Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 05 10 2016

No. 104695

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

Price: $80

GECOM’s woes (VAT Inclusive)

–– DCEO accused of falsifying plane charters, contracts for infomercials

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Woman dies

… after struck by senior cop’s car

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Anmanie Deonarine

The ill-fated car of ASP Grant that struck down the elderly woman

Taxi driver Low income Bridge collapses 17 on Lethem trail shot dead 2 housing for 9 in Tuschen public servants Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

Woman dies after struck by senior cop’s car

SIXTY-FIVE-year-old Anmanie Deonarine of 144 New Road, Vreeden-Hoop, West Coast Demerara was on Tuesday afternoon struck down and killed on the village public road by a motor car being driven by a senior police officer.

The incident occurred when the mother of three was 11 houses away from her home.

Residents said Deonarine would daily visit relatives in the same village, and would usually walk the same path each time.

The driver of the car, PRR 4446, has been identified as Assistant Superintendent Jermaine Grant of the Criminal Investigation Department, who is stationed within ‘D’ Division (West Demerara and East Bank Essequibo).

The officer was reportedly driving in a westerly direction when he lost control of the vehicle and it collided with the elderly woman.

Rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, she was pronounced dead.

Her daughter Nadia Deonarine said she received a

sage she did not realise that her mother was already dead.

“One of my cousins’ wife at the work place informed me of what happened. They just told me she was in an accident. I was told it wasn’t serious, maybe they didn’t want to break the news to me,” she explained.

The daughter said she then called her neighbour and the same message was related to her. An aunt then called and advised that “I should visit the West Demerara Regional Hospital. When I reached there, I was told

Dead: Anmanie Deonarine phone call from a relative informing that her mother was involved in an accident, but at the time of the mes-

she was dead.”

Nadia said she then rushed to the accident scene, where she saw the officer.

“But I didn’t say anything to him because the police have their work to do… My husband went to the police station and made a report.”

Relatives described the 65-year-old as an easygoing individual.

In a statement, police said that Traffic Chief Dion Moore is investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident, which occurred at about 11:30hrs.

Enquiries revealed that the car was proceeding west on the southern driveway and the pedestrian was walking east along the said southern side of the road when the car allegedly veered further south and struck the pedestrian, who was picked up and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where she succumbed whilst receiving treatment.

A breathalyzer test was conducted on the officer by the Traffic Chief himself, and no trace of blood alcohol was recorded.

Taxi driver shot dead in Tuschen TAXI driver Roland Judy, also called Vishal, of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, was shot and killed by bandits aback the Tuschen Housing Scheme early on Tuesday night.

Sketchy reports are that the taxi driver had been hired by two men to take them to the back of the scheme; and while there, he was robbed of his day’s earnings and then shot. Judy reportedly sustained two gunshot wounds about his body. Rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival. The car was found abandoned in an area known as “the Blacka”, located at Block Eight, Phase Two Housing Scheme, Tuschen, EBE. According to Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Leslie James, investigations are still ongoing in the matter.

Police were up to late Tuesday night scouring the area for the killers, and have already questioned several taxi drivers who operate in front of the scheme.

Bandits have, over the years, targeted taxi drivers. This newspaper was informed that Judy would work his car at the head of the Tuschen Public Road.

Dead: Roland Judy

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

GECOM’s woes … DCEO accused of falsifying plane charters, contracts for infomercials

By Ariana Gordon

the invoice, it showed that US$70,800 (were) paid for the air cargo. Where did the difference go?” the source asked, revealing also that there is no evidence to show that the US$163,295 had been used in other areas.

Similarly, for the 2016

THE Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Mr. Vishnu Persaud, has been accused of racketeering during his time as Public Relations Officer (PRO) of that entity, and in the post he currently holds.

Top officials of that elections management body have made this allegation against Mr. Persaud, and have said that moves are in train to have the allegations investigated.

Mr. Persaud has denied all the allegations levelled against him, and has charged that persons at GECOM are out to tarnish his reputation.

The Guyana Elections Commission is currently embroiled in a corruption scandal, with Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowen- D e p u t y C h i e f E l e c field being at the centre of the tions Officer (DCEO)of allegations. However, sources GECOM, Vishnu Persaud within GECOM have also accused the Deputy CEO, Mr. Vishnu Persaud, of mis- Local Government Elecusing funds allocated for the tions held this year, a total of chartering of flights from US$235,500 was allocated Canada to Guyana during the for the same purpose, but the 2015 General and Regional “real cost” was US$62,540, Elections and Local Govern- according to the source. ment Elections held earlier The source has questhis year. tioned why the sum reThe chartered flights con- quested and approved was tained sensitive materials higher -- although not sigused for the two elections: nificantly so -- than that ballot papers, statements of requested and provided for poll (SOPs) and tally sheets. in 2015.

Documents seen by the Guyana Chronicle show that, BALLOT PAPERS in 2015, an allocation of Ballot papers, stateUS$234,095 was provided ments of poll and tally for the aforementioned ser- sheets were produced by vice; however, a source has Canadian company Elecsaid, “When the people sent toral Services International

Inc. Guyana has, over the years, turned to Canada for the production of sensitive material to be used for elections.

Mr. Persaud has said he is not surprised, notwithstanding the mounting allegations.

He told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday that, given his position, he expects that allegations would be placed at his feet.

“I am not responsible for anything (I am accused of) in any way, shape or form,” he said, as he explained that he had no direct monetary transaction with the Canadian company. He has described the allegations as ludicrous.

In the case of 2015, Persaud said, GECOM received invoices from Electoral Services International Inc., but sums of money were never paid or handled by specific individuals. He said it was the Ministry of Finance that approved the payment of the required amounts, and “a wire transfer was done directly to the company.”

“Accountancy records can show and verify what I am saying…. The Tender Board is also involved… so what they are saying…it cannot be…. No money is handled by third parties and middlemen,” he explained.

Seemingly perturbed by the allegations levelled against him, Persaud said it is clear that persons within GECOM have a vendetta against him. “These things are untrue…. It is so malicious!” he remarked, as he told Guyana Chronicle: “The only reason I was involved is because the Commission entrusted me.”

Asked if he could verify his clarification, Persaud said: “I don’t have access to (anything) in the Administrative and Accounts departments.”

A perusal of the contract between GECOM and the Canadian company shows that the company charged GECOM US$320,550 to provide general ballots, tender ballot, tally sheets, statements of poll, indelible ink, PP Seal with sequential numbering, wax seal stamp, and transport by air and charter. However, in the case of transport by air and charter, no specific monetary allocation was made, as was the case with the other items. Instead, that item remained blank.

That aside, the contract indicated that “payment shall be made to the contractor’s (Electoral Services International Inc.) account”. Information specific to that transfer was provided. “Confirmation of wire transfer from the Employer’s Bank to the Contractor shall be sufficient notice of payment of the contract sum,” the contract, dated April 20, 2015, stated.

INFOMERCIALS DECO Persaud has also been accused of handpicking a video production company, TroyTec Video Productions, to produce infomercials for GECOM over the past 5 years. According to the source, from 2011 to the present, TroyTec Video Productions, owned and managed by Troy Christopher who operates out of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was paid ap-

proximately $600M. Asked whether other persons were required to submit quotations to GECOM, the source said, “He (Persaud) would get [other] quotations, but the other persons would be disqualified for one reason or another.”

Guyana Chronicle was informed that Troy Tech Video Productions has reportedly failed to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and reportedly owes in excess of $50M to that entity.

“He (Persaud) did the analysis…he recommended that VAT be paid to Troy Tech…. This is fraud,” declared the source.

Documents seen by this publication revealed that, from 2011 to present, other companies had indeed submitted proposals to provide infomercial service to GECOM, but were mostly unsuccessful.

Guyenterprise, Merundoi, Video Mega Productions, Night Video Production, and Digicel Inc. had submitted quotations and (or) proposals to GECOM for the required services but were sidelined, according to the source.

In defence of TroyTec Video Productions being chosen, Persaud said: “It was not only about the cost.” He said the production company provided the “widest coverage…and the production cost was less.” He added that the process of selection was a transparent one, as advertisements were published in every instance.

But the GECOM source has said that, even with TroyTec receiving the bulk of money for infomercials, “only 50 per cent of the work was completed.”

NOT ME “GECOM has no verification system…The DECO said he monitors, and after monitoring he issues a certificate of performance and recommends final payment,” the source said. Notwithstanding the source’s allegations, Persaud said that before recommendations were made for TroyTec to be paid, statements had to be submitted from all media houses verifying the information was See page 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 05, 2016

Matthew pounds Haiti,Cuba on path toward U.S. THE fiercest Caribbean storm in almost a decade battered Haiti’s southwest coast with 145 mile-per-hour (230 kph) winds and surging seas that flooded coastal towns on Tuesday, tearing at trees and rooftops before moving on to Cuba.

Hurricane Matthew dumped torrential rain across the island of Hispaniola that Haiti shares with Dominican Republic, where four people were killed by collapsing walls and mudslides.

In Haiti, at least one person was killed. By late afternoon, the cyclone was pounding the eastern tip of Cuba, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. In Cuba’s city of Guantanamo, about 100 miles (160 km) from the storm’s core, the winds picked up and streets emptied as people moved to shelters or inside their homes.

Matthew is predicted to maintain Category 4 strength through the Bahamas and weaken slightly as it tracks toward Florida later in the week. With communications out across most of Haiti and a key bridge impassable because of a swollen river, there was no immediate word on the full extent of potential casualties and damage from

the storm in the poorest country in the Americas.

But Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told reporters in Washington the U.S. Navy was looking at possibly sending an aircraft carrier, the George Washington, and other ships to the region to aid relief efforts.

The United States has already offered Haiti the use of some helicopters, said Haitian Interior Minister Francois Anick Joseph, who added that damage to housing and crops in the country was apparently extensive. “It is too early to do a real assessment, but it has been very serious,” Anick Joseph told Reuters. Named for the sandy islands off its shore and twice destroyed by hurricanes in the 18th century, the Haitian port town Les Cayes was hit hard by Matthew. “The situation in Les Cayes is catastrophic, the city is flooded, you have trees lying in different places and you can barely move around, the wind has damaged many houses,” said Deputy Mayor Marie Claudette Regis Delerme, who fled a house in the town of about 70,000 when the wind ripped the roof off.

One man died as the storm crashed through his home in the

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nearby beach town of Port Salut, Haiti’s civil protection service said. He had been too sick to leave for a shelter, officials said.

A fisherman was killed in heavy seas over the weekend as the storm approached, and another was missing. Hurricane conditions remained in parts of Haiti and as much as 3 feet (1 meter) of rain was forecast to fall over hills that are largely deforested and prone to flash floods and mudslides, threatening villages as well as shantytowns in the capital Port-au-Prince.

The hurricane comes at a time when tens of thousands of people are still living in flimsy tents and makeshift dwellings in Haiti after a 2010 earthquake that killed more than 200,000 people. The center of Matthew was 30 miles (45 km) south of the eastern tip of Cuba at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT). It was moving north at about 10 miles per hour (17 kph), the hurricane center said.

Cuba’s Communist government traditionally puts extensive efforts into saving lives and property in the face of storms, and authorities have spent days organizing teams of volunteers to move residents to safety and

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A man stands near a house damaged by Hurricane photo) secure property. The storm is million people in coastal areas expected to hit the tourist town starting Wednesday afternoon of Baracoa in the province of in anticipation of Matthew.

U.S. President Barack Guantanamo, passing close to the disputed U.S. Naval base Obama had earlier canceled and military prison and also to a trip to Florida scheduled a small Cuban city of the same for Wednesday because of name. The U.S. Navy ordered the potential impact of the the evacuation of 700 spouses storm, the White House said. and children along with 65 A hurricane watch was in efpets of service personnel as fect for Florida from an area the storm approached. South just north of Miami Beach to Carolina Governor Nikki Haley the Volusia-Brevard county declared a state of emergen- line, near Cape Canaveral, cy on Tuesday and ordered which the storm could reach an evacuation of more than a on Thursday, the hurricane

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Matthew in Haiti (Reuters center said. “Direct hurricane impacts are possible in Florida,” the center said. It added that tropical storm or hurricane conditions could also affect parts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina later this week, even if the center of Matthew remained offshore. Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for Florida on Monday, designating resources for evacuations and shelters and putting the National Guard on standby. (Reuters)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

Woman denies GECOM ... stealing beverages, groceries From page 3

CHIEF MAGISTRATE Ann McLennan on Tuesday placed a 33-year-old woman of MetenMeer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara on $ 50,000 bail after she was accused of stealing a quality of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and groceries from her employer.

Alicia Brown denied the allegation that between September 29 and October 1, 2016 in the Essequibo River, she stole a quality of beverages worth $189,300 and groceries valued $54,000, property of Lunette Timmerman.

The Police prosecutor did not object to bail. He stated that the accused was employed as a bartender at the owner’s bar. The virtual complainant had placed her in-charge of the items while she was absent.

The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for October 21.

published.

However, when contacted, Troy Christopher said he has not received in excess of $600M from GECOM. He told Guyana Chronicle that he bid for contracts based on advertisements published by GECOM. “I have not received that kind of money,” he said.

He explained that, since 2011, he has been doing work “on and off” for GECOM, and that he is “only a middle man.”

Asked to explain why he does not pay VAT to the Guyana Revenue Authority, he said, “The tender never stated anything about VAT…quotations are submitted with VAT…I don’t charge VAT.” Christopher said he was told by GRA officials that he “can’t sign up for VAT…I have to earn over $10M or thereabout before I can charge VAT.” He explained that his business is an agency which channels money to television stations based on work produced for broadcast. “I don’t know about that

Alicia Brown

kind of money,” he remarked repeatedly.

LEAKING INFO Persaud has also been accused of leaking to the Kaieteur News information about what is perceived to be sinister activities carried out by several senior GECOM officials. Kaieteur News, in its latest article, headlined “GECOM used fake quotation in $100M radio purchase”, dated October 4, 2016, accused senior GECOM officials of using fake quotations to purchase radio sets in the lead-up to the May 2015 elections.

“When I first saw the publication -- or rather heard about it -- I was on vacation in New York…. It was brought to my attention then, and I was shocked; but now this thing is increasing. I have not leaked anything, I don’t have access to (anything)…. If they think I am leaking information, then that’s probably why they are doing things to besmirch my character,” said Persaud.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Planting rice at Wales

THE nation has been advised that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will be converting the sugar lands at Wales into rice fields.

This came as a surprise, given that this was never previously mentioned, or recommended in the recent Commission of Inquiry Report into the industry. It would have been helpful had the people been made aware prior to the decision, and given the justification for the preference.

The decision to plant rice, whether or not the venture is profitable, has been taken in the name of the citizens, given that the corporation is state-owned.

In the absence of a known feasibility study conducted by or on behalf of GuySuCo, the nation is still to be advised accordingly as to the reason behind this decision.

Chairman of GuySuCo, Professor Clive Thomas, once headed the Institute of Developmental Studies at the University of Guyana. With such portfolio, it is reasonable to think it holds expectation that he brings to the Board, and would impress upon colleagues, the utility of evidence-based decision-making. The corporation has, for years, been unable to sustain its operations from its sales, and has had to rely on taxpayers’ bailout to the tune of billions. Apart from money being diverted from other projects of national consideration, the policy makers made a decision

to enter into rice production at a time when market opportunities are limited based on Guyana’s cost of production.

It should be noted that most Asian countries consistently produce in excess of 65 bags per acre, and have three crops per year. In fact, these countries may be able to produce and sell rice at a cheaper cost in Guyana than Guyanese may be able to produce the commodity here.

It is hoped that considerations have been given to these realities when the decision to invest in rice was taken.

Another issue under observation is that in the inquiry into GuySuCo’s operation, the Board Chairman was a member of the panel. While the public is aware that recommendations flowing from the inquiry did not include production of rice, it opens speculation as to whether the views of the chairman are in conflict with others members of the commission.

Administratively and operationally, the atmosphere within the corporation has been marked by continuous conflicts between the company and the workers’ representatives -- the trade unions. This atmosphere lends itself to continuous challenges.

Diversifying GuySuCo is necessary. Efforts in this regard go back decades, and in instances were met with resistance. Its success relies on approaches which would see the development and im-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 05, 2016

A salute to educators everywhere, at every level Dear Editor, THEY are assigned the responsibility to mould the nation, and they keep doing a fantastic job, despite the challenges.

While there remains appreciation for our teachers’ investment in us, today, (5th October) World Teacher’s Day is identified to receive special attention. Thank you for all that you do!

This year’s theme, ‘Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status’, is befitting of all

teachers, who are the fundamental building blocks in nation building.

Students appreciate that you have risen to the mission to mould minds, guide us into opening new vistas of knowledge, unleash talents and abilities, unlearn negative stereotypes, appreciate the destructive nature of discrimination, and bring the wider world to our little world. It cannot be an easy task to harness competing interests and energies; bring together diverse talents, cul-

Let’s help stop suicide Dear Editor, I AM saddened when I read in the newspapers of the wanton loss of life, whether through physical violence, poor health care, road accidents, or suicide. Kindly allow me some space in your column to touch on suicide.

Self-induced death speaks of despair, desperation, and lack of hope.

We seem to have lost that God-consciousness that lets us know (1): that the God of love sees us as valuable, precious; and has a beautiful plan for our lives, despite the seemingly overwhelming problems. (2): There is hope, not only in this life, but in the life to come. (3): Life neither begins nor ends with Man. There’s a God to face at the end of the road, so I urge those who may be contemplating suicide to STOP IN YOUR TRACKS, and CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD. Call on the name of the One in whose honour time itself was divided plementation of projects that would guard against minimising or avoiding untoward consequences. In that GuySuCo has been unable to sustain itself for years, and continues to rely on taxpayers’ funding, further spending must also ensure the appropriate justification and comfort for doing so be given to the people.

The country has already suffered significant losses in what is known as the nation’s largest foreign investment --

- BC (before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini - in the year of Our Lord).

I challenge everyone who is desperate and in despair to call on the name of the Lord in their darkest hour. Simply say: “JESUS, HELP ME!” and I guarantee you that the One who stilled the storm when restless waves threatened to overturn a boat (Matthew 8:24-27) will still the storms of your life; light will break through; and help will soon be on the way…

That help may not come in the form of a supernatural visitation; it may be the neighbour next door, or the friend on the end of the telephone line, waiting to lend an ear or give a helping hand.

M a n y f ro m d i f f e rent religions have called on that Name and have found healing and hope!

May God grant you the grace to call on Him in that midnight hour.

tures and backgrounds in the delivery of universal education. It cannot be easy, yet our teachers have embraced these challenges with effortlessness. This extraordinary group of workers deserves every attention given.

The teacher’s work is never done. When students leave for their respective homes and get about their individual lives, the teacher takes the students’ collective lives to his/her home, preparing future study material, marking papers and simulta-

neously responding to duties within the home.

Teaching is not a job; it is a vocation, a calling, and for that you are valued.

This calling is appreciated by minds moulded and the government of the day, who have undertaken the task to improve the education environment. To teachers everywhere, at every level in the education system: thank you for all that you do.

Regards, SHARMA SOLOMON

Drug abuse destroying families Dear Editor,

Regards, CLAUDIA HEYWOOD

I NOTE with interest our President’s observation to the effect that more resources are needed to fight the drug/narco business.

Besides the trade beyond our borders, a troubling aspect of the narco business is its use locally. This is destroying families, causing killings, the wasting of young people, and generally a big blight on the nation.

In addition, we need to put in place in every educational institution arrangements to keep our children -- from pre-primary to university -- very busy with sporting and cultural activities (dancing, games, music debates etc). In this way, they will have little idle time for drugs.

They will learn from early to see their bodies as God’s gift,

over US$200 million in the Skeldon Factory, which is a white elephant, the debt of which the taxpayers have to repay. It is also remembered that successive People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administrations, in withdrawing from the Consolidated Fund to meet the corporation’s expenses, when questioned were insulting to the populace and used ethnicity as a shield to deny accountability and transparency.

No argument is being made for or against the closing of the industry. What is being sought in the interest of the national good is prudent thinking as to its future; which would also factor in understanding of the role it plays outside of producing sugar. It may not be popular knowledge, but GuySuCo is responsible for a significant amount of the drainage and irrigation infrastructure, including maintenance of canals on the coastland which have their

to be treasured and protected.

This, of course, is a monumental task, and work has started; but it should be made a sine quo non and discussed openly and be a nonpartisan matter. I just visited with some of my grandchildren; one spends three hours after school in the swimming pool. Another, not yet a teenager, spends similar time doing gymnastics training in addition to learning to play two musical instruments. We may not be able to match this sort of programme, but we must aim high to save the next and succeeding generations.

Can we do it? Yes, we can!

Regards, HAMILTON GREEN DNA in the historical roots of the plantation society. At the human level, the corporation faces competing interests more focused on individual interest, which compromises its ability to seek common ground in determining the future of sugar and what is at stake for the country. In such a climate, the survival and/or diversification of sugar and the well-being of the nation require going beyond the parliamentary and political divide.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

Bid Protest Committee clears Puran Bros for Haags Bosch contract THE Bid Protest Committee (BPC) on Friday ruled that Puran Brothers Disposal Inc was legitimately awarded the contract to manage the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill following an appeal by another other contractors who had tendered for the job.

The appeal was made by Morse Archer and Ivor Allen of Cevon’s Waste Management Inc. against the decision to award the contract to Puran Brothers Disposal Inc. In a release the Ministry

of Communities said it however has to await the outcome of a court injunction which is pending in relation to the signing of the contract with Puran Brothers Disposal Inc. “The ministry wishes to assure the public that work will soon begin on other sanitary landfills across the country including Linden, Bartica and Mahdia and contractors through (single or joint venture mechanism) are free to offer and provide such sanitation services.”

However, the ministry

made it clear that it will continue to follow the outlined procedures, protocols, and guidelines outlined in the Procurement Act. A nine-page decision was handed down by Chairperson of the Bid Protest Committee, attorney-at-law, Joann Bond on September 30, 2016. A written ruling was issued to all the parties involved and the committee expressed gratitude to Cevon’s Waste Management Inc. for following through with the process.

The procuring entity has

since been advised to continue with the procurement process. On July 12, 2016, Cevons challenged the decision to award the contract to Puran Brothers for the management of the landfill and requested a review of the award.

Cevon’s based his claim for a review on four main arguments; technical competence, low price, operation methodology and past performance all of which were addressed in the ruling.

Sunken dredge affecting distribution of medical supplies THE Ministry of Public Health may soon have to airlift medical supplies to Issano if efforts to remove the dredge blocking the Mazaruni River channel fail, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said yesterday.

According to GINA, Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Kay Shako is hoping that the channel could be cleared so that supplies could be delivered by the end of this week. However, if efforts to salvage the dredge, which belongs to Crown Mining Company, are unsuccessful, the ministry’s next option will be to transport drugs by air.

The sunken dredge or ‘dragga’ in the Mazaruni Riv-

er is affecting the supply of drugs to health facilities that serve a number of villages along the Mazaruni River.

Medex at the Issano Health Centre, Josephine Murphy has said that since the sinking of the dredge in June, there has been a difficulty in getting medical supplies to the health centre.

“At present, for the first time since the pontoon was in the channel we ain’t (are not) really getting no drugs coming up and we usually use the jet boat,” Medex Murphy said according to GINA. She said further that prior to the sinking of the dredge, the health centre received drugs in a timely manner.

Over the weekend the government engaged a sal-

vager to remove the dredge and a site visit was made last Saturday.

Meanwhile, Murphy noted that the Combined Received and Issued Vouchers (CRIVS) system had been working effectively for the region’s accountability of drugs and other medical supplies. She said the system was used efficiently and completed in a timely manner, resulting in a stable drug and medical supply inventory.

The healthcare worker also told GINA that Isanno has not had any challenges

in the health sector in terms of providing quality health care. Moreover, the hinterland communities have not had any major reports of any serious illnesses or chronic diseases.

Issano is a landing community giving access to mining lands as well as neighbouring Isenero. The health centre at Issano serves an estimated population of just over 100 persons. Persons traversing mining areas would seek medical attention at the health centre, GINA added.

Doing business reforms taking shape – Ministry of Business

OVER the last several months the Ministry of Business said it has been quietly engaging the World Bank International Finance Corporation (IFC) team for assistance in crafting a doing business reforms agenda which would see the ministry taking definitive measures to improve Guyana’s ranking in the doing business index.

Guyana is currently ranked 137 out of 189 countries in the ease of doing business index. In April of this year a World Bank IFC team visited Guyana at the invitation of the Ministry of Business, and met with stakeholders of both the private and public sectors. Those engagements led to an ICT assessment report, a review of laws and regulations that pertains to doing business in Guyana as well as recommendations for short term reforms.

Two of the short term recommendations that were implemented involved placing information on the Ministry of Business’ website. That information pertained to: 1) requirements for obtaining building permits and 2) documents required and fee schedules for property transactions and for accessing maps of land plots.

Earlier this year, there was a significant reform where an amendment to the Credit Reporting Act was passed in the National Assembly. It is expected that this will help to make it easier for borrowers with no collateral but a good credit history to access loan financing.

While these reforms may not necessarily change Guyana’s overall ranking in the 2017 report, the Ministry of Business is committed to an agenda that will see meaningful progress in the coming years.

Already the Ministry has received and accepted offers of assistance from several organisations including the World Bank, to assist with reforms in eight of the technical areas measured (starting a business; dealing with construction permits; getting electricity; registering property; getting credit; protecting minority investors; paying taxes; trading across borders; enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency) in the Doing Business Index and will be prioritising those key reforms which will be pursued in the coming years. (Ministry of Business)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

The state and its role in religious programming

By Akola Thompson WHEN I read Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s announcement that a 24hour religious channel was in the works, my first question was: “Why?” Because of who I am, I instinctively question anything concerning religion; and because I know of this reaction, I took some time to think about the benefits that could possibly come out of such a channel. But at the end of it, my question was still:

“Why?” Why should the government of a secular state be promoting religion when its position should remain neutral? The issue of the 24hour religious channel with the Inter-Religious Organization (IRO) is one which goes back close to a decade.

After individual attempts by various religious bodies to get broadcast licences, those bodies came together as one in order to have a multi-religious channel. They brought this decision to former Pres-

ident Bharrat Jagdeo, who indicated that they would be provided a licence and some funding for their channel. For reasons largely remaining on the speculative side of things, that venture thankfully fell through the cracks.

We, as a people, are all fallible to our own biases, hopes and wants; and as philosophically beautiful as the coming together of various faiths is, I predict that the station would leave a lot to be desired, not only by the viewers, but by those

groups invested in the station as well. With dozens of religious points of view and denominations, particularly in Christianity, I foresee many conflicts arising in terms of who gets airtime when and for how long, and who decides all of this. Is it a matter of which religion happens to be the most popular in the state? The one which is better represented?

I am also very concerned about the content, which would presumably be left up to the IRO, given that the

majority of members have largely conservative views that can actually hinder peace rather than encourage it.

Peace is something the Prime Minister said he is in pursuit of with this channel.

Honestly, I do not see how, with leaders such as Rev. Ronald McGarrell -- who once said “society needs to be protected from homosexual behaviour” -- and a majority of narrow-minded beliefs about women, any kind of tangible peace can be fostered in an already largely

divisive culture.

The IRO, as a religious entity, is free to apply for a broadcast licence, and go through the same process as everyone else seeking one.

To do anything short of that would put the state in hot water, as Government cannot suppress religion.

More of Akola Thompson’s work can be found on her website, akolathompson.com. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to send them to akolathompson@hotmail.com

Vulnerable small states need global support

By Baroness Patricia Scotland Secretary-General of Commonwealth HURRICANE seasons have always been a stark reality of Caribbean life. Many of the natural disasters in the region have made history, personalised by names such as David, Hugo, Felix and Erica. But there is nothing humane about these storms. Nature’s fury is not restrained by considerations for people, property or economic stability. Last week we met Monstrous Matthew, which has already claimed lives and is threatening widespread destruction in the region.

As I travel to Washington to meet with finance ministers from across the Commonwealth, the increasing frequency and intensity of these storms is weighing heavily on my mind. Last year I saw first-hand the terrible cost to lives and the devastation to infrastructure that Dominica experienced when Hurricane Erica wiped out 90 per cent of the coun-

try’s GDP - equivalent to US$483 million. In minutes the storm demolished decades of progress.

In many cases the blow from climatic events to already fragile Commonwealth economies is more than countries can bear. The sad truth is that these storms are linked to manmade climate change, and those suffering most are those who are least responsible for the actions that caused it. As I coordinated disaster relief for Dominica, where I was born, I saw how challenging it was to get the global spotlight on this tiny country. I saw a leader facing the tough possibility of taking out loans to rebuild infrastructure that he still owes money on.

I also became aware of the additional hurdles for those who want to help. For example, the challenges relatives and friends in the UK faced when they tried to send money to support their loved ones. With big international banks closing accounts in smaller institutions in developing countries, to avoid the risk of breaking strict new

anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations, these vital remittances are under threat. It was a sharp awareness of all of these issues that led me to the decision to make climate change a priority during my

Baroness Patricia Scotland term as Secretary-General.

Since news of Matthew broke, I have been speaking to Caribbean leaders to reassure them that the Commonwealth is ready and willing to support the regional Ca-

ribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.

But whilst disaster recovery is critical, we also have to get to the root of the climate-related challenges facing countries right across the Commonwealth. This is why these issues are topping the agenda at the finance ministers meeting. But this meeting is not a talk-shop. I am travelling to Washington with solutions. I will be offering ministers the services of our Climate Finance Access Hub, which opened its doors last month. Working in collaboration with regional organisations such as the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre in Belize, the Pacific Regional Environment Programme in Samoa, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme and the Indian Ocean Commission in Mauritius, the Hub will offer tailored support so Commonwealth countries can better access the billions pledged for climate action.

Our pioneering countercyclical financial instruments will give countries a payment holiday if they are hit by a

natural disaster. This means much needed breathing space in the aftermath of a storm to focus on recovery and to avoid getting into more debt or defaulting on existing debt.

We will also be progressing to our Multilateral Debt Swap for Climate Action proposal, which was endorsed by the United Nations Secretary General and is currently being piloted in the Caribbean.

This will help small states reduce their public debt in exchange for their commitment to use the repayments to finance local climate change projects. Our experts have been examining related issues such as de-risking and its impact on remittances. They will discuss a new report focused on solutions with central bank governors.

We believe our support is invaluable, but we cannot do it alone. So we will continue our long history of advocacy for action on climate change. This dates back to the landmark Langkawi Declaration of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 1989.

Last year decisions made

at CHOGM, on the eve of the COP21 climate change summit, were instrumental in achieving a commitment to a climate change ‘speed limit’ of two degrees and aspirations for 1.5 degrees.

What we need now is for countries’ vulnerability and resilience to climate change to be accounted for in concessional finance arrangements.

We believe the best way to do this is a vulnerability index, which considers a number of factors, including countries’ likelihood of being affected by natural disasters.

Currently, international financial institutions use an income-based measure to determine whether a country is given concessional financing.

Many Commonwealth small states are currently ineligible for this support, despite their obvious vulnerability to violent storms.

As the Caribbean endures the stress and worry of a hurricane season, we at the Commonwealth will use every opportunity; every platform to galvanise support for our small and vulnerable members.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

Low income housing for public servants

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for housing, Valerie Adams-Patterson

APARTMENTS will, in 2017, be constructed for low income earners and state employees, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams-Patterson, has said.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) yesterday quoted Minister Adams-Patterson as saying: “We are focusing on low

income and state employees. If you are a state employee -- a police, soldier, nurse, teacher, etcetera, immediately you are in a category that fits the whole scenario. Income is also taken into consideration for these (houses).”

Diamond, East La Penitence and Cummings Lodge are areas identified for the provision of housing

PGS guard held in attempted bank robbery probe

POLICE have arrested the driver of the Professional Guard Service (PGS) armoured vehicle that came under attack during an attempted robbery at the Demerara Bank Ltd. on Camp Street, Georgetown on Sunday night.

The Guyana Chronicle has been reliably informed that the cellphone records of the PGS team have since been reviewed, and police are looking at the incident from all possible angles to ascertain whether it was an ‘inside job’ gone wrong.

The PGS team has submitted statements to the police as the investigation widens. The owner of the car used in the foiled robbery cannot be located, but it was reported to the police that the car in question had been hijacked in July this year.

Security guards attached to the PGS came under heavy gunfire from bandits on Sun-

day night as they were about to make a late night deposit.

Police, in a statement, reported that three private security guards attached to the Professional Guard Service displayed bravery while on duty at about 23:45h on Sunday night. In the process, they received gunshot injuries and were hospitalized in stable condition.

The security guards, two males and a female, had just collected various amounts of cash for night safe deposit at Demerara Bank Ltd., and while in the process of exiting the armoured vehicle they were in, gunmen in a motor car drove up and opened fire on them, police said.

The security guards adopted tactical positions and returned fire, forcing the motor car to speed away. The car has since been recovered in the Durban Backlands area with evidence that it had been involved in an exchange of

gunfire. A quantity of spent shells and five live rounds of .38 ammunition were recovered at the scene at Demerara Bank Ltd., whilst spent shells were found in the motor car at Durban Backlands.

The shooting occurred when the PGS armoured vehicle arrived at the bank, and the guards, including the one with the bag of cash, exited the vehicle to make the deposit.

The bandits ordered the guards to hand over the bag, but the alert Nicholas De Clou threw the bag containing the money into the vehicle and engaged the bandits in an exchange of gunfire. He sustained gunshot injury, but the bandits were forced to retreat empty-handed in the ensuing gunfight.

According to reports, before the shooting, the getaway car, a Toyota 212, had been observed circling the area where the bank is located, and was eventually parked on Croal Street.

Fire Service to roll out emergency services in November THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS) in collaboration with the Public Health Ministry will commence a five-year programme to introduce Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in November, Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle has said.

EMTs are healthcare providers trained to respond quickly to emergency situations regarding medical issues, traumatic injuries and accident scenes. The pilot project will be facilitated in Region Four and 30 EMTs will be attached to fire stations in the region.

The EMTs are expected to begin work by November with the aim of picking up patients and taking them to a medical facility in a timely manner. The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) will see an increased number of ambulances, more training of emergency medical personnel, and fully equipped

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle medical transportation such as road and water ambulances and aircraft.

The Fire Chief explained that the composition of fire unit and medical personnel from the Public Health Sector will also be part of the initial batch of EMTs. The EMTs will be dispatched to Fire Stations along the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara.

Underscoring that the project will be launched with four ambulances, Gentle said the main aim of the EMTs is to establish medical response ambulance services via land, air and water with a timely response.

In any country, an EMS plays a critical role in delivering quality healthcare services to the public, as it provides the first answer in distressing situations. From the smash-ups on our roads to reports on domestic violence, an early response is one of the key factors in the successful treatment of injuries and the prevention of possible death.

Medical Director of the EMS Department of GPHC, Dr. Zulfikar Bux, who is the local programme director was not available for a comment.

Georgetown Public Hospital officials related that he was on leave.

using methods such as rentto-own and partnerships with housing developers.

In a recent interview with GINA, the minister said Government was discontinuing the 1000 homes turnkey housing project at Perseverance and Providence, given the poor occupancy rate and the number of people still waiting for a house lot.

Single and double-flat apartments, condominiums and duplexes are being considered, since these would allow for more efficient use of available lands, and financing for the condominiums and duplexes has been proposed for the 2017 budget, the minister noted.

Acknowledging concerns raised in some quar-

9

ters, the minister pointed out that the style of buildings will not reduce the individual’s privacy in any way.

“You are not sharing; you have your own space.

It’s a complete apartment with everything. The only space you share is when you go to the stairs or the elevator,” the minister explained.

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Mother fined $100,000 for dumping her baby A 35-YEAR-OLD mother who dumped her baby on a roadway because she did not want the child anymore was on Tuesday ordered to pay a fine of $100,000 by City Magistrate Faith McGusty or she will have to serve three months’ imprisonment.

Jewel Coats of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was charged with willfully endangering a child on September 20 in contravention of the Protection of Children Act 2009.

Coats had pleaded guilty to the charge during her initial appearance on September 23. However, when the magistrate asked the woman why she had left the child on the side of the road, she said, “I did not want it anymore. Let it stay with

the father.”

The mother also detailed her frustrations and cited problems with the baby’s father. However the child’s father testified on Tuesday and told the court that he and Coats had no problem before she left their house on that day.

A family member of the accused told the court that she followed Coats as she proceeded with the baby through West Ruimveldt.

She saw the mother throw the baby onto the roadway and walk away. But when a pit bull dog approached the infant the mother then turned back, picked up the baby and ran away.

The family member said she ran behind Coats and found her at a corner once again throwing the child

Jewel Coats onto the road and leaving it behind.

The infant was picked up and taken to the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

‘From seedtime to Harvest’ launches today RENOWNED educationist and former Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO, Guyanese Carmen Jarvis, now 92, will today launch her autobiography, “From seedtime to Harvest…an account of my life and times”, at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street, beginning at 17:30 hours.

A review of the book was done by renowned professor David Dabydeen.

In the preface of the book, the following words are written: “Apart from allowing us insights into her personal drive to achieve, Mrs. Jarvis’ autobiography offers invaluable glimpses into the condition of British Guianese society from

the 1930s.”

Professor Vibert Cambridge is guest speaker at today’s event, while the author will be introduced by Mrs. Evelyn Hamilton.

Mrs. Carmen Jarvis retired as UNESCO Secretary General twelve years ago at the age of 80, after experiencing a full professional life. In an article in the Guyana Chronicle of December 25th, 2004, just after her retirement, she was quoted as saying that the feeling would be wonderful “waking up one day and telling myself, ‘I have nothing to do today’.”

She, however, added that even at that age, “If anything comes my way, I am definitely going to take it.”

Credit fraudsters get 4 years each CITY MAGISTRATE Leron Daly on Tuesday jailed three women who were found guilty of fraudulently converting in excess of $48M from Telecom Solutions (Guyana).

The women who were each sentenced to four years’ imprisonment were: Melissa Naughton, 38, of Robert Street, Better Hope, ECD; Candacie Marshall, 31, of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown; and Oladara Christian, 32, of Shell Road, Kitty, Georgetown.

The charges stated that between June 25, 2008 and November 23, 2009, they conspired together with other persons to embezzle in excess of $48M in credit from Telecom Solutions Inc. The trio had initially pleaded not guilty and a trial had commenced.

Naughton and Christian were employed as cashiers and they were responsible for selling large amounts of Digicel credit via a computerised system. Marshall was the person who allegedly, from time to time, solicited customers.

The two cashiers had invalidated several transactions which were written off, after which they would revalidate those transactions and sell them to persons and receive the proceeds for themselves.

Police, during their investigation, discovered that the transactions (air time) were sold to persons by the number three accused, but the money was never placed into the company’s account.

On August 31, 2016, the three were found guilty of the offense by Magistrate Daly, after it was found that the prosecution had, beyond reasonable doubt, proven its case against them.

Following a probation report the state prosecutor Ronald Burch-Smith told the court that the defendants were knowledgeable of the penalty they would have to face for the offences they committed, since they were well educated and responsible for the offences they had committed.

Burch-Smith refereed to the trio as white collar criminals, saying that they should be punished the same way as a man who snatched a chain. He suggested that the court send a strong message to others, and not because they were mothers they should not be punished for their actions.

Magistrate Daly considered the fact that they were all adults and of sound mind and understanding, and therefore mature enough to understand the consequences of their actions before handing down the sentence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

117 YEARS AFTER 1899 ARBITRAL AWARD:

Guyana condemns Venezuela for continued aggression GUYANA has condemned Venezuela again for its continued rejection of the 1899 Arbitral Award which settled the border controversy between the two countries. And on the occasion of the 117th Anniversary of the award it reiterates its commitment to a peaceful settlement of the matter.

In a statement government through Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Monday October 3, 2016 was the 117th Anniversary of the 1899 Arbitral Award handed down in Paris and Venezuela marked the occasion on Tuesday with a “vituperative statement unworthy of a law abiding member of the international community.” According to the Guyana Government Venezuela’s statement is a reaffirmation of its disrespect for the rule of law among nations. “It is a frenzied display of ill temper from forces with whom history has caught up revealing the tangled web of falsehoods on which their specious claims to Guyana’s Essequibo were built.”

“Guyana marks the occasion by the issue by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a booklet in English and Spanish — The New Conquistadors/Los Nuevos Conquistadores - which gives an account of the Tribunal’s Award and Venezuela’s sixty-year recognition and respect for it.” The ministry said the booklet commemorates the Award of one of the most prestigious judicial tribunals ever assembled under its most eminent Russian chairman.

“The Venezuelan statement of October 4, 2016 perpetuates the falsities that have marked its predatory campaign and have continued in relation to Guyana’s maritime space. Its greed for territory has added a new dimension of Guyana’s maritime resources,” the government asserted. The New Conquistadors offers to all, the statement said “the true account of these events and illustrates the urgency of the need to bring this egregious Venezuelan misconduct to an end as the international community grapples for the supremacy of law and order worldwide.”

“Guyana continues to uphold and respect the Arbitral Award of 1899. It will defend its validity in the world’s highest courts and expose Venezuela’s sordid

depends.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge efforts to besmirch Guyana’s development agenda.”

The New Conquistadors, the ministry said tells the story of “these unworthy actions and the threats they continue to pose to Guyana, the Caribbean and beyond, through their attack on the sanctity of treaties on which human civilization

FRAUD Meanwhile, in its statement, Venezuela expressed its rejection of what it called “the absurd and irrational actions taken by the government of Guyana to ignore its international commitments.”

Through its statement, Venezuela said that Guyana has alluded “false protections based on lies and subterfuge” for the purpose of generating a situation of aggression against the country.

Caracas, however reaffirmed its commitment to peace to reach a solution to the controversy over the Essequibo territory, as Venezuela has requested the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, reactivate the process of good offices in force, in accordance with the established 1966 Geneva Agreement.

Police issue wanted bulletins for Dataram, wife ANJANINE Boodnarine, called ‘Cindy’, and Barry Dataram, called ‘Kevin Dataram’ or ‘Kevin Mogatani’, are wanted by the police for possession of ammunition without licence, and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The offences were reportedly committed on April 16, 2015 at Lot 661 Block X, 4th Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Anjanine Boodnarine, called ‘Cindy’, and Barry Dataram, called ‘Kevin Dataram’ or ‘Kevin Mogatani’, is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 227-2128, 226-1389, 2267065, 268-2343, 268-2298, 225-2227, 911, or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Dataram and his reputed wife were charged, along with their friends Trevor Gouveia and Komal Charran, with having, on April 16, 2015, some 129.23kg of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.

However, only Gouveia and Chandan showed up to hear

WA N T E D : A n j a n i n e Boodnarine, called ‘Cindy’ the ruling of Magistrate Judy Latchman recently. Dataram and his wife were a no-show at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, but Magistrate Latchman fined the convicted drug lord $164.2M and sentenced him to 60 months’ imprisonment for being in possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Arrest warrants were then issued for the Guyana-born American Dataram and his reputed wife Boodnarine. Dataram had in the past successfully fought off efforts to extradite him to

WANTED: Barry Dataram, called ‘Kevin Dataram’ or ‘Kevin Mogatani’ the United States of America to face drug-smuggling charges.

The couple’s last known addresses have been given as Lot 79 Patentia, WBD; Lot 76 Patentia, WBD; Lot 13 Vriesland, WBD; and Lot 661 Block X, 4th Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD. Anjanine Boodnarine, called ‘Cindy’, is an East Indian female whose date of birth has been given as 1995-09-01; while Barry Dataram’s date of birth has been given as 1978-01-07.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

PPP nudges Gov’t to set up Local Gov’t Commission

DECLARING that “two wrongs can’t make a right”, the People’s Progressive Party on Tuesday called on the APNU/AFC Administration to avoid making the same mistake it had made in failing to appoint the much-vaunted Local Government Commission (LGC).

Approximately 100 protesters, mainly members and supporters of that party -chanting: “Who is the bully?

Bulkan!” -- marched outside the Ministry of the Presidency on Tuesday in an attempt to push Government to appoint the commission.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, is responsible for appointment of the Local Government Commission, and PPP spokesman Zulfikar Mustapha told the press that the minister has been in the habit of postponing the appointment of that vital body.

Mustapha said the main opposition party decided to take protest action on Tuesday, and will continue such until the Commission is appointed and installed by the minister.

Mustapha said the PPP is disgusted, since “the Minister of Communities is not setting

up the Local Government Commission although we have named our three representatives…. He has given a number of dates (when) he will appoint this Local Government Commission. Up to now, we have not seen the Local Government Commission appointed as yet.”

The party spokesman said the last date given by Minister Bulkan to appoint the commission was September 30. The party is calling on President David Granger to instruct Minister Bulkan to appoint the commission at the earliest possible time, to facilitate proper administration of the affairs of local authorities.

“The Local Government Commission is supposed to play a very important role to ensure that NDC budgets are passed (and) appointment of NDC officials and other local authority officials (is done),” Mustapha said.

Asked if the PPP, when in power, had not also failed to appoint the Local Government Commission, Mustapha told the press, “Two wrongs don’t make a right”.

The PPP had, several months ago, appointed three

$17.6M set aside to refurbish Anna Regina Police Station BUILDERS Hardware and General Supplies has been awarded a contract in the sum of $17.6M to refurbish the dilapidated Anna Regina Police Station, the Ministry of the Presidency announced last week.

This police station has been in a deplorable state for some time now.

Some 18 police stations across the country will be rehabilitated under the second component of the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP). This component seeks to improve effectiveness of the Guyana Police Force and the Forensic Laboratory in preventing crimes and conducting criminal investigations.

Initially, 12 stations would be remodelled to include: a department for domestic violence cases, and domestic violence case room with the provision of accommodation for children; witness protection room; an automated case management room; area for management of the public, and a listening room.

The CSSP is in the process of hiring a consultant to begin designs for the first 12 stations which have been identified for rehabilitation: Mibicuri; Cane Grove; La Grange; Mackenzie; Kwakwani; Enachu; Issano; Aishalton; Annai; Suddie; Aurora and Mabaruma.

Selection of stations was based on recommendations made by the Guyana Police Force to the Project Manager of the CSSP, Clement Henry. Henry told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that these stations were considered the ones most in need.

Component Two is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) at a cost of $US5.5M. The CSSP is a five-year programme.

possible representatives Clinton Collymore, Norman Whittaker and Carol Sooba.

“We were waiting on them; they had written to us…

As soon as we received the letter, we appointed our people, then we sent our nominees to them; and, up to now, they are holding those names and they have not appointed anybody,” Mustapha said.

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PPP member Zulfikar Mustapha leading the protest outside the Ministry of the Presidency

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

Concerns grow over ‘expensive’ U.G US trip … lecturers, students demand financial report

By Zena Henry STAKEHOLDERS of the country’s premier tertiary education facility are patiently awaiting a financial report to provide clarification on what some are calling a financially-extravagant promotional and fundraising trip to the Unites States on behalf of the University of Guyana by a team led by its ViceChancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith.

The Guyana Chronicle was able to confirm that the VC and his team had gone to North America to promote and expose UG some weeks ago. The idea was to provide linkages between UG and universities in the United States in a bid to identify the needs of the local institution, while creating a partnership that would allow the university’s growth and advancement. However, staffers, students, as well as some senior personnel at the Turkeyen-based institution have expressed dissatisfaction over the funding of the trip.

It is alleged that about 14 staffers were taken on the promotional trip, costing the institution more than US$30,000. Sources claim however that as little as

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith US$8,000 was collected as part of the trip’s fundraising aspect. “This has added to the initial cost concerns and vindicated those who would have voted against this trip,” a senior official at UG told the Guyana Chronicle.

A member of the university’s financial department confirmed that a large amount of money was expended on the trip, with meagre funds being returned.

The source refused to give the exact figures utilised but noted that the situation has sparked negative reactions.

It was mentioned that “several thousands (in) US was

spent.”

A senior member of the University of Guyana’s Senior Staff Association (UGSSA), who spoke under anonymity, also confirmed the brewing matter at the university. “Yes, I am aware that there has been some expression of discomfort,” relating to this issue, the union staffer said. She however refused to delve into the matter since a financial report on the trip is expected from the VC and prefers to wait until that is handed over. “We were told that a report will be made available shortly. I don’t know what exactly shortly means, but I assume that will be in a matter of weeks.”

The union member noted however, that she is not too concerned about the financing of the trip since her information is that a significant amount of the trip had been sponsored. It was noted also that the trip was not exactly meant to recover money since it was basically to seek various forms of support and partnerships with the American universities that were visited. The union member has nonetheless reserved further

comments until the report is produced.

Back in September Professor Griffith had hailed the US trip as a success. He told a news conference that the visit was in response to an invitation from the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc (GCA) to “fund and friend-raise” at the association’s 2016 Labour Day Weekend events. “Part of the value-added of that meeting is not only how much cash we brought back then. It is what we are setting the stage to bring back, cash, equipment, talent and technical assistance,” he reasoned.

He had acknowledged that the expense for the trip was funded entirely by UG. He had committed to providing a full financial statement. “We will produce in about a week or so, a full financial statement. Part of why we cannot do it at this stage are two reasons: all the receipts and accounting at the New York end are not done and we have some of the income [that] will be from the selling of newsletters and UG T-shirts,” he said, adding that he wants a “comprehensive report,”

Griffith said at the news conference on September 15.

Registrar of UG, Dr Nigel Gravesande, also said the event was a “successful engagement,” noting that there were fruitful discussions with colleges that UG is trying to partner with. Dr Gravesande pointed out that there is a growing recognition that UG must be a national strategic asset. As such, he noted that this asset has to be recognised in and out of Guyana, which underscored the need for such an engagement beyond the shores of Guyana. “Our engagements with the diaspora were very instructive,” the registrar said, explaining that the engagements varied in nature.

Only recently the Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC) of the university endorsed the Vice Chancellor’s “bold and all-time-high budget request to the Government of Guyana of $5.2 billion for financial year 2017.”

In a statement UG had said that it needs $3.0 billion for recurrent expenditure and $2.2 billion for capital works.

“The priorities of the administration focused on increased salaries for academic and non-academic staff, the provision of basic supplies and facilities that have been undermining efficiency and morale for years, campus security, and improving several of the facilities that negatively impact health and safety, as well as security,” the statement said.

The new buildings proposed by the Griffith administration include a new library and an academic complex to house the Business School, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the School of Graduate Studies and Research, and the Office of Undergraduate Research.

The matter involving the America trip has gained traction following the university’s recent announcement that it was increasing tuition fees. Students protested the increase and argued that the administration did not speak with them over the increase.

The UG administration has since decided to delay the implementation of the increase.

Youths to be involved in restoring co-operatives – Minister Scott

THE Department of Labour of the Ministry of Social Protection is working to resuscitate democratic co-operatives across Guyana, and youths are to be involved in the process, Minister with responsibility for Labour within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, has said.

Earlier in the year, Minister Scott had said the ministry was working on crafting a policy to propel the cooperative society movement, the Government Information Agency (GINA) had reported.

GINA said Minister Scott had met with members of the co-operative societies in Region Three, at a meeting held at Goed Intent Village, WBD on Monday, and had detailed that the ministry plans to visit all the co-operative societies to assist them in restructuring their systems; and those that are able to manage themselves properly would be assisted further.

However, in the case of those that are corrupted, interim management councils would be set up to ensure systems fall in line, Minister Scott explained. He said further that the ministry plans to bring on stream thrift societies and children’s credit unions.

The minister plans to have another meeting with members of the co-operative societies of Region Three, since he did not consider one meeting enough to cover the

issues of that region.

There are currently more than 1,000 functioning co-operatives in Guyana, all of which are currently being audited.

“What we need to have in place is total accountability: auditing accounts that must be audited, and a cooperation existing between the league and each co-operative; because we need to understand that we have obligations to the league, we need to understand that we have obligations to the members,” Minister Scott is quoted as saying.

Members of co-operatives within Region Three met with Minister Scott at Goed Intent Village on Monday

Miner killed during row at Sand Hills TWENTY-FIVE-year-old Richard Culpepper of One Mile, Potaro was fatally stabbed by another miner during a heated argument last Sunday at Sand Hills, Cuyuni Mazaruni (Region Seven).

According to the police, a group of men were imbibing when a row began.

It turned into a fight, and the suspect

stabbed Culpepper in the chest with a knife. He has since fled further in the back dam.

Police say it is unclear what led to the fatal stabbing, but several miners had gathered for a ‘drink’ when the incident occurred. They have since revealed the identity of the suspect, whom police are seeking to apprehend.

Divisional Commander Rabindranauth Budhram has said that ‘disorderly murders’ have always been a problem in the hinterland, as most miners imbibe heavily and get into drunken brawls over women, among other things. He related that the leading contributors to these incidents are alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and

worksite disputes involving workers and bosses.

According to police statistics, ‘F’ Division has recorded 13 murders, most of which have been disorderly murders committed between January and September 2016. For the corresponding period last year, this division had tallied 17 murders.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

Faulty wiring cited as cause of McDoom blaze

FIRE Chief, Marlon Gentle said the fire which left 16 persons homeless at 49-50 Middle Street, McDoom, East Bank Demerara last Friday is suspected to be electrical in origin, citing faulty wiring as a major contributing factor.

The Fire Chief however noted that investigation is still on going in the matter.

He pointed out that investi-

gators had discovered several illegal electrical connections leading to the homes and bedroom.

On Friday last, Guyana Chronicle visited the fire scene and spoke with one of the victims, Onika Welch who lived with her four children and granddaughter at Lot 50, which consisted of an upper and lower apartment, while two houses

were in Lot 49. Welch said that she resided in the upper flat of the building, while the tenants in the lower flat were not at home when the fire started sometime after 01:30hrs on Friday.

The woman said she was asleep and was awakened by the immense heat and she immediately ran into the children’s room to ensure their safety and hur-

Onika Welch points to what is left of her home at Lot 50, Middle Street, McDoom ried of the house screaming “fire.”

Welch said she alerted other residents in the nearby houses, which are situated very close to each other, as they were all asleep. She

The aftermath of the fire

related that she had no time to save any of her valuables as the fire quickly razed the two houses next door. Welch is not sure what caused the fire and estimated her losses to be more than $1M.

The woman had criticised the response from the Guyana Fire Service, alleging that the fire tenders had no water after showing up some two hours after the blaze erupted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

Guyanese feeling the ‘squeeze’ in Nickerie

By Alva Solomon

AS THE Surinamese economy hangs in freefall mode, Guyanese businesses in Nickerie are feeling the effects of the sliding Suriname Dollar (SRD) and persons are contemplating returning to these shores after several decades of being away. Food and

Deonarine Persaud, a pensioner who moved to Suriname from Berbice basic commodity prices in Suriname have climbed in recent months, and during a recent visit to the border district of Nickerie, in the western part of the Dutch-speaking Caricom country, most persons who spoke with this publication echoed similar sentiments: that business is slow, and some persons have closed their small commercial operations.

Last Saturday morning, businessman Ragoemani Munnsami stood over his stall of spices, which he has been marketing for years at the Nickerie Market. He said he migrated to the area more than three decade ago, looking for work. He changed jobs: from being

a security guard to being a bodywork technician; and he even worked in the fishing industry before setting up his own business a dozen years ago.

As time progressed, he settled on vending at the Nickerie Market.

His trade includes the purchasing of spices and herbs, including geera, Chinese spice, curry powder and black-pepper, among others. He pointed to a packet of masala which he sells for SRD$4 per 75-gram packet. A year ago the item was selling at SRD$2 for the same quantity. The prices of most other spices on his stand have been doubled in recent months.

Munnsami said he relocated to Suriname around 1990, when “things in Guyana (were) hard and we come over here and we find it easy.”

He does not own a mill, hence he pays a private entity to grind his spices, which he retails at the market. These days, however, sales are not bringing the profits he would wish for. The for-

… mull returning home as SRD slides

mer West Coast Demerara resident noted that while Guyana’s economy is set to take off, he cannot envisage relocating, since he has built his life in the Dutch-speaking nation.

His children are all grown, and are employed in the public sector in Nickerie.

Further down the row in the neatly–kept market, another Guyanese vendor complained about the prices of commodities such as rice being costly. While not giving her name, she explained that the unstable SRD has been affecting business, and the consumers have felt the effects. Things have become expensive in the shops, she said.

Having moved to Suriname in the early 1990s, she has also built her life there, and has raised her two daughters in Nickerie. Now in her 50s, she said, she is contemplating relocating to Berbice, where she resided origi-

This Berbice–born vendor complained of the rising prices of commodities in Nickerie

A variety of tree barks which are used as nutritional supplements are on sale at the Nickerie Market

nally, but that decision is one the family will have to discuss.

“One kilo of rice was affordable at the time,” she said, as she recalled her early days in Suriname.

A walk around Nickerie would create an impression that the costof-living is not affecting persons, since most households own a car, and vehicles are being sold at affordable prices there.

But Deonarine Persaud, who moved to Suriname from Berbice on November 6th, 1990, noted that the SRD has been fluctuating over the past year, and this has had a direct effect on the econ-

Guyanese-born vendor Ragoemani Munnsami at his stall last Saturday omy. As a result, cost-ofliving is increasingly becoming difficult for some.

“That is the thing that killing business now,” he said of the sliding SRD, noting that he is examining the situation carefully. “If it doesn’t change, I have my property in Guyana as well, so I can always go home,” he said in a matter–of-fact tone.

Persaud expressed optimism about the Guyanese economy as he listed the various sectors which he noted would catapult development here. “Oil in Guyana would be the boss,” he declared as he noted that if Guyana’s economy booms in the years ahead, he would definitely relocate to Bush Lot. “It’s no big thing to relocate,” he added.

Like many other persons who spoke to this publication, Persaud had

moved to Suriname in search of greener pastures. He was, in fact, attempting to go beyond the Dutch-speaking nation, but relatives had

persuaded him to stay in Suriname. He said his last job was that of a supervisor at an aviation company which was involved in crop-dusting. Since retiring, he said, he travels to Guyana frequently.

“I’m looking at things, and if it doesn’t get better, Guyana is always home,” he added.

There are an estimated 3,000 Guyanese residing in Nickerie, most of whom are employed in the fishing and banana industries, while others work in the rice sector.

Surinamese authorities have reported in a recent New York Times’ article that the current economic free-fall is t e m p o r a r y. E c o n o my Minister Gillmore Hoefdraad told the New York Times that the economic crisis is temporary, and will improve when gold and oil prices recover. For the Guyanese population in Nickerie, the situation is being carefully analysed.

Several motorcycles parked outside the Nickerie Market

A Guyanese vendor stands beside his stalls where he sells fruits and cash crops

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

PPP ups calls for swear-in of PPC THE People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has increased its call for Government to swear in the members of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) while maintaining that the body ought to remain independent of political interference.

In power for 23 years before losing the May 2015 General Elections, the PPP has said that Article 212 of the Guyana Constitution speaks to the independence of the PPC, the election of a chairman and deputy chairman of the PPC by its members, and establishment of a secretariat, among other things.

“Therefore it appears that the President and the Prime Minister are unfamiliar with the constitutional provisions, or they are being badly advised; or that there has been a decision to not comply with these provisions,” the party said in a statement on Tuesday.

President David Granger recently said that members of the Public Procurement Commission have not been sworn in because of administrative concerns relative to their terms of reference. He told reporters on his weekly

televised programme, ‘The Public Interest’, that he is ready to swear in those nominated.

“The parliamentary opposition reiterates that the setting of the terms of reference is not the remit of Government, but of the Commission and Commissioners (themselves), where only the National Assembly and the Public Accounts Committee have specified roles,” the PPP has said.

The party has reiterated its concern about the delay in the swearing in of the Commissioners, who are to establish their own terms of reference for the hiring of staff and the development of their budget and secretariat. The PPP is against Government or its agencies being involved in “setting up the TORs of the Commission, (and) the hiring and setting of salaries for the Secretariat in the absence of the properly constituted and sworn in Public Procurement Commission, and in violation of the Constitution.”

The PPP believes that there is “no acceptable reason for further delay in the swearing in of the Commission-

ers”, and noted that when Parliament resumes next week, the Public Accounts Commission, which is chaired by the party, will be carrying out its functions as outlined in the Constitution.

“We also reiterate that this delay is highly suspect. The then opposition having amended the Section 54 (1) and (6) by removing the Cabinet’s “No objection” role in the award of tenders, and having held the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill 2013 ransom in the 9th Parliament until, as the AFC stated, the PPC was appointed and established, this delay is not just inexplicable; it is immoral, belying their rhetoric over the last 13 years and election promises.”

The PPP believes that with several scandals lingering over the APNU+AFC, it is only fitting that the Commission gets to work. It is believed that the Sussex Street bond scandal should be one of the first issues investigated by the Commission.

Emily Dodson, Carol Corbin, Ivor English, Sukrishnalall Pasha and Dr. Nanda Gopaul have been nominated to serve on this Commission.

Job-hunting teen goes missing

AN 18-YEAR-OLD boy of No 2 Village, East Canje is missing since Thursday last after he left his home in search of work.

According to the sister of the young man Diane Bhagwandin, her brother Dinesh Bhagwandin called ‘Jadoo’ left their home Thursday morning to go to #43 Village to seek a job as a fisherman on a boat.

He reportedly called around 13:00h the said day and said he secured a job and will be going out to do a double trip.

However, relatives have not seen or heard from the young man since.

She said he never called but on Saturday someone called and asked who she was to ‘Jadoo’ and related that Missing: Dinesh he fell overboard and Bhagwandin hung up the phone. Diane said her brother who has been a fisherman since the age of 13 does not have any fixed employer and they are not aware of who he went out with or which boat he was working on.

They have since launched a search with relatives checking in Suriname and Guyana for any information that might lead them to the boat or crew.

Bhagwandin is the youngest of six siblings and is said to be a quiet young man, who lives with his sister at 2nd Street, Number 2 Village, East Canje, Berbice.

Bridge collapses on Lethem trail

MOTORISTS operating the Linden/Lethem road were forced to operate with extreme caution after a bridge located close to the Mabura junction collapsed.

The bridge, which was built with several logs

compacted with mud, gave way on Monday, disrupting the flow of traffic along the roadway. It is unclear if the situation has been remedied but persons familiar with the situation noted that the smaller vehicles can operate along the route,

while larger vehicles such as trucks have to exercise caution when traversing the area.

At the moment the roadway is reportedly dusty and dry and reports are that the logs used in constructing the bridge in question may

have outlived their time.

The Linden/Lethem road provides a vital economic link between Lethem and the coastland.

However, for years the state of the roadway has affected travel along the route.

Recently, top European Investment Bank official, Pim van Ballekom said that it is one of several relative projects which the bank is examining. He said that he was informed that it is a project which is long overdue and stated that a gov-

Persons stand around the damaged structure on Monday (Michael McGarrell photo)

ernment minister informed that the roadway should have been built some 55 years ago.

The EIB official described the project as one which is “mature”, and said the task now is to examine and realise it.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

Guyanese man jailed in BVI for molesting teenage boy

GUYANESE native Oliver Lewis, 34, was sentenced to three and half

years in prison after being found guilty of six counts of gross inde-

cency with a 13 year-old boy in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

The court brought this decision during Lewis’ appearance on October

Oliver Lewis [Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News] 3. Prior to him being sentenced, in mitigation, the accused told the court that prison is not for him and his time spent there while on remand was not a good experience.

“Throughout the entire time spent in prison, it wasn’t a good experience.

Prison is not for me. I’ve learnt patience while in

prison and I’m sorry for wasting the court’s time,” said the accused.

Lewis was also ordered to compensate the minor with US$10,000.

Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste Dabreo, who presided over the case noted, “In no way is the court saying that any monetary sum can make up in any way for this act. The fine is necessary to provide him with counselling needed in terms of everything that happened.”

According to court records, between April and June 2013 at Lambert and Mount Healthy, BVI, Lewis performed sexual acts, including oral sex on the 13 yearold. He also influenced the boy to perform oral sex and other acts on him (Lewis).[BVI Platinum News]

Girl, 8, allegedly raped by 49-year-old joiner

POLICE have arrested a Berbice man for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl at Glasgow Village, East Bank Berbice.

According reports the primary school pupil lives with her mother and two younger siblings within the East Bank Berbice community. The mother, a single parent, is employed as a maid and would sometimes venture out to work, leaving her children at home. It is not uncommon for the minor to visit the suspect’s house in attempt to solicit food or financial assistance in her mother’s absence.

Guyana Chronicle was told that last Friday as the child and her brother were walking home from school the alleged rapist requested that she ran an errand for him at a nearby shop. But, before doing so, she was required to go to his home to collect the requisite money, even as her brother waited outside.

However, the wait for his sister extended longer than anticipated and as a result the younger sibling ventured into the suspect’s house, where he saw the suspect lying on top of his sister, whose underwear was off. The boy raised an alarm after which the suspect hid under his bed. The children ran and reported the matter to their mother, who subsequently reported the incident to the police.

The girl was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where doctors confirmed that she had been sexually violated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

All-weather road from #58/59 Villages to Canje Creek proposed

AGRICULTURE Minister, Noel Holder last week accepted a proposal to begin discussions for the construction of an all-weather road from #58/59 Villages to Canje Creek.

Upon completion, over 8000 farmers stands to benefit from the project as it offers better access to farm lands in the Berbice area.

The proposal was made by the Berbice Regional Representative, Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Gobin Harbhajan. The Regional Chairman of Berbice, Mr. David Armogan also lauded the benefits of the project adding that access to lands is one of the factors hindering further agricultural development in the region.

In an invited comment, Mr. Harbhajan explained that in 2006, the former president of the Upper Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. David Subnauth brought the idea of an all-weather road from the public road to the Canje Creek, but he saw no avenue at the time whereby he could ventilate the project.

“In 2015 when the Coalition government came into power I decided to rekindle this idea, which I know would receive the focus it deserved. I then discussed the idea of this project with the owners of Nand Persaud and Company Limited, who agreed that the construction of this road will make a vast amount of scarce lands available to farmers,” Harbhajan said.

Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder welcomed the project adding that such collaboration is needed to fully unlock the potential of the agriculture sector in the Region. “Such a project will have a direct effect on the economic growth of the Region and seeks to provide a better livelihood for farmers and their families,” he said.

He further noted that such a project will significantly boost agriculture production in the ancient county since agriculture is the backbone of the region’s economy. A series of meetings were held with over 20 farmers, other stakeholders and the CEO of the National Drainage

and Irrigation Authority, Mr. Freddy Flatts.

The team from NDIA will be working with the Lands and Surveys department of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to get the project on the way. It was pointed out by Mr. Harbhajan that lands previously cultivated have been abandoned due to the deplorable state of the existing mud dam. Additionally, the area will not only see the cultivation of rice but other crops such as coconuts, provisions and citrus fruits. Processing plants will also be set up in the two industrial sites earmarked.

The $900M investment will also pave the way for additional rice lands to be brought under cultivation.

The next phase of the project will see the team engaging the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, after which the proposal will be sent to Cabinet for approval.

The team comprised Mr. Gobin Harbhajan, Office of the Prime Minister Representative in Berbice, Mr. Lakhram Singh,

Vice-Chairman, Works Committee of No. 52-74 NDC, Mr. Mohindra Persaud of Nand Persaud and

Company, Mr. Ramlagan Singh, Farmer and Member of the Rice Producers Association (RPA) and Mr.

Haseef Yusuf, RDC councillor and Public Relations Officer, Nand Persaud and Company Limited. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

GFSCA International ‘Guyana Softball Cup 6’ launched … tournament to bowl off November 4 with 24 teams

THE softball cricket scene of Guyana is expected to once again see much excitement as the annual Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) sixth annual threeday international `Guyana Softball Cup 6’ makes its return.

At a press conference held at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in Queenstown yesterday, it was announced that the sixth instalment of the tournament will bowl off on November 4.

According to GFSCA president Ramchand Ragbeer, the competition has grown significantly since its inception in 2010 and he is excited at seeing a good tournament ahead.

“We have seen the tournament getting bigger and better, so much so, to become one of the best in the country,” stated Ragbeer. “I hope to see a good tournament ahead, and a big thank you to the sponsors and teams who have made it possible.”

Also speaking was GFSCA vice-president Ricky Deonarain who gave details concerning the tournament including when it will be held in addition to the teams who will compete.

“The GFSCA sixth Annual three-day International Softball tournament is set for November 4, 5 and 6 at various venues in Georgetown.

24 teams are expected to

take part and `Guyana Softball Cup 6’ will be played in two categories: Male Open and Male Masters.

Deonarain also went on to state that 10 teams are expected from New York, Florida and Canada with the other 14 teams coming from Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara.

“There will be 36 preliminaries with four semi-finals, male open and masters finals. A female 10/10 exhibition game will be played, amounting to a total of 43 games in three days of competition,” Deonarain explained.

The representatives of the three sponsors present all stated that their companies were interested in continuing partnership with the GFSCA and were happy to see the growth of the tournament.

Last speaker Gervy Harry, on behalf of the National Sports Commission (NSC), extended his congratulations to the GFSCA for organising another competition.

Harry said he would like the association to encourage more females to be involved in positions on the executive body.

He also had words of encouragement to give to the GFSCA and their sponsors.

“Keep on keeping the sponsors. We at the NSC are always ready to partner with sport associations for the benefit of the sport.”

“To the GFSCA I say, everything you do you must have dignity and importance and must be done with excellence, your examples must inspire others … learn to take the lead and lead by example … seek ways to build up rather than tear down and whatever you do, whether small or large, must help improve the game,” Harry stated.

There will be ten teams playing in the `Guyana Softball Cup 6’ Open. Fourteen teams will play in `Guyana Softball Cup 6’ Masters.

The prizes for Champion team in the Open category are: winning trophy plus $800 000, runner-up trophy plus $200 000.

MVP in the final will receive a trophy while Player-of-the-Series will receive a cricket gold pendant (14-carat) with diamond encrusted, compliments of Steve’s Jewellery.

Prizes for the Champion team in the Male Master category are: winning trophy plus $600 000, runner-up trophy plus $150 000.

MVP of the final will receive a trophy while Playerof-the-series will also receive a cricket bat gold pendant (14-carat) with diamond encrusted, again compliments of Steve’s Jewellery. There will also be plaques for special performances: centuries and five-wicket hauls. These will be provided with the compliments

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of Trophy Stall.

Four ticket-holders stand a chance to win a fully-paid trip for two to Baganara Resort, Kaieteur/Orinduik Falls, Arrowpoint Resort, and Aruwai Resort

White H20Water for one night, compliments of Survival Travel Agency.

Sponsors for Guyana Softball Cup 6 are: STAG, RUBiS Guyana, Trophy Stall,

Survival Group of Business, Steve’s Jewellery, Clear Waters, Busta Soft Drink, Rohan Auto Spares, A & R Jiwanram Printery, W.J Enterprise and Mike’s Pharmacy.

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CHAIRMAN of the Football Association (FA) Greg Clarke has been called to face questions from MPs amid several cases of alleged corruption within the game.

He will go before the Culture, Media and Sport committee after a series of

claims by the Daily Telegraph.

The allegations have already led to Sam Allardyce losing his job as England manager.

The committee said recent events had shown “continuing major failings” in the system of football gov-

ernance.

The FA’s director of governance, Darren Bailey, will also give evidence at the hearing on October 17.

Allardyce left his post last week after claims he told undercover reporters posing as businessmen how to “get around” player transfer rules.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 05, 2016

Among other claims reported by the Telegraph, former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp is alleged to have said his players bet on the result of one of their matches.

Greg Clarke took over as FA chairman in August.

The newspaper also claimed that eight current or ex-Premier League managers had taken bribes for player transfers.

The commons committee issued a strong statement saying it had “repeatedly urged the football authorities to improve self-governance”.

“Although the committee’s recommendations have been backed by successive sports ministers and progress has been promised by the FA, in practice very little has changed: the governance of football is cumbersome, and power lies with the clubs, especially in the Premier League,” the statement said.

It added: “Real reform

in relation to the ownership of clubs, transfers of players, the influence of fans, the role of agents and investment in the grassroots - amongst other issues - has stalled.”

In the last Parliament, the committee recommended legislation to enforce good governance if no further progress had been made.

Following the revelations, ex-FA executive director David Davies said the FA was “screaming out to be reformed” while former FA chief executive David Bernstein, said the organisation produced “poor results” adding “it isn’t a coincidence these things keep happening”. (BBC Sport)

Sharapova’s doping ban cut to 15 months (REUTERS) Maria Sharapova has been cleared to return to tennis next April after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the former world number one’s two-year drugs ban by nine months yesterday.

Sharapova, who will now be clear to return from April 26 and can play in three of the year’s four grand slams, said she could not wait to get back on court.

The 29-year-old Russian, whose case polarised opinion and lost her sponsorship, was handed the original ban backdated to start on January 26, 2016 - by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) following a positive test for the drug meldonium.

Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of banned substances at the start of the year after mounting evidence that it boosted blood flow and enhanced athletic performance.

The arbitration panel reduced the ban to 15 months and found that she “bore some degree of fault” through relying on her agent Max Eisenbud to check the prohibited list for changes and failing to ensure he had done so.

In a statement hailing one of the happiest days of her career, and criticising the ITF at the same time, Sharapova said she had learned a lesson and hoped the authorities had too.

“In so many ways, I feel like something I love was taken away from me and it will feel really good to have it back,” the fivetime grand slam champion wrote on her facebook page.

“Tennis is my passion and I have missed it. I am counting the days until I can return to the court.”

Sharapova, who earned $29.7 million last year as the world’s highest paid female athlete, had called the ITF’s original ruling “unfairly harsh” as an independent tribunal had found that she had not intentionally violated antidoping rules.

The player admitted taking meldonium during the season’s opening grand slam in Melbourne but said she had been unaware that it had been banned

by WADA. ‘UNDER THE BUS’ “I have learned from this, and I hope the ITF has as well,” said Sharapova, adding that she had always taken responsibility for not knowing the over-thecounter supplement she had taken for 10 years was no longer allowed.

She said other federations had been much better at notifying their athletes of the rule change, especially in Eastern Europe where meldonium, or mildronate, was taken by millions of people.

“Now that this process is over, I hope the ITF and other relevant tennis anti-doping authorities will study what these other Federations did, so that no other tennis player will have to go through what I went through,” she added.

American Pam Shriver, a former grand slam doubles champion, said on Twitter that Sharapova’s statement “throws the ITF under the bus”.

Steve Simon, chief executive of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) said; “The TADP (tennis anti-doping programme) has a comprehensive and fair process in place and we support the final result.

“We are pleased that the process is now at completion and we can look forward to seeing Maria back on court in 2017.”

Shamil Tarpishev, president of the Russian tennis federation, welcomed the reduced ban.

“It’s good, they reduced the ban,” he told Russia’s TASS news agency. “We want her to play for the national team and win the next Olympics for us.”

Sponsor Head, who stuck with Sharapova when other sponsors either terminated or suspended their agreements, said justice had been served and that it was “wholly unfair” that the ban had been imposed in the first place.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 05, 2016

Palmer lauded by greats of the Buttler stars as England

sport at memorial service

(REUTERS) - The late Arnold Palmer was given a moving, highly emotional and often humorous tribute by leading figures from the golf world yesterday during a lengthy memorial service in his former hometown of Latrobe in Pennsylvania.

Fellow golf great and long-time friend Jack Nicklaus described Palmer as a man who “managed to remove the ‘i’ from icon” while International Golf Federation president Peter Dawson said the American had been golf’s most successful ambassador.

Palmer, one of golf’s greatest players whose immense popularity drew a legion of fans known as ‘Arnie’s Army’, was honoured during a memorial service at the Saint Vincent Basilica Parish in Latrobe that lasted two hours and 20 minutes.

The seven-time major champion, who died nine days ago at the age of 87 due to heart complications, is widely regarded as the man most responsible for popularising golf worldwide as television was coming of age in the early 1960s.

“Today I am a proud soldier in Arnie’s Army,” said Nicklaus, who frequently choked up with emotion during a heartfelt speech. “He was ‘The King’ of our sport and he always will be.

“He was an everyday man, everyone’s hero. Arnold

Honorary starter Arnold Palmer gestures after hitting a drive to begin the 2007 Masters golf tournament on the first tee at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, U.S. on April 5, 2007. (REUTERS/Mike Blake/File photo) managed to remove the ‘i’ from icon and instead let the world share in his greatness.

“Arnold came along when golf needed him most. When TV first embraced the sport of golf, they had a swashbuckling hero as the game’s face. He made the recovery shot an form of art, and people adored it.”

Along with fellow golf great Gary Player, Nicklaus

and ‘The King’ Palmer formed the fabled ‘Big Three’ who collectively accumulated 34 major championship titles and more than 370 tournament victories around the world.

“The quality of Arnold Palmer’s character and the magnetism of his personality, which was so appealing in America, also endeared him to golf fans, sports fans and

indeed the wider public all around the world,” said IGF president Dawson.

“Arnie’s Army was global and affection for him was truly international. He was simply adored by millions.

“Arnold Palmer was golf’s greatest ambassador, both home and abroad. He mixed with heads of state, with presidents, with prime ministers but he never lost his common touch.

For former women’s world number one Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, Palmer was “the common man but so far from common” who touched lives “big or small, young or old, ladies or lads”.

She added: “Arnold made everybody feel special. He was friendly, he cared and he had a sparkle in his eye that is unforgettable. Everybody loved Arnold.”

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, Augusta National Golf Club chairman Billy Payne and former major winners Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson were among the big names from the golf world who attended the service.

American country singer Vince Gill, a scratch golfer who played several rounds with Palmer over the years, performed an emotional rendition of Carole King’s ‘You’ve Got a Friend’, with the congregation joining in, as the service drew to a close.

beat Bangladesh Select XI ENGLAND have begun their tour of Bangladesh against the backdrop of security fears with a comfortable fourwicket win over a BCB Select XI in Fatullah.

Jos Buttler struck 80 in a

David Willey dismissed Kayes and Chris Woakes took 3 for 52, but spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali ended with combined figures of 1 for 117 from 17 overs. Rashid was particularly harshly treated,

Josh Buttler 139-run partnership with Moeen Ali (70) to see the tourists home in their opening match of the winter.

Ben Duckett marked his first appearance in an England shirt with 29 from 37 balls, while James Vince (48) impressed at the top of the order as a replacement for Alex Hales.

The Nottinghamshire batsman and captain Eoin Morgan both withdrew from the tour over security concerns but the changes were inconsequential.

Bangladesh named a team with seven full internationals including Imrul Kayes, who struck 121 from 91 balls including 11 fours and six sixes as the hosts finished on 309 for 9 from their 50 overs.

going for 1-76 from his 10 overs.

Jason Roy and Vince put on 72 for the first wicket but the dismissals of the Hampshire batsman and Jonny Bairstow (11) had England teetering at 127 for 3. But a blitz from Buttler which included three fours and four sixes ensured the team kickstarted the eight-match tour on a winning note.

The match is the only opportunity England have to tune up before the start of their three-game 50-over series against Bangladesh, which starts on Friday (October 7) in Mirpur.

Attention then turns to the long form of the game where England will face two warmup matches against opposition yet to be determined before a two-Test series.

Bailey points finger at Australia’s top order GEORGE Bailey believes Australia’s top order should take their share of responsibility for the team’s poor performances in South Africa so far.

The tourists suffered a six-wicket defeat as Quinton de Kock ran riot in the opening one-day international in Centurion, before Faf du Plessis’ century inspired a 142run win for the hosts in Johannesburg.

Australia’s young bowlers have borne the brunt of the criticism for their expensive figures in the wake of those defeats, but Bailey insists the team’s batsmen also have

George Bailey a case to answer.

“We’ve certainly got a young bowling attack, but

I think the thing that’s been the most disappointing is our batting in the last two

games,” he is quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

“We were under par in

game one and 360 is a big total, but you saw it on that ground it was great

value for money, the ball flew everywhere and our run rate was going pretty well.

“All the batters are hitting the ball pretty well, it’s just that nobody’s getting a hundred and the South Africans have had a guy score a hundred in each of those games.

“As much as the focus could be on our young bowling attack, I think it’s the batters who have got to step up.”

Victory for South Africa in Durban today will wrap up victory in the five-match series for the Proteas. (Omnisports. com)

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 05, 2016

Accounts freeze ruins BCCI reputation, says Thakur

By Sudipto Ganguly MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - The reputation of the Indian cricket board (BCCI) has been ruined by the freezing of its bank accounts, its president Anurag Thakur said yesterday after a Supreme Court-appointed panel blocked it from making two payments to its state units.

The panel asked two banks to halt the disbursements after the board ignored some of the panel recommendations for reforming the world’s richest cricket board, which has been criticised for a perceived lack of transparency.

Thakur said the board would take a decision by the evening on the fate of the ongoing home series against New Zealand, which still has a Test and five one-dayers left.

“Without the funds how do we play? How can we function, how can we make payments to the players and the various stakeholders?”

Thakur told Reuters yester-

day.

“We don’t even take money from the government and it’s our own funds. Our accounts have been frozen without even

to assess BCCI operations.

The banks have now lifted the ban on the accounts after former chief justice RM Lodha, the head of the panel, clarified the

BCCI president Anurag Thahur

communicating with us.

“Is this how you treat the world’s richest cricket body which has run the sport so efficiently? It has completely destroyed our hard-earned reputation.”

Sources in the Bank of Maharashtra and Yes Bank, who operate the BCCI accounts, confirmed the accounts were frozen on Monday night as they waited for more clarity from the panel which was formed last year

BCCI is otherwise free to use its funds for routine expenditure.

“There is no question of cancellation of any game or series,” Lodha told Reuters TV. “The directive, which we issued to BCCI yesterday in our email, is confined to disbursement of large funds to the state associations.

“And banks have been directed to ensure the compliance of that, nothing

beyond that. Routine expenses for matches, games, cricketing activities and other administrative matters, they are not at all restrained.

“There is absolutely no prohibition, there is no constraint, the accounts of BCCI have not been frozen.”

A New Zealand Cricket spokesman said they had heard nothing from the BCCI and were preparing to play the third Test at Indore from Saturday.

India sealed the threeTest series 2-0 on Monday with a 178-run victory in Kolkata.

The BCCI on Saturday said it would incorporate some of the Lodha panel’s recommendations but ignored several key measures aimed at reforming the board, which is run largely by politicians and industrialists.

In their report, Lodha and two colleagues recommended age and tenure restrictions for top officials, as well as banning them from serving successive terms.

Windies Women pick uncapped all-rounder

W E S T I n d i e s Wo m e n have picked 30-year-old u n c a p p e d a l l - ro u n d e r Erva Giddings for the first three ODIs of the five-match series against England Women, which starts October 8.

The 13-member squad does not include Kyshona and Kycia Knight and Shakera Selman, who were part of the World T20-winning team earlier this year.

Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed has been appointed vice-captain.

Giddings, who bowls medium-pace, was invited to attend the West Indies Women’s training camp in Jamaica last month. She had earlier been picked in the West Indies side for the tour of Pakistan in 2008-09, which was called off due to security reasons.

The first two matches between West Indies and England - on October 8 and 10 - will be played at the

Erva Giddings

Trelawney Stadium, Florence Hall. The last three matches, at Kingston’s Sabina Park on October 14, 16 and 19, will be counted for

points in the ICC Women’s ODI Championship.

West Indies are second on the table, with 20 points from 15 matches, while

England trail them by one point. Australia Women, who lead the group with 30 points, have already secured their place in the 2017 Women’s World Cup. The top four teams at the end of the ICC Women’s Championship will gain direct entry into next year’s World Cup, while the bottom four teams will have to play the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier with six other regional qualifiers. The top four sides in the Qualifier will then advance to the World Cup. W I Wo m e n ’ s O D I squad: Stafanie Taylor (capt.), Anisa Mohammed (vice-capt.), Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Erva Giddings, Stacy-Ann King, Hayley Matthews, Shaquana Quintyne, Tremayne Smartt. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Dowrich, Chase get workout in drawn warm-up match

Shane Dowrich

WICKETKEEPER Shane Dowrich and Roston Chase were the beneficiaries on the second day of West Indies’ drawn warm-up match after getting a workout with the bat in the second innings against Emirates Cricket Board XI. Resuming on 56 for 7, the ECB XI crossed 100, thanks to Rohan Mustafa’s patient, unbeaten 44. Spinners Jomel Warrican and Devendra Bishoo took the three remaining wickets to fall on the second day to bowl the ECB XI out for 117.

Leon Johnson and Shai Hope, who struck fifties in the first innings, were dismissed for 10 and 0 respectively. Jermaine Blackwood and Jonathan Carter then struck boundary-laden cameos, but it was Chase and Dowrich’s 49-run stand off 85 balls that ensured West Indies didn’t collapse.

Left-arm spinner Ahmed Raza took three wickets, including that of Chase, who struck an 81-ball 36. Dowrich

hit six fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 52.

Roston Chase West Indies declared their second innings at 173 for 7, setting the ECB XI a target of 306. West Indies spinners got 14 overs in, before the game was drawn.

West Indies will play a three-day warm-up match against a PCB XI from October 7, before the first Test against Pakistan begins on October 13. (ESPN Cricinfo)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday October 05, 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)

Sarfraz Ahmed-3 catches

(2)

Andre Fletcher-1 catch

Today’s Quiz: (1) How many Pakistanis debuted in the recent T20 series against the West Indies?

(2) How many West Indians debuted in the just-concluded T20 series against Pakistan?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 5, 2016

Singh hits 96 as West Indies-A bowled out for 276

Vishaul Singh falls just four runs short of a century.

WEST Indies-A stumbled on either side of a substantial fourth-wicket partnership between Shamarh Brooks and Vishaul Singh to fold for 276 on the first day against Sri Lanka A at the Khettarama Stadium.

West Indies-A were immediately put under pressure after opting to bat, as dropped Test opener Rajendra Chandrika’s poor form

continued.

He was trapped in front

by Lahiru Kumara, who had spearheaded the Sri Lanka Under-19s pace attack on their recent tour to England.

Vi s h a u l S i n g h ( 9 6 ) found himself doing the rescue act twice, coming in at 56 for 3 and putting on 125 for the fourth wicket with his captain Shamarh Brooks, before a second

collapse led West Indies to losing three wickets for four runs.

Kemar Roach’s unbeaten 45 was the only other notable contribution, as the Sri Lankans did not let the batsmen settle. U-19 off-spinner Charith Asalanka and part-timer Asela Gunaratne stood out for Sri Lanka A, taking two and three wickets. Chinaman bowler

Lakshan Sandakan, who made his Test debut in the recently concluded series against Australia, bowled 28 overs but only managed to pick up one wicket.

Sri Lanka A openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera were unbeaten without scoring in the solitary over they faced before stumps. (ESPN Cricinfo)

West Indies team manager gives summary of preparation for UAE tour The following is a statement from West Indies manager Joel Garner ABU DHABI - The management of the West Indies team in Dubai is disappointed but not surprised by the comments made in the press by Dwayne Bravo.

This team was well prepared to engage Pakistan considering the conditions and the adjustments that were necessary to bring meaningful benefits to this team.

While change is difficult to manage, none of the players was neglected by the

coaching and support staff in the execution of their duties.

In preparation for this tour, as is customary, the squad assembled in Barbados on September 10 and 11 for physical screening and fitness assessments.

Additionally, there was a 7-day build-up to the first Twenty20 match which included a warm-up.

The team’s preparation consisted of acclimatisation, recovery sessions, strength and conditioning, nets and skill sets, management plan-

West Indies manager Joel Garner

ning meetings which were supported by video footage of the opposition, bullet point reminders and input from our experienced coaching staff and inclusive of the T20 and ODI captains and the players.

Mr Bravo, with prior permission, by the former head coach, turned up on the day before the first Twenty20 match. His suggestion of disorganisation in the team’s plans and preparation is therefore false and misleading.

FIFA sanctions nations over fan behaviour FIFA has imposed sanctions on 11 football associations for unsporting and discriminatory conduct by their fans during 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, Canada, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Peru, Italy and Albania have all received fines.

Chile have also been ordered to play their qualifier against Ven-

ezuela on March 28, 2017 behind closed doors.

This is because it is their second infringement this year.

In May, they were banned from playing at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago for two matches and fined 30 000 Swiss Francs (£24 004) as a result of homophobic chants from supporters, with the

second suspension suspended for a year.

Some of the recent incidents by fans of the 11 nations included homophobic chants.

The fines range from 65 000 Swiss francs (£52 009), given to Honduras for two cases, to the 20 000 Swiss francs (£16 002) for Brazil and Canada. (BBC Sport)

GFF/WDFA STAG Senior League

Uitvlugt inch closer to the top with 10-0 drubbing of Jetty Gunners … Eagles, Golden Warriors play to 1-1 stalemate UITVLUGT inched closer to the top of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/West Deemara Football Association (WDFA) STAG Senior League with a 10-0 drubbing over Jetty Gunners, while Eagles and Golden Warriors played to a 1-1 stalemate when play in the League continued last Sunday at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground, West Coast Demerara.

The heroics of Lerone Jacobs, who rocked Jetty Gunners’ net on four occasions during the 90-minute duration of the game, ensured his team got the full three points to carry them to 16 points after winning their fifth of six matches. They drew the other to secure one point for that game.

With 16 points to their name, Uitvlugt are now third in the league behind points leaders Den Amstel who have 19 points but from six wins and a draw after seven games with a plus 10 goal difference compared to Uitvlugt’s plus 20.

Pouderoyen are placed second with 16 points also from six games, five of which they won and drew the other with a plus 21 goal difference.

Playing in the feature game of a double-header card last Sunday, Jacobs opened his team’s account from as early as the 10th minute and doubled it nine minutes later. Seven minutes before the end of the first period, he tucked in his third goal, while Keion and Kevin Duke supported with one goal each in the 12th and 14th minutes respectively to see Uitvlugt to a healthy 5-0 lead at halftime.

On resumption, Uitvlugt scored another quintet of goals with the first coming off the boot of Keion Duke in the 46th minute of the game, before Siretsi Leech, Jacobs, Carlise Carrol and Daniel Floy found their target in the 50th, 60th, 61st and 71st minutes respectively.

The loss for Jetty Gunners dropped them to ninth place in the standings with four points from seven matches. They won one, lost five and drew one.

In the opening match that day, Chris Macey gave Eagles the lead with a 18th minute goal before Golden Warriors equalised eight minutes later.

As a result of the draw, Eagles remain in sixth position with 11 points from three wins, two losses and two drawn games.

Golden Warriors are currently eight with five points from one win, five losses and two draws.

Another double-header is scheduled for this weekend at the same venue.

FIFA sanctions nations over fan behaviour See story on page 31

Director of Sport unveils Inter-Guiana ‘Goodwill’ Games schedule

Director of Sport Christopher Jones (front row, second from right) is flanked by representatives from the various sponsors, and sport disciplines at yesterday’s press conference.

THE upcoming Inter-Guiana ‘Goodwill’ Games will get started with the basketball competition at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), while volleyball will be held simultaneously at the National Gymnasium, when that event begins here in Guyana on October 21 and runs until October 23.

Both competitions start off at 13:00hrs, at their respective venues, while activities continue later the same day with the opening ceremony at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora,

starting at 18:00hrs.

The athletics component will begin immediately after at 19:00hrs, according to the schedule that was announced

by Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, at a press briefing held yesterday at the National Sports Commission (NSC) headquarters.

The press conference also had in attendance representatives from each of the seven sporting disciplines that will be participating at this year’s Games, as well as representatives from the various sponsors on board for the event.

As the schedule of the

events continues badminton, which will also be at the National Gymnasium, gets underway, on Saturday, October 22 at 09:00hrs. This will be followed by the continuation of the male and female volleyball matches.

Back at the CASH the futsal football begins at 13:00hrs, and will be followed by the continuation of the basketball competition.

Swimming will commence and conclude on Sunday, October 23, at the National Aquatic Centre. Also set for Sunday is volleyball at the Gymnasium and futsal,

table tennis, and basketball at CASH. The closing ceremony is set for 20:00hrs.

Jones noted that all the disciplines have been busy putting together, and preparing, their teams for the Games, where they will compete against their counterparts from Suriname.

Representatives from the different teams were also on hand to speak of how the preparations have been coming along.

Speaking on behalf of the table tennis was national coach Linden Johnson, who declared that his

team will not be taking the abilities of the Suriname team for granted, and will be working assiduously to groom the Guyana team.

Johnson noted that the team is one that has shown much promise and several of the players recently performed at the regional level.

Swimming team manager Leon Seaton described the team as a “vibrant” one, though the team suffered a blow as three of the selected swimmers had to be replaced. Swimmers Amy Grant, Philip DeNobrega and Nathan Hackett will no longer be on the team They are being replaced

by Nikita Fiedtkou, Daniel Scott and Jamal Skeete.

Athletics has already named a 28-member team, while Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) president Gokarn Ramdhani said training for the eight-member badminton team has been going excellently.

Jones also took the opportunity at yesterday’s briefing to thank the corporate sponsors who have come on board to throw their support behind the event. Sponsors include Digicel, Banks DIH, Impressions, and E-Networks

GFSCA International ‘Guyana Softball Cup 6’ launched … tournament to bowl off November 4 with 24 teams

See story on page 27

(L-R sitting) Gervy Harry, Ricky Deonarain, Ramchand Ragbeer, Wayne Jones, Ramesh Sunich.

(L-R, standing from second left) Mark De Freitas, Avinad Hardat, Rhonda Johnson, Reyaz Husein, Lalta Gainda, Steve Naraine flanked by members of Floodlights. (Samuel Maughn photo) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016