Guyana Chronicle Epaper 06 07 2017

Guyanese in Grenada keen on returning to invest Page 14

THURSDAY JULY 6, 2017

Price: $80

‘An act of greed’ No. 104965

(VAT Inclusive)

…Ramjattan to address issue of “educated criminals” at forum next week …killed bandit has loan at Republic Bank ■ See stories on pages 3 & 12

All-out effort to save cattle …trapped in

Taxi driver killed by teen Page 2

flooded BBP savannah Page 4

Civil Defence Commission Deputy Director General, Kester Craig and NDIA Engineer, Rickford Sue partnered with the Guyana Defence Force to conduct an aerial survey of the flooded Black Bush Polder savannahs

$3B for water treatment plants ■ Page 9

Bisram denied bail Page 5

…extradition hearing set for July 13

The good life by way of the bad life Page 8

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Teen kills taxi driver GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

– confesses: ‘I want to finish him off’

By Nafeeza Yahya A TEENAGE boy on Wednesday stabbed to death taxi driver, Deonarine Laljit, called “Baba”, of Number 72 Village, East Berbice, Corentyne.

Reports are that around 12:30 hrs, the 15-year-old suspect was a back-seat passenger in Laljit’s car when he dealt him two stabs, one to the neck and the other to his shoulder.

During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Commander of ‘B’ Division, Ian Amsterdam revealed that the act was reportedly premeditated.

“The teen told investigators that he specifically caught the victim’s car with the intention of finishing him off, because the taxi driver would taunt his sister on numerous occasion,” Amsterdam said.

The teen, a former student of Skeldon Line Path Secondary and of Number

65 Village, was subsequently arrested and is in police custody assisting with investigations.

This newspaper understands that the teen concealed the murder weapon in a knapsack he was carrying, and caught the vehicle at Number 65 Village.

It was also learnt that while in the vicinity of Line Path, Corriverton, the teen carried out the act, because the “teasing of his sister became unbearable”.

After committing the act, the teen reportedly fled the scene, while the victim exited the vehicle, bleeding profusely and calling out for help. He minutes later collapsed in front of a yard.

When this newspaper visited the crime scene, the road was still wet with the man’s blood, as were the driver and front passenger seats of his car.

Meanwhile, Tashodra Joseph, the 32-year-old wife of the deceased, related that

minutes before her husband died, he had dropped her off at the NIS Office with the intention of returning to pick her up shortly.

“I got a call asking if I could drop off his NIS card,” she said. “He picked me up on the road and drop me off at the insurance place to take care of some business; he promised to pick me up back.

“I finish like in 15 minutes and come out, but didn’t see he.”

After not seeing her husband, Joseph said, she borrowed the NIS security guard’s phone to call and inform him that she was waiting but the phone rang out.

It was at this point, she said, that she noticed a few family members’ cars speeding down the road.

“Suh, in me mind, me say something happen; me say lemme guh hospital,” the distraught woman said, adding: “When me reach de hospital, me nah see none car me know, suh meh tell de driver

Deonarine Laljit (second left) with his family in happier times

guh up li’l mo’.

“I stop and mek a call home; ah den dem tell meh somebody stab meh husband and kill am. Me go down to the scene, only to find meh husband lifeless body in blood.”

Joseph related that her husband would usually keep money in his car, and at the time of the incident, he had

Decriminalise suicide

By Svetlana Marshall

PAN AMERICAN Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow has renewed calls for decriminalisation of suicide in Guyana even as he lobbied Government to invest more in mental health.

Dr. Adu-Krow made the call while addressing a wide-

cross section of stakeholders including Members of Parliament and United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka at Parliament Building on Wednesday.

He was among officials participating in a confab organised by the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services in collaboration with UN/PAHO/WHO. According to him, there is an urgent need for legislative

changes to be made as he alluded to the Criminal Law Offences Act Cap.8:01, the Summary Jurisdiction Offences Act Cap. 8:02 and the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act Cap, 68:09.

Reference was also made to the Customs Act, the Food and Drugs Act and the Mental Hospital Ordinance Cap. 140.

Singling out Section 95 of the Criminal Law Offences Act Cap. 8:01, the PAHO/ WHO representative concluded that the legislation would only fuel more suicides. According to that section, “everyone who aids or abets any person in the commission of suicide shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life”.

“If such a person escapes prosecution! This person is encouraged to commit suicide,” he opined.

Section 96 criminalises the act, and creates provision for imprisonment. “Everyone who attempts to commit suicide shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and liable to imprisonment for two years,” Dr. Adu-Krow said while quoting the law.

NO PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE In addition to objecting to the criminalisation of suicide,

he bemoaned the fact that the legislation makes no provision for psychological assistance to be offered to survivors.

“The current mental health system in Guyana is fragmented, poorly resourced and not integrated into the public health system,” Dr. Adu-Krow said as he turned his attention to the mental hospital ordinance.

The ordinance makes provision for the care of persons of unsound mind and for the administration and management of the mental hospital at Berbice, but the PAHO/WHO representative believes that the situation leaves much to be desired.

A review conducted by UNICEF found that there is no mental health legislation in the country but only a draft mental health policy. As such, it is recommended that a Mental Health Act be put in place to address mental health issues, including suicide and care custody and treatment of persons with mental health issues.

MORE MONEY Additionally, he championed the cause for government to pump more resources into the area of mental health, pointing out that in countries such as Papua New Guinea

about $30,000 which was unaccounted for.

“He does save de money he get daily, and does gimme pon ah weekend, but we nah find it in de car; we only see some change scatter up, and about $2000. Suh me nah know wha’ happen,” she said.

Joseph said her husband has been working as a hire

car driver for over 10 years, and is the sole breadwinner of the family.

He leaves home at around 05:00 hrs every day to work from Number 65 to Crabwwood Creek, and was described as a caring and understanding person.

Laljit leaves to mourn, besides his wife, two children aged 16 and 13.

– invest more in mental health, PAHO/WHO rep. urges mental health accounts for five per cent of the country’s health budget.

It was pointed out that in 2011, 0.11 per cent of the health budget went to mental health and by 2017, it had moved to 1.16 per cent.

While the increase is 10 times more than the amount provided for in 2011, Dr. Adu-Krow believes that it is still very low.

According to the WHO, globally every year, close to 800, 000 people take their own life and there are many more people who attempt suicide. Guyana, according to WHO, has the second highest suicide rate in the world after Sri Lanka with a rate of 30.6 deaths per 100, 000. Sri Lanka has the highest rate with 34.6 deaths per 100, 000.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings said Guyana had an alarming suicide rate of 44.2 suicides per 100,000 people.

“With the global average for suicide being 16 per 100,000 people, Guyana had the ignoble record of having the highest suicide rate in the world. Thanks to the work done by the Ministry of Public Health, through the newly established Mental Health Unit, Guyana has now dropped a

place and has the second highest suicide rate in the world,” the public health minister said.

She, however, admitted that much more needs to be done to bring down the rate.

The statistics in 2012 have shown that suicide was the leading cause of death among young people aged 15-44, and the second leading cause of death among the 20-24 age group.

Females attempted suicide more frequently than their male counterparts at a ratio of 3:1; East Indians had accounted for 50 per cent of the cases, whereas Afro-Guyanese had accounted for 26 per cent of cases, the minister reported.

The common risk factors identified were acute emotional distress and depression (37 per cent), accessibility to lethal substances such as herbicides and pesticides (64 per cent), alcohol and drug use (32 per cent) and family dysfunction (34 per cent).

ROBUST STEPS Since entering office, the coalition Government has been taking critical steps to arrest the situation, Minister Cummings said, as she pointed to the multidisciplinary team which was formed by President David Granger to Turn to page 13 ►

An act of greed

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

…Ramjattan to address issue of “educated criminals” at forum next week

By Navindra Seoraj MINISTER of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan has committed to address the issue of “educated criminals” at an upcoming crime and youth violence seminar which is slated for next week at the Pegasus Hotel.

His commitment followed the attempted robbery of the Republic Bank, Water Street, Georgetown branch on Tuesday which resulted in one of the men being killed and two others captured. During the attempted robbery, one of the bandits, an agronomist who is attached to the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI), Elton Wray was killed, while his accomplices Jamal Haynes, a Republic Bank staff member was injured and Keron Saunders was held by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

“It is not a nice scene and pretty negative to know that people who graduated will be the masterminds for crime,” said the minister in an invited comment on Wednesday. Though, the reports on the issue are still preliminary, Ramjattan said he is confident that the GPF got it right. “These are bright kids,” he said while lamenting they have done their parents wrong by

Minister of Public Security, Kemraj Ramjattan

attempting to rob a bank.

This act, he said, was one of greed and showed immaturity, therefore, the Minister pointed out he will have a lot more to say about this issue to youths at the upcoming seminar because it is an issue which needs to be addressed.

Meanwhile, the Minister commended the Professional Guard Service (PGS) and the GPF for their efforts which ‘foiled’ the attempt to rob the bank. “The combination of private and public security services provided the best results, so it is something I would like to see more often,” he said.

The good work of the force continued on Wednesday, as Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told this publication that Haynes who was injured, has been discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

(GPHC) and is assisting with investigations. Haynes is reportedly cooperating with the police but more time is being sought to investigate the matter so, Blanhum said, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will apply to the High Court for an extension of the suspects’ detention today.

It was reported that on Tuesday morning the three armed men entered the Republic Bank, Water Street Branch before it was open to the public. The perpetrators wore masks, gloves and carried handguns with which they opened fire on the RBL personnel inside the building. PGS security personnel, who were on site, immediately raised an alarm and Armed Response Teams proceeded to the location.

Arriving shortly after the alarm had been raised; the teams assessed the situation and took up defensive positions. Police said three firearms, including two 9 MM handguns and one .40 gun were found.

DREADLOCK At the scene Tuesday morning, witnesses said that Haynes was wearing a dreadlock disguise when he was shot in both of his legs. Another bandit fled to a nearby snackette in the Vendor’s Mall opposite the bank, where he tried chang-

Dead: Elton Wray

ing his appearance into one of a chef when he was arrested by police.

“When I look across at Republic Bank I said wow, the line is really long today especially for the senior citizens, then I hear a noise that sound like a gunshot, then I see one of them come out and start shooting up all over the place like he mad,” one eyewitness said. “He was performing to scare people off and he keep licking shots in the middle of the street and then he run back into the ATM.” The eyewitness further said that the men were dressed in all over black and their faces were covered.

She said the PGS security guards then responded promptly and positioned themselves around the Fogarty’s Department Stores in a professional manner. “I

Jamal Haynes who is now assisting with the investigations

said thank you Jesus when I saw that the police also responded quickly.”

According to the eyewitness, one of the bandits then sprinted into the vendor’s mall and fired his gun while a nearby businessman also drew his gun and fired shots in the air to keep him at bay.

She further explained that another bandit held a hostage at gunpoint and walked over with him into the marketplace, when he reached the back of the market at the John Fernandes section the hostage was released.

“He then strip off his mask and his Rasta toupee and throw away the gun in the snackette; when I see the young man he look like he came from a proper home from how he dress. There was blood oozing from his

Keron Saunders in police custody

feet and nose, then I learn he was a bank employee, police later arrested him,” she explained.

One woman said she was saddened that the young men dared to carry out such a stupid act in the name of greed. “They really thought they could get away with the heist, not when Guyana is so small and police is always on the streets, god place your hands on these young people lives, shield them,” one market vendor said. Traumatised staff members and customers were eventually allowed to leave the bank through a shattered door after police secured the area and conducted their investigations as the crime scene was protected by PGS security guards and armed police ranks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

All-out effort to save cattle …trapped in flooded BBP savannah

By Nafeeza Yahya MERE hours after pleading for help, cattle farmers in the Cookrite Creek Savannah, Black Bush Polder, East Berbice, Corentyne met with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo at State House, New Amsterdam.

The Prime Minster and a technical team, which also included Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma;REO Region 6, Kim Stephens; Regional NDIA Engineer, Lester Persaud; PM Representative, Gobin Harbajan, as well as representatives from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), met with approximately 30 cattle farmers who detailed their plight to the team and called for immediate actions to save their 12,000 heads of cattle in the area.

The farmers explained that due to flooding caused by the overtopping of the Canje Creek, over approximately 1200 heads of cattle are already dead and they fear more will die soon since those that died are still in the water and will contaminate

it. “Over 1200 cattle done dead already, me alone lose 100, me nah know how much more dead today” said Seenarine Deonarine who has 700 heads of cows and 15 horses in the savannah.

He explained that presently the cows are swimming in the savannah since the water level rose within the past two days. “Them a swim right now. About a week ago the water did deh by you waist but now it deh by you stomach.Presently now the creek dam totally duck them cow nah get no place fuh guh and stand on high grounds.

Wid this water, them a get cold and fever and this a cause dem fuh get like wan fits ah dem head and them a dead out, fifteen twenty a dead a day” The farmers explained to this publication that due to extensive flooding caused by the overtopping of the Canje Creek and recent heavy rains, the entire savannah is flooded covering the grass and reaching as high as the stomach of the animals.

“The water reach them cow belly and it getting wet all

the time, this a cause them fuh get sick; some a dem a get cramp and suh, plus the whole field flood; them nah

had a flood similar to this was sometime in 1972, but it nah been suh bad”.

After listening to the

Committee, GLDA. Everyone has to work together to get this problem resolved. I spoke with Minister Holder

the flooded area to get a firsthand look at the situation on the ground and come up with both immediate and long term solutions.

The PM also instructed the REO to issue an advisory to all stray catchers to halt their operations immediately in light of the situation since cattle farmers do not have much of an option at this time. The Prime Minister continued that the farmers however must put the safety of others first and not be callous in their actions and pose a risk to the lives of others by leaving their animals to roam freely on the main thoroughfares. The PM said he noted there are some rumours that the flooding is caused by Guysuco pumping water into the water user irrigation canals, as well as the drainage pumps not working due to shortage of financing to purchase fuel. “I have spoken to Minster Holder and he has assured me that Skeldon Estate is not releasing water into the 52/74 water users association and that all the drainage pumps are working. I’ve read that there was a comment from a regional representative in some sections of the media that they can’t deal with the

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma; Region Six REO, Kim Stephens; Regional Engineer, Lester Persaud and PM Representative, Gobin Harbajan

get nothing fuh eat and what mek it wuss is that we can’t bring them out because the dam too flood” Another farmer said he depends solely on the cattle for his livelihood and without an immediate solution he would become a pauper, having already lost over 10 million. “150 heads done gone down the drain fuh me that ah over 10 million dollar.Me nah do rice, cow me depend on fuh feed me wife and four children and we need help right now. The last time we

plight of the cattle farmers, Prime Minister Nagamootoo called for cooperation in handling the situation, noting that he spoke with the Minister of Agriculture since last night and from his end in Georgetown he was meeting with the various heads of department to have immediate relief even as the meeting is ongoing here in Berbice. “In order for us to solve this issue we need the cooperation of everyone -- the farmers, NDC, RDC, Water User Associations, Civil Defense

and he has assured me all the pumps are working since last night to bring relief in the interim until we could have a better assessment of the situation.”

The Prime Minister noted that in order to have a solution, it is vital to have a technical person on the ground to assess the situation. To this end the Prime Minster called the Army and they made available a helicopter which collected NDIA engineer, Rickford Sue and members of the CDC that flew over

Thursday, July 6, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

Bisram denied bail

By Nafeeza Yahya

Marcus Brian Bisram, 27, the man who is wanted in Guyana for the murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt, was on Wednesday arraigned in a Brooklyn, New York Court

Caught: Marcus Bisram

where bail was refused and he was remanded to prison.

He awaits his extradition hearing on July 13, 2017.

At the Court, Narinedatt’s widow Pooja Pitam waited outside from early Wednesday morning to face the man who allegedly ordered the murder of her husband and father of her two children.

Speaking with the Guyana

Chronicle via telephone she stated “I wanted to make sure I get to see and face the man who murdered my husband and has my two children living without their father. I will continue to pray and hope that we get full justice for my husband.

This is just one step and I am praying he gets extradited and goes to Guyana to answer the murder charge”.

Bisram’s lawyers cited special circumstances such as weak judicial system and corruption in Guyana as reason for bail to be granted.

However, the judge overruled the special circumstances and remanded Bisram until the 13th July 2017 when his extradition hearing is slated to begin.

Bisram is wanted here in connection with the murder of Narinedatt whose lifeless body was found on the #70 Public Road. It is alleged that on the night of the murder, Bisram was hosting an after-party for the Community Policing Group during which he reportedly made sexual advances to Narinedatt, who was present at the party, but was rejected.

This publication understands that Narinedatt was urinating when the Guyanese/US based businessman approached him and tried

Pooja Pitam, widow of Faiyaz Narinedatt with her oneyear-old daughter as they await the commencement of hearing

to touch his private parts.

Narinedatt became angry and accosted the businessman and slapped him twice. The businessman then reportedly ordered one of his bodyguards to “get rid of him,” and that he (businessman) “will deal with it.”

The carpenter was reportedly viciously attacked by the bodyguards and several others joined in beating him to death, allegedly in the presence of all at the party. His body was placed on the public road and ran over by a car to make it appear to be an accident. Soon after, seven persons were arrested with two allegedly confessing that Narinedatt was beaten to death and fingered Bisram as the mastermind behind the act.

All-out effort ...

flood situation because the government has withheld money to buy fuel. I don’t want the people to suffer flood because there is no fuel but this statement is untrue that the regional representative is telling you. I have the Junior Finance Minister here and I want him to deal with this issue because if money is needed, the ministry of finance will have to release it.”

Jaipaul Sharma noted that the comments made regarding the finances appear to be that of someone’s imaginations since there is sufficient funding available

or 22% were spent based on the report I just received from the REO. A further 5.5 million was budgeted for the works programme and only 898,000 was spent or 16% . That means they have over 223 million available to spend which shows there is sufficient funding without the need for the Ministry of Finance to intervene.”

The PM in wrapping up, noted that there are no excuses right now to solve the issue at hand since fuel is available, financing is available, resources and personnel are at the region’s

Cattle farmers at State House, New Amsterdam air their concerns to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

in the budget to spend. He said that there are two line items, agriculture and Infrastructural works under which fuel can be bought and only 22% and 16% respectively have been spent from each. “Under agriculture, 270.5M was budgeted, however only 48.7 million

disposal to do whatever else is needed. The prime minister was quizzed as to why he did not visit the area with the helicopter but he stated that space was limited and he made room for a second technical person to be available to assess the situation so that solutions can be made,

Cont’ from pg. 4

as opposed to him who is not technically inclined in that field take up a spot just to see what is happening.

ASSESS SITUATION Meanwhile, Regional Engineer Lester Persaud explained that NDIA has a team that is working with the CDC to assess the situation and are not only looking at current solutions but a long term solution to avoid a repeat. He noted that the previous methods used to drain the savannah into the irrigation canal of the Black Bush drainage and Irrigation infrastructure can lead to possible flooding of the residential areas. But with the installation of a 120 cubic meters per sec pump at Adventure to drain Black Bush there is the possibility it can work.

He however cautioned that given the current state of affairs across the country, making such a pump immediately available through NDIA might be a bit of a challenge and asked the Prime Minister for assistance in this regards. Further, in relation to feeding the starving animals, the representatives from GLDA advised the farmers to use bran and molasses in the interim until they can get the animals to highlands or pastures where they can get grass.

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan on

… extradition hearing set for July 13 Wednesday told this newspaper he is hopeful for the extradition of the fugitive.

Ramjattan confirmed that Bisram was apprehended in Rockaway, Queens, New York by police and marshals on Tuesday. “Last year I had made the request to have him apprehended so the US State Department and I were in contact and they gave me the assurance that he will be caught but it will take some time,” he said.

Although he is in the custody of the US authorities, there is a procedure that needs

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to be followed, said Ramjattan, who noted that Bisram is expected to appear before the Brooklyn Federal Court.

“In view of the close association we have with the State Department and the fact that he allegedly masterminded it, I am sure he will be sent home,” said Ramjattan.

Reports indicate that after the killing, Bisram moved to the U.S. and lived in Arverne, where he created the Marcus Brian Bisram Foundation, which is focused on “making better, brighter futures.”

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

Undermining SOCU’s legitimacy and work THE society cannot have it both ways. Guyanese are either for law and order or lawlessness and disorder. The work of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), an institution established during the PPP/C Government, is an arm of the Police Force. This unit has special functions and in the discharge of these it needs society’s support to ensure it does its work properly. Any effort, irrespective from where it comes or who is involved, to undermine the work of this unit will make it harder to curb criminal activities.

The Guyana Police Force and it various units cannot be accused of allowing crime to spiral out of control when at the same time it is not being allowed to do its work.

SOCU is presently conducting three major investigative work. They include the law

books, sale and acquisition of land in Sparendaam (Pradoville 2) and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

In the first case the law books, which are allegedly in the possession of former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, are said to be assets of the state. Proper state accounting requires all state assets be in the state’s possession and should it be disposed of, confirm to state requirements.

The issue with the law books is that Mr. Nandlall feels that they were given to him by the state, having been purchased by the state and so he refuses to return them. This is quite an unusual thinking. But mindful of due process, the matter has to play itself out and Mr. Nandlall has his day in court even as SOCU does its work to provide a credible case.

Where a warrant was is-

Remembering the ‘Son Chapman’ Dear Editor: TODAY (6th of July), 53 years have passed since that fateful day when more than 40 of Linden’s own were massacred on the Demerara River as they travelled home on the Son Chapman launch at 1600 hours on Monday, July 6, 1964.

It has been said that ‘To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.’ How very true!

The men, women, and children who died on the Son Chapman 53 years ago live on in the hearts and minds of their families and friends. AND the people of Linden.

Many of us alive today never knew the men, women, and children of the Son Chapman massacre. Yet, we remember them and reflect on their experience because by their deaths we have an example of what hatred and brutality can

lead to-- senseless loss of life and endless suffering.

Incidents such as the Son Chapman massacre and the July 18 tragedy of 2012 must never again occur. We must take the lessons taught by tragedies such as these to guide our actions in the here and now. For our society to allow such tragedies to re-occur would be indicative of our collective unwillingness to learn and grow as a society. The survivors of the Son Chapman -- 6 crewmen and 26 passengers - must also be remembered for they represent God’s never ending mercy and the resilience of the people of Linden. May God rest the souls of the men, women, and children of the Son Chapman. And may God bless the people of Linden and Region 10.

Regards SHARMA SOLOMON

sued to search Mr. Nandlall’s premises and the police said he was tipped off prior to this being done, suffice to say it should not have happened; whoever facilitated the subversion of due process, facilitates the subversion of law and order, and undermines the police’s work. Search warrants are issued by the court after the litigant would have presented argument and evidence for its necessity and having convinced the magistrate or judge.

Though Mr. Nandlall is no stranger to this and would have appreciated the necessity of such as the state’s former top attorney, he may find such legal action, given that it targets him, not only offensive but opportunity to seek political mileage. The job of the police is not easy.

And though the force has ways to go to improve police/ community relations, when

the political leadership seeks to undermine their work they set the tone for undermining the force’s effectiveness and efficiency.

In the case of NICIL, former CEO Winston Brassington and former minister of finance, Ashni Singh are said to be needed to assist SOCU’s probe into how the company was managed. Mr. Nandlall, who is representing Mr. Brassington, since April said his client is prepared to corporate with the Unit. Last month SOCU made known it is seeking Mr. Brassington and Dr. Singh to aid its investigation. Lo and behold, former president Donald Ramotar sees the Unit carrying out its work and Mr. Brassington’s willingness to cooperate as that of a witch hunt.

For Pradoville 2, further investigation into the acquisition and sale of this

land after the forensic audits and the work of the State Assets Recovery Unit are seeing similar accusation of witch hunt. Cooperating with law enforcement to ensure the law is upheld is not witch-hunting, especially when the audit’s findings having been made public; rather it shows due cause for further investigation. Crime may serve the interest of a few but overall do untold harm to the security of the people and society. Commitment to law and order will see interest in aiding the police’s work; not crying foul or witch hunt. If there is nothing to hide or no wrong was done, it makes more sense to work with the police to

prove the case. The PPP/C knew SOCU’s work would have likely take it into areas of investigating and questioning persons who served during its government and it is not only politically reprehensible to undermine its work but also acts of engaging in subverting its legal authority which is dangerous for the restoration of law and order. And even as the PPP/C wants immunity from accountability for its governance and those who served during its tenure, it is quick to call on SOCU to investigate acts under the APNU+AFC Government.

The law must work for all, not some and Mr. Nandlall, more than most, should know that.

Our youths need hope Dear Editor: A 25-year-old with a degree in agronomy was shot to death on Tuesday as he attempted to rob Republic Bank’s Water Street Branch.

What a tragedy that our young people, even those with tertiary qualifications are resorting to this type of activity. 70% of Guyana’s population is made up of persons 35 years and younger and it is no secret that feelings of hopelessness and despair are increasingly engulfing our youth. We have one of the highest youth suicide rates in the world.

What an indictment of this country and its leaders, past and present.

In May 2015, President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo campaigned on the promise of jobs for youths. Their campaign poster actually read “Youths – it’s time to vote for jobs”. Only two months after being elected, President Granger made

the following statement, “There is no magic wand.

The government cannot provide jobs…”

Only true if you follow the failed neo-liberal, capitalist model of economic development. In a country as underdeveloped and broken as Guyana, the government must reject this model, must meaningfully engage in the economy, leading the charge to provide development and jobs. There is surely something terribly wrong when a country with the potential to be the breadbasket for South America and the Caribbean is not only full of hungry people, but is also now a place where young people with agronomy degrees are robbing banks.

Whatever one thinks about this young man’s action –it is surely one of desperation. And of course, despite the fact that the police and a private security firm were engaged in a fire fight, I doubt that every effort was made to disable and disarm

this young man. Instead, as usual, the police shot to kill, becoming not only a law enforcement agency but also judge and jury. Already I have heard comments such as “he got what he deserved”.

25 year-olds make serious errors of judgement. All of us have children who do so all the time. Does this warrant the taking of their lives?

Crime amongst our youth will continue to rise, especially in an environment where they are deprived of opportunity and where they are constantly witnessing double standards, hypocrisy and the outright criminal activity of those at the highest echelons of this society. Their so-called role models -- past and present government ministers, senior state functionaries and leading members of the private sector have provided our young people with nothing but countless examples of theft on a grand scale and skullduggery.

What a tragic state of affairs we find ourselves em-

broiled in.

In the words of Martin Carter: “All are involved, all are consumed”. None of us can escape responsibility for this state of affairs. The sins of a society are the sum total of the sins of all of its people. Frantz Fanon said it best in The Wretched of the Earth: “The collective struggle presupposes collective responsibility at the base and collegiate responsibility at the top. Yes; everybody will have to be compromised in the fight for the common good. No one has clean hands; there are no innocents and no onlookers. We all have dirty hands; we are all soiling them in the swamps of our country and in the terrifying emptiness of our brains.

Every onlooker is either a coward or a traitor.”

Regards GERALD A. PERREIRA Leader Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

RHTYSC proud of its achievements Dear Sir: IT WAS with shock that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, noted that the Guyana Cricket Board in a press release described us as a charitable organisation. The press release was carried in the Sunday edition of the Kaieteur News and also stated that we are not a member of the Berbice Cricket Board as per the Cricket Bill of 2014.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club was voted in as a member of the Berbice Cricket Board in 1992 and has voted in every election since then but for some unknown reason, was left out of the 2014 Cricket Bill, along with the Young Warriors Cricket Club which became a member in 1995. We are not too concerned about being a member of the Berbice Cricket Board, but we are very proud of our achievements as a Cricket Club and for the record, we would like to remind the public of our achievements as one of Guyana’s top cricket club.

1) Since our first cricket match in 1990, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club has played a total of 1003 matches, winning 887, losing

72, drawing 13 and 21 being washed out.

2) Won our first title in 1992, the Sydney Sabsook Second Division and has gone on to win a total of 54 major cricket titles at the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-23, Female, Second and First Division Titles.

3) Won three national cricket championship -- two male championships in 2004, 2005 and female title in 2009.

4) We are the only club in Guyana to have a female cricket team which to date has produced two West Indies players, eight national seniors, thirteen national juniors and over 30 for Berbice.

5) Won five Guyana Club of the Year Award in 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2016, and four Berbice Club of the Year -- not “sad” for a charity organisation.

6) Overall we have produced one Test Cricketer, one ODI Player, One West Indies ‘A’, one West Indies Under-19, one West Indies Under-15, one West Indies’Sixes’ player, two West Indies Females, sixteen national senior players, fifty two junior nationals and over one hundred for Berbice at all levels.

Players produced by the

Club include: Assad Fudadin, Esu an Crandon, Delbert Hicks, Royston Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Neil Williams, Shawn Grant, Renwick Batson, Dominique Rikhi, Plaffiana Millington, Eon Hooper, Clinton Pestano, Kevlon Anderson, Jason Sinclair and Sylus Tyndall, among countless others.

7) The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club raised and invested over $20M to transform the Area ‘H’ Ground from a swamp land into its current state. The ground now has three pavilions, an all-weather outdoor Court, sanitary facilities etc. The Area ‘H’ Ground is not the best in Guyana, but it has an outstanding record of producing cricketers.

8) The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club has hosted to date 26 Cricket Academies which produced a total of 2019 young cricketers and has published over 30 publications, most of them cricket related.

9) Has assisted over 140 cricket clubs and schools with cricket gears, cricket balls, uniforms, trophies, medals and sponsorship over the last 20 years at the cost of millions of dollars. Many Cricket Clubs

in Berbice are alive today because of the kindness of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and its cricketers.

10) Has invested heavily in assisting young cricketers in fulfilling their potential. Dozens of junior cricketers have benefited from cricket gears, and that include Rajendra Chandrika, Gudakesh Motie, Linden Austin, Shimron Hetmyer, Shawn Pereira, Plaffiana Millington, Loyden and Daniel Lewis and Ashkay Homraj, among others.

11) The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club has organised a total of 114 cricket tournaments over the last twenty years at the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Female, Second Division and First Division levels. These tournaments have kept Berbice Cricket alive.

12) The Club raised over $20M worth of sponsorship and materials over the last decade and spearheaded the hosting of over 1500 programmes/activities that played a major role in the massive development, not destruction of Berbice Cricket. Every week of the year, Cricket Clubs come in for assistance and not one of them have been turned away.

As a Club, we are proud of our achievements over the last 27 years and we challenge anyone to find any other cricket club that can match our contribution to the development of cricket in Guyana on and off the cricket field.

For the Guyana Cricket Board to describe us as a Charity Organisation is beyond reasoning as we are heavily involved in activities under the sub-headings of sports, culture, education, youth development, community development, anti-suicide, anti-alcohol, anti-crime, religious, awards/honour, publications, social development and jobs for youths among others.

We are proud to have the St. Francis Community Developers as our Parent body as it is the only club to have ever received the Commonwealth Youth Service Award three times and together we have received countless awards from across the world. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club is also the only youth and sports organisation in the history of Guyana to have ever received a National Award, and the President of Guyana in 2016 described the Club as a National Treasure which should be emulated

across the country.

We wish to inform the county of Berbice, that the Management of the Club has decided to quit organising first division cricket and we really feel sorry for the clubs who would practise all year long with hardly any cricket to play. Our efforts would be placed into organising other games like softball cricket, dominoes, football, table tennis, scrabble, chess and volleyball as part of our Say No/Say Yes Programme. By the way, we are the current defending Champions of Berbice at Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, First Division and reached the finals of the Second Division Tournament.

(Not bad for a charity). In closing, we wonder how the Guyana Cricket Board in 2016 could have made the mistake of naming “A Charity Organisation” its Cricket Club of the Year or was it because we were highly successful on the cricket field and produced a total of seventeen players for Guyana at all levels during the year.

Regards Vice President, RHTYSC

Many in NY fled Guyana because of Jagdeo

PNCR not affiliated with SOCU

I OFTENTIMES wonder, which of the two major political parties has done more damage to the Guyanese psyche? I know that you have probably asked yourself that question too. Over the years, the PPP and the PNC have really messed up the Guyanese people. However, somewhere in the back of their heads, the Guyanese people seem to think that these same political parties that broke them can turn around and fix them.

And that might as well have been a plausible reality, if those who now lead these two entrenched parties were of the patriotic mindset, in order to really fix Guyana. However, every time they open their mouths or every time we observe their attitudes, we see only selfishness, double talk, lies and corruption.

Mr. Jagdeo was in New York recently and he called a collection of his most loyal supporters together to spill his trademarks of bile and hatred. In his usual ranting style, he told his supporters that the coali-

THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) calls for the retraction of the malicious article -SOCU converted into PNC outfit to witch-hunt PPP officials -- that was published in the Guyana Times newspaper and attributed to Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, leader of the opposition.

The article which was published on June 30, 2017, attributes to(the) opposition leader a statement that SOCU has now been converted into a People’s National Congress (PNC) outfit with its main objective to carry out witch-hunts.

This statement attributed to Mr. Jagdeo is malicious, mendacious and highly inflammatory. The Special Organised Crime Unit of the Guyana Police Force was established in 2014 on the recommendation of the Caribbean Financial Action

Dear Editor:

tion government is taking the country back to the days when they had to flee the country for safety and betterment. Imagine that, the most recent past President of Guyana and leader of the PPP, is telling the folk seated in the United States, many younger than 23 years old, that the coalition is making Guyanese run from Guyana.

It is as if Mr. Jagdeo does not listen to himself.

How can he say those things and get away with it? How can he speak those words and not be challenged? Guyanese would well remember that while Burnham and the PNC caused thousands of Guyanese to flee Guyana, the exodus did not stop when the PPP came into power. In fact, when President Jagan was President, the migration lessened as the country became more peaceful and the fortunes looked a bit promising.

However, when Bharrat Jagdeo took over and the corruption and murders were spiralling out of control, the migration from Guyana jumped back up.

Many of those people from

Richmond Hill who were listening to Jagdeo, are amongst the ones who fled Guyana under the reign of Jagdeo, and many of them know of family and friends who ran to Canada and other Caribbean countries because of the policies of Jagdeo.

Now he is in New York selling himself as Guyana’s messiah in waiting.

He also spoke of the need for constitutional reform.

Would(to) my brothers and sisters in New York, United Republican Party (URP) would like to ask that you all please be reminded that this man was in power for 12 consecutive years. If he were serious about constitutional reform, he would have done -- while in power -- what he is now suggesting needs to be done.

Jagdeo is so power-hungry that he supported a move to undo the two-term presidency limit and even accepted the leadership of the PPP, after being President for 12 years. Who does these things, except narcissistic despots, who think that the world revolves around them?

The PPP and the PNC

are playing games with the Guyanese people. The coalition Government is now making the diaspora jump through hoops to get a seat at the administrative table. They went to NY, Canada and the Caribbean and promised the Guyanese people abroad that if they support the APNU+AFC, they would include them in aiding with the governance of the country.

Now after two years, the diaspora is still to have an official outfit at the Ministry of the Presidency. The University of Guyana has now undertaken to have a forum on diaspora matters, to seek to do what the leaders of the Government promised that they would have done.

Members of the diaspora are hoping that this will win the attention of the Government. The URP wishes them luck. Many Guyanese are just frustrated and discouraged.

2020 can’t come quickly enough.

Regards DR. VISHNU BANDHU Leader, URP

Dear Editor:

Task Force (CFATF). It is a police unit operating under the authority of the commissioner of police, but with a close relationship with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) established under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act, Chapter 10:11 of the Laws of Guyana.

The People’s National Congress Reform does not control, or in any way direct, the work of the Special Organised Crime Unit and rejects any suggestion or insinuation that the unit is a “PNC Outfit.”

The PNCR, therefore, calls on the publishers of the Guyana Times to refrain from such irresponsible journalistic practices and demands a retraction.

Regards People’s National Congress Reform Congress Place, Sophia

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

OP-ED

THE GOOD LIFE by way of the Bad Life

By Ruel Johnson “The mind swings inward on itself in fear Swayed towards nausea from each normal sign.

Heredity of cruelty everywhere, And everywhere the frocks of summer torn, The long look back to see where choice is born, As summer grass sways to the scythe’s design.”

(Derek Walcott, A Lesson For This Sunday) It is February, 1996. It is a cool weekend at the Golden Grove campus at President’s College. A small group of us are huddled in a classroom in the second teaching block as a hunched, shuffling yet still magisterial figure uses a stiffly held long rule to point to words on the blackboard. That figure is Disney Chichester, principal at PC, who has decided to take that year’s 5th form CXC Spanish class in hand and volunteer his time over the weekends to teach us.

Usually, after class, there would be two young people waiting for him, a buxom girl in sixth form and a shy, chubby, awkward third form boy, both his children.

I passed Spanish with a distinction, as did most of the class with the exception, I recall, of one hopeless girl.

It is 2002, the month I forget. My brother and I are in Game Express, the old location further down North Road than where it is today.

In the middle of a game of Mortal Kombat, there is a scuffle and I barely saw the glint of a barrel before I panicked and scaled a fence into a nearby yard. The young man with the gun leaned over and tried to locate me in the darkness but I kept low. I called my father, waited a few minutes until I heard the shop stirring to life again and go check on my brother.

It is November, 2008. I am recently divorced with a five year old son. I opened the paper and in a story about a shootout at Cromarty, Berbice, between the police and pirates, one of the dead criminals’ face looks vaguely familiar. I looked closely and it is the shy, chubby, awkward son of Disney Chichester, a boy whose name I never knew was Cliff until I saw it in black and white here in a story about him being a pirate and(being) shot and killed in a shootout at Cromarty that took the life of Detective Constable 18682 Travis

Cultural Policy Advisor, Ruel Johnson

Glasgow of Fyrish, Corentyne. Cliff Chichester had at some point over the years become a cadet officer before turning to a life of crime. By now, his father had left President’s College for Mae’s and when those of us who studied under him tried to talk about what happened and imagined how he would be feeling, words and imagination failed.

Disney Chichester will die a few years later and it is not hard to believe that he went to his grave with this pall, this shroud of inconsolable grief hanging over his hunched, stiff shoulders.

NATIONAL SCANDALS It is December, 2014.

I’ve recently returned from a trip to Europe and landed right in the midst of two national scandals. The first is the recording of then Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, communicating a thinly veiled threat against the publisher of Kaieteur News, Glen Lall, to one of Lall’s senior staff, reporter Leonard Gildharie. The second is a beleaguered President Donald Ramotar, unwilling and unable to defend his record, indecently choosing to prorogue Parliament instead of facing a no-confidence vote by the then combined parliamentary opposition.

It has been a poor year for democracy and rule of law in Guyana – only a few months earlier, as the clamour for local government elections had reached a crescendo, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand had delivered her infamous feral blast against the American Ambassador; said blast we were told by the coiner of the phrase, Dr. Roger Luncheon, having had the full support of government.

Earlier in the month, even national business scion Yesu Persaud had had enough, pointing out at a public forum that the PPP targets critics and while we appear to be free, we are still in chains.

This particular week in December however, it isn’t Anil, or Donald, or Priya, or Roger that has social media aghast and abuzz – it’s a young man whose name will be forgotten long before the flesh falls away from his bones. That name is Mahendra Sukull, a 24-year-old graduate from the University of Guyana, and resident of upscale community Prashad Nagar, killed in a shootout with the police after robbing a supermarket. Although Sukull’s accomplice, Warren Blue – a former policeman fingered in the extra-judicial murder of Agricola teenage, Shaquille Grant – is the one with the controversial past, the lion’s share of attention is paid to Sukull. How could such a promising young man be involved in a life of crime?

I am one of the few people to ponder the same about Blue, who grew up in Tucville and who I knew as a shyer teenager than Cliff Chichester had ever been.

It is July 4, 2017. My ex-wife calls and begins to speak to me in the voice that I know all too well, the voice that tries to project reason but which barely hides the panic roiling just beneath the surface. Our son is now thirteen, roughly the age Cliff Chichester was during his father’s Spanish lessons over two decades ago. He is with me this week and is wavering between sullen, gruff teenager listening to trap music all afternoon on his headphones and the calm, dutiful boy who makes me breakfast because my leg is injured and who explains to me about the book he is reading. Over the weekend he went to a school fair, called me three minutes before his 9 pm curfew to ask for a half-hour extension, but comes home at 10 pm.

INDECENTLY CORRUPT Now, his mother’s ‘reasonable’ voice finally gives way to the source of the panic behind and beneath it. She is shocked by the news of the otherwise respectable, well-employed young men involved in Tuesday’s daring but ultimately botched bank robbery. The fear in her voice becomes increasingly audible, palpable. After we’re done talking, I call my son in and talk straight and hard to him. I make it clear that my job is to give him the opportunities I never had, both those that I missed because I grew up in a lower working class community

called Tucville Terrace, and those that were deliberately denied me because I decided to take a stand against a system that was increasingly, unapologetically, indecently corrupt. Halfway into the talk I realized that his mother’s irrational fear has also, unreasonably, become mine.

It is my turn to cook dinner and when it’s done we eat and go to bed. As he sleeps, I go on Facebook

on in the wake of the recent robbery. As with Sukull, the questions about higher education and the moral clarity that supposedly comes with that higher education abound.

Dead Mahendra Sukull

Dead: Elton Wray

and start scanning the page of Elton Wray, the former China scholarship recipient and NAREI worker, a young man who, at 25, made a salary almost as high as mine and who bought with his duty free concession the same model of car, a Nissan Juke, that I intend to buy.

The picture that emerges from the posts on his wall is of an intelligent young man with a sense of how unjust life can be, a keen grasp of international issues, a passion for basketball, friends from around the world. There is no indication of any criminal bent, no glorification of violence or theft or the hustle.

It’s absurd that I should feel I have to say this, but I am no fan of armed robbery.

Outside of the incident with me and my brother at Game Express so many years ago, my father has survived two violent hijackings as a taxi driver including one where he barely dodged a bullet by inches. Almost exactly four years ago, my youngest brother went to a simple trip to the shop, had a gun pointed at him, and saw a man shot to death feet from his face. I’ve seen too many young men from my old neighbourhood, Tucville and Guyhoc, turn to the gun and end up in jail or dead, including a young man shot to death by the police while hiding in a water tank two years ago.

There is a great deal of supposed puzzlement going

So do the hardline “Kill them all, they made their choice” as espoused by former state legal aid attorney, Jaya Manickchand a few years ago when the police rounded up a couple of young men, none angels, from Albouystown and killed them based upon supposed information that they were about to commit a crime.

ROGER KHAN FACTOR My take on the latest incident is that it wasn’t about poverty, it wasn’t about need – it was a manifestation of a culture of greed, of entitlement, of impunity, of excess, of inequity. And this isn’t a culture that developed overnight. It has been slowly metastasizing upon this society for the past ten or fifteen years, reaching the viral zenith of its initial infection in 2006 when Roger Khan took out an advertisement in the state paper claiming among other things that, “During the crime spree in 2002, I worked closely with the crime-fighting sections of the Guyana Police Force and provided them with assistance and information at my own expense.”

The era that has followed that statement was one that was not as turbulent in societal violence as the previous years, but one in which we would settle into a compromised calm, one where Gail Teixeira went from warning publicly against the increasing integration of drug barons into society to “Advisor on Governance” in an environment in which that phenomenon became normalised, as evidenced by the massive drug busts external to Guyana and the lack of any

significant prosecution here.

From that time to now, we have seen the undermining of both law enforcement and the military; a hamstrung and often complicit judicial system; the twin evils of nepotism and discrimination, the latter often in its most insidious form, racism; and unbridled corruption without consequence.

Those were the things that were instrumental in defining the environment we are in today, and to reverse that, there are four issues that need to be explored. The first is structural inequity. This is a given in any society that has been defined by ethnic and political hegemony. We live in a place in which there has been a deliberate dwarfism of some sectors and communities, while there has been a cultivated gigantism of others. I, for example, work for a very decent salary and in a good position and technically should have no complaints.

However, the job I am doing now is one I was easily competent to undertake six years ago, during which time I’ve been virtually homeless, broke, hungry and vilified as a direct result of government targeting. Discriminatory practices might have significantly diminished now, but the public service is full with people who have had to accept this structural inequity with no small amount of resentment. And this does not address inequity’s more nebulous, yet more potent manifestations within the private sector.

The second is rule of law. The energies expended

by SOCU and SARU notwithstanding, two years into the current administration and we’ve had no significant, successful prosecution of anyone senior from the former administration for corruption. Anil Nandlall’s entitlement of law books being currently the most prominent case involving a leading functionary of a government that took us to the lowest depths of the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index and held us there for a decade is a far greater indictment of our priorities on corruption than it will ever be an indictment of Nandlall.

The third is governance.

It is a good step to see that the government has finally decided to table a “Constitutional Reform and Consultative Bill”, the first step in what should be a much Turn to page 13 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

Citizen, Country and Community

9

…safety, stability, solidarity and security

By President David Granger (Address at 38th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community)

- US policy, as a result of changes in its administration, is uncertain.

- UK policy, owing to its resolve to exit the European Union, is uncertain.

The delegation of the Coop- EU policy, after the expiraerative Republic of Guyana tion of the Cotonou Accord, is expresses its profound appreuncertain. ciation to the Prime Minister, - AU policy, within the African, Government and people of Caribbean and Pacific group, Grenada for their warm welwill be driven by the continent’s come. We thank them for the collective interests, different excellent arrangements made from CARICOM’s, and is unto facilitate our participation certain. in the 38th Meeting of the The Community has vital Conference of Heads of Gov- President David Granger strategic interests to protect ernment of the Caribbean and promote in its international Community. relations. It is imperative that it I extend to you, Dr. the RT. Hon. Keith engages foreign states to preserve its interests.

Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, congrat- The Community also, must ready itself for ulations on your assumption of the Chairman- negotiations with the UK, EU and the African ship of the Caribbean Community. I welcome Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States. the President of the Republic of Haiti, His The emergence of these groups of states Excellency Jovenel Moïse, to his first Summit will play a prominent role in international meeting. relations in the twenty-first century, just as the I welcome the Prime Minister of The seaborne empires dominated the nineteenth Bahamas, Dr. Hubert Minnis, also, to his first century and the rise of independent states charSummit meeting. acterised the twentieth century.

I congratulate Ms. Shirley Pryce of JamaiThe Caribbean Community cannot cling ca, the recipient of the Twelfth CARICOM to an obsolete model of insularity in light of Triennial Award for Women, who is being these international changes. The mirage of honoured today for her contribution to trade fifteen airlines, fifteen cricket teams, defence unionism and women’s development. I express forces and fifteen embassies in the capitals of my gratitude to the Secretary General Ambas- the world might mesmerise a few sentimental sador Irwin La Rocque and the hardworking romantics but could deplete the treasuries of staff of the Caribbean Community Secretariat our states. for their invaluable support during my semester The Community, challenged by the conas Chairman. stantly changing international situation, must Citizen, Country and Community redouble its efforts to ensure a more safe Safety, stability, solidarity and security society for its citizens, more stable economies The Caribbean Community is an associa- for its countries, deeper solidarity and a more tion of independent states bound by a covenant. secure hemisphere.

The Treaty of Chaguaramas allows us to pursue our vital interests at three levels - the level of CITIZENS the citizen, the level of country and the level Citizens are at the centre of this Communiof community. ty. The original Treaty of Chaguaramas iterates The historical and geographical determi- the determination of our founding fathers to: nants which brought us together, the delibera- “…strengthen the bonds among the people tions on which we shall enter, the decisions we of the Caribbean [and] to fulfil our people’s shall make and the actions which we shall take aspiration to “…full employment and improved to implement them will advance our interests standards of work and living...” at all three levels.

The Charter of Civil Society of the CaThe confidence which our citizens repose ribbean Community establishes that we are, in us can be eroded; the economies of our foremost, a community of citizens. We respect countries can be undermined and the efficacy every citizen’s fundamental human rights, inof our international advocacy can be impaired cluding the right to life, liberty and security of if our efforts are ineffectual. the person.’ The perverse notion of a ‘stateless’ The Caribbean Community was erected person is anathema to the Community’s conpurposefully on four pillars - integration, hu- cept of human dignity. The Community must man and social development, foreign policy never cease condemning inhuman treatment coordination and security. meted out to Caribbean citizens in the DominThe Community could collapse if these ican Republic or anywhere else. pillars are shaken.

“La semaine dernière, nous étions des The Community finds itself in an inter- Haitiens... aujourd’hui, nous sommes des national situation today that is replete with Haitiens... la semaine prochaine, nous serons uncertainty and complexity: des Haitiens.”

The Community must be mindful of its duty to protect its citizens and reject the odious notion of ‘statelessness’. Respect for the rights of the citizen must extend to respect for freedom of movement, which is enshrined in the Revised Treaty. It obliges us to dismantle restrictive immigration practices, which impede free movement.

Citizenship is sacred. It is not a bauble to be bought in a bazaar. Every State has the sovereign right to determine its own immigration policies consistent with its Treaty commitments. That right, however, should not impair the integrity of our mutual relations or damage the ideal of free movement within a single domestic space.

COUNTRY The Community, with a total land area of 462, 352 km2, is larger than Sweden and, if it were a single country, would be the 56th largest in the world. Size matters. The Community be the 56th largest in the world. Size matters. The Community might be an association of small states but it is larger and stronger when it is united. It must not underestimate the value of its solidarity or its strength when it speaks with a single voice as a Community. Solidarity is a source of strength.

Foreign policy coordination is the sharp instrument, the cutting edge, of our diplomacy, to gain our great advantage. We should not damage it. The Community has the land, the labour, the talent and the capital to guarantee food security for its citizens. The Community’s annual food import bill, which exceeds US$4B, is a notorious indictment of its ability to promote investment and stimulate intra-regional trade in agricultural commodities.

Non-tariff barriers continue to constrain trade in food. The Community needs to re-examine how it can dismantle the non-tariff barriers to trade in agricultural products while generating employment for its citizens. Commerce is the lifeblood of our economies. Small internal markets consign states to high dependence on external trade. Intraregional trade, therefore, is important. The Caribbean Common Market was established to ensure markets for regional production, inter alia. Intraregional trade provides a basis for increasing national production, augmenting investment and generating employment. The environment is an inescapable economic reality. The Community possesses unmatched natural assets - both on the mainland states and in the island states.

The Community, taken as a whole, is blessed with rich natural capital breathtaking beaches, extensive grasslands, entrancing wetlands, evergreen rainforests, magnificent waterfalls, majestic highlands and unsurpassable biodiversity with some of the world’s rarest species of flora and fauna.

These assets are the bases of the tourist industry. Adopting a “green” agenda can help to protect the Community from the threat of environmental hazard and natural disaster and

safeguard people’s livelihoods and the industries on which they rely. Many member-states already embrace the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, a forest conservation initiative, which was launched at the 24th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in 2015. It is one of the ways in which we can protect our environment while deriving sustainable economic benefits. I commend this initiative.

The Caribbean, our home, must be secure.

It must remain a ‘zone of peace’ through our unstinting solidarity in defence of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states.

Security cooperation, under the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACs) and through international agreements such as the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), have helped to keep our citizens safe. They are necessary but not sufficient.

Security cooperation, seemingly so successful a decade ago during international cricket in 2007, must remain a priority in this age of international terror in 2017. The Roadmap for a single ICT Space, which we approved at the 28th Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in Georgetown in February 2017, will help us to straddle the 3,200 km2 of sea space, which separates Nassau in the north from Paramaribo in the south, through information and communications technology.

We must advance that roadmap.

CITIZEN, COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY The Grand Anse Declaration and Work Programme for the Advancement of the Integration Movement paved the way for the creation of a single economic space – the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

It was here in Grenada in 1989 that we agreed to deepen the integration process in response to the emerging geo-political order.

The CSME is the Community’s best response to the inevitable changes in its traditional markets in Europe, the prevalence of economic liberalization and the emergence of economic blocs. The CSME is still the best vehicle to allow small states to compete in the global economy while promoting economic and social development. The CSME is the most ambitious project attempted by the Community; it must not become its most ambiguous. The CSME, especially given the present uncertainties facing the Region’s international relations, must be accelerated in order to create a single economic space.

Six months has been a long time in international relations, as we have seen in the US, UK, EU and the AU. This semester has provided ample opportunities for the Community to work together to protect our vital interests at the levels of citizen, country and the community. With such a clear vision and commitment, CARICOM can confront the future with confidence.

I thank you.

$3B for water treatment plants OVER 50,000 residents are expected to benefit from a $3 .977B project, which will see the construction of three new water treatment plants at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD), Diamond, East Bank, De-

merara (EBD) and Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice.

During his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing last Friday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon announced that Cabinet has

given the green light to the project contract which will be executed by the Chinese company, Sinohydro Limited.

The project, which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank

(IDB), will provide for the procurement of plant design, supply and instillation of water treatment facilities and the upgrade of matriculation at these three areas, Minister Harmon said. The facilities

will be constructed under the water supply and sanitation infrastructure improvement programme of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). It also includes a component for non-revenue water reduc-

tion in the areas where the treatment plants will be constructed. Residents in the areas slated to benefit from the water plants will be issued with water meters in an effort to reduce water wastage.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

Norton calls on Region Six to pursue unity …at NA Harmony Village Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton on Wednesday called on East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) and the rest of the nation to emulate the example of unity for nation-building set by the New Amsterdam Harmony Group at the launch of the Harmony Village - New Amsterdam Cultural Fest.

The festival was hosted by the Ministry of Social Cohesion in collaboration with

the New Amsterdam Harmony Group on the Matthew Allen Road in New Amsterdam, Berbice. Acting President and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon also attended the festival.

Minister Norton said that the concept of the New Amsterdam Harmony Village emerged from the work that his Ministry had undertaken in the region to foster social cohesion and he applauded

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton, first left, assists Acting President and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially declare open Harmony Village-New Amsterdam Cultural Fest. Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon (third from left, background), and Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Jaipaul Sharma (second from left) and Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo are also pictured

the group for embarking on this project to the benefit of the community. “Harmony Village- New Amsterdam Cultural Fest presents an opportunity for us to better understand and to appreciate each other. Today we are witnessing persons from various ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds living in harmony despite their differences.

We are better able to appreciate the different fabrics, which have been woven together to make the Guyanese society such a diverse one.

This is, therefore, an excellent platform for uniting persons in communities by utilising their diversity,” Dr. Norton said.

The minister expressed the hope that this initiative would spread to other communities as they endeavour to build stronger bonds. “I wish to encourage persons in New Amsterdam and across the country, particularly in Region Six to make a greater effort to build a stronger community. We need to look out for each other and to help to better each other’s lives. Tougher we can do so much for each other. It is my hope that there will be many more events which will foster stronger community relationships and result in improved livelihoods. We must remember that a unified country is composed of unified communities,” he said.

Meanwhile, in delivering his feature address, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said that Guyanese must co-operate for the benefit of the nation. Referencing the skit “Unity Village” performed by students from the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, the Prime Minister said that while all relationships experience challenges, compromise and co-operation

are essential for advancement. “Social cohesion is about consensus building.

Social cohesion is about compromise. Social Cohesion is about cooperation … Social cohesion is all about building harmony. It’s all about building understandings … This Harmony Village is not just a Harmony Village Day nor is it just a Harmony Village Fest … Harmony Village in Guyana is a movement. It is a movement that is developing at the grassroots of our society among the ordinary people who want to live together, to work together and to ensure that our country develops together,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that this is particularly important at this time in our nation’s history as globally there is uncertainty as to how the world is developing and how the most powerful nations treat issues such as climate change, which affect small states. As such, he said, there must be cohesion at the regional level and Guyana can lead the way in this endeavour as it is admired for its diversity across the world. “Guyana the land of many races, the land of many waters, the land of many colours, the land of many ethnicities, the land of many religions, the land of many cultures. We are a diverse nation and we are unique … in the world [in] that we have people of every ethnicity from the various continents of the world living in Guyana, but we don’t want only to live in Guyana.

We want to co-exist and co-existence means not living apart. Co-existence means living peacefully together and this is the model Guyana can share with the rest of the world – that our diversity is our strength. Our diversity is our beauty,” he said.

Over 20 booths, which promoted local culture and cuisine, cultural wear, religious diversity and the display of art, artefacts and literature featured at the festival. It was also attended by Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Jaipaul Sharma, representatives from the public security and public health sectors, regional officials and members of the diplomatic corps as well as heads of religious and cultural organizations. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

Suspects make bail

Aviation sector pumps $20.7B annually into economy – study – as probe into Sophia child’s murder deepens THE police on Wednesday confirmed that the three persons held for questioning in the murder of eightyear-old Isaiah Smartt have been placed on bail.

According to Commander ‘A’ Division Marlon Chapman, the decision was taken following a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that the police should widen their probe.

Chapman disclosed that two of the three persons who were in custody are the child’s relatives, while the other is a fellow villager.

The body of Isaiah Smartt of Lot 148 ‘E’ Block Plum Park, Sophia was found in a yard two Tuesday afternoons ago by a relative of his.

The boy was last seen

F. E. Pollard Primary School pupil, Isaiah David Smartt

alive the Monday night when he left home to visit his father, who resides a short distance away.

An autopsy done on the child’s remains has revealed that he died as a result of asphyxiation due to broncho-aspiration, which was compounded by compression injuries to the neck.

The police have since

said that the findings of the autopsy is a clear indication that Smartt’s death was unnatural, and as a result has to be ruled a homicide.

Though young Isaiah’s body was found in a swampy yard in the neighbourhood, relatives are insisting that he did not drown because he was an excellent swimmer.

They’re insisting that he died of foul play.

Commander Chapman had told the Guyana Chronicle at the time that the child’s body, which bore no visible marks of violence, was found at around 19:45hrs that night in about two feet of water.

He’d related that after the child did not show up at his father’s house, relatives mounted a search party, and after finding the body, summoned the police.

‘Third-party’ coverage coming for foreign-company vehicles THE government will on Friday table the Motor Vehicles Insurance Amendment Bill 2017, which will provide issuance of third-party insurance coverage for motor vehicles coming into Guyana from any foreign country.

The Bill will be amended in accordance with an International Agreement, which, in essence, is any bilateral, multilateral agreement or treaty or any similar arrangement between Guyana and a foreign State or States.

A Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment

Bill passed in the National Assembly in 2016 was intended to amend the Act by increasing fees for the transfer of motorcycles and other motor vehicles, by imposing fees for the issuance of Letters of Authenticity and driving permits.

At the time, the transfer of ownership attracted a fee of $5,000 for motorcycles; and $25,000, or two per cent of the selling price or current valuation, whichever was greater, for motorcars.

Additionally, overseas-based motorists visiting Guyana temporarily were

asked to pay $2,000 for a driving permit, and another $2,000 for the Letter of Authenticity to verify their driver’s licence.

However, the Parliamentary Opposition had argued at the time that the way the Bill was crafted was intended to impose more strain on the ordinary citizen, and as such did not support it.

But Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in whose name the motion was moved, has always maintained that amending the Bill is, in the long run, in the country’s best interest.

Two new speedboats for Berbice River THE Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) is currently sourcing boat builders to construct two brand-new speedboats to replace the two hired boats operating in the Berbice River.

This was disclosed by Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Anette Ferguson on Tuesday. The minister explained that in response to the hefty bridge tolls imposed at the

Berbice Bridge, the ministry intervened to assist school children and the elderly.

Two speedboats were contracted in 2015 to remedy the situation and have been in operation since.

School children and pensioners are transported free of cost while other passengers pay $140. These boats currently operate from 06:00hours until 09:00 hours and then again from 14:00 hours to 18:00 hours on weekdays.

The minister related

that the use of these boats are a long-term solution and as such the ministry has decided to have their own boats working instead of contracting private operators. This newspaper understands that the boat operators are paid weekly by the ministry. “In this year’s budgetary allocations, the government has given in excess of $20M, so T&HD is currently sourcing boat builders to construct two brand-new speed boats,” she stated.

A RECENTLY COMPLETED international study on the impact of Guyana’s aviation sector revealed that the sector contributes a whopping $20.7B to the economy annually.

Director General, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Retired Colonel (Col), Egbert Field told the Department of Public Information (DPI). Colonel Field explained that the authority contracted Oxford Economics in London to execute the study.

Oxford Economics was founded in 1981 as a commercial venture with Oxford University’s Business College to provide economic

forecasting and modelling to United Kingdom companies and financial institutions expanding abroad.

“I’m very happy to say that the first sentence in the report that was sent to us states that the economic impact of the aviation sector in Guyana is substantial. So we play a big part in the development of Guyana. The sum of $20.7B in annual economic activity is a sizable amount which the aviation industry contributes to the economy,” Field highlighted.

Most visitors come to Guyana come by air. In August 2016, Minister in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), Annette Ferguson had announced that the study

commenced in June 2016 and is expected to be completed by year-end. The GCAA Director posited that even with this completed study, it is still the responsibility of GCAA, to not only regulate the aviation industry but strengthen and grow it, to meet the foreseen challenges ahead.

GCAA formerly the Civil Aviation Department is under the purview of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications. It was established in March 2002 through the Civil Aviation Act 2000 approved by Parliament. The main law governing the air transport sector is the Civil Aviation Act (2000). (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

Killed bandit has loan at Republic Bank ELTON WRAY, the bandit killed in Tuesday’s attempted robbery on Republic Bank had recently secured a loan from the said institution to purchase his Nissan Juke car, which he had parked in South Ruimveldt while attacking the bank.

Wray was also a China-trained agronomist and former crop extension officer of the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI).

His accomplices have been identified as Jamal Haynes, a Republic Bank staff member of Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, and Keron Sanders. Police located Wray’s Nissan Juke, PWW 1452 abandoned in the Royal Castle parking lot in South Ruimveldt.

Meanwhile, when the Guyana Chronicle visited Wray’s apartment at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Wednesday, no one was

home. However his neighbours told this publication that the apartment was also occupied by Jamal Haynesone of the captured bandits and Wray’s girlfriend-a Russian.

“We were shocked when we got the news because those people were so quiet… they were living there for a while now and they would usually say hi and bye and just go about their business,” said one of the neighbours.

The individuals were always neat so the news of them being involved in such an act was “shocking,” they said.

One neighbour said it is even scary because she was not even aware of what the people who live next to her are capable of. On Tuesday when news broke of Wray’s status, citizens expressed outrage but many persons have told the Guyana Chronicle that Wray whose father holds a senior rank in the Guyana Police Force was

a known robber. “He was involved in a lot of things… he was following friends,” a source at Wray’s work place told this newspaper. The source said Wray, 25, was only on Friday last involved in a heated argument at NAREI. “He was requesting a transfer from his department since he is known for having problems with authority at work. He had received multiple negative appraisals at NAREI,” the sources said.

In a statement, Managing-Director of Professional Guard Service (PGS), Sean Kirkpatrick, whose company provides security service for the bank, had noted that Tuesday morning three armed men entered the Republic Bank, Water Street Branch before it was open to the public. The perpetrators wore masks, gloves and carried handguns with which they opened fire on the RBL personnel inside the building. PGS security

personnel, who were on site, immediately raised an alarm and Armed Response Teams proceeded to the location.

Arriving shortly after the alarm had been raised, the teams assessed the situation and took up defensive positions.

“The gunmen then opened fire on the teams who returned fire, being mindful of the civilian personnel caught in the exchange.

Thanks to the prompt support of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) all three attackers were apprehended and the robbery averted,” PGS stated. “Professional Guard Service is very proud of all our personnel who through their professionalism and heroism were able to thwart this brazen attack.

PGS wishes to commend the personnel of the Guyana Police Force for their outstanding performance and will continue to cooperate with the Guyana Police Force in

Elton Wray's vehicle found abandoned in the Royal Castle parking lot in South Ruimveldt

the ongoing investigation of this incident.”

Police said three firearms, including two 9 MM handguns and one .40 gun were found. The case is being investigated by ranks of the Major Crimes Unit of the Criminal In-

vestigation Department (CID). Due to the trio’s attempt, the bank’s Water Street branch was closed on Tuesday, but an advertisement from the bank highlighted that they will reopen for business from today.

Education woes

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

– Less than 15% of CARICOM nationals have tertiary education – 66% have two or less CSEC subjects

By Ravin Singh in Grenada STARTLING revelations, which indicate a sad state of affairs in the education sector of the region, was made by a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Commission on Human Resource Development.

That Commission announced on Wednesday that it had discovered that less than 15 percent of CARICOM nationals have tertiary education, and of this amount, an astounding 66 percent have two or less subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) level.

The announcement of this discovery was made by two members of the Commission during a press conference on the sidelines of the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Grenada. The Commissioners were at the time sharing with reporters, recommendations it made in its 2030 Human Resource Development Strategy. That

strategy, which seeks to enhance human resource capabilities in the region by 2030, will form part of the discussions of the regional leaders today.

Registrar of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), Glenroy Cumberbatch was the first to highlight the need for tertiary level education. With the region heavily dependent on tourism, he said that the economies of the Caribbean can be described as “service economies,” and that these must be knowledge-based or skills-based. He stated that as a result, there is now a growing demand for people with tertiary level education to drive these economies which have not been performing so well over the last few years.

“We need more people with tertiary level education including community colleges in order to drive our economies” he said, adding that presently, less than 15 per cent of nationals in the Caribbean have tertiary level education. The only

Decriminalise... address the issue.

The Ministries of Education, Social Protection, Agriculture, Indigenous Communities and Public Security make up the National Task Force which covers four strategic areas: (1) Risk Factors Reduction, Health Promotion and Prevention; (2) Reduction of Access to the Means of Suicide; (3) Health Systems response to Suicide Behavior; and (4) Surveillance and Research.

Additionally, a National Stakeholders Conference was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre in April 2016.

“I must let you know that consultations have since intensified in Regions Two ( Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the hub of the suicide occurrences – to ascertain the best possible way the Ministry of Public Health could affect positive change and be more strategic in targeting the communities concerned so as to stem the tide of suicide,” she told those present.

COLLABORATIVE APPROACH Additionally, she said the Ministry has been raising awareness and prevention

through education but said more needs to be done, and all must get involved.

“We need to create a tidal wave of support and policies that will effectively deal with the issues identified. We need professionals and non-medical human resources like psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, occupational therapists and social workers; we need to train all members of the mental health staff in the mental health gap action programme, thus equipping the multidisciplinary team to not only bridge the gap between available resources and the large need for services to address mental, neurological and substance use disorders in non-specialised health settings, but to be able to have these health care workers communicate effectively and deliver good quality care to adults, adolescents, and children in an integrated approach in a Primary Care Setting involving the community,” Minister Cummings stated.

On this note, she said it has become necessary for all stakeholders to play their part in the enforcement of the Mental Health Action Plan 2015-2020.

“We must work collabo-

performances referenced were that of Grenada, which has a 26 percent tertiary level training, and Barbados which has an impressive 65 percent.

And according to the CXC Registrar, one of the main factors responsible for this low overall figure is limited access to tertiary education.

“The access is not sufficient. We are not just talking about university education.

We are talking about university education, sixth form education, community college education” he said, adding that it is becoming increasingly important to regional economies for CARICOM nationals to have tertiary level training. He offered that if this can be achieved, then the kind of change that the region has been searching for over the years will be ushered in.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Commission, Deputy Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Shawn Richards disclosed that 66 per cent of tertiary graduates in the

From page 2

ratively to bring about an end to suicide, strive resolutely to achieve positive outcomes including the Sustainable Development Goal Number Three of Good Health and Well-Being for all Guyanese.

Let us work together to take Guyana further down the list of most suicides committed globally,” she admonished those present.

Though statistical reports are still coming in, Director of the Mental Health Unit, Dr. Util Thomas told those present at the confab that for the period January to May, 2017, the Guyana Police Force recorded 92 cases of suicide while the Ministry of Public Health recorded 59 cases.

In 2016, she recalled that there were 169 cases. The police at the time had reported 99. Most of the deaths occurred among persons between the ages of 15- 29, most of whom were male of East Indian descent.

Six psychologist and six social workers have been trained in addition to 40 doctors to tackle that and other mental health issues.

They have been placed at key locations within the country to assist in the area of mental health.

region have between 0-2 subjects at the CSEC level, while 12 per cent have between 3-4 subjects and 22 percent have five or more subjects.

The Chairman offered that these are “startling statistics” which needs to be improved at the soonest possible time.

To assist with this, he said that several recommendations were offered in the 2030 development strategy which looks at building

resilience among people in CARICOM, from an economic, social and technological standpoint. To provide a direct representation of the realities in the region, he said that the Commission took into consideration a number of changes in the Caribbean which affects citizens; such as information and communications technology (ICT) and its impacts on the region. In addition, he said that the strategy factors in the realities of every lev-

el of education and social conditions which would have even prevented persons from accessing nursery school. For that reason, the Chairman noted that heavy emphasis was also placed on early childhood education as this remains one of the crucial factors which influences the decisions children make.

The Committee will submit the Strategy to the Heads of Government who will examine and deliberate on its contents.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

Guyanese in Grenada keen on investing home – after President Granger calls for stronger integration of region

By Ravin Singh in Grenada ONE of the pillars of regional development remains intra-regional trade which provides an opportunity for overseas nationals to freely invest in their home-country – a move Grenadian-based Guyanese are seemingly interested in.

This was observed on Tuesday evening when President David Granger met with Guyanese residing in the sister Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country of Grenada. The meeting, which was attended by more than one hundred Guyanese, was held at Mount Cinnamon.

The Guyanese Head-ofState arrived to resounding rounds of applause at the location which is neatly tucked away near the Grand Anse beach. He was accompanied

by Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge and Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams.

Despite not being able to address the gathering openly,

Minister Williams’ one-on-one interaction with the Guyanese natives proved helpful in encouraging those citizens to continue to support Guyana in its developmental efforts. Minister Greenidge on the other hand, was able to provide an overview of economic, social and cultural realities which exist in Guyana. He was keen to note that while Guyana is

not where it should have been, due to mismanagement and corruption under the previous administration, the coalition government is working to eliminate same and strengthen democratic organs.

He added too that Guyana’s oil find signals a path to further development not only in terms of infrastructure and institutions, but for Guyanese

who will benefit from the proceeds of this highly valued resource. But it was President David Granger, whose speech was punctuated with Guyanese jargons, who stole the spotlight for the evening. The Guyanese leader, who had earlier addressed regional Heads of Government, reminded the diaspora of how important regional integration is in the

Caribbean. He explained that shared cultures and values in the Caribbean were shaped by a common historical past and common interest, and this is why Guyanese can move to different parts of the region to live and still feel at home.

The President noted too that regional migration provides an opportunity for nationals to equip themselves with the tools necessary to contribute to the development

President David Granger interacting with members of the Guyanese diaspora in Grenada

of their home-country, particularly through investment.

“When you travel overseas; some of you improve your education, some of you improve your employment and you could invest back home…” he said.

He then plugged investments for Guyana and encouraged the diaspora to invest in the country since it has unmatched potential. “We can produce everything that the Caribbean needs but we need investment. We need people who are prepared to come back and invest” the President told the attendees, many of whom responded positively to his call.

Further, he explained that because of the vastness of the country, the education sector has been severely constrained.

However, he was keen to note that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be a means through which the quality and standard of education in Guyana can be improved.

As such, he encouraged the diaspora to help ensure that Guyana’s children are part of the technological revolution.

Investment in public education system priority for gov’t – Harmon MINISTER of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon said that the task of preparing the young generation for leadership of Guyana falls primarily on the public education system; noting that while the private schools seem to be attaining higher pass rates at examinations, they only account for about one-third of the total number of students who wrote the examination.

It is for this reason he said, that the Government, as a matter of policy, allocated $144M

A section of the audience of students of the Ann’s Grove Primary School

to implement measures that would improve the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results, particularly in mathematics and English. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday at the Ann’s Grove Primary School’s graduation ceremony.

“We have to produce out of the public schools in Guyana the quality of individuals who can take their places in a world that is changing, in a country that is going green, we want to produce environmen-

talists, scientists, biologists, doctors, lawyers, people who can move the country forward to its rightful place in the world… I am happy to see the turn around that is taking place in education. It is our responsibility as a Government to ensure that the education system is given the resources that it needs, more importantly, it is our responsibility to ensure that the public education system gets the quality of resources that it requires from the State,” he said.

Minister Harmon said that while the improvement in this year’s NGSA results is indeed significant and ought to be celebrated, it is just a small step in a long journey to ensure that Guyanese students, regardless of where they live, excel.

Turning to the graduating class, the Minister said that the world is constantly changing and must be able to embrace and adapt to

these changes. He also called for greater partnership between teachers, parents and the community at large to ensure that children are not led astray. “I want to encourage you to take your education seriously…Remember education is a partnership between the State, the parents, the teachers, the students and the Parent Teachers’ Association

(PTA), and as a Government we will continue to do our best to ensure that the facilities are provided for you.” The Minister also distributed a quantity of school supplies to the graduating class. This year, the school’s top student, Ms. Shoneza Adams, secured a place at President’s College with 494 marks. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Live ammunition land East Bank man in hot water

A LAND of Canaan man was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate, Ann McClennan after he was found with 30 live rounds of 9mm ammunition.

It is alleged that on June 30, 2017 at Port Kaituma in Region One (Barima-Waini), Paul Hector was found with 30 live rounds of 9mm ammunition on his person.

Hector’s attorney, however, argued that the ammunition were not found on his client’s person; that rather he was drinking with some friends in the vicinity where they were found.

It is on those grounds that he asked that bail be granted his client, since besides his wife, who is unemployed, he also has a toddler to take care of.

The prosecutor, however, objected to bail on the grounds that the reasons given were not convincing enough.

He also put it to the court that contrary to what the attorney was saying, the ammunition were found on his client’s person, and were even shown to him prior to his arrest.

The 41-year-old was remanded to prison until August 8, 2017.

Six out of 10 15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

– Sapodilla School of Excellence, Rosignol Primary produce most of Region Five NGSA stars THE LESS than a year-old privately-owned Sapodilla School of Excellence (SSE) and the Rosignol Primary School, combined produced six of the top 10 achievers in Region Five at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Asa Molaha, a student of SSE and who had the most marks in the region, is based at Hopetown, West Coast Berbice.

His two other classmates in the

top 10 are Joshua Harripersaud with 509 and Shamaul Sahadeo with 507.

Rosignol Primary also did well with Teeromani Kowchai scoring 509 marks, placing second in the region, followed by Arianne Mangal with 508 marks and Sophia Persaud with 506 marks, who also performed outstandingly at the exams.

The other four pupils in the top 10 are Nazim Bauckuss of Cotton

Asa Molaha

Assanie Morrison

Arianne Mangal

Michael Ross

Shamaul Sahadeo

Shimeha Conway

Nazim Bauckuss

Tree Primary who scored 506 marks; Sajjad Ishmael of Number 29 Village Primary School with 503 marks; Shimeha Conway of Hopetown Primary with 502 marks; Michael Ross of Novar Primary with 501 marks; and Assanie Morrison of Zealand Primary with 501.

Top pupil Molaha won a place at Queens College, while Kowchai, Harripersaud, and Mangal secured places at Bishops’ High

School.

Sahadeo Persaud and Bauckuss were awarded places at St Stanislaus College while Ishmael, Conway, Ross and Morrison will be going to St Roses High School.

The top achievers which include aspiring aeroplane pilots, scientists and medical professionals were elated with their results and said they eagerly look forward to attending secondary school and ultimately university.

Joshua Harripersaud

Teeromani Kowchai

Sophia Persaud

Sajjad Ishmael

Farfan and Mendes celebrates 50th anniversary FARFAN and Mendes Limited (FML) on Wednesday hosted an interactive trade expo and health fair for customers at their Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) complex in celebration of their 50th anniversary.

The expo featured most of the company’s primary products which include those equipment from Stihl, Metabo and Karcher.

“We have enough product lines to own our

expo. The expo is only a representative sample of the larger product lines offered by the group of companies. We don’t just sell a product, we sell solutions to your problems,” Administrative Manager, Amanda Richards said.

Richards said in addition to stocking spare parts for every piece of equipment, there are also an accompanying backup services and warranties.

Patrons were given the opportunity to actually try

out the equipment on site and cash-in on discounts.

Additionally, they were given the opportunity to participate in a raffle to win equipment.

Republic Bank and the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) were also part of the expo and assist potential buyers with financing options.

Free HIV, blood pressure, blood sugar and eye tests were also available at the one-day event.

A patron trying out a new battery-operated hedge-cutter offered by Farfan and Mendes Limited

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

THE GOOD LIFE by way of... needed re-engineering of governance structures, particularly in light of the deconstruction of existing ones as summarised above. Without this shift in governance, as executed primarily through constitution reform, we cannot sustainably and comprehensively address the issues of structural inequity and rule of law.

COMPLEX CULTURE The fourth, and most complex and most difficult to address, is culture. The

thing about corruption is that if properly mitigated, it stays primarily a law enforcement issue. However, if allowed to spread as it has in our society, it acquires socio-cultural dimensions that exponentially limit law enforcement options, and in doing so further ensures its own necrotic growth. Add, pre-existing sociopolitical realities and what you have is a culture of dysfunction within which we wean our young people, and based upon which they make their moral choices.

This society was shocked a few months ago when gold dealer Saddiqi ‘Bobby’ Rasul was arrested for defrauding a bank of almost a billion dollars. Caught up in this imbroglio were at least one senior bank employee and several state sector officials, one of them a good friend of mine.

While there are no questions in Saddiqi’s case about why a young man would aim for that level of criminality, and while the subtext was that he had to be pretty smart to pull off that hustle, he and Wray

are products of the same environment – one chose a gun, the other chose the intricacies of a rigged system. Both were would-be bank robbers.

We need to erase the culture that taught both that criminal behavior is a prerequisite for wealth acquisition, the same culture that absurdly also ignores or even praises the one but outright condemns the other. In some societies, China for example, both would have been liable, upon conviction, for execution; in others, both would be eligible, upon prosecution within a fair and just system, for rehabilitative intervention.

Chichester, Sukull, Wray.

Young men who all died roughly at the same age although years apart, who made a choice, yes, but seeing how this society is set up, it was in many ways a glorified Hobson’s choice.

There are no contemporary rags to riches by your bootstraps examples to follow, no paragons of success and virtue and hard work. For every Yesu Persaud – and there is left to us only one Yesu Persaud – there are a hundred smaller versions of Saddiqi Rasul infesting this society, operating with impunity with little or no consequence and a surfeit of ill-acquired wealth. Our children are being brought up in a culture in which the odds are that there are more rewards for corruption and criminal behavior than there are consequences. And that is the core problem.

I’ve blamed the contemporary ethos primarily on the contemporary People’s Progressive Party, not the party of moral force of Cheddi Jagan, but that of the cor-

From page 8

ruption with impunity of his successor, Bharrat Jagdeo, the most shining example of wealth acquisition through a corrupt system. That assignment of blame is not meant to be corrective or even palliative, purely diagnostic – I don’t believe you can cure a disease by holding a mirror to its primary agent’s face.

What we as a society need to acknowledge is that it is our disease now. As Havel said of his own society, “None of us is just its victim. We are all also its co-creators.” Or to quote the always apt but perhaps by now over-quoted Carter, “All are involved, all are consumed.”

CONTENTMENT Responsibility for curing that disease rests upon all our shoulders. It rests upon the shoulders of an executive government that needs to set an example of ‘contentment’ in the exercise of civic duty by not tarnishing itself with ill-timed salary increases and excessive entitlements like half-million dollar housing allowances, even as it creates programmes in education, public security, economic growth and social services that comprehensively target where we are weakest, not focusing on easy gains and political expedience; it rests upon a civil society that has been too compromised and timid to meaningfully organize to constantly monitor the social contract on behalf of constituent citizens; it rests upon a media that is content with a shrill sensationalism instead of digging deep beneath the surface of the basic story; it rests upon parents many of whom are so infected by this culture, or so beaten down by it,

that they have no real lessons to offer their children about moral choices; and of course it rests upon the individual, particularly our young people, to recognise that this culture has no sustainable future, and to resist the short term lure in favour of more lasting growth and fulfillment, and a sense of active citizenship that seeks to deconstruct injustice and inequality for the greater common good.

Unless something groundbreaking and significant is done about inequity, about meaningfully tackling corruption with tangible results at all strata, about poorly capped and controlled entitlements, about judicial and constitutional reform, the current culture will continue to calcify and spread. And ever so often, we’re going to find ourselves in the midst of this furious farce, this melodramatic performance of pretending to genuinely wonder why so many of our young people are choosing the bad life as their best viable option to get to the good life that they see so many others in this society enjoying.

It is July 5, 2017. My son has just left for school and I finally close off this column I’ve been working on all night. I recall reading several places that Elton Wray’s father is a good man, a senior immigration official. I return to social media just in time to see one of my Facebook friends has changed his picture to that of the dead young man and it dawns upon me that this is the father and he and I have been friends on the network for the past two years. I think of Disney Chichester who sacrificed his weekends to educate us while a shy, chubby, young boy waited for him. I resolve to do the best I can to make a change, as an individual, as a parent and as a citizen.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

Guyana has highest diabetes, premature cardiovascular mortality

– than any other country in the Americas, says CARICOM Health Commission

By Ravin Singh in Grenada CHRONIC Disease Research Centre and head of the Port of Spain non-communicable diseases (NDCs) Evaluation team, Dr Alafia Samuels said Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have the highest mortality for premature cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the Americas.

“So out of 54 countries, Guyana is number one and Trinidad is number two.

More people are dying during their working life. And not only that, they are getting sick and they get chronically ill and disabled so there is an implication for the family.

So the Caribbean has some serious health problems and we have to ask ourselves why is this so,” Dr Samuels told reporters Wednesday.

Her disclosures come at a time when efforts are being intensified to further integrate the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for states to benefit from functional cooperation, since regional health strategies targeting non-communicable diseases (NDCs) have been failing.

In 2007, CARICOM leaders signed what they de-

scribed as the “ground-breaking” Port of Spain Declaration aimed at uniting countries to stop the epidemic of NCDs. The declaration was recently evaluated by a team which included Dr Samuels and other regional and international experts.

Based on the CARICOM Health Commission team’s findings, the health expert informed reporters that death from non-communicable diseases of persons between the ages of 30 to 69 in the Caribbean is double the rate in North America.

She said that what needs to be recognised is that there is a great deal of variation in this region, which has a land space of just over 462, 352 km2.

These statistics were analysed by the team of experts within the context of the Port of Spain Declaration and Dr Samuels said her team was able to examine the risk factor profile across countries and the findings were unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol abuse.

The health expert pointed out that of the four areas, the region was only able to record success in one, which

was having tobacco consumption reduced.

The other three areas, she added, are worse than they were 10 years ago when the declaration was signed.

Pointing out that the risk factor across the region remains poor, Dr Samuels noted that among children it is even more worrisome.

She then went on to share global statistics which indicate that the Caribbean consumes the most soft drinks than any other part of the world.

“Per capita we [the Caribbean] drink on average, two soft drinks per person per day. Nowhere else in the world consumes that much,” she informed reporters, while adding that it is the Commission’s hope that countries will introduce a tax on soft drinks, like Barbados, to reduce consumption of the product.

The report produced by the Commission, after its assessment of the progress or lack thereof made in relation to the Port of Spain Declaration, will be discussed by Heads of Government of CARICOM during their meeting today.

Leopold Street man on remand – for robbery, possession A RESIDENT of Leopold Street, Georgetown was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Magistrate Fabayo Azore after being charged with robbery under arms and drug possession.

It is alleged that on June 27, 2017, Akeem Rajkumar, armed with a gun, robbed Dexter France of one grey back-pack, a pair of Timberland boots, one pennyweight of gold, a quantity of clothing, and $44,000 in cash, all totalling $194,000.

It is alleged also that the 27-year-old mason, while in the vicinity of Leopold Street on June 28, 2017, was found with 50 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the police, Rajkumar tried to disarm one of the ranks of his gun but failed to do so, which resulted in him being shot in the left leg.

He was subsequently cautioned by the police, arrested

New group to push constitutional reform …denies being a ‘political party’

By Alva Solomon AN advocacy movement which plans to “pressure” the authorities into undertaking constitutional reform was unveiled on Wednesday evening and has denied it is a new political movement seeking to be the third force.

The group, Reform-Inspire-Sustain-Educate (RISE), believes the reform process is being footdragged by successive governments and according to its principals, the process, if implemented, would lead to executive accountability, racial harmony and political, economic and social inclusivity.

The group met with curious members of the public who packed the main room at the Moray House Trust on Camp Street. Its members include attorney-at-law Nadia Sagar, engineer Marcel Gaskin, businessman Terrence Campbell, realtor Jainarine Singh, civil servant Remington Nelson and psychologist, Will Campbell, among several others.

Attorney –at-law Timothy Jonas provides legal service to the group.

Sagar, a recent nominee for the position of chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), described the group as a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO) which was established in June this year. Its members see themselves as free-thinking, post- racial individuals who have taken on the task for calling for the reform in the absence of any political mandate.

Speaking to a packed room, Gaskin noted that over the years major political parties have stridently and loudly called for amendments to the constitution or for it to be changed in its entirety. He said that the very political parties,

when they assume office, “drag their feet” on the issue. He said over the past few months he has been involved in social issues and he has realised that there are a number of persons who feel “disadvantaged “and “helpless”.

He said that while he would be considered privileged, he understands the experiences of those persons who are not as privileged as him. Gaskin said that “it is time that some sort of pressure be brought to bear on those in authority to actually deliver on the promises of constitutional reform.”

He cautioned that there has been changes to the constitution but according to him, whether those are far enough, remains “questionable”. Gaskin said that there are many criticisms of the present constitution and according to him, the movement will be studying those and will act on such criticisms.

Campbell noted that each citizen should consider it their duty to participate in the constitutional reform process. He said that the post-2020 oil economy is “far too important” to be left in the hands of any government, noting that the movement is non-partisan towards any government.

He said that the constitution in its current form is “far too deficient” in that regard.

Campbell said the process must be consultative and inclusive, and he noted that the movement believes the society must confront the government in ensuring the process is best suited for their benefit.

CHANGES IN ELECTORAL PROCESS According to RISE, constitutional reform would lead to changes in the electoral process such as allowance for constituency–based voting as opposed to the

winner–takes all outcomes.

The body said too that the reform is needed to counter social, economic and political marginalisation which provides a platform for social cohesion. It was noted too that the process would address what the movement called “hyper-presidential” powers of an executive president with limited oversight from Parliament and the judiciary. RISE said that presently the Executive is morphed with the Legislature –the members of the Cabinet (Executive) are also members of the legislature, serving as members of parliament (MPS).

“We must ensure that proper separation of powers is established “, the body noted.

RISE said that it will be engaging with the citizens of Guyana to create awareness using the media. It plans to undertake dialogue within communities and marginalised groups countrywide to determine specific issues of concern. It will be meeting with persons across the country providing its resources can support such moves. It plans to meet with political parties, private sector groups as well as trade unions among other bodies.

On Wednesday evening a number of persons turned up at Moray House to witness the group’s unofficial unveiling. Some questioned whether it was another political party in the making while others provided moral support to the body’s interests.

This week, the government announced that it will be tabling constitutional reform legislation in the National Assembly. The move will be undertaken before Parliament goes into its two-month recess.

RISE will be undertaking its public engagements next month.

Akeem Rajkumar as he is being fetched into the prison van

and taken to the Brickdam Police Station.

Rajkumar pleaded not

guilty to both charges but was remanded to prison until July 26, 2017.

Attorney Nadia Sagar of RISE introduces members of the body to the audience

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

Guyana open team competition with wins against Bermuda and Cayman Islands

By Tamica Garnett GUYANA’s Daniel Islam played the match of his life last night at the squash courts of the Georgetown Club but still went down in a rematch against Taylor Carrick, as the Guyana boys team closed off with a 4-0 win over Bermuda, matching the 4-0 finish that the girls’ team ended with yesterday morning when they came up against the Cayman Island girls.

As the first day of team competition in the Junior Caribbean Squash Championships commenced yesterday, Guyana started things off on the right footing, letting rivals know early on that the home team will be pulling out all the stops as they hunt that exciting 13th team title.

Unlike in the boys under 17 third place play off which ended in a 3 – 0 win for Carrick, yesterday’s rematch went to the wire, as Islam fought to avenge his earlier lost, and Carrick sought to ensure his team did not go out without at least one match win.

Though in the end the cookie crumbled for Carrick, he was made to sweat for it every step of the way in the nail biting five setter. Despite the outcome the Guyana boys’ team captain, Benjamin Mekdeci, was very proud of the “cutthroat” action that he saw from the boys, on

their opening day.

“I feel every person on this team today gave their all, I mean sometimes we didn’t get the outcome we hoped for, we really wanted the 5 – 0, but we just have to go into our next match with the same mentality: cutthroat. We just need to do our best in the coming matches,” Mekdeci said.

Mekdeci, himself, had his own intense battle when he got the ball rolling for the boys’ team, taking on Bermuda’s Anaya Smith, and winning 11 – 3, 11 – 8, 11 – 3.

It was 17 year old Alexander Cheeks match against 13 year old Matthew Elliott, which first began to get the ample gathering of supporters fired up, as the young player gave Cheeks a run for his money. The modest 11 – 3, 11 – 2, 11 – 6, score did not do justice to the hard work that Elliott had to put in for every point he etched out against Cheeks out on the courts.

The Bermudian handled many of Cheeks drop shots well and even had the Guyanese diving for a few of his own.

Michael Alphonso had perhaps the easiest match among the boys, triumphing 11 – 3, 11 – 1, 11 – 3 against Graham Moss. Boys’ Under15 champion Shomari Wiltshire also closed in a straight set win 11 – 7, 11- 9, 11 – 0 against Charlie Riker.

It all went down to Islam for

him to see if Guyana could start off with wins in all five matches. Carrick was already established as the stronger player when the two met last Tuesday, but there was just a little more determination from Islam.

Islam came out charging, and was rewarded with the first game 11 – 7 win, before Carrick could recover Islam bagged the second game with an improved 11 – 3 margin this time. Carrick realized he needed to tighten his game or he was about to lose his match, and he came out gunning for the third.

Carrick’s increased aggression and the pressure of the match began to get to Islam, the situation was only compounded as a number of strokes were awarded against him, the first one coming as he held the third set 10 – 7 in his favour. From there things crumbled for Islam, and Carrick’s drop shots was more than he could handle, ending the set 12 - 10, for the Bermudian.

Both players fiercely stormed out back onto the court for the fourth set, a well-placed drop shot from Taylor gave him the first point and set the tone of the match.

Taylor however was also dealt his share of strokes as the intensity of the match increased.

The set would go 11 – 9 for Carrick before he returned and wrapped the match up 11 – 7.

Earlier yesterday morning

Girls’ team captain Taylor Fernandes, continued to lead by example, defeating Emma Turnbull in straight sets 11 – 4, 11 – 5, 11 – 8.

It was Kirsten Gomes, however, who had started off the team’s good luck which she locked off a simple win against Olivia Kluyver, in a replay of her girls’ under 13 quarter finals match. The girls under 13 finalist had an even easier time this go around, hardly giving Kluyver a chance to get in a few points, winning 11 – 1, 11 – 0, 11 – 3.

Abosaide Cadogan followed by wrapping up a similar straight set 11 – 1, 11 – 2, 11 – 1 win against Shaelah Parchment-Henry. Girls team captain Taylor Fernandes continue to lead by example, and she added another win for the team, when she disposed of Emma Turnbill 11 – 4, 11 – 5, 11 – 8.

It was Makeda Harding’s lost to Jade Pitcairn that blemished the girls’ winning streak.

Though giving it her all Harding again came up short. Giving an improved performance she drove the match to four set fight, after winning the first set 11 – 5, how things tumbled as Pitcairn collected the next three sets 11 – 8, 11 – 9, 11 – 8.

The girls final win went to Rebecca Lowe who beat Kali MacLean in another four setter, ending 6 – 11, 12 – 10, 11 – 4, 11 – 5.

Team Guyana cop four more medals on day 2 TEAM Guyana took four more medals on the second day of the 16th North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) and 32nd South American Powerlifting Federation (FESUPO) Championships being contested in Orlando, Florida.

Local powerlifter Nadina Taharally, proved that age is no deterrent as she emerged the gold medal winner after clashing with Puerto Rican lifter Nora Montilla. Taharally competed in the 72kg class

of the Master 1 40+ Classic/ Raw category and raked in a total of 337.5kg after deadlifting 155kg, squatting 117.7kg and bench-pressing 65kg.

Competing the 93kg weight class for men’s junior and open categories was Carlos Peterson, who scored a silver medal junior after Chance Mitchell (USA) barely edged past him and bronze in the open. Peterson has been firing locally and has taken his will to Orlando, where he deadlifted the national best of 330kg, squatted 280kg and bench-pressed 150kg earning him 760kg in total.

Despite faltering a few times ‘Big’ John Edwards did South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:30 hrs Nephrite 09:05 hrs Houston Rocket 09:40 hrs Silken 10:15 hrs Urban Myth 10:55 hrs Polly Wolly Doodle English Racing Tips Yarmouth 08:50 hrs Arbalet 09:20 hrs Showdance Kid 09:50 hrs Tan Arabiq 10:20 hrs Alemaratalyoum 10:50 hrs Camino 11:20 hrs Diara Prince 11:50 hrs Shining Romeo

not fail to make Guyana proud as he trooped through to cop a bronze medal.

Contesting in the 120kg weight class Masters 11 (50+), Edwards gained 712.5kg overall, after putting all his effort into his 250kg squat, his 200kg bench press and his 262.5kg deadlift.

On Tuesday during the female sub-junior classic/raw category, Britny Mack lifted in the 47kg class and copped a gold medal while Tineisha Toney lifted in the 57kg classic/ raw classes and scored a silver medal.

Later that day, in the male junior classic/raw category,

Demetri Chan lifted in the 74kg class and copped silver while Romario Gonsalves lifted in the 59kg class and scored gold.

Chan also copped bronze in the 74kg open category. Both young men were able to break national and PanAmerican records.

Today, the competition continues as the powerlifters take on the equipped category.

Winston Stoby, Arif Immamdeen and Nairjanjan Singh will be representing Guyana for the first time in this competition while Tineisha Toney and Britny Mack returned to battle with the aim of keeping the Golden Arrowhead flying high.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

Records tumble in Bristol as England … Beaumont, Taylor hit masterly centuries; beat South Africa Australia, India record fourth victories

A RECORD 275-run second-wicket partnership between Tamsin Beaumont (148) and Sarah Taylor (147) guided England to an impressive 68-run victory over South Africa in a high-scoring ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 match in Bristol yesterday.

Beaumont slapped 22 fours and a six in her 145-ball innings while Taylor clubbed 24 fours in a 104-ball knock as they piloted England to an imposing 373 for five in 50 overs.

In turn, South Africa put up a gallant run chase and finished at 305 for nine as a world record 678 runs were scored in the day, beating the previous best of 577 runs between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney in December 2012 by 101 runs.

The 275-run partnership between Beaumont and Taylor was the highest-ever for

England for any wicket and second best overall in women’s ODIs after India’s Deepti Sharma and Punam Raut

against Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 in Sydney.

Beaumont and Taylor had

Sarah Taylor made excellent use of the scoop either side of the keeper.

had put on 320 runs for the first wicket against Ireland in Potchefstroom in May 2017.

It was also a record second-wicket partnership, beating the 262-run stand between New Zealand’s Suzie Bates and Haidee Tiffen

joined hands in the 12th over at the score of 59 and the association ended in the 47th over at the total of 334 after Taylor fell to Shabnim Ismail.

Beaumont was the fourth batter to be dismissed, becoming one of three Marizanne

Kapp victims but not before putting her side in a position from where they could dictate terms.

This was England’s third victory in four matches, while it was South Africa’s first defeat in as many matches to go with one abandoned game against New Zealand.

Elsewhere, defending champions Australia and India maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament when they defeated Pakistan and Sri Lanka, respectively, in contrasting styles.

The defeats mean the two Asian sides now only have a mathematical chance of reaching the July 18 and 20 semi-finals as it was their fourth successive losses with three group-stage matches remaining.

In Leicester, Australia routed Pakistan by 159 runs following excellent half-centuries by Ellyse Perry, Al-

yssa Healy and Elyse Villani, whereas India held their nerves to overcome Sri Lanka by 16 runs after Deepti Sharma and Mithali Raj had put on 118 runs for the third wicket, which lifted India to 230 for seven.

Scores in brief: England beat South Africa by 68 runs in Bristol.

England 373-5, 50 overs (Tamsin Beaumont 148, Sarah Taylor 147, Lauren Winfield 24, Heather Knight; Marizanne Kapp 3-77) South Africa 305-9, 50 overs (Lizelle Lee 72, Laura Wolfvaardt 67, Chloe Tryon 54, Mignon du Preez 43; Danielle Hazell 3-70, Heather Knight 2-52) Player-of-the-match – Sarah Taylor (England) Australia beat Pakistan by 159 runs in Leicester.

Australia 290-8, 50 overs (Ellyse Perry 66, Alyssa Healy 63 not out, Elyse Villani 59,

Rachael Haynes 28, Alex Blackwell 23; Sana Mir 3-49, Sadiq Yousuf 2-66) Pakistan 131 all out, 50 overs (Sana Mir 45, Iram Javed 21; Kristen Beams 3-23, Ashleigh Gardner 3-28, Sarah Aley 2-29) Player-of-the-match Elyse Villani (Australia) India beat Sri Lanka by 16 runs in Derby.

India 230-7, 50 overs (Deepti Sharma 78, Mithali Raj 53, Veda Krishnamurthy 29, Harmanpreet Kaur 20; Sripali Weerakkody 3-28, Inoka Ranaweera 2-55) Sri Lanka 216-7, 50 overs (Dilani Manodara 61, Shashikala Siriwardena 37, Nipuni Hansika 29, Chamari Athapaththu 25, Poonam Yadav 2-23, Jhulan Goswami 2-26) Player-of-the-match – Deepti Sharma (India) Today’s fixture: New Zealand v West Indies, Taunton.

Venus Williams battles back to oust Wang VENUS Williams fought back from a set down to overcome the determined challenge of Wang Qiang as the American set a new Wimbledon landmark.

when Williams – who has endured an emotional week amid questions over her involvement in a fatal road accident – prevailed in straight sets, but it was a tougher test on this

Venus Williams

The 37-year-old, a five-time winner at the All England Club, wrapped up a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 second-round success to mark her 97th main-draw match at the grass-court grand slam – a record for an active player.

The pair also met in the first round of the French Open,

occasion against the world number 55.

Wang fought back from 0-40 down to hold in only her second service game and showed her resilience again when she was broken in game six, hitting back immediately.

The Chinese continued the

theme of producing the goods at just the right time, sending down an ace to deny Williams a break that would have left her serving for the set.

It was the underdog who ultimately got that honour when a wayward Williams forehand gave Wang the break, which was cemented with a hold that afforded her a one-set lead.

Williams, who reached the Australian Open final this year before losing to sister Serena, refused to wilt and quickly put pressure on her opponent’s serve.

That finally paid dividends when Wang was serving to stay in the second set, with a deft Williams drop shot setting up three break points, the last of which was taken with a precise passing effort.

In the decider it was Williams, a semi-finalist at SW19 last year, who moved up a gear as her variety of shot-making came to the fore to set up a third-round match with Naomi Osaka.

Kent pair break county’s cricketing record

(REUTERS) - South African Sean Dickson and Englishman Joe Denly have shared a record 382-run partnership for Kent against Northamptonshire in the County Championship at Beckenham.

The pair, who began batting on Monday afternoon, continued their second-wicket partnership on Tuesday, as

Dickson moved to an individual career-best score of 318, the second highest by a Kent batsman in the county’s 175year history.

Denly was eventually out for 182 while Dickson departed 26 short of the record for a game in the county, set

by WG Grace for the MCC against Kent at Canterbury in 1876.

Johannesburg-born Dickson’s score was the highest in the County Championship since Kevin Pietersen’s 355 in May 2015. Kent’s 701-7 was their second highest first-class total.

The previous record for a Kent partnership was 368 put on by Aravinda De Silva and Graham Cowdrey against Derbyshire in 1995.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

RHTYSC Patron’s Green Economy to attract 16 softball teams THE Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTYSC) Patron’s Green Economy Trophy, which was scheduled to bowl off on Saturday July 1, has been postponed due to the weather, among other factors.

However, organisers have decided to play a softball tournament, involving sixteen teams, and which will bowl off on July 15 once the weather improves.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the tournament will be

played on a knock-out basis.

CEO Hilbert Foster

Teams across Berbice are invited to enter, and must

submit fifteen players, a manager and a contact telephone number.

The first round of matches will be played using the 10/10 format, while the third place and final will be played based on 20/20 format. National, academy or contracted played with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) will not be allowed to participate.

Teams have until Monday July 10 to enter, while the drawing for fixtures will be done on Wednesday, July

12, at the Area “H” ground, starting at 16:00hrs.

The winning team will earn $500 000 and a trophy, the first runners-up $300 000 and a trophy, the second runners-up $100 000 and a trophy, while the third runners-up will be $50 000 richer. The man-ofthe-final will pocket $50 000 and a trophy.

Foster expressed confidence that the tournament will be a great success as softball cricket is very popular in Berbice.

The Area “H” ground, and the Albion ground will be the venues for the tournament, which will be played over three weekends.

The final has been set for Sunday, July 30.

The longstanding Secretary/CEO also disclosed that the club will be using the tournament to promote the ‘Say No to Suicide’ message, educating Berbicians on Climate Change and the efforts towards a green economy in Guyana.

Teams can contact the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, on 337 4562 or email: foster_hilbert@yahoo.com for more information.

Meanwhile, the club will be donating $2M worth of school bags, bicycles, and cricket balls under the Patron’s Fund on Friday, July 21 at the St Francis Training Centre at 13:00hrs. The club will also be distributing $1M worth of exercise books to schools drawn across Berbice.

Aru signals Tour ambitions as Froome takes yellow

By Julien Pretot |

LA PLANCHE DES BELLES FILLES, France (Reuters) - Fabio Aru claimed his maiden Tour de France win yesterday, as defending champion Chris Froome snatched a yellow jersey he intends to wear all the way back to Paris.

Astana rider Fabio Aru of Italy wins the stage.

(REUTERS/Christian Hartmann)

Italian champion Aru launched a blistering attack in the final stretches of the fifth stage, jumping away from the leading group with 2.3km left of the 5.9km climb

at a lung-busting average gradient of 8.5 per cent.

On a searing hot day in eastern France, the 2015 Vuelta champion of the Astana team became the third winner at the top of La Planche des Belles Filles, where Team Sky’s Froome came to prominence in 2012 and Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali prevailed in 2014, the year he won the Tour.

“I had seen a video of Nibali’s win and I tried to do the same to see what would happen,” said the 27-year-old Aru. “I wanted to test my rivals, I did not have the stage win in mind but obviously it’s a great day.”

Ireland’s Dan Martin took second place yesterday, 16 seconds behind, while Froome was 20 seconds off the pace in third, with his rival Richie Porte in his tracks.

Another top contender, last year’s runner-up Romain Bardet of France, took fifth place, a further four seconds behind.

“When Aru went, I still had teammates (to do the work) so I waited for the others to react. Nobody moved so I thought I had to go to see what I could do,” said Froome, who added he felt fresher than on his previous dominant rides on the Tour.

DOMINANT SKY Colombian Nairo Quintana, tipped as one of Froome’s main challengers, struggled to finish ninth, 36 seconds back, while Spain’s Alberto Contador limited the damage in eighth place, 26 seconds behind Aru. Froome took the yellow jersey from team mate Geraint Thomas, who could not sustain the pace on the climb’s steepest parts.

Overall, three-time champion Froome leads Thomas by 12 seconds with Aru in third a further two seconds behind.

Froome believes he can defend his lead until the last day in Paris, although no team has kept the yellow jersey from day one all

Provisional programme released for Emancipation Day horse race meet ORGANISERS of the Emancipation Day horse race meet have released a provisional seven-race programme.

The one-day race meet, which is organised by the Four Horsemen promotion group, is billed for August 1 at the Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC).

According to the provisional programme, the feature event is for animals classified E3 and non-winners for 2016 and 2017. The feature event also involves animals classified F and G non-earners of $500 000 for 2017. The race is over a distance of 1400m for a winning take of $350 000 and a trophy.

The three-year-old Guyana-bred maiden animals will be galloping over 1200m for a reward of $300 000 and a trophy.

There is also an event for

animals classified H3 and Lower over 1200m for a first prize of $300 000 and a trophy.

The two-year-old Guyana-bred animals will have their first taste of the track over 900m for a $250 000 reward and a trophy.

The I3 and Lower animals will be competing over 1200m for $200 000 and a trophy.

The J3 and Lower animals and those four years and older and K class will be racing over 1100m for a winning prize of $150 000.

The L class non-earners of $150 000 in 2017 will have an opportunity to run, as they compete for a pole position taking of $120 000 over 1200m.

According to the provisional programme, the organising committee serves the right to cancel or reframe

any race mentioned above.

In the event that there are less than five horses entered for any event the organizing committee reserves the right to cancel or reframe the said event or reduce the prize-money after notifying the horse owner.

The organising committee also pointed out that seven horses must start the race before a fourth prize is awarded.

It must be noted also that horses are subject to reclassification pending the results of any race meeting prior to this one All races are run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority.

For entries, horse owners can make contact with Bobby Vaughn on telephone numbers - 624 6788, 2235097, 227-7061, 333-0290, 333-0301.

the way to the finish of the three-week race since Eddy Merckx’s Faemimo-Faema held it throughout.

“I’m used to being in that position,” he warned.

While Aru emerged as the

sharper climber, Porte said that the road to Paris was still very long and that the Italian would have to deal with the pressure of being tipped as a major favourite alongside Froome.

“Aru slipped away a bit I’m still happy with my ride ... he’s going to have more pressure - we saw it last year; he exploded in one of the last stages,” the BMC rider said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

Essequibo cart off fifth consecutive Inter-county Masters crown

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada -- Essequibo’s dominance in the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Inter-county softball tournament continued over the last weekend at the Ashtonbee ground, Scarborough here with the players from the Cinderella County carting off an unprecedented fifth consecutive title in a lopsided final.

their semi-final encounter, Essequibo inflicted an eight-wicket drubbing on their opponents in the Khan Memorial-sponsored tournament, played in honour of the late Samad, Cecelia and Simon Khan, father, mother and brother of Mark and Nazir Khan who are associated with GT Bannas and EC Bannas in the OMSCC and Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL).

Chasing an inadequate 93 for victory, after restrict-

The victorious Essequibo team pose with supporters.

Contesting the final against East Coast Bannas after earlier disposing of West Demerara in

ing East Coast Bannas to 92 for eight in their allotted 20 overs, Essequibo rushed to

98 for two in a mere 8.5 overs much to the jubilation of their players and supporters.

Opener Ahmad Bradshaw slammed an unbeaten 44 which included four massive sixes and two fours while Robert Lall, who batted at number four, finished on 24 not out an innings that was laced with four sixes. The two wickets went to Mark Sawh and skipper Mark Khan.

Apart from Navin Nauth who was left stranded on 29, which included three sixes, and opener Ian Baldeo 22 with two sixes and a four, no other East Coast Bannas batsmen reached double figures as Lall marked a fine all-round effort with three for 17 from two overs.

In the semi-final game, Essequibo took first strike and rattled up a challenging 132 for eight in their allotted 20 overs, with Ricky Bradshaw leading the way with an attractive unbeaten 37, which contained two sixes and a similar number of

Antigua’s PM takes on CARICOM Chairman on West Indies cricket

By Peter Richards ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne yesterday defended his government’s position on the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) view on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) insisting that it has a policy of not interfering “in the internal affairs of institutions and governments”.

Browne, in a statement to the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) said that the governance of West Indies cricket “appears to be an evocative romanticism of a particular Caribbean head”.

Addressing the ceremonial opening of the 38th summit of CARICOM leaders here on Tuesday night, the host prime minister and incoming chairman, Dr Keith Mitchell, ardent cricket-lover, said cricket, with all its challenges, remains a unique West Indian enterprise, worthy of support and promotion.

He said the legacies that have been created by West Indian players on the field, and the voice they have given throughout generations, to expressions of West Indian identity, have been well-documented and chronicled through the years.

“So, when we get together to discuss the current challenges of the regional game, it is not merely a case of politicians dabbling in some useless pastime.

“It is, therefore, greatly disheartening to me, and several other colleague Heads, that after CARICOM had taken common positions to assist in

addressing the crisis of West Indies cricket, certain Member Governments thereafter publicly adopted different positions,” said Mitchell, a former cricketer himself, who once headed the CARICOM sub-committee on Cricket.

Mitchell said that there was an urgent need for the leaders “to get back on course, because the current state of affairs of cricket should be a complete embarrassment to all of us who call ourselves West Indians.

“The West Indies Cricket Board, as currently constituted, has long ceased to pay attention to the alarm bells.

The questions must then be asked: Are we going to fiddle in disunity, while West Indies cricket burns?

Do we stand by and do nothing, as the current system almost renders the regional game irrelevant?

“Colleagues, will we continue, as Heads, to agree on positions behind closed doors, only to return home and in the glare of the public, push a different agenda? We can do better. We must do better,” he said.

But Browne, who was present at the opening and has since returned to his country because of an emergency. In his statement sent to CMC, noted that, “Antigua and Barbuda as a matter of principle does not interfere in the internal affairs of institutions, and governments that are governed by democratically elected officials.

“This is a universal principle on which my government stands,” he said, adding that “the core members of the West Indies Cricket Board to the best of my knowledge were

democratically elected by the territorial boards.

“The board operates independently of governments,” he said, adding, “now there is a particular head, who is of the view - and if I may add here the flawed opinion - that with my support and other heads that he could achieve his compulsive, obsessive desire to dissolve the board.

“The latter he fallaciously argued would automatically resolve the multiplicity of problems facing the West Indies cricket overnight,” Browne said, adding “in the event that he had gotten my support for this fantasy the question would have been how would he have achieved this forced dissolution.

“Talk is cheap, as leaders we should know our limitations and control our aspirations by ensuring that they do not exceed our limitations, Browne said, adding, “we should also respect the rights of individual heads”.

Meanwhile, Mitchell has confirmed that regional governments had proposed that former team psychologist Dr Rudi Webster be made a director of Cricket West Indies (CWI).

“We do have a recommendation to the board and as the board continues to function it would make sense to fill that position that is what the CARICOM has decided and I gave my support to that,” Mitchell told CMC. Webster is a former Barbadian cricketer who worked with the West Indies team during their period of domination under Clive Lloyd as a sport psychologist.

fours. Captain Azeez Baksh supported with 34 (three sixes and a four). Sheldon Burnett took two for 16 from three overs.

When West Demerara batted, opener Mike Singh held the innings together with a fine 35, hitting four sixes in the process. He, however, failed to get adequate support from the middle and lower orders, as they were limited to 109 all out in 20 overs, going down by 23 runs. There were two wickets each for Abdool Azeez, Rudy Bhopaul, Ricky Bradshaw and Robert Lall.

Robert Lall was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament for his dynamic all-round performance while he also copped the prize for the bowler claiming the most wickets. Abdool Azeez took home the trophy for the player scoring the most runs while the Spirit of Award went to Abdool Azeez.

Medals were also presented to all the players and

officials from the winning and first runner-up teams.

Unlike previous years, Berbice failed to field a team in

out that the occasion was beyond cricket and more about the family’s contribution to the sport.

MVP Robert Lall receives his award from a representative of the Khan family.

this year’s tournament. At the presentation ceremony which followed, OMSCC president Azeem Khan expressed sincere thanks to the Khan family for sponsoring the tournament.

He also showered praise on Trophy Stall (Guyana) for its input.

Vice-president Paul Jaman also congratulated the participating teams and the Khans for their fine gesture, pointing

Mark Khan said that it was a pleasure to be involved in the sponsorship of the tournament and promised that he is aiming for it to be even bigger next year.

The Essequibo players also expressed their appreciation for Jenny Tajpaul of Re/max Community Realty Inc. Brokerage for her generous sponsorship of their uniforms.

Pacquiao backs call for review of Horn decision (REUTERS) - Manny Pacquiao has backed a call asking the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) to review the controversial points-decision that saw Australia’s Jeff Horn capture

review” of the fight on Monday and Pacquiao has backed its demand.

“WBO should take appropriate action on the letter sent by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) so as not to erode

Manny Pacquiao (Philippines) and Jeff Horn (Australia) fight for the WBO world welterweight title on July 2. 2017 (AAP/Dave Hunt/via REUTERS)

the Filipino great’s welterweight world title in Brisbane on Sunday.

Horn improved his unbeaten record to 17-0-1 after the judges scored the bout 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113 in the 29-yearold’s favour. But many observers questioned the outcome, saying the officials had made a “hometown decision”.

While Horn dismissed criticism of his win, the regulatory body of professional sport in the Philippines, the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), requested a “thorough

the people’s interest in boxing,” eight-division world champion Pacquiao said in a statement yesterday.

“On my part, I had already accepted the decision but as a leader and, at the same time, fighter, I have the moral obligation to uphold sportsmanship, truth and fairness in the eyes of the public.”

“I love boxing and I don’t wanna see it dying because of (an) unfair decision and officiating.”

On Tuesday, the WBO said that the decision could not be reversed and highlighted the rematch clause in both fighters’ contracts.

“The discretion of a referee or judge cannot be reversed, except in a case of fraud or violation of laws which is not the case in Pac vs Horn,” the organisation said on its Twitter account.

“The contract for Pac vs Horn provides a rematch clause, which the WBO is in accordance, if the promoters decide to move forward.”

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (THURSDAY JULY 06, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Jason Mohammed-40 (2) Hayley Matthews-43 Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was declared Man of the Match at the end of the WI/IND

third ODI of the current series?

(2) Who was declared ‘Player of the Match’ in the WI/IND

game of the current Women’s World Cup? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 6, 2017

Largest field for Georgetown Guyana Amazon Warriors to begin training on July 26 Motorsports Grand Prix

By Rajiv Bisnauth

GT Motorsports owner makes a point to racers and officials during a briefing ceremony yesterday. (Stephan Sookram photo)

By Stephan Sookram THIS weekend’s GT Motorsports Georgetown Grand Prix is set to attract the largest crowd of competitors so far, with over 40 expected on show for the third edition of the event.

The two-day event set for tomorrow and Saturday at the GT Motorsports headquarters on Albert Street and Thomas Lands

in Georgetown will feature a platform for the locals to strut their stuff according to owner Vishok Persaud “What we have here is a chance for the locals to show what they can do. So far we’ve got 40 competitors on show for the two-day weekend and we expect a great lot of fun and competition,” Persaud added.

He noted, “The rookie easy cup, which is the

four-stroke class, is going to have close to 10 participants and they are going to be a lot of new drivers that are entering that field as well.”

Meanwhile he has noted that for families coming out, this time around, the local organising committee is looking to have safe parking arrangements as they are working with their eastern neighbours Malteenoes.

The event is sponsored

by Sunburst, All in One Snack and Beverage Depot, STAG, ExxonMobil, Zoon, Ocean Spray Hotel, Cyril’s Taxi, Vishal Auto Toy Store, Bounty Farm Meat Centre, Rent-a-Tent, Karcher, Japarts, Trophy Stall, Clear Waters, BM Soat, Optique Vision Care, Truck Masters, King’s Jewellery World, SuperBet, Prem’s Electrical, Marics, E-Networks Onfiber, and the Track.

Energised West Indies look to avoid another ODI series defeat KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC ) – An energised West Indies will hope to build on the momentum gained from their emphatic win in their last outing when they meet India in the decisive fifth and final One-Day International here today.

The contest at Sabina Park will be pivotal for the hosts as they try to avoid yet another series defeat but more importantly, gain valuable rankings points in their race for automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup. Down 2-1, victory will ensure a drawn series and break a sequence of series defeats to India dating back to 2006 and also provide a much-needed boost to the regional side’s confidence after a run of unflattering results.

Captain Jason Holder, at the forefront of last Sunday’s stunning 11-run victory in Antigua, said his side were pumped up for the encounter and were keen on executing properly.

“We’re still in the series. We fought well in the last game to come back and keep ourselves alive in the series,” said the Barbadian all-rounder.

“Credit must go to the bowlers the way they bowled throughout this entire series, I think we’ve been outstanding.

The fielders have supported reasonably well as well. We just need to get our batting consistent.

“We’ve been struggling to play a perfect game and tomorrow (today) is obviously an opportunity to do that.”

Defending 189 in the fourth ODI four days ago, West Indies bowled superbly

One of West Indies’ leading batsmen, Shai Hope, leaves a net session at Sabina Park yesterday.

(Photo courtesy CWI Media)

to restrict India to 178 all out in a shock result at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

But despite the victory, the hosts’ batting woes were exposed as their line-up once again wilted against India’s varied attack. Not a single batsman managed a half-century with openers Evin Lewis and Kyle Hope top-scoring with 35 apiece.

Following the washout of the first ODI of the doubleheader in Trinidad, West Indies were restricted to 205 in pursuit of 311 in the second and then dismissed for 158 chasing 252 in the third ODI. Holder said he was under no illusions about the form of his batsmen but said they deserved the opportunity to come good instead of chopping and changing.

“We obviously need the batsmen to come to the fore,” he noted.

“We haven’t gotten a hundred in the series so far so that’s an objective for the batsmen. Everybody knows what’s required of him. It’s just an opportunity … to come out and make amends for what happened before.”

He added: “The batsmen

THE Guyana Amazon Warriors’ first step to winning their maiden Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will begin on July 26 when the official training camp gets underway.

According to Manager Omar Khan, the squad will assemble on July 25 before getting down to serious business the day after.

Khan revealed that the encampment period will run until August 1. Thereafter, the squad departs for Fort Lauderdale, Florida on August 2.

The South American-based franchise have been one of the most consistent sides since the tournament’s inception, reaching the finals in 2013, 2014 and 2016. In 2015, the Guyana Amazon Warriors reached the semifinals phase.

Following the draft process on March 10, all six teams opted for a large-scale retention after the cap on retention was relaxed for this season in order to keep the core of their sides intact.

Such a strategy meant that big-name signings were few and far between. Teams were allowed to retain as many players as they want, and as such, the Guyana Amazon Warriors have kept nine of the men that made up the 2016 squad.

Omar Khan

The Warriors have retained Pakistani all-rounder Sohail Tanvir, New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, Australian middle-order batsman Chris Lynn, Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder Rayad Emrit, Trinidad and Tobago batsman Jason Mohammed, Guyanese trio Veerasammy Permaul, Assad Fudadin and Steven Jacobs and Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper-batsman Steven Katwaroo.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors have raked in six newcomers in their squad; Jamaican wicketkeeper-batsman Chadwick Walton, Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan, ICC Americas opener Steven Taylor, Barbados all-rounder Roshon Primus and the Guyanese pair: batsman Gajanand Singh and fast bowler Keon Joseph.

In addition, the squad includes the young exciting batsman Shimron Hetmyer, who led the West Indies to the Under-19 ICC Cricket World Cup title last year.

The Hero CPL is set to bowl off on August 4, and the Guyana leg will see the Warriors clash with the defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs on August 17, followed by Trinbago Knight Riders on the 19th.

The three-time runners-up Warriors will then oppose Barbados Tridents the following day, after which they play St Lucia Stars on the 22nd. have got to bat. We need to give them the opportunity.

We have a relatively new inexperienced opener in Kyle Hope and we need to give him a run.

“Shai (Hope) has been doing reasonably well for us. Roston Chase is pretty new on the circuit and Jason Mohammed has probably been one of our more consistent one-day players in the recent past; so I can’t really foresee too many changes at the top of the order.

“We just need to instil confidence for them to go out there and do what’s required.”

Windies boast a great

record at Sabina Park, having won nine of their last 10 ODIs here over the last seven years.

They beat the Indians in a nail-biter the last time the two teams met here four years ago and Holder is hoping for similar fortunes this time around.

“I personally love to come to Sabina Park (and) many of the guys love to come here as well,” Holder said.

“The atmosphere here is always pretty good. There are avid cricket fans who enjoy the game. So I always look forward to coming here and Sabina Park has always been good to West Indies.”

Largest field for GeorgeJunior Caribbean Squash Championships

town Motorsports Grand Prix

See Page 27

Guyana’s Daniel Islam (right) playing against Bermuda’s Taylor Carrick

Guyana’s Benjamin Mekdeci (right) facing off against Anaya Smith

Guyana open team competition with wins against Bermuda and Cayman Islands

See Page 23

Grateful Aguilleira on the verge of ‘huge milestone’

TAUNTON, England, (CMC) – Former skipper Merissa Aguilleira will become the third West Indies Women in two weeks to reach the coveted landmark of 100 One-Day Internationals when she suits up against New Zealand Women in the ICC Women’s World Cup today.

The 31-year-old wicketkeeper/batsman has been a stable part of the squad since making her debut nine years ago and joins current captain Stafanie Taylor and all-rounder Deandra Dottin who celebrated the milestone last Thursday.

Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed, a former vice-captain, was first to the 100-club and has already played 104 ODIs. “It’s a huge milestone for me because I know a lot of people who could have gone out there and anything could have happened,” the Trinidadian said here Wednesday.

“You could have gotten an injury and could have ended your career but I’m really thankful to know that God has given me the opportunity and I have been doing well so hopefully we can continue.

“I want to say thanks to the entire team for being there.

I know it would have been hard road but I’m here today and I’m thankful for it.”

Aguilleira had a less than flattering debut in 2008, run out without scoring against the Netherlands in a four-match away series but rose to become a gritty middle order batsman and an inspirational leader.

In fact, she led West Indies in 74 ODIs until being replaced

by Taylor two years ago, and said she was simply thankful for the career she had managed to create.

“When I started I just wanted to go out there and express myself and just represent the people of the Caribbean to the best of my ability,” she explained.

“But I’m really thankful for the opportunity that God has given me and to know that I’ve used it in such a way and that I’ve inspired so many people and hopefully I can continue doing it.

“I want to say thank you to everybody who has supported me – my coaches, the management staff, my family, my fans

[and] everyone who has been in full support of me.”

She continued: “God and God alone [has been the centre of my longevity]. He has been the centrestone of everything for me.

“I’ve had times when I know it has been rough and yes I’ve had the full support of my family all the time but I must give it up to God because he’s in control of my life and I thank him very much.”

Aguilleira finds herself in the midst of a crisis with the embattled West Indies side at the ongoing World Cup, with the team having lost all three of their opening games.

She said her aim was to help them through the current challenging period.

“I just want to go out there and give my best and really try and get the team together because I believe all teams go through something and I have full confidence this team is a strong team,” she pointed out.

“We’re able to overcome whatever challenge is put forward but we just have to continue and keep believing in ourselves.”

32nd South American FESUPO Championships

Team Guyana cop four more medals on day 2 See Page 23

Carlos Peterson is decorated with his silver medal.

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THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017