systems were put in place to have the koker cleaned out by another resident who would be paid by the Regional Democratic Council, but the residents are of the opinion that the only longterm solution to the issue is to have additional drains constructed.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

PLANS are afoot to rectify the problem which has been dogging the 911 hotline for a number of years, through the implementation of a proposed safe and citysmart surveillance project.

This is according to the Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr David Ramnarine, who told the media Monday that the project at reference will be funded under the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP).

Other than that, he did not say what the project would entail, or how much it would cost.

However, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Mr Edward Boyer, was the first to indicate that help was on the way where fixing the ‘hotline’ is concerned, when he said recently that the organisation was heartened by the fact that the government has been able to secure funding, through the CSSP, to address the age-old problem.

At the time Boyer made the observation, he was rail-

Digicel and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), but without much success.

The reliability of the 911 service has been a matter of concern for years, with the former government blaming GTT for their poor service, and the company denying responsibility, saying that the

Ramnarine: Efforts underway to fix ailing ‘911’ emergency system ing against the fact that the ‘911’ system has been out of commission for so long, that criminal elements are now taking advantage of the situation, knowing that the police won’t be able to take citizens’ calls for help, and respond accordingly.

Boyer went as far as to say that the inability of the State to effectively protect its citizens from widespread, gun-inspired crime is of major concern to each and every Guyanese.

“We believe that each and every one of our ordinary citizens feels threatened, regardless of where they happen to be, whether in the street, their workplaces or in their homes, are under threat each day from violent gun-related crimes,” Boyer said, adding: “...the 911 national emergency call system, essential for a citizen under criminal threat to be able to request a police response, is simply not functioning.”

Boyer said that since 2010, the PSC has been trying to hold meetings with the

PSC Chairman, Edward Boyer

Police Commissioner (Ag) David Ramnarine

relevant authorities, from the police, the telephone companies, right down to the political directorate in an effort to have the system fixed and operational, all to no avail.

“The Commission is appalled that successive governments failed to do so,” he said, adding that the then Ministry of Home Affairs had even convened a panel of communications specialists to address the problem, and a comprehensive report with

specific recommendations was submitted to government.

But to this day, the recommendations have not been implemented. “The country, therefore, remains without an essential police emergency response system available to its citizens,” Boyer said.

At Monday’s press conference at Force headquarters, Eve Leary, Commissioner Ramnarine did concede that the 911 system has been one of weaknesses and vulnerabilities within the Police Force over the years.

He said the previous government did try to engage stakeholders, among them

911 service is controlled by the police force.

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, has said time and again that the police emergency hotline 911 continues to be a major embarrassment to the security forces, but that efforts are underway to solve the problem.

$28M embezzled from BK Quarries AN ACCOUNTANT at the BK Quarries Incorporation on Wednesday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with embezzling $28M from the company.

Totoram Ramlachana, 25 of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that between July 20 and September 13 at Georgetown while being a clerk or servant of BK Quarries Inc., he fraudulently embezzled $28,571,235 on account of the company.

Ramlachana was placed on $250,000 bail by the Chief Magistrate after an application by his lawyer, who told the court that his client was not a flight risk and had assisted the police with their investigations.

Prosecutor Neville Jeffers made no objection to Ramlachana being granted his pre-trial liberty but suggested that he lodge his passport along with reporting conditions.

Magistrate McLennan granted bail but ordered that Ramlachana report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) every Friday pending the outcome of the matter.

The case will be called again on December 5.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

Duncan to face trial for conspiracy to commit fraud …acquitted on larceny charge THE SIMPLE larceny charge against former Guyana Power and Light (GPL) board director, Carvil Duncan was dismissed on Wednesday by City Magistrate Leron Daly.

Duncan was acquitted for stealing $984,900 belonging to GPL on March 31, 2015 after it was ruled that a prima facie case had not been established against him for the offence.

The magistrate upheld a no case submission made

by Duncan’s attorney Glen Hanoman. During his ruling the magistrate dismissed the charge on the ground that the prosecution’s witnesses failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the elements of the offence.

The testimony of former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who had testified during the trial was thrown out since the evidence amounted to ‘hear-say’ and also the exhibit ‘E’ which was the tendered Cabinet decision was void since a photocopy was submitted and not the original.

Duncan was in smiles after hearing the magistrate’s decision attempted to quickly exit the courtroom but his

Former GPL Board director Carvil Duncan

happiness was short-lived when Police Prosecutor, Bharat Mangru reminded the court that the accused still had the $27M conspiracy charge against him.

The former Director at GPL had forgotten the charge which stated that between May 7 and May 8, 2015 at Georgetown, Duncan conspired with former Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GPL, Aeshwar Deonarine to steal the sum of $27,757,500, property of the company.

His attorney, quickly attempted to clear the air but was informed by the prosecutor that the matters were separate from each other and

not jointly charged.

The magistrate after hearing Mangru’s argument confirmed his claims that Duncan still had the $27M conspiracy charge pending in court.

The Magistrate informed Duncan that he was only freed from the larceny charge and will face trial for the other offence on January 4, 2017.

In January Duncan was charged and placed on $1M bail while the whereabouts of Deonarine is still yet unknown.

The Government had asked the police to investigate the two senior officials in July, 2015. It was reported that the men paid themselves almost $29M without authorisation.

In light of investigations, Deonarine was sent on administrative leave and had fled the jurisdiction.

The discoveries of the suspicious transfers were made by independent auditors who were probing the PetroCaribe Fund, which hold proceeds of oil shipments taken from neighbouring Venezuela.

It was while tracking payments to GPL that auditors unearthed the strange transactions. Deonarine, who had been the DCEO responsible for administra-

tion had reportedly wanted to receive the same level of pay as the then DCEO (Technical), Colin Welch,

but his approaches to the Board of Directors were rebuffed. He had reportedly offered to repay the money

but GPL was supposed to have waited until it was transferred from his US bank account.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

Bandits rob, burn Cane Grove store

By Rabindra Rooplall BANDITS in the wee hours of Wednesday morning robbed a pharmacy and hardware store at Lot 38, Virginia Village, Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara before setting the building on fire.

The building located next to a police station was under construction and had commenced business some two years ago.

The owner, Dr Shivaram Itwaru, who is also a businessman, said the bandits entered the premises and torched the building using diesel after stealing his supplies. He was unable to save any item in stock and estimated his losses at $30M. The medical doctor em-

A depressed Dr Shivaram Itwaru being comforted by his wife in the aftermath of the fire

The gutted building which stored millions of dollars in supplies that went up in flames Wednesday morning

ployed at the Georgetown Public Hospital and who has been practicing for over a decade, said he was out of the country for three months

and only returned to Guyana Tuesday last.

“Last night, I was sleeping and my brother-in-law came to my house and start-

ed rapping on the door like 03:00 hrs and he told me the building was on fire. When I rush to the scene, I saw a lot of villagers assisting in putting the fire out and the fire truck came a little after that,” he recalled.

The doctor noted that there are cameras at all corners of his premises but noted that some of their positions were moved.

He also noted that the robbers burnt the camera’s DVR system in a bid to cover their identity.

“The investigators said the fire didn’t happen in one place, it happened in multiple places and diesel was used since bottles with the flammable liquid were found,” he said.

The bandits knocked out a grill from a window on the western side of the building to gain access to the business, Dr Itwaru said, pointing out

that inside the building investigators also found coconut shells soaked with diesel.

The building stored groceries, confectionaries and hardware, as well as pharmaceutical supplies.

The doctor has since given a statement to the police and has related to them his suspicions.

His business is not insured and he related that it was too expensive at the time since he had to his repay creditors.

Brazil Commander pays courtesy call on President Granger MILITARY Commander of the North of the Brazilian Armed Forces, General Carlos Alberto Neiva Barcellos, on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The ministry said General Barcellos was accompanied by Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier George Lewis; Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Lineu Pupo De Paula; Colonel Oswaldo Benedito Romao DaSilva and Colonel Emer-

son DaSilva, both of the Brazilian army and Major Meer Khan of the GDF. During the meeting, several areas relating to security and territorial integrity as well as the existing areas of cooperation between the two countries were discussed.

Brigadier Lewis, in an invited comment, said that the Brazilian team was in Guyana for discussions with the GDF in areas of cooperation, in an effort to build a stronger, friendlier relationship between the two military organisations.

From left: Colonel Emerson DaSilva; Colonel Oswaldo DaSilva; Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier George Lewis; President David Granger; Military Commander of the North of the Brazilian Armed Forces, General Carlos Alberto Neiva Barcellos; Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Lineu Pupo De Paula and Major Meer Khan of the GDF (MoTP photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

Fair pricing vital WITH the Guyana government banking on diversification to push development through its agriculture sector, a European Union (EU) expert said such strategy will only be successful with fair pricing of produce on the local and international markets.

Albert Losseau, Agriculture Programme Manager, Bilateral Section, Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, Suriname and for the Dutch Overseas Countries and Territories, acknowledged that major agricultural challenges are facing the development of the sector throughout the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Delivering an address at the CSME Private Sector and Rural Communities Workshop hosted at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown,on Wednesday, Losseau said the EU has developed stronger ties with the region beyond the broad and complex processes of the CSME. He expressed particular concern over Guyana’s sugar industry and suggested pricing and alternative markets for the revival of the industry here. He highlighted that the

challenge in the agriculture sector is not in production, but commercialisation of goods.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in delivering a message on World Food Day at the Mahaicony Community Centre ground, had expressed concern that various imported products deck the shelves of supermarkets and grocery stores when Guyana produces the same things.

However, Losseau pointed out, “Guyana’s strategy to diversify its agriculture will succeed,only if farmers are able to sell their produce at a fair price, not only on the local market, but also on the regional market. Sugar is a good example.”

With the removal of the preference price from the European market, it is essential to seek more attractive markets for Guyana’s sugar and other agricultural products, he pointed out.

“There is currently a 40% Common External Tariff (CET) within CARICOM for brown sugar, but no protection for refined sugar. That means that producers in the region are not encouraged to invest in a refinery plant as it will not be competitive,” he

explained.

Within its 10-year commitment to the CSME, the EU has pumped over $18 million EUR toward the strengthening of economic ties between governments and people of CARICOM.

Agriculture Programme Manager, Delegation of the European Union to Guyana Albert Losseau

Losseau disclosed that the EU investment also stretches beyond the $18 million euros spent on the CSME. “This latest programme, under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), has a budget of 18 million EUROs that we have committed. It is

a sign of our belief in the value of regional integration and also of our partnership with the Caribbean countries,” the EU representative stated.

The EDF is a fund created by EU member states to finance projects and programmes in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states and the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT). Administered by the European Commission, with the exception of risk capital, each EDF is supplemented

by EIB loans. The EU has set aside billions of Euro dollars as allowances to various countries and regional integration programmes.

Losseau told the workshop that the EU’s commitment to the private sector in the Caribbean goes beyond the CSME programme, and includes a Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP), which is executed by Caribbean Export, with a budget of over $20M EUROS. The programme falls under the European Union 10th EDF CSME and Economic Integration programme, and a contribution agreement of €28.3 m was signed along with a €3 m Technical Co-

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‒ to push Guyana’s agriculture diversification agenda, says EU expert operation Facility (TCF) to boost local capacity and the Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP). A Contribution Agreement of €28.3 m was also signed for the RPSDP with the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA).

“We have also invested considerable funds into the agriculture sectors of the region through the Agriculture Policy Programme (APP) ($8.6 M EUR) and the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards Project (SPSP) ($11.6 M EUR), which are both implemented by ( Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) with the objective of strengthening agricultural trade, investment and growth,” he explained.

The European Union has kept its promise and has supported CARICOM in the implementation of the CSME since 2006, as it said in a message to CARICOM in February 2006.

The message stated that the EU would “Strongly support the completion and operation of the CSME as an essential element of regional integration and a significant step towards the establish-

ment of an Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU… (EU) welcomes the establishment of the new Regional Development Fund which is designed to assist disadvantaged CARICOM countries in respect of the operation and functioning of the Single Market.”

With the EU itself commencing its operations as a single market and economy and understanding the benefits of such a unit, he encouraged stakeholders to participate and fully understand what the CSME means for CARICOM people and rural communities. “[EU] started with the European Coal and Steel Community in 1950 [and] transformed in 1957 to the EEC, the Common Market, by the Rome treaty and had several enlargements and adaptions to reach the 28 (or 27) European Union you know.”

The CSME workshop is aimed at providing guidance and information to businesses in utilising the CSME to increase productivity and to their competitive advantage, providing an update on the status of the CSME implementation as well.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

New Lethem Town Clerk to push tourism agenda NEWLY appointed Town Clerk of the Lethem Municipality, Keisha Vincent has promised to channel all her energies towards attracting much-needed investment that can propel the border town’s tourism prospects, and augment the human resource capital in the region.

Vincent, who took up her appointment on Monday, explained that her ultimate goal is to see Lethem transformed into a hive of economic activity, the Ministry of Communities said in a release.

‘GREEN’ AGENDA Vincent believes that Lethem has the potential to capitalise on the government’s ‘green’ agenda, as it embodies the very essence of pristine, unspoiled beauty.

“If you’re talking about

New Lethem Town Clerk Ms Keisha Vincent

‘green’ economy, Lethem is the perfect example. It’s quiet here; it’s not congested with traffic,” she said, “The crime rate is low; the people are friendly and sociable, and regardless of the political differences, we work together.”

Her dream, she said, is to see Lethem flourish, as Bra-

zilian businesses have shown a keen interest in the local economy.

Vincent, who is at home in both English and Portuguese, having been schooled in Brazil, said the Council intends to capitalise on the fact that Lethem is a border town.

“Region Nine is the biggest region, and Lethem is Georgetown’s equivalent of Stabroek in terms of the shopping experience,” she said, adding: “So we must use this to our advantage in order to generate enough revenue. The potential is there; we just need the push and guidance.”

She said that with the recent introduction of a radio station, the town is now displaying some semblance of life. And since the major economic activity in Lethem is

‘If you’re talking about ‘green’ economy, Lethem is the perfect example. It’s quiet here; it’s not congested with traffic.

The crime rate is low; the people are friendly and sociable, and regardless of the political differences, we work together’—New Lethem Town Clerk, Keisha Vincent

ly when it’s a holiday in their country,” the Town Clerk said of Guyana’s southern neighbours.

farming, her focus would also be to organise and promote a local Market Day that can attract Brazilian as well as Venezuelan shoppers.

“They come over here to do a lot of shopping, especial-

ACCOUNTABILITY With regards to accountability, the Town Clerk said she has no intention of bending the rules, as she’s a very principled person.

“We need to show accountability, and so I don’t do backdoor stuff; I believe in doing things the right way,” Ms Vincent said.

As to the issue of education, Vincent said that Lethem is in dire need of a technical and vocational training centre where young people and school leavers can have an opportunity to further their education without leaving the town.

“There’s too much teenage

A MAN who allegedly shot his reputed wife in the mouth one month ago at her John Fernandes Squatting Area, Georgetown home Wednesday morning

day of the incident, Harry was sitting outside when the suspect rode by on his motorcycle and about 10 minutes after, they heard an ‘explosion.’

pregnancy here; we need to focus on giving these young girls the opportunity to go further.

They are brilliant and talented, but the options are limited,” she said.

Her goal is to improve and build on the successes of the township, and working with the council in the interest of all who reside there.

She said that the working relationship between councilors is commendable, and her hope is to get along with everybody, regardless of age, race, religion or political affiliation.

The fifth of eight children, Vincent was born in Kamarang to parents who both worked in law enforcement. She later moved to Georgetown, where she spent most of her childhood and remained until the age of 21.

Douchfour murder trial be- Alleged ‘wife shooter’ surrenders WHEN the Douchfour, East Coast Demerara, murder trial began on Wednesday at the Demerara Assizes, the mixed jury heard about a story that began with rum- drinking and ended with pool-playing, robbery and murder.

The jury before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow also heard that police investigations into the above led to Davendra Rooplall called ‘Bryan,’ being arrested and charged with the murder of Suresh Goberdhan at Douchfour, East Coast Demerara, on

January 16, 2014.

Rooplall, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, is being represented by Attorney W. Kissoon.

State Counsel Shawnette Austin and Siand Dhurjon are prosecuting. Dhurjon was addressing the jury on Wednesday when he told them about the day the two men began drinking at a rum shop on the day in question.

They left one rumshop on a bicycle for another rumshop. The jury was told that the evidence would disclose that at a rum shop both

men were playing a pool game and that Goberdhan, now deceased,had won the game.

The evidence would disclose that after the accused lost the game, he hit Goberdhan on his head with a piece of steel pipe, then he ran through his pockets and stole his money and cellphone.

Goberdhan died, it is said, as a result of the blow.

Two police witnesses gave evidence on Wednesday after which the hearing was adjourned to Friday.

dividual, they said that she is very secretive and had cut ties with several of her relatives, because her partner did not approve of the relationship.

Injured: Shevon Harry walked into the Brickdam Police Station and surrendered.

The man was identified as Anthony Eddie, 27, of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

On October 1, about 14:50hrs, the victim, 26-yearold Shevon Harry was at her home when an argument started between herself and the suspect.

During the argument, Eddie reportedly shot her in the mouth and escaped.

According to residents, the woman has been a victim of domestic violence.

Eyewitnesses say on the

One of the eyewitnesses said she did not pay too much attention to the explosion, since she thought children from the neighbourhood were playing.

But then her son came and said that Harry’s ‘child father’ had shot her in the mouth.

Another eyewitness noted that the suspect is very abusive and strongly opposed Henry being in the company of certain friends, both male and female.

Although residents described Harry as a very hard-working and quiet in-

However, the 26-yearold woman had come out to defend her lover while hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Reports reveal that Harry claimed that the gunman was someone she has never seen before. She described him as a ‘light-skinned man’ who was wearing a blue jersey.

But she has no idea why someone would want her dead. The 26-year-old victim is claiming that her neighbours who implicated her lover were only gossiping.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

Fight, play or compete at your own risk

By Daniel Haynes

THE story of Clive “The Punisher” Atwell is one that Guyanese are very familiar with.

- The reality for Guyanese athletes

could mean the end of life.

“I’ll never forget what I went through,” Atwell said

Clive Atwell, left, throwing left jab during a bout On October 24, 2015, his fight for a championship belt turned into a fight for his life.

Atwell, then 18 days away from his next birthday, was on his way to winning the Central American Boxing Federation (FECARBOX) belt over Trinidad and Tobago’s Dexter Gonsalves at the Giftland Mall when, in the ninth round, his dream was shattered.

He was floored by an injury to the head, an injury that would later be diagnosed as subdural hematomas hae-

Director of Sport Christopher Jones morrhaging, or simply put, bleeding to the head.

DEATH WISH That night, in hospital, his life was saved, but in the months that followed, Atwell wished for death.

In the world of sport, injuries come with the territory, especially in sports such as basketball, cricket, football and boxing; sprained ankles, sprained fingers and concussions are as common as dogs walking barefoot.

Yet, there is no comprehensive health care plan for athletes to be treated effectively, much less be covered financially until they get back on their feet.

The reality is that an injury can be sustained in training or in a game or match, and the lack of facilities or even the lack of money to pay for treatment could mean the end of careers, lifelong disabilities, or, in the worst case, it

during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

It is easy to tell that his was not an easy experience.

“One moment you’re on top of the world, doing what you love, and the next minute you’re told that you can never box again and do what you love,” he said.

When he was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, an emergency surgery

by Dr Amarnauth Dukhi saved his life.

However, Dhuki instructed Atwell to get a plastic reconstruction surgery within six months to insert a plate in his skull to cover his brain.

For this second surgery, Atwell had to raise over G$5M to get to the United States, as the surgery could not be done locally.

PUBLIC HEALTHCARE Even if complicated surgeries could be done at the Georgetown Public Hospital, a major deterrent is the amount of time a person has to wait before receiving attention.

“The public healthcare system is taxing,” Dr Dukhi said.

“Everyone wants to be treated immediately, regardless of whether their injuries are mild, moderate or severe,” he added.

Dr Dukhi’s recommendation is that “every high-intensity contact sport should have an associate medical officer readily available to deal with an athlete’s injury, regardless of if it is mild, moderate or severe.”

He said the sport federations should have designated hospitals for which they show a colour card, and are given treatment so as to avoid the issue of waiting and unavailability of facilities.

Dukhi also suggests that athletes should be in programmes which ensure that they are physically healthy and free from all injuries before competing and training.

The function of federations

is to ensure high-intensity training is undergone by athletes in preparing for a competition.

While training, some athletes are also sent to undergo physiotherapy at the Public Hospital if the need arises.

One such instance was in the case of Nathan Saul, who played basketball for Guyana and was injured during the training.

Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) as well as the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) ensured that Saul received physiotherapy for his injured knee. But Dr. Dhuki stated that the physical tests athletes undergo before being cleared for competitions is miniscule.

The problem, however, does not end here.

At this point, Guyana has no health insurance policy which caters specifically for athletes. Dhuki is of the opinion that having a health insurance system would guarantee treatment for athletes.

The country’s Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, agrees.

“Associations and federations should start examining ways in which they could get health insurance for their athletes, and the Sports Commission, and government by extension, would be willing to partner with any such arrangement,” Jones said.

“But the Associations need to take the lead, since the athletes come under their purview.”

This, he said, will assure athletes that his or her association has a regime in place that will cover and provide for them in case of injury.

“This would be a plus for the athlete, since he or she knows that in case of injury there is an insurance policy in place for them,” Jones said.

Noting that the National Sports Commission (NSC) is doing its own research into insurance policies for athletes in an effort to avoid another Clive Atwell situation,” Jones stressed: “At the NSC level, we have been trying to get guidance on the cost factor and level of coverage of insurance for these athletes so as to assist, but it starts with the associations.”

GLIMMER OF HOPE Some of the country’s federations and associations are seeking to change their game. For example, the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) is following the International Boxing Association (AIAB) protocol in minimising the risk of head trauma.

According to Steve

Ninvalle, President of the GABA, “We are following the safety protocol of AIBA, in an effort to save our boxers. They removed the head guards from amateurs, which reduce the risk of concussion, and referees now have the power to stop a match when they see it fit.”

Ninvalle is also the Vice-President of one of the country’s leading football clubs, Alpha United, and weighed in on that front.

“We’ve pulled our footballers from playing in the Guinness Greatness of the Streets competition because, when they get injured in that competition, we then have to undergo the costs of rehabilitating them.” He added that the inappropriate shoes worn on

was fighting Jamaica’s Sakima Mullings for the WBC CABOFE Super Lightweight title.

Other notable accomplishments included fighting at World Championship in Chicago as well as the PAN American Games in Brazil, where he won a bronze medal. He also represented Guyana at the 2009 World Championship in Italy.

But all he has now are memories, as he will never set foot in the ring again.

However, he is content to sit on the sidelines and offer mentorship, while returning to his life as a plumber and electrician.

The reality check is brutal, but Atwell’s story may not be the only one out there.

But, with statistics not readily available, it is hard to tell how many have suffered

Dr. Amarnauth Dhuki a similar fate.

In an effort to push the development of sports, the one thing that cannot be ignored is protecting and caring for the athletes who give these sports their lives.

Atwell after undergoing surgery the playing area cause knee injuries and shin splints.

ATWELL’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS Before the fateful night and subsequent events, Atwell was a 16-year veteran who turned ‘pro’ in 2010. He was in the prime of his career after nine years of being ranked an amateur.

He had fought for the Wo r l d B o x i n g C o u n c i l (WBC), Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Super Lightweight title against Trinidadian, Prince Lee Isidore. He was also the National Lightweight and Featherweight Champion.

He had also won the WBC CABOFE Featherweight title after taking out next-door neighbour, Venezuela’s Rafael Hernandez.

It was from there that he qualified for the WBC World Featherweight title in Mexico against Johnny Gonzalez. From Mexico, it was Australia; and from there, it

Labourer and the pit bull story A 26-YEAR-OLD labourer was on Wednesday remanded to prison

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for breaking and entering and larceny.

The charge against Junior Alleyne of Hardina Street, Wortmanville states that on October 31, 2016 at Bel Air Park, Georgetown, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Angelica Singh and stole a quantity of items and cash amounting to $491,240.

The items included a Samsung cellular phone and charger, two laptops, a suitcase four stag beers, XBOX game control, DVD player and other items. Alleyne pleaded guilty to the charge and explained that he went into yard to give water to the woman’s pit bulls because they looked thirsty.

Based upon Alleyne’s

explanation the Chief Magistrate entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

However, according to the police facts presented

by Prosecutor Neville Jeffers, on the day in question Singh was in the shower at the upper flat in her home when she heard the dogs barking. She looked through her bathroom door and saw the defendant in her yard leaving with a suitcase.

Jeffers pointed out that the woman raised an alarm which caused the accused to drop the suitcase and run away. He was subsequently nabbed by public-spirited persons and handed over to police.

Prosecutor Jeffers strongly opposed the accused being released on bail and he was remanded to prison until December 7.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

$20M refurbished Kingston school re-opens ‒ thanks to Digicel

By Shauna Jemmott THE table has taken a positive turn for the Kingston Practical Institute (KPI), thanks to Digicel Guyana, which undertook to refurbish it to the tune of over US $10,000.

The keys to the upgraded institution, formerly known as the Kingston Practical Instruction Centre (KPIC), was formally handed over to the Ministry of Education on Tuesday during a well-attended ceremony.

Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education, Mr Vincent Alexander, during his delivery of the feature address at the handing-over ceremony, commended Digicel for fulfilling its corporate obligation by contributing to the educational development of Guyana’s youths.

As a past student of the school, Alexander said he was particularly proud of Digicel, because it has done what no other corporate entity has ever thought of doing in the past.

“We’ve had a history where corporate responsibility has been negative in the past, and has hindered the develop-

ment of this school,” Alexander said, adding that schools like the KPI are commonly labelled as institutes for underachievers.

Noting that there’s no shame in attending such a school, Alexander said, “I don’t want to think that I’m an underachiever; there’s nothing about technical education that has to do with underachievement.”

He has advised students that they too should be serious in fulfilling their educational pursuits and must not spend their time at the centre in recreation lest they hinder growth and development.

“Coming here is not a day off, coming here is not a get away from school. Coming here is just changing the classroom to do another subject, a subject which is very important to your own growth and development and very important to the country’s growth and development,” Alexander charged.

He said technical education, though taken lightly by many, drives a country’s development and even at the highest social levels, it is vital.

“All those academics and white collar people will have no place in life if we didn’t have a society driven by tech-

Children putting work to test in the newly created atmosphere while Digicel staff look on

nology, by technicians and by people who have gone through technical education,” Alexander told the gathering.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson said it is important for all stakeholders to unite for the enhancement of education as “each child matters”.

He viewed Digicel’s act of enhancing the school’s infrastructure as an epiphany of what the Ministry of Education is administering.

He too called for the removal of the myth that technical and vocational education is for underachievers, and said becoming successful in the technical field take certain

academic knowledge.

He said technical people are essential to development.

“For you to really be effective in this kind of education you have to be academically inclined. And therefore we must remove that myth from our psyche that institutions such as these are for underachievers…

As a matter of fact, if any nation is going to develop and if any nation is going to progress in any significant way, the technical people are critical, they are essential to that process,” Hutson said.

He urged teachers at the institute to be effective in executing their duties. He said the latest construction work ensured that adequate space is available to accommodate a more private atmosphere. “… Teaching could be more significant, it could be more interactive and you have

the quiet time where you could actually impart information with respect to what you do as teachers… you ultimately will produce a group of people who will enhance education and who will actually help us to fulfill that part of our mission statement which speaks to modernising education.”

He urged the students to utilise their time effectively and care the facility so that it can benefit students in many years to come.

Cell-phone service provider Digicel has invested over US $10,000 in the project to rehabilitate the building which is more than a decade old.

Marketing Manager, Jacqueline James said the project was proposed as part of Digicel Guyana’s ‘Waves’ competition, by two of the company’s staff members, Workforce Analyst, Rowena Elliott and

Senior Workforce Analyst, Yancey Heywood.

In its quest to improve the lives of Guyana’s youths and develop them, Digicel continues to reach out to the needs of the community and ‘Waves’ is one way of accomplishing that.

James said Digicel employees compete annually through the programme by submitting project proposals and this year Elliott and Heywood’s submission of proposal, including photographs of the old KPI building won the project’s competition.

Works recommended included restoration of the classrooms on the ground floor and “minor fixing-up” on the top floor. While the US$10,000 prize was not enough to fund the entire project, Digicel continued to pump more funds into the project.

“Today we have a reinforced foundation… it was wood so now we have concrete, a concrete-based foundation. We have new classrooms for woodworking, mechanic, metal-work, technical drawing, brickwork and wielding. And each classroom (is) separated so there is not one leading into the other. Each one has their own identity,” James explained.

She said that while minor work is still left to be done, Digicel will continue to improve the facility as time goes by.

“We want to restore it to its glory,” James said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE THURSDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 3, 2016

U.S. lauds Guyana’s efforts to protect sea turtles MEMBERS of the Verification Unit, United States (US) Department on Wednesday paid a courtesy call to Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder to offer an update on the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) programme, of which Guyana is a signatory.

The United States, under Sections 609 of the Public Law 101-162, prohibits the importation of wildcaught shrimp and products of shrimp harvested in ways that may adversely affect sea turtles, unless the Department of State certifies to Congress that the Government of the harvesting country has adopted a regulatory programme.

In a release the Ministry of Agriculture said Environmental Officer, US State Department, Joseph Fette congratulated the Ministry on maintaining a high compliance rate which currently stands at 54 percent, with an expected 84 percent by January 2017. “We are very pleased with the work of the Fisheries Department in ensuring regulation and compliance by all trawlers. It is a major improvement over last year. We are urging the Department to continue to be vigilant,” Fette said.

The US Department makes certifications annu-

ally and bases them in part on the results of overseas verification visits by a team composed of State Department and National Marine Fisheries Service representatives.

Minister, Holder committed to working with the US State Department in ensuring all the key players within the industry comply with the TED regulations.

“We have come a far way indeed, and with the new policy initiatives being implemented by the Fisheries Department, Guyana’s efforts at modernising its fisheries sector will be given the necessary impetus in realising it full potential,” the Minister said.

Guyana enforces the use of TED through the Turtle Excluder Device Regulations which stipulates that all trawler type vessels that target seabob shrimp and prawns are required to have their nets fitted with the appropriate TED when conducting fishing activities in Guyana.

The Fisheries Department within the Ministry of Agriculture employs TED inspectors who conduct inspections of all trawler vessels before and when they return from fishing expeditions. The seabob fishery fleet comprises of eighty

Thursday, November 3, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Friday, Novemeber 4, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Saturday, November 5, 2016 - 08:30 hrs

seven licensed vessels, of which, eighty one are operational while the prawn fishery fleet comprise of twenty nine vessels of which more than twenty are operational.

The only weakness of the enforcement of the TED Regulation is the inability of the Fisheries Department to conduct inspections of vessels while at sea. The Department’s Chief Fisheries Officer, Mr. Denzil Roberts, is currently working with the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard and the Guyana Police Force Marine Branch to conduct such enforcement activities in the future.

Present at the meeting

were Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, Chief Fisheries Officer, Fisheries Department, Mr. Denzil Roberts, Head of Legal and Inspectorate Unit, Fisheries Department, Mr. Gary Baird, Economic Associate, Economic and Political Affairs Section, United States Embassy, Ms. Amy Knaup, Environmental Officer, US State Department, Mr. Joseph Fette and Fisheries Gear Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce, USA, Mr. Jack Forester.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday November 1, 2016

Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe Four clubs say no ... by 225 runs in first test From back page

(REUTERS)-Sri Lanka ended Zimbabwe’s daylong resistance seven overs from the end of play to grab victory by 225 runs on the final day of the first Test at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

Zimbabwe were bowled for 186 runs in their second innings within sight of what would have been a morale boosting draw.

Sri Lanka’s Dilruwan Perera and stand-in skipper Rangana Herath took three wickets each with Perera bowling out tailender Chris Mpofu in the 91st over of Zimbabwe’s second innings to clinch victory despite a gallant knock by captain Graeme Cremer, who followed up a first innings century with a stubborn 43.

Sri Lanka declared their second innings as ex-

Sri Lankan players celebrate a wicket on the 5th day in Harare. pected at the start of the day on 247 for six, leaving 98 overs to bowl out the hosts, LANKA 1st innings 537 (U. who were set a near-impos- SRI Tharanga 110no, K. Perera 110, sible target of 412 to win. K. Silva 94, D. Karunaratne 56, A. Gunaratne 54; G. Cremer 4-142) Zimbabwe’s openers saw Zimbabwe 1st innings 373 (G. 102no, P. Moor 79) off the first 16 overs before Cremer Sri Lanka 2nd innings (Overnight: Brian Chari was bowled for 247-6 declared) 2nd innings (Target: 10 and they then lost four ZIMBABWE 412 runs) T. Mawoyo lbw b D. Perera 37 wickets in 23 balls before B. Chari b Kumara 10 lunch.

H. Masakadzalbw b Lakmal 20 Ervine lbw b D. Perera 0 Sean Williams’ 40 took C. S. Williams c D. de Silva b Herath 40 Zimbabwe to 136-6 at tea M. Wallerlbw b Lakmal 0 7 but he was dismissed in the P. Moor lbw b Kumara

first over of the last session.

Cremer saw Zimbabwe into the final hour before being stumped for the ninth wicket with 10 overs left.

“We are definitely upset that we couldn’t last the (final) couple of overs. But to last that long was good for test cricket and there are a lot of positives to take from it,” said Cremer.

SCOREBOARD

G. Cremer st K. Perera b Herath 43 D. Tiripanolbw b Herath 0 C. Mumba not out 10 C. Mpofu b D. Perera 0 Extras (b-5 lb-13 w-1) 19 Total (all out, 90.3 overs) 186 Fall of wickets: 1-31 B. Chari,2-68 T. Mawoyo,3-74 C. Ervine,4-74 H. Masakadza,5-74 M. Waller,6-100 P. Moor,7-139 S. Williams,8-145 D. Tiripano,9-183 G. Cremer,10-186 C. Mpofu Bowling: S. Lakmal 24 - 6 - 43 – 2,R. Herath 30 - 13 - 38 – 3, L. Kumara 19 - 3 - 45 - 2(w-1), D. Perera 15.3 - 4 - 34 – 3, K. Mendis 2 - 1 - 8 – 0.

England and Scotland Mourinho fined £50,000 and banned from to defy FIFA poppy ban

(REUTERS)-England and Scotland are planning to defy a FIFA ban on players wearing poppies during their World Cup qualifier on Nov. 11, their Football Associations said yesterday.

FIFA rules forbid players from wearing anything that can be perceived as a political statement and England and Scotland could be punished if they do not comply.

“The poppy is an important symbol of remembrance and we do not believe it represents a political, religious or commercial message, nor does it relate to any one historical event,” the English FA tweeted.

“In keeping with the position agreed with FIFA back in 2011 and in what we believe is in accordance with Law 4, para 4, the FA intends to pay appropriate tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by having the England team wear black armbands bearing poppies in our fixture on Armistice Day.” The Scottish FA made a similar statement.

“We intend to pay appropriate tribute by having the Scotland national team wear black armbands bearing poppies,” it said.

FIFA earlier confirmed its position on the issue.

“FIFA fully respects the significance of commemorating Remembrance Day on 11 November each year,” it said in a statement.

“The Laws of the Game are overseen by the International Football Association Board and applicable to all 211 member associations. The relevant law clearly states that the players equipment should not carry any political, religious or commercial messages.”British Prime Minister Theresa May strongly criticised FIFA earlier yesterday.

“I think the stance that’s been taken by FIFA is utterly outrageous,” May said in parliament.

“Our football players want to recognise and respect those who have given their lives for our safety and security. I think it is absolutely right that they should be able to do so.”

we asked for a meeting to hold a consultation session to look at the way forward-we outlined all the issues-that letter has never been responded to and that meeting has never been granted.

Recently,we wrote another letter where we stated we are willing to go to arbitration…they have not answered and have publicly rejected that so what choice do we have…Alpha United is not prepared to participate in the tournament under those conditions. I think we should not play football this year, it’s too late;we should spend these next two months trying to get ourselves organized by trying to bring unity to the football, try to come to the decision making process instead of trying to be bullies. Let us try to resolve this matter, see how we can work together,” Lumumba recommended.

General Secretary of Georgetown Football Club, Faizal Khan,was very brief in his remarks.

“Nobody here at this table is opposed to the expansion of the League,however,it is the process in which it has happened, the massive losses to teams and players still owed millions. If we are serious about creating employment concerning this league and turning it into a

professional League,we have to act professionally in every step of the way… making high-handed decisions without democratic consultation isn’t the way to go in my view”, Khan stated.

President of the Pele FC, Robbie Rambarran,also lashed out at the expansion and the procedure, “When you look at it from a financial perspective, when you look at it from a football perspective, I don’t see why they want to change the rules, I don’t see why they want to include these two additional teams,because logically it does not make any sense to us. All that we are saying here is that if we were involved in that process we could have put this on the table,but that is not the approach;the approach was a complete high-handedness.

“The executive of Pele met and we said that we are not going to take part in this tournament unless the process goes to arbitration and we all come out having a mutual agreement.”

At the end, Aaron stated that the four clubs are also calling on the GFF’s president ‘to produce any document where FIFA or CONCACAF told them to go ahead and start the league’. Arron promised that should such a document surface then the clubs will participate.

touchline at Swansea

JOSE Mourinho has been slapped with a one-match touchline ban and £50,000 fine after accepting two FA misconduct charges.

The Manchester United manager was first charged for comments he made about referee Anthony Taylor in the lead up to United’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

He had until Monday evening to respond but the deadline passed at 6pm without protests from the Red Devils chief as he accepted the charge.

He was then hit with a second FA charge of improper conduct when he confronted referee Mark Clattenburg at half-time on Saturday.

Mourinho was frustrated at Clattenburg’s decision not to award United a penalty and approached the official in the tunnel during the goalless draw with Burnley.

The Special One

South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:25 hrs Urban Myth 09:05 hrs Jin-Go-Lo-Ba 09:35 hrs Man’s Inn 10:10 hrs Refuge 10:50 hrs Rouge Allure

Jose Mourinho watched the second half of the match from the comfort of the director’s box in Manchester.

His immediate onematch touchline ban for his verbal volley at Clattenburg means he will not be on the bench for this weekend’s trip to Swansea.

Mourinho will still be able to address the players before the game and at half-time, with messages passed down to the dugout during the match.

Arab Emirates Racing Tips Meydan 10:30 hrs Leap Of Hope 11:05 hrs Docket 11:40 hrs Boarding Party 12:15 hrs Stormardal 12:50 hrs Press Room 13:25 hrs Time Flies 14:00 hrs Alraased American Racing Tips Gulfstream Park West Race 1 Yes Mz Adah Race 2 That’s a Myth Race 3 My Sweet Candy Race 4 Sonic Mule Race 5 Gelfenstein Race 6 Another Softball Race 7 Queen Del Valle Race 8 Professor Jak English Racing Tips Musselburgh

08:45 hrs Stone Quercus 09:50 hrs Theligny 10:20 hrs Mad Money 10:55 hrs Canton Prince 11:30 hrs Royal Macnab 12:05 hrs Senatius Market Rasen 09:06 hrs The Kvilleken 09:40 hrs Alizee Javilex 10:10 hrs Willoughby Court 10:45 hrs Actinpieces 11:20 hrs Mr Burgees 11:55 hrs Royal Salute Newbury 09:30 hrs Patsys Castle 10:00 hrs Generous Ransom 10:35 hrs Snow Leopardness 11:45 hrs Peter The Mayo Man 12:15 hrs Burbank Irish Racing Tips Thurles 09:30 hrs Golden Plan 09:55 hrs Moonlit Theatre 10:25 hrs Teacher’s Pet 11:00 hrs Dounikos 11:35 hrs Omega Springs 12:10 hrs Hardline

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday November 1, 2016

GTT National Indoor Hockey Championship…

Old Fort, Saints triumph on night-two THE GTT National Indoor Hockey Championship entered its second day of games on Tuesday evening at the National Gymnasium.

In the first of six matches,the second division Hikers team took on Saints in what turned out to be a lopsided contest.

Saints must have had their guardian angels during this game since they beat the Hikers 3-0 with Hilmar Chester scoring two of those goals.Some observers believed the margin of victory would have been greater had it not been for Hikers’ goalie who made some daring saves.

Though the first half was more fruitful than the second, this game was not short of excitement as the spectators cheered their lungs out.

In the second game,Old Fort Supersonic went up against Phoenix in another second division clash. Supersonic dominated the first half with three goals (the first by Omar Hopkinson in the very first minute of play), while Phoenix only

Fort scored just one goal;they added two more in the second half.

However, they were no match for Munroe and his teammates who started that half with a bang, eventually ending the game 5-3 in favour Hikers.

Game five brought out some of the big guns in first division hockey when Old Fort Ravens came up against the 2020 National Junior Men’s team. The presumption was that the Ravens had a point to prove and they did that effortlessly.

With just one goal being scored in the first half,those gathered felt that this match would not be thrilling, howRobert Fernandes carries the ball during Tuesday night’s action in the ever, they were wrong. In the second half of the game AsoGTT National Indoor Hockey Championship. (Adrian Narine Photo) fu Simon and Jason De SanGame number four was managed to put one goal on Pitbulls do battle. At the tos of the Ravens breached a clash of the Veterans as the table. half the teams were tied at the defence of the National Antonio’s Hikers battled Old The second half mirrored two goals each with Trevon Team and brought their final Fort’s Let’s Get Tropical.

At the first, as Supersonic added Smith scoring both for the tally to 3,with Simon being the halfway stage the score three more goals in compar- Pitbulls. Things seemed the leading scorer with two was 3-1 in favour of Antoison to Phoenix’s one,with tough in the second half goals(scoring one in each Omar Hopkinson and Orin as both teams struggled to nio’s,with Devin Munroe half).

Singh being the top goal scor- surge ahead;then Shaquille scoring a hat trick while Old ers with two apiece.

The third match of the evening saw second division teams Saints and GCC

Leung scored that decisive goal to give Pitbulls the lead which they held until the final whistle.

Guyana Softball Cup 6 bowls off tomorrow

THE sixth edition of the annual International Softball tournament organised by Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) is all set for tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.

The three days of competition will see teams from Canada, New York, Florida and Guyana competing for softball cricket supremacy in the Open and Masters Categories.

Action starts tomorrow from 09:00hrs with 11 games playing simultaneously at the GDF, Police, Malteenoes, DCC and Gandhi Youth grounds. The second round of 11 games starts from 13:00 hrs at the same grounds..

Meanwhile, on Saturday from 9:00hrs the final 11 preliminariy games will be played, while at 13:00hrs,

…Finals set for Sunday the two semi- finals will be played simultaneously at the Police Sports Club ground.

At the DCC ground,another semi-final also starts at 13:00, with the other beginning at 17:00hrs.

On Sunday at the DCC ground,there will be the Masters and Open Finals. These will be played along with three exhibition 10/10 female games beginning from 10:00hrs.

The female teams are Mikes Wellwoman, Trophy Stall Angels, 4R Lioness and Blue Divas.

Over two million dollars in cash and other incentives will be up for grabs

while tickets for the finals are $1,000 and will be sold at the gate;admission free for children 13 years and under.

For Friday’s and Saturday’s matches in Georgetown,admission will be free.

Spectators on Sunday are asked to keep their half ticket,since many prizes will be awarded.

Guyana Softball Cup 6 is being sponsored by Stag, Rubis Guyana, Trophy Stall, Survival Group of Business, Steve Jewellery, Clear Waters, Busta Soft Drinks, Rohan Auto Spares, A&R Jewanram Printery, W.J Enterprise and Mikes Pharmacy.

The National squad scored a lone goal,however, they were no match for the Ravens.

The final bout of the night was something to behold as First Division powerhouses GCC Bounty and Saints squared off. GCC Bounty was clinical as they demolished their rivals 9-2 at the final buzzer. So many goals were scored it seemed like a practice session. Kevin Spencer was the star of the evening with five goals to his name;three of those coming in the first half. He was unstoppable, not just in offense but in defence as well, thwarting at least two scoring attempts from Saints.

Their two goals seemed insignificant in comparison and the game was over in spirit for Saints even before the end-of-play buzzer sounded.

The action continues until Sunday at the National Gymnasium;starting time 17:30hrs.

GAWA receives gear for IWF THE Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (G.A.W.A.) yesterday received a quantity of weightlifting gear and equipment from its parent body, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

According to a release from the GAWA, the move is another effort to further the Association’s agenda and to promote the sport locally.

Further, Guyana has received a special invitation from the Barbados Weightlifting Association, in recognition of our 50th anniversary observances, to participate in a Special 50 Anniversary Tournament.

On that note, the GAWA will be staging a lift-off on Wednesday the 9th November at the Michael Parris Fitness Centre in the National Park from 17:00hrs.

This is to shortlist the team that will be representing Guyana at the Barbados 50th anniversary weightlifting championship, scheduled for November 24th to 28th.

L-R Mr Seon Erskine,general secretary of GAWA; Mr Frank Tucker, president of GAWA,and national coach and treasurer Sean Cozier.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday November 1, 2016

GMR&SC international Race meet…

Jiwanram ready for Group One battle

By Stephan Sookram

WITH just under two weeks before the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) International race-week, the battle, according to one driver,will be among the lower groups.

Paul Jiwanram, who competes in the Group One class, believes that the real nail biting action will be among those drivers in his class.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, the Suzuki Swift driver believes that come Novem-

Paul Jiwanram and his Suzuki Swift rounds the clubhouse bend. (Rohindra Mahase Photo)

ber 13, the battles will be stiffer than the past year,stating “November 13 is going to be a very exciting meet.”

“I’m not worried about them too much, we always have something up our sleeve with the Suzuki,” he continued.

Jiwanram, who drives under the team ER Racing banner alongside Azad Hassan, Daniel Deokie and Troy Muir, stated that he is relishing the chance to drive in front on an expected capacity crowd at the South Dakota Circuit.

“It’s a lot of pressure driving

in front of a capacity crowd, but the more people there to see you the more encouraged you are to race,” he said.

The group-one driver stated, “Our mechanic is good with engine so everyone is up to the game. We are going to have a fight between ourselves but Daniel Deokie just moved up to the 1600 class so it’s just Me,Azad (Hassan) and Troy (Muir).”

Speaking specifically about his machine, Jiwanram said, “We are working on the car, and we’ve started working on the (engine) head earlier this week;

we were missing some parts and this weekend we will have all the engine parts and by next week, we are in full force.”

“We did some upgrades to the engine, fine tune the suspension a bit, change the shocks in front and made sure that we get some proper handling,” he concluded.

His yellow Suzuki Swift is sponsored by Noble House Seafoods, Imax, Pristine Waters, Smart Aid Pharmacy, Surrendra and Sons Auto Sales And Furniture Store, Atlantic Petroleum and A&R Jiwanram Printery.

Exciting two days of cycling expected this weekend … top riders vie for honours in three-stage event; tomorrow is closing date for cyclists’ registration

LOCAL cycling fans and enthusiasts are assured of two days of exciting cycling when the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) stages its three-stage event beginning on Saturday at 0:730hrs from Carifesta Avenue.

Cyclists and clubs interested in being a part of the activity are asked to note that registration for the event closes tomorrow and interested persons/clubs can get registered by contacting Has-

san Mohamed at the National Sports Commission office, Homestretch Avenue during working hours.

After wheeling off from Carifesta Avenue on Saturday morning, the cream of the country’s cyclists will pedal to Mahaicony before returning to the place of origin for the finish.

Stage two will be held the same day (Saturday) and will see Guyana’s top wheelsmen contesting an individual time

Team Coco’s Jamal John

Real Madrid salvage draw in 3-3 thriller at Legia Warsaw

(REUTERS)-Mateo Kovacic’s late strike avoided embarrassment for Real Madrid as the European champions surrendered a two-goal lead before drawing 3-3 with Legia Warsaw in an enthralling Champions League game played amid an empty stadium yesterday.

Croatia midfielder Kovacic capped a fine individual display by rifling in the equaliser in the 85th minute after Legia had come from behind in the Group F encounter to take the lead in the 83rd through Thibault Moulin’s powerful finish.

UEFA had ordered the game to be played behind closed doors after crowd trouble overshadowed Legia’s opener against Dortmund, meaning only several hundred visiting Real supporters witnessed the thriller that featured an historic start.

Gareth Bale gave Real the lead in the Polish Army Stadium in just 57 seconds with a thunderous strike from outside the area to record the fastest-ever goal scored by Real in a Champions League match.

Karim Benzema doubled their advantage in the 35th, taking advantage of a Bale cutback to sidefoot home.

Yet Legia hit back with a brilliant piece of skill and finish from Vadis Odjidja five minutes before halftime, while Miroslav Radovic completed a shock comeback by the hosts with an arrowed toe poke into the bottom corner in the 58th.

Real are second in Group F on eight points, two behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, who qualified by beating Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on Wednesday.

Real travel to Sporting on Nov. 22, where a

point will also see them through. Legia are out but can still challenge Sporting for third place to reach the Europa League last 32 after taking their first point in the competition for 21 years.

Bale, who signed a new five-year contract with the European champions in midweek, got the game off to a flying start by swivelling to hook the ball into the top corner.

The Wales international teed up Benzema later in the half with the help of Kovacic and Real looked set to cruise towards a victory that would have qualified them for the last 16, but Legia hit back before the break with Odjidja’s wonderful goal.

Radovic then took advantage of slack Real defending to drive at the defence and let fly from the edge of the box, sending the ball under Keylor Navas.

trial starting at 14:00hrs from Carifesta Avenue and proceeding to Plaisance before returning to Carifesta Avenue for the finish.

On Sunday, cycling fans and supporters will have their appetites whetted as the pedal-pushers will be engaged in what is expected to be a scorcher as they contest a 30-lap event around the outer circuit of the National Park beginning at 09:00hrs.

This 30-lap race will involve juniors, veterans and senior cyclists and it is anticipated that over 45 cyclists will face the starter.

It is expected that supporters of individual cyclists and teams will turn

out in their numbers from as far as Linden and Berbice to lend support to the cyclist of their choice.This was the case last Sunday when supporters of teams and individual cyclists flocked outside the Guyana Defence Forces’ Camp Ayanganna Headquarters for the DIGICEL sponsored Breast Cancer Awareness 30-lap Cycle Road Race which was won

by Team Coco’s Jamal John.

Already, the word around is that John will dominate on Sunday since most of Team Coco’s members have peaked late this season and will be able to lend support to John and the team’s other top riders which includes Raynauth `Obeah Man’ Jeffrey.

John won last Sunday’s 30-lap race in convincing fashion after breaking away with Team Evolution’s Raul Leal from the start of the race and out-sprinting the Team Evolution cyclists in the final 150 metres to the finish line.

It was a truly grueling event last Sunday with the heat taking its toll on a number of top riders who showed signs of fatigue half way into the race with some eventually dropping out.

Those cyclists will relish the seven days recuperation period leading up to Sunday’s activity and should be race-ready come Sunday to give their supporters their money’s worth.

Young Windies players will fear speaking up, claims Pollard DISCARDED West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard believes future stars of the regional team will be afraid to speak their minds after what he deems to be unfair treatment meted out to senior players in recent times.

Pollard, joined former captain Denesh Ramdin and Darren Sammy as been among those axed from the squad in recent months. All three were senior members of the team during the 2014 tour of India and Sammy was critical of the board following the team’s triumph in this summer’s Twenty20 World Cup. The outspoken coach Phil Simmons also found himself among that number after the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)

citing “cultural” difference between itself and the manager. Simmons who only lasted 6 months on the job was constantly at loggerheads with the board

Kieron Pollard regarding team selection policy.

“They won’t say it, but they are. Because what you have seen, there’s a trend, right? Darren Sammy was regarded as one of the best

leaders we have in the Caribbean. Sammy, for the first time, came out and spoke against the board. Sammy was sacked.

Phil Simmons wanted different mechanisms to get his job done better.

He spoke out against the board, got himself sacked,” Pollard said in a recent interview with Espncricinfo “Dwayne Bravo has been in trouble with the board.

Pollard has been in trouble with the board. Chris Gayle has been in trouble with the board for speaking out. So if the younger players have seen that trend, they’d rather just stay quiet . They are learning what not to say because of what the outcome is going to be.”(ESPN Cricinfo)

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday November 1, 2016

Tutorial High crowned East Georgetown Zone champions TUTORIAL High School were crowned East Georgetown zone champions when they defeated defending East Georgetown champions St Joseph High yesterday at the GCC Ground, Bourda, as the 2016 edition of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) continued.

Tutorial won the toss and asked St Joseph High to take first strike. They went on to score 144/9 in their 30 overs with Asif Daniels topscoring with 47 off 63 balls.

He struck five fours during his innings as he held his team’s batting together.

Ameer Singh chipped in with 25 off 32 balls as the defending East Georgetown zone champions put up a respectable total. Bowling for Tutorial, Zion Gray took 2/27 and Joel Spooner took 2/29.

In reply, the Tutorial batsmen held their nerves to complete the chase. Number three batsman Devon Allen led the way with a responsible knock of 37 while Osapho Green was the other main scorer with 29 as the two batsmen were instrumental in their team crossing the line even though they lost seven wickets in the process. The target was achieved with 7.3 overs

to spare.

Scores In other matches:At DCC, Tucville made 112 all out in 9.2 overs. Godfrey Phillips smashed 47 with five fours as he was the main scorer for Tucville. Akeemo Marques had terrific figures of 7/32 while Akeem Williams took 2/36.

Lodge in reply batted smartly to get to their target of 113 in 21.2 overs,losing six wickets. Turston Gordon top scored with 35 while Akeem Williams returned with the bat to score 32 to lead his team to victory.

Bowling for Tucville, Romeo Brown had 2/22.

Lodge Secondary will now face Charlestown in the South Georgetown zone final after the latter defeated Central High in their semi-final encounter.

Over at Tuschen, Parika Salem Secondary crushed Everest Academy on the back of a superb all-round performance by Wazim Mohamed.

Batting first, Parika rattled up 262/7 in 26 overs with Wazim Mohamed smashing 95. He struck 13 fours and one maximum during his innings. Bashker Baldeo made 32 and Lochnanil Rambharat 22.

Bowling for Everest Academy, Azim Mohamed bagged 5/17.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday November 03, 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) Deryck Murray-1993 runs (HS: 91 vs IND, Bombay, 1974-75) (2) Dennis Atkinson (WI); Mustaq Mohammad (PAK) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which two have better bowling figures in a Test innings than Davendra Bishoo’s recent 8/49 against Pakistan?

Alf Valentine, Michael Holding, Curtly Ambrose, Lance Gibbs, Courtney Walsh (2) How many WI were dismissed ‘run out’ in the first Test of the current WI/PAK series?

How many Pakistani’s were dismissed in a similar fashion?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

…Lodge, Charlestown to clash in South Georgetown Final today

Tutorial High pose with Zone champions trophy and Wazim Mohamed of Parika Salem after his 95 and 5/15 (including hat-trick)

In reply, Everest Academy were routed for 57 in just 12.4 overs. Real Austin scored 30 of those runs. Wazim Mohamed completed his fine all round performance by claiming five wickets for just 15 runs which included a hat-trick.

To d a y w i l l s e e t h e South Georgetown zone final between Lodge Secondary and Charlestown Secondary at GCC, Bourda from 10:30 hrs,while action continues on the East Coast Demerara as Enmore Secondary tackle Golden Grove Secondary at Enterprise starting 12:00 noon.

Samuels, Bravo and Braithwaite decline central contacts from WICB

WEST Indies players Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo and Carlos Braithwaite have declined central contract offers from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

The three have declined to take up contracts that, according to the WICB, range from US$100,000 to US$150,000 per annum.

The contracts for the period are based on performances from October 1, 2015 to September 2016.

Meantime, 12 of the senior men’s players have accepted contracts.

They include a number

Darren Bravo of newcomers including fast bowler Alzarri Joseph. Others that have been retained by the WICB include Roston

Chase, Shai Hope, Jomel Warrican, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Braithwaite, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, and Leon Johnson.

The WICB also has an additional 90 players on contract for the six franchises.

Their salaries range from US$15,600 to US$30,000.00.

These players are members of the first class set up who play in the four-day Professional Cricket League which begins on November 11 and the Super 50 scheduled for January to February 2017.

Meanwhile, the number of women on WICB central contracts has been increased from 11 to 15. The value of those contracts range from US$12,000 to $30,000.00.

Merissa Aguilleira, Shermaine Campbell, Shamilla Connell, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Heyley Matthews, Anisha Mohammed, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman, Tremayne Smartt and Stafanie Taylor have all accepted their contracts.

(Sportsmax.com)

Director of Sport hand over gear ...

From back page enclosed environment that is safe;so we are working on ensuring that these facilities are available in every community and village. Be assured that support will always be forthcoming from the NSC in the development of your community,” the Director reminded.

Junior Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Karen Cummings,who hails from that village thanked the Director for the kind gesture and urged the members to “care the equipment and make good use so that Victoria can move from one level to the next…think big,the sky is the limit.”

Long-standing Club official of the Community’s pride – Victoria Kings FC - Calvin Marks introduced the Director and told the gathering that it was a historic moment for the village as it is the first time any Government official came to present any sport equipment to the village and that he was thankful.

Marks also mentioned the exploits of the Victoria Kings FC and reminded that without the support of the Community there would be no Victoria Kings.

The equipment received were for: Cricket, Lawn Tennis, Basketball, Football, Volleyball and Chess.

(Ras Wadada)

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday November 1, 2016

Brilliant Brathwaite takes West Indies to the brink

(REUTERS)-West Indies reached 114-5 against Pakistan with inspirational opener Kraigg Brathwaite still at the crease after a tense fourth day ended early due to bad light as they chased a victory target of 153 in the third Test in Sharjah yesterday.

Brathwaite was defiantly standing on 44 with Shane Dowrich on 36 leaving West Indies needing 39 runs to break a 14-match losing streak stretching back to last May last year.

Pakistan began the day on 87-4 before a battling 91 by opener Azhar Ali and 42 for Safraz Ahmed looked to have steadied the ship.

However, they lost their last five wickets for 33 to end on 208 with West Indies’ captain Jason Holder claiming his first five-wicket Test haul.

Roston Chase claimed the Jason Holder and Devendra Bishoo lead West Indies off the field on pick of the wickets in laugh- the 4t day in Sharjah. Holder claimed career-best figures of 5 for able circumstances.

30, while Bishoo took 18 wickets in the series.

Having dived high to his shot, was unable to Their total of 208 left the catch a Mohammad Amir back into play.

Chase recovered so scramble home as Chase’s visitors chasing a tempting drive over long-on, he realised he would step over the quickly that Amir, who accurate throw from the 153 to end the tour on a positive note having lost the rope and released the ball had stood still admiring boundary ran him out.

…Jason Holder claims his five-wicket Test haul

GDF leads in Joint Services Championships with 323 points POLICE’s Jevina Sampson and the GDF’s Ornesto Thomas picked up wins in their 800m races yesterday, while long distance champion Cleveland Forde had to run a tactical race to win the men’s 5000m on Tuesday to help the Guyana Defence Force build up a lead over the Guyana Police Force (GPF) ,when the Inter-Services Annual Athletics Championship (ISAAC) started at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora.

Even as confusion prevailed over the results,at the end of the day the Guyana Defence Force (GDF),who are the defending champions,tallied 323 points to lead Police by 70 points.

In other team results,the Guyana Prison Services ended with 51 points while the Guyana Fire Service had 49 points.

Meanwhile, as competition continued yesterday with the 800m,shot put, javelin and triple-jump finals, contention continued over the day’s results, with organisers still

Cleveland Forde just after his 5000m win trying to finalise the points up to late last night.

A similar situation prevailed on Tuesday when the event began, which saw the winners of races being mixed up.

Though the officials could not get their act together on the track, winning was the only thing on the minds of the

athletes, seeking to take their team to the top. Sampson fought hard and prevailed over her teammate Shonsell Adams in the women’s 800m, while in the men’s 800m,Thomas took the win over his teammate Wayne Harlequin.

In Tuesday’s events, Police’s Nathaniel Giddings ran the race of his life as he tried but failed to overpower Cleveland Forde,aka Little Kenyan. Forde was content to let his teammate Odwin Tudor and Giddings lead for most of the race, but always mindful to keep just behind the leading pack. It was with just two laps to go that Forde really began to make a bid for the lead.He received some resistance from Giddings, who was intent on giving this race his best.

The sprinkling of spectators were on their feet cheering on their favourites, waiting in suspense to see if Giddings would manage an upset over Forde But as the race entered

the last lap,Giddings could no longer hold off Forde.

By the time Giddings hit the back straight Forde had already put some distance between the two, and it was all over for Giddings. Giddings managed to close in on Forde,however,he couldn’t get past him.Forde then closed off the race in 15:54.70s, while Giddings came in just behind him in 15:56.60s.

Many commended Giddings for his performance,saying that was one of the best they’ve seen from him. Tudor took third in 16:07.00s.

The women’s 300m was won by Ashanti Scott in a time of 11:56.90s.

In other wins of the day, GPF’s Saphina Vanderstoop picked up the women’s discuss win with a distance of 36.90m.GDF’s Domon Williams leaped to 6.87m to take the men’s long jump win, and Aniqua Powley won the women’s long jump after clearing 5.42m.

first two tests.

Opener Brathwaite, who carried his bat for an unbeaten 142 in the first innings, again looked assured on a flat, slow pitch while partner Leon Johnson was dropped twice as they reached tea on 23-0.

However, Johnson went soon after for 12 and Darren Bravo quickly followed for three, both to Yasir Shah.

Dowrich, who also batted impressively alongside Brathwaite in the first innings, settled their nerves, though, with a solid performance that included three boundaries and a six off

a short delivery which he smashed over deep midwicket to leave his side within touching distance of a rare victory.

Brathwaite, who has been on the field for every minute of the Test over four days, continued to play his shots but they then lost Marlon Samuels (10), Jermaine Blackwood (4) and Chase (2) with nerves beginning to show as they slipped to 67-5.

West Indies are seeking their second Test win in two years - their only other success in 19 matches coming against England in Barbados in May 2015.

SCOREBOARD

PAKISTAN 1st Innings 281 West Indies 1st Innings 337 PAKISTAN 2nd Innings (overnight 87 for four) Sami Aslam c Joseph b Holder 17 Azhar Ali c Bravo b Bishoo 91 Asad Shafiq c Bravo b Holder 0 Younis Khan c wkp Dowrich b Holder 0 *Misbah-ul-Haq c Bishoo b Chase 4 +Sarfraz Ahmed c Bravo b Bishoo 42 Mohammad Nawaz c Johnson b Bishoo 19 Mohammad Amir run out 8 Wahab Riaz c Johnson b Holder 1 Yasir Shah lbw b Holder 0 Zulfiqar Babar not out 15 Extras (b2, lb1, w6, nb2) 11 TOTAL (all out, 81.3 overs) 208 Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-41, 3-41, 4-48, 5-134, 6-175, 7-189, 8-192, 9-193, 10-208.

Bowling: Gabriel 15-1-36-0 (w1,

nb2), Joseph 14-3-41-0 (w1), Holder 17.3-5-30-5, Brathwaite 1-0-5-0, Chase 15-1-47-1, Bishoo 19-2-46-3.

WEST INDIES 2nd Innings (target: 153 runs) K Brathwaite not out 44 L Johnson lbw b Yasir Shah 12 D Bravo c wkp Sarfraz Ahmed b Yasir Shah 3 M Samuels c Zulfiqar Babar b Yasir Shah 10 J Blackwood b Wahab Riaz 4 R Chase c Mohammad Nawaz b Wahab Riaz 2 +S Dowrich not out 36 Extras (lb2, nb1) 3 TOTAL (5 wkts, 36 overs) 114 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-35, 3-57, 4-63, 5-67.

Bowling: Mohammad Amir 8-029-0 (nb1), Wahab Riaz 8-0-30-2, Yasir Shah 13-4-30-3, Zulfiqar Babar 3-1-3-0, Mohammed Nawaz 4-0-20-0.

Hooper grabs five for 76 on day-three

AN outstanding bowling effort from off-spinner Eon Hooper brought down the Singh XI side on day-three of their four day warm-up match against the Barnwell XI. With the Singh-led team resuming on 181-3 in response to Barnwell’s XI first innings score of 325, overnight batsman Raymond Reifer departed after adding only one run to his overnight score of 68,while his partner Shivnarine Chanderpaul coasted to his half century.

Reifer departed with the score on 190 and this brought out Anthony Bramble who partnered Chanderpaul to take the score to 226 before the latter was dismissed for 74(5x4s,3x6);nudging one behind to wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach.

Bramble then pushed on to make 30 (4x4s) while Sherfene Rutherford (27) and Akshaya Persaud (35) assisted the team in getting past the Barnwell XI total with a slender 43-run lead before they were all out. Hooper returned good figures of five for 76 from his 57.4 overs of which 26 were maidens.

Meanwhile, Robin Bacchus was the first wicket to go for the Barnwell XI in their second innings, contributing 15 to the score while Kevin Boodie contributed six more.

At the crease are Kandasammy Surijnarine on 26 and Chanderpaul Hemraj. On 16.Anthony Adams has so far taken two for 9.

The final day’s play will begin today at 09:30 hrs.

Brilliant Brathwaite takes West Indies to the brink (See Story on page 31 )

Four clubs say ‘no’ to new Elite League season I

By Ras Wadada

…reiterates need for arbitration

N another dramatic twist in the ongoing saga of the ‘Beautiful Game’ here in Guyana, Champion Club Slingerz FC and runners-up Alpha United, as well as Pele FC and GFC announced, yesterday, that they will not heed the recent announcement of the GFF on the start of the Stag Elite league set for November 13 th at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground,and as such will not participate unless a request for an arbitration is answered.

Yesterday, the top officials of the four clubs held a Press Conference at Sambora Communications in West Ruimveldt,where they all stated that their main objection to participation has to do with the change,which now includes two additional teams.

The Club Officials all felt that the process the GFF used to arrive at their decision to expand the League has breached a contractual agreement that was signed by the then NC and the eight Elite Elite Clubs’ bosses; (L to R): Faizal Khan (GFC), Colin Aaron Clubs in the inaugural season (Slingerz FC), Robbie Rambarran (Pele FC) and Odinga Lumumba for an initial two year period. (Alpha United) pose for a photo after yesterday’s Press brief.

The Officials also dismissed the pronouncements of the President of the GFF,Wayne Forde,that there was consultation and that 97 percent of the changes for season-two were recommendations of the Elite Clubs.

The officials added that this is misleading and deceptive.

Slingerz FC has already sent a correspondence to the GFF indicating their withdrawal from the upcoming Elite League and yesterday, General Manager Colin Aaron told the Media that all 8 Elite Clubs signed the document concerning the inaugural Elite League, “ Mr Forde signed so it is strange now that Mr Forde and Daniel of Conquerors are saying they have never signed anything than some other document… that is lying blatantly, that is lying blatantly”, emphasized Aaron.

“The parent body is showing total disregard and disrespect to the children.

Why? We have sent a letter to the president(of GFF) asking for arbitration…I read in the newspapers that the same president said that he don’t see any need to engage in mediation. The Federation cannot make pronouncement on

any dispute with its members.

“To change the membership of the Federation would require the Congress;the Executive Committee cannot change the membership.

Only the Congress could admit, suspend or expel. Now they have decided to expand the League to ten teams”, Aaron stated.

President of Alpha United, Odinga Lumumba,in his address questioned the expansion and called it hand-picking.

“Why is it for the 2nd year coming up you suddenly want to disrupt the formula and bring in two clubs. This looks like they sure give you two votes, this is not football, this is Politics because if it is football you will go through a process to identify two teams… you can pull 12 teams together and in two to three weeks have a short tournament and select the top two teams…but this is not the case…it is obvious they want to hand-pick two people to get two votes and this is bad for the process and bad for the leadership. There is instability in the organization,” Lumumba suggested.

“We wrote a letter where

See page 27

Director of Sport hands over gear to Victoria Community DIRECTOR of Sport, Christopher Jones,last Tuesday made a stop at the Victoria Community Centre where he handed over a number of Sports equipment and gear to members of the community.

In making the presentation,the head of the National Sports Commission declared that it was a small contribution and promised more in the future.

“I want to assure you, here (and)now, that this here is what I consider very minor, a very minute donation…so you can rest assured that the National Sports Commission (NSC) and by extension the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture will make further

President of Victoria Kings FC, Rexford Jackson and villager, Dr Karen Cummings display part of NSC’s sports gears that were handed over by Director of Sport, Christopher Jones (far right) while at far left is club official Calvin Marks.(Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

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

contributions to the development of your Village through the year.

I understand that there is a proposal to enhance your ground to the tune of $3.5m GY…I want to say this now, that once that proposal is submitted to me,that would be on the priority list for 2017”, Jones promised to loud cheers from the villagers gathered.

“Our aim at the NSC is to do everything possible to ensure that every village throughout the length and breadth of this country, the young people have a recreational space that they can go run, frolic, learn a particular sport and of course have an See page 30 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016