Guyana chronicle e paper 04 08 2017

$1B hotel opens in Berbice Page 15

‘We will review it’ No. 104877

SATURDAY APRIL 8, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

– Gov’t commits to review VAT on private education

Page 3

‘Show your state of readiness’ – President tells GDF’s Coastal Battalion Base at Anna Regina

Page 2

President David Granger being briefed on the Battalion’s operations by Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West and Interim Base Commander, Captain Archer, while the army’s Second in Command, Colonel Nazrul Hussain, looks on

3 years jail, $4.7M fine

Page 18

… for GPL employee busted with cannabis

Guyanese youth gunned down in TT Page 13

Gunned Down: Raphael Collins also known as ‘Boy’

GuySuCo gets $1B

–– to pay sugar workers; Pa averts nationwide strike 12ge

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‘Show your state of readiness’ GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 8, 2017

–– President tells GDF’s Coastal Battalion Base in Anna Regina

PRESIDENT David Granger on Friday visited the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Coastal Battalion Base in Anna Regina, Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two) to get a first-hand look at its state of readiness to conduct operations along the coast, in the Pomeroon River and in Indigenous communities, such as Tapakuma and Mainstay/Whyaka.

The President was accompanied by the Army’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West. While on the ground, the Commander-in-Chief was pleased by the Chief of Staff’s report, assuring him that the Battalion has been carrying out its duties in accordance with its mandate and mission. He urged the ranks stationed at that location to go out to every single community and get acquainted with local leaders. “You have to continue to show your state of readiness and your preparedness to ensure national defence of our country,” the President said.

Apart from their own operations and patrols, the Battalion has also been involved in joint-operations with the police and the President urged that they conduct training exercises with the Joint Services from time to time, to strengthen the Region’s overall security mechanism.

Speaking of the donation of equipment that the GDF recently received from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), President Granger explained that over the course of the next three years, the Army will be undergoing a process of transition, whereby emphasis will be placed heavily on scientific surveys and engineering.

“This means that we are opening the window of opportunities to soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers, who have an interest or background in engineering, so that you transition into that field. The focus for the next three years will be to develop a strong, technical corps, especially in

President David Granger taking the military salute upon his arrival at the Guyana Defence Force’s Coastal Battalion Base at Anna Regina the field of engineering,” the Head of State said.

Meanwhile, Brigadier West in his remarks said that, “I can say Sir that the Battalion has performed well over the last year and I would like to conclude by saying that as we welcome you, the Battalion has satisfied its

operational training and operational mandate in accordance with Force’s policy.

The Coastal Battalion will achieve greater effectiveness once it is adequately resourced and receives further training in keeping with the Force’s role. As I indicated, we are yet to build the third

Company and I envisage that the third Company may have within it elements of anti-aircraft and engineering”.

The GDF’s Coastal Battalion Base was established as a Company in October 2009 and was subsequently upgraded to a Battalion in March 2011. Its main role is

to conduct internal security operations or coastal and civil operations as is required.

A Battalion is made up of three Companies, one Base is located at Anna Regina and the other is on the Corentyne.

The third will be built in 2018. (Ministry of the Presidency)

‘We will review it’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 8, 2017

–Gov’t commits to review VAT on private education

By Alva Solomon GOVERNMENT has committed to review the value-added tax (VAT) on private tuition fees and a decision on the tax mea-

the tax.

Director of Public Information, Imran Khan, told the Guyana Chronicle that the comments of the Prime Minister were made in his personal capacity. He said

registered with the Ministry of Education.”

He said that a good state and good government have a duty to protect citizens from “overnight, mushrooming bottom-house schools”,

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine engage in discussion during the forum on Friday. sure is likely to be made when Cabinet meets on Tuesday.

This was announced on Friday when Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other government officials, including Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, met with officials of private schools at the National Culture Centre.

Several private school students and their parents also attended the forum. Prime Minister Nagamootoo told the gathering that “it will be

support to the public education sector, but that the large number of unregistered private schools needs to be addressed and regularised.

The Education Minister outlined that government was committed to investing heavily in education with a 2017 budget allocation of $43.1B which translates to 17.2% of the national budget. He noted that the education sector received the largest single budget allocation for 2017 and outlined that significant sums were being expended for the school-feeding and school uniform programmes, along with construction, expansion and renovation of schools, dormitories and other buildings.

During the forum, several parents, students and ed-

that the Prime Minister cannot pronounce definitively on the 2017 budget tax measure being repealed, since that decision rests on Cabinet’s approval.

Minister Hughes, who moderated the session, told the gathering that the report of the meeting will be taken to Cabinet and specific responses will be made based on the discussions of the government. The Prime Minister during his address told the gathering that, after listening to the comments from those in attendance, that it is an “unusual meaDr Brian O’Toole of Nations University, raised several concerns about the tax measure.

Several students, including those studying medicine, attended the forum. reviewed as well as other taxes,” adding that “but whether it will be reviewed for 2017, I cannot say that definitively, but for 2018 it is a possibility.” His comments did not go down well with some in the audience, who were obviously hoping for a more definitive position on the withdrawal of

sure” to impose a tax on private fees for private tuition. He made mention of the issues raised during the meeting, including the regularization and non-payment of taxes by some schools. ”It is for me unacceptable that 80% of the schools that consider themselves to be private schools are not even

which do not comply with the law and the standards of education. He clarified that his comments did not justify the tax measure for those which are tax-compliant but rather, he illustrated the considerations made by the government regarding the tax measure. The Prime Minister acknowledged that the tax measure was an “unpopular” tax which has been criticized and which resulted in a petition and protest and that as a caring government, it was duty bound to listen and review and committed that this will be done.

He said that in the first 20 months of the government, a sum of $70B was allocated to the education sector. “Education in our eyes and in our policy is an instrument of edification, enlightenment and liberation,” he said.

Roopnaraine during his address to the gathering acknowledged that the private education sector provides

Speaking from the floor, this man noted that he is currently a student and according to him, the tax measure has impacted his plans of continuing his studies government. He said that there was no response to the petition from the authorities until Friday’s forum. He said the government should go after the schools which are not tax-compliant, as he called for a level playing field.

O’Toole said the solution to the issue is “not to punish who pay tax,” but to go after those who are not compliant. He said that 12% of students pursuing the American Business Executive (ABE) programme at Nations have already dropped out of the programme in light of the increased fees which were made following implementation of the VAT measure. Stacy

non-compliant schools. Ram said that he has known officials of the government including the Prime Minister for some time and that they each value the education sector. “I am sure that this government is sympathetic, I am sure that it is listening,” he said, as he called on the government officials to vindicate his confidence he holds in them.

The tax measure has created unease in the public domain since Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, made the announcement last December during his presentation of the 2017 national budget.

Following the removal of

Students spoke with Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, following the meeting ucators presented arguments from the floor and provided reasons why they believe the VAT measure should be repealed. Dr Brian O’Toole, head of Nations University, told the gathering that 15,000 persons signed a petition several weeks ago on the taxation measure and this was later sent to the

French of Mae’s School called on the government to explain what factors were considered in a $2B figure, which the authorities noted private schools have attained from tuition.

Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, also supported comments made by others that the authorities should go after the

the zero-rated items in the 2017 budget, private institutions are required to pay 14 per cent tax which became effective from February 1, 2017.

However, some private institutions which fall under the category of “Charter Schools” are not required to pay this levy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

U.S. strikes came close to clash with Russia: PM Medvedev U.S. cruise missile strikes on a Syrian air base were one step away from clashing with the Russian military, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev charged on Friday, underscoring the risks in U.S. President Donald Trump’s first major foray into the Syrian civil war.

U.S. officials informed Russian forces ahead of the strikes, which were intended to punish the Syrian government for what they said was a chemical weapons attack, and avoided hitting Russian personnel. In the biggest foreign policy decision of his presidency, Trump ordered a step his predecessor Barack Obama never took: targeting the Syrian military.

Washington says Syrian government forces carried out a poison gas attack in northern Syria this week that killed at least 70 people.

The U.S. action catapult-

ed Washington into confrontation with Russia, which has military advisers on the ground aiding its ally, President Bashar al-Assad.

Satellite imagery suggests the Shayrat air base that was struck by dozens of U.S. missiles is home to Russian special forces and military helicopters, part of the Kremlin’s effort to help the Syrian government fight Islamic State and other militant groups. Medvedev, on social media, said the strikes were illegal and had been “one step away from military clashes with Russia.”

Trump has frequently called for improved relations with Russia which were strained under Obama, but the U.S. president said action had to be taken against Assad. “Years of previous attempts at changing Assad’s behavior have all failed and failed very dramatically,” Trump said as he announced

the attack from his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, where he was meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping. “Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered in this very barbaric attack,” he said, adding: “No child of God should ever suffer such horror.”

Assad’s office said Damascus would respond by striking its enemies harder.

The United Nations Security Council was to meet on Friday to discuss the U.S. cruise missile strikes, diplomats said. The meeting of the 15-member council will be public.

U.S. officials said the strike was a “one-off” intended to deter future chemical weapons attacks, and not an expansion of the U.S. role in the Syria war. Tomahawk missiles fired from the USS Porter and USS Ross struck the airstrip, aircraft and fuel stations on the air

base, which the Pentagon says was used to store chemical weapons.

The swift action is likely to be interpreted as a signal to Russia, as well as to countries such as North Korea, China and Iran where Trump has faced foreign policy tests early in his presidency, that he is willing to use force.

The strikes could cheer Assad’s enemies, after months when Western powers appeared to grow increasingly resigned to his staying in power. But opposition figures said an isolated assault was far from the decisive intervention they have long sought.

The Syrian government and Moscow have denied that Syrian forces were behind the gas attack, but Western countries have dismissed their explanation that chemicals leaked from

a rebel weapons depot after an air strike as not credible.

The Syrian army said the U.S. attack killed six people and called it “blatant aggression” which made the United States a partner of “terrorist groups” including Islamic State. There was no independent confirmation of civilian casualties.

RAISING STAKES IN THE SKIES “President Putin views the U.S. strikes on Syria as aggression against a sovereign state in violation of the norms of international law and on a made-up up pretext,” said a Kremlin statement. “This step by Washington will inflict major damage on U.S.-Russia ties.”

Moscow suspended communication with U.S. forces designed to stop planes colliding over Syria. A Russian frigate carrying cruise missiles sailed through the Bosphorus Strait into the Mediterranean Sea, although there was no indication it was directly in response to U.S. action.

Several Western allies of the United States described the U.S. strikes as a proportionate response to Assad’s suspected use of poison gas.

Iran, Assad’s other main ally, denounced it. Washington has long backed rebels

fighting against Assad in a multi-sided civil war that has killed more than 400,000 people and driven half of Syrians from their homes since 2011. The United States has been conducting air strikes against Islamic State militants who control territory in eastern and northern Syria, and a small number of U.S. troops are on the ground assisting anti-Islamic State militias.

Russia joined the war on Assad’s behalf in 2015, action that decisively turned the momentum of the conflict in the Syrian government’s favor. Although they support opposing sides in the war between Assad and rebels, Washington and Moscow both say they share a single main enemy, Islamic State.

Tuesday’s attack was the first time since 2013 that Syria was accused of using sarin, a banned nerve agent it was meant to have given up under a Russian-brokered, U.N.-enforced deal that persuaded Obama to call off air strikes four years ago. Video depicted limp bodies and children choking while rescuers tried to wash off the poison gas. Russian state television blamed rebels and did not show footage of victims. (Reuters)

Saturday April 8th, 2017 - 14:30 hrs Sunday April 9th, 2017 - 14:30 hrs Monday April 10th, 2017 -14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

Uruguay to sell cannabis IDB launches its largest in pharmacies US dollar global bond

Uruguay will begin selling cannabis in pharmacies from July, the final stage in the country’s pioneering regularisation of the drug.

The South American country will be the first in the world to legally sell the drug over the counter for recreational use. The move was set in motion in 2013 with a law that fully legalised the cannabis trade.

However, it has been a slow process to put the law into practice. “Cannabis will be dispensed in pharmacies starting in the month of July,” presidential aide Juan Andres Roballo told a press

conference. The law requires buyers to sign up to a national registry, which Mr Roballo said would be up and running by 2 May. The price will be US$1.30 (£1) per gram.

Registrants - who must be Uruguayan citizens or permanent residents - can purchase up to a maximum of 40 grams (1.4 ounces) per month. The marijuana sold will come from state-supervised fields. The law also allows users to grow their own at home, or join cooperative clubs that farm it.

Many pharmacists have doubted the financial benefits of selling a

cost-controlled product.

Some Uruguayan buyers were also reluctant to sign up to a national registry, complaining of the invasion of their privacy and of having to keep to the monthly limits. The government has now done a deal with 16 pharmacies, but it hopes to sign up more. Mr Roballo said there would be a public health campaign before the registry was opened. He also said the government was not close to covering the predicted demand, but it does not believe there will be “an avalanche of users” signing up. (BBC)

Electoral officials pleased with increased number of voters

Grenada electoral officials say more than 2,000 names have been added to the Voters List since the November 2016 referendum as the island prepares for a general election that though constitutionally due next year, could be held later this year.

Supervisor of Elections, Alex Phillip, said the increase in the number of voters could be as a result of the project undertaken by the Parliamentary Elections Office to educate students about the benefit of registering when they reach the age of 18. “What we are seeing is that once young people turn 18 they are getting registered, the addendum has shown an increase in the consolidated Voters List growing since we had the November referendum,” said Phillip, noting that for the referendum where Grenadians voted against a number of measures, includ-

ing a fixed date for general elections, there were 70,714 registered voters.

“For the addendum which is up for scrutiny as of today Friday April 07, the Consolidated List now stands just little beyond 72,000 and that is because of the amount of young people who have decided to register once they turn 18,” he said. Phillip said that all registered persons will have until April 18 to file complains about the list and urged persons to scrutinize the list to ensure that the information is correct. ‘Besides going through the list in the traditional format, persons can now go to our website and search the list to confirm that they are registered properly,” he said.

The law governing the general elections process provides for ongoing registration of voters and mandates that a consolidated be publish every quarter.

The list will be reflective of all persons registered up to March 31st 2017. A general election is constitutionally due no later than May 2018, but there is widespread speculation here that Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, who led his ruling New National Party (NNP) to victory in 2013 by winning all 15 seats, will go for an early poll. The other main party expected to contest the election is the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Last week, Parliament gave approval for a new symbol for use in a general election. That symbol which is a hand surrounding by chain is schedule to get the approval of the Upper House of Parliament or the Senate at its sitting next week Thursday.

The Parliamentary Office says that at present there are 30 registered symbols.

(CMC)

The Inter-American Development Bank (“IDB” or “IADB”), rated Aaa/AAA (Moody’s/S&P), on Friday priced a new US$3.75 billion 3-year global bond.

The transaction pays a semi-annual coupon of 1.625 percent and matures on May 12, 2020. Priced with a spread of +23.75 basis points over the UST 1.625 percent March 2020, this represents a yield of 1.704 percent s.a.

This transaction is the IDB’s second public benchmark transaction of 2017, following a successful 5-year outing in January.

With the addition of today’s new 3-year transaction, the IDB has completed $9.2 billion of an estimated $18.5 billion program for 2017.

The new May 2020 refreshes the 3-year part of IDB’s curve and compliments the existing maturity profile – adding another liquid reference point to fill the

maturity gap between their $1.5 billion 3.875 percent Feb 2020 (an old 10-year) and $2.25 billion 1.875 percent June 2020 global bonds (old 5-year).

The transaction was well oversubscribed, in excess of $5.35 billion and with 88 accounts participating across a broad geographic spectrum and well-diversified investor base. The strength of the orderbook was underscored by the high participation of central bank/official money investors, who accounted for 61 percent of the final allocation.

“We were delighted to see how quickly and strongly the book built during New York hours, especially with domestic fund managers and of-

ficial institutions. This momentum continued during Asian and European hours and allowed us to issue the largest ever IDB bond in the primary market. There were 88 investors participating, which is also another record for an IDB bond,” said Laura Fan, Head of Funding at the IDB.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

The Kamana Court IN our polarised society, it may be tempting on matters of a political nature, given how often they are characterised by twists and turns, to surmise in the words of Sir Walter Scott in the Marmion play, “Oh! What a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive.”

Last December, President David Granger moved to revoke what can now be considered an alleged 99-year lease to the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Incorporated (CJRCI) for the Red House property. This lease was purportedly issued in 2012. The attempted revocation came after Attorney General and Minister of Legal, Basil Williams, said that the Government and CJRCI had failed to arrive at an amicable resolution on occupancy of the property.

None can deny the emotive and sentimental value attached to the Red House, which Dr Cheddi Jagan, one of the founders of the People’s Progressive Party occupied during his premiership from 1961-1964. None can also reasonably deny the importance of storing the work of our presidents for posterity and research. After all, the decisions they took impacted the country and its people. Such records provide primary sources of information-gathering, serving as windows into their thinking, and allow for analyses in influencing future planning.

There is no interest in getting into the legal ramifications of the alleged lease, given that it is presently before the High Court for adjudication. The court was asked to determine if President Granger’s action, in this specific issue, cannot be

brought before it, given a held interpretation of the immunity clause at Article 182 of the Guyana Constitution. It has since ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Former president Donald Ramotar in January swore to an affidavit that he exercised the power conferred on him under the Constitution and laws of Guyana to issue the alleged lease agreement. This newspaper on Wednesday carried a story, in which Mr Trevor Benn, Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, in a sworn affidavit denied the existence of such lease. According to his affidavit, there is “no formal evidence of any sanction of approval by the President of the day, President Ramotar.”

Neither, according to Mr Benn, has there been any approval granted by any Head of State for the building to be leased by the CJRCI within the past 17 years. Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, also said that no approval was “ever given by any Minister of Education or himself to lease the area for the past 17 years.”

The evidence of Messrs Ramotar, Benn and Roopnaraine shall be examined in the court in determining whether indeed there was a valid lease executed by the former president.

While in our polarised society it can be argued that there was benefit to having the issue resolved amicably between the Government and the purported lessor, now that the court is being asked to make a determination, it is opening the proverbial can of worms. From the moment the matter came into the public domain it has attracted spirited protests and counter

protests by supporters of the government and opposition.

Guyanese have weighed in from all angles, to the point where an overseas-based group was formed with the intent of mobilising support in protest against Government’s decision to terminate the occupancy. It is not uncharacteristic in our politics to find politicians unmindful of sacrificing integrity in pursuit of partisan mileage and keeping the people divided. Such tendency throughout our history has never proven to be in the interest of fostering social cohesion and building national unity.

Dr Jagan contributed significantly to the nation’s development. He was one of the forerunners in the independence struggle, the country’s first premier, the third president with executive responsibility, and the longest-serving leader in the opposition. That his name and work are being dragged through deceit should never be.

Transparency, accountability for gov’t scholarships need to be enhanced Dear Editor

TIGI has taken note of a press statement from the Department of Public Service indicating that steps have been taken to improve transparency in the award of scholarships.

The statement was published while we were making the final decision on our draft.

The importance and impact of scholarships necessitate fairness in their administration. There is no place and should be no tolerance for cronyism, nepotism, favouritism and other biases in such awards. It would be a flagrant betrayal of citizens and corruption if government scholarships are awarded based on friendship or connection to

the government inclusive of, but not limited to, political ideology and party support.

An alarm was raised last year about the award of scholarships to two sitting ministers of Government to pursue doctoral studies.

On the one hand, there is the governance issue about the appropriateness of officials with such pivotal roles dividing their attention between serving the people and pursuing studies.

On the other hand, there is suspicion of impropriety in the awards. Neither of these points has been adequately refuted and TIGI remains concerned, especially about the accusation of impropriety.

The Guyanese society has long recognized that there was bias in awards of

scholarships in the past. The accusation is that direct or indirect intervention from individuals in government occurred in some cases and this has eroded public confidence. We also recall the parent of one University of Guyana valedictorian going public that the government of that day had not even seen fit to recognise her for whatever reason, while by all evidence its scholarship programme had not ceased.

Bias in scholarship awards should be viewed with recognition that there is ultimately a cost to the public. Even when they are not funded by taxpayers, there is still opportunity cost to those who might be more deserving. Many individuals have applied for government scholarships on

several occasions and have had to defer their dreams for many years. Some were less fortunate even though they were accepted at universities abroad. They obtained loans from commercial banks, family and friends to support their studies. Yet, others had to forego such ambitions altogether.

The situation in which two sitting ministers with such prominent roles in government, have been awarded scholarships by the said government appears as a continuation of suspected old practices. The President indicated in the January 20, 2017 edition of the Public Interest programme that he did “not know the grounds for these specific cases,” but said that “on the face of it, it is not a corrupt transaction.”

The President was speaking here hypothetically for he could not be asserting that the particular awards were not corrupt, while admitting his lack of knowledge about the two cases. The public therefore remains understandably sceptical and a lack of corruption in the awards of the scholarships is yet to be substantiated.

TIGI calls on the government to enhance transparency and accountability of the scholarship programme by establishing rules to guarantee annual publication of the list of awardees along with some basic information about the individuals. This should include, but not be restricted to, qualifications of the individuals, the amount awarded and

the institution and programme of study, without undue violations of privacy. We also call for articulation and publication of the evaluation and decision criteria for scholarship awards. An added benefit of this will be increased awareness of what is available and who can apply, which can potentially enhance the reach and impact of the programme. Finally, the government should make the scoresheets based on which the awards were determined available upon request as an initial step towards accountability.

Regards Troy Thomas President Transparency International

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

Enmore NDC plans to sell donated computers thwarted AN illegal attempt by the Enmore/Hope Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to sell computers donated to those communities was blocked on Thursday by officials from the eGovernment Project Execution Unit.

This was according to a statement from the Ministry of Public Telecommunication on Friday.

The statement explained that a minuted decision was

made by the NDC at their statutory meeting of 16 November, 2016, to sell 15 computers which were donated by the Basic Needs Trust Fund. The ministry noted in its statement that by virtue of these computers being donated for the benefit of residents of the communities, it was illegal to sell them.

Upon receipt of a report of the impending sale, the ministry said that a team from the eGovernment unit

was dispatched to the NDC on Thursday, April 6, 2017, to investigate the report. On arrival at the NDC, the officials, in the company of officers attached to the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), found the 15 computers in a “state of disrepair,” the statement read.

The statement revealed that the units were improperly stored in dusty conditions, and there was no evidence to One of the computers which was carelessly left on a table

Min Bulkan is free to express his views

Dear editor,

THE Honourable Mr Bulkan is a Minister of Government, but he is also a citizen of Guyana, and by being a minister does not take away his right as a citizen for freedom of expression or freedom to criticize.

The fact that he wrote a letter to the state-owned Chronicle that alone constitutes fair criticisms, shows he is not fettered as a Government official to state his views, even when these appeared to be critical of the state media.

This was not apparent during the Jagdeo era as state officials were muzzled and media operatives were

deemed to be “vultures” and carrion-crows, even independent business leaders. In one case Dr Yesu Persaud was labelled by Jagdeo as an” ignoramus.”

I do not see how the letter by the minister constituted interference by merely suggesting what he thought was another way of placing news articles. The Guyana Times further turned its gun at Prime Minister Nagamootoo and repeated falsehoods, which had been publicly nailed; as such, the Prime Minister’s office has repudiated claims that he had either scolded or reprimanded a reporter during August,2015 and that his

office had insisted in seeing headlines for the Guyana Chronicle.

The Prime Minister then and always ought to maintain his rights as a public official, a citizen and more particularly, as a renowned journalist to express disappointment in any newspapers coverage.

For the Guyana Times to insist otherwise is an affront to free speech which is a constitutional right. As a youth leader with a keen interest in democracy, I can say that Guyana under this coalition Government is open, free and transparent.

Regards Carlyle Goring

Freddie Kissoon vitriolic against Swami Aksharananda

WHILE I remain generally impressed by Freddie Kissoon’s brave and rather unusual writings against the many instances of missteps, misrule and misery in our dear land of Guyana, I find it increasingly difficult to understand or accept his vitriolic vituperations against the venerable Swami Aksharananda (ref.his KN column of 4/4/17: “Aksharananda gets a taste of his own medicine”). Such ad hominem attacks unnecessarily detract from the many serious core issues affecting our small society.

Freddie Kissoon takes umbrage against Swami Ji’s rightful admonition of the Principal of Central High School allowing Pastor Anderson to sermonize the ‘innocent minds’ of young students attending a ‘public

school’ in Guyana, which is legally a secular state and which our current Government has formally acknowledged “social cohesion” as a major pillar of its governance. (In this context I vividly recall, ironically, the then colonial British Guiana, when as the Head Teacher of the Hindu College at Cove & John, a secondary school run under the auspices of a Hindu religious order, we catered for the separate religious needs of the various students, so much so, that in the absence of a ’Muslim’ teacher, I, a staunch Hindu, assumed the role of a Muslim teacher in leading the daily prayers for the few Muslim students).

How can any right-minded Guyanese tolerate the reported Pastor Anderson-type of Christian proselytizing in a public school in our secular

and independent Guyana, let alone someone of the stature of Professor Kissoon.

Freddie’s column elaborates on a series of racial and political occurrences over the years in a manner that appears to suggest that he equates ‘racism’ with ‘religiosity.’ With all due respect, I wish to suggest that he and our fellow Guyanese desist from this; we have far too many cases of Indo-Guyanese being Christians, Muslims and Hindus, while similarly being of varying political persuasions to indulge in stereotyping. Please, please let’s deal with substantive issues without being personally abusive.

Regards Nowrang Persaud

suggest that the computers were used recently. The PPP, which controls the NDC, had claimed that the computers were being used to teach evening classes for residents.

Having made the discovery, the ministry said that the computers will be returned to the Enmore community once

it has been agreed that they would not be sold or otherwise disposed of.

“They [the computers] will first be serviced. eGovernment fully intends to support the residents of Enmore/ Hope under its Community Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub

initiative which provides free Internet service and computer skills training,” the ministry said.

To date, eGovernment has overseen the establishment of 51 ICT Community hubs in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six, including Crabwood Creek, Liverpool, Port Mourant, Wales, Sophia, Charity, Dartmouth, Good Hope, and Masakenari in Region Nine.

The Telecommunications Ministry also disclosed that so far, over 98,000 citizens in 51 communities have access to free Internet, with extra bandwidth available after school and business hours, and on weekends and holidays. Secondary schools, technical and vocational institutes and other state tertiary institutions have also been connected to the national ICT networks, the statement added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

New management system for medical drugs and supplies THE Ministry of Public Health is expected to implement a new management system for medical drugs and supplies, countrywide.

This will allow pharmacists and other officials responsible for the distribution of medical supplies to reflect a more accountable monitoring system. Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that there will be more stringent monitoring and record-keeping of supplies received and distributed. The minister said that the stricter monitoring of these supplies can contribute to fewer instances of drug shortages throughout

the country.

“We are also almost 99 percent complete (with) the new structure that we will put in place to monitor the receipts and issue and transfers and write-off of drugs and gifts received. So I am hoping that somewhere by the end of this month I will be able to present that to cabinet,” Lawrence said.

The minister noted that the system would be rolled out in the various regions to ensure that there is monitoring and that the ministry can capture data on consumption patterns. “So when we’re ordering, we’re ordering based on needs and not just ordering based on some other figures pulled

from here or there,” Lawrence explained. The training and employment of pharmacists will complement the newly implemented drugs and materials management system. “We are also looking at putting some more pharmacists into the system and we believe that is going to help to alleviate the strain because a lot of the issues have to do with persons doing multiple jobs and so you have cross-cutting,” Minister Lawrence explained.

According to Lawrence, a shortage of staff is affecting the proper monitoring of the medical supplies system.

“So we are trying to ensure that we close those gaps and continue to work with the

staff,” she said. The management system which will be put in place will provide detailed data and guidance on drugs and medical supplies from the stage of tendering to the final stages of distribution and consumption.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health is seeking to train and deploy more pharmacists where needed countrywide. This will complement the new management system. In the interim, the ministry is exploring other options of addressing drug shortages in the shortest possible time. Minister Lawrence said the officials from the ministry have looked at the tendering process, noting that some changes have

been made. “In the coming week, we are going to have a meeting with all of the suppliers so they can know our new expectations and right there and then the tender documents, I’m told, will be made available so persons can begin to bid,” she said.

The ministry will also be working along with the Pan-American Health Organisation / World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) to ensure that there is sufficient access to critical and emergency drugs for purchasing. This will be done in tandem with suppliers.

When asked if persons guilty of drug-mismanagement will be prosecuted, the minister said that the

ministry only intends to build the capacity of those already in the system. Reports of drug shortages led the ministry to conduct a series of investigations to identify gaps and shortcomings at hospitals and storage facilities. Lawrence said that the Ministry of Public Health is committed to, and will continue to engage with the Regional Health Officers and pharmacists, along with key officials from the Ministry of Community, to ensure that the new management system is successfully implemented in all regions, eventually eliminating drug shortages in Guyana.

(GINA)

Guyana to present ‘Green State’ at CARIFESTA XIII - 60-member contingent approved

AS preparations continue for the staging of the 13th edition of the Caribbean Festival of Arts

(CARIFESTA) later this year, Guyana’s 60-member contingent will be looking to present this country

as a “Green State” to the region and the rest of the world.

CARIFESTA XIII is be-

ing held in Barbados from August 17-27, 2017, under the theme: “Asserting Our Culture, Celebrating Ourselves.”

And according to the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture in a statement on Friday, plans are moving apace to make Guyana’s participation at that event as broad-based as possible.

The first CARIFESTA meeting was hosted on Friday, January 13, 2017, where more than 25 officials and creative minds were briefed by junior Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry and Special Projects Officer, Lennox Canterbury. The two officials outlined expectations and responsibilities at the local and regional levels.

At that meeting, the group was tasked with charting a way forward to ensure Guyana’s active participation at the regional event in keeping with the overarching theme of presenting the country as a ‘Green-State’ to the Caribbean and the world.

The ministry said that based on initial reports Guyana will, more than likely, field a team of 60 represen-

tatives to this major culture, arts and entertainment event in more than 13 categories.

The categories include; Craft, Culinary Arts, Fashion, Film Festival, Literary Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Symposia, Animation, Storytelling Events, Grand Cultural Market, Trade Fair, Youth Focus and Community Festival.

At the meeting in January, the group was also apprised of the additional fringe activities for artists outside of the government-sponsored delegations.

Those include the Caribbean Rum Festival, Trade Fair and Market for producers/ suppliers of artistic products, Body and Soul Line (herbs, healthy lifestyles, massages, foods and animation).

The department also announced that on Tuesday, April 11, Minister Henry will chair a CARIFESTA Planning meeting at the ministry’s Main Street office.

At that meeting, members of the respective planning committees will be issued Terms of Reference (ToR) of Guyana’s proposed

plans. In addition, presentations will be made by potential participants whereby they will have an opportunity to outline their plans with specific emphasis on their areas of expertise.

Proposed plans are also expected to be shared for the commencement of national auditions and/or jurying of works to shortlist what will be Guyana’s presentation at the festival.

As part of the Guyana delegation’s proposal, several persons were tentatively pinpointed as Steering Committee Heads. These individuals were tasked with working on a blue-print for each category of participation.

Already, Guyana has named Junior Calypso Monarch, T’shanna Cort, to participate in Barbados. Cort has signed a contract to compete for the Caribbean Youth Calypso Monarch against other regional contenders. The ministry is also proposing that before Guyana’s contingent wings out to Barbados, their cultural package should be showcased locally.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 8, 2017

HM of Liana Nursery School in pickle –– Education Ministry recommends charges over missing funds

CHARGES have been recommended by the Ministry of Education against Head-teacher of Liana Nursery school, Penelope George, for alleged fraudulent conversion and misuse of the school’s funds.

The charges were recommended by acting Principal Education Officer (PEO), Immanuel Bridgewater, in a letter to the acting Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson.

The letter states that an investigation into security services rendered at Liana Nursery School was conducted by the Education Ministry’s internal auditor, Khemraj Jailal on February 13, 2017.

This was done with the intention of obtaining sufficient, relevant and reliable information on finances which were to be spent on security for the period January 2015 to December 2016.

According to the findings of the audit, George allegedly collected $2,999,202 for the

year 2015 and $3,020,248 for 2016, on behalf of the school.

However, the report states that the auditor could not ascertain whether funds collected were deposited into the school’s bank account, since no bank book or current bank statements were presented by the Head-teacher for scrutiny. It was revealed that the last bank statement showed a balance of $269,491 as of August 6, 2014.

Additionally, no receipts were presented by George for payment of security services for the months of February, March, November and December 2015 and September, October, November and December 2016. Presented to the auditor was a receipt dated December 4, 2015 for $160,680 as a payment for security services rendered for September 2015. However, the school’s security register reflected a payment of $243,600. Similarly, a receipt for $200,000 was seen by the

auditor as payment for security services rendered for October 2015, but the school security registers reflected $243,600.

“The security service was being paid part payments although Ms. George would have collected grants to cover full payments” the audited report stated.

Further, it was pointed out that an interview with the security firm’s secretary revealed that no payments were made for the months of September, October, November and December in 2016. Letters written by the head-teacher to the security firm’s secretary asking for time to settle outstanding amounts, which she had converted to her personal use, were also seen by the auditor.

Meanwhile, the total amount outstanding to the security firm for the period under investigation is $1,119,840.

In the circumstance, it was concluded that security grants

were not spent for its intended purpose by the head-teacher, and as a result criminal charges were recommended by the PEO. “As a consequence, it is recommended that Ms. Penelope George, Head Mistress, Liana Nursery School be charged under the Education Act, Chapter 39:01, Section 47, Schedule2”, Bridgewater’s letter to the CEO stated. That law states that without prejudice, the Minister of Education may make regulations for the following purposes; (a) for securing the proper application and distribution of all monies provided by Parliament for the purposes of education; and (c) for the government and discipline of all schools of every kind maintained from monies provided by Parliament.

The specific offences cited by the PEO were; misuse of money belonging to others in the school; and fraudulent conversion of school funds.

The letter which recommends charges for Liana Nursery School head-teacher for misappropriation of school funds

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 8, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 8, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 8, 2017

$1B for GuySuCo –– to pay sugar workers, national strike averted

By Fareeza Haniff A NATIONAL strike was averted this week after Cabinet approved $1B for the bankrupt Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to pay sugar workers’ wages and salaries.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo made the announcement Friday during an address at a consultation with educators, parents and students on VAT on private education at the National Cultural Centre.

He said the $1B approved

by Cabinet Tuesday last averted a possible a “national strike.”

“So we discussed it and we agreed on Tuesday that we would advance $1B to GuySuCo to pay wages to the sugar workers,” he said.

According to the prime minister, within the first 20 months of assuming office, the coalition Government has advanced a total of $32B to save the jobs and livelihoods of sugar workers.

When contacted on Friday, GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Errol Hanoman, told the Guyana Chronicle that $1B was indeed approved by Cabinet and sugar workers will be paid today.

“We needed that help to

pay the wages this year. We did not have enough resources of our own, so the Government has stepped in and helped us out with $1B,” Hanoman said.

He admitted that the recent strike action by employees affected production of the sugar company.

“To the extent that we’ve had strikes, it would have affected our ability to produce, which would affect our ability to sell, which would affect our cash generation,” the CEO explained.

WORKERS’ ATTITUDE Over the past years, GuySuCo has had its fair

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder (centre) in discussion with members of the East Berbice Development Association share of challenges and with the closure and diversification of several estates, sugar workers continue to rebel.

Even though there is a significant amount of cane to be harvested at Enmore Estate, East Coast Demerara, some sugar workers there are objecting to work, Hanoman had told the Guyana Chronicle recently.

Hanoman emphasised that the main focus of the corporation right now is to harvest as many canes as possible. He said both male and female workers were encouraged to assist in the harvesting of canes, but some objected.

GuySuCo is battling to achieve its first-crop target of 74,172 tonnes of sugar as the industry is faced with only a 59 per cent turnout of cane harvesters.

Despite having ideal weather for harvesting, poor turnout of workers is diminishing GuySuCo’s chance of meeting its overall 2017 target of 198,000 tonnes.

This newspaper understands that some five of the

six estates are functioning, but the breakdown of workers showed that Albion Estate had a turnout of 68 per cent, Rosehall 67 per cent, East Demerara 58 per cent, Blairmont 54 per cent and Uitvlugt the lowest, at 48 per cent.

With the second-crop target set at 124,286 tonnes, GuySuCo will be looking to mobilise workers in order to improve the pace of production and boost its chances of a successful year.

PRIVATE SECTOR Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture on Friday announced that private sector bodies have expressed interest in management of the sugar industry as it advances its divestment plan, which incorporates dairy and seed paddy production, among others.

Members of the East Berbice Development Association met with and had dialogue with Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder on Friday, when a number of issues were discussed.

Among those is the “free-

ing up’ of the industry to the private sector, a release from the Agriculture Ministry said.

The meeting, which was held in the boardroom of the ministry’s Regent Road and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive office, saw the teams mulling ways in which the association as a collective body can lease the factory and land at the Skeldon Estate.

“According to Mr. David Subnauth, for the estate to become once again profitable it must be managed by locals, whom he believes have the ‘know-it-all’ to ensure it returns once again to its glory days,” the release stated.

It was further noted that the Agriculture Minister requested that the group submit a proposal so that further discussion can commence.

The association committed to having such delivered within a month’s time, but made a request for Government to have legislation implemented, which will allow the private players to make a contribution to the industry without hindrance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 8, 2017

Guyanese youth gunned down in TT

By Shauna Jemmott

A MOVE to another country seeking a better life did not turn out well for a young Guyanese who was shot dead on Thursday in Trinidad and Tobago.

Raphael Collins, fondly called ‘Boy’, 22, originally of Ann’s Grove Village, East Coast Demerara, was shot to his head and upper body by a lone gunman as he sat braiding his hair at a neighbour’s home in Laventille, Trinidad, Thursday night.

A lone gunman walked up to Collins in a neighbour’s gallery (verandah), pulled out a gun and shot him nine times, relatives of the dead man told the Guyana Chronicle at his home in Ann’s Grove on Friday. According to a report on looptt.com, Trinidad police said about 21:00hrs Thursday Collins was at the home of a female companion along Williams Street, Laventille.

The young man was said to have been seated in the gallery, while the young woman was braiding his hair. “An unknown assailant entered the yard and, without warning, pulled out a firearm and shot at the 22-year-old multiple times…the assailant then fled the scene on foot. Collins died at the scene,” the news report stated. The young woman who was braiding his hair at

Gunned Down: Raphael Collins also known as ‘Boy’ the time of the shooting was not injured.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the man’s home at Ann’s Grove on Friday, relatives gathered trying to understand what had really happened and even discussed arrangements to bring him home for burial. Linda Scott, Collins’ grandmother, said around 21:00hrs on Thursday, she was on a messenger call with her granddaughter who lives in Trinidad , when she heard a sudden screaming. She said the call was disconnected and when she returned a call, she heard a commotion, then someone told her that her grandson was shot dead.

“I seh wha happen, wha happen with y’all over there, then one of them say ‘grandma is Raphael geh gun down’,” she told the Guy-

ana Chronicle. Scott said her daughter Holnie Scott later informed her that the shooting took place just opposite their residence in Laventille, where Collins usually visits a female friend to braid his hair.

She said her daughter told her even though the family heard gunshots, they did not look outside immediately, since the echoes of gunshots have become common in the community. They never expected Collins to be a victim of such, because he was never the troublesome kind, but was rather a quiet and hardworking individual. “They hear this gunshot going on, but you deh over deh yuh cyan run out just so when you hear them thing,” she explained.

After a few minutes, Collins’ aunt looked outside and saw a large crowd. When she proceeded to the front of the yard to investigate, the young woman who witnessed the shooting approached her smiling and informed her that her nephew was shot dead in her gallery. Collins’ other grandmother, Volda Williams, also known as ‘Gago,’ said she was already in her bed when she heard Linda Scott’s voice calling her. She said though she wondered why the woman visited so late, she never thought she would have ever received such news involving her own grandson.

Collins was a quiet child, who she cared from his birth and with whom she had a strong bond. He was her daughter’s son but his mother died when he was just five years old, leaving him and a younger brother, Leon. She told the Guyana Chronicle the boy’s father Germaine Scott called ‘Pepep’, who lived a street away, expressed interest in taking custody of the child and so he grew in homes with both families, visiting her almost daily.

She recalled the last time seeing her grandson was in January last year, when he visited her home and informed her that he was travelling to Trinidad to work and make life better for them all. She handed him US$20.00 and he accepted it even with laughter.

“He seh me want go Trinidad with me cousin (Nyon)… he seh things gon be alright, it gon be better,” Williams said. Collins maintained regular communication and last spoke to her son, his uncle,

on Facebook Messenger just hours before his death. She last spoke to him weeks ago.

His aunt Maleka Williams said her nephew called her recently and told her he was preparing to travel home to Guyana to spend the Easter holidays.

Collins worked in his aunt’s pastry-making business in Trinidad. He has left to mourn his father Germaine Scott, several siblings, his grandparents and other relatives.

Relatives of Raphael Collins gathered at his home in Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, yesterday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 8, 2017

Irish potato pilot project showing favourable progress

THE 90-day potato trial project is currently in its eighth week and showing positive results. The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the World University Services of Canada, Caribbean, (Guyana) Incorporated, have collaborated to cultivate five different varieties of Irish potatoes on a quarter-acre plot in Little Biaboo, Mahaicony Creek.

The project is being implemented and funded by the Government of Canada through the Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages (PROPEL) Project. The pilot project at Little Biaboo started in the latter part of January and is expected to be harvested at the end of April.

The varieties of potato cultivated are Spunta, Kennebec, Chieftain, Bristol Pride

and Shepody, with the Bristol Pride showing excellent yields and growth rates. On

ing to farmers procedures for caring for the potato crop.

Chief Executive Offi-

Potato harvested at eight weeks from the pilot potato project Tuesday, a fertilisation and harvesting practical session was carried out, demonstrat-

cer of NAREI, Dr. Oudho Homenauth, said that this is a successful trial of Irish

potato cultivation. He noted that a similar project was carried out at Laluni on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway but, the exercise had failed because of flooding.

Dr. Homenauth said that since there are signs of success, it is only a matter of time before similar projects are rolled out in neighbouring communities. The possibility of successfully cultivating potatoes along the low coastal plain had almost been ruled out, given that the region is prone to flooding. The land on which the trial is being conducted has been altered to avoid flooding. Bhagwan Persaud, the farmer on whose land the pilot project is being executed, said that he is interested in expanding the production of the potato crop.

The farmer said that potato was never cultivated in the area and could be another major crop coming out of Little Biaboo.

Persaud noted that if he is to expand production, a number of factors must be taken into consideration, including allowing enough space for the potatoes develop its full yield. He said conditions such as climate, soil type, irrigation and infrastructure that are favourable for potato production must also be considered.

The objectives of the potato cultivation trials are

to identify agro-ecological areas on the coastland of Guyana which are suitable for the production of potatoes, to evaluate the adaptation and performance of the five varieties of potatoes, to determine the growers’ perception of the various varieties grown and to examine consumers’ perception, taste and preference.

(GINA)

Berbician remanded on ‘ganja’ charge AN ISLINGTON, East Berbice, Corentyne resident was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday after he was nabbed with over seven pounds of cannabis at his home.

Andrew Lindie, a 46-year-old grass cutter, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on April 6, 2017 at his Islington home, he had three kilograms 322 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The unrepresented man told the court that on the day in question, he along with some of his brothers were in the yard when the police arrived and demanded that everybody lay down on the ground.

Lindie further explained that after no drugs were found in his yard, the ranks searched his house and that too came up empty; however they searched an empty lot next door and reportedly found the drug in a bag.

“They come out from the empty yard with a bag and I didn’t know what was inside it,” he told the court.

Police Prosecutor, Alwyn Moore explained that on the day in question when police arrived at the house, one of the ranks observed when the accused threw a bag inside the empty lot. The bag was retrieved by the said officer and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be cannabis, was discovered inside. The drugs were reportedly wrapped in several small parcels.

Prosecutor Moore objected to Lindie being granted his pre-trial liberty, since no special reason was raised by the accused for bail to be granted.

As such, he was remanded until April 26, 2017 and the case was transferred to the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

12 months jail for teen who escaped police custody SOPHIA resident, Micka Nurse, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment on Friday for escaping from police custody. He also had to answer to the charged of wounding after he appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrate’s court.

Nurse, 19, admitted that on April 6, 2017 at the Prasad Nagar Police Outpost, Georgetown, while being in lawful custody pending the investigation of a report of unlawful wounding, he escaped from police custody.

The unrepresented teen explained to the court that he ran away from the police outpost because he was

afraid of being in the lockups. He was also charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Travis Pereira on April 5, 2017 at North Sophia, to which he pleaded not guilty.

According to Police Prosecutor, Sanj Singh, on April 6, 2017, the accused was placed on the prisoner’s bench after which he ran out of the police outpost; police gave chase and he was subsequently caught.

Prosecutor Singh explained that Nurse is known to the police since there are several complaints lodged against him. He is slated to re-appear in court on April 19 for the wounding charge.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

$1B hotel opens in Berbice -Min Gaskin hails investment as part of govt’s plan of diversification

By Nafeeza Yahya THE Upper Corentyne area has got a face-lift with the commissioning of a GY$1 billion hotel at lot 137, Number 79 Village, Corriverton, East Berbice, Corentyne.

The Classic Hotel and Suites is owned by businessman Hareshnarine Sugrim of HNS Property Investment and received funding from parent company, GuyTrac. The hotel was officially opened to the public by Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, on Thursday; it is the first of its kind to be powered by a 250 KVA wind turbine electrical system.

The hotel towers above its surrounding buildings, sits on prime real estate and has a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. With 28 rooms, four suites, including a Presidential suite, pool, bar and an international full-time chef at the restaurant, guests can look forward to a comfortable stay with modern amenities without taking away from that county’s hospitality. The hotel boasts 40 trained staff in the hospitality sector with spin-off employment for another 50 persons.

In delivering the feature address, Minister Gaskin stated that in order to have visitors, suitable accommodation must be provided as he applauded the efforts of Sugrim, noting that the investment is in keeping with the government’s plan of diversification.

“Congratulations to the Sugrim family for stepping up to open this facility which will accommodate people in this spanking new facility.

Berbice has one of the longest beaches, its longer than some Caribbean islands. I understand that about 15,000 people visit 63 Beach for the Easter and that is a serious amount of people; and some of those persons will be coming from

other regions and even from overseas, so when we speak of the potential of tourism, we are speaking of something that is very real and that is happening in our country,” the Business Minister said.

He further noted that Berbice has tremendous opportunities for tourism.

“Berbicians should not underestimate the contributions that tourism can make to this region’s economy. We must stop thinking in terms of a single industry and start looking to see how we can diversify.

Tourism, agro-processing and other value-added activities, including services, must be promoted and investment opportunities created, so that we can have sustainable industries right here in Berbice.”

He highlighted that Guyana has recorded the third highest growth rate for visitors in the Caribbean, with approximately 30,000 more visitors

The Classic Hotel and Suites arriving than the previous ergy to fully power his hotel, year. This figure represented which would significantly a 12.7% increase which was a reduce operating costs. He record year for visitor arrivals however is perplexed as to in Guyana. why he has not yet been given The Minister of Business approval for installation of the concluded his presentation by said turbine, despite it being in reiterating the government’s the country for over a year. commitment to work with all “I was motivated with the relevant stakeholders for the green economy which the Presbetterment of Berbice and ident speaks of. We are the first Guyana. people in the country to think of fully powering our hotel via DEVELOPING the wind turbine. We bought BERBICE it, it is in the country and we Meanwhile, in explaining are yet to get a response for his decision for such a mas- permission to install. It is very sive investment, Sugrim told costly to run the generator set the media that while he does and electricity cost,” the busithe bulk of his business in nessman said.

Georgetown, he is a Berbician Sugrim stated that at the and has always had a passion moment, his hotel is fully for developing his hometown. booked for the Easter holidays Sugrim further stated that and he already has plans in he was motivated by President place to add an additional 32 David Granger’s drive for a rooms. This, he said, was en“green economy” and went visioned from the beginning ahead and purchased a wind and the foundation was laid to turbine to use renewable en- accommodate same. In addi-

tion, he plans to boost water tourism with the addition of two yachts to facilitate tours to the Atlantic Ocean as well as to Orealla and Siparuta. The tours will be managed by the hotel.

According to the businessman, while such initiatives take years of planning and designing before the execution, his is no such story. He said he was relaxing one day and he thought of the project and its potential and within a month he had started construction, since he was the architect of the edifice.

“The design and everything was my vision, no one made the blueprint and gave it to me. It was my vision and because of that I was able to complete this in such a short period, since I am on site. Even the name ‘Classic’, I dreamt of one night and that is what I decided to name the hotel.”

Among future plans for the hotel is a casino of international standards and a 3D movie theatre.

Also making remarks at the

opening ceremony was Mayor of Corriverton, Hemchand Jaichand, who was high in praise for the investment and commitment made by Sugrim.

He said it is testimony to the confidence the investors have in the township.

“Classic Hotel during construction provided meaningful jobs for many persons and now in its operational phase will continue to service the source of employment, thereby significantly curbing the nagging problem of joblessness in Corriverton …its impact on the prosperity of the town cannot be underestimated, as it shines as a beacon of hope for people worrying about the prevailing economic uncertainties,” the mayor said.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, Mrs. Sita Ramjattan as well as regional representatives were also present at the grand opening.

Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin and owner of the hotel, Hareshnarine Sugrim, tour the spanking new facility

Paved road to Kwakwani and Ituni – Min Trotman THE government plans to pave the road linking Kwakwani, Ituni and Linden, Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman told residents of the Region 10 communities.

This is one of the projects likely to be funded from revenues to be generated by Guyana’s emerging oil and gas industry. During a two-day visit to Region 10, Minister Trotman told residents of the two communities that they would not be left out of the development that will be taking place.

Trotman explained that some of the revenues from the oil and gas industry would go in to a Sovereign Wealth Fund and this Fund would be used to improve infrastructure across

the country. “The road from Linden, Ituni, Kwakwani, that road is going to be a paved highway,” Minister Trotman told residents, who applauded the plan. He explained to residents that the government is identifying projects that would have sustainable benefits and which would improve the lives of the people.

“Every Region will also receive a percentage of this (oil) money,” Minister Trotman explained, indicating that that could be enshrined in legislation. The government is in the process of creating legislation and regulations that would be in place in time for oil production by 2020.

Meanwhile, Minister

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, updating Kwakwani residents

Trotman noted that Region 10 stands to benefit directly from the establishment of an onshore oil facility at Crab Island and the eventual decision on how to use the natural gas found along with the oil. The two communities are located

along the Berbice River. “Everything along this River, life will change for you. Your life is about to be changed over the next few years,” Minister Trotman assured the residents.

Trotman said that using the natural gas to supply the

country’s energy needs is one consideration. “Which means we could replace all of GPL’s plants and equipment with natural gas engines and we are assured that there is enough gas on a daily basis to power a 200 megawatt plant,” he said.

Another consideration is using the natural gas to fuel the Crab Island facility, which will be located in the Berbice River.

The facility is expected to see the establishment of an alumina plant and other industrial plants. “And, that is why this natural gas is directly twinned to this Region,” Trotman said.

Residents were also updated on the Local Content Policy. The government is drafting regulations for local content. “As

this industry comes on stream Guyanese…[residents]should have a right to participate,” the Minister explained.

Minister Trotman did caution that not everyone will be able to have a direct job in the industry but there are other services where they would be able to find employment. In addition, the large scale infrastructure and other projects to be undertaken across Guyana will require skilled and unskilled workforce. Oil production is expected to begin in 2020 and the government has been working to put legislations, regulations and policies in place to govern the sector.

(GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 8, 2017

First Lady celebrates with 24 graduates of ‘Care of the Elderly’ workshop

FIRST Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, on Friday afternoon encouraged 24 graduates of the second ‘Care for the Elderly’ workshop to keep pressing on and to complete the other component of the programme, even as she celebrated their achievements thus far, at a graduation ceremony held in the boardroom of the Ministry of Social Protection.

“I hope that you would not only have enjoyed this week, but learnt skills and techniques to carry you forward … what you have been trained in reflects the [scope]… of the Ministry of Social Protection and it is hoped that with your certificates, you will be able to move on into your professional life in caring for the elderly

in one of our senior homes or in any other criteria,” she said.

The First Lady reminded the participants that they must complete the First Aid component of the workshop in order to complete the programme. The five-day workshop, which was organised by the Office of the First Lady, will see the graduates participating in a week-long First Aid course, which will be conducted by the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS) and will see them becoming certified to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid. In the meantime, she encouraged them to “use what you have learnt here [and] take it with you.”

Meanwhile, Ms Lorene Baird, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Protection,

said that she was pleased about the partnership between the Office of the First Lady and the ministry, stating that “it allows for issues to be addressed and services to be provided to targeted groups of persons for whom the ministry has responsibility.”

During the interactive part of the exercise, which was led by Ms Ismay Griffith, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Facilitator, the participants demonstrated both positive and negative scenarios that they were likely to encounter while treating their clients and the best practices to correct them. Several of them said that they were very impressed with the compact programme, which was held over five days and held firmly to the mantra taught

by Ms Griffith: “show some

First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, presents Ms Fatimah Ahmad Bacchus with her certificate at the graduation ceremony of the Care of the Elderly workshop love.”

Ms Joyann Hannays said

First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger celebrates with the graduates, who are pictured standing. In the front row from left to right are, Ms Yvonne Smith of the Office of the First Lady; Ms Ismay Griffith, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Facilitator ; the First Lady; Ms Lorene Baird, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Protection ; Ms Hazel Halley-Burnett, Gender Consultant at the Ministry of Social Protection; Ms Venus Smart, Public Health Nurse and Mr Diego Alphonso, Head of the Men’s Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Social Protection

Former Republic Bank clerk on fraud charge A FORMER Republic Bank Clerk was on Friday released on $150,000 bail by City Magistrate Leron Daly on a fraudulent conversion charge.

Stacy Moffett, 28, of Shell Road, Kitty Georgetown is now employed at Johnny Rockets; she denied that during the month of July 2017, at Georgetown, while being employed as a clerk at Republic Bank she was entrusted with $150,000 from Ivan Massilo, but converted the money to her own use and benefit.

The money was slated to be transferred to the Scotiabank account of the University of Southern Caribbean in Trinidad. Police Prosecutor, Bharrat Mangru made no objection to bail but requested that it be granted in a substantial amount to ensure the woman return for trial.

The Magistrate released Moffett on $150,000 bail and adjourned the matter toApril 28, 2017.

many persons will be “lucky” to grow old and should treat elderly persons well. “I don’t want us to look at old people as [people] that we treat differently; we should give them the love, the care and the affection and attention that they deserve,” she said.

In an invited comment, Ms Makeiza LaRose said she was glad that the officers of the Women Across Differences (WAD) encouraged her to participate in the workshop, as she has now graduated with a valuable certificate.

“I always wanted to become a nurse and since I came to the programme I learnt a lot… I learnt skills that a caregiver needs … I learnt so much. I feel very good about it because I didn’t know that I [could have made] it this far.

I’m so surprised and happy and I thank the Lord that today I live to see that I get a

certificate,” she said.

Ms Fatimah Ahmad Bacchus expressed similar sentiments. “I joined so that I can get experience in how to handle [elderly persons] and since it has come to an end I’ve really learnt a lot … that will be helpful to me in the future and I’m glad for that … these opportunities are golden,” she said.

At the close of the programme, the graduates presented the First Lady, Ms. Griffith, Ms. Hazel Halley-Burnett, Gender Consultant at the Ministry of Social Protection and Ms. Venus Smart, Public Health Nurse, with tokens of appreciation. The programme was chaired by Mr. Diego Alphonso, Head of the Men’s Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Social Protection. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Kurupukari farmers arrested with unlicensed firearm

TWO farmers aged 30 and 54 years, respectively, of Fair View Village, Kurupukari, Region Nine, were on Friday morning arrested with an unlicensed shotgun and two cartridges.

Police ranks acting on information went to Kurupukari Crossing about 10:00hrs and conducted a search in a wooden boat in which the duo was and found the illegal 12gauge single-barrel shotgun and two matching cartridges, a release stated.

Thus far for the year the police in ‘F’ Division (Interior Locations) have recovered fifteen illegal firearms.

The illegal firearm that was recovered

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

Stats Bureau gets permanent office

-- for first time since its founding

By Shauna Jemmott GUYANA’S main statistical authority, the Bureau of Statistics, received a permanent home for the first time when President David Granger commissioned its new office at Main Street, Georgetown, on Friday.

The building housing the bureau was refurbished to the tune of $160 M. Chief Statistician Lennox Benjamin was also honoured at the occasion for his

distinguished service to the agency, which he has served for some 43 years.

President David Granger said housing the bureau was one of his chief concerns since he assumed office in May, 2015.

At the time, the various departments of the bureau were housed in three separate buildings in the city.

The agency is tasked with providing active, comprehensive, reliable, relevant and timely statistics to public and private indi-

viduals.

Its functions are outlined in the Statistics Act. The agency collects, compiles, analyses, abstracts and publishes statistical information.

Granger said a stable home will help the bureau to effectively manage its work.

“This Government requires good statistics. This Government is associated with accountability and transparency in policy-making and these in turn depend on accurate, reliable and

The new and permanent home of the Bureau of Statistics at Main Street, Georgetown (photos by Delano Williams)

Not safe for learning Vanessa Braithwaite TEACHERS attached to the Linden School for the Differently Abled are hoping to be transferred into another building at the commencement of the new school term so that the school can come under the auspices of the Ministry of Education.

The school is categorised as a non-governmental institution and is managed by a committee. Head Teacher Luanna Boyce has levelled several allegations against the committee, including lack of support to possible misappropriation of funds.

Boyce, who was visibly

distraught while speaking to reporters on Thursday, expressed frustration over the unsafe conditions at the school, which has a student population of 25.

“Louvres falling out, floor falling apart, they have a big creature living up there (speaking of the ceiling), bats living in the backroom, snakes frequent here, last week we had a very close encounter where a child was playing along the fence and the snake was on the fence and the child was standing there…,” she said.

The headteacher also reported that five teachers attached to the private institution are employed by the Ministry of Education.

A section of the school’s window in need of repair

Regional Education Officer, Marcia Paddy, and Regional Executive Officer Gavin Clarke, Boyce said, give a lot of support to the school, but cannot do major repairs on the building since it is not Government-owned.

“We get a lot of support from Government because we are staff here, we get biscuit and juice, we have stocks in terms of cleaning agents; whenever we have activities, REDO and REO would assistance in terms of transportation to go where we have to go,” she said.

The headteacher noted that the Ministry of Education has expressed interest in adopting the school, but the committee is not in agreement with this.

Meanwhile, the children and teachers continue to suffer.

NOT CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING “We’ve been asking to move from there… things falling apart and we are here, the flooring falling apart, the toilets not so good, the deaf class is close to the septic tank and when that belch it gets them in a mess at the back because they cannot do anything [while] they are there.”

President David Granger and others applaud as a member of staff of the Bureau of Statistics cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the new office at Main Street, Georgetown, on Friday

timely statistics,” President Granger said.

He said the availability of accurate and timely information is vital in helping the Government, private sector and civil society make “informed decisions.”

These, he reasoned, “allows for analysis to be made on the basis of evidence”, providing the bases for revalidating or invalidating of certain proposals.

Statistics also help Government to design policies, determine the social and economic impact of policies and monitor progress in the country.

The President said with a new building, the work of the bureau is expected to im-

prove in volume and value, and allow for institutional strengthening through the spread of a data-collection culture throughout the public service.

Government is also committed to recruiting and training staff to strengthen the institution to serve the wider population, he said.

“Information services are integral to professionalising the public services and will allow public services managers to assess the performances of their agencies…. The Cooperative Republic of Guyana must preserve the culture which pays attention to the importance of data-collection and generation,” Mr

Granger said.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan who also spoke at the commissioning, expressed satisfaction and said he is satisfied the bureau now has building of its own, less than two years after Chief Statistician Benjamin approached him on the matter.

“After years of living in borrowed and rented properties, the bureau has been given a permanent home,” Jordan said, while pointing out that the agency has also been empowered to facilitate a more efficient coordination of data processing, data-collection and publishing of statistics on Guyana.

--teachers want Education Ministry takeover of Linden School for Differently- Abled

Headteacher Luanna Boyce

She claims that on most occasions, when teachers ask the committee for financial contributions for school projects, they would be met with negative responses.

The teachers, the headteacher said, are now forced to host fun-raising activities to finance projects, including paying for Mashramani costumes.

“I don’t want to say that they are involved in fraudulent activities, but they are collecting funds and they haven’t done anything for here. I have been here for four years and I

cannot remember them bringing a toilet paper… when you ask them for money to do anything, ‘oh ask the parents, we ain’t get money to do that’,” Boyce said they are told by committee members.

A business donates $45, 000 to the committee every quarter.

In light of financial difficulties, the teachers want to open a separate bank account for the school, but cannot receive the relevant documentation from committee members to do so.

Boyce is hoping that in the new term, the school can move to the Mackenzie Primary School compound where there is adequate space to accommodate the 25 differently-abled

students.

Responding to the allegations levelled against the committee on Thursday, Secretary Ava Chapman said steps are being taken to eliminate some of the burning issues.

“It’s a non- profit organisation. It has been there since 1973. This holiday period, we have plans to do some work, as soon as something is wrong, we try to get it, we don’t get people bringing in money every day, our funds are audited and therefore I can tell you, nobody is stealing any money or the money is locked off in the bank and we don’t want to use it,” Chapman said, as she expressed willingness to divulge more at a later date.

A section of the school floor in a deplorable state

18

Fraud charge dismissed against ‘Sledgehammer man’

MIKHAIL Rodrigues, the man who went viral on social media after breaking off a parking clamp from his vehicle with a sledgehammer, walked out of the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Friday, after the charge of fraudulent conversion against him was dismissed.

Rodrigues, 36, of Coldingen, East Coast Demerara, made his first appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on March 30, 2017 and was released on $200,000 bail after he denied that on August 11, 2015, while being entrusted by Ra-

ghubeer Paul with motor van GJJ 4976 valued $2.2M, converted it to his own use.

During his second court appearance on Friday, the complainant explained to the court that he does not wish to pursue the matter against Rodrigues and is willing to accept his canter truck in return.

As such, the Chief Magistrate dismissed charge against the Regent Street businessman. She also ordered him to pay $8,000 to the court or four weeks imprisonment.

The Chief Magistrate also ordered that the canter be returned to Paul. Rodrigues

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 8, 2017

3 years jail, $4.7M fine … for GPL employee busted with cannabis

Mikhail Rodrigues became famous on social media as the ‘sledgehammer man’ when he was captured on video breaking off a parking clamp from his vehicle with a sledgehammer.

His activism is widely known with the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM), which held several protests in the city for the parking meter contract to be scrapped.

AN EMPLOYEE of the Guyana Power & Light (GPL) was sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined $4.7M for the offence of trafficking narcotics.

City Magistrate Leron Daly imposed the sentence on 34-year-old Quincy Bowery of Berbice, after he pleaded guilty to having in his possession three Kilograms of 143 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The incident took place on April 5, 2017 at the Square of the Revolution.

The father of four broke down in tears as he stood in the prisoner’s dock and explained to the court that he resorted to the crime because he was experiencing financial difficulties. However Magistrate Daly told the man that he is a sensible grown man and has to be punished for his actions. Bowery begged the Magistrate for leniency as he explained that he is the sole bread winner for his family.

Meanwhile, Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that police acted on information and went to Square of

the Revolution, where they contacted Bowery, who was in a car. A search was done on the car during which the illicit substance was found in a haversack Bowery was carrying.

The Prosecutor noted that the defendant wrote his own caution statement confessing to the crime.

The Magistrate took into consideration Bowery’s guilty plea and imposed the minimal sentence of three years and the $4.7M fine, which is said to be three times the street value of the drugs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 8, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

Gayle closing in on 10 000 T20 runs WEST Indies star Chris Gayle will enter today’s game against Delhi Daredevils 32 runs shy of being the first Twenty20 batsman to score 10 000 runs in the format.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman has been one of the most dominant forces in the format since making his debut in 2006 and already owns several of the major re-

Chris Gayle

cords. In 286 matches Gayle has the most centuries (18), half-centuries (60), sixes (732) and fours (759).

The left-hander began the season 63 runs shy of the target, but was dismissed for 31 in the Indian Premier League (IPL) opening day loss to defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad. It would

be an achievement.

“It’s not easy. So many guys have done it in international cricket with over 10 000 runs in Test and ODIs,” Gayle said of the potential feat.

“I will be the first to score 10 000 runs in T20s.

I backed myself and will keep pressing down to see how many more runs I can add on,” he said.

Lawson’s apology means more than money - Samuels WEST Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels has claimed that the fact that he is expected to get a public apology from former Australia cricketer Geoff Lawson is the most satisfactory aspect of winning a recent defamation lawsuit.

The cricketer was awarded an undisclosed sum in damages in an outof-court settlement in a case brought against Lawson and broadcasters 2KY. The court found Lawson’s claims that the cricketer was involved with “criminal gangs” in Kingston and a “gangster”, made on the Big Sports Breakfast Show last April, were malicious and damaging.

In addition to monetary compensation an apology to Samuels is due for broadcast on air at a time to be

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Marlon Samuels agreed.

“The most important part of this situation is the apology. The apology means more to me than the money. I already call the money gangster money, so I already decided to share the gangster money and a lot of people will be happy,” Samuels told Jamaican radio station Irie FM. 09:50 hrs Bletchley Castle 10:30 hrs Beggars Cross 11:05 hrs Zenafire 11:40 hrs He’s A Bully 12:35 hrs Forgot To Ask 13:05 hrs Mont Des Avaloirs Aintree 08:35 hrs No Hassle Hoff 09:25 hrs Le Breuil 10:00 hrs Charbel 10:40 hrs Starchitect 11:20 hrs Yanworth 12:15 hrs One For Arthur 13:15 hrs Born Survivor Lingfield 09:00 hrs The Yellow Bus 09:35 hrs Fastar 10:10 hrs Ruby Wednesday 10:45 hrs Eqtiraan 11:15 hrs Gothic Empire 11:50 hrs Moneyoryourlife

“The apology is more what I’m looking for. Too many times we as sportspeople allow Australians to disrespect us. I’m going to be the first cricketer to do this and I hope others take my example and stand up for your rights and let no one talk down to you. Geoff Lawson, lesson learned, be careful.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

Gambhir, Lynn blaze away in record chase KOLKATA Knight Riders took down a target of 184 without losing a single wicket - a world record in T20 cricket and the man who did the heavy lifting was Chris Lynn.

Promoted to open the batting for only the third time in 87 T20 matches, he equalled the franchise’s second-fastest fifty - off 19 balls, put on the IPL’s highest opening partnership of 184* with Gautam Gambhir and finally secured victory with 5.1 overs to spare.

The result, as emphatic as it was, highlighted Gujarat Lions’ weak

Gautam Gambhir smiles towards Chris Lynn after Kolkata Knight Riders' ten-wicket victory in their match against Gujarat Lions. bowling attack and the mistake they made by choosing four opening batsmen as their overseas

players.

Lynnsanity - 93 not out off 41 balls, eight sixes, six fours

Making Lynn bat as high as possible makes sense. He smacks fast bowling at an average of 43.10 and at a run-rate of 10.19 an over. At his most recent T20 tournament - the Big Bash - he hit a boundary every four balls.

Brendon McCullum, his captain at the Brisbane Heat, told the commentators that the idea of bowling a good length to Lynn was a non-starter - the very length that makes Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni potent. As a result, Gujarat Lions’ best bowlers were used for only three out of the first six overs.

Left-arm wrist-spinner Shivil Kaushik, in only his second season of the IPL, and Manpreet Gony, playing in the tournament for the first time since 2013, were asked to pick up the slack in the fielding restrictions. It led to a Knight Riders record as they made their highest score in the Powerplay 73 runs.

GAMBHIR’S RAGE 76 NOT OUT OFF 48 BALLS, 12 FOURS Gambhir actually outscored Lynn at the start, so much that he made his best score after six overs in the IPL. Of the 40 runs

he made in this period, 16 came in a single over off Kaushik, whose unorthodox bowling action tends to affect his control.

Kaushik was perhaps introduced into the attack to mess with Lynn’s timing, but Gambhir, being an excellent player of spin, took charge. The head-to-head on the night read 23 runs off 13 balls with five fours.

With both ends leaking runs, Lions were simply unsure of what to do.

And that was all dandy for the Knight Riders captain, who racked up his 32nd IPL fifty, two short of David Warner’s record.

Forde presents GFF Youth Development Programme at CONCACAF Congress THE Youth Development Programme of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was a key highlight at the XXXII CONCACAF Ordinary Congress in Aruba yesterday, via a

formal presentation from the Federation’s president Wayne Forde.

According to a release from the GFF, Forde’s presentation was made possible due to the unique design of

the programme as a model youth initiative in the Caribbean and on invitation by the CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani.

Forde, who sits on the CONCACAF Governance

GFF president Wayne Forde makes his presentation.

Committee, said, “I’m honoured to have been given the opportunity to showcase one of the most important components of our development thrust and I believe this is a proud day for Guyana football.

“This is further evidence that the good work being done by the Executive Committee and the Guyana Football fraternity continues to be recognised and gains prominence within the global fraternity.”

One of the key areas of the presentation will be an emphasis on the value of long-term youth league sponsorship while highlighting

the significance of the partnerships established with the GFF’s primary youth league partners – National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO), Scotiabank and Pele Alumni Incorporated respectively.

Additionally, the initiative is funded by the ‘One CONCACAF’ Development Fund, a programme designed to provide financial assistance to foster the development agenda of Member Associations.

A major part of the GFF’s youth development programme is the Academy Training Centres (ACT).

(ACT) is a comprehen-

sive initiative which seeks to, among other things, create a development pathway for players to the national programme. This is done through individual and group sessions at the various academies within Member Associations.

CONCACAF Ordinary Congress will feature global leaders in football including FIFA’s president Infantino and will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in Oranjestad, Aruba, starting at 09:00hrs.

Dion Inniss, executive committee member, is accompanying Forde in Aruba.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

Swimmer Lian Winter

- getting back on focus as she prepares for CARIFTA

QUALIFYING for the C A R I F TA S w i m m i n g Championships is a big step for 13-year-old swimmer Lian Winter, who had earlier this year gotten off to a bad start in her season clocking times way below her norm.

The Dorado Speed Swim Club athlete says she just wasn’t feeling it for swimming, but now her eyes are set on doing her best to represent Guyana well at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships set for April 14-19 in the Bahamas.

“I don’t know what happened during that time. I just wasn’t feeling like myself, but now I’m starting to get back there,” Winter said, as she reflected on how her year has been going so far.

But now it’s all about putting on a good show and making her country and herself proud when she hits the pool in the Bahamas.

“I will push myself hard,

Lian Winter, in action (Delano Williams photo) I really think I could medal at this meet, and even if I don’t medal, I’ll be happy knowing that I pushed myself as hard as I could,” Winter declared.

Winter is one of three Guyanese swimmers who made qualifying times for the international CARIFTA meet, and one of only two who will be travelling, after one of the

other swimmers had conflicting academic commitments.

So the Guyana team this year will only comprise herself and national age group record holder Leon Seaton.

Lian will be in six events at the meet: the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly, and the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke.

Cheeks takes first Category ‘A’ win in Toucan tourney ALEX Cheeks recorded the first Category ‘A’ win in the Toucan Distributors Junior Skills level squash tournament after he took down Caribbean Under-19 Girls’ runner-up Taylor Fernandes in a close four-game showdown when matches continued at the courts of the Georgetown Club on Thursday.

Matches were also played in six other categories on the night, and in ‘B’ Makeda Harding continued her winning ways as she dealt Samuel Ince-Carvalhal his first loss; meanwhile Sarah Lewis finally ended her bad streak to pick up her first win in category after overcoming Maya Collins.

Matches were also played in categories C, D, E and H. Against Fernandes, Alex won the first game 11-5 then also won a close second game 11-9. The third game was close throughout with Alex having match ball at 11-10, but Taylor won the next three points

to force a fourth game. Alex, however, was not to be denied and won the fourth game 11-7.

In the Ince-Carvalhal/ Harding matchup, the two were equally matched as they traded games and pushed the match to a decisive fifth game.

Samuel won the first game 11-6 but Makeda evened the match by winning the second game 11-8. Samuel went one up again with 11-6 in the third game, but again Harding upped the pressure and equalised 11-8.

The excitement grew as the match entered fifth game, and the two players did not disappoint. They both gave it their all. At 9-7 it seemed as if Samuel would prevail but Makeda held her nerve and claimed the next four points to secure a well-deserved victory at 11-9.

For Lewis, it took her four games to finally dispose of Collins 9-11, 14-12, 11-3, 11-3.

In category C, things con-

tinued to look promising for Abosaide Cadogan and Kirsten Gomes. Cadogan defeated Dominic Collins 11-3, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7, while Gomes prevailed 11-3, 11-3, 11-3 against Aliyah Persaud.

Results in the other categories were as follows.

CATEGORY D Mohyryan Baksh thrashed Haley Carpenter 11-5, 11-5, 11-1.

CATEGORY E Nicholas Verwey bettered Chad De Abreu 11-5, 11-7.

Dhiren Persaud defeated Angel Rahim 12-10, 11-8..

Aishani Persaud beat Rayad Boyce 11-7, 11-7.

Joshua Verwey trounced Christiana Fernandes 11-2, 11-4.

Noah Rahaman defeated Grant Fernandes 11-9, 11-6.

Javed Saul whipped Christiana Fernandes 11-7, 11-8.

Joshua Verwey overcame Javed Saul 11-5, 13-11

Lian Winte Attending this meet will be the biggest thing for Winter since she first began swimming competitively back in 2011. Winter’s progress since then has been slow, but steady.

She has so far represented Guyana at the regional Goodwill Swim Meet, and the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG).

Her high point came last year

December after scoring her first medal overseas, when she won bronze in the girls’ 11-12 200m butterfly of the ASATT Invitational.

Making it into regional competition has been somewhat of a struggle for Winter, who admits that when she first started competing regionally she was totally bowled over

by just how competitive things were outside of Guyana.

“At first I was like, okay, I was doing so well in Guyana and I was thinking that this (competing) overseas, was just going to be as normal and fun, but then I got beaten by a lot of people. I felt normal, but I didn’t expect it to be so hard,” Winter related.

But of course perseverance is the key, and Winter says she has too many persons supporting her and wanting her to succeed for her to just throw in the towel anytime soon.

“When I don’t meet those goals, I just keep telling myself that there is always next time and I just have to keep pushing myself hard to get to those goals.

Yea, there are times when my coach pushes me hard and I would feel like dropping out but everyone is expecting things from me so I have to push,” she says.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

President GIANNI INFANTINO TO VIIST ON TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017

The President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, Gianni Infantino, will visit Guyana on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 from 08:30hrs – 13:00hrs.

As part of his schedule, he will engage in the official sod turning ceremony at the site of the FIFA Forward Programme at Providence, East Bank Demerara, pay courtesy calls and participate in a press conference. Check press for details

STAG ELITE LEAGUE GAMES RESCHEDULED

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION’s YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME PRESENTED AT XXXII CONCACAF ORDINARY CONGRESS

The youth development progamme of the Guyana Football Federa tion (GFF) was a key highlight at the XXXII CONCACAF Ordinary Congress in Aruba on Friday, April 7, via a formal presentation from the President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde.

This presentation was made possible due to the unique design of the programme as a model youth initiative in the Caribbean and on invitation by the CONCACAF President, Victor Montagliani.

Forde, who sits on the CONCACAF Governance Committee, said this is a major achievement of the GFF and

President Wayne Forde Presentation at CONCACAF XXII Congress

he is honored for the opportunity: “I’m honoured to have been given the opportunity to showcase one of the most important components of

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES: • STAG ELITE LEAGUE (Season 2) DATE: Saturday, April 15, 2017

VENUE: # 5 Ground, Berbice ADMISSION: $500.00 Due to the scheduled visit by the President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, Gianni Infantino, on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, Stag Elite League games for this weekend have been rescheduled to April 15 (see schedule in ‘Upcoming Activities’ section)

GAME #1: Buxton United FC vs GDF FC @ 18:30hrs GAME #2: Monedderlust FC vs T FC @ 16:00hop XX @ 21:00hrsrs

our development thrust and I believe this is a proud day for Guyana football. This is further evidence that the good work being done by the

Executive Committee and the Guyana Football fraternity continues to be recognized and gain prominence within the global fraternity.”

Lucky patrons will win prizes compliments of Church’s Chicken, Jialing, Impressions, GFF and Ansa Mc Al

• Start of the GFF-Pele Alumuni Frank Watson Intra-Association National U-15 Tournament – April, 2017 • Restart of GFF-NAMILCO ThunderBolt Flour Power National U-17 Tournament – April, 2017 NEXT EDITION:

Friday, 14th April, 2017

PRODUCED BY THE GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF) AND DESIGNED BY THE GUYANA CHRONICLE

For further Information or should you have questions/comments , please contact: General Secretary Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 17 Dadanawa Street, Section “K” Campbelville, Georgetown TEL: +1 592 227 8758 ext. 102 FAX: +1 592 225 2096

e-mail: gff@networksgy.com WEBSITE: www.gffonline.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GuyanaFootballFederationInc INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/guyana_football_federation_inc/ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/guyana-football-federation-inc LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guyana-football-federation-inc TWITTER: @GFF_Inc_

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

Petra Organisation supports Circuit Ville Track & Ball competition REMAINING consistent with its mission to assist in the development of sport within communities, Petra Organisation’s latest effort came on Thursday when co-Director Troy Mendonca handed over the winning trophy and balls for the Circuit Ville Jaguars Youth & Sports Club upcoming Track & Ball Competition.

The Launch, which was conducted at the Independence Park (Parade Ground), Carmichael Street, also saw in attendance president of the Club, Owan Wills, and players from the participating teams.

Mendonca presented the trophy and balls to Wills in the presence of players, noting that the gesture was another extension of his entity’s desire to see youths in the various communities gainfully engaged in activities that will benefit their lives and not those that could be negative to their future.

Wi l l s , i n r e s p o n s e ,

bination of Athletics and Football. The key factor of the game is based on speed, fitness and endurance. It enables teams to use their running speed and fitness to an advantage to score goals and points against another.

The game allows sporting fans to see how fast one team can be against another.

The team that acquires the most running points in a league or tournament will be given the top prize and also be crowned the fastest team in that league or tournament.

Petra Organisation co-Director Troy Mendonca (front row right) hands over the ball and trophy to Circuit Ville Youth & Sports Club president Owan Wills in the presence of players on Thursday at the Parade Ground. thanked the organisation for its support and promised that the donation will be utilised for the benefit of the youths.

The new concept is a combination of running and football and according to

Wills the sport has been catching on very fast and is an original product of Guyana. It is quickly being embraced by the communities.

The participating communities, which are located

along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and Upper East Bank, are: Timehri, Swan, Kuru Kururu, Hauraruni, Laluni, Soesdyke, St Cuthbert’s Mission and Circuit Ville/Yarrowkabra.

The tournament will be staged tomorrow at the Timehri Red Ground.

WHAT IS TRACK & BALL? Track & Ball is a com-

HOW TRACK & BALL IS PLAYED? The game is judged by goals and points; the team to accumulate the most goals and points will win the game.

Teams are required to run a relay race before a football match. The team who win the race stand a better chance of winning the game since the race accumulates the first goal.

Farfan and Mendes/Woodpecker Eight local schools for Kiddy first Division leagues start today Cricket interval display ON the heels of the conclusion of the Guya n a H o c k e y B o a r d ’s (GHB) Under-18 and Second Division (outdoor) tournaments, the board will commence its four-week first division outdoor tournament.

Farfan & Mendes is the proud sponsor for the men’s category. This year marks the 30th year they have sponsored the F i r s t D i v i s i o n M e n ’s Outdoor Hockey League.

This year will see four teams; Boun-

ty GCC, Pepsi Hikers, Old Fort and first timers Saints Hockey Club compete for the championship title, starting with a faceoff between Pepsi Hikers and Old Fort at St Stanislaus ground, Carifesta avenue.

T h e Wo o d p e c k e r Products First Division will reset for its second run of the women’s league, starting with its first match today at 15:30hrs between Pizza Hut GCC and Old Fort.

This year ’s participants include Pizza Hut

GCC, GCC Spartans, Woodpecker Hikers and Old Fort Shooting Stars.

Games will comprise four 15-minute segments.

For both the Men’s and Women’s leagues, two rounds will be played and the teams at the top of the result board will be the winners of the respective leagues.

Games will be played on Monday and Friday, Saturday and Sunday at GCC and St Stanislaus grounds.

EIGHT primary schools will participate in the Kiddy Cricket interval display this year during the second match in the Guyana leg of the Pakistan tour of the West Indies tomorrow.

The eight schools are L e o n o r a P r i m a r y, E n terprise Primary, North Georgetown Primary, St Pius Primary, Redeemer Primary, Blairmont Primary, Greenwick Park Primary and New Diamond/Grove Primary.

The aspiring cricketers will entertain the crowds during the interval break of the match with their skills in batting, bowling and fielding

During the stint of International cricket here in June 2016, when the West Indies hosted South Africa, WICB project development officer KJ Singh said he was pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm of the children.

“T h e c h i l d r e n w h o participated in the first Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket display here in Guyana were fantastic and showed great discipline and talent. They were very enthusiastic and enjoyed their time on the field,” Singh said.

“The WICB has definitely seen great success from the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme which has been going

on for over 20 years.

Players such as Britney Cooper, Shaquana Quintyne, Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Shamar Springer, Ryan John and Gidron Pope have come through the programme and were members of the West Indies teams who won the three international titles last year.”

S i n g h a d d e d : “ We hope the exposure and experiences these young Scotiabank Kiddy cricketers take away from the interval display at the international series inspire them to work hard and achieve great cricketing success, just as those before them.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

Mohammed, Nurse seal historic run-chase win for West Indies

By Rajiv Bisnauth

A JASON Mohammed masterclass helped West Indies complete a stunning four-wicket win over Pakistan in the first of the three-match One Day International (ODI) series yesterday, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Chasing 308, Mohammed made an unbeaten 91 off 58 balls, as the home team completed the highest successful run chase in their ODI history, with an over to spare, reaching 309-6.

Mohammed came out with all guns blazing, hitting eleven fours and three sixes, as the Pakistanis simply could not contain him, treating Pakistan’s overhyped fast-bowling attack with disdain.

Kieran Powell also produced an eye-catching display, with an 85-ball 61, while Evin Lewis contributed 47 at the top. But it was Ashley Nurse who gave Mohammed adequate support towards the end, with an unbeaten 34.

Earlier, barring off-spinner Nurse (4-62), the other bowlers around him fell flat against a collective batting show put on by Pakistan.

Like the Pakistanis seamers, West Indies too were short with their length, and were off the mark on the newly re-laid track that offered them zero response.

Pakistan’s total was set up by half-centuries from Mohammad Hafeez (88 off 92 balls), Ahmed Shehzad (67 off 83 balls) and Shoaib Malik (53 off 38 balls), along with a 49ball 48 from Kamran Akmal, after the West Indies won the toss and opted to

Jason Mohammed bowl first.

Openers Shehzad and Akmal, returning to the ODI side after a four-year gap, gave Pakistan opening partnership immediate energy, with Akmal starting his account with a consummate square-driven boundary off Shannon Gabriel be-

fore depositing a length ball into the deep mid-wicket stand three balls later.

West Indies had the chance to strike early but Nurse floored a difficult chance at second slip, with Shehzad on one. They were made to pay, as the righthander then got into the act, hitting consecutive boundaries off Alzarri Joseph in the same over.

Both openers blossomed at ease, and even a bowling chance in the sixth over could not have prevented the steady flow of runs, as the pair helped themselves well to the multiple scoring opportunities on offer.

Akmal, in particular, was equally harsh against off-spinners Jason Mohamed and Nurse, hitting a series of boundaries, including two sixes – a straight one off Mohamed before lofting Nurse over the extra-cover region.

Soon after, Jason Holder provided the first breakthrough, with the wicket of Akmal, at 85-1.

Mohammad Hafeez replaced Akmal, and settled himself by smashing Devendra Bishoo for the first of his three sixes over the region between long-on and deep midwicket. Thereafter

runs dried up somewhat, with the run rate slipping below five an over.

But during that period, Shehzad got to his half-century off 68 balls before Nurse removed both Shehzad and Babar Azam, who failed to make much of a difference at No. 4.

Despite those setbacks, Hafeez got to his fifty off 68 balls, but overcame his slow start, and along with Malik, the Pakistan’s most experienced batsmen pulverised the West Indies attack, adding 88 for the fourth-wicket in ten overs.

Hafeez broke the shackles, hitting Nurse for two fours and a six in the 38th over to put all the debate to rest.

But it was Malik, who was instrumental in injecting impetus into an innings after no boundary was scored between overs 25.3 and 37.

Malik was dropped as early as 5 by Shannon Gabriel at short fine leg, and that spurred the veteran middle-order batsman to cut loose soon after. While Hafeez ensured that at least one hit went over the ropes every over, Malik hit Holder for two fours and a six in

a row to reach his fifty.

However, when both batsmen were dismissed to Nurse, Pakistan were well on course for a total beyond 300. Skipper Safraz Ahmed then chipped in with 20 off 13 balls towards the end West Indies’ chase started badly when Chadwick Walton fell to Mohammad Amir for seven but Lewis and Kieran Powell attacked and moved the score to 91 before Lewis was bowled

by Hafeez for 47.

At the other end, Powell continued to mix dogged determination with dashing strokes to reach his fifty off 77 balls.

The visitors then removed Powell and Shai Hope in quick succession to put Pakistan right on top.

Those dismissals brought Mohammed and Jonathan Carter to the middle and the right-hander Mohammed did not disappoint. He dominated the 70run partnership with Carter but when Carter and Holder were both dismissed, West Indies were left to get with 47 off 30 balls.

Nurse then joined Mohammed and he too played a calm cameo to take the home side across the finish line. The second ODI is billed for Sunday.

SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN innings A. Shehzad b Nurse 67 K. Akmal c Walton b Holder 47 M. Hafeez c Walton b Nurse 88 B. Azam c Joseph b Nurse 13 S. Malik c Holder b Nurse 53 S. Ahmed not out 20 I. Wasim not out 6 Extras: (b-3, lb-3, w-7, nb-1) 14 Total: (5 wickets, 50 overs) 308 Fall of wickets: 1-85, 2-149, 3-177, 4-266, 5-284.

Bowling: Joseph 10-1-49-0, Gabriel 10-0-69-0, Mohammed 4-1-28-0, Nurse 10-0-62-4, Bishoo 6-0-36-0.

WEST INDIES innings E. Lewis b Hafeez 47 C. Walton c Riaz b Amir 7 K. Powell c Akmal b Riaz 61 S. Hope stp. Sarfraz Ahmed b Khan 24 J. Mohammed not out 91 J. Carter c Riaz b Amir 14 J. Holder c Azam b Khan 11 A. Nurse not out 34 Extras: (lb-6, w-13, nb-1) 20 Total: (6 wickets, 49 overs) 309 Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-91, 3-156, 4-158, 5-228, 6-259.

Bowling: Amir 9-0-59-2, Ali 5-043-0, Hafeez 8-0-35-1, Malik 6-0-24-0, Riaz 9-0-69-1, Khan 9-0-52-2, Wasim 3-0-21-0.

‘Green Machine’ run out Georgetown Grand Prix took centre stage last night of steam against Spain and Papua New Guinea

IT WAS not the kind of start Guyana’s National ‘ruggers’ were hoping for, but captain Ryan Gonsalves and his men will have today to bounce back when they face Uruguay in the IRB Hong Kong Sevens.

Guyana played two matches yesterday and suffered heavy defeats to Spain and Papua New Guinea despite their valiant efforts.

Avery Corbin powered his way to score Guyana’s lone try against Spain during their 47-5 loss, while Patrick King found his way on the scoresheets when they went down 31-5 against Papua New Guinea. (Rawle Toney)

Patrick King in Hong Kong

GUYANA’S top drivers were in action last evening when GT Motorsports hosted the second edition of the Georgetown Grand Prix at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC).

The first set of races were decided on fastest qualifying time on Thursday evening while the second set of the evening featured an inverted 50% grid, currently employed by the Formula 4 series.

For the third race of the evening, the grid was decided by the second fastest times done in qualification.

In the Sunburst 60cc Kids Cup, Jeremy Ten Pow started the first race on pole while Mikhail Persaud drove to pole in the 125cc junior class and Denzel Hopkinson pole in the senior class.

In the Easy Cup Four-

Action from the Georgetown Grand Prix at GMR&SC. (Delano Williams photo.) stroke Division, Raymond Baksh started on pole while Steven Vieira and Raymond Seebarran took the

light and heavy classes respectively.

Kristian Jeffrey took shifter kart pole..

Full details and results will be published in tomorrow’s edition of Chronicle Sport.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 8, 2017

Scenes from 1st ODI: West Indies vs Pakistan at Providence

31

See Inside

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

President GIANNI INFANTINO TO VIIST ON TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017

The President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, Gianni Infantino, will visit Guyana on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 from 08:30hrs – 13:00hrs.

As part of his schedule, he will engage in the official sod turning ceremony at the site of the FIFA Forward Programme at Providence, East Bank Demerara, pay courtesy calls and participate in a press conference. Check press for details

STAG ELITE LEAGUE GAMES RESCHEDULED

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION’s YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME PRESENTED AT XXXII CONCACAF ORDINARY CONGRESS

The youth development progamme of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was a key highlight at the XXXII CONCACAF Ordinary Congress in Aruba on Friday, April 7, via a formal presentation from the President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde.

This presentation was made possible due to the unique design of the programme as a model youth initiative in the Caribbean and on invitation by the CONCACAF President, Victor Montagliani.

Forde, who sits on the CONCACAF Governance Committee, said this is a major achievement of the GFF and

President Wayne Forde Presentation at CONCACAF XXII Congress

he is honored for the opportunity: “I’m honoured to have been given the opportunity to showcase one of the most important components of

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES: •

STAG ELITE LEAGUE (Season 2) DATE: Saturday, April 15, 2017

VENUE: # 5 Ground, Berbice ADMISSION: $500.00 Due to the scheduled visit by the President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, Gianni Infantino, on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, Stag Elite League games for this weekend have been rescheduled to April 15 (see schedule in ‘Upcoming Activities’ section)

GAME #1: Buxton United FC vs GDF FC @ 18:30hrs GAME #2: Monedderlust FC vs T FC @ 16:00hop XX @ 21:00hrsrs

our development thrust and I believe this is a proud day for Guyana football. This is further evidence that the good work being done by the

Executive Committee and the Guyana Football fraternity continues to be recognized and gain prominence within the global fraternity.”

Lucky patrons will win prizes compliments of Church’s Chicken, Jialing, Impressions, GFF and Ansa Mc Al

• Start of the GFF-Pele Alumuni Frank Watson Intra-Association National U-15 Tournament – April, 2017 • Restart of GFF-NAMILCO ThunderBolt Flour Power National U-17 Tournament – April, 2017 NEXT EDITION:

Friday, 14th April, 2017

PRODUCED BY THE GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF) AND DESIGNED BY THE GUYANA CHRONICLE

For further Information or should you have questions/comments , please contact: General Secretary Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 17 Dadanawa Street, Section “K” Campbelville, Georgetown TEL: +1 592 227 8758 ext. 102

e-mail: gff@networksgy.com WEBSITE: www.gffonline.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GuyanaFootballFederationInc INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/guyana_football_federation_inc/ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/guyana-football-federation-inc LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guyana-football-federation-inc TWITTER: @GFF_Inc_

Mohammed, Nurse seal historic run-chase win for West Indies FAX: +1 592 225 2096

HISTORIC CELEBRATION! Ashley Nurse (L) and Jason Mohammed celebrates after helping West Indies to a historic win against Pakistan at the Guyana National Stadium.

See story on page 30

See story on page 30

‘Green Machine’ run out of steam against Spain and Papua New Guinea Guyana’s Avery Corbin on his way to scoring the only try against Spain

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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017