Guyana chronicle e paper 06 10 2017

Storm-hit Lindeners to get help Page 8

No. 104939

SATURDAY JUNE 10, 2017

Price: $80

$1B in medical drugs, supplies (VAT Inclusive)

… several multi-million dollar contracts for pharmaceuticals awarded

Mahdia hit by floods

Page 3

Page 2

… CDC monitoring situation, ready to respond

Authorities have reported that the water has begun to recede in flood-hit Mahdia following persistent, heavy rains Thursday night

Serious Miner chopped to death at breaches Page 16

Page 16

… report finds serious shortcomings in Carvil Duncan-led PSC

Omai Landing

Region 5 teachers end protest actions Page 9

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Mahdia hit by floods

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

… CDC monitoring situation, ready to respond

By Alva Solomon

PERSISTENT rains on Thursday night severely flooded low-lying areas at Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) and also caused a disruption of road traffic into the mining area and displaced several residents whose homes have been inundated.

Region Eight Chairman, Bonaventure Fredericks told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday that the rains had eased during the morning hours and according to him the water was receding. He said the situation has resulted in a disruption of road traffic into Mahdia. “Nothing can pass

at the moment “, Fredericks told this newspaper Friday afternoon. The Seven Mile area was hardest hit by the floods, residents told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon noted during a postCabinet press briefing on Friday morning that government is examining the situation and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) will provide a report on the situation. He said the CDC has prepositioned supplies to areas such as Mahdia and Orinduik in the event of flood situations.

According to reports, the weather conditions changed during the early hours of Thursday night at Mahdia and

continued through the night.

A resident of Central Mahdia reported that the floodwaters forcefully washed away sections of the roadway in the low-lying sections of Mahdia, including the approach to a main bridge closer to the mining community. As much as two feet of the approach was washed away, and the regional authorities are awaiting the water to completely recede before implementing any temporary measures.

Fredericks said that thus far, five homes which are located in the “Valley” between the airstrip and Central Mahdia were flooded. He said the residents there were advised last year that they should

A roadway at Mahdia under water on Friday

A man walks from a section of the roadway which was flooded on Friday morning (Daniel Fraser photo)

Flood water along the roadway

relocate since the area was prone to flooding.

Meanwhile, Minister Harmon noted that the CDC and the Guyana Peoples Militia (GPM) are currently engaged in responder training, where persons in the communities are provided with training to respond “very quickly” to emergency situations. He said that the CDC is engaged in the programme throughout the country, in all 10 administrative regions. Region Eight has felt the brunt of the annual May /June rains this year.

Last month, several villages were completely swamped by flooding caused by persistent rains. Relief efforts have been ongoing while homes which were damaged by the floods

are being renovated. The floods have been caused by persistent rainfall over a two week period, which resulted in several waterways surpassing their optimum levels.

In addition, reports were that the Ireng River, which lies on Guyana’s border with Brazil, overtopped, and as a result, several nearby villages were inundated. Several government agencies, including the Ministry of State, Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, the Ministry of Public Health and the CDC have been coordinating relief efforts.

Fredericks said that he visited several affected villages, including Waipa, Chi-

ung Mouth and Kaibaurupai which were swamped by the flood waters. Kanapang, Kopinang, and Chenapau were also inundated for several days while several villages in Region Seven including Kamarang and Jawalla were also flooded.

Recently a meeting was held with residents, Fredericks and Region Seven Chairman, Gordon Bradford, as regards the ongoing relief efforts to the affected villages. Fredericks said the CDC is assisting with tools such as chainsaws for residents to rebuild their homes while the Regional Administration is providing gasoline and oil in the ongoing effort.

Another view of the flooded roadway at Mahdia.

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$1B in medical drugs, supplies

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

… several multi-million dollar contracts for pharmaceuticals awarded

CABINET on Tuesday noted the award of over $939M in contracts to several companies for the procurement of pharmaceuticals to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

On Friday, Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said a total of $939, 222, 963 was awarded to four companies with $490, 558,000 being awarded to the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC), $326, 104,000 to International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), $96, 245,000 to Ansa Mc Al Trading Limited and $26, 314,000 to Global Health Care Supplies Inc. Additionally, five com-

panies were awarded contracts for the provision of medical supplies to the GPHC; Global Health Care Supplies Inc. was awarded a contract to the sum of $3,799, 464; Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc. a contract for $7, 806, 000; IPA, $56, 061, 000, while Meditron and New GPC Inc. were awarded $12, 081,000 and $52, 072, 000 respectively.

Meanwhile, Bounty Farms Limited was awarded a contract for the procurement of feed for the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) for 2017 to the tune of $23,619,464. Under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), an increase in contract cost of

US$312, 399 was awarded to Sheladia Associates Incorporated (United States of America) and TYPS Consulting Engineering and Architect (Spain) in association with E and A Consultations Incorporated (Guyana) for the provision of supervision consultancy services for the East Coast Demerara (ECD) roadway four-lane extension from Better Hope to Belfield Village.

The initial contract sum stood at US$1,998,500.00.

Additionally, US$159,753 has been awarded to Innovative Design, Engineering and Analysis (IDEA) International Incorporated for the provision of consultancy services to support the

expansion of the monitoring for results (M4R) Implementation to cover all programmes of the Public Security Sector, under the Ministry of Public Security.

Meanwhile, when asked for an update on the state of the investigation into the payment of contractors for drugs which were never delivered, the Minister of State said Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence is addressing the issue and noted that Lawrence “has been very aggressive insofar as getting contractors who have been awarded those contracts to supply those drugs on time and the right quantity and right expiry date”.

Harmon said too that the Public Health Minister and other officials visited the New GPC Inc. bond where expired drugs were being stored. Those were recovered and officials are currently inventorying the items. “Those that need to be destroyed will be destroyed but the Ministry is taking firm measures with respect to the purchasing of pharmaceuticals …they’ve laid out a new system for procurement and once those systems have been adhered to, we should have a better flow of pharmaceuticals going to the hospital and health centers for the benefit of the Guyanese people.”

The Minister of State clarified that the Min-

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon istry of Public Health removed the items from New GPC because the government’s contract with the company ended.

He said the pharmaceuticals retrieved were held over from the contract and noted that “it was important to ensure we did not have anything stored there so that the company could actually bill us for rent…so we didn’t have to pay rent for a lot of items which have been expired.”

Not so easy

…gov’t says legal, security considerations preventing release of Exxon contract LEGAL and security considerations are preventing the Government of Guyana from releasing its contract with U.S Oil giant ExxonMobil.

Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, told reporters that in addition to issues of national security noted by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, earlier this week, there are also legal barriers preventing government from releasing its contract with ExxonMobil.

Over the past week there have been calls for the government to make public its contract with the oil company.

The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), along with Transparency International (TI), have

all called on the government to disclose the terms of agreement with the U.S Company.

The opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has also called on government to make public the contract.

However, on Friday, Harmon said at this juncture, his government will not make a full disclosure of the contract. He noted too that the 1997 Petroleum Act provides for a confidentiality clause in contracts like the one between the government and ExxonMobil.

That confidentiality clause states that during negotiations certain details ought to remain confidential. In fact, the legislation makes provision for the “restriction of disclosure of information” in Part II, Section Four. The Act

states that “no information…by a licensee shall be disclosed to any person who is not a Minister, a public office or an employee of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission except with the consent of the licensee”.

Notwithstanding the call, Harmon said, “I believe at the appropriate time the Minister of Natural Resources will make a public statement on the matter. But the Prime Minister has said that we’re about transparency and accountability and that at all times we will keep the people of Guyana informed about what we are doing.”

O n We d n e s d a y, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo said the border controversy between Venezuela and Guyana represents a na-

tional security risk. As such the Prime Minister said, “We cannot do anything at this point in time to throw out the prospects that Guyana enjoys in terms of its resources in oil and gas.”

The Prime Minister however assured that the government will ensure that there is accountability and transparency in the establishment and governance of the new oil and gas sector. Additionally, the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has repeatedly said that full disclosure of the contract is not in the country’s best interest at this time. ExxonMobil had originally signed a contract with the government (under the rule of the PPP) in 1999. However, what has occurred instead is the releasing of certain aspects of the

agreement with the oil giant. Recently, it was announced by the government that Guyanese will enjoy significant benefits from its oil resources as the administration has negotiated a 200 per cent increase on the initial agreement with ExxonMobil.

The 1999 agreement has since been renegotiated to ensure that Guyana accrues sufficient benefits from the emerging oil and gas sector, the government said in a statement this week.

The assurance by the government follows statements made by the PPP which suggests that Guyanese will not benefit enough from the sector. “The royalties and profit sharing revenue are comparable with the world standard and will redound to the benefit

of all Guyanese. In fact, the Coalition Government confirms that the two per cent royalties represent a 200 per cent increase on what the former PPP government had negotiated while it was in office before demitting in 2015,” the government said.

The Government noted too that currently the two per cent will give Guyana $7B in annual revenues in addition to the 50 per cent share of profits.

“Under the Bharrat Jagdeo regime Guyana would have only received profits.” As such, the additional revenues negotiated by the government represent what has been described as a “massive increase” on what was previously negotiated by the former administration.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday,June 10, 2017

May to form ‘gov’t of certainty’ with DUP backing Theresa May has said she will put together a government with the support of the Democratic Unionists that can provide “certainty” for the future.

Speaking after visiting Buckingham Palace, she said only her party had the “legitimacy” to govern, despite falling eight seats short of a majority.

Later, she said she “obviously wanted a different result” and was “sorry” for colleagues who lost their seats. But Labour said they were the “real winners”.

The Lib Dems said Mrs May should be “ashamed” of carrying on. The Tories needed 326 seats to win another majority but, with 649 out of the 650 seats declared, they fell short and must rely on the DUP to continue to rule. In an ongoing cabinet reshuffle, the BBC has learned that five cabinet ministers are certain to stay: Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon; Brexit Secretary David Davis; Home Secretary Amber Rudd; Chancellor Philip Hammond and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

Mr Hammond said, in a tweet, that he was “pleased to be reappointed so we can now get on and negotiate a Brexit deal that supports British jobs,

business and prosperity”. Mr Johnson tweeted that he was “delighted”, adding “lots of great work to do for greatest country on earth”.

However, those rarely seen on the campaign trail, including Andrea Leadsom, Priti Patel and Liam Fox, could be out, says BBC political correspondent Eleanor Garnier. Comebacks from Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Gove and prominent leave campaigner Dominic Raab were being floated, she adds. In a short statement outside Downing Street, which followed a 25-minute audience with The Queen, Mrs May said she would join with her DUP “friends” to “get to work” on Brexit. She said she intended to form a government which could “provide certainty and lead Britain forward at this critical time for our country”.

Referring to the “strong relationship” she had with the DUP but giving little detail of how their arrangement might work, she said the government would “guide the country through the crucial Brexit talks” that begin in just 10 days’ time. “Our two parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years,” she said. “And this gives me the

confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom.”

Later, she told reporters that she “wanted to achieve a larger majority but that was not the result”. “I’m sorry for all those candidates... who weren’t successful, and also particularly sorry for MPs and ministers who’d contributed so much to our country, and who lost their seats and didn’t deserve to lose their seats. “As I reflect on the results, I will reflect on what I need to do in the future to take the party forward.” DUP leader Arlene Foster confirmed that she had spoken to Mrs May and that they would speak further to “explore how it may be possible to bring stability to this nation at this time of great challenge”.

While always striving for the “best deal” for Northern Ireland and its people, she said her party would always have the best interests of the UK at heart.

It is thought Mrs May will seek some kind of informal arrangement with the DUP that could see it “lend” its support to the Tories on a vote-by-vote basis, known as “confidence

and supply”. Conservative MP Dominic Raab said the country needed “certainty and direction”, and an agreement between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party was the “only viable option”. The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg said the PM had returned to No 10 a “diminished figure”, having ended up with 12 fewer seats than when she called the election in April.

She had called the election with the stated reason that it would strengthen her hand in negotiations for the UK to leave the EU - the talks are due to start on 19 June. But with the London seat of Kensington yet to declare, the Tories are on 318 seats, ahead of Labour on 261, the SNP 35 and the Lib Dems on 12. The DUP won 10 seats. As it stands, the Tories and the DUP would have 328 MPs in the Commons, giving it a wafer-thin majority although as Sinn Fein will not be taking its seven seats, the new administration will have slightly more room for manoeuvre.

The Conservatives have argued in the event of a hung Parliament, Mrs May gets the opportunity to form a government first, as her predecessor

David Cameron did in 2010 when there was also no clear winner but the party had comfortably more seats than their nearest rival. Labour has said it is also ready to form a minority government of its own, after far exceeding expectations by picking up 29 seats in England, Wales and Scotland.

But even if it joined together in a so-called progressive alliance with the SNP, Lib Dems, Green Party and Plaid Cymru, it would only reach 313 seats - well short of the 326 figure needed. Mrs May has faced calls to quit from within her own party, with Anna Soubry saying she should consider her position after a “disastrous” campaign. However, other MPs have urged her to stay on, with Iain Duncan Smith saying a leadership contest would be a “catastrophe”.

The BBC’s assistant political editor Norman Smith said the DUP did not regard Mrs May as a “permanent fixture” and this raised the possibility of a change in leader in the summer, given that he believed serious progress over Brexit was unlikely to be made before the German parliamentary elections in September.

Reacting to the result, European Council president Donald Tusk said there was now “no time to lose” over Brexit, while the European Parliament’s chief negotiator Guy Verhofstadt said it was an “own goal” and made negotiations more “complicated”. Mr Corbyn, speaking

after being re-elected in Islington North, said it was time for Mrs May to “make way” for a government that would be “truly representative of the people of this country”. He later told the BBC it was “pretty clear who has won this election”. “We are ready to serve the people who have put their trust in us,” he said - but he also stressed he would not enter into any “pacts or deals” with other parties. Unite union leader Len McCluskey said Labour’s result was “an incredible advance” and it would not be long before they were in government. The Green Party, which held its one seat at the election but saw its total vote halve, said a Conservative government propped up by the DUP would be a “coalition of chaos”.

Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, which gained three seats taking its total to seven, said it had been a “very good election for republicanism”, and appealed for “calm reflection” on how to go forward.

Lord O’Donnell, formerly the UK’s top civil servant, told the BBC that the prime minister had a duty to stay in post “for now” and had the right to seek the confidence of the House of Commons by asking it to approve a Queen’s Speech on 19 June. Meanwhile, UKIP leader Paul Nuttall has quit after his party failed to win any seats and saw its vote collapse across the country. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 10, 2017

Trade via containers in the region’s ports falls 0.9% in 2016 The throughput of containerized cargo in the ports of Latin America and the Caribbean fell 0.9% in 2016, according to data released today by ECLAC. This regional average continues the negative trend of deceleration that has been observed in the last few years and represents the biggest loss since the 2009 crisis.

The United Nations body unveiled a new edition of its ranking of container port throughput, published in its Maritime and Logistics Profile, which confirms two trends seen in the region in recent years: an overall steepening of the deceleration of foreign trade in container terminals and a high degree of heterogeneity in this activity’s growth rates within the region. The deceleration in the regional average of port throughput began several years ago: 6.0% in 2012, 1.3% in 2013, 2.4% in 2014 and 2.5%

in 2015. The deterioration in 2016 was mainly determined by a decline in activity in five countries: Brazil (-4.4%), Panama (-9.1%), Colombia (-3.6%), Argentina (-6.1%) and The Bahamas (-14.3%).

These drops were mitigated by the increases seen in some countries of the region, which contributed to raising the total volume: Mexico (3.2% rise), Chile (4.8%), Peru (8.4%), Ecuador (4.5%), the Dominican Republic (8.3%), Guatemala (8.8%), Costa Rica (7.3%) and Uruguay (9.5%). The total volume of activity in 2016 reached approximately 47.5 million TEU*. The first 40 ports in the ranking represent nearly 90% of operations with this type of cargo in the region. The following 100 ports move the remaining 10% (4.4 million TEU). Container port traffic on a global level also showed little dynamism in 2016. According to estimates

published by Alphaliner, the volumes in the world’s top 100 container ports rose just 1.8% in 2016, to 555.6 million TEU. The data compiled by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) points to great heterogeneity in the performance of port throughput, both at a subregional level and by country.

In 2016, the east coast of South America experienced a decline in activity (-3.7%), which was more pronounced than in 2015 (-0.7%) due to the steeper drop recorded in the ports of Brazil and Argentina. Meanwhile, the west coast shows a rebound in container activity (4.5%) when compared with the growth rate seen in 2015 (0.4%), due to the positive evolution of port terminals in Chile (4.8%), Peru (8.4%) and Ecuador (4.5%). At the same time, Central America went from a positive growth rate in 2015 (3.4%) to a 3.5% decline

in total volumes in 2016, mainly due to reduced throughput in Panama (-9.1%).

As in the past, the drivers of growth, deceleration or decline in activity in individual ports vary. For example, the ports of Callao in Peru (8.1%), Guayaquil in Ecuador (6.9%), Caucedo in the Dominican Republic (11.1%), and San Antonio (10.0%) and Lirquén (60.1%) in Chile, showed the highest rises in volume due to the success of their projects and their commercial management. In contrast, the sharpest declines in volume of port activity were recorded by the terminals of Buenos Aires in Argentina (-5.7%), Kingston in Jamaica (-5.2%), Freeport in The Bahamas (-14.3%), Santos in Brazil (-6.9%), Cartagena in Colombia (-4.0%), and Colón (-8.9%) and Balboa (-9.2%) in Panama.

‘One is One’ is dead: Bullet to the head

...found bound, gagged

Ex-convict Eddie Phillip who shot into the spotlight back in 2011 and became a YouTube sensation with his slogan “One is One” was found dead in the trunk of a car at Longdenville, Chaguanas on Friday.

Phillip was found bound and gagged in an abandoned vehicle along Gail Street at around 11a.m. Police believe Phillip was kidnapped and was attempting to escape when he was shot in the head.

The area was cordoned off as officers searched for the suspects. Phillip’s body was removed to the Forensic Science Centre in St James.

Back in 2011 Phillip surrendered himself to Crime Watch host Ian Alleyne after a manhunt was launched for his arrest by police and soldiers. He was being sought by police in connection with an alleged armed robbery and possession of a machine gun at his Diamond Village, Claxton Bay, home. Following his arrest, several songs regarding the events have been recorded locally, on the instrumental from the “One on One” single by Laza Morgan and Movado, in relation to Phillip’s conversation with Alleyne leading up to his arrest.

During the interview with Alleyne, before his arrest, Phillip said he was an eddoes and ochro farmer, who was not involved in a life of crime. Phillip also denied knowledge of being in possession of a machine gun which was allegedly found at his home by police. He had served time in prison for possession of drugs, arms and ammunition. He was also charged with kidnapping, robbery, common assault, possession of military stores and possession of a prohibited weapon- an Italian-made machine gun. (Trinidad Express)

IDB signs agreement with Paris-based group The Washington-based Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Friday signed an agreement with the Paris-based Danone to develop disruptive business solutions that boost economic growth in the Latin America and Caribbean region.

It said the three-year strategic partnership, which would also include Livelihoods Funds and the Danone Ecosystem Fund, will promote sustainable, inclusive development initiatives in the region harnessing Danone’s value chain as well as with implementing partners, Livelihoods Funds and the Danone Ecosystem Fund, while also empowering local communities, and protecting the environment.

The IDB said that the scope of the partnership is broad and ambitious, with five key areas for cooperation, namely fostering sustainable agriculture; supporting inclusive recycling; protecting watersheds; increasing clean water access

and driving Co2 reduction.

“During the first phase of the global partnership, the IDB and Danone will look to strengthen and scale projects currently being implemented or designed by Livelihoods Funds and the Danone Ecosystem Fund in the Latin America and Caribbean region,” the IDB said.

It said this partnership extends across the IDB Group to include the Multilateral Investment Fund and the Inter-American Investment Corporation, who have worked with Danone on past efforts such as the SCALA programme and continue to explore new opportunities for collaboration.

“I’m so pleased we’re establishing this global strategic partnership with Danone to promote sustainable

and inclusive development in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno. “Our hope is that more French companies, including those in Danone’s value chain, will be inspired to get involved in development projects in any emerging or frontier markets where they operate,” he added. The chief executive officer for Danone, Emmanuel

Faber, said “at Danone, we believe private and public sector collaboration is central to fostering sustainable development, reducing social inequalities, and protecting the environment. As one of the major global businesses operating in the Latin America region, we are committed to playing a part in its economic development.

“This partnership is an-

other example of how we are bringing the Alimentation Revolution to life; co-creating innovative business models that not only benefit Danone but also protect the planet and support healthier eating and drinking practices.” The partnership will build on the success of joint projects previously co-financed and implemented by the IDB, Danone and the

Danone Ecosystem Fund.

These include the Kiteiras micro distribution project, which has provided training and professional empowerment for 2,000 underprivileged women in Brazil, as well as recycling projects that have improved working conditions for over 3,700 grassroots recyclers in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday,June 10, 2017

Combating money laundering ON Thursday, we learnt that President David Granger has called for a speedy resolution of the issue regarding the European Union (EU) Parliament’s non-support of Guyana’s removal from the money-laundering blacklist.

Rightfully so, the President of Guyana has done everything to comply with international best practices relating to open, transparent and responsible government. From all accounts, Guyana was recently removed from the blacklist and Ethiopia was added, but this move was rejected by the EU Parliament. According to a report by the Ministry of the Presidency, the EU legislator, with whom the Head-of-State engaged, explained that differences had arisen between the European Commission and the European Parliament over the blacklisting of countries facilitating money laundering.

He noted that this was entirely the reason for the Parliament’s rejection; not Guyana’s performance in so far as it relates to money laundering. President Granger was quoted as saying that while the EU is blinking, Guyana is bleeding and reiterated his call for the matter to be resolved. That Guyana is on a blacklist would have greeted many Guyanese with surprise, given that only recently we were cleared by the Financial Action Task Force as well as the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.

Guyana can ill-afford to be on any blacklist of the EU, given that we still trade with that bloc and is also part of the EU Economic Partnership Agreement. The EU’s trade and development partnership with the Caribbean stretches back over more than 30 years. In October 2008, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad, Tobago, and The Dominican Republic signed with the EU the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement.

Haiti signed the agreement in December 2009, but is not yet applying it pending ratification.

The agreement also comes with substantial EU aid for trade. The purpose of the agreement is to make it easier for

people and businesses from the two regions to invest in and trade with each other and thus to help Caribbean countries grow their economies and create jobs. Besides, the EU is CARIFORUM’s second largest trading partner, after the U.S. The main exports from the Caribbean to the EU are in: fuel and mining products, notably petroleum gas and oils; bananas, sugar and rum; minerals, notably gold, corundum, aluminium oxide and hydroxide, and iron ore products and fertilisers.

Though it was overdue, Guyana was able through robust efforts by this new government to take her rightful place among member-states in being compliant with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulatory institution. The passage and assenting of the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill has seen Guyana being removed from the monitoring category of FATF and CFATF. At the same time, one cannot help wondering why on the part of elected officials they would engage in acts that would hurt the country’s reputation and development.

According to the FATF’s website, Guyana’s removal had to do with the significant progress the country has made in improving its regime to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Guyana had been recalcitrant since 2009 to comply with the regulatory institution and was in 2013 placed on the CFATF’s monitoring list.

In February 2014, when CFATF’s Financial Advisor Roger Hernandes visited Guyana, he informed that the country’s status was likely to remain for a minimum of two years, with removal contingent on implementation of AML/ CFT laws. When countries become members of international organisation they carry responsibility to adhere to the agreements they have signed on to. That the Government in 2009 felt it could have gotten away with not honouring its commitment to international organisations hurt the society.

When the proverbial hammer hit in 2014 and the business community reacted out of concern as to the additional

requirements needed at the international level to trade, Guyana was four years behind in honouring its obligations.

What this highlights is that political grandstanding and inaction carry with it dire implications. A country whose formal economy was moving in parallel with the underground/ narco economy, which world governments would have been aware of, it is reasonable to think any Government mindful of the security implications such would have on the people, the state, and its international integrity would move to correct it. According to renowned economist Professor Clive Thomas in a study done between 2001-2008, the underground economy was worth approximately $188B (US$940 million).

The society was also aware that persons of questionable character interfaced with officialdom, of which the most notorious among them being Roger Khan -- who in 2009 was jailed in the U.S. -- took out a full- page newspaper advertisement claiming that he had helped the government in crime-fighting. The happenings as aforementioned would aid in arriving at an understanding why international organisations are determined to have Guyana, as a member-state, confirm to international standards once it remains in these associations.

The financial integrity of a country and those who do business within and with it has a significant part to do with the legitimacy of its money.

What about the Linden agreement?

Dear Editor: I NOTE with interest and at the same time grave concern, the efforts by the APNU+AFC government to forge ahead in making one of the most recent towns, Bartica, a model economy through its ‘green’ focus, while at the same time continuing to ignore the legitimately binding 2012 Agreement between central Government and the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council. Let me state for the record, there is no objection to the principle and programme for developing Bartica; there is objection to what evidently are acts of treatment of exclusion and contempt for laws and agreements.

The talk by this govern-

ment about a “good life,” national unity and social cohesion must be buttressed by corresponding actions.

The continual ignoring of a blue print, where Region 10 could have been a model for the Local Democratic Organs’ having their economic independence, must not be countenanced by the society. If we could have held the PPP/C government accountable for implementing the agreement, including the then opposition APNU and AFC, we must too hold this government accountable for doing likewise.

Region 10 has within it a town, named Linden, and also the capacity to be a part of the green development. I do not want to think, at this stage, that the government’s focus and achievement of

financing for the economic thrust of Bartica is because under its leadership this community was made a town (2016), and according to President Granger, it should have happened before given an 1887 Ordinance that so proclaimed it. As the President remembers 1887 history, he fails to remember the history of 2012.

At the same time, government’s actions give rise to speculation that Linden/ Region 10 is being stifled because the town is named after Forbes Burnham and the agreement was signed

by Sharma Solomon, whom Congress Place sees as persona non grata. This agreement is not being realized, because it was signed by the PPP/C Donald Ramotar government; it is not being

realised because of the absence of interest to implement it, given the stated and the selective contempt for laws and agreements.

Government can find international funding to develop the Bartica township, but refuses to even think about finding the resources to establish the Economic Committee in order that it can develop the Economic Plan for Linden/Region 10 as mandated in the agreement. History shall be unkind to any government who uses the state’s power, granted to it by the people, to settle personal scores.

The administration needs to be reminded that if it were not for Region 10, which showed the country’s highest percentage voter turnout for the APNU+AFC

and lowest for the PPP/C, it would not have been in office.

The way you govern and treat people and communities have consequences at the time of elections. The view that many in the government entertain that Region 10 has no option but to vote for them, there is also a choice people can make by staying home. These are harsh realities and the government must be told.

This government continues to play a very dangerous game in dividing the people of this country and frustrating its own constituents. Just like the PPP/C, people are being made to feel they have to go on their knees to enjoy what the laws say they are entitled to. Some are of the opinion

that they have to remain silent in the presence of inequity and injustices or grumble in private because it is their government. Others see it fitting to brush off or ignore misconduct in order to gain what they can from government. I do not subscribe to any of the views because government is elected by the people and are paid by the people and must govern in the interest of every one. The 2012 Agreement should have already been honoured and the childish and spiteful politics must be eradicated from our midst. It is anti-national unity, anti-social cohesion, and anti-development.

Regards Lincoln Lewis

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 10, 2017

Use African-Guyanese instead of ‘black’ Dear Editor HISTORICALLY, the word black according to Frantz Fanon denotes evil, since white symbolises justice, truth and virginity.

Speaking through a third person, Fanon noted: his body is black his tongue, is black, his soul must be black too.

Fanon wondered aloud “In Europe, evil is symbolised by the black man… the perpetuator is the black man, Satan is a black, one talks of darkness, when you are filthy, you are dirty – and this goes for physical dirt as well as moral dirt. The black man is equated with sin… in Europe, the black man, whether physically or symbolically, represents the dark side of the personality.” Recorded history has black being used to refer to Africans from the late 14th century, showing a strong correlation with the use of this derogatory term for enslaved Africans.

I urge all our politicians and the media houses to use African-Guyanese in place of black, when referring to Guyanese of African ancestry. In using the term black when referring to a person, one is uncertain of the context and intent of the user, especially knowing that black has been frequently used over centuries as a scornful term.

Life unfolds before us, based on our experiences and

knowledge of the past. In his book Black Skin, White Masks, Fanon viewed the term black as an aberration that came into being on contact with non-Africans, along with its interminable negative associations, such as a bastion for racism, degradation, slavery and colonialism, with colonialism still expanding in this century. All things considered, the term black is offensive when referring to humans in this epoch, it is offensive and ought not to be used. Leave it in the past with the “N” word.

Even from a global perspective, especially outside of sub-Saharan Africa, we have been conditioned to view Africans of a certain hue, with extreme negativity, the darker the hue the more extreme the prejudice.

Unfortunately, the etymology of the English Language and the meanings given to words, trap us into propagating despicable terminologies that undermine our own image and value system.

The Africans have lost contact with their language that speaks to their achievements, self-confidence and self-esteem.

We must constantly find ways within the English, French, Germany, Spanish and Dutch languages, among other languages, to describe ourselves in positive ways, without the denigrating word labels that have been tar-

nished through racism, slavery and colonisation, in their origins and meanings as defined directly, indirectly and loosely, by the language we use to communicate.

Visualise inhabitants of a country of Africans calling each other black, while knowing the extremely negative meanings that are attributed to the word black by the dominant dictionaries. Such offensive folly is inexplicable and can only be explained by brainwashing. The coinage of black in all its historical and current race-labelling varieties did not evolve to capture the phenotype of the African and this deceptively harmful practice continues today.

It is past time for our Government, media, and other organisations to promote a culture using African- Guyanese as the default description for Guyanese of African descent. The etymology of black as defined in dictionaries, history books and movies, extensively make categorising a group of people with such a label as invariably retrogressive, very insulting and extremely degrading.

I recall back in 1994/1995 being part of a group of University of Guyana students that sent a letter to Stabroek News, asking them to discontinue using the slur term negro when referring to African- Guyanese; our efforts were successful, albeit not

immediately. Living in the 21st century, during the reign of the American Empire, where the term black is an integral part of the categorisation of African- Americans, it will be an uphill endeavour to change the paradigm.

We Guyanese, within the sphere of what we control, -be it the media, government or non-governmental organisations -- should lift the yoke of this label from the backs of African-Guyanese. Hiding behind moral relativism and situational ethics is also not acceptable and must be discouraged, be it the use of the term Afro-Guyanese, slurs at political meetings, slurs at social gatherings or the use of racist code words.

How nonsensical is it for two persons of the same skin colour in Guyana to refer to one as Indian Guyanese and the other as black – with all the derogatory, condescending, discriminating and racist implications that have been woven into the meaning of black over the centuries. The problem is applicable to both the African and Indian- Guyanese by varying degrees, especially as it relates to discrimination by skin colour.

Why curse ourselves?

When we and our children look in the dictionaries and history books and see the synonyms for black and what it represents, it will be our failure to make the change, a change we Guyanese can

legitimise and make part of our culture and a change that could expand and influence the demonyms of Africans across the world.

Looking at a few of the leading dictionaries and extracted definitions of how black is defined and the meanings provided: Merriman-Wester: …Thoroughly sinister and evil, wicked, a black deed, black mark, invoking the devil, gloomy, marked by the occurrence of disaster, characterised by hostility or angry discontent, black resentment filled his heart, black propaganda; Oxford: …The opposite of white, deeply stained with dirt, characterised by tragic or disastrous events, causing despair or pessimism, 5000 men were killed on the blackest day of the year, a black mood, full of gloom or misery, very depressed, very evil or wicked, my soul is steeped in the blackest sin; Cambridge Dictionary: Without hope, the future looked black; bad or evil…

Why refer to me in such a manner, juxtaposed against white, with all its positive characteristics. There is a reason that name-calling is a felony. Negative name-calling is ingrained on the brain and within the social ecology, it is catastrophically damaging to self-esteem, self-worth, self-confidence and the ability of individuals to attain their full potential, inside and

outside of Guyana.

Using the term black is directly or indirectly demeaning; one never really knows which meaning is being attributed to the African man or woman so defined. Let’s make the change: culturally, politically, socially, economically and spiritually...

In my view, redemption of the word black is not a viable option in the current North American and European superstructure.

Walter Rodney noted in Groundings with my Brothers: “The adult black in our West Indian society is fully conditioned to thinking white, because that is the training we are given from childhood…The few changes which have taken place have barely scratched the surface of the problem.

West Indians of every colour still aspire to European standards of dress and beauty. The language which is used by black people in describing ourselves shows how we despise our African appearance… and that black is the incarnation of ugliness. When Africans adopt the European concept that purity and goodness must be painted white and all that is evil and dammed is to be painted black, then we are flagrantly self-insulting.”

Regards Nigel Hinds

No resident district education officer in Gaming Authority should launch Sub-Region Number Two in Region 10 probe into Superbet operations Dear Editor AS I read your editorial dated May 16, 2017, captioned ‘Ghost teachers,’, I concluded that the CoI’s visit in the Sub-Region Number Two in Region Number 10 was a bit too early to observe that there is also a ‘Ghost Education Officer’ in the area.

I was forced to laugh out loud when I read that the regional education officer says, “As soon as they are called, they have a hole in the heart…” In September 2016, we were told that an education officer has been assigned to this Sub-District, and as usual she would be a

resident. To date, this officer visits the riverine areas occasionally and is always escorted by the regional education officer. We are unable to have face-to-face contact to discuss pertinent issues with her since she is here for a few hours. Telephone contact with this education officer in most cases proves futile and the few times always end with her shouting or embarrassing you.

We, the parents of children in the riverine areas, need the services of all those who are paid to deliver education to us. The other officers like welfare, probation and even the assistant regional executive officer are

trying their best but this is not enough. “Bringing an end to an institutionalised scam” should include education officers not wishing to be posted to the riverine areas.

In short, there is no resident district education officer in the Sub-Region Number Two in Region Number 10, even though it may be on paper. This matter should not escape the attention of all the authorities whose concerns are about the need to do more to improve the quality of education delivery to our children in the riverine areas.

Concerned Parent

DearEditor,

PLEASE permit me space in your letter column to highlight a problem with Superbet Guyana. I have been acustomerofSuperbetGuyanasince theystartedoperatinginGuyanaand I must say I’m very frustrated and annoyedatthelevelofservice.

My game of choice is the popular online game, ‘the virtual daily game.’

The game is played by picking one number between 0-32 and placing a maximum bet of $1,000 GYD. If your number is chosen your bet is multiplied by 31. For example, if one were to choose 13 and place a bet of $1,000 GYD, and 13 are chosen, that person would have total winnings of $31,000 GYD. Editor, this morning while I was playing as I usually do, I encountered thestrangestthing.Ichoseanumberand placed my bet and that number wasn’t chosen,soIwentontomakeanotherbet.

I wanted to choose the number 28 but when I tried to select the number, it was unavailable. At first, I thought it was an error on the website or maybe as a result of the poor internet services we have in Guyana. I refreshed my page and went through the process again and to my amazement, the same thing occurred.

Needless to say, the number 28 won. I then called the Superbet Guyana head office and spoke to a customer service representative and related my problem, she,inaveryrudemanner,stated,“thatis how the game works.” I tried to explain that I’ve been playing this game for a while now and I’ve never encountered this problem; she however maintained her position that is how the game works andfurtherstatedallouragentsknowthis.

IamnotanagentofSuperbetGuyana;Iplayviatheirwebsiteinthecomfort of my home. The issue here is that the company has no rules or terms and conditions online of how the game works, and what are the guidelines. Terms and

conditionsandgamerulesare common componentsofsuchfacilitiesasSuperbet Guyana.Iamasubscriberofmanyother online sports and game-betting websites and each game contains a section with therulesandtermsandconditions.

Afterspeakingwiththecustomer service representative, I went to an agent and related my problem and the agent informed me that this is a new feature of the game. The agent said that you were unable to choose the number, because that number has met the quota of persons who can choose it. I must point out that the agent himself was unaware of what the quota was. Again, this is not in keeping with standard practices.

I therefore take this opportunity to call on the Guyana Gaming Authority to launch an investigation into this matter.

Regards AbdulJunior

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

Harmon pours cold water on elections delay chat

MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon, on Friday poured cold water on accusations that the APNU+AFC administration is attempting to delay the hosting of the 2020 General elections by ‘prolonging’ the appointment of a chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The accusation was made by former President Donald Ramotar-the only President

Former President, Donald Ramotar in Guyana’s history to have ever shutdown Parliament and was voted out of office after serving only three years. Asked to respond to the allegations, Harmon said, “The administration of President (David) Granger has

made it clear that we have no intention of either lengthening or shortening the term of office, that at the time when elections are to be called they will be called and so we can put that to rest about trying to delay an elections”.

Harmon made it clear that consultations are currently ongoing between President David Granger and the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo. The President is mandated by Article 161 of the Constitution to consult with the Leader of the Opposition on the selection of a Chairman of the Elections Commission.

Last week, President Granger rejected the second list of nominees for a GECOM Chairman submitted by Jagdeo, who has since threatened to take legal action if a GECOM chair is selected unilaterally by the President. He deemed as unacceptable the list of six persons nominated by Jagdeo for the post. “I have examined the Curricula Vitae of the six persons in light of the criteria defined in my letter to you dated 2017.03.14.

I have found the list to be ‘unacceptable’ within the meaning of the Constitution and of those criteria,” said the President in his missive

to the Opposition Leader.

“Every member of the list suggested must conform to the criteria and you cannot put on the list, a person who does not conform… I must be given a choice. I don’t believe that the second list gave me the range of choice that the people of Guyana deserve,” he said. “Nothing is ever settled until it is settled right and he has to get it right,” the President continued.

However, Ramotar who was overlooked by the PPP for a seat in Parliament after losing the May 2015 polls was quoted in the press as saying that he believes since the government is “performing very poorly” President Granger and his government are attempting to wait until oil production begins to boost the local economy with the hope of regaining lost confidence. “The thing is that the government is performing very, very poorly and they have lost considerable to my mind in public opinion and they obviously plan to do things to try to stay in power,” Demerara Waves quoted Ramotar as saying.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo’s second list of nominees included: Justice of Appeal BS

Roy (ret’d); Justice William Ramlal (ret’d); Oneidge Walrond-Allicock, attorney-at-law and a former magistrate; Kashir Khan, attorney-at-law; Nadia Sagar, attorney-at-law and businessman, Gerald Gouveia.

The rejection of the second list by President Granger has been noted with deep concern by Jagdeo, a former President who noted that “The President has had enough time to deal with this matter…more and more I get the feeling that this delay is just to make it seem as though there is serious consideration of the names just to create a façade”.

But the Head-of-State assured that he is prepared

to work with Jagdeo for as long as it takes to have a chairman who fits the constitutional requirement selected. “I’m prepared to work with the Leader of the Opposition for as long as it takes, but I’m not going to give the people of Guyana the appointment of a person, who is not fit and proper in accordance with the Constitution or criteria, which have been laid out,” said Granger. Harmon also said that nothing in the law “seeks to fetter the discretion of the president”.

“As citizens, we should give these two gentlemen a chance to sit and decide.

We are acting in accordance with the constitution

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and the constitution is the supreme law of the land,” added Harmon.

Storm-hit Lindeners to get help RESIDENTS of Retrieve, Linden, whose homes were on Wednesday afternoon destroyed by a freak storm have started to benefit from assistance from the Government of Guyana (GoG), through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

On Friday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon), told reporters that representatives of the CDC along with Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) Chairman, Renis Morian, visited the area. Recommendations were made and the CDC has started to act on them.

Harmon said equipment, building materials to have roofs replaced along with

hampers were sent to the mining town of Linden.

Those items, he said, will provide temporary relief to the families affected by the freak storm until the CDC is able to make further assessment of the damage caused.

“We are taking steps to ensure we can provide assistance to persons who are affected,” said the Minister of State who announced that on “Saturday or Sunday I may go to make my own assessment”.

We d n e s d a y ’s f r e a k storm dislocated the roof of a house at Oronoque Drive, Retrieve, Linden, while destroying other homes in the same community. Homes located in Yuraballi Street

were also destroyed.

Luckily, no one was hurt during the freak storm but some residents have to do major repairs while others only have minor damage.

The mining community has not experienced floods as a result of the May-June rains but have been grappling with strong winds, thunder and lightning. Last week, the property of a Richmond Hill resident was completely destroyed, while an entire street in Amelia’s Ward was briefly plunged into blackout after heavy rains and wind knocked out the electrical wires attached to a transformer in the street.

One of the homes destroyed by Wednesday’s freak storm

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

Region Five teachers end protest action

A SIMMERING dispute between teachers in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and the regional administration has been amicably resolved.

The dispute was settled after a meeting yesterday, when it was agreed that the protest action taken by the teachers over the past few days had been based on a misconception. Resolution of the issue was arrived at during a meeting involving the Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, senior officers of the Ministry of Communities who travelled to the region and union representatives in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council

(RDC) at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, on Friday.

“The teachers became annoyed after they felt that the region would be withholding three months salary if they proceed overseas on vacation leave,” Regional Executive Officer Mr Ovid Morrison said.

“At the meeting yesterday they were assured that it was never the intention of the administration to withhold three months salaries, but merely one month as has been the custom and practice over the years. They were told that if they go on vacation leave in July and August, then only the June month

salary will be held. They will have access as always to their July and August month salaries and on resumption of duties, then June month salary will be released. There was no intention to change anything from the way it has always been. It was just that the teachers misunderstood what was verbally communicated to them and became annoyed and resorted to protest action,” he said.

“They have since agreed that the protest actions were based on a misconception and had been unnecessary,” he said. Regional Vice-President of the GTU in Region Five, Ms Donnette D’Andrade, confirmed that the

GNBS to establish building authority in construction, building sector THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) hopes to establish a building authority to reinforce the importance of standards and accreditation in the construction and building sector.

This was revealed on Friday during the World Accreditation Day (WAD) forum at Cara Lodge Hotel, Quamina Street, for stakeholders in the local building and construction sector in observance of WAD. WAD 2017 is being observed under the theme, “Delivering confidence in construction and the building environment.”

Local Economic Development Coordinator attached to the Ministry of Communities, Roger Rogers, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, in his feature address, said that the forum will help to highlight the importance of upholding the standards and accreditation in the development of the construction and building sector in Guyana. Rogers noted that standards are the foundation used to market services and products available to consumers. “The development of standards and the pursuit for accreditation plays a key role in the development of the country, though it is widely understood that development cannot be achieved without any minimum standards that can lead our societies to advance and organise in a sustainable manner,” he explained.

Rogers pointed out that it is the government’s responsibility to support a value-added regulatory environment to ensure that citizens receive value for their money, instead of mediocre services which will cause repeated remedial works to be done. He noted that acquiring environmental accredi-

tation is one example of how Guyana can transition to become a green state in keeping with the government’s green agenda. Upholding the standards in the construction and building sector is not only aimed at accomplished contracting companies, but small business contractors as well, Rogers pointed out.

He disclosed that the Central Planning and Housing Authority (CH&PA) will collaborate with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to host a workshop to promote awareness of the National Building Codes for small business contractors, through the Ministry of Communities, shortly. GNBS Executive Director Candelle Walcott-Bostwick, said that though the initiative created by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperative (ILAC) to foster the importance of accreditation, it also helps to encourage regulators to continue to push for safety and standards in the construction environment.

Walcott-Bostwick noted that the construction and building environment industries provide critical employment opportunities in communications, design, engineering, infrastructure and transportation, while playing a crucial role in the realisation of safe homes, secure businesses, and reliable platforms for transit, commerce, and education.

Faulty construction and inexperienced contractors among other areas were highlighted as weak points in the construction and building environment, which will need to be addressed in the push for building standards and accreditation, Walcott- Bostwick said. (DPI/GINA)

misconceptions that members had arrived at had been cleared up.

She said: ““It is not a three months’ salary as was verbally communicated to us by the Department of Education. It is just one month’s salary. That is part of the regulations. If you are leaving in July, it will be June month that is withheld. July and August will be deposited into the bank account that you can access at any time; whether you are here or not.” she said.

She added: “We at the regional level of the union have no problem with that.”

The Regional Department of Education refuted the claim that they had told

the teachers three months salaries would have been withheld. “We told them the prior month salary and not three months,” Regional Education Officer (Ag) Ms Annesta Douglas insisted.

It was agreed that all future communications between the department and teachers on any issue will be done in writing. Morrison had said earlier that the administration had revived the measure because of the huge sums of money overpaid to teachers who leave the country ostensibly on vacation and do not return. He disclosed that these teachers leave in July and then access their salaries for June,

July August and September, knowing that they had no intention of returning.

He disclosed that as at 2015, some $85M had been overpaid to such persons and for 2016 at least $1.3M in overpayments had been discovered to date in an ongoing investigation aimed at addressing financial irregularities that have been highlighted by the Auditor General and raised by the Public Accounts Committee.

Teachers had staged a picketing demonstration outside the regional administration for the second day yesterday which lasted for about 90 minutes before the issue was resolved.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 10, 2017

EPA hosts first Green Business Forum GREEN business development is crucial for achieving environmentally sustainable growth, Acting Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Khemraj Parsram, has said.

The EPA head was addressing stakeholders at the first- ever Green Business Forum hosted by the EPA at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, on Friday.

The event brought together business practitioners, professionals, financial institutions, government officials, civil society stakeholders, national and international experts and other stakeholders to share knowledge and identify avenues for promoting green business solutions in Guyana.

Stakeholders shared knowledge and lessons learned on the best policies, practices, incentives, institutional arrangements

A section of the audience at the Marriott Hotel

and financing modalities to support green business devel-

opment. Parsram noted that the forum is a “prime opportunity

for businesses and private sector investors to be more engaged” to

serve as important engines for Guyana’s green-growth pathway.

Meanwhile, private sector representative and President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), Shyam Nokta, reaffirmed that the private sector is willing to partner with the government to accomplish the green-growth pathway, but called for leadership from the government towards this end. “We need government to lead in the creation of the enabling environment to support green business development,” Nokta said. He added that there is room for “real transformation” of the economy through green business and green business practices.

Nokta cautioned however that the sector must recognise and take responsibility for promoting sustainable business practices. Parsram acknowl-

edged that The EPA’s mandate to effectively manage, conserve, protect and improve the environment is not exclusive to economic development. “We intend to develop and implement a strategic programme that aims to help you understand and comply with the regulatory obligations,” Parsram told stakeholders.

Additionally, Director of the Department of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers, noted that the government has since taken an important policy decision to develop the country along a pathway that has a low carbon footprint, is people-centred, preserves the environment and sustainably utilises natural resources.

The Green Business Forum is expected to become a yearly event in observance of World Environment Day, which is observed on June 5.

(DPI/GINA)

Brother allegedly burns down sister’s house

A MAN in his early 60s is in police custody after he reportedly set his sister’s Alness Village, East Berbice, Corentyne home on fire Thursday night.

According to reports, around 22:00hrs, Mohaball Tulsi called “Sunny” broke the fence, gaining entry into the yard and lit a mattress aback the house.

The fire quickly spread to the house, and within minutes, the two-storied wooden building was reduced to ashes.

The property belonged to a sister-in-law of the accused, but was being kept by his sister, Darothy Nakhi called “Radica”. Nothing was saved and no one was home at the time of the incident.

Radica, 53, lived alone and at nights would sleep at a relative who lives in the same village.

According to a relative who spoke on condition of anonymity, Tulsi, who has had several brushes with the law, wanted to live in the home with Radica but the family objected.

Peeved by their response, the annoyed man reportedly swore to “destroy everything they get”.

In another incident a few years ago, he had set another relative’s home on fire but swift action by relatives and neighbours resulted in the building being saved with minor damage.

The detainee who was

recently released from prison has reportedly admitted to relatives and villagers that he set the house alight.

Meanwhile, several residents of Alness Village criticised the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) for arriving about an hour after the fire started.

“Calls were made to the Rose Hall Fire Station which is about 10 minutes away, yet they couldn’t reach here in time and when they finally did, the truck had to reverse to get water which took another 15 minutes. By the time they start their work, the only thing they could have saved was the fence,” one resident said.

Fire consuming the Alness Village, East Berbice, Corentyne home Thursday night

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

Forum to reflect on Rodney’s life for National Library

A FORUM to reflect on the relevance of Dr Walter Rodney’s teachings is billed for the National Library on Tuesday.

Dubbed ‘Conversation,’ the forum will celebrate the life, activism, and scholarship of Dr. Rodney’s 37 years since his assassination in Guyana. The event is being organised by the supporters of the philosophy of peoples’ power in Guyana, and members of the Global Justice for Walter Rodney Committee, in collaboration with the Working People’s Alliance.

According to organisers June 13, 2017 will mark

another year since Walter Rodney was assassinated in Guyana. “His dreams, hopes, and teachings are today more relevant than before – especially since the working peoples in Guyana and the countries of the former colonial world continue to be relegated to the margins of the society and the inequality between those at the top of the economic and social ladder and the rest of us grows wider,” the organisers said.

Organisers said that in this climate to say that the call for “PEOPLES POWER” that Rodney eloquently championed is needed would

be a gross understatement.

“To mark this year’s anniversary, the supporters of the philosophy of peoples’ power in Guyana, and members of the Global Justice for Walter Rodney Committee, in collaboration with the Working People’s Alliance, invite friends, well-wishers, colleagues, and members of the public – all who are interested in real transformation of the world, including Guyana, to a public Conversation to reflect on his continued relevance and to celebrate his life.

The forum opens at 5pm and will run until 8 pm.

Dr Walter Rodney

GUYANA and Brazil have agreed to implement policies to improve cross-border cooperation and the wellbeing of their respective population at the just concluded Fifth Meeting of the Guyana/Brazil Group on Council Cooperation and the Sixth Meeting of the Guyana/Brazil Frontier Committee held in Lethem, Region Nine.

During the meeting the two sides agreed on a number of recommendations for cooperation between the authorities of both countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a release. The delegations of both countries comprised officials from the health sector; indigenous affairs; security; agriculture; education; immigration; cus-

toms and the revenue authorities. The meetings, which were held in Lethem on 5 and 6 June, were declared open by the Chairman of Region Nine, Mr Brian Allicock and the Governor of the State of Roraima, Brazil, Ms Sueli Campos. They both stressed the importance of the meet-

ings to strengthening friendly and cooperative relations that already existed between the two South American neighbours.

The Guyana/Brazil Frontier Committee was established on 14 September 2009, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding

between the two countries on the Takatu Bridge.

This mechanism was established to advance the process of integration by nurturing development of the population within the frontier communities. The last meeting was held in Brazil in 2016.

Guyana and Brazil agree to improve cross-border cooperation

Representatives of Brazil and Guyana at the recently held meetings of the Guyana/Brazil Frontier Committee and the Guyana/Brazil Consular Group

Security guard accused of breaking into Texila University

11

A SECURITY guard accused of breaking into the Texila American University, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) campus and carting off electronics, appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, charged with break and enter with larceny.

Carl Rodrigues, 29, of Carl Rodrigues Sophia, Greater Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on June 6, 2017 at Red Road, Providence, EBD, he broke and entered the Texila American University and stole a $60,000 laptop along with a visual presenter valued $88,000.

The father of six did not have legal representation, however, he told the court that he is employed as a security guard by Royal Security and was stationed at the University.

Police Prosecutor, Adoni Innis made no objection to the accused being released on bail, which was granted in the sum of $80,000; he will reappear in court on June 16, 2017.

Farmer remanded on ‘ganja’ charge A FARMER, accused of having 20 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking, was remanded to prison on Friday by City Magistrate, Leron Daly.

It is alleged that on June 8, 2017 at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (ECD), police raided the house of 42-year-old Shem John and found the suspected narcotics.

Shem John P o l i c e P r o s e c u t o r, Christopher Morris objected to bail based on the gravity of the offence. John did not have legal representation and was remanded until June 23, 2017.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday,June 10, 2017

Iwokrama can lead ‘green’ economy transition --says renowned conservationist THE Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development can help lead Guyana in the implementation of the Green State Development Strategy, distinguished conservationist Dr Kamal Bawa has said.

“Guyana’s intact rainforest, together with relatively low population density and commitment at the highest political level, puts Guyana on course to developing such a ‘green’ economy. This is very unique; I can’t recall that many places on earth where this is the case,” he observed.

Dr Bawa is a professor at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and the founder and President of Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), one of Asia’s topranked environmental think tanks, based in Bangalore, India.

From May 30-31, Dr Bawa participated in the Guyana “Green Growth” Sustainable Development

Goal (SDG) lab in Guyana, which was put on by the Iwokrama International Centre, Biomimicry Roraima and the University of Massachusetts, Boston, in association with the Department of Environment, Ministry of the Presidency.

The lab, a forum for open discussion, was designed to identify key challenges of transitioning Guyana to a green-growth economy and to discuss potential opportunities and generate ideas for moving forward in implementing the Framework of the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).

The lab brought together representatives of the public and private sectors, indigenous communities, non-governmental organisations, civil society actors, international organisations and academia.

The outcomes of the SDG lab will be shared with the government and will also be presented at the Ideas and Innovation Forum of the International Sustainability Science Conference in Stock-

holm, Sweden, in August 2017.

Dr Bawa sees the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development as being poised to help Guyana implement the Green State Development Strategy, which centres on the fact that conservation does not have to come at the expense of development.

“Iwokrama is developing models for sustainable use of natural resources; they are deeply committed to a participatory process in the conservation of natural resources, taking into account indigenous knowledge and local communities that are using those resources. I am very impressed by the work Iwokrama is doing and its potential to really contribute to this whole discussion and eventual implementation of this green economy,” he said.

INCREASING MOMENTUM Dr Bawa has observed that there is increasing mo-

Dr Kamal Bawa

mentum to pursue so-called green growth, “how we find natural solutions to our pressing problems in a manner that we are not sacrificing economic growth.”

He said this can be seen in the fact that Guyana and other countries of the world have committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Our natural assets have a very important role to play in fulfilling those Sustainable Development Goals and I think Guyana, in many ways,

can be a world leader in this regard.”

Iwokrama’s Sustainable Forest Operation is already demonstrating that well-planned and managed forestry operations are good business sense that reaps attractive dividends, while having little impact on biodiversity.

Further, it is also demonstrating that eco-tourism and ecosystem services are other ways of utilising the rainforest without destroying it.

Dr Bawa, who now specialises in sustainability and has worked in the Himalayas for a number of years on issues such as biodiversity and climate change, said that biodiversity is being lost at different rates in different parts of the world.

Despite improvements in some areas, he said “the loss still continues, and from that point of view, I think countries like Guyana, are of tremendous importance in the

worldwide effort to save our precious biodiversity.

“I am an optimist. I believe the outlook is good -- that the loss of biodiversity will decline -- as we find ways of using biodiversity for economic gains.”

Dr Bawa also believes that Iwokrama and the University of Guyana can forge a strong partnership to address knowledge gaps and to develop the human resource capacity that will be needed in the pursuit of the green state.

The Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama forest, a unique reserve of 371,000 hectares of rainforest “in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general.”

Constable Akeem Holder saved the day

By Michel Outridge

CONSTABLE Akeem Holder defied the odds and braved thick smoke and fire, allegedly set deliberately by inmates of the Juvenile Holding Centre, so he could extinguish the blaze in an effort to save youths housed there on Monday night.

For him, it was part of his duties to safeguard the juveniles housed at the Lot 2 Dennis Street, Sophia facility, which he managed to do, single-handedly, even before the fire tenders could arrive on the scene.

Constable Holder also rose to the occasion by getting all the inmates to safety and those affected by the smoke were rushed for medical attention at the earliest.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that at the time he did what he could and thought nothing of it because his aim was to get everyone to safety and to prevent the fire from spreading to other sections of the building.

This alert and unarmed cop was stationed at the Juvenile Holding Centre on Monday night when a fire, believed to be set by a few inmates, quickly ignited in the catwalk area outside the cells which resulted in a plume of smoke.

Constable Holder realised what was happening and he acted very quickly to get the situation under control, averting a major disaster.

The constable said he was sitting when he smelled

Brave cop: Constable Akeem Holder

something burning (like sponge) and got up and turned off the main switch (fuse) at the centre and then threw water on the conflagration.

He explained that about five minutes before, a few inmates had asked him to give them some water and he granted their request and several minutes after, he smelled something burning.

The fire was put out in three minutes and about five minutes after fire tenders arrived at the scene.

Holder said he then alerted officials and his superiors before going to talk to the inmates and he made sure they were not hurt in anyway.

The policeman has been

posted at the location for the past two years and he is aware of the behaviour pattern of juveniles housed there.

Holder explained that ranks stationed there operate on a shift system and provide security for inmates.

On the very night of the incident, his efforts were recognised by one Martin Gaul who complimented him in a Facebook post.

Following the post, dozens of others joined, congratulating him for his bravery and suggest that he be promoted.

An investigation has since been launched into the circumstances which led to a fire at the centre on Monday night, about 18:00hrs.

It was alleged that two juveniles lit a mattress in the catwalk area on the lower flat of the facility resulting in three males being rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital to receive treatment for smoke inhalation. The three were treated and sent away.

Police said alert ranks on duty, responding to the smell of smoke emanating from the catwalk area, quickly extinguished the blaze. No major damage was done to the facility.

Housed in the compound of the Sophia Training School, the Juvenile Holding Centre was commissioned in 2011 at a cost of $37.6M to provide for the detention of juveniles who are held pending charge, or are on remand.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

Health documentary launched, business community engaged for support

LOCAL business owners and the Private sector at large have been challenged to contribute towards improving the public health care sector in Guyana.

This was done through the screening of a short-film which captures the needs for further research and financial input into critical services of cardiovascular surgeries.

The move to involve the private sector has been considered since volunteers of GPACC recognise the role the private sector plays in society.

Co-Director of GPACC, Dr. Debra Isaac, explained that such a move can make a significant difference in the health sector. “We are hoping that some of the private interests in Guyana will really step up and take ownership of the health of Guyanese people.

challenges, as well as successes encountered, while facilitating the series of open-heart surgeries during 2016.

The film was premiered on the evening of June 7, 2017 at the Cara Lodge Suites, Ballet Room in Georgetown.

Members of the diplomatic corps, current and former Ministers of Public Health, members of the Private Sector Commission, among other notable special invitees were present at the screening of the documentary. Some of the senior officials viewing the documentary, short-film ‘Born Blue’ for a better understanding of all the necessary aspects of providing quality cardiac care in Guyana.

Minister Lawrence noted that, “Cardiac care is indeed costly so I hope that tonight’s activity would encourage our private sector to invest exten-

lic Health and the Canadian government can advance Guyana’s efforts at providing cardiac care. Stakeholders attending at the screening of the documentary ‘Born Blue’ “The screening of Born Blue, the Guyana Project this evening highlights the work of GPACC and also showcases their intervention in trying to change the course of cardiovascular diseases here in Guyana, especially for the most vulnerable in society like children,” the High Commissioner noted.

Guyana has high rates of death and disability due to heart diseases. Approximately 60 percent of children tested for heart disease require surgery. For example, congenital heart disease has a rate of 0.8 to one percent in the birth of babies per year, which means

Prime Minister Nagamootoo greets Dr Debra Isaac We want to make a difference; we want to partner; we are seeing what’s being done and what can be done and we want to be part of it, so we are looking for them to partner with us in sustainable improvement in health care.”

Dr. Issac said.

The Guyana Programme for Advanced Cardiac Care (GPACC), in collaboration with the government of Canada and the Ministry of Public Health, Guyana, hosted the first local screening of the documentary short-film ‘Born Blue’. The forty-minute documentary highlights the work done in Guyana by GPACC, especially for children diagnosed with heart diseases.

The ‘Born Blue’ documentary focuses primarily on the pediatric cardiac surgeries performed in Guyana during 2016. Moreover, the film specifically highlights the

sively in this area, where so many of our citizens and particularly our young children are at risk of cardiac disease.

The title of the film “Born Blue” aptly reminds us of the cardiac complications that can occur during pregnancy.”

Business representatives collectively noted that the work done in Guyana by GPACC is commendable, but there is still need for further growth and development. Guyana is a small country which requires the support of its own people to significantly add to what has started, according to one of the representatives. The Canadian government is also advocating for additional support. The Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency Pierre Giroux, said that partnership which was already fostered between the ministry of Pub-

that infants born in Guyana among these statistics will have congenital heart disease.

One of the pediatric Surgeons, Dr. Rodrigo Soto said, “That would put Guyana in anything between 60 to 70 new patients every year with congenital heart disease that require surgery.” Once these statistics are taken into consideration more lives can be saved, with significant declines in infant mortality. The line of surgeries performed by the Baby Heart Foundation is a start to ensuring the babies born with heart complications and defects are identified and treated within a timely manner.

Meanwhile, GPACC has spearheaded research and education in Guyana to determine the cause of such high rates of heart diseases detected, especially in children. (GINA)

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, hands over a token of appreciation to the Co-Director of the Guyana Programme to Advance Cardiac Care (GPACC) Dr Debra Isaac

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Last quarter latest for telecoms liberalisation

By Ariana Gordon

THE Public Telecommunications Ministry continues to negotiate with the Guyana Telephone Telegraph Company (GTT) on the company’s monopoly over international voice and data transmissions, as

well as domestic wire line service.

At a press conference on Thursday, subject minister Catherine Hughes told reporters that “It is a process, it does take time”, while noting that the most important thing in the process was the passage of the Telecommunications

Bill, which allows for other entities to enter the market.

She hopes that negotiations with ATN and GTT can conclude in July, if not, she is optimistic that those negotiations will end during the last quarter of the year.

“We are working to a July timeframe, even if we

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

miss it, I hope before we get into the final quarter of this year we would have created an environment where more players can come into the market,” the minister added.

Earlier this year, Minister Hughes had hoped that the negotiation between government and GTT and ATN would have concluded by May so that the sector could be fully liberalised.

With new players in the industry, competition rates will decrease significantly.

“We are actually now working on creating the new regulatory body, the telecommunications agency that will now manage this new environment,” said Hughes.

Meanwhile, the minister made it clear that while the sector has become liberalised; it must not be seen as a lack of support for GTT and mobile phone company Digicel.

She explained that in some hinterland and remote

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes

communities there is very little access opportunities existing for the provision of many other services.

“We are grateful that both GTT and Digicel have played an exceptional role in our telecommunications industry and we could not be doing what we are doing now, without the ground work that they have done.”

Additionally, Minister Hughes stressed the need to continue partnering with the two telecommunication companies to provide more opportunities to citizens.

Thus far, there have been two verbal enquiries from persons who have an interest in entering the local market but Minister Hughes made it clear that those enquiries are merely speculative.

“We will get a clear idea when we put the legislation into operation.”

The Telecommunications Bill was first introduced in 2011.However, it was revised in 2013 before being sent to Parliamentary

Special Select Committee in the 10th Parliament, and was near conclusion when that Parliament was prorogued in 2014 by the then President, Donald Ramotar.

When it was taken before the National Assembly by the Government, the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had called for the bill to be sent to a Special Select Committee for further consideration, but Minister Hughes had argued that the bill had been long promised and was overdue.

The sector, she emphasised, must be an opened one, so that the country can progress and not lag behind its sister Caricom countries and the rest of the world.

The new legislation provides for the fostering of an opened, competitive telecoms sector in which investors will be attracted, and in which a fair, competitive environment for sector participants is created.

Girl missing since Independence Day A GIRL, 14, of Westminster, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), who went missing on Independence Day is yet to be found.

The girl, who attends a school in Number Two Canal and lives with her grandmother and 12-year-old sister, was discovered missing at around 03:00hours on May 26.

The grandmother told Guyana Chronicle that she last saw her granddaughter at around 23:30hrs on May 25, but when she woke up the next day, the teen was nowhere to be found.

According to the elderly woman, on checking, she noticed the pillows and blankets on her granddaughter’s bed was arranged to make it appear as though she was fast asleep beneath.

She believes the teen has eloped with a 19-year-old male from the village but this has not been confirmed by police who are investigating the matter.

The grandmother said the young girl

had “ran away” a few years ago and was found with the suspect who is now 19.

The young man and his mother had reportedly asked for Gonsalves’ hand in marriage, but the grandmother said ‘no way’, affirming that the girl was too young.

The elderly woman also alleged that the male teen is a “bad boy” in the village.

When contacted, Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA), Ann Greene, told Guyana Chronicle that the police must launch a thorough investigation into the matter.

She contended that if police investigations indicate any sexual involvement between the minor and the young man, it could be considered a sexual offense and the perpetrator could be charged under the Sexual Offenses Act. The grandmother is pleading with anyone with information about the whereabouts of her granddaughter to contact her on telephone number 6702135 or the nearest police station.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

Children taught wise use of social media

COUNCILLOR of Constituency #10 (Albouystown/Charlestown), Malcolm Ferreira,

has launched “School Children Social Media Outreach” in collaboration with 100.1 Fresh FM

to equip students on how to use the Internet wisely.

Mohammed Nazim of the National Communi-

cation Network (NCN) is also a producer/organiser of the programme.

Ferreira told Guyana

Councillor, Malcolm Ferreira

Students at Charlestown Secondary School during the Schoolchildren Social Media Outreach,which was held recently

$60M in medical supplies donated to Berbice –– MP warns against theft

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric OVER $60M worth in pharmaceuticals and medical equipment was pumped into the East Berbice/ Corentyne Health services, in an effort to reduce shortages and improve health care delivery.

But John Adams, Ministerial advisor, within the Public Health Ministry has warned that the donations, which were made possible through Food for the Poor (FFP) Guyana Inc. and the Region Six Administration, are to be used for its intended purpose and that it must not go to any home or private pharmacy.

Further, Adams, who also heads the Task Force that addresses accountability within the Ministry, threatened those who may be found lapsing that the “Kaki” [police and prison officers] will have them arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned.

“Medical supplies are in a habit of leaving for Region Six, but they never arrive,” Adams said at the Regional Health Services Compound, Fort Canje, on Thursday.

He further noted, “I am saying to the Director and the CEO that you are being held accountable. The donations are given so as to deliver better health care.

It must not go to anybody homes. Don’t let it get into anybody private pharmacy.

By now you know that I head the task force, and if I find you lapsing, ‘Kaki’ will get you.”

He urged that the authorities take care of the equipment.

“In addition, you must care them. When you have equipment and medical supplies, it makes your job easier. We must have every piece of equipment inventorized.

So when we visit, and ask for the inventory, we must be able to see what you have at your disposal .So don’t tell us you can’t find a part or two, because we will call our friends in ‘Kaki’. People must be held accountable,” he warned.

Adams said that the Ministry of Public Health is pleased that Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. can step in to ease the pressure of the Ministry.

He said, “We know at times we do not have all the medications, but we want a service that is comparable to none.”

E a r l i e r, D i r e c t o r o f Health Services, Mr Jevaughn Stephens, revealed that over the past eighteen months there has been an increase in persons accessing the health services, an indication that people are returning to the public health system.

Donations which included baby warmers, incubators, ventilators, examination couches, water coolers, pedi-

atric scales, over the counter drugs, sterilizers and wheel chairs, were made to the Skeldon, Mibicuri Cottage and Port Mourant hospitals; the referral health institution at New Amsterdam, the National Psychiatric Hospital and 27 health centers scattered across the region.

Additionally, nine computer systems, which were purchased by the regional administration were also donated to boost the Health Information System; cellular phones were given to the doctors in charge of Mibicuri Cottage Hospital, Skeldon and Port Mourant Hospitals and the telephone operator at the National Psychiatric Hospital, so as to ensure that communication with the district institutions are made in a timely manner.

Meanwhile, representing Food For the Poor, Guyana Inc. was Alex Foster, who used the opportunity to implore the Regional Health Service to run the race to deliver a health service second to none. He announced the arrival of a further 1500 wheelchairs and the adoption of one health center every six months.

Also addressing the gathering was Regional Chairman, David Armogan, who, acknowledged that there are constraints within the local health sector, however he confirmed that efforts are being made at the ministerial level to address the issue.

Chronicle that the social media guide is necessary at every school, since it gives students workable solutions to the many challenges and dangers associated with the different social media platforms.

He said he started the outreach because of the frequency of pictures and videos of school children in negative acts being posted and shared on social media.

“We are trying to minimise the ever present dangers that they are likely to succumb to...inevitably

they will be tempted, but we are equipping them with the necessary tools to recognise these dangers and act appropriately,” Ferreira said.

The city councillor told Guyana Chronicle that the objective of the programme is to inform children on what to post and how to do it on social media, since it can be used against them.

“Whatever you put out, there doesn’t exactly go away and later in life it comes back to haunt you,” he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

Serious breaches … report finds serious shortcomings in Carvil Duncan-led PSC

AN inquiry into the operations of the Public Service Commission has found serious shortcomings and breaches, veteran labour relations specialist Francis Caryll has said.

The report from the Board of Inquiry (BoI), which was established by President David Granger, into the operations of the PSC was on Friday presented to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon by Carryl who headed the probe.

A Ministry of the Presi-

dency quoted Carryl as saying that there were several areas in the operations of the public service body, in which he found serious breaches and it is his expectation that these will be addressed by the Government before the new Commission is installed. “I did a triangulated methodology of gathering the data and found that there were some serious shortcomings, serious breaches that caused the examiner to conclude that the Commission was not serving

in the best interest of the public service and the state of Guyana. When you are appointing a Commission, you need competent people to discharge the functions of that Commission. The Commission is an important institution and if you cannot discharge those functions and duties in a fair manner then you are wasting time,” he said.

Head of the Public Service and Permanent Secretary of the Department of the

Francis Carryl, who was tasked with conducting the Board of Inquiry, explains a part of the Report to Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon Public Service, Mr. Reginald Brotherson, in an invited comment, explained that the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, as is required under the Constitution, must submit a report on the stewardship of the Commission to the President.

The Head of State, upon examining the report and in his deliberate judgement, had noted that there were some matters in the report which needed to be addressed. “[The President] decided that it had called for a certain type of investigation and the Minister of State was tasked with ensuring that an investigation was conducted.

Mr. Carryl, a veteran in the Trade Union movement was tasked with the responsibility of conducting the investigation and it took one month and this Report will help to inform the President in his deliberations and course of judgment. The life of the Public Service Commission will conclude at the end of

August and so this report would really help the President in making decisions in appointing Commissions of that nature,” Mr. Brotherson said.

Minister Harmon has committed to ensuring that the recommendations contained within the Report are taken into consideration before the next appointment of Commissioners. “The recommendations that have been made in this report, I commit to ensuring that they are properly studied and analysed and given to the President for his consideration for the appointments, which will be made to the PSC,” Minister Harmon said.

Duncan had been sent on a leave pending the outcome of an investigation by a tribunal appointed by President David Granger to inquire, investigate and recommend whether Duncan, Chairman and appointed member of the Public Service Commission ought to be removed from

office for inability to discharge the functions of said office. Duncan later moved to court and secured an injunction blocking the work of the commission. However he remains off the job and Patrick Yarde, who was also a member of the commission was appointed to act as chairman. The Tribunal is being led by Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire, while Justice (ret’d) Winston Patterson and Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Robert Ramcharran are the other members.

Duncan is currently facing charges of fraud following findings that he paid himself approximately $1 million and allegedly conspired with Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Power and Light, Mr. Aerswar Deonarine, for an unapproved transfer of approximately $27M, both sums from the PetroCaribe Fund, into Deonarine’s personal bank account.

Miner chopped to death at Omai Landing

POLICE are investigating the murder of Carlos Wong, 46, a miner of Half Mile Wismar, Linden which occurred about 09:00hrs Friday morning at Omai Landing, Essequibo River. police report, two men are on the

run and are yet to be apprehended.

Investigation revealed that the victim and the suspects had a misunderstanding over a water pump, when one of the suspects, who was armed with a cutlass, chopped the victim on his right hand, resulting in his death.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

Customer wins Samsung Galaxy S8 from GTT SECTION ‘D’ of Bourda Market went into uproar Friday morning as vendors surrounded rice vendor, Kapildeo Ramnauth.

Ramnauth of Unity, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), is the first winner

quipped.

There will be three winners of a Samsung Galaxy S8 in the GTT Father’s Day Top Up and Win promotion.

In addition, there will be one winner of an all-inclusive trip for two to the beautiful

Kapildeo Ramnauth receives his prize from Nadia De Abreu, Public Relations Officer, GTT of a Samsung Galaxy S8 in the GTT Top Up and Win Father’s Day promotion. “I have always been a GTT customer and never won anything. I am so happy today,” Ramnauth said smiling as he opened his new $239,999 value phone, a release from GTT noted.

His fellow market vendors were also elated for his win.

“I have been topping up and I am hoping to win the Jamaica trip,” another vendor

Ocho Rios Resort in Jamaica.

All prepaid customers who top up $1000 or more electronically are eligible for the weekly Samsung Galaxy S 8 draw, while all customers who top up $1000 electronically by June 18 are eligible to enter the draw to win the all-inclusive trip for two to Jamaica compliments of GTT and Fly Jamaica Airways.

Engineers allegedly busted with cocaine –– remanded to prison

TWO CIVIL engineers, who were allegedly caught with a quantity of cocaine in a car along the Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) public road, appeared before City Magistrate, Sunil Scarce, at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Friday, charged with the possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Avishkar Rambarran of Enmore North, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Michael Sookoo, of Corbina Park, Annandale, ECD, both aged 20, pleaded not guilty to the offence, which alleged that on June 8, 2017 at Grove, EBD, they had 254 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The men’s lawyer, Patrice Henry, told the court that the vehicle in which the alleged drugs were found, is a rental car. Police prosecutor, Corporal Adoni Innis said that on the day in question, at about 13:30hrs, ranks on mobile patrol stopped and searched the vehicle the two accused were in, when the suspected narcotics were found wrapped in a parcel hidden in the glove compartment of the car.

The prosecutor further explained that the two accused reportedly told ranks “Is just a lil hustle,” and begged for a second change. Innis objected to the men being granted their pretrial liberty based on the prevalence and seriousness of the offence.

Magistrate Scarce ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded the duo until June 26.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

Guyana, China celebrate 45 years of friendship

By Shirley Thomas

THE Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Guyana, on the occasion of 45 years of diplomatic relations with Guyana on Thursday hosted a seminar themed: “China and Guyana: 45 years of Friendship.”

The forum was followed by a dinner reception.

At the forum held at the Chinese Embassy on Home Stretch Avenue, Ambassador Cui Jianchun and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, delivered the key-

ment assistance and building cross-country cooperation.

Reacting to the ambassador’s presentation of what he referred to as: ‘The five Is and Ts initiative’, China’s new approach to reaching out to other countries such as Guyana, and to build on relationships forged over the years, Nagamootoo said he believes that this vision of where China is today has been projected in a very interesting way in the National Assembly during 1971.

The model speaks to infrastructure, ICT, investment, industry and integra-

ent that here in Guyana, it was not only an issue of forging diplomatic relationship with China, it was an attempt to forge a lasting relationship, looking at China as a country of great potentials, and from which we (Guyana) could benefit.

The acting President recalled that Guyana was one of the first few countries in the Caribbean to have recognised China diplomatically in 1992.

The Ambassador spoke of the concept of ‘thoughts’, and illustrated how these can have molding powers. He

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, addresses the “China and Guyana: 45 years of Friendship” seminar on Thursday (Adrian Narine photos) note addresses in which they spoke extensively on relations between the two countries and the emergence of China as a super power, and the techniques employed in this regard.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo commended the ambassador for taking this initiative of organising a seminar on the occasion of the 45th year of diplomatic relations between Guyana and the People’s Republic of China.

“I believe that this is perhaps one of the very rare functions where we exchange ideas, rather than simply having cocktails and exchanging pleasantries, but instead share our views on how to improve relationships between the People’s Republic of China and Guyana.”

The acting President also complimented Ambassador Jianchun for bringing to the forum, in a very simple way, serious aspects of development in Chinese economy and Chinese foreign policy profiles, particularly in the areas of develop-

tion, while also addressing thought, talents, tourism, trade and technology.

Nagamootoo recalled in 1971, during a debate on foreign policy that it was Dr. Cheddi Jagan, a member of the Opposition, who stated with confidence, that one day China will become a super power.

RIGHTFUL PLACE As early as 1971, he had already said that China was outstripping the volume of the GDP growth of France and Great Britain, and that it was time for Guyana to recognise the People’s Republic of China, not in terms of diplomatic relations, which was to follow the year after, but to ensure that China took its rightful seat in the United Nations, putting an end on the dubious two-China policy.

The result was that after that, Guyana committed itself universally to the one-China policy.

“And so when we reflect on 45 years ago, we must also reflect on the anteced-

showed how ideas helped China in the political struggle of 1939, to shape how people saw the world and showed ordinary people in all parts of the world that it was possible to change society.

He referred to the statistics being shown with China’s multiple trillion dollar economy starting from a mere US$35 per capita income in 1949.

“You have now shown us that ideas are important for the transformation of our society – not only to make the change, but to transform the society, and that you could take advantage of science and technology in which China has shown the world that it is a leader and you can help to build their economies.

As the countries celebrate 45 years of friendship, the prime minister said Guyana also wants to celebrate the fact that China has reached out to Guyana as a big brother and provided her with conditions to send Guyanese to be trained in China, so

that today there are Guyanese doing training at the masters’ and PhD levels and a number of areas.

TRAINING “You have allowed us to send out policemen to be trained in new technology of combatting crime, including cyber-crime; you have allowed us to send our journalists to be exposed to the new China.

“I also would like to celebrate with you the fact that China has entered into allround agreements on many fronts for promoting cooperation with Guyana, such as proposal for a deep water harbour, some of which are still in the planning stages.

But we celebrate the fact that we could have in Guyana and Guyana is benefitting from your medical brigades – the 12th brigade of doctors and specialists have concluded their stint this month,” Nagamootoo said.

He is hopeful that a 13th brigade in the near future can be posted here.

“We also want to celebrate with you the fact that you have revolutionised our society from an ICT perspective, when China decided to give partially as a grant and partially as soft loan – computers under the One Laptop Per Family Initiative’ and more recently ‘One Laptop Per Teacher’, delivering some 6,000 such computers in 2017.”

He cited the area of telecommunications, where the first phase of establishing telecommunications technology to government installations and schools; This, he said, enables the reception of Internet signals in places where these have not been preciously accessible. Guyana now looks forward to the second phase, he said.

The prime minister expresses appreciation that China is bringing its tech-

Chinese Ambassador, Cui Jianchun, addresses the forum at the Chinese Embassy on Thursday nology to Guyana, while few others. He said what is helping to repair and trans- needed is dialogue, noting form the society for the that such relationships might future. have been better had there Elated over the rela- been dialogue, one with the tionships established and other. existing between our two On the way forward, the countries; the fact that they prime minister said the fact share dreams and visions of that the ambassador speaks both their countries, Naga- English and is a scientist, mootoo also mentioned the makes it important for them modified arrangement of to communicate. the extension of the Cheddi “I say this with pride, I Jagan International Airport, see Ambassador Jianchun which is well advanced. as a friend… because we He cited plans being sit and talk and share the rolled out for the four-lane dreams and the vision of road on East Coast Demer- both our countries and so ara. today I want to participate as “These are projects that a friend in these celebrations involve cooperation with and listen to your views and China and with funding idea of how we can move from the Exim Bank,” he forward and make our relasaid as he spoke of fresh tionship unbreakable as two projects mushrooming un- friendly brotherly, sisterly der the China Aid Grant friends… ” he stated. with Guyana through which Concluding on a high funds are made available note, the prime minister year after year, over many, looked with optimism tomany years to fund projects wards the next five years and without Guyana having and declared: “I would to pay back. be here and I would like But admitting that not to invite my friend Ameverything would have gone bassador Cui Jianchun to the way it was intended, return when we celebrate the prime minister cited the the Golden Jubilee of our hydro project, which was relationship between Guyfound to be flawed and a ana and China.”

A section of the invitees at the anniversary forum

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday,June 10, 2017

ETI hosts career day fair A LARGE gathering defied unfavourable weather conditions and converged on the lawns at Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) to witness its 8th Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) career and exhibition fair on Friday.

The event began with a formal opening ceremony.

In his address, Principal, Micheal Turner, welcomed the participants and outlined the role of ETI. The institution was established as a direct result of demand from society for technical training.

The institute was formed under the direction of former Minister of Education, Dr. Dale Bisnauth, now deceased.

The fair, he said, will provide an opportunity for students, especially those leaving secondary school, to seriously think and choose a career path with ETI, as well as to enable parents and guardians to observe what the institute has to offer and what the students are capable of creating.

In an impassioned plea, he encouraged prospective students to enroll with ETI

and reap the benefits of a rewarding career. He rubbished the myth that the institute is only for those who are not academically inclined, pointing out that “it is the school’s mandate to educate all students and that skill is wealth”.

He also mentioned that ETI is engaged in institutionalised learning, whereby students are exposed to 30 percent practice and 70 percent theory, as well as business and industry training, where it is 60 percent practice and 40 percent theory.

Also making a presen-

A large gathering converged on the ETI lawns for the exhibition

Students checking out some of the booths at the exhibition

tation was chairman of the Board of Governors (BoG), Dileep Singh, who indicated that the body is working assiduously to make the institute welcoming and to ensure that the core values are enforced to cultivate successful students.

He further lamented that ETI is also poised to have several programmes accredited in keeping with the demands of the employment industry, including the emerging oil sector.

Hugh Griffith, a represen-

tative from MACORP, also spoke of the opportunities presented at the company, which include training, scholarship and a rewarding career from being an apprentice to a top level manager.

Among those attending were Deputy Principal, Muneshwar Jaggernauth; Commander ‘G’ Division, Stephen Mansell; Expenditure, Planning and Management Analyst, Region Two, Portia Jacobs; representatives of sister institutions,

staff, residents, parents and students of various secondary schools, along with the exhibitors.

After the ceremony, the principal led a tour guide of the campus, while the booths that were opened for display included: MACORP, ETI, Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Republic Bank, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Protection.

Scores seek jobs at Giftland FoodMaxx Supermarket GIFTLAND Mall located at Plantation Pattensen, Turkeyen, on Friday started its recruitment drive which saw a large turnout of persons seeking employment for its FoodMaxx Supermarket which is expected to be opened within months.

The job fair started on Friday from 10am to 8pm and will continue on Sat-

urday from 1pm to 5pm, where interviews will be done inside FoodMaxx Supermarket dubbed the ‘Fresh Food Specialist.’

Giftland Mall President Roy Beepat on Friday told the Guyana Chronicle that the company is in the process of employing more than 200 people for the supermarket; as such, they have initiated a job fair. He

related that the supermarket is extensive, which will have a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, provisions, meats, fish etc. on a ‘cash-and-carry’ basis unlike any other supermarket in the Caribbean.

Beepat noted that FoodMaxx Supermarket will be the place to shop, coupled with competitive prices in which customers will have

many options when shopping groceries which will be specially packaged.

He explained that the supermarket will have foodstuff that are pre-cooked to fully cooked and table-ready from meats and vegetables that are already cleaned, peeled and chopped and ready to be cooked.

Meanwhile, Giftland Mall Marketing, Events

Inside the spacious FoodMaxx Supermarket.

and Promotions Coordinator, Amanda Chinian, told the Guyana Chronicle that they are hosting a job fair to attract suitably qualified people for FoodMaxx Supermarket.

She added that more than 100 jobs are available in various categories and so far, the response has been overwhelming and on Saturday, they will begin

interviewing persons to fill vacancies.

Chinian however, encouraged applicants to bring along their certificates and other documents in an effort to utilise the job opportunities, since there are benefits such as a health insurance plan, recognition packages, and training programmes among other things.

Major works for DHB

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

… six-hour closure scheduled for June 17

ON SATURDAY, June 17, the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) will be closed to vehicle and marine traffic to facilitate works on key sections of the structure’s retractor span.

The closure will commence at 08:00hrs and end at 14:00hrs. General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC), Rawlston Adams told the media on Friday morning at the bridge’s Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara office that the works are Phase One of the corporation’s pontoon exchange project plan.

Old pontoons, which house the bridge’s main operational network and which have been operational over the past 18 years, are being replaced.

As a result the bridge will be closed to marine traffic for a period of four days starting next Friday through Monday. He said vehicular traffic will flow as normal during the four days except on Saturday when the structure will be closed to facilitate the works.

The works will be undertaken on the eastern section of the retractor span at pontoon 10. Adams said that the project has been ongoing for months and next weekend the critical aspects will be undertaken. He said that last Thursday temporary pontoons were assembled and positioned nearby to the work area.

N e x t We d n e s d a y, June 14 , the walkway stairs in the vicinity of the retractor span will be removed while the following day,all pipes, electrical installations and hydraulic hoses will be disconnected. The works

General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC), Rawlston Adams, makes a point during a press briefing at the DHB office at Peter’s Hall on Friday. He is flanked by staff of the corporation.

Still capture of the retractor span on the DHB where works will be undertaken next weekend.

Traffic approaching the DHB on Friday morning .

will continue through the weekend and on Sunday the system will be reconnected to ensure it is operational. On Monday, June 19, a system check will be undertaken.

Adams noted that the project is being undertaken by a local firm, INFAB engineering, at a cost of $109M. He said INFAB had undertaken the works previously at the structure some 18 years ago when that company operated under another name, ECL. As such, given the entity’s familiarity with the bridge, the company is tasked with undertaking next weekend’s work.

Adams noted that several considerations were made as regards the timing of the works and these included the weather conditions, as well as the sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations which are expected to conclude this week. He said Phase Two of the project will be undertaken on the western side of the retractor span before the first quarter of 2017.

He added that lessons from next weekend’s works will be taken into account before the second phase commences.

Meanwhile, since the increase in fares for motorists to cross the bridge at the beginning of the year, the corporation has seen an increase in its revenues.

Adams said that initially there was a slight reduction in the volume of traffic. However “we are back to normal,” he said. He noted that the management of the bridge now has enough revenue to sustain its operations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

2016 Environment report recommends …

Severe actions against repeat litter offenders

By Ravin Singh

THE 2016 State of the environment Report on Guyana has recommended that authorities take more severe actions against repeated litter offenders to reduce the health, social and environmental impacts of littering.

The report, which was released on Monday, was developed by the government of Guyana with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

According to the report, illegal dumping or littering remains a big concern in Guyana.

This exist despite the government putting emphasis on sensitising the population through littering campaigns and enforcement of laws and regulations through the Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) Litter Enforcement Unit.

It was reported that the Litter Enforcement Unit of the EPA received a total of 254 complaints of illegal dumping and littering. Of this amount, 80.3 percent (204) originated from Region Four, 14.1 percent (36) from Region Three, 2.4 percent (6) from Region Five, 2 percent (5) from Region Six and 0.4 percent (1) from Regions

One, Two and Seven each.

After general analysis of all complaints, it was discovered that 90 percent were offenses relating to littering in a public place, 9.1 percent to littering in a private place and 0.9 percent to littering from a motor vehicle.

The analysis also indicates that 65.8 per cent of the complaints’ offences referred to domestic waste, 15.7 percent to industrial or construction, 15.4 percent to other offences, including dumping and burning, 2.4 percent to human or sewage waste and 0.4 percent to electronic and medical waste.

With regard to reoccurring complaints, the Unit recorded a 2.8 percent (7) reoccurring rate of which 86% (6) are repeated offenders who were issued citation orders (Clean-up and Litter Removal Order) and warning letters at the first offence.

As a result of this high repeated rate, the UN DP-funded report recommended that “more severe actions” be instituted for repeated offenders.

Meanwhile, the Litter Enforcement Unit within the EPA, reported that a total of 200 citation orders were issued within Administrative Regions Three, Four and Five, with the majority (76

percent) issued within Region Four, including Georgetown. The report added that a compliance rate of 89 percent with citation order was recorded for 2015.

Further, to-date one citation order was pursued in Court and subsequently resulted in an arrest warrant being issued for the offender. The report also highlighted several challenges in the management of solid waste in Guyana. Among the challenges were: inefficient waste-collection services; challenges at the disposal stations; improper disposal of hazardous waste; lack of technical capacity on hazardous waste; health centers with no treatment facilities; and the burning of paddy shaft.

And as a result of these challenges, the impact of improper solid waste disposal has been many.

The report pointed out that while no specific data has yet been produced to assess the economic impact, littering is directly related to canal clogging and flooding.

This implies a heavy burden on local government bodies due to increased costs of maintenance. In addition, clogging of canals also increases flooding potential which attracts a heavy eco-

nomic cost.

In relation to health, the report states that populations living near illegal dump sites can be affected by the negative environmental impacts of these sites, such as the proliferation of vectors. Additionally, it highlighted that improper disposal of hazardous wastes can result in increased risk for injury and infection to the population.

The environmental impacts were also examined, and according to the report, when waste enters waterways (known as wastewater), it negatively changes the chemical composition of the water affecting all ecosystems existing in the water. This also threatens the health of both plants and animals.

With illegal dump sites usually formed along road-

ways or waste being dumped in drains of many communities, the State of the Environment report explained that this contributes to poor aesthetics and contamination of the environment.

It was noted too, that over time, these wastes would produce odors that are unpleasant to the persons living in the community.

Row over dam at Queenstown, Essequibo

APPROXIMATELY sixty residents residing in Queenstown on the Essequibo Coast are now affected, as a result of claims being made to the main access dam to gain ingress and egress, as private property.

According to one resident, the village has been in existence for over one hundred years and the particular dam was known to have been state land. The disputed dam is situated at the western end of Queenstown and next to the post office.

The area has occupants on both sides of the dam and it is one of the said residents who are now claiming the land.

As a result, a fence has been erected to prevent the other residents from using the dam causing tensions to rise. When contacted, one of the affected residents, who spoke to the Guyana Chronicle described the situation as untenable and a gross injustice to the people of the village. He claimed that he has been living in the area for almost 45 years and the dam was built and maintained by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

He further claimed that numerous letters were sent to Government Officials

of the previous administration, including the former Minister of Local Government ,seeking his intervention. “Nothing was done since 2012 when the dam became an issue,” the resident said, adding that the NDC is fully aware of the matter but has been unable to provide an amicable solution.

He however claimed that at the last statutory meeting of the NDC, Councillors unanimously voted for the resurveying of the area in an effort to provide an access for the residents. Another affected resident explained that with the present uncertainty concerning ownership of the dam, he is fearful that should an emergency occur, no vehicle will be able to traverse there, because it is now being blocked with the erection of a fence.

The current scenario is causing a rift between the other residents and the claimant of the dam and according to him, “it can lead to serious problems if the authorities do not intervene urgently.” A delegation from the village is set to meet with the Regional Chairman shortly upon the recommendation of the NDC. (Elroy Stephney)

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‘Grey Boy’ back in police custody

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 10, 2017

–– family seeks meeting with AG

By Clestine Juan AN unstable Regan ‘Grey Boy’ Rodrigues remains in police custody at the Diamond Police Station, East Bank Demerara (EBD), even

Dead: Courtney Crum-Ewing though he was acquitted three times for the murder of political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing, who was gunned down on March 10, 2015.

On Wednesday, city magistrate Judy Latchman upheld the decision she made at the end of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on June 5, 2017, when she discharged the case against Rodrigues on the ground that there is insufficient evidence to commit him to the High Court. The magistrate went against a directive issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, who instructed that the case be sent to a judge and jury.

Rodrigues has been in police custody since April 14, 2017; after being told of his freedom on Wednesday, he was taken to the Brickdam Police Station, Georgetown, under the pretext that he had to sign documents for his release; however, upon his arrival there, Rodrigues was shackled and transported to the Diamond Police Station, much to his surprise and that of his family. He was informed that he will be kept in police custody for the next 72 hours.

On Thursday, his rel-

atives visited the office of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC, to seek an audience. However, they were told that the minister was not available.

The relatives had told the Guyana Chronicle that Rodrigues is frustrated with the “back and forth” and does not understand why he remains in police custody. According to the relatives, the 40-year-old of Riverview, Georgetown, has threatened to kill himself while in custody at the Diamond lockups.

When contacted by this newspaper on Thursday, ‘A’ Division Commander, Marlon Chapman, confirmed that Rodrigues is still in police custody. However, he was unable to explain on what grounds the former murder accused is being held.

“All I know it is concerning an issue at the court,” the police commander explained. The Guyana Chronicle also contacted Public Relations Officer of the DPP’s office, Liz Rahaman, for further clarification on the issue, but she referred all questions to Special Prosecutor, Nigel Hughes; several calls to Hughes’s phone went unanswered.

The DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack, had instructed Magistrate Latchman via a letter, to commit Rodrigues to stand trial in the High Court. However, on Wednesday, despite the objection raised by the DPP, the magistrate dismissed the charge again and told Rodrigues that he was free to go.

Magistrate Latchman dismissed the case on the ground that there is insufficient evidence against him. In her ruling, the magistrate said that while she was satisfied that the gun which was used to shoot Crum-Ewing was found at the home of the accused, the evidence offered by the prosecution did not implicate Ro-

drigues in the actual murder.

In relation to the 14 oral statements made by Rodrigues, which were admitted into evidence, the magistrate said they did not implicate him in the murder and there is no evidence that Rodrigues used the gun, pulled the trigger and shot Crum-Ewing.

But in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle earlier this week, the special prosecutor said that in one of Rodrigues’s oral statements, there is sufficient evidence that he has knowledge of the murder.

According to Hughes, when Rodrigues was first arrested by the police at his home in River View,

Regan Rodrigues, known as ‘Grey Boy’ Ruimveldt, he had said to the ranks: “Officer, yuh can’t arrest me with this gun, this gun used to do nuff thing.”

As such, Hughes emphasised that based on this statement by Rodrigues, it shows that the accused had knowledge of the crime and what the gun was used to do. Additionally, Hughes, who is a prominent attorney, told this newspaper the fact that the murder weapon was found in the home of the accused, shows that there is sufficient evidence for the matter to be committed to the High Court In September 2016, Rodrigues was freed of the murder charge by Magistrate Latchman, due to the lack of evidence. The office of the DPP decided

to re-open the case for further evidence from police witnesses and for the magistrate to rule on the oral statements made by Rodrigues.

The bullet-riddled body of Crum-Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme, EBD, on March 10, 2015. The 40-yearold was shot twice to the

temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach.

The police in a statement had stated that the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body.

It was reported that the killer (s) used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing.

The political activist was well known for his one-man protest outside the office of former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall. Minutes before he was gunned down, he was reportedly heard via a bullhorn urging residents of the neighbourhood to vote against the then ruling PPP/C party.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 10, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 10, 2017

Mahmudullah, Shakib lead Windies deserve Champions Bangladesh to a historic Trophy wildcard – Lloyd win over New Zealand

Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan celebrates scoring a century

Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan shared a superb 224-run partnership to lead Bangladesh to a memorable five-wicket victory over New Zealand who were knocked out of the Champions Trophy on Friday.

Chasing 266 to win the Group A game, Bangladesh slumped to 33 for four as Kiwi seamers Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Adam Milne made the new ball swing.

Opener Tamim Iqbal, who had scored 128 and 95 in his last two innings, was trapped lbw for nought by Southee in the first over.

The 28-year-old Southee ran through the Bangladesh top order, dismissing Soumya Sarkar (3) and Sabbir Rahman (8) before Milne removed Mushfiqur Rahim for 14.

But Mahmudullah and Shakib produced a vintage batting display, keeping the required run rate under control as they put together the first 200-run stand for Bangladesh in one-day internationals.

Shakib reached his hundred with a massive six in the 46th over before Boult removed him for 114 and Mahmudullah finished on 102 not out to guide Bangladesh home with 16 balls to spare.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat after the match was delayed by an hour due to rain.

Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed made an early breakthrough when Luke Ronchi gave a catch to mid-on with 46 runs on the board.

Williamson (57) and Ross

Taylor added 83 runs for the third wicket before the skipper was run out after being sent back attempting to sneak a quick a single.

Ahmed returned to the attack to dismiss Taylor who made 63 off 82 deliveries.

Part-time off-spinner Mosaddek Hossain stunned the Kiwi middle-order, removing Neil Broom (36), Jimmy Neesham (23) and Corey Anderson, who was trapped lbw for a first-ball duck. New Zealand managed just 62 runs in the final 10 overs, the lowest tally by any team in this year’s tournament.

Bangladesh moved up to second in the standings and will qualify for the semi-finals if Group A leaders England beat third-placed Australia on Saturday.

FORMER West Indies captain Clive Lloyd would love to have seen the regional team be the beneficiaries of a wildcard entry for the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.

The West Indies, champions of the tournament in 2004, missed out on making the cut for the current edition after falling outside of the world’s top eight-ranked teams by the September 30, 2015 deadline.

The team’s failure to do so marked the first time since the tournament’s inception year in 1998 that the maroon caps will not be part of the event.

Questions have since been raised in several quar-

ters regarding the West Indies’ absence, with several arguing that the regional team will be hugely missed.

Among the suggestions proposed for the future is

Clive Lloyd

the implementation of a wildcard rule, which, similar to the sport of tennis,

would allow organisers leeway in terms of the teams invited to the tournament.

“It could have been an ideal situation. If you have won the competition, you should be automatically chosen,” Lloyd told Ahmedabad Mirror.

“Yes, the wildcard rule would be great. This is because people like the brand of cricket the West Indies play. They won the T20 competition only last year,” he added.

The West Indies are currently 9th in the One Day International rankings and also face the prospect of missing out on automatic qualification for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday,June 10, 2017

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

APPRECIATION CEREMONY FOR NATIONAL U15

NAMILCO RECOMMITS TO THUNDERBOLT FLOUR POWER NATIONAL U17 TOURNAMENT – Tournament To Begin on June 17 –

President Wayne Forde flanked by representatives of sponsors and the National Under 15 squad

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) hosted an appreciation ceremony for the members of the National U15 team who were victorious in the recently-concluded Soualiga Tournament in St. Martin from June 1 – 5, 2017.

This was held on Wednesday, 7th June, 2017 at 10:00hrs on the lawns of the GFF and featured special prizes from six partners for players in various categories as follows: 1 HIGHEST GOAL SCORER (SCOTIABANK) - Omari Glasgow 2 PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT (NAMILCO) - Wayne Da Silva 3 GOAL KEEPER OF THE TOURNAMENT ( N A M I L C O ) - S h a wn Adonis 4 MOST IMPROVED PLAYER (COURTS) Marcus Wilson 5 OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP (COURTS) - Joshua Braithwaite (captain) 6 GOAL SCORERS (SCOTIABANK) 1) Orville Daniels (vs BVI)

2) Ronaldo Rodrigues (vs BVI) 3) Tyrel Khan (vs BVI) 4) Ken Salvador (vs BVI) 5) Omari Glasgow (vs BVI & Dominica) 6) Troni Semple (vs Martinique) 7) Jermaine Garrett (vs St. Martin) 7 ThunderBolt Flour Power Incentive 1) Orville Daniels 2) Troni Semple 8 Vouchers For Team Members (Ansa Mc Al) 9 Presentation of Caps (IMPRESSIONS Branding) The GFF thanks the following sponsors for their contribution of the success of the programme: 1. SCOTIABANK – primary sponsor of the Academy Training Centres and supplier of monetary vouchers for all goal scorers.

2. THE NATIONAL MILLING COMPANY (NAMILCO) – primary sponsor of the GFF-NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National U17 Tournament

and contributor of four prizes (School package for ‘Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ and ‘Most Improved Player’ and an electronic tablet each for two players who were part of the Thunderbolt Flour Power National U17 team) 3. ANSA MC AL (under their GinsengUp brand) for the supply of monetary vouchers to all participating players 4. COURTS GUYANA INC. for the supply of tablets for ‘Player of the Tournament’ and ‘Outstanding Leadership’ 5.IMPRESSIONS BRANDING – for the supply of specially-designed cap for the entire squad 6. GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA (via the National Sports Commission) – for the supply of the National Sports Commission’s ‘Sport Award of Achievement’ – the highest award given for outstanding achievement in sport The ceremony was hosted by Debra Francis – GFF’s Communications and Public Relations Officer

The National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO), the key sponsor of the Thunderbolt Flour Power National U17 Tournament, has expressed its continued commitment to youth football by presenting its sponsorship cheque to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to enable the operations of the named intra-association tournament.

This was held during a meeting between representatives of the two agencies on Monday, 5th June, 2017 at the conference room of NAMILCO. In giving brief opening remarks, Acting President, Brigadier (ret.) Bruce Lovell said, “I would like to express the GFF’s gratitude for the continued support that NAMILCO plays to football as a whole. We have the U15 team winning a tournament in St. Martin (over the weekend) so we have started the see the fruits of the partnership; we have two players from the U17 team in the squad – Troni Semple and Orville Daniels.

The meeting discussed the operations of the tournament with key highlights and challenges noted as

NAMILCO's Managing Director Bert Sukhai hands over sponsorship cheque to GFF's Acting President Brigadier (ret.) Bruce Lovell

well as opportunities for greater effectiveness in execution and management of the tournament.

Managing Director Bert Sukhai, in wrapping up, said he was looking forward to the new phase of the tournament.

“We wish to give you all the support needed with the plans going forward to effectively execute and manage the tournament and increase visibility of same. We’re open to new ideas so feel free to share to help stimulate the public’s interest in the tournament and the development of the future of football (youths).”

Present at the meeting on behalf of NAMILCO were

Fitzroy Mc Leod, Financial Controller and Affeeze Khan, Marketing Consultant. In addition to First Vice President Lovell, the GFF delegation to the meeting included Ian Alves, Competitions Director; Lyndon France, Coach’s Education and Development Officer; Draio Mc Klmon, Marketing Director and Debra Francis, Communications and Public Relations Officer.

On Friday, 9th June, the GFF presented the cheques to the respective Regional Member Associations in the Boardroom of the GFF. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Saturday, 17th June.

Representatives from Regional Member Associations with their cheque together with President Forde and GFF officials

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

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

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 10, 2017

Afghanistan beat WI Afghanistan had won on four previous occasions when Rashid Khan had picked four wickets or more. But Friday brought him one of his tougher challenges: he had only 212 to defend on a sluggish St Lucia surface but that only seemed to spur him on.

The 18-year old legspinner finished with 7 for 18 - the fourth-best haul in ODI history - and West Indies were bowled out for 149.

The 63-run victory for Afghanistan, their first in this format over a Full Member other than Zimbabwe, exposed the ineptness of a West Indies unit struggling in their quest to qualify directly for the 2019 World Cup. Rashid, introduced in the 23rd over with West Indies looking seemingly steady at 68 for 2, broke open the game by picking up four wickets for one run. And if that isn’t impressive enough, he was on a hat-trick twice during the course of his first two overs.

Jason Mohammed played for a straight ball when there was turn, debutant Roston Chase fell for a golden duck, completely deceived by a

googly, Shai Hope was snaffled courtesy Mohammad Nabi’s brilliance at slip and Jason Holder’s defence was breached by a ripping wrong ‘un. At 70 for 6, West Indies were railroaded, having to switch back to survival mode.

That didn’t prevent Ashley Nurse from trying un-

stunned New Zealand in the Champions Trophy.

While Rashid walked away with the plaudits among bowlers with at least 50 wickets, he has the best bowling average (15.05) and strike-rate (22.3) - it was opener Javed Ahmadi quietly worked his way through to make 81, his highest ODI

Rashid Khan looked like he would get a wicket with every ball

gainly slogs and was quickly shown his place by a skiddy googly that gave Rashid his second five-for in ODIs. The upset was sealed in the 45th over as Afghanistan added to the shockwaves that rocked the cricket world this night.

After all, it was only a few hours previously that another underdog Bangladesh had

score, to set the game up. He showed the resolve to fight through testing spells from Shannon Gabriel and Miguel Cummins and, given he had to face a lot of short-pitched bowling, he also showed that he was particularly strong square of the wicket. Forty of his runs, including four fours and a six, came behind point.

Ahmadi built the platform in a slow, but assured, second-wicket stand of 55 with Rahmat Shah, before West Indies hit back with two quick strikes. They went into a shell against Nurse, who used the strong breeze to drift the ball away from the right-handers. He took out Asghar Stanikzai, who played for turn when there was none, and Samiullah Shenwari, who was unfortunately given out as the ball lobbed to slip off his forearm while trying to reverse sweep. With Afghanistan at 131 for 5 in the 38th over, and Ahmadi back in the pavilion as well, West Indies had a firm grip over the contest. But Gulbadin Naib used his muscle to pepper the legside boundary and take apart Jason Holder, who conceded 36 off his last three overs. Naib would hammer three fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 28-ball 41.

The 58-run stand for the eighth wicket with Mohammad Nabi, who quietly finished 27 not out, would signal the change in momentum for Afghanistan.

West Indies would have hoped for a brisk start from their batsmen but it was not to be and by being diffident and overcautious,

they played themselves into a situation where one costly lapse could trigger an alarming slide. And slide they did. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Afghanistan innings Noor Ali Zadran c †Hope b Holder 5 Javed Ahmadi c †Hope b Cummins 81 Rahmat Shah c Carter b Gabriel 17 Asghar Stanikzai* lbw b Nurse 2 Samiullah Shenwari c Holder b Nurse 22 Mohammad Nabi not out 27 Afsar Zazai† c Chase b Joseph 13 Gulbadin Naib not out 41 Extras: (w 4) 4 Total: (6 wickets; 50 overs) 212 Did not bat: Rashid Khan, Amir Hamza, Dawlat Zadran Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Noor Ali Zadran, 5.1 ov), 2-68 (Rahmat Shah, 20.5 ov), 3-87 (Asghar Stanikzai, 25.1 ov), 4-131 (Javed Ahmadi, 36.4 ov), 5-131 (Samiullah Shenwari, 37.5 ov), 6-154 (Afsar Zazai, 42.4 ov) Bowling:ST Gabriel 8-2-21-1, JO Holder 10-0-65-1, ML Cummins 10-1-32-1, AS Joseph 10-0-52-1(1w), AR Nurse 10-134-2, RL Chase2-0-8-0 West Indies innings (target: 213 runs from 50 overs)

E Lewis c Amir Hamza

b Gulbadin Naib 21 KOA Powell lbw b Dawlat Zadran 2 SD Hope† c Mohammad Nabi b Rashid Khan 35 JN Mohammed c Mohammad Nabi b Rashid Khan 7 RL Chase lbw b Rashid Khan 0 JL Carter c sub (Shafiqullah) b Dawlat Zadran 19 JO Holder* b Rashid Khan 0 AR Nurse lbw b Rashid Khan 12 AS Joseph lbw b Rashid Khan 27 ML Cummins b Rashid Khan 5 ST Gabriel not out 2 Extras: (lb 2, w 17) 19 Total: (all out; 44.4 overs) 149 Fall of wickets 1-3 (Powell, 2.1 ov), 2-41 (Lewis, 15.2 ov), 3-68 (Mohammed, 22.1 ov), 4-68 (Chase, 22.2 ov), 5-70 (Hope, 24.3 ov), 6-70 (Holder, 24.4 ov), 7-90 (Nurse, 28.6 ov), 8-135 (Carter, 39.2 ov), 9-144 (Joseph, 42.4 ov), 10-149 (Cummins, 44.4 ov) Bowling: Dawlat Zadran 8-1-25-2 (3w), Mohammad Nabi 10-0-34-0 (3w), Amir Hamza 9-028-0 (1w), Gulbadin Naib 8-0-31-1 (4w), Samiullah Shenwari 1-0-11-0 (1w), Rashid Khan 8.4-1-18-7 (3w)

NAMILCO Intra-Association U-17 Bolt remains 23rd on tournament to kick off next week 2017 Forbes rich list THE National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO), the key sponsor of the Thunderbolt Flour Power National U-17 Tournament, has presented its sponsorship cheque to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to enable the operations of the named intra-association tournament.

This was done during a meeting between representatives of the two agencies last Monday at the conference room of NAMILCO. In giving brief opening remarks, acting president Brigadier (ret.) Bruce Lovell said, “I would like to express the GFF’s gratitude for the continued support that NAMILCO gives to football as a whole. We have the U-15 team winning a tournament in St Martin (over the weekend), so we have started the see the fruits of the partnership. We have two players from the U-17 team in the

squad – Troni Semple and Orville Daniels.”

The meeting discussed the operations of the tournament with key highlights

and management of the tournament.

Managing Director Bert Sukhai, in wrapping up, said he was looking forward to

NAMILCO’s Managing Director Bert Sukhai (L) hands over sponsorship cheque to GFF acting president Brigadier (ret.) Bruce Lovell.

and challenges noted as well as opportunities for greater effectiveness in execution

the new phase of the tournament, adding, “We (NAMILCO) wish to give you

all the support needed with the plans going forward, to effectively execute and manage the tournament and increase visibility of same.

We’re open to new ideas so feel free to share, to help stimulate the public’s interest in the tournament and the development of the future of football (youths).”

Present at the meeting on behalf of NAMILCO were Fitzroy McLeod, Financial Controller and Affeeze Khan, Marketing Consultant.

In addition to First vice-president Lovell, the GFF delegation to the meeting included Ian Alves, Competitions Director; Lyndon France, Coach’s Education and Development Officer; Draio McKlmon, Marketing Director and Debra Francis, Communications and Public Relations Officer.

The tournament is scheduled to begin next week at the various affiliates of the GFF.

WORLD’S fastest man Usain Bolt remains the 23rd highest paid athlete in the world, according to the 2017 Forbes World’s Highest-Paid Athletes list.

The Jamaican sprint superstar, who is expected to retire from the sport of track and field later this year, weighs in with a total of US$34.2M. The majority of the runner’s earning continues to come from endorsement deals, a total of US$32M, while US$2.2M comes from salaries. The athlete’s major endorsement deals include Puma, Gatorade, Hublot and Virgin media.

The sprinter, however, also has other minor deals with All Nippon Airways and Australian telecom company Optus. He inked a deal with Enertor to be the face of the upstart sports insole brand.

Bolt has also recently joined comic star Kevin Hart to endorse online poker cardroom PokerStars. As another part of his new business ventures Bolt also launched a new shaving company, Champion Shave.

Headquartered in the US, the brand produces six-blade razors aimed at the budget market. Champion Shave’s Starter Kit costs US$9.99 and includes a handle and four replacement blades.

QUIZ CORNER (FRIDAY MAY 26, 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: 10 wickets Suresh Raina-161 matches Today’s Quiz: How many sixes David Warner struck in IPL 2017?

Who was declared Man of the Tournament at the end of IPL 2017?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

42

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 10, 2017

Realigning his focus –

Tyrell Peters

E I G H T E E N - y e a r- o l d Tyrell Peters had been lying low for a while since the athletics season started, as he nursed an injury, something he said that caused him to lose focus over the past few months, and severely damaged his chances of making this year’s national team to the CARIFTA Games.

However, after last weekend’s South American Junior Championships, Peters is ready to work on his skills and get back where he feels he needs to be.

“If you don’t focus you can’t go anywhere, and I wasn’t focused; so I couldn’t make the team, because I was injured, and was still running, but I’m far better now. I feel much better and I’m getting back to where I was before,” he said.

At last weekend’s Junior Championship, Peters just missed out on taking a bronze in the Boys’ 100m after he ended in fourth place with 10.77 seconds.

He was also in the Boys’ 200m where he ended with 22.18 seconds.

Despite not placing in podium position, the South American Youth Championships silver medallist did not walk away empty-handed, being a part of the Boys’ 4x100m that secured a silver medal behind the Brazil team, with a time of 41.30 seconds.

Peters is looking forward to having another opportunity to see how he measures up against his South American counterparts again, after already showing that he could very much hold his own among them at the youth

Tyrell Peters

level.

“I was happy with my performance because I wasn’t 100% at the Championships. I was suffering with a groin injury, but I still went out there and showed what I had,” related Peters.

It was last November that Peters was among the very successful four-athlete national team at the South American Youth Championships in Argentina, and made headlines when they returned with a total of five medals, despite fighting harsh weather conditions.

Peters won silver in the Boys’ 100m with a time of 10.68 seconds.

“I was really surprised because it was my second experience going out there but I just put my mind to it.

The competition was really hard but the coach said all I needed to do was to focus and I can come out successful,” Peters shared.

The win capped a great

season that also included winning silver in the Boys’ 100m and 200m at the Inter-Guiana Games, in 10.69 seconds and 22.06 seconds respectively.

However, he took a blow when he could not make it for this year’s CARIFTA team.

“I felt down but I had to go and train harder and make another team,” He said.

Peters was looking forward to last weekend’s meet to see how he shaped up at the junior level, after only just coming out of the youth (Under-18) level of competition.

Now with everything all said and done, Peters confesses that the competition was definitely a tough one.

“Competition is never enough. The competition was real stiff, but my starts weren’t 100% and I had my injury, so those things were what really bothered me,” he said.

Dennis Roberts is Guyana’s ultimate all-rounded junior athlete - Wins silver in the South American Juniors boys’ decathlon

NINETEEN-year-old Dennis Roberts joined the Guyana squad for the South American Junior Championships with the hope of finding a place on the team in one of his regular events – the 400m, 800m, high jump, triple jump or long jump – but when he found out that there was an opening for a Boys’ decathlon athlete, he just had to volunteer.

It was a willingness to try new things that led Roberts to volunteer for the event, which ended with his finishing with a silver medal in the decathlon at the South American Junior Championships (SAJC), when it was held in Guyana last weekend at the National Track and Field Centre.

“I wanted to take a chance at doing something new, and I did well so now I plan to keep doing this forever even,” Roberts said.

In Athletics, the men’s decathlon is considered the “ultimate all-round test”, because it covers 10 events from the

whole range of athletic disciplines – running, jumping and throwing – being contested in just two days. The traditional events are the 100m, long jump, shot put, high jump and 400m, competed in on the first day, and the 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500m competed on the second day.

Competitors earn points for their performance, based on a predetermined formula, in each discipline and the overall winner is the man who accrues the most points.

However of these 10 events, only nine events were contested at last weekend’s meet, after the pole vault was cancelled due to technical difficulties.

For the most part, the events were not that difficult for Roberts because, as he puts it, he’s always been somewhat of an all-round athlete. Moreover he was already seasoned in several of the events that the decathlon involved.

“It was very easy for me, because I’ve always used to be a well-rounded athlete.

In primary school I used to throw the shot put, javelin and discus, I used to jump, long jump, high jump. But

it was in two days that I would be doing the event, so I wasn’t really prepared for that.”

Nonetheless, Roberts had just two weeks to restart those events that he no longer did regularly, as well as train for

Guyana’s Dennis Roberts wins the 1500m of the Boys’ decathlon at the 42nd South American Junior Championships. it was just at primary school that I used to throw,” Roberts explained.

“The hardest part was that

those events that he never did – like the hurdles and pole vault. For the hurdles, he had the shortest amount of time,

yet he finished second in this event.

“It was just two days before the competition that they really started teaching me how to clear the hurdles. I didn’t get full training to jump over the hurdles so it was quite hard, but I tried it anyway,” Roberts said.

“I said it my mind I wasn’t settling for a third place; it was either first or second, because it was already just three athletes (in the event).”

With that determined mindset Roberts pushed forward from event to event, and gained momentum as the events progressed.

Roberts topped the high jump and long jump, ending with 1.78m and 6.70m, respectively. He also was the first across the finish line in the 1500m with a time of 4:19.00s. In the 100m he was third (12.07s), while he had a second-place finish in the 400m (53.9s), and even a second place in the hurdles (17.40s).

It was in the throws that things were the most difficult, ending third place in the shot put (8.91m), discus throw (24.16m) and javelin throw (33.61m). Overall Roberts ended with 4 936 points for the silver, the event was won

by Peru’s Ignacio Sanchez who had 5 271 points, and Brazil’s Jordan Santos De Souza was third with 3 361 points.

Motivated by his silver medal, Roberts now has big plans to see how far he can go as an athlete in the event.

But it is going to be easier said than done; more so when Roberts enters the senior category next year, and he’ll be in a pool where points go over 8 500.

However, what Roberts achieved last weekend has opened the door for all stakeholders to realise the kind of potential that exists for Guyana to go beyond our conventional events and start investing in all-rounded athletes.

43

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 10, 2017

DEFEND THE LAND!

Guyana battle Trinidad today in RAN 15s South Zone Final

By Rawle Toney

ONE of the biggest rivalries in Rugby within the Caribbean will take centre stage today at the St Stanislaus College ground, Carifesta Avenue, when Guyana do battle against Trinidad and Tobago in the final of the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s South Zone Final. Kick-off time 16:00hrs.

Brendan O’Farrell, Trinidad and Tobago’s head coach, told Chronicle Sport yesterday that his side is anxiously anticipating the encounter today with Guyana, especially since the ‘Soca Ruggers have been beaten in their last two encounters.

Guyana, more popularly known as the ‘Green Machine’ are acknowledged by many as the most-feared Rugby team in the Caribbean, more so in the game’s shortest version - sevens.

However, in the 15s format, Guyana have made some historical strides, with their victory 30-27 against the USA

(South) in 2014, to win their maiden NACRA (now known as RAN) 15s title in Atlanta their biggest achievement yet.

In both 7s and 15s, Trinidad remain Guyana’s toughest opposition. In last year’s Ran South Zone 15s final, Guyana prevailed 23-18 over Trinidad, but this time around O’Farrell is hoping for a different result.

“Guyana have had the upper hand on us over the last couple of years. We know each other very well and on the day it’s who want it the most,” O’Farrell said, adding, “Both teams would have prepared as well as they can, but at the end of the day it’s who want it the most.”

Despite being tough in their defence, Guyana outscore their opposition using their quickness on the wings, with former national Patrick King and West Indies skipper Claudius Butts doing the damage; but O’Farrell pointed out that adjustments will be made to not only stop the Guyanese from using their advantage.

(But also) “You have to

try and negate the strength of the team. Fortunately, we have quite a few of them playing in Trinidad so we’re familiar with them,” the Trin-

Island, O’Farrell pointed out, “The win will do well for us in Trinidad. Guyana have won the Southern Championship for the last two years and it

Trinidad and Tobago during their practice session yesterday (Adrian Narine photo)

idad and Tobago head coach said.

Asked about the possibility of winning and what it will mean for Rugby on his

will be nice to take the trophy back to Trinidad and move on to play the bigger countries.”

Meanwhile, with a clash against Mexico (RAN’s North

Zone Champions) on the horizon, Guyana’s captain Ryan Gonsalves is hoping to replicate their performance against the Trinidadians last year and urged all to come out and support his side.

It was not all smooth sailing for the Guyanese side, who only on Thursday were able to secure a venue for the game, since their usual battleground, the National Park, was deemed unplayable because of the heavy rainfall experienced over the last couple of days.

The team had to deal with their usual lack of support from both Government and corporate Guyana; something Gonsalves is “challenging”.

“It is challenging and frustrating to see such a good team, playing this good all the years, being faced with these difficulties year in, year out. It is about time someone from the Government put his/ her foot forward, or major sponsors help us out,” Gonsalves said.

“It is always a challenge

for any team playing home or aboard. We are trying to see how we can leave the off-field stuff from affecting us and try to focus on today’s game,” Gonsalves pointed out.

But despite the challenges, Gonsalves is adamant that the ‘Green Machine’ will be ready for today’s game both mentally and physically.

“We are pretty ready for them. We have been working on certain tactics to work the big guys out and see how long they can last. We will be very mobile and attack them rather than sit and wait for them to come to us.”

Banks DIH, a long-time supporter of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), will be partnering with the Union through its world famous Banks Beer brand, for today’s clash.

Communications Manager Troy Peters pointed out that the company is more than happy to continue its alliance with the GRFU and also made a call for the public to support the team.

Xtreme Cleaners/GT Beer Gold Rush Futsal Championship … Quarter-finals decided; Sparta Boss holds off elimination

FOLLOWING the conclusion of round-robin play in the inaugural Xtreme Cleaners/GT Beer Gold Rush Futsal Championship, Sparta Boss, Future Stars, Albouystown, Broad Street Bullies, Bent Street, Sophia, Tucville and Back Circle have all advanced to the quarter-finals.

Sparta Boss secured their quarterfinal berth when they outclassed Sophia 3-0 on Thursday, thanks to goals from Solomon Austin (4th), Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson (12th) and Dennis Edwards (14th minute).

Sophia had several clear chances on goal, but their shots were either well saved or hit the crossbar, as the star-studded ‘kings of futsal’ were able to limp into the knockout stage of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Bent Street, Back Circle and Tucville clinched their place in the knockout round compliments of contrasting results.

Bent Street edged Broad Street 3-2.

Keith Caines, Job Caesar and Daniel Wilson netted in the ninth, 11th and

Part of the action on Thursday in the Xtreme Cleaners/GT Beer Gold Rush Futsal Championship at the National Gymnasium.

16th minute respectively.

For the losers, Daniel Favourite and Rocky Gravesande scored in the fourth and 10th minute each.

Back Circle dismantled

Tiger Bay 3-0. Selwyn Williams scored twice in the second and fourth minutes, while Jermaine Beckles netted in the seventh minute.

Tucville overcame a 4-1

deficit to draw 4-4 with Agricola. Orson Francois bagged a brace in the third and fourth minutes for Agricola, while Domini Garnett and Lloyd Mat-

thews netted in the first and eighth minute.

For Tucville, Jermaine Junior recorded a double in the seventh and 15th minutes, while Jahaal Greaves

and Raphael Edwards scored in the 12th and 17th.

The quarterfinal stage of the tournament will commence next Tuesday, when Albouystown come up against Broad Street at 20:00hrs, Sophia will engage Bent Street, Back Circle will lock horns with Tucville and Sparta Boss will have to live up to their hype against Future Stars.

The semi-final round kicks off on June 15, with the grand final set for June 17.

Winners of the tournament will pocket $500 000 and the championship trophy. On the other hand, the runners-up will receive $200 000 and the respective accolade.

The third- and fourth-place finishers will pocket $100 000 and $50,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade. On the individual side, $50 000 will be awarded to the Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Other sponsors of the event include Fas Grafix, Jefford’s Distribution and Sales, Giftland Distribution Store and FARMSUP Mining Investments Inc.

Afghanistan beat WI See page 41

DEFEND THE LAND! ...Guyana battle Trinidad today in RAN 15s South Zone Final

Guyana’s 15s Rugby Team

Xtreme Cleaners/ GT Beer Gold Rush Futsal Championship Part of the action on Thursday in the Xtreme Cleaners/GT Beer Gold Rush Futsal Championship at the National Gymnasium.

… Quarter-final teams decided; Sparta Boss holds off elimination

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SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2017