Guyana chronicle e paper 06 17 2017

President, WPA for talks today Page 2

Bolstering customs No. 104946

SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

…$930M contract cleared for new GRA accounting software

Early release from NOC

Miner killed by sexual deviants Page 17

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Singh exits CANU … President says children better off in school than in detention President David Granger and Minister of Education, Ms. Nicolette Henry listening to the concerns of this student at the New Opportunity Corps (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

10 CXC max –– circular out for cap on CSEC subjects

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Rice farmer crushed by tractor Page 8

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President, WPA for talks today

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

… Roopnaraine, reassignment other matters on agenda

PRESIDENT David Granger will today meet with the executive members of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), a member of the APNU group, to hammer out issues related to the reassignment of Dr Rupert Roopnaraine from the Ministry of Education to Public Service and other issues.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said the meeting will take place at State House. The WPA had requested a meeting with the head-of-state following Roopnaraine’s shift to the Ministry of Public Service on Tuesday. Dr Roopnaraine’s new portfolio became effective on Thursday.

On Tuesday, President Granger announced that following discussions with Dr Roopnaraine on Monday, it was agreed that Dr Roopnaraine would be reassigned to the Ministry of Public Service. However, the move by the president caught executive member of the WPA Dr David Hinds by surprise.

Hinds, a vocal activist said the party was not

by the President and advised about the movement before it took place.” The issues affecting the WPA will be discussed in full today at State House, Harmon announced.

“The meeting will be held on Saturday at 10 am at State House as requested by

it is a new challenge,” the former minister of education said, while adding: “I did the best I could in the Education Ministry; we got some things achieved.” He explained that he was well acquainted with the education sector, and so moving to a new ministry to which he is unfamiliar will prove challenging.

“I anticipate that the Public Service Ministry is going to present its own types of challenges, having to deal with the conditions of the public servants and

President David Granger consulted on the matter.

While he did not deem the move to be malicious, Dr Hinds believed it could have been handled differently.

However, despite Dr Hinds’ statement, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said “I can say to you that before Dr Roopnaraine was moved, the president did consult with the leader or the Chairperson of the WPA, Desmond Trotman, as well as the leader of the Alliance for Change…

The parties were contacted

Dr. David Hinds the executive of the WPA.” Dr. Roopnaraine has made it clear that he is ready and willing to serve wherever he is assigned by the President. “I am looking forward to the new ministry;

Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

what their concerns are. It is going to be different,” said Dr. Roopnaraine, who noted that he is comfortable with the move.

Dr Hinds for his part had noted that if beyond the meeting with the President the WPA is not satisfied with the outcome, it would prefer additional consultations. According to him, he has documented regularly the need for consultation at the level of the government, noting that it is one of the “weaknesses” of the APNU+AFC administration.

As regards the announcement of the Education Minister’s reassignment, he said that the WPA was “amused “at its timing, noting that it was made on June 13th, the date on which the party’s founder Dr Walter Rodney was assassinated. “We are amused by the fact that you would announce on the anniversary

of the assassination of Dr Walter Rodney, this kind of Cabinet reshuffle, which in the minds of the population we can understand, they will see as some kind of demotion”, a vocal Dr Hinds noted.

He said that the WPA would have preferred the entire issue to be undertaken in a consultative manner, noting that the party would have advised against the June 13th timing. He noted too, that while the announcement may not have been done in a “malicious“ manner, it was done insensitively. As regards the party’s role in government, Dr Hinds said that as a part of the coalition, the WPA retains a ministry, noting that “whether that is long term, we don’t know.”

He noted however, that it is unlikely that the party’s place in government would be threatened.

Bolstering customs 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

… $930M contract cleared for new GRA accounting software

By Ariana Gordon THE Public Procurement Commission has approved a contract of US$4,500,000 (GYD$930,177,974) for the implementation of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) Customs ESUASYPM Solution at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) -- a software which among other things will prevent and detect fraud and expedite the clearance of goods.

The contract was among 23 others which Cabinet noted at its meeting earlier this week, State Minister and Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon announced at his post-cabinet media briefing on Friday. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, had announced government’s intention to purchase the software when he delivered his budget speech last year. Jordan had said: “Arising from the failure of the current TRIPS software, which has failed to provide complete solutions for effective customs administration, the GRA will be moving to a more modern, customised, and proven customs solution.”

Jordan said then “not only will this facilitate electronic manifests, but it will also reduce under-invoicing and transfer pricing that is prevalent.”

Meanwhile, Harmon explained that the software solution is an automated system for managing customs data which aids in the efficiency of tax-processing, the prevention and detection of fraud, expediting of the clearance of goods among other things.

“It accepts the submissions

of electronic requests and includes warehousing and risk-management modules.

The software also has single-window capabilities, that is, when a document or transaction is submitted to the GRA, the software gathers data from other agencies that are required for the processing of that

Customs leaders to have an overall and objective understanding of their administration in order to improve effectiveness and efficiency, as well as reducing practices that could be linked to corruption.

Among other things, the system allows for the interrogation of the da-

launch the system next year Meanwhile, Harmon disclosed that a total of $261, 405, 958 has been awarded for the rehabilitation or construction of hinterland roads in Region Seven. Lot 1Karau to Buckhall road, $98,000,450 was awarded

700 has been awarded to Chung’s Global Enterprise for the rehabilitation of miscellaneous roads in Region Six, specifically, Lot 5, Main Access Road Bloomfield.

Some $129, 101, 325 has been awarded for the rehabilitation of hinterland strips in Regions One and

The Guyana Revenue Authority headquarters on Camp Street, Georgetown transaction. It also eliminates the need for the manual retrieval of documents across agencies,” said the Minister of State.

In addition, ESUA S Y P M i s a p e r f o rmance-measurement module which uses data contained in an automated Customs clearance system to produce information on specific Customs procedures, including the actions of Customs officers and traders. Several Customs administrations have demonstrated interest in this approach that enables

tabase and facilitates data-mining for Customs management. It also offers a ‘data and customs procedure’ consistency crosscheck capability to Customs management; readily available for studying operational trends and enabling decision-making; increases monetary value of corrections made by examiners; identifies staff needing to improve their capacity and performance and increases compliance by consignors with Customs requirements. Harmon said the GRA will

to International Import and Supplies, Gharabaran Construction was awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of Lot 2 Bartica, Potaro to St Mary’s quarry to the tune of $18, 724, 800 while Mekdeci Mining Company Incorporated has been awarded two contracts for the completion of Lots 3 and 4, the Issano Road, Phase 1- White Hill to the tune of $92, 095, 235 and the Bartica, Potaro Road phase 1 – Sherima Bypass to the tune of $52, 585, 500.

Additionally, $30, 813,

Seven.

BK International Incorporated was awarded a $59, 101, 325 contract for rehabilitation of the Ekereku Bottom Airstrip, Region Seven, while Mohamed Ramzanalli Khan Construction won the &70,000,000 contract for the rehabilitation of Lot 2 of the Baramita airstrip, Region One. INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT Meanwhile, infra structural development for the Guyana Water

Incorporated (GWI) for the rehabilitation of distribution network and service upgrade in Port Kaituma, Region One, AMIC General Contracting Service was awarded $26, 193, 904. For the supply of equipment, materials and labour for the rehabilitation of potable water wells in East Berbice-Corentyne, Region Six, Water and Oil Well Service Company Limited of Trinidad and Tobago has been awarded a contract valued at $66, 866, 000. Wells at Eversham, Number 63 Village, Number 47 Village, Fyrish, Number 96 and Number 57 villages will be rehabilitated in the process.

The Guyana Energy Agency will benefit from the supply and installation of grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems on 57 government buildings as Meeco Services Deutschland (GmbH) Germany has been awarded a contract for $35, 323, 631. $29, 509, 109 has been awarded to Brenco Shipping and Trading Company Limited for the supply of buoys and beacons to the Maritime Administration Department. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) stands to benefit from the procurement of frozen fish by Global Seafood Distributors to the tune of $44, 987, 815.

Meanwhile, a total of $38, 546, 515 has been awarded to General Distributors ($10, 714, 520), Paradise Food Court ($19, 660, 380), Guynaz Green Grocer, Supermarket and Meat Centre ($3, 063, 651), Om’s Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Catering ($5, 108, 000) for the supply of dry and fresh rations.

Singh to leave CANU

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday,June 17, 2017

…but door ajar for ‘alternative placement options’ AS government moves ahead with its plan to merge the Customs Anti- Narcotics Unit (CANU) with the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA), substantive head of CANU James Singh has been informed that his service will no longer be needed, but the door has been left ajar for alternative placement options.

In a statement on Friday, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, said “I have directed that Mr. James Singh, head of CANU, should proceed on the remainder of his accumulated leave, whereupon he would be given notice of his termination of employ. All benefits consequent thereupon would also be granted to him.”

Upon completion of his leave, Singh would no longer head CANU, but is likely to be reintegrated into the state machinery. The CANU head was sent on leave in March as government moved to revamp its premier anti-drug agency.

Head of NANA, Major-Gen-

eral Retired Michael Atherly, has since been commanding operations there.

Ramjattan said too that the recent Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the circumstances surrounding the entry into, the interception, detention and subsequent release of an unnamed private maritime vessel in the sea space of the territory of Guyana, headed by Bruce Lovell, made a number of recommendations, one of which is the restructuring of the unit.

“The decision also was taken that this unit will come under the soon-to-be established National Anti-Narcotics Authority (NANA),” he said, noting that “in a scenario where very complex and difficult decisions have to be made, there is need for some amount of reconfiguration and restructuring.” Singh has served at CANU for nine years and as such, the Public Security Minister said he hopes “to engage him on alternative placement options.”

Meanwhile, the move by

the administration to extend Singh’s leave comes after President David Granger, who is also head of the National Security Committee, reviewed the report of the recently completed CoI. A vessel was spotted in Guyana’s waters off the Corentyne coast moving north between February 11 to 14, 2017.

While in the vicinity of Shell Beach, it was intercepted by local authorities and brought into the Waini River and searched.

Though narcotics were not found on the vessel, which was subsequently released, it is suspected that the vessel is linked to a massive high-seas drug bust, which ensnared four Guyanese nationals and netted cocaine worth US$71.7M, 70 nautical miles north of Suriname in international waters.

Earlier Friday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said the President had given direction to Ramjattan for action based on the findings of the report. “The President has made some recommendations on the report; he

has sent the recommendation to the Minister of Public Security for action to be taken. I don’t want to play the hand of the minister, but the minister has been given some clear guidance as to what should be done and I think he is taking action in that regard,” said Harmon.

Asked whether any of that action pertains to Singh being removed from office, Harmon replied, “That would be one of the guidance.”

Singh was appointed Head of CANU in 2008 when, following a series of polygraph tests, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government fired the agency’s head Orville Nedd. The government then said that Singh was the successful candidate out of a number of persons who had applied for the job. Singh is the holder of a Diploma in Public Safety and Security Management from the University of Guyana, an International Diploma in Business Management – Cambridge International College

Early release from NOC PRESIDENT David Granger has indicated that he has commenced a process to look at the early release of girls and boys housed at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) at Onderneeming, Region Two ( Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The Head-of-State visited the facility on Friday to speak with the 85 young people, the majority of whom have been committed to the institution for wandering.

He said as part as an overall plan to ensure improvements to the physical conditions and the programmes offered, Government will in the short-term be setting up a criteria and a system to ensure that regular early release is an option for those who qualify.

In addition, the President said Government, as it enters deliberations for the development of the 2018 National Budget, is looking to make

interventions at the institution to ensure young people housed there, are rehabilitated and equipped with skills that will facilitate a smooth re-integration into society.

Accompanying the President on the visit was Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, under whose purview the NOC falls.

The minister is tasked with ensuring that a system is implemented to allow for regular presidential pardons, as currently there is no structure or methodology to allow for this to be properly considered.

“Once the criteria would be determined, on a case by case basis and they would be satisfied by the students, there would be greater opportunities coming out of this to implement a system where they’re more presidential pardons,” the minister said.

Further, the minister said efforts will be made to ensure that there are no unnecessary

James Singh

and a Diploma in Electronics Engineering from the De Vry Institute of Technology, Toronto, Canada.

UNFORTUNATE Meanwhile, former Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, believes that the action against Singh is unfortunate, given his “vigilance and professional conduct over the years.” “It is most unfortunate.

I believe that CANU has lost a highly professional individual.

It is indeed a sad day for law enforcement in the area of countering narcotic activities,” Rohee told this publication last evening at Public Building.

The former Home Affairs Minister noted that the selection of Singh as head of CANU 10 years ago was arrived at after “lengthy consultations.” He said that a number of persons had applied for the post and were considered by a panel which was set up. Rohee recalled that the panel had submitted Singh’s name to the then Home Affairs Minister as the best candidate. Rohee said he subsequently endorsed the nomination and sent it to then President Bharrat Jagdeo. Weighing in on Singh’s performance, Rohee said that: “I think he did a fantastic job. He brought CANU from the doldrums into a dynamic and professional organisation. He managed to mobilise around him, a team of professionals who managed to execute their tasks with great energy and efficiency.”

-- President says children better off in school than in detention

delays that hinder the delivery of basic services, that the period of sentence is equated to the misdemeanour committed by an offender and that rehabilitation programmes are effectively implemented.

President Granger remains focused on education and youth empowerment and strongly believes that children are better off in educational institutions rather than in incarceration or detention.

“Going to school is important for me and staying in school is important for me and it is important for you too, because in whatever you do, you must be able to read, write, spell and count… You must be literate. We cannot build a country with illiterate persons and that is why I want all of you to take your education seriously. It is my vision that you must get the best possible preparation for when you are ready to take over this country,” the President told the children.

Noting that education and skills training are important aspects of their rehabilitation, President Granger said that he will be working with the Minister of Education to explore improvements in the delivery of education and training, extra-curricular activities and psychosocial support.

Speaking to the children after listening to their concerns, he said, “I have come to make some decisions on how were move forward in the NOC. I want to make the NOC better for the boys and girls here… We are going to look at all of your complaints, but the physical things, we will try to get to you before over the next fortnight. We will try to make sure your life is comfortable so when you leave here you will be better equipped to take your place in society,” the Head of State said.

The physical things, the President referred to, include television sets, sporting

equipment and other items that allow for social engagements, during their leisure time.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP He also urged the children to start looking at their options for employment and enterprise, noting that there is significant profit in entrepreneurship, which can improve their lives in the long run.

Many of the children spoke passionately about their desire to become productive members of society, some with aspirations of becoming doctors, teachers, army officers and business owners.

Many of the young people have been committed to the NOC for minor offences and come from difficult familial environments. The Head of State was visibly moved as some of the children cried as they told their stories to him.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

Early release...

They spoke candidly about their experiences at the NOC, and while many of them expressed that being there has helped them to see the need for them to change their behaviour, some of their comments illustrated the need for capacity-building among staff members.

Minister Henry indicated that a 2016 report for an assessment conducted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) flagged the professionalisation of the NOC as a key area for development.

The report, which is intended to identify key areas for the reform of the institution so that it could fulfill its mandate to reintegrate the young people housed there, pointed to the need for capacity-building.

“It is the responsibility of the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) to ensure that the students who are there are rehabilitated so that they can contribute meaningfully to the society. In order to do that, you need to have the appropriate staff,” the minister said.

Minister Henry explained that prior to mid-2015 the type of staff that the institution attracted was far from desirable or suitable.

“When I visited NOC and I looked at the skill set, the qualifications of the staff there, I recognised that most persons that were employed in the capacity to perform the various functions required were not in keeping with what the position required of them… These are children and they need love, they need parental care and as the State we are the parents of those children and, so if you are

dealing with staff that are angry and a student that is angry, then you know what will happen,” she said.

PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT She indicated that the Ministry has recently hired a psychosocial support staff member. Acknowledging that this, by itself, is not enough and recognising the overall deficiencies, Minister Henry requested and received support from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), for a consultant to conduct an assessment to identify critical and immediate areas for intervention so that the limited resources available can be more efficiently used.

“I do have that report in draft… and some of the key areas that were identified had to do with one; in terms of training for staff. It seems like every sector needed staff training and capacity-building. This was identified as particularly important when it comes to the development of a careful process of orienting a new entrant, which takes into consideration each child’s specific needs.”

All of this, the minister said, forms part of the overall approach to improving the conditions at the institution and added that a plan is being developed for the implementation of the overarching recommendations outlined in the report.

Work is being done to develop a strong reintegration system of the children, adequate psychosocial support, education and training.

That report also recommended that extra-curricular activities be improved, par-

ticularly sports and music, both of which the Ministry has responsibility for.

In this regard, she said that the Directors of Culture, of Youth and of Sport will have to collaborate to strengthen the delivery of their respective programmes rather than operate in silos.

REFORM Meanwhile, Minister Henry explained that there are two levels of activity that take place at the NOC in terms of rehabilitation.

One has to do with reforming their behaviour, which caused them to be sent to the facility in the first place, and the second, is geared at ensuring that that they received education and skills training such as carpentry and masonry among other skills that are required in the job market.

“More recently, perhaps in the last three months, we had worked to set up an IT [Information Technology] lab, to ensure that all students once being enrolled in NOC, would have been exposed to training in IT because that is cross-cutting and you pretty much would need IT skills in order to survive in any society respective of what your trade would be. The other area and perhaps the more important reason why they are here is because of deviant behaviour and so there is a programme that is targeted to that, and that programme you know, requires string disciplinary measures and regimentation and the likes. My own view is that that component really needs strengthening and we have been working in order to strength and professionalise

From Page 4 NOC,” Minister Henry said.

The minister said the Head of State’s visit to the facility, is a clear demonstration of his commitment to bring about changes that will have positive impacts on the lives of the youths who are housed there, and that she expects the staff of the facility to examine their work ethic and improve their performance accordingly.

“I know at the level of staffing, notwithstanding the current capacity, they obviously [received the] message that they would have to step it up,” she said.

The NOC is a detention facility for delinquents. It is governed by the Training Schools Act, which provides for the establishment of schools for the education, rehabilitation and vocational training for young offenders under the age of 18.

Most of the children that are currently being house at the facility are being detained for wandering, the Ministry of the Presidency said in a release.

The institution has a current population of 85 children. Its mission is to provide youths with technical, vocational, entrepreneurial and life skills training for personal and national development in a disciplined environment.

President David Granger and Minister of Education Nicolette Henry were warmly received by the students and staff of the NOC

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday,June 17, 2017

Protecting our children EARLIER this week, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, addressing a workshop at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School spoke about the need for educators to protect students and the education system from the dangers lurking on the internet.

Her admonition was: “Whether you are their parents or guardians, their teachers, instructors, headmistresses or counsellors or headmaster, there is no difference in the role that is required of us as adults.” Minister Hughes’ comments come at a time when technology is advancing and social media and the internet in general have become both a blessing and a curse.

Only recently, the social media was rife with discussions surrounding the release and subsequent perpetuation of a number of videos vividly displaying students from various high schools engaging in sexual activity. Minister Hughes said: “We have to do whatever it takes to make them ever so conscious of the possibilities lurking behind their cellphones, and their computer screens. We have to teach them to be cautious, when talking to people they do not know and, even with people they think they know and we have to teach them how to deal with online bullies.”

Dubbed the “sexual act challenge,” the videos had all seem to have been recorded on school premises while the children are in uniform. The circulation of the videos had also sparked widespread outrage on several grounds from members of the public. But really, a fair assessment would point to technology and the dark side that follows along with all its greatness. In this age, our children are born into the world of computers. In fact, tablets and smart phones are

devices made available to children at such a young age, that there are toddlers who know to download and navigate apps and games before even learning to read.

This is the world we live in. Hand in hand with technology, goes the internet -- that vast space of infinite information. This magnificent pair therefore provides us all with one thing: exposure -- to knowledge; to good; to bad; to everything.

A 2014 survey by Time.com revealed that the average young person spends over seven hours a day on media devices, all of which are connected to the internet. The internet, in turn, provides uninhibited access to websites, movies, music videos and apps that portray gross sexual content and messages. The reality of the situation is that upon entry into even the tiniest corner of the internet, a person gains access to the world.

The other side of the coin is that, even without the internet, young people’s knowledge about sexual activity is no less limited. In fact, discussions on this series of events sparked comments that these acts have been occurring for years, and that today’s version in video form and social media popularity is simply an evolution brought on by technology.

But we continue to miss the point. The fact is that our children are exposed and always have been exposed, but the breakdown lies in the lack of boundaries that induce the making of bad decisions. Exposure to the internet makes it impossible to assess exactly how much children learn from each other, both in person and online. But this exposure does not come with advice on how to deal with these elements.

Our children are exposed to the point of overexposure and we must now meet them halfway by ensuring that the knowledge and wisdom we instill in them is just as evolved as the technological world they now explore.

It means that sex education must be upgraded-- at home and in schools. Studies show that Sex Ed is not being taught enough in schools and for those schools that do have it on their syllabuses, many students have already been privy to sex and sexual activities by the time they are actually taught. So consideration should be given as to when the introduction of Sex Ed is made.

Parents, of course, need to talk to their children and move away from the misconception that they are “too young” to deal with certain things. If “too young” does not qualify for their entry into the wide world of the Internet, then it should not qualify for instilling knowledge in them about the things to which the internet introduces them

Region Eight needs sound leadership Dear Editor I HAVE been following the news concerning the REO of Region Eight with regard to the relieving of his duties as accounting officer of that region. I personally believe it was one of the best things that this government has done for this region since it took office.

In the first place, he should not have even been appointed. Apart from the many allegations of corruption, “ which warrant an investigation,” he doesn’t seem to have any idea about management and administration. The big question is why would a government appoint someone to such an important position who is not au fait with their responsibilities?

As a resident, I have never seen this region being managed in such a manner before. This region was being managed in such an ad hoc manner that at times

one would get the notion that the political head was the accounting officer. I recall during the colonial days and even before the regional system came into being, the region was being managed by a district commissioner and despite of the limited resources that were available to them, the region was managed better.

Since this government took office, the regional budget has actually increased by 100 per cent, which they should be commended for.

Despite all of the increases instead of things changing for the better it changed for the worst. It is important for the government to know that providing resources is not all, it needs to monitor it. A responsible government doesn’t just provide resources; they put system in place to ensure that the resources are utilised accordingly.

One example of waste of resources, a bridge was re-

built at Kurukabaru last year.

I was told it cost $17M; that said bridge is being rebuilt this year for almost $10 million this year. They are also two guard huts that were built recently; one at the REO’s residence and another at the Regional Boardroom for a cost of almost $3M. What is so disturbing here is, the boardroom doesn’t need any security. Mr. Editor, isn’t this a waste of taxpayers’ monies.

There is another burning issue that needs to be addressed urgently,it is the misuse of the region vehicles.

All of the vehicles that belong to the various programmes of the Regional Administration, that’s Health, Education, Public Works and Regional Administration and Finance are being controlled by a senior member of the RDC. These vehicles can be seen parked at his home. These vehicles are being used by his relatives for their personal use. On many occasions in the night,

these guys have these vehicles at the discos and night spots having a ball imbibing alcohol. And what is most disturbing is that while these guys have these vehicles for their personal use, these various programmes remain immobile. Instead of these vehicles serve a community, they are serving a family.

On many occasions when these programmes need a vehicle to use, they have the chartered one. I can recall on one occasion when a sick patient came over to Mahdia from the North Pakaraimas for medical treatment there was no vehicle to take her from the airstrip to the hospital, she had to be taken there with an ATV, while the hospital vehicle was parked at this senior RDC official yard. On numerous occasions when the hospital has a patient for medivac they have to be all over searching for a vehicle. These vehicles were procured with taxpayers’

money to serve these various programmes within the entire region -- not just one family.

If ever something is to go wrong the government will be blamed for not providing resources, when in fact the resources are being misused.

What is even more disturbing is every month this officer takes at least two of these vehicles with at least two drums of fuel to the North Pakaraimas where he links up with some senior members of his political party and they would go from village to village campaigning, using State resources for political purposes. Whenever he comes back from his trip, the vehicles have to go into the workshop for repair. Millions of dollars are being spent from these various programmes’ budget to repair these vehicles, when in fact they are not getting the benefit of them.

Since this officer took office he has destroyed most of these vehicles. As soon as

they procure a new one he collects it and has it park at his home for personal use. It would be very interesting to discover whether these vehicles have any log book. And while all of this is taking place, the REO just sits back as though nothing is wrong with that. Is this accounting officer aware that he is accountable for the assets of the region and he should seek to ensure that the resources of the region are utilised to the full benefit of the region?

He is the accounting officer.

The head of the RDC is not the accounting officer, he is the political head. The big question is why this government is permitting such things for so long. Somehow I got the notion that this government doesn’t care much about the persons that voted for them.

Regards James Williams

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

OP-ED

The Americas should defend Venezuela’s democracy with diplomacy

By United States Ambassador Perry L. Holloway THE diverse family of nations in the Americas recognises democracy is a part of our collective DNA. Sixteen years ago in Peru, we underscored this principle with the adoption of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, affirming the right of the peoples of the Americas to democracy and obligating our governments to defend that right. The Organization of American States has for decades provided a forum to discuss our greatest challenges and take action together to address them. The challenge before us today is the death spiral of democracy in Venezuela.

In Venezuela, the Maduro government has relentlessly and intentionally undermined constitutional branches of government from the inside.

Since opposition parties won a majority of seats in 2015, Venezuela’s National Assembly has been systematically smothered by the Maduro government. Citing vague, unproven claims of electoral fraud allegedly committed by three legislators, the government has denied the legislative branch the right to pass laws, and the captive judiciary has declared Venezuela’s Congress “in contempt,” stripping it of all legislative authority. Maduro usurped the right of the National Assembly to appoint new members of the National Electoral Council, a right clearly provided for in Venezuela’s constitution.

When the Venezuelan people tried to hold their government accountable by putting Maduro’s leadership to a vote through a recall referendum, the government again hid behind vague, unproven claims of fraud to delay the

referendum. And, when it became clear the government would lose, it engaged in a failed dialogue. Venezuela’s constitution clearly stipulates that all public offices filled by popular vote are subject to revocation.

Maduro increasingly relies on Venezuela’s military to control the economy, intimidate opponents, and suppress popular discontent.

More than 331 Venezuelan civilians are being held and prosecuted by military courts in secret trials. Yet Venezuela’s constitution clearly states that the jurisdiction of military courts is limited to offences of a military nature.

Venezuela’s Attorney General, appointed by then-President Hugo Chavez in 2007, has condemned the trials and was refused access to the prisoners.

The Maduro government has had every opportunity to end its march away from

United States Ambassador Perry L. Holloway

democracy. Last November, in talks overseen by the Vatican, it promised in a joint declaration with the political opposition that it would remain “strictly within the constitutional framework: one democratic, peaceful, and electoral path.” Remarkably, the government failed to implement any of its public commitments under the talks and has instead continued to sabotage Venezuela’s de-

mocracy. Faced with a crumbling economy and massive popular dissatisfaction, the Maduro government is now destroying the last vestiges of democratic order. The government has called for a constituent assembly to abandon the constitution and write a new one in a process that would instantly wipe away the current National Assembly, the Attorney General, and other existing democratic institutions.

When a government breaks with democracy, we must act in solidarity with its people, not through intervention or interference, but with diplomacy and mediation among all parties to help find a peaceful, democratic, and comprehensive solution. We must ask: if these things were happening in our own countries, would we not want the rest of our American family of nations to speak out, and

reach out, to help restore fundamental democratic freedoms and respect for constitutional institutions?

The spillover effects from Venezuela’s crisis are serious and growing, whether it is irregular migrant flows to countries in our region or the increasing flows of arms and criminal activity that affect the Caribbean in particular. All of our countries have a direct stake in finding a negotiated solution that restores the rule of law and economic prosperity to our troubled neighbour.

The General Assembly of the Organization of American States is the venue for us to unify as a region and act multilaterally to foster negotiations in Caracas to return to a respect for democracy, end the polarizing violence, and help the Venezuelan people reclaim their democratic rights and power.

Poor first crop at GuySuCo Dear Editor, THE pattern of record poor performances continues uncontrollably at GuySuCo. After recording the lowest annual production of 183,652 tonnes in 25 years in 2016, the incompetent IMC strikes yet another blow at the well-being of the industry and another record of 49,600 tonnes of sugar after 16 weeks of grinding operations in firstst crop 2017. This is the second lowest sugar production for a first crop in 25 years and one of the longest, if not the longest crop in recent memory with no estate meeting its targeted sugar production.

The corporation had advised this nation in February this year that it will produce 74,172 tonnes sugar in the first crop, then shamelessly delivers a mere 67% of that target. The estates individual contributions

are: Albion- 18,326 tonnes, Rose Hall- 9,090 tonnes, Blairmont-9,065 tonnes, Enmore- 6,073 tonnes and Uitvlugt- 7,046 tonnes.

Of significance, it must be noted that Rose Hall estate delivered the second highest sugar production but, is slated for closure.

To put into perspective the performance in 2017, it is instructive to compare production with three previous first crops. It is as follows: 2017- 49,600 tonnes, 2016- 56,645 tonnes, 201581,143 tonnes and 201479,995 tonnes.

Editor, with this level of sugar production in the first crop of 2017, the unit cost of production must be astronomical apart from mammoth expenditures in a failing diversification model at Wales estate. With these realities, taxpayers must demand that the corporation’s IMC emerge from its state-of-the-art hide-

out in the LBI compound and give an account for

these unfolding disasters.

How long will politicians

Saturday, June 17, 2017 - 10:30 hrs Sunday, June 18, 2017 -12:00 hrs Monday, June 19, 2017 - 13:00 hrs

defend a failed model for re-organisation of such critical industry?

Regards Sookram Persaud

‘Sugar still sweet’

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday,June 17, 2017

-Felix tells Enmore Martyrs’ rally

By Vishani Ragobeer DESPITE different views expressed for the future of Guyana’s sugar industry, all who gathered to commemorate the 69th death anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs, expressed that their legacy must guide the future of the industry.

The Enmore Martyrs, Lallbaggie, Dookie, Harry, Rambarran and Pooran, died on June 16, 1948 while struggling against the repressive plantocracy.

The ‘Enmore Five’ had once struggled for their rights in the colonial regime, struggled for higher wages, struggled for the support of a representative trade union and struggled to have better living and working conditions.

Speaking at a commemoration ceremony held in Enmore, Minister within

the Ministry of Citizenship, Winston Felix, underscored that just as these workers struggled for a better life, Guyanese now must all focus on creating a better life.

He acknowledged that there have been some controversies surrounding the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCO) and the fate of the sugar industry. There is the outcry from the sugar workers, who have been the largest workforce in Guyana’s history that they will be without livelihood.

Felix, however, noted that the once booming sugar industry has been plagued by a number of external and internal factors causing it to collapse and thus, efforts must be made to foster the creation of an industry that will be economically viable.

“For the period 2011- 2017, the Guyana Sugar Corporation has received more

than $47M in bailouts,” Felix stressed and added that the government (past and present) has expended large sums of money to keep the faltering industry afloat.

While disclosing the failure of the industry to produce and the inability of GuySuCo to manage itself, the minister said, “because of the factors I have outlined for you, we are in a place where the sugar has to adapt and be made more profitable, or it will die a painful death.”

He highlighted to the gathering, that the rationalisation and amalgamation of estates, such as the Wales/ Uitvlugt Estates; the diversification of the estates, such as the seed paddy planting which began at Wales and even the selling or leasing of the Skeldon Estate, are all necessary steps for the creation of a profitable industry.

Soldiers preparing for the salute at the Enmore Martyrs’ Monument

These measures were all presented in the state paper laid in Parliament earlier this year.

In the case of the Uivtlugt Estate, Felix noted that

Government ministers and other officials and invitees at the Enmore Martyrs’ rally

Rice farmer crushed by tractor A 55-YEAR-OLD man succumbed after being pinned by a tractor he was driving in his rice field located at Number 46 Village backlands, Berbice.

The incident occurred around 14:00hrs on Thursday. Dead is Robert Tyndall, a father of seven of Lot 1, Number 46 Village, East Berbice, Corentyne.

According to Kevin Tyndall, his father along with two of his younger brothers, aged 22 and 20, had left home to level some lands in the rice field.

“It had two tractors at the

back, one was parked and my father take the other and he was ramping some land, while my two brothers were leveling not too far away. While my father was ramping the field the tractor slipped and turned over with he. He was pinned to the bottom,” the man’s son related.

The distraught son said his brothers rushed to their father’s aid but were unable to remove the tractor. “They used the other tractor that was there that didn’t work, so we had to get another which help to raise it up,

Dead, Robert Tyndall

then we were able get him out, he was still breathing.”

Tyndall recalled he assisted on taking his father to the hospital and the hardest thing was to see him fighting for his life.

“He was still breathing but it was getting weak, and when we reached the Port Mourant Hospital the doctor tell we they couldn’t find a pulse.” He was pronounced dead at around 15:00hrs. A post mortem will be conducted shortly. An investigation is underway.

this estate is well on its way to producing a satisfactory amount of sugar, but related that there are more than 400 jobs available for those who once worked at the Wales Estate. Transportation is also provided to and fro.

He alleged that “political mischief makers” such as the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), have been deterring persons from going out to work here while the government is aiming to create a viable industry. It is not a case where sugar will be entirely gotten rid of and forgotten, as Felix noted that sugar will still be grown at three estates and produced at two factories.

He asserted, “The sugar still sweet.”

Meanwhile, a fieldworker of GAWU, Gordon Thomas, related that persons who lost their livelihood due to the closure of the Wales Sugar Estate are finding it

difficult to make ends meet.

Though the money needed to sustain the sugar industry is great, Thomas posited that the resultant crime, poverty and other ill-effects are incomparable.

Thomas further countered the Minister’s statement of the availability of jobs by noting that it is “unlawful” to take someone more than 10 miles away to work, and the distance from Wales to Uitvlugt is approximately 25 miles according to him. He also related that many persons have not been paid their severance.

President of the Guyana Trade Unions Congress (GTUC), Coretta McDonald, stressed that despite the various opinions on the next step forward for the industry, all Guyanese must work together and recommit to the betterment of the nation. She posited, “United we stand, divided we fall.”

Fight over bed sheets lands man in court

A NORTH Ruimveldt, Georgetown man was fined $10,000 on Friday for assaulting his room-mate over ‘bed sheets.’

Jermain Abel appeared before city magistrate, Leron Daly and confessed that on June 14, 2017 at North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he assaulted Orandi Adams.

The unrepresented man told the court and he lives in the same home as Adams and on the day in question, Adams went into his room and took his bed sheets.

“I went up to he (Adams) and he started to flare up,” Abel said, as he explained to the court that he confronted his room-mate about the sheets. Abel added that he became annoyed and “chucked” his room-mate.

‘Doctor of doom’ 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

... PM, Trotman assail Jagdeo during debate

OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo was on Thursday night described as “the doctor of doom” and a failure during the debate on the Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill 2017, in the National Assembly.

Trotman was at the time rebutting statements made

by Jagdeo, a former President, which alleged that attempts are being made by the government to misuse revenues to be garnered from oil production here. Jagdeo in his address called for the government to enact legislation that would establish the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

He said it would be best for Guyana to apply the Norwegian approach to save its oil revenue. “That’s why a Sovereign Wealth Fund of the Norwegian type model, not a Trinidad and Tobago model, should be established and brought to this House urgently to ensure that we can manage those resources well,” he said.

Jagdeo noted that the approach by the two-year-old coalition government spelled trouble and even stated that the APNU+AFC government will not win a second term in office. However, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael

Trotman, in a scorching rebuttal said Jagdeo needs to accept that he is no longer President of Guyana. “Mr, Speaker, the opposition leader has to remember he is in the opposition, and he has to remain in the opposition.

We will not be lectured by the Leader of the Opposition about good governance, I’ll take a lecture from Ms Teixeira, from Mr Odinga Lumumba, but I will not take a lecture from you. Not you!

Never! Never!” declared a

THE soon-to-be created Department of Education within the Ministry of the Presidency is one of the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the education system here, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said.

The department will oversee the implementation of innovations and reforms in the education system.

That department, Harmon said, would re-

move the major burden from Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, who is temporarily holding the post following the reassigning of Dr Rupert Roopnaraine to the Ministry of Public Service.

Henry was initially appointed Minister within the Ministry of Education, with responsibility for Youth, Sport and Culture.

Harmon explained that the new department “takes away responsibil-

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

fiery Trotman who received overwhelming support from his colleagues.

Trotman made it clear that Jagdeo’s assertion about the Norwegian model is old-fashioned and noted that, that model cannot apply to developing countries such as Guyana. “Do some new reading. You are in the past.

You are in the past, You are a relic. You are a relic. Your time has passed, you are irrelevant and your time is up,” said Trotman.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo told the House that Guyana is now benefitting from his administration’s hard work, noting that the government has only “temporary stewardship” over the industry. However, Trotman told Jagdeo he has nothing to be proud of as he has failed in every sector while serving as president.

“How could you Mr Speaker, come here and try to lecture us after you have left that behemoth that has failed at Skeldon, you have the temerity to turn up here and lecture us…$200M and can’t produce one kilowatt of power, and you want to come here and lecture us as if you are the world’s greatest economist. How dare you!”

Trotman added: “Mr Speaker…if the people of

Guyana were to hear him they would know he has nothing good to offer, Skeldon is down because of him, the Berbice River Bridge, we are barely holding it up because of him, every sector that he touched is down… the NIS, Marriott Hotel…

You could say whatever, you are a failure. You are a failure. That is why you are sitting there because you failed, that is why you sitting over there. You failed.” The Natural Resources Minister said that seven years ago Guyana had become a pariah state, “washed with drugs money

ity for driving reforms and puts it under the handling of a technical set of persons who are being identified for that purpose. So that the functions of the office of the Minister of Education would have been removed and dealt with by a special set of persons”.

Last year, following the release of the National Grande Six Assessment results, government said there exists a serious problem in En-

glish and Mathematics which require urgent and immediate intervention.

As such, $144M was expended as part of an emergency intervention.

“We trust the results of these new examinations will bear fruit,” said Harmon, who noted that it was realised that the emergency intervention was not enough.

“We needed to go a little further. So, basically, what you will see is some further innovation and reforms that will

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

and corruption, there are people in this House who couldn’t travel abroad and Mr Speaker now we are being told and lectured to…,” he remarked.

JEALOUSY Similarly, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo made it clear that it is the PPP’s intention to mislead citizens, distort and truncate the legislation he deemed as honourable.

“They are misleading the people and nation that this government has created an institution that has arrogated and appropriated the powers of the state of the people, when in fact we are trying to dilute, widen the authority given to the minister and ensure there is a commission that will share the authority by the minister and recommend to him how the oil and gas sector should be administered.”

The prime minister, who is also the leader of the government’s side of the House, accused the PPP of being jealous, noting that the party which has been in power since 1992 before losing the May 2015 General Elections are salivating over the prospect of oil

Education Department was recommended by CoI deal with those particular issues,” the Minister of State noted.

Meanwhile, when questioned about the suitability of Henry to hold Dr Roopnaraine’s post, Harmon said the President has expressed confidence in the minister to perform in the capacity she has been asked to perform.

“Minister Henry is performing the functions of the Minister of Education and that is the function she would

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo revenue. “There is a lot of jealousy and envy you see permeating in the discourse.

That the minister has too much powers and when he tries to share the powers, that he is not serious or have an intention to actually do that.

We know Sir that this gloom and doom is coming at a time when the opposition wants to wage total war against everything, even things that are considered to be good and worthy,” said Nagamootoo.

Minister of State Mr Joseph Harmon perform, until such time that the President in his deliberate judgment, considers there is some other arrangement that needs to be put in place,” the Minister of State said.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

Speaker leaves chambers after Dharamlall’s non-compliance –– PM describes MP’s move as unprecedented

By Ravin Singh

TENSION ran high in the National Assembly on Friday evening after Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Nigel Dharamlall refused to comply with instructions handed down by the Speaker during a debate on the Commission of Inquiry into land rights.

While addressing the August body, Dharamlall, was cautioned by the Speaker for not staying relevant in his presentation as is stipulated by the Standing Orders. After several warnings which were rebutted with justifications from the Opposition MP, the Speaker asked him to take his seat.

Refusal by Dharamlall to comply with the instructions of the Speaker prompted loud heckling from both sides of the House. Within seconds, the heckling evolved into an outburst with both sides vying for vocal dominance. In support

of their colleague, the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) stood in protest, demanding that Dharamlall be allowed to continue his speech.

A decision by the Speaker not to permit it, led to Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira furiously attacking his credibility accusing him of being biased. She referenced an episode on Thursday evening when Minister Raphael Trotman lashed out at Opposition Leader, reminding him of a number of failed projects during his presidency.

“When [Minister] Trotman attacked the Opposition Leader last evening (Thursday) you said nothing.

You sat there and allowed it without saying a word. And tonight you are trying to silence our speaker who has done nothing?” she shouted passionately. After a failed attempt to restore order by aggressively pounding his gavel, the Speaker eventually left the noisy Chambers.

At this point, Opposition

Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who had been missing for most of the session, entered the Chambers and encouraged Dharamlall to continue his speech in the absence of the Speaker. Several other PPP MPs joined in and within a few seconds, Dharamlall was continuing his speech.

However, this was not well received by government MPs who immediately began pounding their desks and repeating chants in obvious disapproval of the decision

by Dharamlall to continue speaking.

Throughout the remainder of his presentation, the opposition MP remained almost inaudible despite several attempts to raise his tone above that of his competitors. After Dharamlall had completed his presentation, the House remained without a Speaker for about 15 minutes. Subsequently, Speaker Dr Barton Scotland re-entered the room and continued the session as per normal.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo speaking to reporters on Friday evening after the Speaker had left the Chambers We i g h i n g i n o n t h e events which were unique in the history of Parliamentary affairs in Guyana, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said that it was “unprecedented”. “That is unprecedented; having him speak to an] [empty] chair” the PM said, adding that he believes it is one of the tactics of the Jagdeo-led opposition. “The intention is to create disruptions and to stir unrest in the country and to use all the

forums, like street corners and line tops” he contended.

With the issue being new to the House, the Prime Minister said that he is not sure how it will be resolved, but that the Speaker is there as a symbol of the independence and integrity of the House.

“Parliament is like a court of law. You have to obey the Speaker or you can be cited for contempt. If you are cited for contempt, you can be asked to leave the

assembly or your seat will be forfeited” PM Nagamootoo explained.

Asked about the PPP’s claims of the Speaker acting in a biased manner, the PM noted that he (the Speaker) is an impartial person who defends the integrity of the House. He offered that from time to time, allegations of biasness will surface.

However, he pointed out that when the claim is made, it has to be established and proven, as opposed to being a mere allegation. In obvious response to the opposition, he said that: “Bias could be, in the eyes of the opposition, their lack of freedom to do what they want to do in the House. They want to be able to speak longer than any other member.

They want to beat around the bush and introduce irrelevant things and abuse the privileges of the House. I can’t think of anyone leveling bias against the Speaker if they themselves are violating the rules.

They are trying to undermine the integrity of the House”

Radio Shack store opens at Giftland Mall FOR THE first time, Radio Shack store has opened its doors to Guyanese at the Giftland Mall, Tu r k e y e n , t h ro u g h a Unicomer- Guyana franchise and shoppers are being invited to enjoy innovative technological solutions as they purchase.

During a simple launching ceremony in the Giftland compound on Friday, Managing Director of Unicomer- Guyana, Clyde Dehaas, indicated that although it is widely reported that the majority of Radio

Shack stores in various locations in North America have been shut down because of bankruptcy, hopes are high for stores in Guyana and the rest of South America and the Caribbean.

“The operations in South America and the Caribbean (are) not affected by anything that is happening in the USA. In South America, in our part of the world, Radio Shack is a very strong brand and we will continue to build out this brand and bring the quality that is desired and that is needed in Guyana,”

Dehaas said in delivering remarks.

Unicomer said too that it has plans for expansion throughout Guyana just as it has spread its wings with Courts Guyana Inc. and Lucky Dollar. It has also recently opened RadioShack stores in the Caribbean Islands of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. The company said in a press statement that parent company, Regal Forest Holdings (RFH), in 2015, acquired brand and franchising rights for Radio Shack in South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

GCCI President, Deodat Indar, (second from left) cuts the ribbon to declare the Unicomer Radio Shack store opened at Giftland Mall, while being assisted by Branch Manager of Radio Shack, Rondell Bristol, (far left); Unicomer- Guyana, Managing Director, Clyde Dehaas (second from right) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Giftland Mall, Roy Beepat, (far right). (Photo by Adrian Narine)

Some of the first customers of Radio Shack Guyana store examine a range of IPADs at the store at Giftland Mall, Turkeyen, Friday

Meanwhile, President of Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar, welcomed the new addition to business in Guyana as one which establishes Guyana as a home for investment. “A lot of people speak doom and gloom for Guyana because of the numbers that we see and whenever we go around the country we see reduced traffic, reduced consumer spending, reduced jobs… In the face of negative national

data of trade and consumer spending, you find that this company , Unicomer, is deciding that we’re gonna invest in this environment to send a signal that Guyana is a destination for investment, it’s a destination for expansion and in the case of UNICOMER, it’s a destination for diversification,” Indar said.

Regal Forest Holdings, parent company for Unicomer, acquired the brand and franchising rights, and intellectu-

al property on April 15, 2015 and now has 73 Radio Shack stores throughout the world.

“The new radio shack store provides innovative solutions to customers’ everyday technological needs and a unique and interactive shopping experience,” Indar said. He added that the range of high quality electrical and technological products is exciting and 99% of them are branded ‘Radio Shack’.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

UK’s security reform to improve national crime-fighting policies – President

PRESIDENT David Granger saluted Britain’s support for the development of Guyana’s security sector and its struggle to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Head of State said that the re-engagement between the two countries on the re-implementation of reforms in the security sector is a welcome development, which will benefit the coun-

especially within the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, as Guyana prepares to finally bring the claims to territory to a peaceful and lawful conclusion.

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Greg Quinn said that British security expert, Mr. Russell Combe, who is an Advisor to President Granger as part of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) project,

President David Granger and British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Greg Quinn, toast to the long-standing relationship between Guyana and Britain try immensely in terms of improving policy-making and crime-fighting. President Granger made these remarks, Thursday evening, at a reception hosted at the residence of the British High Commissioner to Guyana in Bel Air in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s 91st birth anniversary, which she celebrated on April 21.

Among the invitees were First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Ms. Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Chief Justice (ag) Ms. Roxane George-Wiltshire. President Granger said Guyana’s development has been boosted

by Britain’s assistance in the areas of education, public sector reform, strengthening of the Judiciary, disaster relief, water supply, the restructuring of the sugar industry and debt relief. Further, he said, “Britain’s Caribbean Infrastructure Fund will be a welcome and necessary boost to the extension of our country’s infrastructure.”

The Head of State said that the two countries have also enjoyed good cooperation within the framework of the Commonwealth, a body which has come out in full support of Guyana in the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela. The President added that Guyana looks forward to Britain’s continued support,

is on the cusp of producing his initial interim report. He added that in addition to the strategic aspects of his mandate, work will commence as soon as possible to ensure implementation of some of the recommendations he is expected to make.

“His desire, shared I know by all of us, is that in addition to the more ‘strategic’ parts of his mandate, work should start on implementing some of his recommendations as soon as possible. As I have said on many occasions none of us want to see a worthy SSR report produced which simply sits on a shelf,” he noted. Further, the High Commissioner said “the work being done under SSR is only part of a broader relationship we have on combating serious organised crime through a wide range of assistance provided by e.g. the UK’s National Crime Agency, as well as support to the Guyana Defence Force.”

Quinn said that apart from funding projects such as the SSR the UK will be committing, is some £61M worth of Department for International Development (DFID) expected in Guyana over the next five years. He also spoke of the UK just concluded general elections which saw the re-election of Prime Minister Theresa May. The High Commissioner said that next week when Her Majesty addresses

Parliament, countries will know more about the UK’s plans and programmes.

During his visit to London last April, President Granger had met with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who, he said, shares his commitment to environmental protection. “Guyana’s drive to become a ‘green’ state, which will balance environmental sustainability with economic and human development is well known.

I am happy to have had the honour of meeting Her Majesty and of sharing with her a common commitment to forest conservation and the protection of our precious biodiversity. Guyana and Britain have maintained diplomatic relations since May 26, 1966.

The two countries have cooperated at the bilateral and multilateral levels in public security, the promotion of democracy, the protection of the environment, the alleviation of poverty and the development of public infrastructure.

President David Granger and British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Greg Quinn, cutting a cake in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s 91st birth anniversary, while First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger and wife of the High Commissioner, Mrs. Wendy Quinn, look on

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

Fisherman gets eight years for manslaughter

SATESH Dias, a fisherman was on Friday sentenced to eight years in prison by Justice Navindra Singh after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter

in an incident that resulted in the death of his friend.

In handing down his sentence, Justice Singh told the court that he has

taken into account the early plea of the accused, his expression of remorse, and his willingness to learn to read and write while being incarcerated. The judge

added that he also noted that the accused provoked the situation.

Dias and his friend, Mahendra Singh were imbibing when an argu-

Satesh Dias ment ensued and he dealt Singh called “Pitbull” a lash to the head with a bottle. In his plea of mitigation, Defence Attorney, Maxwell McKay, told the court that his 28-year-old client is a father of nine children and a model prisoner, who is engaged in Bible studies in jail.

He added that Dias has accepted responsibility for his actions and is very remorseful. McKay asked the court for a lenient sentence so that Dias will be able to come out from jail in good time, be reunited with his family and give back to his community.

But State Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy asked that Dias receive the maximum sentence for his actions. Dias on his part told the court that he is sorry for what happened and asked for mercy in his sentencing.

According to the State’s case, between April 1-2, 2014, Dias allegedly lashed the deceased with a bottle in the head during a heated row, while they were consuming alcohol at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo.

Linden youth charged with posting nude photos of ex-girfriend A Linden resident was on Friday charged with posting nudes photos of his ex-girlfriend on social media.

Keon Grosvenor, 22, a security officer at Bosai Mineral Plant, appeared before City Magistrate, Leron Daly, and was released on $50,000 bail after denying the charge.

Particulars of the charge alleged that between January 2 and January 3, 2017 at Eve Leary, Grosvenor circulated nude photos of Machaon Cooper with intent to corrupt public morale.

According to reports, Grosvenor Keon Grosvenor and Cooper were in relationship during which the defendant bought a cellphone for the woman. However, when the relationship ended, Grosvenor took the phone from the woman, which still contained her nude images.

Police Prosecutor, Preston John, made no objection to Grosvenor being released on bail.

The matter was adjourned to June 30, 2017.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

Min. Hughes cautions students against the ills of internet

EVEN THOUGH the country is still working towards universal access to the internet, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications (MoPT) is taking steps to educate, especially students, on the ills that come with that connectivity.

The ministry teamed up with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to host a two-day workshop on the role of education in cyber security. The workshop which opened on Wednesday, last, at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School was facilitated

by Dr. Kay Xuereb, a visiting scholar from University of the West Indies (UWI) School of Education.

Addressing the participants, Minister of Public Communications, Catherine Hughes, sought to reinforce the need for educators to protect students and the education system from the dangers lurking on the internet.

“Whether you are their parents or guardians, their teachers, instructors, headmistresses or counsellors or headmaster, there is no difference in the role that is required of us as adults,” the minister said.

“We have to do whatever it takes to make them ever

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes. so conscious of the possibilities lurking behind their cellphones, and their computer screens. We have to teach them to be cautious, when talking to people they do not know and, even with people they think they know and we have to teach them how to deal with online bullies,” the minister added.

She assured that in pushing forward with the Public Telecommunications Ministry’s vision of ensuring greater internet access for all Guyanese, that measures will be put in place to ensure the nation’s safety from cyber security threat. “Our awareness

intention is to turn Guyana’s population into a digitally competent one, which is uncompromising on safety, and the responsibilities that we have to guarantee that we ensure that everyone is able to enjoy the benefit of the internet, while keeping our self-safe,” the minister said.

Some countries recently began observing cyber security awareness month in October. The minister also advocated that Guyana supports and participates in this initiative.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer (CEO,) Ministry of Education, Marcel Hudson, lauded the workshop’s time-

liness, given his ministry’s renewed effort to integrate Information Communication Technology (ICT) into the school system.

“There was a time when the school system had no internet connection, now many schools are connected and we have laboratories, where our children can go and work. We also have tablets being distributed to our children. So clearly we can see our children are now exposed to the internet and because of this exposure one of the things that we have to be mindful and careful of, is how we treat with our children

as they are exposed to the internet,” Hudson said.

The two-day workshop covered areas such as preventing school cyber bullying, cyber security and school management issues.

While Day One focused on training education officials including secondary school principals and Information Technology (IT) teachers, Day Two targetted parents, guardians, student representatives and school counsellors.

Dr. Kay Xuereb who took the participants through the respective sessions, has worked

as a teacher with special responsibility for mathematics and information technology (IT) and the cyber security system, for Oxfordshire school cluster in the United Kingdom (UK).

She has also developed the national Information Technology in Education Business Plan for Malta including cyber awareness and cyber security, as well as, significantly contributing to the development of the First National Information Communication Technology (ICT) Policy in Malta. (DPI/ GINA)

Educational officials at the cyber-security workshop at the North Ruimveldt Secondary School

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

Exxon makes final investment decision after receiving production licence

EXXON Mobil Corp said it has made a final investment decision to proceed with the first phase of development for the Liza field, one of the largest oil discoveries of the past decade, located offshore Guyana.

The development received regulatory approval from the government of Guyana, Exxon said in a statement. The Liza Phase 1 development includes a subsea production system and a floating production, storage and offloading or FPSO vessel designed to produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day. ExxonMobil noted that production is expected to begin by 2020, less than five years after discovery of the field. The Liza field is part of the Stabroek Block, which measures 6.6 million acres, or 26,800 square kilometers. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and hold a 45 percent interest in the block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds a 30 percent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited

holds 25 percent.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is continuing exploration activities and operates three blocks offshore Guyana Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur. Drilling of the Payara-2 well on the Stabroek block is expected to commence in late June and will also test a deeper prospect underlying the Payara oil discovery. Exxon Mobil also announced positive results from the Liza-4 well, which encountered more than 197 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs that will underpin a potential Liza Phase 2 development. Gross recoverable resources for the Stabroek block are now estimated at 2 billion to 2.5 billion oil-equivalent barrels, which include Liza and other successful exploration wells on Liza Deep, Payara and Snoek.

Only on Thursday the Ministry of Natural Resources approved the ExxonMobil Liza Phase 1 development plan and issued a production licence for the Liza field.

This is an important milestone towards the first phase of oil production at the Liza field offshore Guyana, the ministry has said. Production is expected to begin in 2020.

Following the approval of the Production Licence and environmental permit, it is expected that ExxonMobil and co-venturers Nexen and Hess will make a final investment decision on the Liza Phase 1 development. In a separate process, the Guyana Environmental Protection Agency issued the Liza field environmental permit on June 1. The environmental permit ensures that the environment is protected through the lifecycle of the project. The Liza Phase 1 development plan includes completion of a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel designed to produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day.

Meanwhile, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman said approximately two billion barrels of oil have been discovered in the Stabroek Block by ExxonMobil and its partners. Trotman

made the announcement on Thursday during deliberations on the Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill 2017.

Earlier this month the government had indicated that following reviews of the technical and environmental aspects of the Liza Project-Development Plan that was submitted by Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Ltd (EEPGL) in December 2017, it was likely to grant the production licence to ExxonMobil for production of petroleum in 2020.

The statement issued on June 2 said the licence will place emphasis on Guyanese employment and training, the procurement of goods and

services in Guyana, infrastructural soundness and protection of the environment.

According to the government, the production licence is required to be finalised before the developers make their Final Investment Decision (FID) for the project in June 2017. “Extraction from the Liza field is expected to commence in 2020 at an initial rate of 100,000 barrels of crude per day in the first phase, with a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel providing the main infrastructural support for the project,” the Ministry of Natural Resources said in a statement. It added: “The Government and people

of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will receive a royalty of 2 per cent on gross earnings and benefit from 50 per cent of the profits from the sale of petroleum once production commences.”

Trotman told fellow parliamentarians that “despite receiving one mishap in not being able to make a discovery… [ExxonMobil] also made two further discoveries, which we are in the process of quantifying.

We believe that to date the estimate…barrels of oil in the stabroek block by ExxonMobil may equal as much as two billion barrels of oil,” the Natural Resources Minister stated.

Cuban nationals deported after overstaying in Guyana FOUR Cuban nationals were on Friday charged and fined $20,000 by City Magistrate Leron Daly for overstaying their time in Guyana.

Yendry Carrion, Yordan Sotolomgo, Yuliach Galafe and Odalys Dias were all unrepresented and denied the charges.

Carrion was charged with overstaying his time in Guyana from January 2, 2017 to June 15, 2017 after being permitted to stay from December 2, 2016 to January 1, 2017.

Sotolomgo was charged with overstaying his time in Guyana from January 6, 2017 to June 15, 2017 after being permitted to stay from December 6, 2016 to

January 5, 2017.

Galafe was charged with overstaying his time in Guyana from May 3, 2017 to June 14, 2017 after being permitted to stay from February 28, 2017 to May 2, 2017.

Dias was charged with overstaying her time in Guyana from May 12, 2017 to June 15, 2017 after being permitted to stay from March 1, 2017 to May 11, 2017.

With the aid of an interpreter, each of the foreign nationals pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency.

The Magistrate fined each of the nationals $20,000 and ordered that they be deported to Cuba.

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Medical insurance for gov’t ministers

AMID reports of a government minister spending some US$16,000 of his own money on medical treatment in Ireland, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Friday announced that the administration is in the process of negotiating a medical insurance policy for all ministers.

The minister in question had spent his own funds for the treatment and Harmon confirmed this was so saying “ministers have sought permission to travel to Ireland for medical treatment… so far those bills are dealt with by the ministers themselves.”

The Minister of State noted that government has gone a “very far way in negotiating a medical insurance policy which would take care of those matters in the future.”

When asked by reporters why Ireland was chosen as opposed to the Caribbean and North America, the minister said, “The point is if you are sick, you’d want to get what you consider to be the

best possible medical facilities”, noting that the ministers in question believe that going to Ireland would afford them the best treatment for their ailments.

Harmon did not state exactly how much money the ministers spent on medical treatment in Ireland but said, “The cost would be different depending on the issue the minister has to deal with…right now these are expenses borne by them, and later on when the insurance policy kicks in then the insurance policy will deal with those matters,” he added.

Meanwhile, under the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, led by former President Donald Ramotar, several government officials came under scrutiny for racking up huge medical bills, which were paid for by the State. Former Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, had spent $2.1M of the state’s money to have her dental work done. Sukhai, when

questioned about the use of state funds to do her dental work, was reported to have said that it would be deemed discrimination against Amerindians, whether minister or not, to deny them of medical assistance.

She said, like any other person who received medical support or as in her case assistance for her dental work, she too was entitled. “…unless they are telling me that I am not supposed to enjoy any benefits that is available under the position,” it was reported.

In March 2015, it was announced that the PPP administration had intend-

ed to change its policy for government officials to access assistance for medical treatment from the Consolidated Fund.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, now Opposition Leader, had said while the benefits from Constitutional posts and those elected to serve could not be removed, the move was intended to limit the charges to the Consolidated Fund.

At that time, Jagdeo also felt that monies paid to some officials were excessive and in some instances should not have been funded by the State.

President David Granger, who was at the

time Opposition Leader, had urged that the system be restructured and had stressed that when he takes office a structured policy and guidelines would be implemented.

“There should be a law that governs the conditions under which members of the Cabinet or members of the government access this particular facility… how much and for how long, that is what is needed,” Granger had said.

An audit report of the Ministry of Health (MoH,) for the years 2012 to 2013, showed that over $116M was spent on cancer treatment for former

(deceased) presidential advisor, Navin Chandarpal. Similarly, former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, had expended some $4.9M in 2012, while Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Ali Baksh, received $12.2M for a coronary artery bypass.

Other PPP government officials who had benefitted from assistance for medical treatment included former Minister of Human Services, Jennifer Webster, ($1.3M); former Prime Minister Sam Hinds ($28,240); and his wife Yvonne Hinds, ($788,880).

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Cabinet approves boards of several hinterland power companies

THE Board of Directors for the Lethem, Mahdia, and Port Kaituma electricity companies, and the Kwakwani and Linden Utilities Incorporated were approved

by Cabinet, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said on Friday.

During his post-Cabinet press briefing held at the Ministry of the Presidency, Harmon said

Tina Edwards has been appointed chairperson of the Lethem Power Company and accompanying her are Maxine Welch, William Toney, a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) representative and Member of the Parliamentary Opposition.

The board of the Mahdia Power Company will be chaired by Timothy Junior with Richard Sin-

clair, Rajcomarie Bancroft, Marabel Thomas and Member of the Parliamentary Opposition, sitting as board members. Majorie Jeffery will serve as the chairperson of the Port Kaituma Power Company, while Sharlene Williams, Fitz Duke, Amanda Abraham, and Member of the Parliamentary Opposition will serve as board members.

Similarly, the Kwakwani Utilities Incorporated board will be headed

by Bryon Lewis and other members include Dennete Jeffrey, Audwin Rutherford, Elroy Adolph and representatives from RUSAL Bauxite Company and the Parliamentary Opposition. The Linden Utilities Company Incorporated board will be chaired by Tracy Johnson, along with

Elwyn Marshall, Mortimer Mingo, Leslie Gonsalves, and a Member of the Parliamentary Opposition and a representative from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

Meanwhile, Minister Harmon explained that boards fall under the Hinterland Electricity Company Incorporated (HECI), which is a subsidiary of the National

Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

The company is responsible for the expansion and upgrading of electricity supply systems across the hinterland, with a vision to provide every hinterland community with access to affordable and sustainable electricity services.

Cap on CSEC subjects … headteachers to discuss proposal soon

THE number of subjects that secondary school students write at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) examinations could be limited by the Ministry of Education (MoE).

According to circular letter sent to public secondary schools, it was explained that the ministry is exploring the possibility of enforcing an upward limit on the number of subjects being written by students at the CSEC examinations.

This limit would debar students of the senior secondary school, including the schools with sixth form, from writing no more than 10 subjects, while students from junior secondary schools would write no more than six subjects. This was confirmed by the Principal of the Bishop’s High, Winifred Ellis, who spoke to the Guyana Chronicle. The principal, along with other Headteachers, received the circular earlier this week as a proposal.

Discussions and debates on this pro-

posal will occur at a later date at a Head teachers’ meeting, according to Ellis. This proposal comes several months after it was first floated by the Former Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine. It was reported then that Dr Roopnaraine was of the belief that students should have a more rounded education where they can be involved in activities like sports and drama. It was also reported in the media that Dr. Roopnaraine stressed that he wanted school to be a place of a “wider cultural experience” as opposed to concentrating on writing many subjects and having to attend numerous extra lessons.

However, many persons in response to the Former minister’s comments had highlighted a wide array of reasons for writing the number of subjects.

Some argued that writing large number of subjects did not entirely result in a lack of extra-curricular activities, as the Former Minister would have expressed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

From house lots to houses –– CH&PA committed to ensuring every Guyanese own their own home

By Ravin Singh THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has moved closer to achieving its mandate of ensuring every Guyanese owns his or her own home, following the award of 1,649 houselots in 2015.

This is according to the Authority’s 2015 Annual Report which was tabled in the National Assembly on Thursday, June 15, 2017.

The report noted that with a change in government, there was a concomitant change in policy focus on the housing sector.

Prior to the change in government in 2015, the housing policy was geared towards providing improved quality of life through access to adequate and affordable housing.

However, the change in policy sought to move beyond the provision of services lots and facilitate the development of amenities, such as playgrounds neighbourhood centres and other community facilities deemed necessary.

In relation to land allocation, the report states that in 2015, 1,223 houselots were awarded in the Government housing schemes, while 426 lots were regularised in favour of their occupants in several squatter settlements.

This brought the total number of lots allocated in 2015 to 1,649.

In 2015 too, negotiations began between the Authority and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for the acquisition of new lands.

The report highlighted that these engagements led to allocations within two proposed new housing schemes – Stewartville on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) and Cummings Lodge on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

The report further states that with respect to the transfer of titles, 3,253 additional households collected their titles and obtained the required collateral to finance the construction or improvement of their homes.

That year too, CH&PA expended in excess of $3.3B in infrastructural development projects in 31 areas. These projects were in the areas of roads, drains, structures, installation of pure water distribution network and electrical distribution networks.

Meanwhile, in relation to community participation and development activities, the report pointed out that CH&PA accomplished its target in the training and mentoring of community leaders; preparing community development plans; and facilitating group organisations and implementation of community development projects in housing areas.

For land use monitoring and management, the report highlights that in 2015, the Authority processed 590 planning permits for the establishment of business enterprises.

These were done within Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Miner killed by sexual deviants

POLICE are searching for two male suspects, one of whom is alleged to have cold-bloodedly murdered 40-year-old miner, Orlando LaCruz, of Pomeroon River, about 13:00hrs Thursday at a camp in Jack and Vieira Backdam, North West District (NWD).

According to a police report, investigation revealed that the victim and the suspects were imbibing inside the camp when an argument erupted over the refusal of the victim to perform oral sex on one of the suspects.

That suspect was armed with a shotgun.

The annoyed armed suspect, loaded the firearm with a cartridge which was given to him by the other suspect and he shot the victim to the right side of the neck, killing him.

The body is at the Matthew’s Ridge District Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem examination.

Police are investigating the murder.

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Fly Jamaica opens second ticketing office in NY WITH the desire to continue excellent service, Guyanese-owned airline Fly Jamaica Airways has officially opened its second ticketing office to meet a wider section of passengers residing in the New York area.

Chief Executive Officer, Captain Paul Ronald Reece; his wife, Managing Director, Roxanne Reece; and their daughter, Kayla Reece, who is marketing manager, opened the 1397 Nostrand Avenue Brooklyn New York 11226 office on Thursday.

Guyana’s Consular General to New York, Barbara Atherly, helped cut the ribbon at the event attended

by Vice-Consul to Jamaica, Younna Bailey Magalhaes, other officials and a number of specially invited guests and well-wishers.

In his keynote address, Captain Reece told the gathering that the opening of the Brooklyn office was not only to improve access of the airline’s service to customers, but to also use the opportunity to promote its destinations.

Reece said the expansion

is an important step to help the airline broaden its horizons in terms of providing good service to the travelling public.

He said Guyana and Jamaica both have a number of activities worth being promoted, so the airline is merely spreading the word.

“What we are hoping to do through our marketing team… is to highlight those events on our website…,” the CEO said, pointing out that the airline has been playing its part in events that promote countries it operates.

Another upcoming occasion which he hinted to is a culinary event to be held in Guyana and Jamaica to promote the unique cultures of both countries.

Consular General Atherly congratulated the Fly Jamaica team on their expansion, but was most grateful for the great service the company has now expanded to the Brooklyn area.

Atherly, who is responsible for Guyanese affairs in New York, said Fly Jamaica would normally invest in the community, describing the airline’s social corporate

responsibility record as “impressive”.

MORE PEOPLE She said the company’s initiative is a great opportunity for their service to reach more people.

“I see this initiative as one to form stronger bonds, between Guyana and Jamaica.”

In terms of tourism, Atherly said the service provided by the airline and the promotion of the countries they serve, allows more persons to showcase their talents when tourists visit.

“It is an opportunity for those persons who are very innovative, in terms of packaging tourism in such a way that it will encourage persons to go both to Jamaica and Guyana.”

She said she looks forward to the contributions of the new office on a larger-scale as a tourism venture.

Atherly wished the airline rich rewards and urged them to continue the good work in giving back to the Guyanese, New York and Jamaican public.

Jamaica’s vice consul

Guyana’s Consul General to New York, Barbara Atherly, cuts the ribbon with Fly Jamaica’s Marketing Director, Kayla Reece, to open the company’s Brooklyn office

also wished Fly Jamaica well

A section of the gathering at the opening of the new Fly Jamaica office

and commended them for the continued partnership that they have promoted between Guyanese and Jamaicans through the use of the company’s service.

Magalhaes noted the wonderful things that the company is doing in Jamaica while thanking them for the service to the Jamaican population in moving them back and forth between New York and their homeland.

In a side interview, Roxanne told Guyana Chronicle that the Brooklyn office was opened for the sole purpose of serving their customers in that area.

She said passengers were complaining bitterly about having to go all the way to their Queens, Rockaway office to purchase a plane ticket and the company heard the calls for a closer location.

Although the Fly Jamaica has its online booking service, Reece was understanding of the fact that passengers may prefer that human contact when purchasing their tickets and saw the responsibility to ensure customers’ comfort and convenience.

“We believe in having offices in the community where our people come from,” Reece declared.

She said it is closer to their homes and cheaper for them to access.

Fly Jamaica Airways, a fairly young company was formed in 2011 and has already made headways in the Guyanese and Jamaican markets.

It is known for great customer service and has become a force to reckon with against other established airlines.

Top Cop welcomes Internet connectivity for police vehicles POLICE Commissioner, Seelall Persaud, said law enforcement officials have welcomed Internet connectivity service for state vehicles as touted by Presidential Advisor on eGovernment, Floyd Levi.

“We have to pass information to patrolmen in order to deploy situations coming out of 911calls, coming out of whatever information received. We would like to do that, not only by voice but by text, images, even a map etc. it certainly will enhance our operations,” the Top Cop said.

Presidential Advisor on eGovernment, Floyd Levi

has said that the technology used to connect government buildings and schools to the Internet will soon be used to provide Internet connection to Government’s service vehicles.

The initiative, he said would provide police officers and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) with critical information at a faster rate and in most cases save lives, while providing a better service. However, Levi noted that the programme can only be rolled out once there is a closing of the connectivity gap on the coast.

“To fix this problem, the ministry is actually in negotiations with the Chinese company that actually built this network Huawei technologies, to ensure that we have full coverage along the entire coastal region of Guyana to ensure that blank spots do not exist. So as it is right now, this technology is being used,” Levi explained.

Levi pointed out that the initiative is still in the crafting stage, noting that once it is completed, it will be fully rolled out. This will see the eGovernance department placing towers comparable to the ones that service providers Digicel and Guyana

Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud

Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) use.

The presidential advisor stated that, “As soon as we finalise the arrangements with Huawei, we will be putting towers, cellphone towers, similar to Digicel and GTT to cover these blank spots and with that full coverage, I am certain that the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service, EMS will be able to use this technology to be better able to provide their services.” The aim is to have the programme rolled out nationally; however, Levi pointed out that it will take time.

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Minibus driver freed of ‘cocaine in fish’ charge CITY Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday freed a 28-year-old minibus driver, who was accused of trafficking 18 pounds of cocaine in frozen fish, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Shafur Ali of La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was found not guilty of the drug trafficking charge on the grounds that prosecutor, David Mansfield, failed to prove key elements in the case.

Particulars of the charge alleged that Ali had 9.044

kilograms of cocaine in his possession on June 8, 2016, for the purpose of trafficking. The accused was represented by Attorney, Bernard DaSilva.

Ali was jointly charged with his sister Lazena Imrazie, 22, of Lot 8 Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara (WBD), but the matter was dismissed against her in August last.

According to reports, ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch intercepted and seized the cocaine in a cargo shipment of frozen

Shafur Ali

fish at the CJIA. The court heard that the defendant declared 33 boxes of fish to be exported; routine checks were done on the cargo by the ranks and the cocaine was found concealed inside of the seafood.

The defence attorney claimed that Ali had no knowledge or possession of the prohibited drug.

Ali rents a fish plant that is operated by a third party and asserted that he plays no part in the processing of the fish.

Three years jail for duo who broke into stores TWO men were on Friday sentenced to serve three years imprisonment after confessing to breaking into two stores along Hadfield Street, Georgetown and carting away items.

Sadeek Mohammed and Rabindra Neerman appeared before City Magistrate Leron Daly, jointly charged with two counts of break and enter with larceny. Particulars of the first charge stated that between June 9 and June 11, 2017 they broke and entered the Guyana Agriculture Union and stole three paintings, a radio, a water bottle and a quantity of items totaling $82,200.

It is further stated that during the same time, the men broke and entered Khan’s Auto Sales

and stole a DVR, six cars lights, a laptop, 10 tape decks, among other items to the value of $780,000, property of Mohammed Khan.

Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves told the court that Khan secured his business place and went out; upon his return he noticed that the place was broken into and that the items mentioned in the charge were missing.

A report was filed with the police and acting on information, Mohamed and Neerman were arrested. The duo did not have legal representation and the stolen items were recovered. The Magistrate sentenced the men to three years imprisonment on each charge, which will run concurrently.

L-R Sadeek Mohammed and Rabindra Neerman

Miner bailed on simple larceny charge A miner was on Friday released on $200,000 bail

by City Magistrate, Judy Latchman, on a simple larceny charge.

Ray Reid of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara (WCD), denied that on June 11, 2017 at 111 Mile, Madhia, Potaro River, he stole $150,000 cash, property of Parsram. Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves, told the court that the defendant is employed by Parsram.

According to the Prosecutor, on the day in question, the virtual complainant left the said money on a table in his home and went outside.

While outside, the accused asked for a drink of water and the man permitted him to enter the home.

However, when Parsram returned inside he saw the accused running out the house and the said money was missing. The matter was reported to the police

Ray Reid

and Reid was arrested. The court heard that the accused initially admitted stealing the money and took the police to a nearby gas station where he hid $39,000 in an old engine.

Magistrate Latchman released Reid on $200,000 bail since the prosecutor made no objection and adjourned the matter to June 27, 2017.

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Preparations for ...

Continued from back page from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Brigadier Patrick West.

They have been instrumental in ensuring that we are where we are today.”

The Fullbore captain added that as it relates to team preparation, the unit has been progressing as well, with regular shoots on the weekend, the latest being last weekend.

“The team has started training. We’ve been working a lot at the weekends and we are moving along nicely,” Persaud said adding that ammunition for the tournament will be in the country soon.

The GuyanaNRA has over the years produced the goods to keep the Golden Arrowhead flying high at the championships, and the world at large.

L a s t y e a r, a t t h e Wo r l d L o n g R a n g e Championship at Camp Perry, Ohio, USA the West Indies team featured more than 50% Guyanese shooters.

This year, the event is expected to feature shooters from Australia, England, Canada, USA and Scotland.

English Racing Tips Musselburgh 08:35 hrs Ce De Nullis 09:05 hrs Olivia Fallow 09:35 hrs Acadian Angel 10:10 hrs Orinon’s Bow 10:45 hrs Great Fighter 11:20 hrs Great Colaci 11:55 hrs Rosie Crowe 12:30 hrs Sea Of Green York 08:50 hrs Mukhayyam 09:20 hrs Gallipoli 09:55 hrs Thikriyaat 10:30 hrs Ekhtiyaar 11:05 hrs Madrinho 11:40 hrs Astraea 12:15 hrs Kinloch Pride Sandown 09:10 hrs Taajub 09:40 hrs Copper Knight 10:15 hrs Battered 10:50 hrs Laidback Romeo 11:25 hrs Blushing Rose 12:00 hrs Munthany 12:35 hrs Fire Jet South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:55 hrs Yer-Maan 09:30 hrs Morpheus 10:05 hrs Captain Chips 10:45 hrs Spider Flower Irish Racing Tips Downpatrick 09:00 hrs Sharps Choice 09:30 hrs Glendine River 10:05 hrs Harold Peto 10:40 hrs Deputy’s Pass 11:15 hrs Whats The Plot 11:50 hrs Sports Barrow 12:25 hrs Blixt American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Frost Wise Race 2 Air Vice Marshal Race 3 Clipthecuponannie Race 4 Sentry Race 5 Itsinthestars Race 6 War Queen Race 7 Yellow Chips Race 8 Gioia Stella

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Confederations Cup …

Russia faces first test for 2018 World Cup

By Olga Petrova

ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - With President Vladimir Putin in attendance and 44 000 tickets sold, today’s Confederations Cup opener will give Russia the chance to show off its preparations for next year’s World Cup despite concerns over stadium security and infrastructure.

from overseas.

Russia is set to host the 2018 World Cup in 12 stadiums spread across 11 cities, including Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan and Sochi.

Russia take on New Zealand in St Petersburg in the first match of the eight-nation Confederations Cup on a pitch that had to be hastily relaid after football officials deplored its quality when it

yesterday.

“It’s a useful test, as any of our tournaments, to streamline our processes and operations.”

Smith acknowledged that Russia had done “some intense fine-tuning” ahead of the tournament.

The decade-long construction of the 68 000-seat venue was plagued with delays, corruption allegations and reports of human rights

Russia’s Ilya Kutepov and Georgi Dzhikiya during training. (REUTERS/Carl Recine)

World Cup holders Germany and the six winners of FIFA confederations descend on Russia for the two-week tournament that will allow the hosts to assess the readiness of four of its World Cup venues and its ability to handle fans

cut up badly during a match there in April.

“The preparations are now complete. Russia is ready,” Colin Smith, director of competitions for global soccer body FIFA, said at a news conference in St Petersburg

violations.

Since clashes between Russian and English fans tarnished the European championship in France last year, Putin has approved legislation that toughens punishments for violence at sporting events as

part of a broader crackdown on hooliganism.

FIFA will for the first time also implement a threestep procedure that will allow referees to stop matches in the event of racist or discriminatory incidents - a new measure Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko welcomed as the “absolute right decision”.

A bombing in the St Petersburg metro that left 16 dead in April has also triggered fears that a similar attack could hit Russia during the tournament.

However, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said last week terrorism did not pose any threat to Confederations Cup participants and spectators.

“A huge amount of preparatory work has been done,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters yesterday. “We have all the grounds to believe that everything will be successful and take place at a high level.”

While Germany are resting their senior players for the tournament, the Confederations Cup will benefit from the star appeal of Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Hosts Russia, who drew with Copa America champions Chile 1-1 in a friendly last week, slipped to a record low 63rd in FIFA world rankings this month.

Xtreme Cleaners/GT Beer Gold Rush Futsal Championship

Tucville, Sparta Boss set up ‘dream final’

By Rawle Toney

TWO of the most skilled teams in the tournament, Sparta Boss and Tucville, after easily disposing of their opposition on Thursday in the semi-finals, will collide tonight in the final of the inaugural Xtreme Cleaners/GT Beer Gold Rush Futsal Championship at the National Gymnasium.

With $500 000 up for grabs, tonight’s contest will be nothing short of ‘fireworks’, especially since Tucville’s aim is to dethrone Sparta Boss; the touted ‘Kings of Futsal’ in Guyana.

Jermain Junor, who is the tournament’s leading goalscorer, improved his tally to nine after scoring a hat-trick and along with Dennis Edwards, helped Tucville defeat Sophia 6-4 in a nail-bitter.

Junor scored his goals in the first half, netting in the 4th, 7th and 14th minutes of the contest. Edwards scored his first of three goals in the 5th minute while Omallo Williams, who finished the night with a brace, scored his first in the 6th minute as Tucville ended the first half leading 4-1.

In the second half Sophia played with more purpose,

but Edwards scored two more goals (30th, 24th) for Tucville, Williams converted in the 32nd minute to start a comeback for Sophia, much to the delight of the large crowd.

Desmond Cottam (35th) and Stephen Dolphin (36th), scored to push Tucville in the defensive position, but time was not on Sophia team’s side.

Meanwhile, for Sparta Boss, it was a walk in the park, as they trounced Albouystown 5-1. The game was far from competitive as Sparta Boss and their ever-reliant players made rings around the inexperienced Albouystown team.

Eusi Phillips (2nd), Solomon Austin (7th), Gregory Richardson (23rd), Devon Millington (25th) and Dennis Edwards (29th) scored a goal each for Sparta Boss. Lennox Cort was the lone goalscorer for Albouystown in the 28th minute.

Albouystown and Sophia will open tonight’s proceedings where the winners will pocket $100 000 and the team finishing fourth will have to settle for $50 000. On the individual side, $50 000 will be awarded to the Most Valuable Player (MVP).

McDonald’s ends Olympics sponsorship deal early (REUTERS) - U.S. fastfood giant McDonald’s Corp (MCD.N) has ended its 41-year-long Olympic Games sponsorship deal three years early, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said yesterday.

The company had said last year it would reevaluate its relationship with the Olympics.

McDonald’s, a sponsor since 1976 and part of the IOC’s top sponsors programme that contributes more than $1 billion in every four-year cycle for the Games, had a contract running through the 2020 Tokyo summer Olympics.

“In today’s rapidly

evolving business landscape, we understand that McDonald’s is looking to focus on different business priorities,” Timmo Lumme, managing director of IOC Television and Marketing Services, said in a statement.

Financial terms of the separation were not disclosed.

While it is unusual for an Olympic sponsor to leave early, sponsors change regularly within the IOC’s top programme.

The most recent addition was China’s Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA.N), which signed a deal in January for a partnership through 2028.

“As part of our global growth plan, we are reconsidering all aspects of our business and have made this decision in cooperation with the IOC to focus on different priorities,” said McDonald’s Global Chief Marketing

McDonald’s executive John Lewicki

Officer Silvia Lagnado.

John Lewicki, who oversees global Olympic sponsorship deals for McDonald’s, said last year the company would reevaluate its Olympic relationship after changes to a rule that ended a marketing blackout for companies that sponsor athletes rather than the event itself.

McDonald’s has been tightening costs as it invests in improving its food quality, restaurant service and online ordering to woo back diners in the United States, where intense competition has gnawed away at sales.

A source who has negotiated previous IOC sponsorship deals said

that top global sponsors, like McDonalds, spend about $25 million per year for the rights, or about $100 million for a fouryear period that includes a summer and winter games.

The company, first involved with the Games in 1968, was its food retail sponsor. Despite pulling out with immediate effect, McDonald’s will continue at next year’s Pyeongchang winter Olympics as sponsors with domestic marketing rights.

The IOC said it was not planning a direct replacement for McDonald’s, but it is expected to announce a new global deal with Intel

Corp (INTC.O) next week, according to a source familiar with the matter.

A spokeswoman for Intel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The IOC has faced criticism from public health campaigners for allowing sponsors such as Coca-Cola (KO.N) and McDonald’s to use the Games as an opportunity to market their products, which are perceived to be unhealthy, in contrast to what the event seeks to promote.

Shares of McDonald’s rose $1.08, or less than one percent, to $152.25 in morning New York Stock Exchange trading.

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

India wary of maverick Pakistan in high-octane final

By Ed Osmond |

LONDON, England (Reuters) - India are favourites to retain the Champions Trophy tomorrow but they would probably have preferred to face different opponents than arch-rivals Pakistan in what is sure to be a highly-charged final.

The neighbouring countries have moved on from years of political conflicts but emotions will run high as millions of supporters around the world watch the first major cricket final between the teams since the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup. One of the most unpredictable sides in world sport, Pakistan were the lowest-ranked side going into the tournament and produced a shambolic performance in their heavy opening defeat

by India.

As they have done many times before, however, Pakistan suddenly found their form with wins over topranked South Africa and Sri Lanka before delivering an outstanding all-round display to stun previously unbeaten hosts England in the semi-finals.

India suffered a shock loss to Sri Lanka in the group stage before overwhelming Bangladesh in the semis and their captain Virat Kohli has been impressed by Pakistan’s resurgence.

“The turnaround has been magnificent,” Kohli said.

“Obviously, if you reach

Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez walk off victorious against England in the first Champions Trophy semi-final

the final you have to play some good cricket and credit to them, they’ve turned around things for themselves really well.

“The belief just showed on the field the way they played together as a team and regardless of who you play in the final, it’s always going to be challenging because once

you start thinking that it’s a big game, then your mindset changes.”

OUTSTANDING BATTING India, who beat Pakistan by five runs in the Twenty20 final 10 years ago, have been lifted by the outstanding batting form of Kohli, Shikhar

Dhawan and Rohit Sharma.

“What we are going to try to do is repeat the similar sort of cricket that we have played so far, knowing the strengths and weaknesses they have,” Kohli said.

“I don’t think we need to look too far away from what we are doing as a group, focus on our skills and our abil-

Ronaldo seeks Real Madrid exit

(REUTERS)-Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave the club and Spain after being accused of committing tax fraud in the country, a report in Portuguese sports daily A Bola said on Friday.

The newspaper said its story was based on a reliable source and that the 32-yearold four-times world player of the year had already made up his mind to ask the club for a transfer.

It said that Ronaldo was “deeply disenchanted” with the allegations against him.

Record, another sports daily, carried a similar story.

Ronaldo’s agents could not immediately be reached for comment.

Spanish prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against the player accusing him of defrauding tax authorities of 14.7 million euros ($16.5

million) by hiding his image rights income between 2011 and 2014. Ronaldo has denied any wrongdoing.

Real Madrid said on Thursday they were confident

Ronaldo led Real Madrid to their 12th European Cup earlier this month after scoring two goals in a 4-1 victory over Juventus in the Champions League final, becoming

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo

the Portuguese forward had acted legally. They could not immediately be reached on Friday to comment on the report.

the tournament’s top scorer.

Ronaldo, Portugal’s alltime leading scorer, is the latest in a long line of soccer players in Spain -- among

them Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Neymar -- to be caught up in cases over tax or transfers.

Ronaldo has completed eight seasons at Real Madrid since joining them from Manchester United in 2009 for a then world record fee of 96 million euros During that time, they have won the Champions League three times and La Liga twice.

In November, he agreed to extend his contract until 2021.

He is currently at the Confederations Cup in Russia with the Portuguese national team where his team mate Andre Silva said that Ronaldo was motivated for the tournament.

“All I can say is that he is motivated, focused on the national team and encouraging us on to win the tournament,” he told a news conference in Kazan, where Portugal face Mexico on Sunday.

ities and believe in ourselves on that particular day.”

Pakistan, without their leading fast bowler Mohammad Amir due to injury, strangled the usually free-scoring England batsmen on a slow

wicket in Cardiff with a disciplined display of bowling and fielding.

The Oval pitch should be more favourable for batsmen but India, who have beaten Pakistan in eight of their 10 World Cup and Champions Trophy meetings, will not be complacent.

“We’ve seen some really surprising results and it’s been amazing for the fans to watch and for the players to be a part of,” Kohli said.

“We played some really good cricket but we’re not going to take anything for granted for sure.”

Pakistan’s rejuvenation has been built around the runs of opener Fakhar Zaman and the experienced Azhar Ali while Hasan Ali and Junaid Khan stepped up to compensate for the absence of Amir who is expected to be fit for the final.

Their captain Sarfraz Ahmed said they had quickly forgotten the opening loss to India and simply focused on the next game in their bid to win the Champions Trophy for the first time.

“After the India match, we just motivated the guys,” he said.

“Don’t worry about the India match. This is gone.

If we play good cricket, definitely we will win this tournament.”

Georgetown, Linden Masters clash tonight at MSC ground

A PRE-FATHER’S Day football clash, featuring the veterans of the game from the City and the Mining Town, will take place tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

Georgetown Masters will face their Linden counterparts in a match-up, set to kick off at 20:00hrs. But before that game the veterans of East and West of Linden will clash from 18:00hrs.

The RightStart Foundation has put together this double-header. Georgetown Masters should field a team that will include former national standout Deon Barnwell, Anthony Stanton, Gerald Gittens and ‘English’ Parris, They will challenge a Linden Masters team that will be stacked with players like Troy Easton, Renee Gibbons, Eon Wills, Sean Warner, Wayne Bethune and Beresford Harry.

That game will be preceded by the Linden match-up - East of Linden, featuring the likes of Ruel Williams and Travis Waterton, against their West counterparts, comprising Tony Adams, Rawle Gittens, Oswald Benjamin among others.

The organisers have garnered support from Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira along with BK International, to put together this Classic Father’s Day football encounter.

Several giveaways will be available for lucky patrons.

On board also are The Caring for Others Organisation, BK Quarry, BK Super Mix, Jags Airline, Fly Jamaica, Banks DIH Limited, Wills electrical, Figgy’s Grocery Mart, NK’S Eatery and Smoothie Shop, Gifth’s Enterprise, B. Harry Hardware and General Store, Bernard’s Variety Store and Right Care Pharmacy. (Joe Chapman)

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday,June 17, 2017

Talented and promising - Makeda Harding a remarkable squash and hockey player

By Tamica Garnett FIFTEEN-year-old Makeda Harding credits her ability to hold her own under great pressure as the buoy that keeps her afloat when the demands as a student athlete gets just a little too much.

It’s a trait that has served the Marian Academy third former well, as she juggles life as a dedicated student, and a national junior squash and hockey player.

Harding takes it all in stride by ensuring that she has her plan all mapped out.

“The first part of the year I mostly focus on squash, and coming down to the middle is when I have to push more, and then the second half is when I can ease off

and play more hockey. Yea, there are some parts of the year when it’s really hard, but I have the ability of being able to cope well under pressure,” the Sports Personality-of-the-Week said.

The four-time ‘Most Outstanding Girl’ squash player most recently copped her sixth and seventh national junior title, in just four years, due to her entering in multiple categories of the tournament over the years.

Playing in the Girls’ Under-19, Under-17 and Under-15 categories this year, Harding ended with both the Girls Under-17 and Under-15 titles at last month’s Woodpecker Products Ltd Junior National Squash Championships. She finished second in

the Under-19.

“I like playing in multiple categories, it pushes me more, knowing that I can beat this person or get really close, and it builds my confidence,” Harding noted of her achievements.

“I like my accomplishments because I like to use them to build myself against people, people who say I’m not good at anything, or who try to bring me down.”

Her most recent squash accolades add to the ‘Most Promising Female Player’ award that she copped in hockey at last year’s GTT National Indoor Championships where she played for her Spartans team.

Harding had been involved in hockey since she was 10 years old, encouraged

Fifteen-year-old Makeda Harding charges during one of her matches at last year’s Junior CASA.

Makeda Harding

to follow in the footsteps of her sister, Micaela. But it was in late 2011 when she got involved in squash. Makeda started out in a developmental programme held by the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) that offered one-hour training on Saturdays.

The keen eyes of national coaches Garfield Wiltshire and Carl Ince picked up that Makeda was just a diamond in the rough, and were eager to see this talent developed.

Wiltshire first offered Makeda training outside of the Saturday programme, and before long so did Ince, and she began to grow in the sport, gradually of course, but showed growth nonetheless.

By 2013 she made it all the way to a third place finish in the Girls’ Under-13 category at the national junior tournament, and the GSA was confident enough to give her a spot on the national team for the Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships, which was held in Trinidad that year.

Makeda did not disappoint. Despite finishing only seventh in the Girls’ Under-13 category, she was instrumental in gaining Guyana’s eighth consecutive Girls’ team title, and ninth consecutive overall team title.

She’s been a fixture of the national team, at the annual event, ever since, each year

improving just a little bit more in the individuals. When she returned in 2014 she was fifth after another year in the Girls’ Under-13 category.

In 2015 she was in the Girls’ U-15 category and made her first final, but was cut down by Barbados’ Megan Best, their leading junior Girls’ player. Last year she ended third, after being stopped by Cayman Islands’ Jade Pitcairn in the semis.

This year she’s facing another tall order as she enters the Girls’ U-17 category, where Best will again be joining her. Best is now a junior and senior Caribbean champion, after she won the women’s title at Senior CASA last year.

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 17, 2017

Moseley calls for calm after third defeat

LEICESTER, England (CMC) – Assistant coach Ezra Moseley has assured there is no need to press the panic button despite watching West Indies Women slump to their third straight warm-up loss here yesterday.

would start to panic a little bit. We’re not panicking, this is all part of our preparation,” the former West Indies seamer said following the defeat.

“Today though, I think we did some things well. I think we had a good start with the

right up to the end of the game and that is something we constantly talk about where we say we have to play a full 50-over game. We certainly didn’t play a full 50-over game today.”

West Indies batted first but

West Indies Women slipped to their third straight warm-up defeat

The Caribbean side were once again below par as they went down to India Women by five wickets at Leicester Grammar School, following up losses to a near fullstrength England and Southern Vipers side last week.

“This is the third game we have lost and some people

batting but we didn’t really get the score we were looking at on a pitch which was a bit on the slow side.”

He continued: “After having the Indians 80 for five, I thought that we were in with a chance of winning the game.

Somehow, it seemed as if we went flat from the 25th over

squandered a 70-run opening stand between Hayley Matthews (50) and Felicia Walters (20) to find themselves restricted to 174 for nine off their 50 overs.

When they bowled, they reduced India to 37 for three and then 86 for five but then put down chances in the field

to let their opponents off the hook.

Moseley said it was now imperative that the training sessions took on a new level of intensity.

“We’re going to have to really work hard at our next practice session and leading up to the tournament, we’re going to have to raise the intensity of the training a little bit to get the girls a little bit sharper,” he pointed out.

While West Indies enjoyed familiar sunny conditions yesterday, they have had to battle with the unpredictable English weather over the last two weeks as they staged their training camp in Southampton.

Moseley said he believed the girls were becoming acclimatised, however, but said they were still hoping for more of the Caribbean-type weather during the actual tournament.

“Leading up to this game I saw a lot of hands in pockets; today I didn’t see that,” he said.

“So although today was a lot warmer than the last two games, hopefully this weather would stay for a little while because we know the girls enjoy this type of (weather).

“Going into the next game, hopefully we should do a lot better and I am hoping we could put in a lot of work towards the next game.”

West Indies take on Pakistan in their first official ICC warm-up game next Tuesday.

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flower Power Next round of 2017 Scotiabank CONCACAF League set for August U-17 tourney begins this weekend T H E C o n f e d e r a t i o n o f eight countries in Central THE GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National U-17 Intra-Association tournament will begin this weekend in three Regional Member Associations (RMAs).

This second phase of the tournament will see matches in the Essequibo/Pomeroon Football Association (Esseq../ Pom.. FA), Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) and Berbice Football Association (BFA) today and tomorrow.

The UDFA will host two matches at the Wisburg ground, BFA will also host two, one each at the Burnham Park and No.5 ground respectively while Esseq./ Pom. FA will host three matches at the New Opportunity Corps ground and Queenstown Community Centre ground respectively.

In an invited comment, GFF’s Competitions Director Ian Alves said, “In alignment with the GFF’s focus on youth development, we look forward with eager anticipation to the restart of the ‘Thunderbolt Flour Power National U-17 league’ which continues to bring to the fore future prospects for national selection at the senior level.”

The tournament’s recommencement follows a presentation of the cheques to the respective RMAs on Friday, 9th June, 2017 in the Boardroom of the GFF. This is geared towards addressing costs related to the operations of the tournament.

North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) League Round of 16 is set to begin in the first week of August.

The Scotiabank CONCACAF League crowns a champion from among a field of 16 qualified club teams from Central America and the Caribbean. The pairings for the Round of 16 of the premier edition of CONCACAF’s newest club competition were revealed at a draw in Miami last month.

First-leg matches of the Round of 16 are scheduled to be played August 1-3, and will begin in Central America with action featuring Chorrillo FC (PAN) v CD Honduras Progreso (HON) and Santos de Guapiles FC (CRC) v San Juan Jabloteh (TRI).

The Scotiabank CONCACAF League kicks off across

America and the Caribbean.

The next evening CD Plaza Amador (PAN) will travel to Jamaica to face Portmore United FC (JAM), followed by CD Aguila (SLV) v Real Esteli FC (NCA) and Platense FC (HON) v Alianza FC (SLV).

The first-leg matches will be completed on Thursday night, with matches in Trinidad & Tobago, Nicaragua and Honduras. Central FC (TRI) will host Deportivo Arabe Unido (PAN), CD Walter Ferretti (NCA) will face the Belmopan Bandits (BLZ) and CD Olimpia (HON) will take on LD Alajuelense (CRC), in a Central American ‘Clásico’..

The second-leg Round of 16 matches will be played the following week, August 8-10, beginning with San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) vs. Santos de

Australia rest Starc, drop O’Keefe for Bangladesh tour

Mitchell Starc

(REUTERS) - Australia have rested paceman Mitchell Starc and dropped left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe for the upcoming two-Test series in Bangladesh, Cricket Australia said yesterday.

Starc featured in Australia’s failed Champions Trophy campaign but scans revealed the left-arm paceman has not fully recovered from the foot fracture that cut short his India tour earlier this year.

“Mitchell was due to go for follow-up scans after the Champions Trophy, as part of his recovery plan,” physiotherapist David Beakely said after CA named a 13-member squad.

“He will now undertake a period of rest from bowling with the aim to have him return for the one-day series in India in late September as he begins his build-up to the Ashes.”

Fit-again James Pattinson joined fellow pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, while the selectors will name a fourth fast bowler later.

O’Keefe was a notable omission, having taken 12 wickets in the first Test in India and finishing as Australia’s joint leading wicket-taker in the series, which the hosts won 2-1.

“Whilst Steve O’Keefe bowled well in Pune, he did not maintain this level in the remaining matches of the series...” national selector Trevor Hohns said.

Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar has been asked instead

to partner off-spinner Nathan Lyon for the Tests in Dhaka (from August 27) and Chittagong (from September 4).

“Ashton has continued to impress us with his form and we believe his bowling is at a level where he deserves to be playing on the highest stage,” Hohns said.

“He will work nicely in tandem with Nathan Lyon and also brings a great all-round package to the team.”

All-rounder Hilton Cartwright has also been named in the Steve Smith-led squad.

Australia postponed their tour of Bangladesh in 2015 over security concerns but CA executive general manager Pat Howard was satisfied with the assurance from their hosts.

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Government have provided satisfactory levels of assurance and security for this tour to proceed at this stage, and we’re very grateful to them for this,” Howard said.

“We will continue to work with them to finalise plans but also monitor advice from Government agencies and our own security advisers about the security risk.”

Australia squad: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner (vice-captain), Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Matt Renshaw, Matthew Wade (wicketkeeper).

Guapiles FC (CRC), Real Esteli FC (NCA) vs CD Aguila (SLV) and Alianza FC (SLV) vs Platense FC (HON).

Play will continue Wednesday night with CD Plaza Amador (PAN) v Portmore United FC (JAM) and CD Honduras Progreso (HON) vs Chorrillo FC (PAN). The final three matches of the Round of 16, will see Central FC (TRI) at Deportivo Arabe Unido (PAN), Belmopan Bandits (BLZ) at home vs CD Walter Ferretti (NCA) and LD Alajuelense (CRC) vs CD Olimpia (HON), in San Jose, Costa Rica.

The range of dates for the first leg quarterfinals, to be

played among the eight Round of 16 winners is August 15-17.

The second-leg quarterfinals are scheduled for August 2224.

The championship homeand-away final of the Scotiabank CONCACAF League is scheduled for October. The tournament champions earn a ticket to join 15 additional club qualifiers from across the region including Canada, Mexico and the United States, in the revamped Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.

The next edition of the Champions League will be played from February to April.

Moseley calls for calm after third defeat See page 39

Xtreme Cleaners/GT Beer Gold Rush Futsal Championship

Tucville, Sparta Boss set up ‘dream final’ See page 36

Omallo Williams (not in picture) scores an equaliser for Sophia, one of his two goals, but his team fell 6-4 to Tucville in the semi-finals.

(Delano Williams photos)

Tucville’s Ryan Hackett and Sophia’s Sheik Kamal battle for the ball during their semi-final clash.

Preparations for WIFBSC/GuyanaNRA 150th anniversary on stream

By Stephan Sookram PREPARATIONS are on stream for the Guyana National Rifle Association’s (GuyanaNRA) 150th anniversary celebration with the hosting the West Indies Fullbore Championships (WIFBSC) in October.

Chronicle Sport caught up with Fullbore captain Mahendra Persaud who spoke of the readiness of the body to host the region’s premier rifle-shooting contest. He said things are progressing smoothly.

“Right now we are on stream, things are moving nicely. At the moment, range-wise, we are about 80% complete with that. We have to install some target mechanisms as we are moving the number of targets up from 14 to 24,” Persaud said.

He added, “We’ve been getting a lot of support

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Flashback! A practice session for some of the Guyanese shooters SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2017