Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 04 11 2016

see inside

No. 104725

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

$1.2B in assets missing from NCN Page

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… probe ordered after no trace of equipment in 2013/2014 audit reports

Decision on GuySuCo next month Tighter gun control Page

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Code ‘til yuh drop’ – Hackathon 2016 commences today

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…gov’t wants fewer guns in the hands of private citizens

Bus driver on 22 intent to commit murder charge Page

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, receives a sponsorship cheque of $1M from GTT’s Chief Executive Officer Justin Nedd at the launch of the event

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

$1.2B in assets missing from NCN

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

… probe ordered after no trace of equipment in 2013/2014 audit reports

SOME $1.2B in assets for the National Communications Network (NCN) cannot be accounted for, the company’s audited financial statements contained in its 2014 Annual Report has said.

The audit was conducted by the Audit Office of Guyana and presented at a low-key Annual General Meeting held by the company on October 20. A top government official reacting to the findings in the report expressed serious concerns about the management, accountability and operations

of that state-owned entity during the years 2013 and 2014. The missing assets consist of transmission and other equipment.

The official who spoke to the Guyana Chronicle on the condition of anonymity pointed to the Auditor General’s reports of NCN, saying they cast serious questions on the management and accountability at NCN during the period immediately preceding the change of government in May 2015.

The Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, in auditing NCN stated that “the

amount of $1,142,964,737 was shown as Non-Current Assets for the year under review. However, the company (NCN) did not implement a Fixed Assets Register. In addition, neither master nor sectional inventories were maintained for the year under review, contrary to Stores Regulations. As a result, the accuracy, validity and completeness of the amount of $142,964,737 shown as Non-Current Assets could not be verified.”

The Auditor General’s report for 2014 was identical except the amount

Code ‘til yuh drop’ … Hackathon 2016 commences today

IN a programming competition targeting Guyana’s sharpest ICT minds, the Hackathon 2016- which opens today at 12:00hrs, will feature young people channelling their creative talents for a 48-hour stretch into creating programmes for national de-

is one which should be of some benefit to the Guyanese society; for example, an ambulance-response app can be created to provide faster service to civilians.

This Hackathon will feature young and talented ICT minds creating similar products- all in a non-stop

underscored too, “The ministry is trying to have ICT be a contributing sector to Guyana’s economy” and added that in order for this to happen, “We need to know what we have, we need to know the current talent that we have and the emerging talent we see.”

A few of the young ICT specialists who will be taking part in the competition velopment.

According to the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) advisor to the Minister of Public Telecommunications, Lance Hinds, “The Hackathon is an event where programmers, software developers [and] mobile developers all come together to develop a product.”

This product, he noted,

48-hour period which will begin at 12:00hrs today and will conclude at exactly 12:00hrs on Sunday. Hinds is encouraging members of the public to show their support for these creative minds or that they tune into the live stream online.

“It is the overall policy of the ministry in which we want to build an enabling environment for ICT.” Hinds

The advisor also disclosed that the target group for this event is generally between 17-37 years old, however, youths a few years younger have become a part of the event. This ICT event, which is sponsored

by GTT, will award the creators of the first, second and third- placed products $300,000, $200,000 and $150,000 respectively.

in question increased to $1,213,867,192. The government official is concerned that this situation could have been deliberately orchestrated for the purposes of illegally disposing of NCN assets through corrupt deals and is calling for a thorough forensic audit of the period to determine whether the assets remain in NCN’s possession or are unaccounted for.

The information is only now coming to light as the Auditor General’s reports for 2013 and 2014 were presented at the low key NCN Annual General Meeting which was held on October 20th last at the company’s headquarters on Homestretch Avenue. “This is no insignificant amount, this is over a billion dollars in assets which were being scantily

treated by NCN under the previous administration and one wonders what the motive was for this.

“It does not appear as though this was a simple matter of managerial negligence but rather something far more sinister and a forensic audit may be required to bring the facts to light,” the government official said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 4, 2016

Climate change ‘stings’

- as temperature rise, mosquitoes thrive, and so do the diseases they carry

By Ravin Singh When Mrs. Singh lost her only son Vishnu to malaria, after multiple misdiagnoses at the country’s health centres, it was almost reflexive to blame the underfunding of Guyana’s public universal

healthcare system for his passing.

While that may be true, the danger is that cases like Vishnu’s might become commonplace as climate change slowly but inexorably unleashes a wave of challenges to the country’s already struggling

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health sector.

A leisurely trip to the mining town of Bartica coupled with a series of unfortunate events had ended the promising life of this 22-year old.

His grieving mother explained that her son had gone with some friends on the trip and it was there he contracted malaria – a mosquito-borne disease that has plagued the hinterland regions for decades.

Malaria is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito.

“When he came back, he didn’t seem sick. But afterwards, he was showing flu-like symptoms. He lost his appetite, was having fever, vomiting and mild diarrhea.”

She said that Vishnu was taken to several doctors after these symptoms continued, but that none of them tested him for malaria. Unfortunately, the young man was misdiagnosed a few times and so without the right treatment, he died.

But Vishnu’s case of contracting a mosquito-borne disease is common in Guyana – a country which relies heavily on mining to support its economy.

Neglect of mining pits after they have been exploited leads to increased breeding of mosquitoes since these pits are left with gallons upon gallons of stagnant, contaminated water.

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It is for this reason that the hinterland regions, where mining is concentrated, is prone to mosquito-borne diseases which are recorded almost on a daily basis.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that up to 500 million cases of mosquito-borne diseases are recorded every year, 90 per cent of them in Africa, and up to 2.7 million deaths annually.

Earlier this year, the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) in its “Health@50 in Guyana: Progress Health Report 1966-2016” revealed that between 2011 and 2015, Guyana recorded 168,240 cases of malaria, 1255 cases of dengue and nearly 100 cases of filaria.

At the launch of the report, President David Granger also stated that it is critical to note that vector-borne diseases are running “rampant” in the country. He said that vectors, which are mainly mosquitos, do not adhere to any sovereign borders and would cause devastating effects on the human populace, adding that the risks and threats are changing constantly.

CLIMATE CHANGE And one of these new threats is climate change.

The link between climate change and mosquito-borne

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illnesses is twofold. The first is that it centres around how rising temperatures may expand the area in which mosquitoes can thrive. Secondly, it focuses on how changing precipitation patterns can have short and long term effects on habitats for mosquitoes.

A WHO report titled “Climate Change and vector-borne diseases: A regional analysis” states that by 2100, it is estimated that average global temperatures will have risen by 1.0 - 3.5°C, “increasing the likelihood of many vector-borne diseases in new areas.”

Between 2030 and 2050 WHO also estimates that climate change will be responsible for causing approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year; 60,000 of these from malaria. Presently, malaria kills almost 600,000 people annually.

What this therefore means is that between 2030 and 2050, in addition to the average global deaths due to malaria, climate change will be responsible for 60,000 more deaths due to the disease’s spread in new areas.

Likewise, some scientists estimate that by 2080, six billion people will be at risk of dengue (another mosquito-borne disease), compared with 3.5 billion currently, unless climate change slows.

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Dengue (transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito) is presently the world’s most popular mosquito-borne disease, with 2.5 billion people worldwide at risk of infection and 20 million cases a year in more than 100 countries.

According to WHO, Dengue has recently been reported in China, Portugal and the state of Florida in the USA. One person who was lucky to have escaped the life-threatening effects of dengue was Sharon Phillips, a 21-year old single parent who spent three months of her young life recovering from this disease.

Sharon related that she started experiencing high fever and severe joint and muscle pain one day after she had returned home from work.

“Although it was a few years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday because the feeling was as if you are going to die; the pain, it had me crying,” she recalled.

Thinking it was just symptoms of a “normal virus” she might have contacted, the young mother used painkillers that day and retired to bed. She would ignore the excruciating joint pain and fever for the next few days, and it was not until her nose began bleeding, that she eventually rushed, scared, to one of the country’s public hospitals.

“I hadn’t money to go to a private hospital because it is very expensive and I had my daughter to take care of at the same time,” she stated.

After waiting for more than three hours for medical attention, Sharon was admitted to the hospital and a blood test was done. She was diagnosed with dengue. But the 21-year old reveals that this discovery wasn’t surprising to her.

“The area I live in has lots of bush (vegetation) and it is very low-lying, so every time rain falls, the area is flooded.

This stagnant water causes a lot of mosquito to breed so the area is known to have lots of mosquitoes.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 4, 2016

Climate change...

And according to the country’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, these are conditions which this type of mosquito finds favourable.

“Storing water [due to long dry seasons] is one factor and we have seen contribute to creating a more conducive habitat for mosquitoes. The Aedes aegypti mosquito for instance likes to breed in artificial containers, and these include water tanks, plastic containers and tires among other things,” he confirmed.

This type of mosquito also transmits diseases such as Zika, yellow fever viruses, chikungunya and dengue.

Just recently there were outbreaks of both Zika and chikungunya in Guyana.

Dr. Persaud added his voice to the list of persons confirming the link between climate change and mosquito-borne diseases.

MIGRATION He referenced the fact that over the last few years, the Anopheles mosquito was observed and it was discovered that they are being pushed further into the hinterlands, partly because of more conducive temperatures in those areas.

As such, he noted that cases have been popping up in areas where the disease was not known to have affected persons previously.

A 2013 study in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) also describes the “complex feedbacks” between climate and mosquito-borne illness as highly “location-specific.”

Further proof of this link between climatic conditions and the spread of mosquito-borne diseases was pointed out by Paul Reiter of the Dengue Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases at the US Department of Health and Human Services.

In his report titled “Climate Change and Mosquito-Borne Disease,” Reiter stated that it “has been suggested that the incidence of malaria in the tropics could increase by up to 60% as a result of global warming.”

Although he did not say by what year this was likely to happen, the researcher revealed that in the highlands of southeastern Uganda, records at a well-staffed mission hospital show a 70-fold increase in malaria incidence from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s, with a significant epidemic in 1994.

In the West Kenya Highlands, he noted too that Malaria has become a “serious public health problem” over the past 20 years. In previous decades, transmission was relatively low. Similarly, Amani hills of northeastern Tanzania were once virtually malaria-free, but prevalence has risen to very high levels in the past three decades.

In these cases, what was interesting to observe in was that the common denominator was rising temperatures in these areas. This, Reiter states, contributed to creating a more conductive environment for mosquitoes to thrive in these new areas.

Similarly, in 1999, West Nile virus, which originated in Uganda and is spread by mosquitoes, killed seven people in New York City. In 2014, chikungunya afflicted 11 Florida residents, and cases have since been reported in 46 states and Washington, D.C. In each case, the virus to blame had not previously been reported in the affected area.

WHO has also indicated that reports from Greece say that malaria has returned there for the first time in 40 years.

Despite overwhelming evidence of climate change and its devastating effects, Presidential Advisor on the Environment, Rear Admiral (Rtd.) Gary Best believes that states’ attitudes towards this issue remain, in the main, the same.

FOOTING THE TAB He contends “…the rich [states] are called upon by the not–so-rich to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time suspicions abound among the developing states that the rich intend to thwart their economic growth and so they resist signing protocols.”

On the international front, Guyana is regarded as a champion, leading the fight against climate change. But while incidences of irresponsible mining activities and deforestation indicate that more could be done locally, health activist Sherlina Nageer believes that the country has been “doing more of the same that we’ve been doing all the time.”

She made specific reference to mining, which she said is responsible for “destroying the environment.”

Nageer, who holds a Masters’ Degree in Public Health, believes that “we’re going to keep getting more of the same - more malaria, more dengue, more of all the vector-borne diseases.”

And while she believes that no new practice could be introduced to help with prevention, the activist said that what is needed is transition towards living more sustainably, even while traditional practices such as using a mosquito net are continued.

“What we really need to do, if we really want to prevent these illnesses, is to live more sustainably; less mining etcetera, which we aren’t ready, willing, or able to do.”

And Junior Public Health Minister Karen Cummings agrees with Nageer.

She said that it has been realised that methods such as using mosquito nets have proven to be effective in combating these diseases, and that is why the government has intensified its efforts in in these areas.

“In addition to our ongoing effort of distributing treated mosquito nets countrywide, we have taken a multi-dimensional approach to deal with mosquito-borne diseases,” the Minister said.

In 2016, the Government allocated GYD$3.2B in the national budget for disease control; these included mosquito borne diseases.

In addition to this allocation, Guyana has been a Principal Recipient of a Global Fund malaria grant. The Global Fund has invested US$42M in Guyana to date and from this 121,000 insecticide-treated

Continue from Page 4 nets have been distributed to residents countrywide. Malaria surveillance activities and the distribution of these nets are implemented by the Ministry of Health’s Vector Control Services (VCS) department.

However, an investigation has since revealed that employees from the Health Ministry had inflated the number of nets reported as distributed and fabricated documents to support the inflated figures.

But this will not diminish the efforts of the Ministry.

The Minister explained that the Public Health Ministry has developed an action plan to deal with the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses. The plan of action focuses on: Pushing an awareness campaign; surveillance and monitoring of these diseases; mapping affected areas and trends; strengthening the provision of health services; and training and capacity build-

ing for medical health professionals.

“We do not take lightly, the risks mosquito or vector-borne diseases pose. The lives of our citizens is of national importance and we have a responsibility to ensure that every citizen is safe and healthy; and that is what we will work tirelessly to ensure,” the Minister declares.

And should Government succeed in its efforts, by 2017 Guyana will have 80 per cent of its 740,000 population free from the risks of mosquito-borne diseases, says Dr. Horace Cox, Head of the Vector Control Services.

He too, elaborated on the steps being taken by the Health Ministry, highlighting the fact that his department will commence conducting house-to-house visitation to distribute mosquito nets to families who are without.

Meanwhile, he sought to advise persons take precau-

tionary measures even as the Ministry continue its efforts to fight these deadly diseases.

To protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases, persons are advised to keep their living surroundings clean, and this includes having clean drains, not having stagnant water in artificial containers, and not having garbage exposed.

They are also advised to use mosquito nets and health-approved repellants, screen their houses, and avoid being in environments where they are at risk of being stung.

It is recommended too that persons wear long light-colour garments in the evenings to reduce the risk of attracting these parasites.

If a person believes he or she may have been stung, or otherwise exposed to mosquitoes, that person should visit the nearest health center for medical treatment as soon as possible.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 4, 2016

GNNL Board will not blindly support Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

T&T Cabinet shake-up TRINIDAD and Tobago (T&T) Prime Minister Keith Rowley has this week reshuffled his Cabinet and dismissed two senior Cabinet members, Energy and Energy Industries Minister Nicole Olivierre and Public Utilities Minister Brigadier General (ret’d) Ancil Antoine.

The decision of Rowley, who was elected in September 2015, is not unlike action taken by his predecessor Kamla Persad-Bissessar. In Persad-Bissessar’s five-year stewardship, no less than 10 ministers were dismissed from her Cabinet for inappropriate behaviour and unsavoury dealings. One of the notable firings was that of Minister of the People Dr. Glenn Ramadharsingh. This minister was fired for inappropriate touching of a female Caribbean Airlines flight attendant. In making the decision the prime minister said, “I know there will be arguments put forward by some as to what was condoned in the past administration to allow for continuity, but I disagree.”

The twin-island republic’s progressive direction is signalling a determination to pursue good governance -- given that these dismissals had to do with some transgression, abuse and performance -- that factors in respecting the opinion of the public.

Last year September, in addressing the appointment of his Cabinet, Rowley said, “Responsibility will be given, ministers will be held accountable, but the buck stops with the prime minister. I take responsibility for this Cabinet.” That he has taken a decision consistent with his responsibility and commitment given has transmitted a clear message of entrenching a brand of politics. It is a politics intolerant of intransigence, incompetence and misconduct for those entrusted the privilege of managing the people’s affairs.

These governments were elected with the participation and involvement of the citizens, via popular and constituency votes. Elected Members of Parliament (MPs) carry a responsibility to their respective constituencies. While these MPs may be appointed ministers of government, those who function as parliamentarians or senators, know it carries the responsibility that whatever is being done as a minister, is done in the name and spirit of the prime minister who heads the executive, i.e.

Head of Government. This is what Rowley meant in his September address. It is the Head of Government who shoulders primary responsibility to deliver on election promises within the confines of the constitution and laws. The recognition by T&T governments of the need for responding to the people’s desire happens out of consciousness that government of the people is government that is accountable to the people.

The recognition that policies, though developed to guide governance, the programmes put in place have to be executed within the confines of the law and influenced by public opinion, foster connection between government and the people.

Where this is being demonstrated it speaks to consciousness of the roles and responsibility of public officials, be it public

anyone’s political puppet show Dear Editor,

WE wish to respond to a recently published article concerning the appointment of an interim chairman for the Guyana National Newspapers Limited. It is unfortunate that we live in times whereby every action taken seems to ominously reflect the unseen hand of some deeper political intent.

As such, it behoves us to write addressing the inclusion of our names as ‘candidates’ or ‘known supporters’ of any local party. In fact, that the more serious issue of the appointment of a political/ government employee as the chairman (even temporarily) of a state board is not altogether a welcome decision, it is possible to accept this if a) the position is indeed a stop gap until a permanent chair is appointed and b) if the person appointed is actually a professional in the field that the board administers to.

In the last few statements of the article, it is implied that we, along with Patricia Woolford and Ruel Johnson are all known “APNU+AFC supporters” and that we were candidates of some sort. To the best of our knowledge, the only actual ‘candidate’ on this list was Mrs. Sarabo Halley. Mrs. Ishoof-Khan has never been a candidate on any list for government.

However, being avid be-

lievers in the individual’s democratic right to express a political preference, we are not at all certain what the insinuation is concerning the word ‘supporters’. Why should that be mentioned at all? And, crucially, does being a ‘supporter’ mean blind obedience and dumb acquiescence? We have seen neither trait amongst any of our board colleagues.

When we were appointed to the board that runs the venerable Guyana Chronicle, many who knew us felt it was not in our interest to take up the positions. Without knowing what the administrative issues were, we optimistically believed (still do) that it was important to accept the appointment and remain independent voices.

Our agenda is to ensure that democratic principles are equally applied, even when the situation warrants allowing those with whom you disagree most vehemently to voice an opinion. The challenges faced by the Chronicle are not new or unknown, but there are people who care about the quality of the paper and despite its chequered past as a state bludgeon, we are committed to ensuring that it does not again fall into the dark void of promulgating rabid, caricature-esque pro-political party propaganda. Considering that the government has three branches, the legislature being one of

them, it is unfathomable that the state paper had previously aggressively and rapaciously attacked all but a specific political entity, unapologetically serving to further the ends of a party and not the government or the people. Towards that end, in our capacity as directors, we have tried to ensure that our own messaging as regards what the state paper should reflect is a desire to eventually practise journalism as it should be: ethical, accurate, balanced, fair, etc. We are not unaware that the Chronicle has yet to achieve this.

The current board as it stands comprises individuals whose contributions and commitment to a genuine reformation of the state news entity is unquestionable. No appointed member of my acquaintance is remotely interested in remaking a propaganda machine, and absolutely no one wishes to repeat the actions of previous incarnations of the paper. Together with Bert Wilkinson, Karen Davis, Patricia Woolford, Sohan Poonai and Ruel Johnson, we have always functioned as independent thinkers, determining for ourselves what is the best course the paper should take in order to gain credibility as a sensible news entity. Under the stewardship of our previous chair, Jean La Rose, we worked with consensus, weighing and

determining and assessing as a non-partisan board should, without the blunt political interference that had been the hallmark of all previous boards. The overwhelmingly negative ethos that we have encountered on so many levels has not daunted us so far, as our board continues to work towards regularising a state ship that has for too long functioned as pointlessly weaponised political driftwood.

The recent appointment of the interim chairman has possibly been done in order to ensure that the board continues its work until a new chair is appointed. But, without a deliberate mandate from the minister with oversight of GNNL, and until the independence of our board becomes non-existent, we will remain members of this board. Should this be compromised at any point, whether under the current or any future chair, it then becomes our duty to bring this to the public’s attention and to resign. At no instance will we ever be interested in blindly supporting anyone’s political puppet show.

Sincerely, Scheherazade Ishoof Khan Tabitha Sarabo Halley Directors, Guyana National Newspapers Limited

Collymore says he did not disband Linden toll booth

Dear Editor,

KINDLY allow me to correct a news item in your issue of the Guyana Chronicle, Tuesday November 1, 2016, titled “Linden Toll Booth Opens.”

I refer you to the last paragraph in the fifth column.

That paragraph says: “Following an order by then Local Government Minservant or politician, and where either has crossed the line he/she will be held accountable by the citizens and the prime minister sees it as an obligation to act.

While Trinidad and Tobago has its own shortcomings, there is no denying efforts are being made to improve on what currently exists. Even in the United States, which is seen as the standard bearer of what a

ister Clinton Collymore, the toll station was disbanded on September 26, 2013, 16 years after it was opened under the stewardship of the then Mayor Stanley Smith.”

Mr. Editor, I had the honour to serve in the Cheddi Jagan administration as the Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture from October 1992 to Novem-

perfect society ought to look like, there exist serious shortcomings among public and powerful officials. Where the U.S. stands out is the high probability that when persons abuse their positions or violate the laws, they will be held accountable. Where reflection is given to the human development index in the twin-island republic, it is further ahead of its other Caribbean counterparts except

ber 1996 and as the Minister in the Ministry of Local Government from November 1996 to 2006, when following elections held in that year, I was appointed Ministerial Advisor in the Ministry of Local Government

The ministers of the periods referred to above were: · Reepu Daman Persaud · Harry Persaud Nokta Barbados. Some may argue this advantage has to do with being an oil and natural gas producing country, products that are in high global demand.

But it need not be forgotten in the absence of good governance and respect for public opinion, standards of living would have been worse. Institutions such as the judiciary would have been compro-

· · ·

Ganga Persaud Kellawan Lall Norman Whittaker

I, Clinton Collymore, gave no order for the disbandment of any Toll Booth at Linden. In September 2013, I was not a minister.

Signed: C. Collymore, CCH. mised, affecting the delivery of justice and the security that springs therefrom, and public services, roads, education and healthcare would be decrepit. There is an intrinsic link between good governance, growth and development, both personal and national. It is commendable that our sister Caribbean country continues to work to ensure these.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

More patients than machines –– the challenge in providing Haemodialysis at GPHC

By Svetlana Marshall WITH the exception of Sunday, approximately 20 to 25 patients with Stage Four and Five Kidney Disease receive life-saving Haemodialysis at the Dialysis Centre of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), but are they really getting the help they need?

According to the Head of the Nephrology Department, Dr Kishore Persaud, the high influx of patients, coupled with limited dialysis machines result in many patients receiving less than

the required three sessions of Haemodialysis per week.

A person with Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has advanced kidney damage while a person with Stage 5 Kidney Disease or Renal Disease is at the final stage where their kidneys can no longer function well enough to meet the needs of daily life, resulting in a buildup of toxins in the body.

Using a dialysis machine, the blood of a patient is filtered and restored to the body. The machine functions as a replacement for the kidney.

At the Dialysis Centre, which forms part of the Department of Nephrology, there are eight dialysis machines and according to Dr Persaud, they are all working.

“Seven would be working on a given day. Five patients would be dialysing continuously on five of the machines, while two of the machines would be on standby…. We use those two machines, if somebody comes off the street to dialyse them, so that we prevent the contamination of the other machines,” Dr Persaud explained during an interview

Head of the Nephrology Department, Dr Kishore Persaud and a nurse attending to a patient receiving Haemodialysis (Samuel Maughn photo)

with the Guyana Chronicle.

The eighth machine is on standby in the event one of the other machines malfunctions.

The machines were donated to GPHC in July 2016 by the University of Vermont’s Medical School.

Though the Dialysis Centre is run by a component team of physicians, inclusive of a transplant surgeon, a nephrologist, a dietitian, a pharmacist, a social worker, five Government Medical Officers (GMOs) and eight Registered Nurses, he said the problem develops when the number of patients increases.

It was pointed out that many patients resort to the Government-run centre, where Haemodialysis is free, when experiencing financial difficulties or when private centres are experiencing technical problems.

In the private setting, Haemodialysis costs between $12,000 to $15,000 per session. It therefore means three sessions per week amount to $36,000 to $45,000 or approximately $180, 000 per month if the higher unit cost is applied.

“Georgetown Hospital cannot refuse to admit anyone of them. And we cannot discharge a patient without having a dialysis plan for them.

If you come to the hospital and you require dialysis, we will treat you,” Dr Persaud assured.

Due to the severity of their conditions, some patients end up living in the hospital – a situation which creates a great burden on the Dialysis Centre, the Head of the Nephrology Centre said.

Currently, there are eight live-in patients at GPHC, who require Haemodialysis.

“If we have 20 to 25 patients per day…. If you have more coming in, it tends to build up. The more patients that come in increases the strain on the centre because the machines are inadequate to serve that population,” he posited. He said too that the number of medical personnel attached to the centre is also insufficient to tend to the large population.

CHALLENGE For patients, that “burden” means fewer sessions of Haemodialysis. “Now

being admitted to GPHC may be doing more harm than good because when you have this large population of patients on the ward, and you have only a small amount of machines to service them, you can only give them what you have, so sometimes we dialyse a patient once a week instead of three,” Dr Persaud pointed out.

It was however explained that most times patients are given two sessions of Haemodialysis.

“You are not really giving them adequate dialysis. You are not really cleaning them, filtering the blood properly, so at the end of the day you have chronic uremia developing in these patients and so they become sicker and sicker,” he said.

Based on data collected

by GPHC, there are approximately 120 patients receiving dialysis across the country at both public and private medical institutions.

Privately dialysis is offered at the Doobay Medical Centre, the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, the Woodlands See page 17

Tighter gun control

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

… gov’t wants fewer guns in the hands of private citizens

AMID rising gun violence here the David Granger administration is looking at tightening up the firearm issuance regime by granting fewer licences to private citizens.

Observers say the administration’s move, if accompanied by serious reforms in the security sector including the stricter monitoring of the country’s borders, will put a dent into gun crimes. The late Alliance For Change (AFC) founder, Sheila Holder had made similar observations in a 2008 article in the Stabroek News in which she too had said that the time had come for the authorities to stop issuing gun licences to civilians; one sure way of reducing gun violence and putting a dent on the illegal arms trade. Holder had said then that too often criminals would wrest the guns from

their victims during armed robberies and this was only equipping the gunmen with more arms. “The gunmen are using more sophisticated weapons so what is the point of issuing small arms to civilians…Civilians are not trained to protect themselves with guns.

Clearly the policy has not worked and it is time we take steps to stop issuing guns to civilians,” Holder was quoted in the Stabroek News as saying.

RENT-A-GUN Speaking during the recording of his weekly programme, The Public Interest, President Granger revealed that there are legitimate firearm licensed holders in Guyana who rent their weapons to criminals.

As such, the Head of State explained that he is

working in collaboration with Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan to reduce the number of gun licences issued.

“So we would like to see fewer weapons in the hands of private citizens; it is my personal view that weapons should be used by law enforcement agencies – the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force.”

According to the President, “We will try to detect people coming into the country with illegal firearms so there is a plethora of measures which will be implemented and our whole policy is aimed at getting guns off the streets and leaving guns in the hands of the police and the army.”

Only recently Ramjattan had declared that there are “too many guns” on the streets and warned that a review of all gun licences will

take place to ensure those who have deserve same.

Ramjattan had said that depressed persons are killing themselves and others, while situations under which persons received gun licences have also changed. Some officials are convinced that undeserving applicants legally acquired gun licences through a facility of Police Commissioners, CoPs being the last authority to receive gun licence applications before they are sent to the Board for approval. Former cop, PPP security personnel, and self–confessed death squad member Shawn Hinds stated last year that seized guns were sold to criminals by police.

Hinds himself came under fire when the public questioned whether the “questionable” character who had body-guarded then PPP appointed Town Clerk Carol Sooba was licensed to carry a weapon in the City Hall compound.

It was never made clear whether Hinds had a firearm licence, and whether he had received

same under the previous administration.

BORDER CONTROL Meanwhile, addressing the issue of border control, President Granger explained that Guyana’s biggest problem has to do with the 1100km border shared with Brazil, which is one of the world’s largest manfacturers and exporters of small arms.

He revealed that many of the illegal weapons in Guyana are traced to Brazil. “So we will, in the fullness of time, reduce the issuance of legal firearms and by enforcing stricter border control through aerial surveillance, through mounted police and eventually through drones.”

According to the Head of State, government is also establishing a core of wardens who will have law enforcement powers. He said they will be operating in the gold-mining and timber-producing areas. “They will also be operating in the tourism sector to provide protection and they will help us to detect people who have illegal fire-

arms and bring those people to justice,” the President said.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported recently that former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Retired Brigadier General Mark Phillips noted that incidents of gun-related crime in the country are at their highest, and has ranked the issue as the most pressing matter facing the society.

Speaking in a private capacity at the opening ceremony of a one-day security forum and expo, organised by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Phillips said he is aware of efforts made by government over the years to improve the security situation of the country while simultaneously addressing crime.

“I place at number one violent crime, because notwithstanding the crime statistics that speak to a reduction in crime, it is my firm belief as a citizen of Guyana that the high incidence of gun-related crimes is today the most pressing problem in the Guyanese society”, Phillips had said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

Decision on GuySuCo next month … Harmon says gov’t exploring several options

THE Government of Guyana (GoG) is currently exploring several options regarding the viability of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) and the administration is likely to make a decision on the industry’s future by the end of the year, Minister of State Joseph Harmon disclosed on Thursday.

He told reporters at a post-cabinet press briefing that several proposals were put to Cabinet by the hierarchy of the sugar company and each proposal will be examined. A Cabinet sub-committee comprising Harmon and the Ministers of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Finance has been established by the President to examine each proposal.

Cabinet was on Tuesday briefed by Chairman of GUYSUCO’s board, Professor Clive Thomas, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Errol Hanoman and representatives of the task force for diversification of the current operations of GUYSUCO and future plans. At that meeting, President David Granger said the report will be thoroughly examined and discussed at Cabinet in an effort to make a determination on the industry, which will be beneficial to all concerned.

Though he ruled out government’s continued support of the current state of affairs of GUYSUCO, he said decisions on the corporation will be made by year-end.

The presentations made, he noted, ranged from maintaining the status quo (doing nothing) to examining a limited form of diversification. Maintaining the status quo however, has serious implications for the national treasury with GUYSUCO already having a current debt in excess of $80B. “Those implications are that it will require $18.6B in 2017, $21.4B in 2018 and that is just to maintain the status quo – this of course is added to a current debt which GUYSUCO has…It is clear from what we have seen that some decisions will have to be made about GUYSUCO before the end of December.”

Harmon was careful not to state that the closure of GUYSUCO estates is an option. When pressed by the media, he said, “There were a range of options that were presented to Cabinet,

I would not want to be very specific of these options, but I’ll give you the continuum of opportunities that is to say doing nothing, maintaining the status quo to diversification.”

The Minister of State said with each option presented there are implications and decisions [that] are likely to take any route.

“Those are things which [the] cabinet sub-committee will deliberate on and report back to the full cabinet, after which the other steps which require consultation, and presentation to the National Assembly, presentation and engagement with the opposition, with the families and the workers of the industry.”

Harmon believes that it would be premature of him to disclose the proposals and possible options for the sugar industry, noting that “it is not always good to go about saying these are the options, these are the deliberations, because you may very well find sometimes at the end of your deliberations that you come up with a conclusion that is not consistent with your earlier position. It is always important that we be very careful and cautious in what it is we announced in the public, because any wrong step… can create panic and confusion.”

It is important, he said, that government be “very careful and deliberative” in how it deals with the information presented by the company’s board.

He stressed that after Cabinet reviews the report of the sub-committee, national consultations will begin. “… I cannot say pick this one, or that one…these consultations … may very well point you in a direction that is not consistent with what you thought of in the first instance, but what we want to arrive at is a situation that is in the best interest of all Guyanese.”

IMF would be concerned Meanwhile, Harmon said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be observing the situation and would be concerned about government’s continued bailout of the industry. “Certainly, the fact that you have to spend so much money in one sector of the country would become a matter to be discussed because in their view, it would be skewing the whole economic plans of the country. When you put so much money into an industry, where the people in

the industry themselves are saying this is not a viable option if you do not change certain things.”

He continued: “We cannot pour this type of money into an industry at the expense of the other developments which have to take place in the country such as development in education, development in health, development in security and all of these things that relate to the happiness and good life of the people of this country,” added the Minister of State.

GUYSUCO’s debt was also discussed at Cabinet and efforts are being made to have it “worked down from where it is now to bringing it down to zero and what implications are necessary to be done to allow same to happen. Following the presentation of the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into GUYSUCO to Cabinet, it was decided that a five-point approach would be adopted to address the issues raised by the CoI. Cabinet was required to give consideration to the plan, and after considering the plan should engage the opposition, and the National Assembly on the plan.

Additionally, Cabinet had mandated that consultation be held with other stakeholders, including workers of the corporation, their families and their

unions. “None of the options are ruled out because they came out of a CoI, special teams of persons, task force looking at various aspects looking at the operations of GUYSUCO and these were very competent people looking at that…we’d like to pay

serious attention to the recommendations that these persons have made,” said Harmon.

GUYSUCO recently gained access to new markets and according to Harmon, that is good for the continued operation of the entity. He said “GUYSUCO is still a growing entity and it still has to bat, find ways and means of marketing sugar and getting the best

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prices for sugar ---bringing down costs…these are ongoing things, it is not as if GUYSUCO came to an abrupt end, you still have the estates, workers to be paid.”

He said it would be great if the company finds new markets that would inevitably “bring us out of this and bring the industry back to profitability, but certainly these are early days yet.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

Bartica massacre trial

Gunmen barged into home, stole gold

AS the second day of the Bartica Massacre trial continued in the High Court before Justice Roxane George and a 12-member jury on Thursday, the first witness testified in open court detailing how her home/business place was invaded by gunmen and robbed on February 17, 2008.

The witness, Jaiwanttie Singh, told the court that on February 17, 2008, around 21:15hrs, she was at home with her husband, two sons and a daughter watching the 20/20 cricket that was being televised. She stated that she was at the time in the upper flat of the two-storey house which housed a grocery/ parlour/gold business when she heard what sounded like rapid gunshots.

Singh told the court that at the time she was with her husband, her daughter and one of her two sons, after which she went downstairs to where her other son was and told him what she had heard.

At that point, she related that her son peeped out the window and told her something which caused her to “feel good at that time,” since her

house was secured by grillwork; then after a short time, she heard voices saying they were coming by “Mammy.”

She said she then heard knocking and banging sounds coming from the outside to the lower flat of the house

Dennis Williams called “Anaconda” and it was when she heard the breaking of the door that they went into hiding. Singh stated that she went with her daughter to hide in a bedroom, while her husband and sons went to another part of the house to hide.

The witness related that she soon after heard shooting in upper flat of the edifice followed by the loud use of expletives made by several voices, while they were pulling out the drawers in the bedroom next to the one in which she and her daughter were hiding. Singh said they continued shooting in the house and attempted to break down the door to the bedroom in which they were hiding, but they were saved when a voice said, “pass the light”; then soon after another voice said “Don’t bother with lights we find the thing.”

She told the court that they had turned off the lights in the building when their home was invaded that night and the bedroom the men went into, they had a quantity of gold stored there in a bag.

Singh said after they had found the gold she heard footsteps descending the stairs and she waited about 45 minutes after to exit the bedroom and summoned the police.

Meanwhile, under cross-examination by Defence Counsel Roger Yearwood, the witness was asked

whether the room where the gold was stored was locked at the time and she said it wasn’t, but heard the drawers being pulled out.

When questioned further, she said the police came to her house that night and they returned the next day when they asked her some questions and took a written statement.

Defence Counsel Saphier Hussain asked Singh if she saw the men that went to her house on the night in question; she said she did not and agreed to his suggestion that unknown bandits went to her house that evening.

Defence Counsel Peter Hugh asked Singh where her house is located and she said on First Avenue, Bartica, a short distance from the Bartica Police Station.

When questioned further, Singh told the court that at the time she had a licensed gold business but did not have a security guard or watchman in her employ, nor did she have closed circuit television cameras installed at her premises.

She stated that she did not see anyone enter or leave her premises on the night in question, because she was in hiding and she was tramautised and still is up to now.

Singh said she cannot

recall if the crime scene was photographed by the police, but remembers a ‘guy’ dusting the doors and drawers for fingerprints.

On trial for the February 17, 2008 Bartica Massacre are Mark Royden called “Durant”, Dennis Williams called “Anaconda” and Roger Simon called “Goat Man,” indicted on 12 counts each for the murder of nine civilians and three policemen at Bartica on February 17, 2008.

Royden is being represented by Roger Yearwood, Williams’ lawyer is Saphier Hussain and Simon’s attorney is Peter Hugh.

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

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

However, Caesar and Reece have since separately pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Monday and Tuesday and will return to the High Court on December 16, 2016 for probation report, to be

followed by sentencing by Justice Roxane George.

During the February 17, 2008 rampage nine civilians and three cops were gunned down by a group of heavily armed men, who had descended on Bartica at nightfall.

Those who lost their lives were Bartica residents Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian and Irving Ferreira; policemen stationed at the Bartica Police Station, Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne; Deonarine Singh of Wakenaam; Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu; Ashraf Khan of Middlesex, Essequibo; Abdool Yasseen; Errol Thomas of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and Baldeo Singh of Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins, according to the police, led the gang on the rampage in Bartica as well as the one that had converged on Lusignan on January 26, 2008. Rawlins was killed during a joint services operation on August 28, 2008. With his death and the arrest and prosecution of the five suspects, it appeared as though the police had closed their investigation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

Police seeking identity of dead bandit A BANDIT who was shot and killed by a miner Wednesday at Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara is yet to be identified.

The Guyana Police Force is seeking the assistance of members of the public in identifying the man. The body is presently at Lyken’s Funeral Home.

Police said the unidentified man was one of three bandits who attempted to break into a 5th Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara home.

Police apprehended one of the bandits who has been identified as a 27-year- old male from West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. The man was arrested in the vicinity of the crime scene and is assisting police with their investigation.

The police investigation has revealed that about 02:15hrs Wednesday the 38-year-old miner was awakened by a loud noise emanating from the lower The suspect that was flat of his house. Upon shot and killed by a lichecking, he saw three censed firearm holder males, one armed with a handgun, attempting to gain entry into a southern door. The miner raised an alarm and during this process, discharged his licensed firearm in the bandits’ direction, hitting one of them who fell. The two other robbers, including one armed with a firearm, on seeing what happened bolted from the house and scaled the fence.

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

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$77M cleared for fire tenders, ambulances CABINET on Tuesday granted its no-objection to the procurement of fire-fighting vehicles for the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).

On Thursday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon told reporters at a post-cabinet press briefing held at the Ministry of the Presidency, that a contract valued $77, 250, 998 has been awarded for the procurement of two water tenders, four water dousers and two ambulances.

The fire-fighting vehicles will be sourced from Angloco Ltd designs, a company out of the United Kingdom which manufactures and supplies fire-fighting and rescue vehicles and equipment.

According to the company, it has customers in over 50 countries worldwide and provides “comprehensive after-sales and

spare parts back-up.”

The company said it has been designing and building special purpose fire-fighting and rescue vehicles for over 45 years and has a wealth of experience and capabilities.

“The majority of vehicles are specially designed and custom built for each customer, according to their individual requirements. Angloco proposes an optimum solution for each application, in light of the needs in each case,”

the company stated.

Meanwhile, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told the Government Information Agency (GINA) on Thursday that the ambulances are to be used in the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) which is expected to be launched this month. The EMS is aimed at establishing medical response ambulance services via land, air and water with a response time of 15 minutes maximum. The EMS is a

collaborative effort between the Ministries of Public Security and Public Health. Additionally, Gentle said two of the water bowsers are destined for Berbice and one each for the towns of Corriverton and Rose Hall, noting that the Guyana Fire Service has “difficulty in readily accessing water” in the heavily populated parts of these towns.

The other vehicles will be dispatched where necessary.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

From swampland to recreational facility

IT is higher than any of the buildings around it. In fact, it can be seen from miles away if you get on the roof of down-town city buildings. Patriotism leaps in the heart when one sees the massive Golden Arrowhead, flying proudly at D’Urban Park.

This area is a link of the old with the new. The 1763 Monument reminds us of the struggle of our ancestors to break free of the shackles of the worst crime against humanity; slavery. Just west is the Independence Arch, a reminder of those who struggled to break free of colonial bondage and to assert Guyana’s independence.

D’Urban Park, the way it is now, inspires hope in our people. During the cleanup

and early days of the rehabilitation, ordinary citizens spoke of what it meant to them: Surujpaul told GINA that he sometimes wondered whether D’Urban Park was

our protected forest area.

He said “My girlfriend from Lodge, that is forty years now I walking through here, I use to walk from Kitty to here and this place was never like this condition. “D’Urban

Park, here was the horse racing place, I don’t know what they have but I was a small boy then but they had the bandstand there and right along they had the horse racing thing. Is good that they

bring it back here.”

D’Urban Park, along Homestretch Avenue, which once boasted a race course, is now a recreational space for families and friends or even young loves to go and relax.

At the Square of the Revolution, mothers and fathers can be seen pushing their babies while small children play in a clean safe space.

Gail, a vendor for many years at the Square of the Revolution said the rehabilitation has brought more business since more people come on a daily basis to relax. She noted that the space is good for youths.

“I think is a good thing for the young people so they can come and stop liming and find games to play and those things.”

So whether you have football boots or proper

cricket gear or not, it does not matter. Here is a clean ground where young people can engage in wholesome activities that keep them out of danger.

The not so young can relax in the cool fresh air, in a clean environment. Christopher Johnson said, “Georgetown needs a few more facilities and this one certainly developing into one that after work people could come sit down and just relax.” He also noted that this can help to show off some of the skills of young people and give them that push to even go higher.

D’Urban Park today is a pleasing sight! Its evolution came about due to the keen interest of the government to provide a central relaxation space for citizens.

(GINA)

Businessman remanded for narco possession

A 49-YEAR-OLD businessman was on Thursday remanded to prison on a drug-trafficking charge when he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Cleveland Fortune of One

Mile, Wismar, Linden, pleaded not guilty to the offence which alleged that on November 2 at Omai Landing, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, he had in his possession 29 grammes of cannabis.

He was represented by Attorney James Bond, who said his client operates a make-shift shop at the landing.

Bond said that the police during the raid had found the

alleged narcotics in an area away from his client’s shop.

“My client was in his hammock sleeping and was woken up by the officers,” Bond noted as he explained that several truckers nearby were also arrested for the same narcotics.

On those grounds, the defence lawyer requested that Fortune be granted bail since he had no knowledge

of the prohibited drug and neither was it found in his possession.

However, in court, according to police prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers, during the raid, the cannabis was found in a bag on top of Fortune’s freezer in his shop.

Jeffers pointed out that the accused when confronted by the rank confessed and

said “is me weed… I does use it to smoke”.

The Chief Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour on the ground that the lawyer failed to present a reasonable special reason for bail to be granted to his client.

Fortune was remanded until January 17 and his matter transferred to the Mahdia Magistrates’ Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

Massive plans to streamline aviation sector … review panel for Eugene F. Correia Airport

GOVERNMENT on Thursday unveiled plans to resolve the ongoing controversy at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport between management of Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) and several domestic airlines operating out of the terminal.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said an airport review panel is to be established in accordance with the Ogle Airport Lease Agreement which was signed with the government of Guyana in 2004.

Harmon announced that Cabinet has approved recommendations put forward by Minister

of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson to set up the panel. “Since the airport lease agreement was made [the Airport Review Panel] was never established, so Cabinet has been briefed on this matter and gave its approval for the establishment of an airport review panel as required

by Article 16 of the lease agreement with Ogle Airport Inc.” When contacted on Thursday, Minister Patterson told Guyana Chronicle that he could not state when specifically the panel is likely to be established as “these are legal issues” and there must be deliberations.

Unfair competition at the Eugene F. Corre-

ria Airport, aerodrome congestion, accident and incident investigations and search and rescue coordination were among a number of issues discussed when new Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Director General, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Fields met with members of the National Air Transport Association (NATA) last week. Fields later told the Guyana Chronicle that the body reiterated their concerns about congestion at the former Ogle Airport and sought the intervention of the Authority to ensure the smooth functioning of the airdrome. NATA, a break from the Aircraft Owners Association

of Guyana (AOAG) requested a review of the procedures in a bid to improve easy movement at the facility.

Operators at the Ogle location had noted that while the majority of them are forced to use one taxi-way, another company operating at the facility has the unfair advantage of alone having its own taxi facility. This, inconvenience operators say, has been causing them to lose money and valuable time having to wait on the taxi ways because of the procedure that is currently available.

Additionally, Harmon said it was recommended

by Patterson that there be oversight of airports to

supervise the commercial and economic practices of airports throughout Guyana through the enactment of legislation.

“Cabinet also approved of the establishment of an airport authority to create, upgrade, maintain and manage airport infrastructure throughout Guyana,” Minister Harmon added, while noting that Cabinet also gave its approval for the development of a Civil Aviation master plan to guide the strategic development of airport infrastructure.

That master plan will set out the types of services and facilities that are to be provided by each category of airport and includes plans for the development of air-

navigation services and safety oversight aspects of the national civil aviation system.

“These structures are very important since it is the intention of the APNU+AFC administration to ensure that in every region of this country, particularly Regions One, Eight, seven and Nine that we have airports, municipal-type airports of a quality that we have at the Eugene F. Correria International Airport,” said Harmon.

The Minister of State noted that with the development of new towns government has to ensure that regulatory systems are in place that would guide their development.

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Gov’t orders major overhaul of Gold Board GOVERNMENT has ordered a major overhaul of the Guyana Gold Board to allow for better regulation and a retooling of its human resource capacity, Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said in Thursday.

Harmon’s said the directive for the reform of the board was given following the submission of proposals from Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman to Cabinet on Tuesday. “The proposals were based on the fact that the board had over the 35 years of its existence amassed significant deficits and was in need of a review and overhaul of its structures,” said the Minister of State.

Among the proposals made by the subject minister, were a legislative review and changes to allow for the board to enhance its monitoring and regulatory processes while adjusting its applications, renewal and processing fees.

Additionally, Minister Harmon disclosed that consideration will be given to the revision of penalties for offences within the sector. He said too that a Human Resource review is necessary to inform the restructuring of the board; as well as the expansion of the board’s compliance section both in terms of staff complement

and its scope of work.

Harmon said it was proposed that there be the appointment of additional brokerage firms to sell the country’s gold while securing the best prices through competition.

“The introduction of mobile purchasing operations in the regions and to determine the feasibility of establishing offices in Regions 1, 8 and 9,” The Minister of State added.

With the implementation of the proposals, the issuance of all licences and permits relative to the trade in gold will be vested in the Gold Board. “Cabinet accepted the proposal of the Honourable Minister of Natural Resources and authorised the implementation immediately,” Harmon stated.

Meanwhile, gold declaration for 2016 is significantly higher than it was last year and remains on track to surpass the 555,000 ounces projection made at the start of the year. In September, Trotman told the Government information Agency (GINA) the industry continues to do well noting that gold declarations for the first quarter of the year stood at 161,942 ounces, and that the figure could very well reach 600,000 ounces.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

State prosecutors shun ‘highly political cases’ … AG accuses Nandlall of double standards

By Ariana Gordon STATE prosecutors have expressed unwillingness to appear in “highly political,” cases leaving government with no other choice but to seek out special attorneys to fight their cause in the ‘Pradoville 2 and the Guyana Cricket World Cup Inc. scams, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams has said.

He also dismissed as double standards, PPP MP Anil Nandlall’s criticism,saying he (Nandlall) had profited as a special prosecutor under the previous administration in the highly sensitive treason trial of Social Activist, Mark Benschop. “We were forced into that position because the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had indicated that the members of her department had some discomfort in having to prosecute the case of a former minister (Jennifer Westford) and as a result of that…if the state’s prosecution department is saying that they don’t wish to prosecute these types of matters that are political, what was the state supposed to do, fiddle with its hands?” asked Williams.

He reminded that Guyana is a signatory to several international conventions against corruption and so it had no choice but to obtain special prosecutors. “So we decided as has been done by the previous governments in this country to select a team of lawyers who could do these prosecutions. It is nothing new.” The Attorney General reminded of the case of former treason accused Mark Benschop, in which former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, and attorney Sanjeev Datadin were granted fiats by the DPP to prosecute Benschop. They were special prosecutors and began prosecution during the preliminary inquiry.

‘WILD WEST’ “Neither man had under their belt any case …they were both inexperienced,” he added, noting that before he became an attorney, Senior Counsel Rex McKay, Doodnauth Singh and Bernard De Santos all served as special prosecutors.

“Under the last regime the DPP used to give out fiats “wild west.” What is the noise they are making now …whenever this government attempts to do something in the interest of the Guyanese people… this case is protecting the assets of the Guyanese people. “ “It is puerile, just because they can do it… thank god this government affords them the opportunity to express themselves, everything they criticise us to say is wrong… everything we do is wrong. It is erroneous to contend that as a result the constitution is

being breached.”

On October 30, Nandlall in an interview in another section of the media accused the government of usurping the functions of the DPP by hiring prosecutors. He said government’s move to have special prosecutors appointed in the two cases weakens the office of the DPP which is a constitutional body.

“It is not the function of an Executive Government to prosecute criminal offences.

The prosecution of all criminal offences is vested by the Constitution in the office of the DPP, an independent office that the Constitution said must not be the subject of any influence of external authority, more particularly, political authority.

Why is this office being bypassed?” Nandlall was quoted as saying, while arguing that there will be persecution and political witch-hunting and not prosecution.

However, Williams rejected the former Attorney General’s contention, dubbing it erroneous. He cited Article 144 of the Constitution of Guyana which guarantees that each citizen be provided a fair hearing within a reasonable time before an impartial tribunal.

“That is the yardstick…I don’t know where the lack of constitutionality comes in… when the government is forced to have to deal with the issue of the prosecution…” Williams asserted that in the court system there are rules and procedures and as such there is no room for jiggery pokery.

“The court will have a magistrate or judge, the person charged is entitled to a lawyer of his own choice… so where is the fear? Where is the wrongfulness for a special prosecutor ,somebody with the expertise to do the case going into a court room and has an impartial judge or magistrate presiding.”

The Attorney General questioned the motive behind Nandlall and social commentator Ramon Gaskin’s ranting on government’s decision. “How is it they are trying to tell us we cannot have an interest in ensuring that people have a fair hearing, when they are charged for stealing government’s assets?” he asked, while stressing that Guyana is not the only country in the Caribbean and moreover the Commonwealth that has opted to use special prosecutors.

“The government can’t appoint anybody to prosecute no case – the government has nominated people to get the fiat from the DPP to prosecute… If we were handpicking the judges and magistrates was a different matter,” the Attorney General said, as he disclosed that he too served as a special prosecutor in the past.

“There is nothing wrong in the Government trying to protect the state’s assets and to ensure

that they have reliable prosecutors, since the DPP’s staff had indicated that they were uncomfortable in prosecuting such cases.”

Williams described the former Attorney General as being malicious, while noting that he is misrepresenting the facts.” He is flip-flopping all the time,” said Williams who assured that “This thing is

perfectly above board…every country has special prosecutors. The government has to pay these people. They are going into an arena where everything is balanced, nobody has a superior position. I don’t know what the issue is.”

Interested party The current DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack, is also a recipient of a houselot at Pradoville 2 and Williams said given that she is an interested party in the case, she will have to recuse herself as was done in the 2006 multi-million New Building Society (NBS) fraud investigation. Asked whether the DPP can refuse to grant fiat, the Attorney General said, should she do so, she would be required to provide reasons. “She has to show us what is different from when

Nandlall got fiat… she has to show us what is unlawful about it.”

He noted that the DPP is not above the law and is required to uphold the rule of law. Social Commentator Gaskin said in another section of the press that the Constitution stipulates that the Executive is barred from getting involved in prosecutions and emphasised the need for Government’s decision to be challenged in the courts. But the Attorney General dismissed Gaskin’s claims, stating that he (Gaskin) is unfamiliar with the intricacies of the law. “He is not a lawyer, he has no experience in these matters, I don’t know on what basis he is talking… in our courts there are rules and procedures of evidence…” he stated.

Last week, Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon had announced that government has decided to seek special prosecutors following Cabinet’s examination of the forensic audits and noted indications of criminal culpability. Harmon said the reports are to be handed over to the Guyana Police Force for its initiation of criminal investigations. “The Special Prosecuting team would not be limited to just local personnel, it (would) have a wider sweep; and we are looking to bring persons who are capable of handling these matters. Yes, we are looking at the region in the first instance as well and then further[sic] afield,” the Minister of State told reporters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

High Court trial for Albouystown murder accused DELON Small, who is accused of killing Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard officer, Kevon Payne, has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the capital offence of murder.

Small called “Sound”, 23, of Charlestown, Georgetown, is charged with the murder of Payne, which occurred on March 29 at Russell and Sussex Streets, Georgetown.

He appeared before City Magistrate Leron Daly and

Dead: Kevon Payne was committed to face a judge and jury, following the

conclusion of the Preliminary Inquiry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Small was informed that a prima facie case had been made out against him for the indictable offence.

The case was prosecuted

by Corporal Bharat Mangru while Small was represented

by Attorney Glen Hanoman.

According to reports, about 22:20 hrs on March 29, Payne and another man Shakel Williams, 22, of James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown were among a group of men standing on the roadway at Sussex Street, Charlestown, when two men armed with firearms rode up on a motorcycle and discharged rounds in their

Delon Small direction.

Payne was hit about his body and Williams was hit to his right foot. As a result, Payne was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival, while Williams was admitted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

More patients...

From page 7

Hospital, Balwant Singh Hospital and at the Five G Dialysis Centre.

Director of Five G Dialysis Centre, Selwin George told Guyana Chronicle that for the first time the centre approximately two weeks ago received a subsidised cheque from the Government for a patient to the tune of $360,000. The cheque will cover 40 sessions. The

According to him, his centre will provide the required service for the “same amount of money or even less (than),” the Government is currently spending to operate the centre at GPHC. But Dr Persaud said what is needed is a National Dialysis Centre with no less than 40 dialysis machines and an expanded medical team to treat patients.

Shaundell Fraser-Mingo and her son Tomol Mingo who is set to undergo a kidney transplant in February 2017 (Samuel Maughn photo) cheque was submitted to the Five G Dialysis Centre more than one year after the Doobay Medical Centre last received subsidy for patients, this newspaper was told.

According to George, the average cost of one session at his centre is $36,000 but do not stand the entire cost because the centre also offers financial aid to patients based on their financial situation.

He said that he is cognisant of the challenges facing the Government-run centre with regards to capacity, affordability and quality of treatment. To remedy the situation, George said the Five G Dialysis is willing to partner with the GPHC to provide dialysis at Government-run clinics.

“We will increase the capacity, lower the cost and provide better quality,” he said, noting that this proposal is not new to GPHC.

This approach, which was already put to the Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, would need the support of all stakeholders, the Head of the Nephrology Department said.

“If you want patients to go back home and become productive citizens you have to get a proper dialysis centre that will dialyse them effectively,” he posited.

Additionally, he called for a greater investment in peritoneal dialysis – which is cheaper and can be done at home on a daily basis. It requires a minor operation to place a catheter in the abdomen (belly). With peritoneal dialysis, the blood is cleaned internally and not externally and does not require a dialysis machine as in the case of Haemodialysis. There are approximately 35 patients receiving peritoneal dialysis at GPHC. “It is just as effective as

the Haemodialysis. It is actually proven to have more benefits than Haemodialysis but all you need to get is the fluid and provide it for the patients,” Dr Persaud noted.

REDUCING DEPENDENCY In the interim, the Nephrology Department is trying to increase the number of kidney transplants done at GPHC, thereby removing patients’ dependency on Haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

In February 2017, GPHC will be teaming up with the University of Calgary to conduct four to five kidney transplants – surgical procedures that would result in the patients receiving healthier kidneys from donors.

Sixteen-year-old Tomol Mingo of Charlestown, who was diagnosed last January with Nephrotic Syndrome, is first in line to undergo the surgical procedure.

His mother, 39-year-old Shaundell Fraser-Mingo will be donating her kidney.

“The surgery is much better than the dialysis because going and coming can be really fatiguing. Sometimes late in the night you have to stay up, taking out fluids, putting in fluids,” the 16-year-old told Guyana Chronicle. Subsequent to the batch of transplant in February, the hospital plans to conduct at least one transplant on a monthly basis.

In addition to the transplants, the University will train nurses and doctors at the Dialysis Centre to upgrade the level of Haemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis as part of a project to develop ‘Kidney Care’ in Guyana.

According to Nephrology Department, to date 13 transplants have been conducted in Guyana, 10 privately and three at the public hospital. Of the three, only one patient died.

The other two patients, this newspaper was told, are doing well.

In fact, 16-year-old Abigail Mars, one of the beneficiaries, is preparing for CSEC come 2017. The business student at St Joseph High School will be writing 14 subjects.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), population ageing, type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, are major risk-factors for chronic kidney disease.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

North West duo in court for planting ganja Grove man on gun, ammo charge

TWO North West District (Region One) residents were on Thursday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a charge of cultivating cannabis.

Deon Debden, 23 and Cheddi Dawson 42, were jointly charged with the offence which alleged on November 2, at Hotoqua Village, Aruka River NWD, they cultivated cannabis. The men pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Debden was also sepa-

rately charged for two other offences to which he also denied.

The first charge alleged that on November 2 at Hotoqua Village, he had an unlicensed 20 gauge shotgun along with a matching live cartridge on the said day and location. He was also charged for making use of threatening behaviour against Abraham Daniels, Hotoqua Village Leader on October 29.

According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers on the Wednesday, November

2 about 10:30h, police ranks were responding to a report of threats made to Hotoqua Village Leader by Debden when they decided to conduct a search on the man’s premises.

Both Debden and Dawson stayed at the same place where the cannabis was discovered. Further searches unearthed the shotgun which Debden owned. The Magistrate remanded both men until November 15 and transferred the matter to Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court.

AFTER a successful raid on the Omai Landing, Region (8) area, the police on Thursday charged a 58-year-old businessman who was busted with an unlicensed shotgun and ammunition.

Ferdinand Sehedde, of Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara appeared before Chief Magistrate and pleaded not guilty to the two firearms related charges.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that Sehedde on Wednesday, November 3, at Omai Landing, Cuyuni-Mazarun, Region Eight had an unlicensed 12 gauge shotgun in his possession for which he had no license.

Sehedde was also charged for having (3) 12 gauge shotgun cartridges, for which he also had no licence. The defendant’s lawyer, Mr. Stanley Moore, during a lengthy submission for his client pretrial liberty, raised the point that because of the high crime rate in the interior regions businessmen acquire firearm for protection purposes.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers in presenting the court facts explained that about 02:30h, police ranks acting on information swooped down on a shop at Omai Landing and conducted a search at Sehedde’s

shop, during which the shotgun and three live cartridges were found.

Jeffers further pointed out that Sehedde under caution told the ranks, “Is a friend name Buddy leff it for me and I does use it for hunting.”

The prosecutor objected to the businessman being released on bail on the ground that the accused lawyer failed to raise any special reason for the granting of such.

The Chief Magistrate remanded Sehedde until January 17 and transferred the matter to Mahdia Magistrate’s Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

‘Drama Festival’ opens Sunday --promises fresh material and talent SOON, theatre enthusiasts will be treated to a cornucopia of talent from local playwrights, actors and directors as they come together once again to participate in the National Drama Festival, the Preliminaries for which will begin this Sunday.

The Festival is an annual event first launched in 2011, and is hosted as a collaborative effort by the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama (NSTAD) and The Unit of Allied Arts (UAA).

Director of NSTAD, Al Creighton says that the Festival has opened up many opportunities for its participants, many of whom have used the event as a debut for their theatre talents before branching off.

“Several new Guyanese plays have come into existence; many people have written new plays in order to enter the Festival,” Creighton told The Buzz.

“Several new groups who never did drama before have come together to do plays, and these have come from communities both in and out of Georgetown,” he said.

Moreover, he said that the Festival provides an outlet for these groups and individuals to tackle social issues in society.

Creighton said he hopes this year’s Festival would be well received, given that Guyanese usually gravitate more toward comedies. “In the Festival, you find that there are many different

Scenes from the 2015 National Drama Festival. The Cast & Crew of "Bleed for Love" in DEBUTANTE Category the wife returns. A play that will make the audience extypes of theatre; you don’t on the fictional Island of St. amine their friendships and see the everyday plays, so we Midas, Miriamy is a play based urge them to have definitive hope people come out and on the titular character who is boundaries when embracing see the various plays that we a widow with several children. someone whom they believe showcase, and the talent that She is also pregnant with the is worthy of their friendship. will be showcased,” he said. island’s first set of quintuplets, The play also brings into and there are five possible faquestion one’s inherited qualTHE LINEUP thers. The play focuses on the ity of hospitality.

The preliminaries for the gossip-loving townsfolk who Festival will run until Mon- are all caught up with finding E.R. Brathwaite’s To day, November 14, 2016. In out who the father is.

Sir, With Love. Adaptation the lineup, along with many

by Mosa Telford and Directpromising newcomers, theatre Ronald Hollingsworth’s ed by Godfrey Naughton. fans will also have a chance Till ah find a place, directed Engineer Mark Thackeray at seeing new versions of old by Sheron Cadogan-Tayarrives to teach a totally plays. Here is a list of some lor. A damsel in distress is undisciplined class at an of the more well-known plays rescued by a friend much to East End school. Still hoping you can look forward to this the disagreement of her husfor a good engineering job, year: band. In the wife’s absence, he's hopeful that he won't be the husband ends up in a there long. He starts impleFrank Pilgrim’s Miriamy, relationship with the friend. menting his own brand of directed by Ron Robinson. Set All hell breaks loose when classroom discipline: forcing the pupils to treat each other with respect. Inevitably he begins getting involved in the students' personal lives, and must avoid the advances of an amorous student while winning over the class tough.

What will he decide when the engineering job comes through?

Scenes from the 2015 National Drama Festival. Scene from "OUR STORY" in the JUNIOR Category (Group from Parika)

NSTAD Director, Al Creighton brings to the fore questions such as: How do we come into being? At what point do we become "alive"? What is our purpose in life? What, if any, is our relationship with the Creator? But apart from these age-old questions, Duenne examines positions that arise with any woman who becomes pregnant: Issues of motherhood, of selfhood and choice on the physical, psychical and spiritual realms in the cycle of life.

Barrington Brathwaite Legend of the Silk Cotton Tree, directed by Sonia Yarde. A fictitious Dutch planter becomes involved in the occult and other forms of spiritualism to gain wealth and power. In his plot to achieve this goal, he allies himself with an “Obeah Man” who abducts and possesses a child, which leads to the possession of a particular bloodline in one present-day family.

P a l o m a M o h a m e d ’s Duenne, directed by Sidney Henry. Duenne, the play, draws upon the richness of myths drawn from Caribbean Scenes from the 2015 National Drama folklore in an examination of Festival. Best Actress: OPEN-Full Length: the concept of "birth/ life". It Marissa Morgan-Bonie: "Colour of Race"

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

So, our youth don’t, can’t read --So, how come?

I’VE been told that our youth don’t read, and I’m convinced that illiteracy is prevalent at different levels of our society.

I’ve heard compelling stories, and benefitted from demonstrations by responsible managers about limitations in respect of simple bookkeeping reports, coming from young people who claim to have had a sound secondary education.

I’m convinced that there is a problem, and I don’t think that this is surprising to the current administration.

I was again summoned by my friend from the Lions to participate in a poster-development activity involving children between the ages of eight and 13.

The Meadowbrook-Tucville community is his area of choice.

I was taken there and introduced to the class of artists. I call these children artists because of their enthusiasm.

The school, like numerous other art schools here, has no art teacher. My friend then showed me printouts of the international winners of the last competition; they were children within the same age group. I implored him not to show the children we were dealing with these posters, as those former winners were obvious products of art tutelage.

This competition is open to children across the English-speaking world, I assume. Personnel at the same school told me that the children “don’t read”. I asked if there is a library; the reply was, “Yes”.

I compared the methods of reading in school when I was in school, and I was told that that was not what was happening today.

SMALL DAYS Back then, Reading was a subject; so was Dictation. And reading was addressed with not only the standard reading book, but with library books.

The week’s readers would sit in front with similar books spread among their classmates; the first reader would introduce the book and its author. Then he or she would read the first two paragraphs, followed by the next student. When the ‘bigwords’ came up, as they usually did, the teacher would encourage raised hands from other students; then the word would be dissected into syllables, and the class would become familiar with a new word. And it worked for the majority of us.

There’s an important factor to the books we used for reading, and the prescribed reading book: They were all illustrated.

During that ‘junior’ period, I lived ‘up the Coast’ with my god-parents, next to a family whose youngest member, who was older than I, had not too long before held my hand to school; to ‘Lil ABC’.

It was a traumatic period of her life; that most vivid memory still remains with me. When her foster-grandfather abruptly decided that her school days were over and threw her school books out of the bedroom win-

dow, I ran over and picked the books up. She told me, between tears, to take them. They were a collection of Nelson West Indian Readers. I never used these books in school, but I was familiar with the pictures. Then, with time, I read the text; and I began trying to paint my versions of the paintings they carried. Though I didn’t learn yet about mixing my cheap water colours, I still tried to paint the Death of Hector.

The experience of Art at an early age encouraged me to read.

It can be argued today that TV has taken over the minds of our children, but I beg to differ. Most likely, they have been abandoned to the whims and fantasies of whatever alternative imagery occupies untutored spaces.

The primary school books created in the 1970s, which seem to have vanished, used the same methods by the designers at Curriculum Development, administered by the educator, Oswald Kendall, former headteacher of Christ Church back when I came into contact with that institution.

That was responsible for publishing my first and only poetry book.

COLONIAL BUT EFFECTIVE The experience I related with the Nelson West Indian Readers merely explores a template that was successful; its criticisms rest with its content: Colonial; for a colony but its methodology is still used.

The visuals today in other primary-secondary literature may be digital photography or artwork, but the combination of art and text is state-of-the art in any age. The other factor is that some children are coming to school hungry;

this is not a factor that can be ignored or left unchecked.

Like the Trojan Horse, I recognise that art must enter the schools as music has done, to stimulate the interest of reading across young Guyana.

I asked a professional artist employed with the government why, over the years, have graduates from the Burrowes School of Art never shown any interest in teaching.

I was told that was not true; that they did, but the heads of schools told them that it couldn’t happen, because Art wasn’t on the timetable.

I truly reflect on those European medieval dungeons, in this case populated by hungry Bourda Market rats, when I think that past Ministers of Government

removed music, art and drama from the exposure stage of our young minds.

The question may very well be asked, What does the visual, vocal and rhythmic arts contribute? Well, cast your imagination to the dawn of human time, and imagine our terrified ancestors, gathered around the fire with their primitive weapons close at hand, to conquer the compelling fear of survival with insanity on its periphery.

The silence is broken when the storyteller begins to weave his first tale. A tune is hummed, a flute follows the hum, and a confident drum-beat invokes defiance against whatever lurks beyond their protective flames, while, on the walls of a nearby rock, an artist records that they

were there, so we may know, millennia to come.

In the book by Michael Ayre, ‘THE CARIBBEAN IN SEPIA: A HISTORY IN PHOTOGRAPHS (1840-1900)”, Guyana is recorded as having, by 1891, a population of 1,200 teachers, second only to Jamaica.

Our first recorded local artist in Georgetown is mentioned on Page 35 of James Rodway’s ‘THE STORY OF GEORGETOWN’.

According to Rodway, “In 1811, a Panorama of Stabroek was opened on the site of the present Water Works. Mr. Bryant, portrait and scene painter, was the parent of the work, ‘Alone he did it’, the only instance of the kind ever known, where an individual has undertaken a task of such a nature without any assistance, except the mere automation help of a slave.”

If you’ve ever seen any of Joshua Bryant’s work, you will know that it required much more than the support work of an automaton; but bigotry compelled Rodway to erase this man’s name [the slave] and negate his talent. These works have, however, played a tremendous part in drawing us into the text of Bryant’s narrative of the 1823 insurrection.

My colleague, Ohene, of the National Gallery has voiced a significant proposal, enveloping the visual arts, that of a Legal ACT empowering a policy that will bring the creative arts into the national perspective. We have the talents, but a bureaucratic mental block cannot envision the creative way forward.

Subduing malaria

-- Guyana building resistance against infected mosquitoes

By Rabindra Rooplall GUYANA, through years of diligent work has been able to stifle the growth of malaria, a mosquito-borne disease that has claimed the lives of millions in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the planet.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to

Head of the Vector Control Unit, Dr Horace Cox

people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Malaria symptoms occur at least seven to nine days after one is bitten by an infected mosquito and include fever, chills, sweating, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

Malaria may also cause anaemia and jaundice. Importantly, the plasmodium

Michael Boyet

falciparum infection if not promptly treated, may cause kidney failure, coma and even death.

“I had never felt like this before. I wasn’t just sick with fever and a headache, I felt detached from myself.

I was on a stretcher in the interior and I felt I couldn’t breathe, it was like dying,” Mark Scott, a malaria patient at the Georgetown Public

Hospital told the Guyana Chronicle.

This publication was unable to obtain recent comparative statistics on malaria, but those in the public domain show a positive sign in the fight against the disease.

Guyana has managed to reduce the prevalence of malaria from 5,084 per 100,000 persons in 2005 to See page 22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

GFW kicks off Sunday

21

--to feature Dutch and French haute couture er fashion shows, it’s over US$1M; that is the budget for those shows, and we’re not even close.

“The only way we can get

‘

The rehearsals are intensifying, and the cast and crew are hyped for the hectic week of fashion’

there is with sponsorship, and this year was one of the worst in terms of sponsorship,” a disappointed Sonia admitted.

And what makes it even more sad, she said, is that in times of economic downturn, creative jobs can play a big role in helping to prop up the economy.

D

ESIGNERS from six other countries are expected to descend here in the coming week as the activities of the Guyana Fashion Week (GFW) continue after kicking off Sunday with the customary church service at the Love

A ‘promo’ poster with GFW models Nkechi Vaughn and Meleesa Payne (Photo courtesy Jay Carter) and Faith Assembly. Models from Guyana and Suriname will strut their stuff across the runway in the pieces of several local designers, as well as those from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua, Curaçao, Suriname, and French Guiana.

GFW Creative Director and Facilitator of the Model Workshop, Richard Young

Approximately 40 designers will try to wow with their designs at the two runway shows that will be held next Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13 respectively. And it will all go down at the Pegasus Hotel.

Many have been anticipating the launch for some time now, having their appetite whetted by sneak previews at several forgoing shows.

After the official launch in May, and the “Style Mission” fashion show in September, the public recently had another preview of some of the designs at a fashion show held at the residence of US Ambassador to Guyana.

But now it’s all about to climax.

According to a press release, “The rehearsals are intensifying, and the cast and crew are hyped for the hectic week of fashion.”

The Buzz caught up with CEO of the event, veteran designer, Sonia Noel, who was optimistic of the week to come, despite the struggles that the event faced this year, not the least of which was sponsorship woes.

TOUGH YEAR Sonia shared with us that of the seven hostings of this event since it’s 2007 inception, this year was just one of the worst that the industry has seen.

Many of the usual sponsors who come on board said this past year was one of the worst business years

that they’ve experienced, and extending sponsorship at this time is just stretching it a bit too thin.

Noel says this is one of the biggest issues that will continue to keep GFW from coming anywhere close to where it needs to go.

“We’re far from that; the only way we can get close to that is if we get the funding.

When we look at those oth-

tice the Night” all-white affair at Pegasus’ Aura Night Club, also set for next Saturday.

And then there are the workshops littered throughout

NOT TO WORRY Nonetheless, as is the saying, ‘The show must go on!’

And go on it will! The week is expected to include several private and public events for those looking to be a part of the list of activities.

Each of the two Fashion Shows will be preceded by a Beauty and Fashion ‘Expo’, while there’s also a “Meetand-Greet in Style” cocktail reception on next Friday. Other events open to public include the “Performing Style” talent show at the Theatre Guild on Wednesday; the “En-

the week. These will include a model workshop, designer workshop, a leadership workshop, and a hairstylist workshop.

Sonia herself is expected to conduct the leadership workshop, while GFW Creative Director, Richard Young will take charge of the model workshop.

Hairstylist and CEO of the Caribbean School of Cosmetology, Essence Sambury, will show you just how to get that perfect hairstyle.

Not done yet, this year’s F a s h i o n We e k h a s a l s o merged with the Guyana Model Search to put on the ‘Model Image’ competition, for which the finalists are expected to be on show at “The Finals”, which would also be on next Saturday before the fashion show.

Admission to the runway shows are $3000 regular, and $4000 VIP.

22

Subduing ...

From page 20 1,541 per 100,000 persons in 2008.

And according to reports, there has been no increase in reported cases in recent years.

These improvements can be attributed to the success of prevention efforts, as well as to the detection and treatment of contracted cases.

Guyana has been working to ensure improvement in compliance with treatment and overcoming the logistical difficulties associated with detection, treatment and monitoring of interventions.

These efforts will intensify in 2017, with strong focus in the hinterland region, which has a population of some 112,000.

MIGRATION With a change in climate, where the environment is

getting hotter, the mosquitoes have been migrating farther within the hinterland regions where the atmosphere is cool and conducive to their growth.

If their presence close to human settlements is not addressed, it can become not only a nuisance, but also a menace to residents.

Michael Boyet, 52, a resident of the Pomeroon, related that he became infected with malaria a year ago, while working at a gold mine in Region One. He was initially treated at the Port Kaituma Hospital, but was referred to the Charity Hospital.

According to the father of six, he got infected because, in his mining camp, there were no treated nets and the environment was very unclean.

Several other miners at

his camp, he said, were infected by the disease. According to him, infection in mining areas can be kept to a minimum if regional health officials pay regular visits to mining camps.

Head of the Vector Control Unit, Dr Horace Cox, told the Guyana Chronicle that beginning from early next year, the Vector Control Unit will have a heightened presence in the hinterland regions.

DISTRIBUTION OF TREATED NETS Some 80 per cent of the hinterland population, including miners and loggers, will receive long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs).

In addition, “in vivo” tests will be done to ascertain the mosquito’s resistance to anti-malarial drugs.

The in vivo test consists of the treatment of a group of

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016 symptomatic and parasitaemic individuals with known doses of anti-malarial drugs and subsequent monitoring of the parasitological and clinical response over time.

One of the key characteristics of in vivo tests is the interplay between host and parasite, Dr Cox said, pointing out that diminished therapeutic efficacy of a drug can be masked by immune clearance of parasites among patients with a high degree of acquired immunity.

Resistance to anti-malarial drugs has been noted for two of the four species of malaria parasite that naturally infect humans: falciparum and vivax.

The vector control chief also said that next year, a new entomology unit will be established at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, with funding from the Inter-American

Development Bank (IDB).

That unit will carry out tests on mosquitoes and their resistance to drugs used for treatment.

This aside, miners and loggers will benefit from “Care Start Rapid Test” whereby results from malaria tests will be available in 20 minutes, and attention will also be placed on the coastland.

Fogging, Dr Cox said, will be carried out in these communities.

He explained that though fogging kills adult mosquitoes, the chemical used has no effect on the larvae and pupae stages of mosquitos.

Therefore, instead of an area being fogged once, it will be fogged twice. Once this process is correctly done, it can trigger a 60 per cent decrease in the mosquito population, Dr Cox said.

According to doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital, plasmodium falciparum, the most prevalent form of malaria, accounts for more than 50 per cent of the malaria cases in Guyana.

Malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases can be prevented if persons can avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. And to do this, they can take simple precautions such as dressing in longsleeves and long pants when outside and for extra protection, they can spray thin clothing with repellent.

They can also clear containers with stagnant water in their yards and neighbourhoods, since it is in these environments that mosquitoes breed. In this way, Guyana can continue to have the upper hand in the fight against malaria.

Bus driver on intent to commit murder charge

A FORTY-SEVEN-yearold minibus driver was remanded to prison on a charge of intent to commit murder when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

It is alleged that on October 31 at Lodge, Georgetown, Cayson Clementson

with intent to commit murder, wounded Andre Phillips.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers, opposed bail for the accused citing the fact that the victim is still hospitalised. His objection was upheld by the magistrate, who refused to grant bail to the accused and transferred the matter to city magistrate Judy Latchman’s

court for November 22.

According to reports, on the day in question the men were involved in a heated argument when Clementon became annoyed and stabbed Phillips to his neck with a knife. Phillips was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

Rare Test win for West Indies

(Reuters) - KRAIGG Brathwaite and Shane Dowrich struck unbeaten half-centuries to guide West Indies to their first test victory in 14 matches as the Caribbean side beat Pakistan by five wickets on the final morning of the third test in Sharjah on Thursday.

Opener Brathwaite, who carried his bat for an unbeaten 142 in the first innings, and Dowrich each scored 60 in adding 87 for the unbroken sixth wicket after West Indies had been reduced to 67 for five chasing 153 for victory.

The 23-year-old Brathwaite, who was on the field for every minute of the test, was named man-of-thematch.

“It was a privilege (to bat with Dowrich),” Brathwaite

told the broadcaster. “The communication was good, we talked with each other, keep rotating the strike and we brought it home.

“This is the best batting match of my career... Obviously I’ve had a good start (to my career), you know the key is to maintain it,” added Brathwaite, who has five hundreds and 12 fifties from 34 tests.

“I just want to continue working hard and score a lot of runs.”

The victory ended a 13-match streak without a victory (10 losses and three draws) for West Indies, stretching back to May last year when they beat England at home. Pakistan won the three-match series 2-1.

“We took a lot of the momentum we had at the beginning of the game and ran with

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday November 04, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Lance Gibbs (8/38); Curtly Ambrose (8/45) (2) 2 (WI); 0 (PAK) Today’s Quiz: (1) Name the WI players that have made debut Test centuries against Pakistan to date.

(2) How many Test matches Javed Miandad played? How many centuries he scored?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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it,” said Jason Holder, who helped set up his first win as West Indies captain with a five-wicket haul in the second innings.

“It’s been something a long (time) coming. We’ve had some tough test matches in the last year. We’re a young side in transition, we should take a lot from this series, not only from this match but we’ve

done a lot of things good in this series.”

Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah claimed figures of 3-40 in the second innings and was adjudged the man-of-the-series for his haul of 21 wickets while paceman Wahab Riaz, who had taken a five-wicket haul in the first, added two more to his tally.

Pakistan captain Misbah-

ul-Haq felt Pakistan were well below par but also credited West Indies for the win.

“It’s always disappointing to lose a test match. Yes, the series is important... You don’t want to lose momentum,” Misbah said. “We made a lot of mistakes, below our standards and poor I must say. Especially in batting, the discipline was not there.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

Ross Brawn attracted to Formula 1 role and ready to return

ROSS Brawn has confirmed he’s held talks with Liberty Media, but wouldn’t confirm whether he’ll be working with them in the future.

Ross Brawn has admitted he is attracted to returning to Formula 1 in a position which would allow the former Mercedes and Ferrari boss to shape the future direction of the sport.

Brawn has been out of

F1 since laying the foundation for Mercedes’ current domination but could be poised to return following Liberty Media’s takeover. While ruling out a comeback with a team, Brawn admits he is missing the sport and confirmed he has held talks with the sport’s prospective new owners “I would get pleasure from trying to help Formula 1 move forward,” Brawn told Sky Sports News HQ.

“It’s a great sport, it’s a challenging sport in terms of maintaining its place in entertainment and sport and all those kind of things. I could certainly be attracted to a role in that capacity.

“I’m a frustrated spectator because when you’ve been involved in the sport and you watch from the sidelines you wonder why they make some of the decisions they make. I enjoy the

Ross Brawn

sport very much. I miss being involved and I miss the camaraderie, I miss the excitement, but I don’t miss some of the other aggravation that goes along with it.”

It has been widely speculated that Brawn could feature in a ‘dream team’ partnership overseeing the sport alongside marketing guru Zak Brown. But Brawn is adamant that a deal has not been agreed.

Australia sublime against South Africa

(Reuters)- AUSTRALIA ripped through South Africa’s top order in the first hour, dismissed the tourists for 242 by tea and reached 105 without loss at close on the back of some Dave Warner fireworks on the opening day of the first test on Thursday.

Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma scored battling half-centuries for South Africa after they were reduced to 32-4 but there was no doubt the standout performers on the first day of the Australian cricketing summer were wearing baggy green caps.

Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, playing with an open wound on his leg after a nasty training accident that disrupted his preparations, struck in the first over and ended up with figures of 4-71.

Fellow pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood pitched in with 3-70 and the Marsh brothers, Mitchell and Shaun, both took spectacular catches on their home ground.

Warner, who provided some of the few highlights of Australia’s recent one-day international series humiliation at the hands of the South Africans, then took the fight to the tourists with the bat.

After a reprieve when he was lbw off a Vernon Philander no-ball, the pugnacious opener smashed the South African bowlers around the

WACA, the ground where he announced his arrival as a test batsman with a brilliant 180 against India in 2012.

The 30-year-old lefthander brought up his 21st test half-century when he slashed the ball through extra cover for his 10th four off the 39th delivery he had faced and will resume on 73 alongside Shaun Marsh, unbeaten on 29.

South Africa had arrived for the three-test series full of confidence after their limited-overs triumph and having emerged victorious on their last two visits to Australia with both trips featuring big wins at the WACA. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, they were soon reeling as Starc, Hazlewood and later Peter Siddle illustrated the WACA pitch was going to offer the traditional pace and bounce noticeably absent last year when West Indies visited.

Opener Stephen Cook and

Hashim Amla both departed without a run on the board, while Dean Elgar eked out 12 runs and JP Duminy 11 before they were sent packing.

Faf du Plessis scored 37 in a partnership of 49 with Bavuma, who then put together another of 71 with De Kock after his captain had been dismissed in the second over after lunch.

The diminutive Bavuma hit seven fours before he was dismissed by spinner Nathan Lyon for 51,two deliveries after reaching his third test half-century, a diving Shaun Marsh diving low to scoop up the bat-pad catch.

De Kock continued his impressive one-man rearguard action and hit 11 fours and one huge six in his 84 but once he departed with a mistimed slap to Shaun Marsh at midwicket off Hazlewood, the end of the South Africa innings was in sight.

SCOREBOARD South Africa 1st innings

Bowling M. Starc 18.4 - 2 - 71 - 4(w-2) S. Cook c M. Marsh b Starc 0 J. Hazlewood 17 - 2 - 70 - 3 D. Elgar c Nevill b Hazlewood 12 P. Siddle 12 - 3 - 36 - 1 H. Amla c Smith b Hazlewood 0 M. Marsh 6 - 1 - 23 - 0 J. Duminy c Nevill b Siddle 11 N. Lyon 10 - 1 - 38 - 2 F. du Plessis c Voges b Starc 37 Australia 1st innings T. Bavuma c S. Marsh b Lyon 51 D. Warner not out 73 Q. de Kock c S. Marsh S. Marsh not out 29 b Hazlewood 84 Extras (nb-3) 3 V. Philander b Starc 10 Total (for no loss, 21 overs) 105 K. Maharaj c Warner b Lyon 16 Bowling K. Rabada not out 11 D. Steyn 6 - 2 - 34 - 0 D. Steyn b Starc 4 V. Philander 7 - 1 - 26 - 0(nb-2) Extras (b-4 w-2) 6 K. Rabada 6 - 0 - 29 - 0(nb-1) Total (all out, 63.4 overs) 242 K. Maharaj 2 - 0 - 16 - 0

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships…

Pizza Hut GCC ladies, PEPSI Hikers impressive

THE PEPSI Hikers equalled the largest margin of victory thus far with a 12-2 trouncing of team 2020 in the men’s first division competition as the GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships continued last evening at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

Female tournament favourites, the Pizza Hut GCC also made a huge impact with their 9-2 victory over Spartans in their first match of the competition. The men’s second division table remains a close battle as Saint Stanislaus College stunned Old

Fort with a surprising 2-1 victory to join GCC as the other undefeated team so far.

From the opening whistle, the PEPSI Hikers men looked solidly in control of the youthful Team 2020 from the outset of their men’s first division matchup.

National striker Aroydy Branford produced a brilliant performance for the Hikers which resulted in a personal tally of 6 goals, while Captain Robert France added a hat-trick.

Branford and France now share the lead for most goals in the tournament on

seven each. While Team 2020 managed two goals midway through the second half, the game was all but over by this time with the Hikers performance solidifying them as favourites to retain the crown.

National Centre Forward, Kerensa Fernandes led the impressive Pizza Hut GCC ladies with a hat-trick en route to a 9-2 beating of the Spartans. Aliyah Gordon and Trisha Woodroffe scored two goals each while Marzana Fiedtkou and Sonia Jardine scored one each for the victors.

Although the powerful Piz-

za Hut ladies were clearly beyond the reach of the Spartans, midfielder Shebiki Baptiste put in another spirited performance, scoring a well-crafted individual goal and setting up debutante Paige Fernandes for another.

Latacia Chung managed a pair of goals with single strikes from teammates Maria Munroe and Shundel Durant as the Hikers ladies cruised to a comfortable win over the Old Fort Ladybugs. Bahvini Kaladeen was the lone scorer for the Ladybugs with a well-placed shot off

a counterattack.

Saint Stanislaus College out-duelled the Old Fort Supersonics to come away with a 2-1 victory while Saints beat the Hikers 4-2 in the two men’s second division fixtures of the evening. The GCC vets survived a scare as John Abrahams levelled the score for Old Fort deep into the second half.However,GCC managed to seal the 2-1 victory with a Philip Fernandes penalty corner strike just three minutes before full time.

The Pepsi Hikers and Old Fort Ravens share the

top spot in the men’s first Division Pool after three nights of competition. The Hikers and Pizza Hut GCC are joint leaders of the ladies pool while the men’s second division pool shows a three-way tie between Bounty GCC, Saint Stanislaus College and Old Fort Supersonics. GCC meanwhile sits comfortably on top of the men’s division.

Matches continue every evening during this week from 5:00pm each day and on Saturday from 1:00pm with the four finals to be contested on Sunday from 5:00pm.

Bright, Phillips, Williams and Peters for SA Youth Championships CARIFTA Games silver medalist Chantoba Bright, National Schools Championships record holder Kenisha Phillips along with Daniel Williams and Tyrell Peters are the athletes selected to represent Guyana at the South American Youth Championships 2016.

The athletes were selected by the Athletics Association of Guyana for the Championships slated for Argentina from November 12 – 14.

According to team manager Mayfield Taylor-Trim, it was a difficult task narrowing down the team to the final four from an earlier shortlisted 10 athletes which included athletes’ like Avon Samuels.

Chantoba Bright She added that unlike the usual narrative,cost was not as much a factor this time around, also noting that the AAG had been checking ticket prices for some time now and the prices were consistently

Daniel Williams high.

“It was kind of really hard, because a lot of the athletes would have made the timings, but then you have to look at the best way to ensure that you bring back medals.

The fares weren’t as much a

Kenisha Phillips criteria, the prices have been this high for over a month now.” Taylor-Trim said.

As it pertains to medal prospects,Taylor-Trim said that hopes are relatively high because the standards that these athletes have

been making is on par with qualifying marks that the meet was calling for “The timings that we were looking for all the athletes that we have selected have made those timings.

The organizers,they gave qualifying times and the athletes that we have selected we see that they would have made those times, so we’re hoping for the best.” she explained.

The South American Youth Championship is a biennial event, where under-17 athletes from all across South America compete. This year’s team represent an increase in the number of participants that represented Guyana

in 2014 when the event was held in Columbia. That year Guyana was well represented by Jason Yaw and Natricia Hooper. Yaw set the 46.79s record in the boys’ 400m, while Hooper brought home silver in the girls’ 400m.

At this year ’s event Bright is expected to participate in the girls’ long jump and triple, Phillips will be in the girls’ 100m and 200m.

On the boys side Williams will be in the high jump and 400m, while Peters is set to compete in the 100m and 200m.

The team will be accompanied by Taylor-Trim and Coach Johnny Greavesande.

GCB NSSCL 2016...

Charlestown Secondary win South Zone DEFENDING South Georgetown zone champions Charlestown Secondary crushed Lodge Secondary to lift the trophy for the second consecutive year yesterday when the 2016 edition of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) continued.

Playing at the historic Bourda Ground, Charlestown won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Lodge batsmen struggled to 63 all

-wins for Cummings Lodge and Vergenoegen out off 23.2 overs on a good batting pitch,as only Akeem Williams got to double figures scoring 14. Raymond Bandhu’s impressive 5/12 was the main reason the Lodge batsmen struggled as he destroyed any hopes Lodge had of posting a challenging target. Jamal Michael also impressed with the ball claiming 3/10.

In reply, Charlestown made light work of their

target as the two openers, Jamal Michael and Negusa Walters raced to 64 in 11.2 overs. Michael struck a 39-ball 36 (4x4’s) while Walters faced 16 balls for his unbeaten 12.

Meanwhile, at Enterprise, CummingsLodge registered an easy victory over Institute of Professional Education (IPE). Batting first,CummingsLodge racked up 162/7 in 20 overs with Andrew

Samaroo smashing 48 and Keshore Seepersaud scoring 41. Bowling for IPE, Ricardo Yarewood claimed 3/16 and Bradley Dundas took 3/24.

IPE in response couldn’t even get to three figures as they were dismissed for 94.

Ricardo Yorewood showed his batting capabilities as he topscored with 24. Ronald Basdeo was the bowler to do most of the damage as he bagged 4/33 while Dav-

enand Khemraj supported well with 3/24,bowling for CummingsLodge.

Over at Tuschen, Vergenoegen Secondary eased to a comfortable seven wicket victory over Parika/Salem Secondary. Parika/Salem were dismissed for 127 off 21 overs batting first. Azim Mohamed topscored with 31. Vickram Mangra took 4/30 and Joel Gill claimed 2/22 bowling for Vergenoegen.

In reply, the Vergenoegen batsmen ensured their bowl-

ers’ effort didn’t go to waste as they completed their chase in just 13.3 overs for the loss of only three wickets.

Joel Gill led the charge with 37 not out while Vickram Mangra supported well with 34. Azim Mohamed took two of the wickets to fall to finish with figures of 2/43 for Parika/Salem.

The NSSCL will continue on Monday,November 7, 2016 when Novar Secondary takes on Mahaicony Secondary at Fairfield ground, Mahaicony.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

National Schools Championships officially launched

MINISTER responsible for sports, Nicolette Henry, yesterday took the opportunity to re-emphasize the Ministry’s mandate to have sports become an integral part of the schools’ curriculum.

She was delivering the feature address at the official launch of the 56th National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships held at the Ministry of Education NCERD Building.The championship is set for November 21st - 25th The Minister shared her views that not only should sports and other extracurricular activities be made a fundamental part of the schools’ curriculum, but also be introduced at the earliest stage, even nursery schools perhaps, so that the athletes can reach their fullest potential.

“We cannot overlook having sports as an integral part of the school’s curriculum. Games and sports are an integral part of a student’s life, it is indispensable for all-round

development. It is my firm belief that sports must be introduced at the earliest level if we really want to identify and train the best of our potential athletes in any sporting discipline,” the Minister said.

She admitted that much is lacking in the support given to Guyanese athletes.

“I believe it is high time that we give our athletes the attention and support they need in order to develop to their full potentials. A lot more needs to be done generally if we are to produce world class athletes. No one would disagree with me that we have the ability to produce world class athletes that have the talent,” Henry added.

During questioning the Minister stated that while the Ministry does not channel support specifically to athletes coming from this Championships, they nonetheless extend support to many athletes, some of whom may have also participated at this level.

“What you find is that

Bolt to race for a million

(Sportsmax)- NINE-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt is set to race for a million-dollar purse in Australia in 2017 in what is expected to be his swansong season, media reports are suggesting.

There, he might also be racing against one of his fiercest rivals, as American Justin Gatlin has also been linked with the occasion.

The 30-year-old track legend will be racing in Australia for the very first time when he steps onto the track at the Nitro Summer Series in February, next year.

Bolt’s swansong comes later in the year as he has already announced that he will retire from the sport after the August 5-13 world championships in London.

Bolt set a new standard in August at the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, where he became the first man to win three gold medals in three straight Olympics.

Bolt won the 100m and 200m and was part of the Jamaican team that won gold in the 4x100m relay,thus replicating his performances at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.

In doing so, he equalled distance-runner Paavo Nurmi and American sprinter and long jumper Carl Lewis as the most successful Olympic track and field athletes.

an athlete might emerge from the Championships but might be an athlete that is involved in another championships, so how do I separate? If we provide support for [an athlete] I don’t know how I would segregate to say that they are exclusively related to this Championships. The Ministry’s purpose is to provide support and ensure that there are structural mechanisms in place, so that anyone who has talent that they can reach their full potential,” Henry explained.

Also at the head table were President of the Guyana Teacher’s Union, Mark Lyte, Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson, Principal Assistant Secretary within the Ministry of Education, Glendon Fogenay, Marketing

and Public Relations Officer, Edison Jefford, as well as representatives from the events chief sponsors, Banks DIH and Digicel.

Henry,during her speech also did not forget to laud the efforts of both Digicel and Banks for remaining stalwart supporters of the event. The sponsors in turn spoke of their job to be part of an event which promoted so many benefits among youths.

Lyte,in his speech reinforced that the organizers are committed to ensuring that the athletics component of the Championships is moved to the National Track and Field Centre for next year’s hosting.

It was somewhat a matter of dissatisfaction that this year’s Championships, of which the track and field competition is the most

central component, is not being moved to the NTFC which houses an internationally recognized synthetic track.

Instead,the event will once again be held primarily at the National Stadium, with Cycling being held at the National Park and Swimming set for the National Aquatic Centre (NAC). Athletics were not being held at the NTFC since many of the athletes,that include under-8 children, will not have advisable footwear, and this was not budgeted for despite talks last year that the issue would have been addressed by this year.

Lyte,nonetheless (wanted) to see the event moved to NTFC, while other proposals such as splitting the competition into senior and junior editions are also still

being considered. As it pertains to the overall standard of the competition,Lyte said that he believes that continuous improvements have been forthcoming throughout the years, though much more can be done.

“We are in transition and we recognize that we are not up to international standard, but it takes time for us to move in phases.

We a r e m o v i n g i n t h e direction to be an international competition, like the other international countries but it will take time, you don’t just wake up one morning. It’s been 56 years, but I think in light of what is before us we have been doing fairly well.” Lyte said.

Athletes for the event will be housed at several schools on Woolford Avenue.

GCB provides trophies for East Canje day of sports THE Guyana Cricket Board has provided trophies for The Young Warriors Cricket Club’s “East Canje Day of Sports” to be held on November 6, 2016 at the Cumberland Ground.

At a simple presentation ceremony held recently, former West Indies pacer Colin Stuart presented the trophies to Rafeek Kassim, president of the club. Kassim thanked the GCB and every other sponsor who have supported the event. Stuart said that the GCB is pleased to be part of this fund-raiser. Anthony Ameerally of Memorex, Art Sawmill and Massy Distribution are the latest sponsors on board.

Over the years, the East Canje area produced many talented cricketers with the latest being young West Indies winning captain Shim- Former West Indies pacer Colin Stuart right, ron Hetmyer. Leonard Bai- hands over trophies to Rafeek Kassim in the chan was the first and only presence of Melisa Bishundial test cricketer coming out of the area. Seon Hetymer, Samaroo, Kwesi Maltay, that represented Guyana Gajanand Singh, Damodar Linden Austin, Boodnarine at the various levels.

The teams will be drawn Daesarat, Richard and Sumair and Kassim Khan Kevin Ramdeen, Balram are among many others from the area and some of

those expected to take part are Canefield, Gangaram, Canje Pathfinders, Betsy Ground, Goed Bananen Land and Rose Hall Estate.

The cricket competition will be of five overs aside and will involve second division players. However, the teams are allowed to buy the first division players in the area with the starting bid being two thousand dollars with the exception of Shimron Hetymer whose starting bid will be ten thousand dollars,similar to IPL style.

In addition, there will be sprint races, lime and spoon, bag race and a feature football game involving players from #2, Palmyra, Sheet Anchor and Cumberland versus the other villages in East Canje. Attractive incentives and gate prizes are up for grabs with the oldest male and female fan receiving a hamper each. Proceeds from this event will go towards the host to help continue promoting cricket in the area. The first match bowls off at 9.30.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 4, 2016

Digicel launches 8th Guyana Open Golf Classic

-Senior Flight debuts this weekend

By Stephan Sookram GOLFING action will be on the greens of Lusignan Golf Course this weekend when the Eight Annual Guyana Open Golf Classic will teeoff on Saturday, with organisers announcing the introduction of the senior flight.

According to the LGC captain,Chatterpaul Deo, the senior flight which was introduced last year was abandoned due to a lack of participants.However,this category has enjoyed much more registration this year.

The tournament which will now be co-sponsored

by Grand Coastal Inn, has already seen 57 golfers registered with expected total being touted at 80 by the time registration closes on Friday for the various

flights, namely male 0-9, 1018, 19-28,and Seniors and Ladies 0-36.

The men’s championship flight will be decided on a gross score but the women will be tallied on net.

During a press briefing this morning, President of the LGC Oncar Ramroop stated that entities such as Digicel continue to play an integral part in sports associations and federations, adding that the renewed deal speaks volumes. “ It all says a lot about the tournament, the nature of the tournament, the kind of sponsorship and how much this tournament has evolved, ” he posited, adding , “ the course is in very good shape.

We do have adequate water supply for the maintenance of the greens and wherever else

Digicel’s Marketing Manager Jacqueline James (fifth from left)and Communications officer Vidya Sanichara (fourth From left) stand with LGC Executives including President Oncar Ramroop (third from left), club captain Chatterpaul Deo (sixth from left) as well as overseas golfers for this weekend’s tournament (Adrian Narine Photo) it’s needed.”

Ray Ramroop, one of the Canadian Golfers,said as the North American Region gets colder, more and more Guyanese will return to Guyana during this time of year, and

Caribbean Motor Racing Championships Round-four…

Boodram sets up Group 4 ‘Battle Royale’

By Stephan Sookram

F R A N K LY N B o o d r a m will spearhead a 15-member team from Trinidad and Tobago for the final round of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC)to be held in just over two weeks’ time.

Boodram, one of the three contenders for the 2016 group-four two-wheel drive (2WD) title,has confirmed that he will make the voyage to Guyana in an attempt to earn his maiden regional group-four title.

His battle will not be an easy one with his two competitors being Jamaican

Peter Rae and Barbadian Mark Maloney,both being seasoned campaigners on the international circuit and men with years of experience at South Dakota.

Nonetheless, he will be confident of producing the goods in a dog-fight between the quickest two-wheel-drive machines on the regional circuit, Meanwhile,a host of group two competitors are also making the trip, with current CMRC group-two leaders Luke Bohla and defending champion Mark Gill among those,as well as Damien Nesbitt, Yasid Ali, Che Carrington,Haresh Nannan and Bridget Singh.

Singh is the only competitor that will not move up to Group-Three, where they will meet David Lyons, Ravi Singh, Zacchary Boodram, Ronald Wortman and Paul Vieira. Vieira has already won the Group Three Championship with only the formalities to take place at the presentation ceremony.

Meanwhile, the lone biker to attend Is Timothy Joseph who will fly the flag high at the CMRC super stock battle.

Activities begin on Friday with official practice while Qualifying trials will take place on Saturday.Competitive racing is on Sunday and starts at 08:30am.

Franklyn Boodram leads Guyana’s Nazim Gafoor and Barbados’ Sammy Cumberbatch. (Gerrard Wilson Photo)

with golf catching on, it can only help to grow the sport, adding “I think golf has a good future in Guyana.”

Digicel Marketing Manager,Jacqueline James,stated, “we want to encourage our

youths to get involved in a sporting activity, not just to go out and watch but to go out and participate as in playing. I am sure that the doors to Lusignan Golf Club remain wide open,inviting

our youths to come out.’

Saturday’s tee-off will be at 05:30 with defending Male Champion Avinash Persaud and Female Champion Shanella Webster among those in action.

Softball Cup MVP pendants revealed THE Most Valuable Players prizes for the Guyana Cup 6 which bowls off today were revealed yesterday at Steve’s Jewellery on Church Street by owner and proprietor Steve Naraine.

The prizes, inclusive of a gold cricket bat with diamonds encrusted were proudly handed over to president of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association,Dharam Persaud and vice-president Ricky Deonarain .

According to Naraine,he is proud to once again partner with the GFSCA,since the association has consistently given its support to the softball cricket scene.

“They have done a lot for softball cricket in Guyana and they give back to the communities and that’s what I am all about; I am proud to partner with them once again.”

The three- day competition will have teams from Canada, New York, Florida and Guyana,which will all compete for cricket supremacy in the Americas.

The tournament will be played in the Open and Masters categories with action starting from 9.00 hrs, with 12 games to be played simultaneously at GDF, Police, Malteenoes, DCC and Ghandi Youth grounds .

At the DCC ground on

L-R Dharam Persaud, Ricky Deonarain and Steve Naraine holding pendants November 6, there will be the Masters and Open Finals along with three exhibition 10/10 female games. The female teams include Mikes Wellwoman, Trophy Stall Angels, 4R Lioness and Blue Divas. The day’s event will start at 10:00hrs.

Over $2M in cash and other

incentives are up for grabs. Tickets cost $1,000 each and will be sold at the gate. Prizes are also up for grabs for spectators who are asked to keep their half tickets in order to be eligible.

According to Deonarine the tournament promises lots of excitement and fans will get their money’s worth.

Rare Test win for West Indies

Digicel launches 8th Guyana Open Golf Classic (See Story on page 31 )

Boodram sets up Group 4 ‘Battle Royale’ (See Story on page 31 )

Shane Dowrich embraces Kraigg Brathwaite after securing victory, Pakistan v West Indies, 3rd Test, Sharjah, 5th day, November 3, 2016 ©AFP (See story on page 27)

Softball Cup MVP pendants revealed (See Story on page 31 )

National Schools Championships officially launched

(See Story on page 30 )

At the head table during yesterday’s launch, from left: Banks Malta Brand Manager, Clayton McKenzie, GTU President, Mark Lyte, Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson, Minister responsible for sports, Nicolette Henry, Marketing and PR Officer, Edison Jefford, Principal Assistant Secretary within the Ministry of Education, Glendon Fogenay, and Digicel’s Marketing Executive,Jacqueline James Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016