PAC commends –– for putting its GDF financial affairs in order Page 5
No way No. 104935
TUESDAY JUNE 6, 2017
Price: $80
(VAT Inclusive)
… Speaker nixes PPP’s sugar forum move
–– PM says party sowing seed of discord among citizens
$1.2B ‘Mara’ road underway
Page 3
Page 2
... residents praise gov’t for ending 40-year wait
The current state of the main access road in the East Bank Berbice (GINA photo)
Mechanic GNBS seizes crushed to death hundreds of scales Page 4
–– in freak accident at Kurubuka Mines
Page 11
–– during raids at Stabroek, Bourda Markets
‘Grey Boy’ freed again of Crum-Ewing murder Page 14
2
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
$1.2B ‘Mara’ road underway ... residents praise gov’t for ending 40-year wait
The current state of the main access road in the East Bank Berbice
Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson addressing East Bank Berbice residents
EAST Bank Berbice residents will now benefit from a newly constructed main access road. Reconstruction of the road, which runs from Stanleytown to Mara, is being funded by the Government of Guyana at an estimated cost of $1.2B and will be done in phases. The announcement was made by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson during a meeting with residents at the Overwinning Market Square on Sunday. The first phase will see the construction of some 4.7 kilometres of road from Stanleytown to Everton, the completion of which is anticipated to be done in eight months. The road, because of its deplorable condition whether sun or rain, has been cause for controversy and the bane of residents over the last 40 years, as Minister Patterson would recall. “Our records show that since 2009, there have been protest action for the condition of this road,” he declared, adding: “Enough is enough! We have to put this project on the front burner!” Noting that the importance of the road cannot be overstressed, because it not only affects the ordinary citizens but also those in the agricultural sector, he said: “The overall objective of this project is to provide a solution to the current difficulties of using the roadways due to the deteriorating state.” Apprising residents the numerous opportunities the construction of the road will provide, he assured
them that they will benefit from employment and will be given small contracts to execute. “With road works comes opportunities. And it would be disrespectful, unfair to you in this area if we come here and do not let you know what opportunities are there for you; if we bring everything from out of the region,” the minister said, adding: “I said to my team, ‘We are only facilitators; this project should be a project from the East Bank of Berbice.’” The road, once completed, will consist of pavements, concrete drains, speed bumps, bridges, box culverts and street lights, and is expected to have a lifespan of 30 years. During the meeting, residents raised concerns about the quality of road that will be built. The concerns of the residents were one which the Minister immediately took into consideration, and suggested that an oversight committee be established. The Minister suggested that one person from each of the villages be on the committee, in addition of someone from the Mayor’s office and the Regional Democratic Council. They were given two weeks to select the five persons. “Come back, give me the names; we will appoint them, we will give you all the documents and all the support that you need” Minister Patterson told the residents. The Department of Public Information/Government Information Agency (DPI/ GINA) spoke to a few res-
idents, who were all elated with the announcement made by the minister. ANDREW FRANCE of New Amsterdam said, “This year is 49 years since we have been waiting on this road; from government to government... And we are grateful to see this government come, and in such a short time live up to their promise. It is shocking to know that this road works will be commencing.” SHARON TRIM of Edinburgh said she is “eternally grateful” for the reconstruction of the road, which she at one time referred to as “Abortion Alley”. “I am grateful the ministers saw how we were suffering and punishing, and see it fit not only to promise but to fulfill their promise so that the people on the East Bank Berbice can and will have the new road that we deserve.” RAMESH MARAJ of Gay Park said, “We were here lobbying for this road for the past 40 years. I could recall we used bauxite capping to cover a road; now that we have the minister’s commitment, and they want to start, I am happy, because the people have suffered tremendously.” Also present at the meeting was Minster of Public Security, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan who apologised for the delay in delivering on the construction of the road. “The ministers in government have been doing their best so that the monies can be allocated for this project. We said that we are going to deliver, and we are going to deliver now,” he said.
No way
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
3
… Speaker nixes ‘PPP’s sugar forum move
–– PM says party sowing seed of discord among citizens SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland has disallowed a request by PPP members of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services to hold public forums in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six on the future of GuySuCo and the sugar industry. In a statement issued on Monday, the PPP said it was the Committee’s intention to meet with various stakeholders within the identified communities between June 7 and 21 to discuss with them and hear their views on the sugar industry before preparing a report for submission to the National Assembly. However, the chairman of the committee, Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma has not made any complaint about the Speaker’s decision and other Government MPs who sit on the committee seemingly bemused when Guyana Chronicle sought a comment from them on the issue. “I don’t know of any decision to meet with these communities, I don’t know of this,” Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, a member of the ESC, said. According to the PPP, in accordance with Standing Order No. 95(8), approval was sought from the speaker for these public forums to be conducted. That approval was sought on May 31, but on Monday, the Committee
Opposition said.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland was informed via the Clerk of the National Assembly that approval was not granted. The party said the non-approval constitutes “another attack on Parliamentary democracy by the Speaker” and the party called on the Speaker to reverse his decision. “Further, we view the rejection of this request as nothing short of an abuse of power and an undue interference with, and restriction of, the democratic right of Parliamentarians to properly represent their constituents and the reciprocal constitutional rights of these constituents to receive information from and exchange views with their elected representatives,”the Parliamentary
WILD CAT CAMPAIGN However, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is also leader of the Government’s business in the National Assembly, described the statement by the PPP as a “wild-cat campaign to stir disquiet and disaffection on all fronts.” The Prime Minister told the Guyana Chronicle that sections of the PPP are resorting to “racist advocacy and, on social media, they elicit responses ranging from “civil disobedience” to “ partition” in a contrived campaign to sow discord and division.” He said the party has been trying to hijack the committee to foster its propaganda about the coalition government’s handling of the sugar industry. Nagamootoo said too that the PPP’s attack on the country’s parliamentary democracy has been “relentless” and noted that the Speaker has been subject to “character assassination and defamation.” “The opposition PPP wants to masquerade as the Government and is trying to usurp the functions of the elected Assembly to foster its campaign of disruption and division. Our parliamentary democracy remains strong and unassailable,” the Prime Minister assured while adding that the Speaker is the image of our independent Parliament and
as Leader of Government Business in the House, I am committed to His Honour’s decisions to protect the efficacy of our Parliamentary democracy,” the Prime Minister said. Government had held extensive public consultations with key stakeholders on the future of GuySuCo of which the PPP participated. However, that party had failed to submit its proposals to the Government for a decision to be made on the future of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the sugar industry, even though Government had sought to engage them and other stakeholders, with consultations starting since late last year. One of the stakeholder organisations that was engaged in the process- the Guyana Agricultural and Workers’ Union (GAWU), had submitted its proposal document which was adopted by the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE). Irfaan Ali, who led the Opposition side during the consultations, had said that the party was not prepared to make its recommendations until the Government had presented a socio-economic study and an economic feasibility study. STATE PAPER ON SUGAR Only recently the government unveiled its State Paper on sugar, noting
that the industry here lies in a smaller sector, with reduced losses and cash deficits but coupled with a separate and profitable diversified enterprise, which would ensure a viable future. Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, said the ‘State Paper on the Future of the Sugar Industry’, will focus on the poorly-performing estates and have them shift from sugar to diversification. “The proposed courses of action are to amalgamate [merge] Wales Estate with Uitvlugt Estate and reassign its cane to the Uitvlugt factory, since the estate is operating at 50 percent capacity. Sixty percent of its drainage and irrigation infrastructure is in a dilapidated condition. The corporation furthermore seeks to divest itself of the Skeldon Estate. The estates of Albion and Rose Hall are to be amalgamated and the factory at Rose Hall is to be closed.” Holder said GuySuCo would then consist of three estates and three sugar factories. The estates would be Blairmont on the West Bank Berbice, Albion-Rose Hall in East Berbice and the Uitvlugt-Wales estate in West Demerara. The three estates will be complete with factories and will have cane supplied from all five locations. By virtue of the amalgamation, the Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Rose Hall, Berbice factories will be closed by year-end.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo In the case of Enmore, that factory will be closed at the end of the year when all cane would have been harvested and the East Coast Estates would be earmarked for diversification. “The process will result in improving the relationship with some cane cutters, estate staff and about 1,710 private cane farmers. These adjustments mean that GuySuCo would be scaled-down into a more efficient entity that focuses on producing sugar to satisfy the domestic and foreign markets that provide preferential access to our sugar. This entails taking advantage of the opportunity to merge better performing lands to operate factories more efficiently,” Holder said. But even as there will be a major restructuring of the industry, GuySuCo is required to retain many of its workers for all operations on the merged estates or factories and those employees are to receive leased lands from the sugar company to engage in crops to be decided by both GuySuCo and the Ministry of Agriculture. Additionally, the Minister said GuySuCo plans, apart from restructuring the estates and factories, to transfer to the state charges for the drainage and irrigation and health services that it provides to the communities, and around the estates.
4
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday,June 6, 2017
Contract soon ready for Mechanic crushed to death --in freak accident at Kurubuka Mines Mabaruma solar farm
THE 400-kilowatt solar farm, which will provide an additional 17 hours of electricity to the 3,000 residents of the Region One (Barima-Waini) community of Mabaruma, is closer to realisation, as all tenders are at the evaluation stage. This was disclosed by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson to the Department of Public Information/Government Information Agency (DPI/GINA). Minister Patterson told the agency that at least 12 “very good tenders” were submitted. “They are all within budget, so we are just making sure that the successful tender can do the work and has the right specification,” he said. The contract will be
awarded by the end of June, so that construction works can begin. Minister Patterson said that the site for the solar farm has already been selected. “We have started doing work in the Ministry; we have already started extending wires from the site to the plant and the power station in anticipation of the solar farm,” he said. The establishment of a solar farm at Mabaruma, at an estimated cost of $264M, was announced last year during the reading of the 2017 National Budget by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. Minister Jordan also said at the time that the proposed project was part of the government’s plan to move Guyana towards becoming a ‘Green State’ as a measure of a larger
plan to reduce the country’s fossil fuel bill and prevent carbon emissions. He’d also announced that investors and other persons involved in the direct importation of items for energy efficiency will benefit from tax exemptions. Those exemptions, he said, were expected to benefit not just investors but the residents also. The government will also be pursuing other solar farms at Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); Mahdia in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); and at Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). These farms are projected to generate 800, 400, and 1.5 kilowatts of electricity respectively.
A MECHANIC of Kwakwani Park, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) was on Monday afternoon crushed to death by a heavy-duty truck which was parked at the Kurubuku Mines, located between Kwakwani and Aroaima. The accident, in which 19-year-old Sayhid Trucking employee Wesley Poteir was killed, reportedly occurred around 15:00h. Reports are that Poteir was sitting under a parked truck awaiting repairs, when another heavy-duty truck ran into it, crushing him in the process. According to an eyewitness, “He was sitting in the tyre of the truck that was broken down, and the next truck coming down the hill and went close to that truck. “The two tyre jam together, and he mash between them; that’s what caused his death.” When contacted late
DEAD: Wesley Poteir
Monday evening, ranks at the Kwawani Police Station told the Guyana Chronicle that the body was at the time being escorted to Kwakwani, and that an investigation into the incident
has been launched. The firm with which the deceased worked is contracted by the Rusal Bauxite Company to transport bauxite overburden.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 - 14:30 hrs Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - 14:30 hrs Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 14:30 hrs
DATE: DATE: 26/11/2016 03/06/2017 26/11/2016 06/06/2017
09 14 14 19 26 16 02 08 12 11 18 22 27 N O 11
06 04 13 11
14 12
21 13
24 17
26/11/2016 05/06/2017
04 06
07 01
03 06
26/11/2016 05/06/2017
05 06
04 09
01 09
26/11/2016 05/06/2017 02 03
09 05
10 06
11 08 13 09 14 13
18 16
PAC commends GDF GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 6, 2017
--for putting its financial affairs in order DESPITE some areas of oversight by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in its financial operations during 2015, the entity was congratulated by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for arresting matters of financial mismanagement. On Monday, Chairman of the PAC, Irfaan Ali said, “I’m pleased with some of the improvements that have been made. I think you are genuinely trying to improve things and I want to commend you.” He was at the time addressing Quartermaster Colonel Paul Arthur, along with other GDF officials responsible for financial management. The Audit Office in its report for 2015 noted that while steps have been taken to improve some of the problems highlighted in the report, firmer actions are needed to correct areas with the same irregularities which have been recurring for consecutive years. In the case of cheque orders, it was observed that six cheque orders totaling $1.212M remained outstanding for 2014, and in 2015 there were 33 totaling $82.642M which were outstanding at September, 2016. The audit office had recommended that the administration of the GDF continue the process of having the cheque orders cleared and ensure all items paid for were supplied in a timely manner. Since that recommendation, it was reported that all outstanding cheque orders for 2014 were cleared.However, five totaling $8.033 are still outstanding for 2015. PAC member, Juan Edghill questioned the
reason for the outstanding cheque orders, and was informed by Col. Arthur that those were overseas cheque orders for payments for items that were imported. “We have cleared all cheque orders for 2015,” said the GDF officer who was quick to note that there is a new system in place whereby to receive a new cheque order,the old cheque order would have to be cleared first. Colonel Arthur said the new system is quite effective and noted that the cheque orders are being cleared faster. Meanwhile,another PAC member, Volda Lawrence questioned the non-registration of employees of the GDF with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). In 2014, 33 employees were not registered with NIS and 146 had temporary numbers while in 2015, 35 were not registered and 302 had temporary numbers. The Audit Office had recommended that the administration of the GDF expedites the process to ensure all persons are registered and have permanent Insurance numbers. Col. Arthur noted that the process is an ongoing one to ensure that employees are compliant but to date there are 39 employees with temporary registration numbers while all employees have been registered. Asked what controls have been implemented to ensure that employees have permanent numbers, Col. Arthur said the Force would have removed the delinquent employees from their payrolls to ensure they comply. That system worked but before that action is taken; he noted that the employees
have to be written to first. In the case of the overpayment of salaries totaling $1.090M for 2011-2013 and 2015 and deductions totaling $325,000 to specific agencies, it was recommended that the Force continues to pursue the recovery of the identified amounts. Thus far, $365,000 was repaid on the overpayment in 2015. The sum of $715,000 and deductions totaling $325,000 are outstanding. It was noted too that for the years 2012-2013, letters were sent to the persons who were overpaid informing them to refund the money and advertisements were also placed in the newspapers. The PAC asked Arthur what further action has been taken to recover the overpayments. Lawrence asked, “could you kindly say what measures were taken against the officer (s) who signed off on these projects?” In response, Col. Arthur said no punitive action was taken but noted that the Force received approval to write off the payment. “No action was taken against the engineering officer,” he said. This prompted PAC Chairman, Mr Ali to ask what the normal practice is when overpayment is done. “We have never taken any action against the engineer,” responded Col. Archer. Jermaine Figueira called for punitive measures to be put in place if an officer is found guilty of overpayment. That officer has since been removed from that department. Similarly, the PAC questioned whether the overpayment of $216, 250 to
Quartermaster, Colonel Paul Arthur, speaks at the PAC on Monday
the contractor on a contract for the sum of $1.952M during the year 2012, for the rehabilitation of Artillery Barracks, Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri has been recovered. The GDF said that a letter dated November 10, 2016 was sent to the Finance Secretary requesting a write-off of the overpayment since the contractor has died. Additionally, the Defence Board by way of a letter dated April 24, 2017, granted its no objection to the write-off as losses. There were other instances of overpayment to contractors by the GDF. In one case, $2.374M was overpaid to the contractor who was hired to rehabilitate the Barrack Base at Camp Ka-
nuku in the sum of $9.966M. The Audit office recommended that the overpaid amount be recovered, and called on the Force to ensure that the completed works were accurately measured and quantified before payments were made to contractors for works completed. The PAC was informed that the works on the Barrack Base have since been completed. Additionally, the sum of $262,000 was overpaid to a contractor hired to rehabilitate the canteen area at Camp Stephenson to the tune of $8.657M. $158,000 of the sum was refunded by the contractor leaving $104,000 outstanding. It was noted that the site was revisited and work revalued and the
5
overpayment now stands at $158,000, the same amount refunded on December 29, 2016. As such, the GDF representatives came under fire for lack of proper monitoring and control mechanisms to which Col. Arthur noted that at the time of the mishaps, the officials had just returned from training in Cuba. “In 2015, these were inexperienced… [and] had just returned from Cuba.” PAC Chair, Ali made it clear that in a number of instances, there were severe breaches of which the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) was uninformed of, noting that the actions of the officers have left the GDF exposed to possible financial loss. Meanwhile, it was discovered that there were 11 cheques on hand totaling $67.251M and have become stale dated. Those cheques should have been refunded to the Consolidated Fund. Currently, there is one cheque on hand at the Sub-treasury in the sum of $168, 875, which is related to a direct payment. That cheque date was updated to January 18, 2017. PAC member, Nigel Dharamlall asked, “Why were the cheques not refunded to the Consolidated Fund?” Col. Arthur explained that most of the cheques represented “remained payments from items ordered from contractors.” However, the PAC Chairman made it clear that there is no excuse for breaching the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. He instructed the GDF to adjust its schedule in such cases and work to minimize financial mismanagement.
6
Editorial
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday,June 6, 2017
Building and rebuilding roads THE Government is being applauded for recognising the importance of building, rebuilding and maintaining proper road networks. The East Bank Berbice road is another beneficiary of this policy, and is being rebuilt at the cost of $1.2B. Such infrastructures, aside from being aesthetically pleasing, are important for nation-building. Roads are intrinsically linked to the growth and development of society, impacting people, communities and commerce. In the 21st Century, making the aforementioned possible has to cater for, as a matter of priority, issues such as safety, construction quality, Guyana’s low-lying coastlands and the different types of road users, including vehicular traffic. As a matter of fact, there needs to be a rethinking of the widely-held perception that construction only requires the throwing of bitumen and levelling it off, without regard as to how the shoulders are treated. It also needs to be taken into account that pedestrians, too, have a right to use the roads, and that safety mechanisms, such as street signs, are a necessity. In complex societies, consideration should also be given to what types of roads are needed, given location in proximity with communities, and where there are open roads or proximity to homes, what safety precautions are necessary. Safety ought to be a premier focus, and should be applicable to occupants of vehicles as well as pedestrians. Speed bump zones and run-off areas on the shoulder of the road, where disabled vehicles can park or be able to pull off to as against staying in traffic and impeding its flow, are worthwhile of consideration in the construction process. Modernisation should have corresponding impact on construction. Such modernisations would recognise the
various types of traffic, present and forthcoming, and planning for it. For instance, vision and foresight could accommodate thinking of worst-case scenarios such as what would proposed constructed roads look like in a quarter of a century; whether they would be able to accommodate an increase in traffic, including cars and heavy-duty vehicles. In Guyana, the same road is used for every type of vehicular traffic, be it commercial, industrial or agricultural. From a donkey cart to an 18-wheel tractor, to a hymac, which has metal wheels that degrade the material used to construct the road, all are allowed usage. It means road construction has to be more durable, or there needs to be more regulations. This would also include examining the construction of bridges, elevating the height of overpass electrical and phone wires and so forth. In other societies, for instance the United States, certain vehicles are not zoned or permitted to go on certain roads. For instance, if construction vehicles are being transported on some roads, they are seen being towed on a vehicle that has rubber tyres, which is intended to prevent damage to the road. Certain roads also have weight restrictions. Another area that begs attention is the necessity of creating designated walk areas; and where this may not be possible, installing speed bumps, stop signs, or police officers sitting there with speed cameras and handing out speeding tickets, with penalties stiff and enforceable. There must be severe consequences for bad use of the road in order to eliminate bad usage. Preventing accidents not only through road safety regulations but also having the benefit of the input of safety associations that pay attention to high-risk points for accidents,
deaths, and what are possible causes is also beneficial. This can inform the implementation of systems to minimise the chance of causalities, physical or else. The review of regulations and where needed revamped or overhauled should be up for consideration. In the actual construction process, government oversight needs to be a priority, including placing a premium on the importance of scientific research and advancements, such as pedestrian and vehicular usage, time and frequency, and their impacting factors. Guyana can benefit from the best practices of other societies and those with similar dynamics. The issue is being revisited, given that many of our recently built and rebuilt roads are not lasting. This fact begs the question, if the problem is the result of placing importance on showing, vis a vis functionality and adherence to appropriate guidelines. Taking a more deliberative approach to development would undoubtedly be helpful. Where scepticism exists, not without merit, that present constructions are not living up to the rigours of those built in the 1960s and 1970s, such as the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and Georgetown to Rosignol roadway, it cannot be ignored. Though the Inter-American Development Bank did not provide Government the expected funding for the East Bank Berbice road, and this is being sourced from the Consolidated Fund, society holds expectation their investment will see delivery of worthy projects.
World Environment Day 2017
Connecting people to nature By Raphael Trotman (Minister of Natural Resources)
WE at the Ministry of Natural Resources are proud and humbled to join His Excellency, David Arthur Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, other sector agencies, Government ministries and Guyanese at home and abroad in observing World Environment Day on Monday June 5, 2017. Since 1974, this day has been set aside to recognise the vital importance of our
environment and the need for it to be protected, not only for current generations but also for those yet unborn. The observance of the day has turned into a global platform, helping the United Nations Environmental Programme raise awareness and generate political momentum around current environmental concerns such as depletion of the ozone layer, toxic chemicals, desertification and global warming. The theme of this year’s observance is ‘Connecting People to Nature’. This is a theme which the Ministry wholly embraces. The Min-
istry of Natural Resources is at the forefront of crafting policies intended to further protect Guyana’s environment. Our decisions are informed by programmes aimed at mainstreaming biodiversity in the gold mining industry, reducing and eventually eliminating the use of mercury in gold mining, transitioning to better technologies to ensure greater gold recovery rates and supporting land reclamation initiatives in mined out areas in addition to studies in greener forest practices. Additionally, the Minis-
try has established a Compliance Division that will not only support the enforcement of the regulations and laws in the natural resources sectors in mining and forestry, but also address matters of the security nature, the country’s wildlife and tremendous biodiversity. People are critical to the process of protection of the natural world that sustains our daily lives and are therefore engaged in every aspect of the efforts of the Ministry to reach its objectives. There is already present among the ethos
Raphael Trotman
of the people of Guyana a great appreciation for our natural environment and an understanding of the need for its protection and conservation. We at the Ministry of Natural Resources therefore encourage the Guyanese people to have a renewed sense of appreciation for our country’s rich biodiversity. On this World Environment Day 2017, let us pledge to undertake a greater share of the responsibility for taking care of the environment in the conduct of our daily affairs.
7
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Only a coward uses a We should light a candle for pseudonym to attack another sugar workers and consumers person’s character in the press Dear Editor,
Dear Editor, I HAVE searched the pages of the 2017 Guyana Telephone Directory, and the entire Region 5 section of the GECOM Official List of Electors that was issued on April 14, 2015, and no one with the name of Harry Adjodha or Harry Ajodha lives in Region 5. In fact, no one has the name Adjodha, and only 6 persons have the surname Ajodha. And in Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, there are seven persons with a variation in the spelling of this name Ajodhia. But why am I boring your readers with these statistics? It is not done intentionally, but the result of this research proves definitively that the name Harry Adjodha or Harry Ajodha that recently surfaced as a letter-writer in Kaieteur News is nothing more than a fake. Only a coward uses a pseudonym to attack another person’s
character in the press. I refer to a letter published on May 24, 2017 written by Harry Adjodha of Region 5 and another one published May 30, 2017 by a Harry Ajodha, APNU+AFC. In both these letters, the letter-writer questioned my citizenship, my loyalty to Guyana, and my right to serve as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly. Perhaps he should be asking the same question of other government ministers. I recall reading a Freddie Kissoon column some time ago, in which he was disgusted and enraged by the unethical behaviour of some letter-writers who hide behind pseudonyms. He gave good reasons why the print media should stop this practice. I agreed with him then, for if a letter-writer has something derogatory to say about someone else, he should have the courage to put his own name to the letter. While freedom of speech
is protected by our Constitution, there have always been rules governing defamation, slander and libel. It was once the policy of most newspaper companies to demand the real name, address and phone number of those writing letters to the editor, in order to protect the integrity of the newspaper. Apparently, this practice is now discontinued. Perhaps the editor may wish to consider reinforcing this. As such, I am prepared to thoroughly and truthfully address the concerns expressed in these letters by the Region 5 APNU+AFC lackey, when he grows enough courage to admit writing under the pseudonym, Harry Ajodha, and by signing the next letter he writes in his real name. Regards Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament
Please investigate the operations at NIS Melanie office Dear Editor, WE have been following all the letters that were written by persons about NIS and the Melanie Office. Persons are totally fed up with what is going on, more so the staff. We at the Melanie office cannot take it anymore; it is time we speak out and let the society and those in power know what is going on. For too long now the Manager at that Office is getting away with lots of things and unnecessary victimization of staff. Also, we know that when this letter is published a lot of persons, including insured persons, employers, pensioners and self-employed persons
who are harassed daily and the assistant Manager(Inspector Selman) who is currently on leave will come forward. Many reports have been made to management,(and) all they do is call her (the manager) and no sanctioning is done. Then they transfer staff to other locations just because of her. The office has lost a lot of experienced and qualified staff because of the manager. Management seems to be condoning this while the staff is working out of fear. At the Office we have three inspectors; two came recently,the other one gets along with the manager and does not go in the field to do any work. The in-
spector spends almost the entire day in the manager’s office typing memos for her. Just recently the other inspector Thomas was victimised and she left because management did nothing to help her; she asked to be transferred. Only last week because of their incompetence and laziness, court cases were thrown out and the manager blamed us (staff) who do not go to court. We cannot operate freely; the manager has us like a slave camp, we are totally demotivated. The authorities must now investigate and they will find out. Regards NIS Melanie office staff
I REFER to GuySuCo’s letter in KN edition of June, 3rd 2017- “GuySuCo’s detractor is being outright irresponsible and reckless” which is a response to my letter published in KN edition of May,31st 2017. Editor, the Corporation’s communication unit never fails to present clumsy responses or rebuttals either knowingly or unknowingly. I shall address the core points raised in this last response to demonstrate how ignorance and incompetence pervade this organisation from its apex. 1. It is an undisputed fact that the Corporation deliberately packed bulk raw sugar from Albion for 2-3 weeks at Enmore. In a most uneducated and unintellectual defense, the Corporation attempts to justify its actions by stating that “all six factories have the capacity at any time to produce the varying qualities required”. This creates an impression to the reader that Albion can produce direct consumption sugars. If this is the truth, can Ms. Thomas show proof whether GuySuCo’s own monitoring mechanisms or national regulatory bodies such as the Guyana
National Bureau of Standards and the Food & Drug Analyst Department approved Albion Estate to produce food grade sugars for direct consumption? The Corporation then continues with its unadulterated nonsense by stating that “the difference between bagged and packaged sugar is further drying of the sugar to render it more conducive for packaging”. Editor, the truth is, bagged and packaged sugar is a product intended for retail sale, thus, it must be fit for direct human consumption and must therefore meet all quality stipulations, not just degree of dryness (by “further drying”). Interestingly, after my letter was published on May, 31st, the movement of Albion’s sugar to Enmore was halted on June 1st. What a coincidence Ms. Thomas! 2. I have zero cause or reason to attack GuySuCo because its Management is in accelerated self-destruction mode by its very own utterances, actions & inactions. I am just highlighting some facts on the Corporation for which Management should be thankful instead of labelling me a detractor. 3. It is not my responsibility to advise the union, GAWU on its relationship with GuySuCo.
From the Corporation’s lamentation, it seems like workers have greater commitment, faith or trust in the union, GAWU than its employer, GuySuCo. It may be good to do some self-introspection to find out why workers are less committed or have lost faith and trust in GuySuCo. 4. Taking on “Project GuySuCo”. The IMC and Management should not even attempt for a fleeting moment to suggest that they are doing this nation a favour because they are(a) very well-paid bunch with my tax dollars. For e.g. the IMC alone cost the treasury G$90+M/yr. Anyone with such pay packet must be passionate and enthusiastic. Wouldn’t you Ms. Thomas? 5. SWOT Analysis. From this admission, it appears that GuySuCo’s IMC & Executives discovered for the first time the simple framework for analysing an organisation via SWOT analysis. Packing of bulk sugar for direct consumption is probably a highly strategic decision in GuySuCo’s psyche. We should light a candle for sugar workers and consumers! Regards Sookram Persaud
8
PAC hears: Washer paid for by PPP still to be delivered
THE purchase of an industrial washer and an industrial dryer for the Guyana Prison Service came under scrutiny on Monday during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the Chambers of Parliament Buildings. It was discovered in the report of the Auditor General for 2015 that the washer and dryer valued at $7.542M were paid for in full but never received by the Ministry of Public Security since 2014. The Ministry in its explanation said it is still awaiting the shipping of the items and it was recommended that the Ministry continues to pursue the matter and ensure that the items procured are delivered. The Audit Office also recommended that systems be put in place to ensure that there is no recurrence of the situation. During Monday’s meeting, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, Daneilla Mc Calmon, was called upon to explain why the washer and dryer have not yet been delivered even after monies would have been paid over in full to Tactical and Commercial Incorporated, an American company. Mc Calmon said it remains a challenge for the Ministry to get into contact with the supplier. She explained that the entity does not have a local office and calls to the supplier all go unanswered. “He’s not taking our calls,
the bank; a statement which did not find favour with PAC members. The PS explained that the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) was part of the process and noted that the items were sole sourced. She was asked to produce to the PAC the letter written requesting permission to sole source; that letter along with other documentation related to the procurement has to be submitted to the PAC by Friday. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Security, Daniella Mc Calmon he’s not responding to our emails,” she told the PAC. As such PAC Chair, Irfaan Ali recommended that the Ministry of Public Security writes the ambassador of the US Embassy here seeking assistance in the matter. In the meantime, PAC Member, Nigel Dharamlall, sited the situation as a “massive breakdown in the financial management” of the Ministry and described the situation as terrible. “How was the procurement done?” questioned Dharamlall who also asked what percentage of the amount was awarded to the company. “What was their contract value?” he probed as Mc Calmon replied, “approximately $10M”. The Permanent Secretary disclosed that the money was paid to the company in full through
Irfaan Ali The PS also disclosed that no bond was kept as security and the money was released by the former PS of the Ministry. PA C M e m b e r, C h a randass Persaud suggested that “If the company is real, fly somebody there…say I want my washer and dryer now, put it on a boat now.” But the matter did not rest
lightly with the PAC Chair, who noted that had the situation been reversed and it was a Guyanese company failing to deliver, that company would have been made to deliver. “If this was a Guyanese company owing the American company we would have had to find that company; write the Ambassador,” declared Ali. PAC Member, Jermaine Figueira, questioned what systems are in place to prevent the recurrence of such a situation in the future, whether local or foreign businesses. “Since I would have assumed the position, no company will be fully paid unless the items are delivered. We also receive a bond for any amount we pay out,” assured Mc Calmon Meanwhile, Dharamlall asked Mc Calmon to state the effect the non-delivery of the items have on the Georgetown Prison system. The PS explained that there is a washer and a dryer at the Prison facility but the new equipment was “just to ease the burden”. “They still have the burden but they use manual labour,” said the PS. The PAC requested that all measures be exhausted so that the washer and dryer could be delivered, or have the money paid returned. “All I want is the washer and dryer … or get the money back,” said PAC Member Edghill.
Juveniles set mattress on fire at Sophia Holding Centre THREE juveniles of the Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre were on Monday rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for smoke inhalation, after a mattress was set afire in a cell at the facility. The fire caused no serious damage to the facility, since it was spotted in the early stages and quickly put out. However, there was heavy police presence at the facility up to late last night. Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) responded to a call just after 18:00h and dispatched two tenders to the facility, but the fire was already extinguished by the time they got there.
Heavy police presence at the Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre late last night after the fire “There was a fire at the Juvenile Detention Centre this afternoon, where some of the juveniles there set fire to a mattress,” Gentle said. “No major damage was done to the property, just smoke damage. But about six persons were affected,
and three of them had to be medically evacuated for smoke inhalation but they are stable at the hospital,” he added. No one could give any reason as to why the juveniles would set fire to a mattress, or say how many children were currently
housed at the facility. Housed in the compound of the Sophia Training School, the Holding Centre was commissioned in 2011 at a cost of $37.6M to provide for the detention of juveniles who have been held pending charge, or are on remand.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
Contract soon ready for Mabaruma solar farm THE 400-kilowatt solar farm, which will provide an additional 17 hours of electricity to the 3,000 residents of the Region One (Barima-Waini) community of Mabaruma, is closer to realisation, as all tenders are at the evaluation stage. This was disclosed by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson to the Department of Public Information/Government Information Agency (DPI/GINA). Minister Patterson told the agency that at least 12 “very good tenders” were submitted. “They are all within budget, so we are just making sure that the successful tender can do the work and has the right specification,” he said. The contract will be awarded by the end of June, so that construction works can begin. Minister Patterson said that the site for the solar farm has already been selected. “We have started doing work in the Ministry; we have already started extending wires from the site to the plant and the power station in anticipation of the solar farm,” he said. The establishment of a solar farm at Mabaruma, at an estimated cost of $264M, was announced last year during the reading of the 2017 National Budget by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. Minister Jordan also said at the time that the proposed project was part of the government’s plan to move Guyana towards becoming a ‘Green State’ as a measure of a larger plan to reduce the country’s fossil fuel bill and prevent carbon emissions. He’d also announced that investors and other persons involved in the direct importation of items for energy efficiency will benefit from tax exemptions. Those exemptions, he said, were expected to benefit not just investors but the residents also. The government will also be pursuing other solar farms at Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); Mahdia in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); and at Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). These farms are projected to generate 800, 400, and 1.5 kilowatts of electricity respectively.
Children connect with nature –– To mark World Environment Day
CHILDREN from schools across Georgetown on Monday emphasised the importance of environmental sustainability at a symposium held at City Hall to observe World Environment Day, celebrated the world over on June 5. The symposium, hosted by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), featured schoolchildren from Georgetown, who made presentations on the importance of sustaining the environment, especially in a world battling climate change. These presentations, which were aimed at inculcating values of environmental preservation, were done in creative forms such as song, dance and poetry with few school groups dressing up to depict environmental hazards or the ‘green’ economy. Tying into the overall observance of World Environment Day under the theme: “Connecting people to nature”, the M&CC conceptualised this symposium to underscore the importance of the environment while “connecting our children with nature”, according to Town Clerk Royston King. King, in an attempt to foster the connection between the youths and nature, distributed animals (rabbits, fishes and birds) to some schools. Recipient schools were, however, tasked with establishing a “nature room” in their schools, and keeping a log book detailing how they cared for the animals each day. It was also highlighted that three weeks ago, a competition aimed at having Grade Five and Six pupils create poems and posters focusing on the environment and in observance of World Environment Day, was launched by the M&CC. There were some 20 entries from various schools. The winners of this competition were also awarded at this symposium; the North Georgetown Primary school copped the first place prize for the Best Poem while the J.E Burnham Primary School managed to gain the first place prize for the Best Poster. According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the M&CC, Debra Lewis, the competition was launched in an attempt to inculcate values of environmental preservation and sustainability in the young children. Mayor of Georgetown Patricia Chase-Green, affirmed, “These are little positive things we [the M&CC] do to encourage our youths.”
9
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
and Promoting Development
‘Profit’ is a bad word! Entrepreneurship and the Guyanese mind By Dr. Ken Danns I WAS teaching at the University of Guyana during the era of the Desmond Hoyte’s Presidency and that of the succession in government of the PPP/C. I introduced what I termed the “Sociology of Enterprise” as an integral component of my SOC 100: Introduction to Sociology course which had enrolment numbers of between 100 – 150 students annually. The course lasted the duration of the academic year and students were introduced to theories on the origins of capitalism and entrepreneurship and required and trained to enact the role of entrepreneurs. The students were required to come up with a lawful business idea, develop a business plan and operationalise a short-term economic enterprise. This assignment explicitly stated that the more profit students successfully made, relative to their investment of time and money, the higher their grades would be for that assignment. The students reported with great pride to the entire class on their rather innovative projects. These projects ranged from food businesses, farming, craft, organising large entertainment ventures, daycare, cleaning and other services, etc. Some of these enterprises have continued long after the class ended. The first couple of years the Sociology of Enterprise students did so as “individual entrepreneurs” or formed groups and worked together as “group entrepreneurs”. By the third year while maintaining the individual and group entrepreneurs’ initiatives the entire class was turned into a “corporate enterprise”, complete with a managing board of directors, including a finance director, and board chairman and secretary. My University of Guyana’s sociology class, as a business incubator, initiated and developed successful and enduring projects like “Academic Freedom” a large all day fair
held on Easter Monday on the Turkeyen Campus with the tag line “Academic Freedom, you got fuh come”; AWE Society – a theatrical production held at the National Cultural Center and “Miss University of Guyana Beauty Pageant”. In all of these highly successful short term enterprises, repeated for several years, the students actively engaged the business community as advertisers, investors, service providers and the public as consumers. The media, paid and unpaid, were crucial in promoting the students’ ventures. Students understood that all entrepreneurship involved risk taking and that many ventures fail. The University of Guyana kept half of all profits made for use of its brand and facilities and these monies were used to buy computers, printers, office furniture, etc. that the university otherwise would not have been able to afford. The board of directors elected by the students accounted for all monies and paid each student from the profits. The Sociology of Enterprise Project maintained an account at Citizen’s Bank leaving a token sum of money in the account so the next year’s class would have some capital to start with. I also lived what I preached by creating two successful businesses AWE Society Productions and the Center for Economic and Social Research and Action (CESRA). Many of my students created and sustained their own businesses after leaving the class. Entrepreneurship was not only taught and learned. It was also lived. The hundreds of students who took the course earned marks, money and a creative disposition to innovation and entrepreneurship. The biggest problem I had as professor for the course was to convince our Guyanese students that it was okay to make money for themselves from their created enterprises. Students understood readily and eagerly related to the necessity for and challenges of innovation. But, the students
in every class kept asking me same thing: “To whom or where do I/we donate the money I/we make”. The idea of engaging in entrepreneurial activities exclusively for personal profit rather than for altruistic purposes made most students feel uncomfortable and seemingly clashed with their value orientations to economic life. For most of the students “profit” was a bad word. The path to success in life consisted of earning a degree and acquiring a “good job”. Becoming an entrepreneur was not on their career radar. It required an epistemological break by students from their current understanding of economic life. I had to act as a “moral entrepreneur” and assured them that making money and a profit for themselves was a good thing. Further, that through their business enterprises they were providing a public service for private good. Emerging from it post-colonial socialist past the Guyanese people were largely a nation of job seekers rather than wealth creators. The government was the dominant entrepreneur, followed by foreign enterprises, and the local private sector comprised mainly of family businesses. In addition, there were numerous small farmers, vendors and artisans engaged in “survival entrepreneurship”. COOPERATIVE SOCIALISM The Hoyte administration had abandoned cooperative socialism, restored market oriented economic policies and embraced the private sector as the engine of development. The emphasis was on attracting foreign investment industrialization by invitation – and divesting state-owned enterprises. The PPP/C government maintained this trend and in addition promoted government partnerships with the private sector. While emphasising the role of the conventional private sector in the country’s development,
as a reality and an abstraction, these preceding governmental administrations maintained state dominance in the economy and were not very effective in promoting a vibrant entrepreneurial culture in Guyana. Of course, survival entrepreneurship as a method to generate “income” rather than “profit” has always existed in Guyana. Tens of thousands of relatively new survival entrepreneurs have emerged unable to rely on paid employment alone from the government or from the private sector. Herein lies a virtual reservoir of untapped entrepreneurial talent waiting for a salubrious policy climate and appropriate incentives like paved roads, transportation, power, potable water and access to local and international markets to explode. Many operate in the informal sector and in the underground economy as “guerilla entrepreneurs”. People are getting their hustle on, starting their own small businesses or at a minimum buying and selling commodities and services. Seems like everybody in Guyana selling something. Guyanese are earnestly seeking to explore entrepreneurial activities outside of their conventional employment. Sugar workers, for example, supplement their seasonal incomes as taxi and minibus drivers, farmers, artisans and shopkeepers. A few months ago, I travelled along the coastlands from the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus in Georgetown to its Tain Campus in Berbice. I was fascinated to see the roadside markets in many villages with their bounty of greens, vegetables, colourful fruits, fish, shrimp, crab, chicken, beef, and other commodities tantalisingly displayed. These markets seemed to be flourishing more than ever. I tried only to think of this endless bounty of produce as “organic” and fresh, rather than wondering about their shelf life and what happens to these primary commodities when they are not sold. I tried to think of how very blessed
and verdant Guyana is. If you even spit on the soil something will grow. Truly a green economy! Most of these small enterprises are wholly dependent on the labour power of these survival entrepreneurs and lack survivability and prospects for transformative growth. A visa to the United States or Canada is a huge incentive to abandon these small enterprises and the country. If only the production of these primary goods can be converted into value added commodities through the application of technology to preserve, to can and to export. If only these vendors can be trained to tap the wind and hot tropical sun as reliable energy sources for manufacture in their communities. MARKED DEPARTURE The two year old APNU/ AFC Coalition Government in Guyana has made a marked departure from its predecessors. It is decidedly and openly fostering entrepreneurship to generate employment, stimulate manufacturing and other value added enterprises and in general to give citizens a stake and a say in the development of the country and their communities. President David Granger in urging villagers to develop cottage industries stated: “Get into manufacturing; open packaging plants and factories! Villagers can do simple things by planting guava and using them to make jams and jellies; villages today are empty, so the villagers need to get involved in various manufacturing activities.” Guyana’s Minister of Finance Winston Jordan encouraged residents in the Town of Linden for example to “get involved in business” and assured them that the government will support their entrepreneurship. This is a major policy shift where entrepreneurship is seen as a protocol for wealth creation and development not only by the conventional private sector, both local and
foreign, but by Guyanese everywhere in the villages and townships. The Guyana government is seemingly cultivating an entrepreneurial culture among its peoples. Remarkable indeed! When the state plays the major and activist role in promoting private entrepreneurship countries develop rapidly. Examples are, China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan. This major paradigm shift in thought on Guyana’s development must of course be accompanied by the conscious recognition that “profit” is not a bad word”. Government regulations and taxation must function as incentives to wealth creation and profit generation rather than onerous burdens and disincentives. Celebrate the generation of wealth and profit. Promoting an entrepreneurial culture in Guyana as a development strategy importantly requires buy in by government administrators and not only its articulation by political leaders. Government bureaucrats must be oriented to stop seeing profit as a bad word. Emergent or established businesses must come to perceive government functionaries as enablers, rather than deadweights and vampires. The caring actions and long term commitment of the government are crucially important for bringing large segments of the vibrant survival entrepreneurship into the formal economic sector and above ground and enabling their sustainability. This is by no means to suggest that emergent business enterprises must be dependent on government for their survival. Private enterprise is economic freedom and a foundation of modern democracy. The entrepreneur is important for development. It is through entrepreneurship that the forces of production are organised and revolutionised to create the wealth associated with industrial and postindustrial societies. The generation of profit is a good thing. It must be seen and treated as such by those committed to their own and the country’s development.
10
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
Board of deeds, commercial registries in place
THE FIRST order of business for the newly-constituted Board of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority would be to get a good sense of what is happening in this area of service. This is according to the body’s chairwoman, Christine McGowan, who along with five other board members received their instrument of certification from Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams on Monday. The simple ceremony which was held at the AG’s office cleared the way for the inaugural meeting of the board which had not been in operation for just over a year. McGowan told this newspaper that the Board would want to have an idea of the state of affairs since it is the first time the new board will be sitting. “We want to understand what is
Second from right, Chairwoman Christine McGowan and Minister Basil Williams are flanked by other board members and registrars of the Deeds and Commercial Registries. happening and based on that, look to offer a better service, and in terms of ensuring that business is not affected by the tardiness that could arise from time to time.” Relating to deeper in-
sights into this area, McGowan explained that the Deeds and Commercial Registry Board is not engaged in an investigative role, but would seek the necessary information that speak directly
to the proper management of state records, business information and the improvement of other services to the public. The first meeting would be used for the members who hail from prominent civil institutions to become acquainted with each other. It was recognised that the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority (Amendment) Bill 2017, which sits in Parliament had caused a delay in the appointment of the board. Minister Williams pointed out, however, that the current members are constituted under the current legislation. The Bill will, however, be debated on the 15 of this month, and it is hoped that after its passage, three more persons representing the Ministry of Business, the Chief Evaluation Office
and a representative of the Guyana Revenue Authority will be added to what will then be seen as a well-rounded board. This widening of the board is necessary for many and varying reasons, Williams charged. He noted the importance of recognising that the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority Board is a corporate organisation with its legal status separate and distinct from its employees. The Act, the Minister continued, gives certain functions and provides for the respective registrars to look after the daily affairs of respective registries. He said that the board also has its functions but the Act provides that, “the minister responsible for the Authority, which is the Minister of Legal Affairs, could give directions to the boards
and of course the boards has to carry out directions,” under the current legislation. Williams explained that this means when it is said that the agency is an independent body, it’s in terms of its corporate status, since it is a semi-autonomous body and the Act provides for the minister’s role in that regard. “We believe that the board must work with directions in terms of policy which you will get from the minister acting for cabinet.” The important thing, however, is the delivery of proper legal services. The minister recalled the problems previously associated with the registries where service was time consuming and records were not readily available; leading to a generally poor delivery of service. “I believe that since we (government) came into office and we moved the Commercial Registry into separate buildings, that the registry is functioning quite effectively.” Williams noted however that he expects free and further intercourse between his ministry, the board and other relevant parties. Apart from the chair, Gillian Pollard is representing the Ministry of Finance, Aretha Henry, the Ministry of Communities, Sharon Small, the Guyana Bar Association, Kumar Dorasami, the Guyana Association of Legal Professionals and Major General (ret’d) Norman McLean for the Private Sector Commission.
11
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
GNBS seizes hundreds of scales –– during raids at Stabroek, Bourda Markets
AS part of a campaign launched in April to crackdown on sale outlets to ensure compliance with national standards for weights and measures, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has since seized 335 scales and 43 masses following visits conducted to a total 3,563 shops. The majority of these seizures were from the Stabroek and Bourda Markets and the GNBS reports that the seized items were not approved for commercial trade. Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the GNBS, Lloyd David said the surveillance exercise within Georgetown and its environs was carried out by a team of Inspectors to check and verify that weighing devices and scales were stamped by the Bureau to ensure commodities comply with national standards and quality requirements. Dial scales are not approved for commercial trade, but are approved for domestic trade. Head of the Standards Compliance Department, Shailendra Rai said that vendors and shopkeepers are purchasing unapproved devices in the retail sector for commercial trade.
“The Bureau of Standards cannot limit the types of scales imported into Guyana, because there are scales used for domestic use and scales imported for commercial use. But what we find is that vendors and shopkeepers are purchasing the domestic scale for commercial trade, and when that happens consumers are cheated, because of continuous usage over a period of time. The internal mechanism of the scale…when weight is placed on it, the scale would show extra weight,” Rai explained. Rai further advised store owners and dealers to educate the consumers and shop owners on approved and non-approved devices, since the approved devices would be verified by the GNBS and would carry a Bureau sticker. The Metrology and Standards Compliance Department plays an active role in consumer protection and equity in trade. It is responsible for three main programmes: Standards Compliance, Weights and Measures and Consumers Complaints Investigation. These programmes are intended to protect consumers and facilitate local, regional and international trade.
Some of the seized scales that were not approved for commercial trade
Woman swindled of millions GRDB facilitating fertiliser of dollars in pregnancy scam on credit system to farmers By Rabindra Rooplall A US-based Guyanese woman is warning women who reside in Guyana not to fall victim to a local conman who swindled her of millions of Guyana dollars through the provision of false medications and promises of pregnancy. She identified the man as a former resident of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo who now resides at La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara. She said the man goes by the name “Krishna Sookdan”. Recalling her story, the woman said that it all started in 2015. Ms Singh (only name given) was introduced to Krishna who was recommended to her as someone who had great medicine and spiritual powers. At the time, she had a severe rash on her skin and the over-the-counter medication being given by the pharmacy was not assisting. “I send a lot of money [to Guyana] since 2015 to buy medicine to fix my skin, and nothing was done. In the meantime, I was told as well that he could get me pregnant, since I was in a relationship and wanted a child; and that by doing meditation and using the medicine, my partner could have gotten me pregnant,” she said. She continued: “So I believed him and I went to Guyana in January 2016, and we did some spiritual things at sea. And later he called me and told me I was pregnant in November 2016, the same week that I was going to India. [He told me that] as soon as I return [from India] that I had to come to Guyana.” She explained that upon her return to Guyana, she was escorted by her mother who was also supportive in her venture. “I actually thought I was pregnant because my belly looked slightly swollen and I told Krishna that I would be going to the doctor, but he told me right away if I do that, the pregnancy might fail because the doctor will have to check me with their fin-
gers and that will give me a miscarriage,” she said. Ms. Singh explained that she had sent thousands of US dollars to the conman without even realising that something was amiss about all the requests the swindler had made. “I kept sending money for him every week or every two weeks sometimes. This man made me even take out a loan for him, since he claims that he will give it back to me, since he sold his restaurant in Leguan. Up to this day, I never see the money back. He said that the bank will send it to me; I never got anything,” she lamented. After several months passed, Ms. Singh visited a gynaecologist and was awakened to the reality she was not pregnant. Adding that she later became depressed, Ms. Singh said upon investigation, she learned that “Krishna” was also responsible for swindling many women with deceit, tricks and lies, based on their needs. She noted that upon reflection, all the times she sent money to him, it would never be in his name, but in his girlfriend’s name, but that she had never been suspicious of this at first. “Right now I understand that I was not the only one he did this to. Many women he had done this to and after this happen to me, then I found out the horror stories. Many women he threatened to send evil spirits to hurt or kill them and their family, that’s why no one reported him to the police,” she said. However, she said that she is no longer fearful of him and is instead seeking to spread awareness to others in society to not be susceptible to such swindles. “I recently learned that this man is living in LBI and driving taxi taking children to school. He should not even be around children and he is a very dangerous and deceptive person.” Ms. Singh said she is now trying to rectify the broken relationship within her family which occurred as a result of “Krishna’s” lies.
- to offset present escalating fertiliser price THE Board of Directors of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has recently taken a decision to provide farmers throughout the rice growing region, access to fertiliser through a credit system. To this end, farmers’ have since been able to access fertiliser (6: 25: 25) and repay the board at the end of each crop, a release from the Ministry of Agriculture said. General Manager (ag), of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Ms. Allison Peters, in an invited comment stated that the move by the government is in response to a much-needed assistance to the farming community. “What we have seen as of recent is the escalating fertiliser price and one which has had a negative impact on production and by and large productivity....with the implementation of this system, farmers can now access fertilisers and pay at the end of the crop,” the General Manager (ag) said. Thus far, 3675 bags of fertiliser have been sold in Region Six (East Berbice – Corentyne) and 1013 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) at a cost of $5500 per bag. The Board is also presently looking at incorporating a transportation plan to get the fertiliser to farmers in Regions Two. “There is no limit to the amount of fertiliser farmers’ can request. However, we are targeting rice farmers with the aim of ensuring that they not only have access to the commodity but also with a view to ensuring that production levels continue to climb,” Peters stated. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder stated that the industry can
expect similar moves in the near future as the Ministry of Agriculture continues to look at ways in which assistance can be given to farmers. He added that since the implementation of the “fertiliser on credit” system, there has been a significant reduction in the cost of fertilisers by the private sector. Thus far, the Ministry of Agriculture has received support from rice farmers who welcomed the programme, alluding to the fact that it has been supporting their trade. “The Rice Board has been looking at ways in which agriculture in Guyana can be sustained, through a cost-effective approach and in doing so, the board also looks at ways in which the Ministry can step in and assist farmers in plying their trade,” Minister Holder said. The minister stressed the need to improve productivity, noting that for this to be achieved improved management practices, seed rates, sowing methods, and disease management must be addressed. The Ministry of Agriculture has been playing a lead role in ensuring that the necessary systems are in place to assist farmers countrywide, and has been diligently employing various technologies in the effort to reduce the negative impact from adverse weather conditions and to boost productivity. The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is also pursuing diversification into specialty rice varieties, with increased emphasis on the development of value-added production such as rice/wheat flour blend, rice noodles, pasta and precooked rice products this year.
12
Gov’t honours military, police band-room
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
–– for contributions to 50th Anniversary Celebrations
ON the occasion of Guyana’s 51st Independence Anniversary, the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sports recently held an appreciation ceremony for those who would have played a pivotal role in making the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary
a success last year. According to Asif Hakim of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Public Relations Department, among those honoured were members of the GPF Band-room. The recipients consisted of 65 ranks from the Steel Band, Military Band, and Choir who were awarded with
certificates of appreciation. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, thanked all the awardees for putting their country first. She also noted that during 2016, she saw the true meaning of national pride and that she was happy with the manner in which
the 50th Anniversary Logo was displayed. She said during the 2016 celebrations, the country saw a 100 percent increase in visitors. The Minister said that a total of 120 events were completed in just over 100 days and that these events attracted an all-time record of over 100,000 persons.
Meanwhile, GPF Director of Music, Superintendent Charmaine Stuart, who was the recipient of a certificate, as well as a 50th Independence Anniversary Medal, thanked the government on behalf of the Force for honouring them for the work they did in 2016. The ceremony was held
at the National Cultural Centre on Friday. The event also attracted the attendance of the First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and other Government Ministers.
Director of Music, Ms. Charmaine Stuart (seated second right) with ranks who were honoured
Chemo is messing with my glow, help! I HAD finally made it pass the 50% mark of completion for my chemotherapy, 87.5% to be exact. A week after my seventh (and second to last) session I was complaining of the intense itching that really was the most irritating side effect of this cycle of drugs. Limacol was my favourite thing to soothe the burning of my skin that came after all the itching,which I definitely could not just ignore.I had to scratch the itch...and with any available secondary sharp instrument because I’m a nail biter (yes, yes I know I’m trying to stop). The unfortunate result however was a
lot of dry, scaly skin since the chemo drugs were also drying out my skin and all the scratching had bruised and damaged my skin even more. Cut to a conversation with one of my best friends who asked whether I had tried Naked Skin (all natural) Soap and then bam! (LOL) He produced two bars of soap out of nowhere and handed them to me. “You’re walking around with soap now?”, I asked, amused as I closely inspected the bars in my hand. Each bar had been wrapped in cloth and then packed into a very organic looking package with names on them. I was holding the
Tumeric & Neem Stream (face soap) and the Coffee Beans (body) soap, the other side of the bar was marked ‘Naked Skin’. As it turned out, a mutual friend of ours had started his own soap making business in Guyana and we were to be some of his first customers. The soaps looked great if nothing else, but I doubted they would help my skin; thus far only coconut oil was able to provide some relief to my dry skin condition. Later that day after exercising for about fifteen minutes - terrible I know but I couldn’t go longer than that without getting very tired or the itching stopping
me from working out literally. Just as I finished up my routine, the itching started and I took that as my cue to try out the Coffee Beans body soap. Fast forward a week later and voila! My skin was definitely more hydrated and the itching had not stopped but the breaks in between them were longer (there); probably because my skin was not as dry as before. This will probably sound like a plug for my friend’s soap and in a way I suppose it is, but not without merit. The fact that anti itch/fungal creams did nothing to relieve my discomfort from the itching and his soaps did, speaks
volumes for the power of coconut oil - which it turns out is the base ingredient for all of these soaps. My new regimen consisted of using the soaps and then lathering on some coconut oil on my skin for added measure. Anyone who has ever suffered with dry skin and irritating itching should definitely try these soaps; but more specifically for my oncology friends who,like me, have to endure all the dermatological gripes that affect us during treatment. I believe these soaps which come in about six different scents are available at leading supermarkets, pharmacies and salons in and around Georgetown.
Thanks to Naked Skin Soaps I was able to make it through the rest of my chemo recovery weeks without losing my mind to the severe itching that had plagued me since I began the fifth chemo session. These battles may seem insignificant to someone on the outside of cancer treatment but comfort is key when going through this adventure (as opposed to ordeal...perspective right?) and being able to have an ease from such an annoying and distracting side effect was just what I needed as I closed in on my 100% completion mark.
A steal of a deal!
13
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
–– GTT, UG partner in landmark student loan repayment plan By Alva Solomon
A DEAL inked Monday between GTT and the Ministry of Finance will make it easier for University of Guyana (UG) students, past and present, to repay their student loans. The deal, which will see students using the Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) app, was agreed to at the Student Loan Agency office at the university’s Turkeyen Campus by GTT’s Mr Justin Nedd, and Finance Minister, Mr Winston Jordan. Explaining how the arrangement will work, Nedd said the student will be able to make payments by entering their unique Student Identification Number and the amount of money they wish to pay into their account. He said the telecommunications company has been scanning the landscape on a continual basis in order to innovate for the good of the society. He said that with MMG, the company offers a payment platform that will bring an affordable method to conducting business without the use of cash. Nedd noted
Following the signing Monday of the landmark GTT-UG deal, are, from left: Minister of Finance, Mr Winston Jordan; Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ivelaw Griffith and Mr Justin Nedd that MMG is known for its istry has been undertak- that the systems for guaran- graduates and guarantors “convenience” as a bill pay- ing to ensure the ease with teeing student loans are also must work together to rement tool. which students can make being examined. verse the trend of delinquent Minister Jordan told the payments. “Bold adjustments are borrowers. gathering that the new arHe said too that the crite- necessary in a dynamic enHe said that since 1994, rangement is one in a series ria for qualifying for a loan vironment,” Minister Jordan close to $10B was disbursed of initiatives that the min- are also being refined, and said, adding that students, to past and present students
in the form of loans. And of the 28,936 loans that have been issued to date, 20,301 are delinquent. “It is an uncomfortable truth; one that cannot be ignored,” he said in reference to the inordinately high number of defaulters there are. With reference to last year’s Jubilee offer, whereby defaulting students were given an opportunity to clear or bring their payments up to date, Minister Jordan said that while some paid, many opted not to take it up. He spoke highly of the MMG arrangement, noting that the payment method is fast and secure. He noted, too, that the Student Loan Agency is working along with GTT and Western Union to develop a plan in which students can make payments Online. Meanwhile, efforts are in train to strengthen the human resource capacity of the Student Loan Agency. A new director and administrative manager, as well as additional loan officers have been added to the roster of the agency, and plans are in train to improve the functions of the agency.
UG commissions teleconferencing suite
FOLLOWING a simple ceremony on Monday afternoon, the University of Guyana (UG) officially unveiled a teleconferencing suite at its Turkeyen Campus. The new facility, which was gifted to the university by Huawei Technologies, provides an audio-visual link between the institution’s Turkeyen Campus and the one at Tain, in Berbice. Minister of Public Telecommunications, Ms Cathy Hughes told the gathering at the ceremony that the ministry has been working closely with the university, and that having signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), “We want to ensure that we are bringing more connectivity to the campus and other related facilities.” She said that the new facility is part of a wider plan to create a higher level of digital connectivity for the
Minister of Public Telecommunications, Ms Cathy Hughes cuts the ceremonial ribbon to mark the commissioning of the teleconferencing suite. Helping her do the honours are, from left: Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr Paloma Mohamed, and Vice- Chancellor, Dr Ivelaw Griffith country; that activities such as registering a birth and obtaining a driver’s licence are among documents that can be easily achieved Online. Speaking specifical-
ly about the new facility, Hughes said that the connectivity is important for education, as previously, persons at Tain would have had to travel all the way to
Turkeyen in order to undertake studies. “With the use of technology, we have recognised that we could connect these locations,” she said.
She said, too, that although the instructions for assembling the equipment was written in Mandarin, the staff of UG have been able to ensure the operation
of the suite. The new facility was recently installed as part of the agreement for technical cooperation between UG and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications. During Monday’s event, persons at the Tain Campus were connected and witnessed the unveiling of the new facility. Meanwhile, Minister Hughes noted that via the E-Governance Unit, 84 schools have been connected, mainly high schools, while 20 different educational institutions such as the Guyana School of Agriculture and Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) have been connected. In addition, 56 Information Communications Technology (ICT) hubs have been connected across the country.
14
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
‘Grey Boy’ freed again of Crum-Ewing murder By Clestine Juan
REGAN Rodrigues, called “Grey Boy,” who was accused of the March 2015 murder of political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing, was freed for the second time of the murder charge against him. City Magistrate, Judy Latchman dismissed the charge against Rodrigues on Monday at the end of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI). In her ruling, Magistrate Latchman said that while she was satisfied that the gun, which was used to shoot Crum-Ewing, was found at the home of the accused, the evidence offered by the prosecution did not implicate Ro-
DEAD: Courtney Crum-Ewing drigues in the actual murder. Rodrigues, 40, resides at Riverview, Georgetown.
In relation to the 14 oral statements made by Rodrigues, which were admitted into evidence, the magistrate said they did not implicate him in the murder and there is no evidence that Rodrigues used the gun, pulled the trigger and shot Crum-Ewing. Prior to the magistrate’s ruling, Special Prosecutor, Nigel Hughes called his final two witnesses: Inspector Jackson and Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mitchell Caesar, to the stand. Rodrigues, who maintained his innocence during the PI, broke down in tears after hearing the magistrate’s ruling. He shouted “freedom!” as he made his way out of the courtroom.
FREED : Regan Rodrigues called ‘Grey Boy’ In her ruling, the Magistrate explained that she had reviewed the “dust and the
crumbs” of the case and was satisfied that there was no evidence linking Rodrigues to the murder. In September 2016, Rodrigues was freed of the murder charge by Magistrate Latchman, due to the lack of evidence. The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided to re-open the case for further evidence from police witnesses and for the magistrate to rule on the oral statements made by Rodrigues. The bullet-riddled body of Crum-Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme, EBD, days before the May 11, 2015 elections. The 40-year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back
of the head and twice to the stomach. The police in a statement had stated that the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body. It was reported that the killer (s) used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing. The political activist was well known for his one-man protest outside the office of former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall. Minutes before he was gunned down, he was reportedly heard via bullhorn urging residents of the neighbourhood to vote against the then ruling PPP/C party.
‘E’ Division records decrease in serious crimes WHILE the ‘E’ Division (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) continues to tackle minor breakages and larceny in communities such as Amelia’s Ward, the categories of serious crimes that have seen decreases range from statutory rape and criminal rape, robbery under arms, kidnapping and murder. Documents seen by this newspaper while in discussion with Commander of the Division, Superintendent Fazil Karimbaskh,
show that the division has seen an 18.4% decrease in serious crimes compared to this same period last year. While residents continue to express concern over reports of break and enter in the communities, this newspaper understands that there is actually a five percent decrease in break and entry and larceny compared to last year. Commander Karimbaskh is encouraging residents to report cases of break and enter since this would allow the ranks to be
more efficient in tackling the perpetrators. “What we have been doing is that we have been working in collaboration with the Community Policing Groups and we have been policing the communities on a daily basis on a 24 hr basis…they are riding bicycles and when persons gone to work, they see persons may leave their windows open, or there may be an incomplete house with an opening so these boys are seeking the opportunity to go in the house and steal
and go away. That is what is going on, not no big breakage to carry away the entire house,” Karimbaskh said. He is also encouraging residents to be more vigilant and to secure their homes. The Division has ramped up patrols across the communities which include foot patrols, four wheel patrols, motorbike patrols and ATV patrols. There has also been the
introduction of river patrols which traverses the riverine communities in the Demerara River. The Division also continues to embark on social crime prevention programmes and in April, two community groups were formed in Central Mackenzie and Lower Kara Kara. For 2017, there were seven cases of robbery under arms and five of these
cases were brought before the court. There were no reports of any other forms of robbery. “I feel that the division is performing well, the ranks are placing more emphasis, they are more focused and more dedicated in performing their functions and we have been getting a lot of praises from the community,” Karimbaksh posited.
Cubans charged with overstaying in Guyana A Cuban couple was on Monday fined $60,000 each by City Magistrate Judy Latchman, after admitting to overstaying in Guyana. William Cascara, 45, and Vankezia Beban, 29, were charged with overstaying their time in Guyana from April 10 to June 1, 2017 after being permitted to stay from October 5, 2016 and April 9, 2017. They pleaded guilty. Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves told the court that the couple entered Guyana via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on
William Cascara October 5, 2016 and was granted six months stay in the country.
However, Gonsalves noted that on June 1, 2017, the couple was stopped by police while in a vehicle en route to Lethem and their passports were checked when it was discovered that they had overstayed. With the aid of an interpreter, the couple explained to the court that they had come to Guyana on tourist visas and had tried working in the country. Magistrate Latchman fined the couple $60,000 each, with an alternative of six months imprisonment.
Mother of four remanded on drug charge A Kitty, Georgetown resident was on Monday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Judy Latchman on a drug trafficking charge. Michelle Norwich, a 42-year-old mother of four, denied that on May 31, 2017 at Garnett Street, Kitty, she had 341.8 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The woman did not have legal representation and was remanded to prison until June 26, 2017.
According to Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves, on the day in question at about 16:00 hrs, the police conducted raids in the Kitty area when they went to Norwich’s home. Police made contact with Norwich and searched the house in her presence, during which the drugs were reportedly found inside a bedroom. The prosecutor told the court that under caution, the accused reportedly admitted ownership of the drugs.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
15
16
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
17
18
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 6, 2017
19
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 6, 2017
We have really and truly made Guyana proud – AAG president By Tamica Garnett ATHLETICS Association of Guyana (AAG) president Aubrey Hutson says he takes pride in what Guyana was able to accomplish over the weekend - to successfully host the South American Junior Championships. He is particularly encouraged by the large turnout that witnessed the competition. “I’ve gone to a lot of South American Championships and the kind of crowd enthusiasm that we saw last weekend, I can’t remember experiencing it. I think they would have all left quite happy with what they would have seen,” he noted. “We had some people saying, ‘Could we do it? Are you sure we could?’ Well I think at the end we pulled out every stop to have the best possible championships that we could have had at such short notice.” Guyana had just under three months to prepare
for the Championships after it got the nod to host from the South American Athletics Confederation. The country was able to overcome the hurdles, however, and witness Guyana’s largest athletics meet turnout which led to the country’s success. “I think we have really and truly made Guyana proud in pulling off a Championships, almost like we would have never seen in South America before, even with our limited experience, and limited personnel,” Hutson expressed. Like many, Hutson was particularly happy with Guyana’s medal take, after in one hosting Guyana more than tripled our medal take in the entire history of the Championships. Over the years Guyana had only collected eight medals at the event, but last weekend we ended with a total of 25 medals and also finished second place in the point stand-
ings. “What I experienced over last weekend is a feeling, since I became president that I longed for; to watch Guyanese athletes cross the finish line in first place. I think what happened last weekend is a result of the drive to develop these athletes and hence we get the reward. The coaches have been doing a tremendous job,” Hutson expressed. Three of Guyana’s medals were gold, and the country was fifth in the medals table. A chance for a fourth gold slipped past Guyana after the Boys 4x400m team was disqualified for a baton-passing infringement. However, this achievement did not come cheap, Hutson says the final price tag rests somewhere in the vicinity of $32M-$33M, and all the bills have not yet been paid. Hutson did not shy away from admitting that there were shortcomings, however. “Are there things we
could do better? Sure, but I think we did the best that we could have possibly done under the circumstances. Time was our biggest enemy in this project. The venue not being fully equipped for a Championship of this magnitude played a role in our inability to move smoothly. “Also I don’t think we have all the marketing and sales personnel within our council to really market. What we generally needed was more time to advertise, more time to contact sponsors, to push to get more sponsors on board,” he related. But that is by no means dampening the AAG from looking forward to hosting more international meets. Hutson enthusiastically shared that the body will be looking to possibly bring the 2020 CARIFTA here, with the 2018 and 2019 hosting already spoken for.
Garrett’s goal propels Guyana to U-15 title in St Martin
A LONE strike from Jermaine Garrett was good enough to help Guyana clinch a 1-0 victory over
South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:30 hrs Arte 09:05 hrs Porcupine Creek 09:45 hrs Joey Piper 10:20 hrs At A Glance 10:55 hrs Spider Flower English Racing Tips Chepstow 09:00 hrs Holy Tiber 09:30 hrs Living Leader 10:00 hrs Chamasay 10:30 hrs Munfallet 11:00 hrs Miss Inga Sock 11:30 hrs Zenon 12:00 hrs Great Sound 12:30 hrs Innoko Wetherby 09:10 hrs Dontgiveuponbob 09:40 hrs Twentytwowontdo 10:10 hrs Snookered
hosts St Martin to win the U-15 SOUALIGA Cup on Sunday. Guyana finished un-
10:40 hrs Miss Ranger 11:10 hrs Zlatan 11:40 hrs Golden Apollo 12:10 hrs War Of Succession 12:40 hrs Hallingham Yarmouth 09:20 hrs Zain Flash 09:50 hrs Musical Terms 10:20 hrs Albert Boy 10:50 hrs Street Art 11:20 hrs Thaqaffa 11:50 hrs Swilly Sunset 12:20 hrs Blue On Blue American Racing Tips Philadelphia Park Race 1 Gadwall Race 2 Samboopk Race 3 Fleet First Race 4 Conquest Kronos Race 5 Papa Jones Race 6 Friesani Race 7 Flatter Me Zanja Race 8 Final Encore Race 9 Tommy’s Top Cat
defeated, scoring eight goals in their six games played, while being able to keep a clean sheet throughout the ten-team tournament. The Bryan Joseph-coached side played to a scoreless draw in their matches against Barbados and Guadeloupe, but beat Martinique 1-0 in their third game, then crush the British Virgin Islands (BVI) in their quarter-final game. Guyana then clinched their spot in the final with a 1-0 win over Dominica, with Technical Director Ian Greenwood showering the team with praise for their level of play. After clinching the tournament title, Greenwood said that there’s “still a long way to go with this group of players, but I know with more training and
through the Academy Training Centres (ATC) we will get there. We have to ensure that the guys stay focused and stick with the objective. With this group of players, five years down the line, we’re looking for them to be National senior team players.” The team was selected f r o m t h e G F F- S c o t i a bank Academy Training Centres (ATC) – East Coast (4); East Bank (1); Georgetown (5); Rupununi (3); Bartica (1); Berbice (1) and one player from Region 1. Greenwood explained, prior to the team’s departure that the tournament in St Martin will serve as preparation for the CONCACAF U-15 tournament which will be played August 13-19 at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
20
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday,June 6, 2017
Former Ivory Coast midfielder Tiote dies aged 30 (REUTERS) - Former Ivory Coast and Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote collapsed and died at the age of 30 in training with his Chinese club Beijing Enterprises yesterday, his agent said. Tiote, who made more than 150 appearances in seven seasons at Newcastle, was an African Nations Cup winner with the Ivorians in 2015, although he missed the final through injury, and he also played in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. “It is with deep sadness that I confirm that my client Cheick Tiote sadly passed away earlier today after collapsing in training with his club Beijing Enterprises,” agent Emanuele Palladino told Sky Sports. “We cannot say any more at the moment and we request that his family’s
Ivory Coast player Cheick Ismael Tiote answers questions during a news conference at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brasilia, June 18, 2014. (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File Picture)
privacy be respected at this difficult time. We ask for all your prayers.” There has not been any
comment from his current club but Newcastle issued a statement on their website (www.nufc.co.uk). “We are devastated to have learnt of the tragic passing of Cheick Tiote at the age of just 30,” the newly promoted Premier League club said. “The thoughts of everyone at Newcastle United are with Cheick’s family, friends, team mates and everyone connected with the clubs he represented.” GREAT SADNESS Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez added: “It is with great sadness that I have this afternoon learned of Cheick’s death. “In all the time that I have known him, he was a true professional, dedicated and above all, a great man. Our hearts go out to
his family and friends at such a sad time.” Born in Yamoussoukro, Tiote moved to Belgium as a teenager after being scouted by Anderlecht for whom he made his debut in the Champions League in 2005. He spent a season at Roda JC Kerkrade on loan and later moved to another Dutch club FC Twente where he won the 2009-10 Eredivisie title under former England manager Steve McLaren. The defensive midfielder was sold by Twente to Newcastle for £3.5 million in 2010 and cemented his place in club folklore with a long-range equaliser in the 4-4 Premier League draw with Arsenal at St James’ Park in February 2011. Tiote moved to Chinese second-tier side Beijing Enterprises in February. Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, who played with Tiote at Anderlecht, said on twitter: “I am speechless and so incredibly sad. Cheick Tiote was one of the nicest and toughest team mates I have ever had. Rest in piece brother.”
FIFA ‘in contact’ with Qatar over 2022 World Cup (REUTERS) - Soccer’s governing body FIFA said yesterday it was in “regular contact” with the organising committee of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, though it did not comment directly on the diplomatic situation involving the Gulf State. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and others severed ties with Qatar yesterday, accusing it of supporting terrorism and opening up the worst rift in years among some of the most powerful states in the Arab world. FIFA said in an emailed statement that it was “in regular contact with the Qatar 2022 Local Organising Committee and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy handling matters relating to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.” “We have no further comments for the time being,” it added. Qatar’s local World Cup organising committee and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC,) which organises international matches in the region, both declined to comment. Qatar’s national team are still involved in the qualifying competition for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and are bottom of their group with four points from seven games, with matches against South Korea, Syria, and China still to play. There is a very remote chance they could still finish third in the group and qualify for a playoff match against the team that will finish third in the other Asian qualifying group, with both Saudi Arabia and the UAE among potential opponents. The 2022 World Cup is the centrepiece of a carefully crafted strategy to project Qatar on to the global stage via sport. The diplomatic row could impact its preparations. In the lead-up to the tournament, the country is scheduled to host multiple events across many different sports, aimed at improving infrastructure and expertise. This year it is organising 72 events, 39 of which will be international competitions. It has already hosted the 10th Artistic Gymnastics World Cup and an IAAF Diamond League athletics meeting, and a FINA Swimming World Cup is scheduled for September. Swimming governing body FINA did not respond to requests for a comment yesterday as to whether it would still go ahead. Top-level modern pentathlon, sailing, squash and show jumping are also scheduled for later in the year when temperatures cool.
Captain Kohli delighted by India batting display VIRAT Kohli heaped praise on his fellow top-order batsmen after India began their ICC Champions Trophy defence with a 124-run thrashing of Pakistan at Edgbaston. India’s top four all passed 50 as the reigning champions racked up 319-3 from 48 overs on Sunday, before Pakistan fell well short of a revised target of 289 in a game interrupted by three rain breaks. An opening stand of 136 between Rohit Sharma (91) and Shikhar Dhawan (68) set the tone for a day of Indian dominance, while Kohli struck 81 not out from 68 balls and Yuvraj Singh upped the tempo impressively with a brutal 32-ball 53. After hailing a “massive win” for his side, Kohli initially praised the contribution of Yuvraj, who struck eight fours and a six as he capitalised on being dropped early in his innings.
Yuvraj Singh struck a brutal 32-ball 53.
“Yuvi came in and just took all the pressure off me,” said India’s skipper. “And the way he batted was the way only he can strike the ball, hitting low full tosses for fours and sixes, and even digging out yorkers for fours. It was outstanding. “I think that really deflated the opposition and that gave me a bit of time to settle in from the other end. When he
got out, I took over. But I think his innings was a difference in the game.” Rohit and Dhawan also earned the approval of their captain, who added: “The opening partnership is something that’s very important in England, allowing the kind of middle order we have to come in and capitalise right from the beginning. “I think the way Shikhar batted was really good to see. Rohit was taking a bit of time, understandably so, because he’s come back after so long to international cricket. “[It was a] great thing that he took his time, played a long innings. Shikhar really batted well from the other end. So from that regard I think both of them starting well was the main factor for us last time [in the 2013 Champions Trophy], and this time as well the same thing has happened.” (Omnisport)
21
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 6, 2017
RHTY&SC Patron’s 20/20 Cup – The Green Economy Trophy
Ministry of the Presidency and Kares Engineering Inc. make massive contributions PLANS for the hosting of the first-ever Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS Patron’s 20/20 Cup – The Green Economy Trophy tournament - recently received a major boost with massive donations from the Ministry of the Presidency and Kares Engineering of Parika, Essequibo. Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation would be hosting the tournament which promises to be one of the biggest-ever hosted in Guyana in tribute to its fifth Honorary Patron, H.E President David Granger’s 72nd birthday, which will be celebrated on July 15. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, vice-president Mark Papannah and club captain/executive member Shawn Pereira received $125 000 worth of trophies for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners along with the Man-of-the-Final. The Ministry of the Presidency also made a financial contribution towards the hosting of the tournament. Chief Executive Officer of Kares Engineering Inc., Mr Radesh Rameshwar, also handed over a cheque for a very significant figure towards the prizes for the top four teams and Man-of-theFinal. CEO of Kares stated that he was very impressed with
Ms Camille Carrington of Ministry of the Presidency presents trophies to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster.
the work of the RHTY&SC MS and that he shares the club’s vision of making a positive difference in the lives of youths. He noted that it is very important that Guyana should promote a Green Economy and educate its population on the danger of Climate Change and its effects on our daily way of living. Kares Engineering Inc., he stated, was fully committed to fulfilling its responsibilities as a corporate entity and expressed confidence that the relationship between the RHTY&SC MS and his company would be expanded in the future.
Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to both the Ministry of the Presidency and Kares Engineering for their contributions with special mention being made of Colonel Francis Abraham and Major Smith of the Office of the Presidency along with Radesh Rameshwar and Satya Kishun of Kares Engineering. He reassured both donors that the Patron’s Cup would not only be well organised but would achieve all of its objectives. The tournament will feature eight teams – six from Berbice and two from Demerara.
The Demerara Cricket Club and the Georgetown Cricket Club have been officially invited to be part of the tournament while RHT Gizmos and Gadgets, Tucber Park, Blairmont, Upper Corentyne and Young Warriors are expected to participate. The organisers are currently awaiting a response from the Albion Cricket Club on their participation. The winning team will take home $500 000, 1st runners-up $300 000, second-placers $100 000, fourth-placers - $50 000 and Man-of-the-Final - $50 000. Funds raised from the tournament will be used to purchase school bags, educational materials and bicycles for less fortunate students across Berbice. The main aim is to assist them to complete their education. Funds would also be used to assist less fortunate clubs across Berbice with cricket balls and other equipment. A 40-page youth information booklet would be produced by the RHTY&SC to educate youths on the Green Economy and Climate Change. The tournament is scheduled to bowl off July 2 with the semi-finals set for July 9. The final is set to be played under lights at the Albion ground on a date suitable to the hectic schedule of President David Granger.
Wins for Blairmont and GCC BLAIRMONT Young Blazers and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) both recorded wins when play in the Well Teen/Trophy Stall/Tropical Springs and Nauth Motor Spares Under-13 cricket competition ended recently at the Demerara Cricket Club ground. Blairmont Young Blazers whipped Malteenoes Sports Club by 67 runs, while GCC beat Blairmont Young Blazers by six wickets. Batting first, Blairmont made 135-6 off 25 overs. Zinul Ramsammy (33), Jaden Trotz (21) and Antone Alexander (13) were the three highest scorers. Malteenoes, in reply, were bowled out for
68. C Shiverton was the only batsman to reached double figure, with 10. Antone Alexander took 4-20, while Anthony Sookra had 3-10. In the game between GCC and Blairmont Young Blazers, the Berbice unit made 144-9 off the allotted 21 overs. Ramsammy was again among the runs, with a top score of 42, Alexander and Trotz contributed 33 and 22 respectively. Bowling for GCC, Yohanie Angoy took 3-21, Adiyah Persaud had 2-38. GCC replied with 145-4, with Zackay Jodha hitting 57. Riveraldo Phillip made 20. Anthony Sookra took 2-34 bowling for Blairmont.
Pakistan’s injured Riaz ruled out of Champions Trophy
Master Murray schools Khachanov to ease into last eight By Martyn Herman PARIS, France (Reuters) - Top seed Andy Murray gave Karen Khachanov a two-hour tennis lesson in the French Open fourth round yesterday before predicting a top-20 place for the rising Russian this year. Khachanov matched Murray for power on a sunny Court Philippe Chatrier but was second-best in every other department as the 30-year-old world number one mastered him 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the seventh time. In doing so, he clocked up a 650th Tour-level victory. Murray made only one unforced error in the first set, won 75 percent of his second-serve points and clinically took advantage every time the 21-year-old Khachanov was betrayed by his lack of grand slam experience. In his first match against a world number one, the
Andy Murray
1.96-metre tall Khachanov cracked down 34 clean winners to Murray’s 29 but it was all to no avail as the Briton kept him at arm’s length to seal a clash with eighth seed Kei Nishikori. After a torrid build-up to the tournament when he could not buy a victory followed by scratchy four-set victories in the opening two rounds, Murray has timed his return to form perfectly, taking down former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in straight
sets, then ousting Khachanov. “Come a long way the last 10 days or so,” Murray, runner-up to Novak Djokovic last year, told reporters. “Each match I feel I played better. I’ve hit the ball cleaner and started to see the right shots at the right moments.” That was the case when he swiped a forehand return past Khachanov at 2-3 in the first set to carve out his first break point which he converted thanks to a double-fault. Another ill-timed Khachanov double-fault gave Murray an early break in the second set, although a couple of errors off the Murray forehand allowed the Russian to break back for 3-3. Murray quickly broke again to seize control and looked comfortable throughout the third set in which he again broke twice. The Scot, however, was
impressed by Khachanov’s game. “I think by the end of this year, you know, top 20, top 25, and then from there, who knows?” said Murray, well aware of the grind needed to reach the very top levels. “In my opinion, he has a very good coach in Galo Blanco. Pretty much everyone he’s worked with, he’s helped them a lot.” Immediately after the contest ended with a Khachanov error, Murray’s thoughts turned to the attacks in London on Saturday that left seven people dead. “It was a terrible tragedy in London and also in Manchester only a few weeks ago,” he said. “Paris has had some problems in the last few years and I’m sure everyone will join me in sharing the fact that our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this.”
Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz lies injured. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers Livepic)
(REUTERS) - Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz will play no further part in the Champions Trophy after suffering an ankle problem during their defeat by arch-rivals India in their Group B clash on Sunday. Riaz, who had conceded 87 runs in 8.4 overs, left the field in the 46th over of India’s innings and scans confirmed the 31-year-old suffered a deltoid ligament complex injury. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement that it had sent an
official request to the ICC technical committee to call up a replacement, which has yet to be approved. Apart from Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali, who both played against India, Pakistan’s other pace bowling options are Junaid Khan and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf. Pakistan who lost by 124 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method in a rain-shortened match against India, next face South Africa in their second group game at Edgbaston tomorrow. South Africa beat Sri Lanka in their first match.
22
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday,June 6, 2017
Washout leaves Australia on edge (REUTERS) - Australia and Bangladesh saw yesterday’s Champions Trophy match at The Oval washed out, just four overs short of forcing a result in a blow to both teams’ hopes of reaching the semi-finals. Having been rescued by the rain last week, London’s inclement weather turned the tables on Australia and left them needing to win their last Group A match to avoid going out. It was the second straight ‘no result’ for Australia after a similar outcome against New Zealand at Edgbaston on Friday. They have just two points in the standings, meaning they must beat England in Birmingham on Saturday to have any chance of advancing to the semi-finals. Bangladesh, who lost to England on Thursday, are also in peril. They were bowled out for 182 by Australia and then looked set to lose with their opponents handily placed 100 runs from victory with nine wickets in hand and 34 overs remaining when the rain came down. Australia, needing to bat 20 overs to conjure up a result, sat anxiously through a three-hour wait, willing away the clouds, but a persistent drizzle kept the covers on be-
The Oval cricket ground was engulfed in gloom for much of the day. (AFP photo)
fore the umpires abandoned play. WARNER QUICK David Warner had become the quickest Australian batsman to reach 4 000 ODI runs - achieved in 93 innings -- on his way to an unbeaten 40 with captain Steve Smith not out on 22 when Australia came off after 16 overs at 83-1. “We were heading down a pretty good path and it was disappointing not to get a result in the end,” said Smith. “The game against England is now a quarter-final as such. They’re a good side and the equation is pretty simple now.” Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat with Tamim
Iqbal falling five runs short of a second straight century in the tournament as Mitchell Starc took three wickets in four balls near the end of the innings as they were out in 44.3 overs. Tamim, who scored 128 against England in the opening game on Thursday, got 95 off 114 balls, picking up the pace and smashing some fierce strokes before being caught by Josh Hazlewood at long leg off Starc with the first ball of the 43rd over. The Australian paceman bowled Mashrafe Mortaza two balls later, took out the stumps of Rubel Hoosain with his next delivery and came within inches of a hattrick as another swinging
yorker flashed past Mustafizur Rahman. Starc finished with figures of 4-29 in 8.3 overs. Only two other Bangladesh batsmen - Shakib Al Hasan (29) and Mehedi Hasan Miraz (14) reached double figures. Bangladesh must beat New Zealand in their last group game in Cardiff on Friday and hope England win their next two games in which case they would accompany the hosts to the semi-finals. “Australia were unlucky and we are lucky to still be in the tournament. We have to play hard again, but we beat New Zealand in Ireland (in a warm-up match) so you never know,” added Bangladesh skipper Mortaza.
Grenada’s Kirani James ‘recovering nicely’ - agent 2012 Olympic 400-metre champion Kirani James is said to be recovering well from an illness that had sidelined him since April. The 24-year-old Grenadian, who was second to Wayde van Niekerk in the 400m at the Olympic Game in Rio last summer, had been sidelined since April with what is believed to be respiratory illness that saw him
finish a disappointing sixth at the Drake Relays in April in a pedestrian 46.21s. His coach Harvey Glance told Sportsmax. tv following that underwhelming performance, that James’ season was being ‘put on hold’. “Anyone who has followed his illustrious career can tell he is not 100 per cent,” Glance said then in
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
COMPLIMENTS OF: THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE 176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)
response to SportsMax.tv’s queries. “His season is on hold for now till we get him back to that point.” However, based on information recently received from James’ handlers, the athlete is back in training. “At this time we are pleased to report that he is recovering nicely from his illness,” said Seth Katz of AMG Property Sports Incorporated in an email responding to SportsMax.tv’s request for an update. He offered no
additional information. James has had a relatively ordinary start to the 2017 season. At the Grenada Invitational on April 8, James was less than convincing while winning the 400 metres in 45.44s but was upstaged by Bahamian Steve Gardiner, who won the ‘B’ race in a world-leading 44.26. In Iowa he was even slower and was sidelined in an effort to get him back to full fitness. (Sportsmax)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) Eoin Morgan & Mashrafer Mortaza (2)Joe Root (Eng) Today’s Quiz: (1)Which two teams contested the first
‘Group B’ game in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017?
(2)Who was declared Man of the Match at the end of the game?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Olympic champion Kirani James
FIFAUnder-20 World Cup:
England beat Mexico 1-0 to reach semi-finals ENGLAND will face Italy in the semi-finals of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in South Korea after a 1-0 victory over Mexico in Cheonan. Liverpool-bound striker Dominic Solanke picked up Lewis Cook’s pass to score the winner shortly after the interval. England played the last 17 minutes with 10 men after Josh Onomah was sent off. Freddie Woodman was required to make key saves late on as Paul Simpson’s side held on to reach the semi-finals for the first time in 24 years. Italy beat Zambia 3-2 after extra time and will face England in Jeonju on Thursday. The other semi-final sees Uruguay take on Venezuela. After a goalless first half, Bournemouth midfielder Cook split the Mexico defence with an exquisite ball from deep that Solanke, who will join Liverpool from Chelsea next month, ran on to before firing past Abraham Romero. England also saw a goal-bound deflection cleared off the line and Onomah hit the post before the Tottenham midfielder was dismissed in contentious circumstances. The 20-year-old appeared to make accidental contact with Juan Aguayo as he ran past his marker but was shown a second yellow card that rules him out of the Italy game. England Under-20s last reached the final four of this competition in 1993, when a squad featuring Nicky Butt and Nick Barmby lost to Ghana in the semis before beating Australia to finish in third place. (BBC Sport)
Arthur hits back at critics after Pakistan surrender
(REUTERS)-Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur conceded his team were woeful in Sunday’s Champions Trophy defeat against India but said it was an “insult” to suggest that the squad had regressed under him. In the end, one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the tournament proved a damp squib as India utterly dominated every aspect of a stopstart, rain-interrupted 124-run victory. “That’s a total insult to say we’re playing even worse,” said the 49-year-old South African, who took on the role a little more than a year ago, after his team succumbed meekly at a packed Edgbaston ground. “If you have a look at our records over the last year we’ve won two series. We’ve got ourselves from nine to number eight (in the ODI rankings) and our brand of cricket has changed.” Pakistan won the toss but nothing else went right for them as they dropped catches, persisted with bowlers who bled runs and folded
inside 34 overs with the bat. “We had a poor game,” the former South Africa and Australia coach added. “But we’re obviously trying our best and we’re trying to change it. “It’s not going to happen overnight. We’re trying every day. Every time we go down to training, we try and get the basics right. We didn’t do it today. And that’s disappointing.” Apart from the manner of their surrender, Pakistan are also fretting on the fitness of fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz. Amir bowled 8.1 overs before developing severe cramp and leaving the field, while Riaz, who conceded 87 runs in 8.4 wicketless overs in the most expensive spell of five-plus overs in tournament history, hobbled off after twisting an ankle. “I don’t know why they’re cramping,” Arthur said. “That’s something that I need to take up with the medical team.” Pakistan play South Africa in their next Group B match at the same venue on Wednesday.
23
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Spinners bowl Berbice to five-wicket win … Demerara beat Essequibo by an innings and 106 runs By Rajiv Bisnauth BERBICE spin trio turned in impressive performances with the ball to stifle the Select Under-17 team for the second time in two days, to record a 5-wicket win in the first-round fixture of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited-sponsored Under-19 Inter-County cricket competition yesterday, at the Everest Cricket Club ground. The three spinners, Kevin Sinclair (3-9), Keith Simpson (3-15), and Deon Sinclair (319), helped Berbice dismiss the Select Under-17s for 85 in their second innings. The Select Under-17s lost their last five wickets for just 28 runs, 50 minutes into the post-lunch session, as they folded in 46.3 overs. Kevlon Anderson stroked a fighting
(From left): Keith Simpson, Kevin Sinclair and Deon Sinclair
45, and was the lone batsman to offer some fight. Fast bowler Sylus Tyndall and Deon Sinclair claimed three wickets in the morning session to trigger the collapse after they resumed day two on 5-2.
Junior Sinclair (2) was removed by Tyndall, while Sinclair claimed the wickets of Orlando Jailall (6), and Rajendra Singh (10), at 57-5 at lunch. However, after the interval the remaining batsmen
caved in without much resistance. Set 86 to win, Berbice made heavy weather of a paltry target but held their nerve in the end to win with a day to spare. The Berbicians were 64-5, before recovering to
reach their target. Javid Karim (41 not out) and Matthew Hardyal (7 not out) added an unbroken 23 for the sixth-wicket to seal the win. Junior Sinclair claimed 3-25 to be the most successful bowler in a losing cause. Meanwhile, Essequibo crumbled to a pathetic innings-and-106-run defeat to Demerara, with also a day to spare at the Police Sports Club ground. Faced with a first-innings deficit of 221, Essequibo chronically weak batting imploded again. They were bowled out for 115 in 73 overs. Sheldon Charles was the only batsman to put up some resistance, with 25. Spinners again were the main destroyers. Keshram Seybodan claimed 4-20, Richie Looknauth 2-30, while Ronaldo Ali
Mohamed, Raymond Perez and Sagar Hatheramani chipped in with a wicket apiece. Earlier, Demerara stretched their overnight total of 230-5 to 327 before declaring at lunch. Overnight batsmen Ramnarine Chatura and Looknauth took their tally to 40 and 50 respectively. Hatheramani (15) and Kishna Singh (4) were the other batsmen dismissed while Mark Jeffers was left unbeaten on 14. Left-arm spinner Joel Fortune claimed three of the wickets to fell during that session, to finish with Joel Fortune
figures of 6-74. Joshua Jones, Chanderpaul Mohabir, and Mahindra Persaud were the other successful bowlers for Essequibo. The second round is scheduled to commence on Thursday.
Guyana NRA Smallbore Practical Pistol Match
Hopkinson takes senior top spot; Merriman, the juniors/beginners HAROLD ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson was unstoppable last Sunday when the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Smallbore Section held a Practical Pistol Shoot at the Timehri Rifle Range. Hopkinson, despite not winning any of the three stages, did enough to end as the overall winner with a total of 133 points. Winner of stage three, Azaad Hassan, ended 2nd overall, with a total of 125 points and Smallbore captain Dale Hing, winner of stages one and two, ended third on 122 points. Gordon Richards, Small-
bore vice-captain ended fourth with 100 points and Surujbali fifth on 80 points. This three-stage match consisted of falling plates and steel poppers. With the use of the IPSC scoring system, shooters were required to gain as many points as possible in the fastest time from 15 and 20 metres. Results from the three stages among the seniors: Stage 1 - Dale Hing, Harold Hopkinson, Surujbali Persaud. Stage 2 - Dale Hing, Harold Hopkinson, Gordon Richards. Stage 3 - Azaad Hassan, Harold Hopkinson,
Gordon Richards. Colin Merriman who won stage three and was third in the first and second stages came out overall winner in the juniors/ beginners category with a tally of 48 points just one ahead of the second-placed Jamaine Braithwaite. Two points back in third was Michael Tang, Glendon Fogenay was fourth with 22 points and Kevin Fields fifth on 17 points. Results from the three stages are as follows: Stage 1 - Michael Tang, Kevin Fields, Colin Merriman. Stage 2 - Jamaine
Participants at last Sunday’s Guyana NRA Smallbore practical shoot pose with their trophies and medals.
Braithwaite, Michael Tang, Colin Merriman. Stage 3 - Colin Merriman, Jamaine Braithwaite, Michael Tang.
Hing has disclosed that the next event will be a Precision Pistol match at the Tactical Service Unit (TSU) of the
Guyana Police Force Range on June 17 followed by another Practical Pistol match in July.
Spinners bowl Berbice to 23 five-wicket win P.
We have really and truly made Guyana proud – AAG president
See page 19 AAG president Aubrey Hutson congratulates Boys’ 100m gold medallist, Guyana’s Compton Caesar.
A section of the massive turnout at last weekend’s South America Junior Championships held at the National Track and Field Centre.
Garrett’s goal propels Guyana to U-15 title in St Martin
See page 19 The victorious National U-15 team Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208
TUESDAY, MAY, 06 , 2017