Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 07 03 2017

Crime down in Region 10

…commander says youth initiatives paying dividends

Page 17

No. 104845

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2017

Price: $80

PPP dodges SOCU (VAT Inclusive)

…Jagdeo, other PPP officials duck Pradoville fraud probe

Page 3

Guyana, IDB ink US$1.7M assistance package Page 2

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan and IDB Country Representative, Sophie Makonnen,sign the technical assistance agreements at the Ministry of Finance on Monday

‘We want to preserve the sugar industry’ – President says

Page 13

…housing, finance, aviation safety targeted

Parking meter project to go on

Page 9

60 months jail, $57M fine for ‘cocaine couple’

Page 11

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Guyana, IDB ink US$1.7M assistance package

…housing, finance, aviation safety targeted MINISTER of Finance, Winston Jordan,on Monday signed three Technical Cooperation Agreements with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Country Representative, Sophie Makonnen,valued at US$1,762,250.

The agreements represent technical assistance resources for: development of a comprehensive National Housing Strategy funded at US$517, 250; a Fiscal Management Modernisation Project funded at $US745, 000; and a National Civil Aviation Plan for Guyana funded at US$500,000.

Minister Jordan acknowledged the timeliness of the agreements and said that they Finance Minister, Winston Jordan,and IDB Country Representative, Sophie Makonnen,exchange contract documents following the signing

are critical to government’s agenda to consolidate and restructure the delivery of services in these areas while at the same time stimulate growth within the sectors.

The “Support for the Development of a National Housing Strategy” programme will assist Guyana’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) in preparing and disseminating a Comprehensive National Housing Strategy. This IDB funding will enhance CH&PA’s developmental approaches and interventions in the sector, thereby assisting citizens to access more cost-effective housing, the Ministry of Finance said in a release.

The “Fiscal Management

Modernization Project” is designed to create greater efficiency in Guyana’s reve-

nue administration. This will envelop a strategic organisational structure and strengthen institutional and technical capacities of human and other resources of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

It also undertakes an assessment of the property tax collection system administrated by the Valuation Division of the Ministry of Finance. This assessment will see more realistic valuations of properties in Municipalities and Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) which in turn will lead to an increase in the value of real estate.

The “Support for a National Aviation Master Plan” will provide much-needed support to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) as it will prepare a National Air Transport Plan, a National Airports Plan, and a National Plan for the Administration of Civil Aviation. The GCCA is seeking a thorough analysis of the aviation sector that will allow it to plan more strategically, improve the quality of civil

aviation oversight, and hasten structured improvements to the sector. Government is keen for an analysis of the sector that will allow it to plan more strategically for its development.

In brief remarks,Ms. Makonnen said that technical funds finance activities to transfer technical know – how and expertise, capacity building, transfer of knowledge and research – including diagnostic, pre-investment and sector studies that support project design and preparation.

The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana lauded the InterAmerican Development Bank for its commitment to the country’s development over the years.

The signing was witnessed by the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan,and Ministers of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and Annette Ferguson; Finance Secretary Dr. Hector Butts and other heads of agencies.

Correction

The attention of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition was drawn to an article published in the Chronicle Newspapers under the caption, “Jagdeo Extends Olive Branch to PPP Defectors.” The article purports to be a coverage of the 20th death anniversary event of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, held yesterday at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant.

The article attributes the following statement to the Leader of the Opposition “we have to be welcoming; a lot of people who left and went to the AFC are delusional and are coming back.” The Leader of the Opposition did not use the word “delusional.” The word used was “disillusioned.” This is borne out by all the videos and audio recordings of the speech of the Leader of the Opposition. We sincerely apologise for the error made by the Chronicle Newspapers, which may have very well been deliberate.

Editor’s note: Guyana Chronicle acknowledges the mistake in our report and sincerely apologises to the Opposition Leader for any inconvenience or embarrassment this error may have caused him and his party.

PPP dodges SOCU 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

…Jagdeo, other PPP officials duck Pradoville fraud probe

By Ariana Gordon FORMER President, Bharrat Jagdeo, along with several former ministers of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) who are being investigated by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) in the Pradoville 2 case on Monday reportedly indicated via written correspondence to SOCU that they will not be heeding the Unit’s request for interviews.

The State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) had recommended that Attorney General,Basil Williams,put systems in place to facilitate charges of “misconduct in public office” being laid against Jagdeo and five ministers of the former administration: Agriculture Minister,Robert Persaud; Public Service Minister,Dr. Jennifer Westford; Education Minister,Priya Manickchand; Labour Minister,Dr. Nanda Gopaul and Home Affairs Minister,Clement Rohee.

That recommendation

by SARU follows an investigation into the procedures employed prior to the transfer and issuance of prime real estate at Sparendaam, Lower East Coast Demerara, to the former government ministers and persons believed to be their friends. Last November, the Ministry of Finance

Pradoville 2

Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo

handed over the final reports of the forensic audits done on the Sparendaam Housing Project- Pradoville 2 (Special Investigation of the Central Housing and Planning Authority) to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), thereby paving the way for the GPF to open criminal probes into the matter.

The APNU+AFC coalition government has indicated that it will be prosecuting those found culpable in wrongdoings with respect to the sale of lands at the Pradoville 2 Housing Project. SOCU’s Head, Assistant Commissioner,Sydney James,confirmed that some of those being investigated in the Pradoville 2 case have indicated that they will not participate in the requested interviews by his Unit.

Meanwhile, Guyana

Chronicle understands that the former ministers in separate missives have contended that SOCU did not follow prescribed protocol in inviting them for questioning in relation to state lands used by them and at the moment, SOCU is currently seeking legal advice. This publication understands that the interviews were scheduled to start this week and the move by the former PPP ministers of government is aimed at the very least at temporarily preventing the interviews from being conducted.

Additionally, it is understood that there are measures available to the GPF to ensure that those invited to the interviews comply. It is unclear which of, or all of, the former ministers of the former administration were invited to SOCU this week.

Cabinet earlier this year had approved the appointment of six attorneys to serve as special prosecutors on several cases, including but not limited to, the range of forensic audits conducted by the APNU+AFC administration when it came into power in May 2015.

The six attorneys are Michael Somersall, Hewely Griffith, Lawrence Harris, Patrice Henry, Compton Richardson, and Trenton Lake. Last July, Ministers of Legal Affairs and Public Security, Basil Williams and Khemraj Ramjattan, respectively, were tasked with advising Cabinet on the feasibility of establishing a special prosecutorial team.

Government had made it clear that it has no intention of going after any one person or group of persons and

gave the assurance that there will be no witch-hunting.

Forensic audits done on the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) revealed that some $257 million were spent on development of the Pradoville 2 housing project, and the value of land there should have been $82.8 million per acre, instead of the significantly less sum for which an acre was sold.

“Instead of accumulating all the costs associated with the Sparendaam Project — including the market value of the land — in a special account to be applied in arriving at the price to be charged per house lot, NICIL’s Board and Cabinet were complicit in charging the related costs of $257.049M to NCN in the form of equity investment, and to CH&PA in the form

of receivables. “The fact that several key Cabinet members are the beneficiaries of the house lots renders it highly inappropriate for the very Cabinet to approve of the charging of the expenditure to the accounts of NCN and CH&PA,” the audit report stated.

The report which was released by the Ministry of Finance, said the use of a “conservative estimate of $985M for the 2009 market valuation of the land on which the Marriott has been constructed prior to infrastructure being undertaken on a similar size land (makes) the total value of the Sparendaam project work out to $1.242B or $82.8M per acre. This figure should have been used to compute the price per lot. It is not clear: (a) how many lots are involved, and their respective sizes; (b) the basis under which the recipients were selected; (c) how the price of approximately $1.5M per lot was determined; and (d) which entity — NICIL or CH&PA — received the proceeds from the sale of the plots”, the audit report disclosed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Trump signs new Afghan family travel-ban directive detained in US

PRESIDENT Donald Trump has signed a new executive order placing a 90-day ban on people from six mainly Muslim na-

tions.

Iraq, which was covered in the previous seven-nation order, has been removed from the new one after agreeing

additional visa vetting measures.

The directive, which includes a 120-day ban on all refugees, takes effect on March 16.

The previous order, which was blocked by a federal court, sparked confusion at airports and mass protests.

French Republicans back embattled Fillon

LEADERS of the French centre-right have unanimously backed embattled presidential candidate, Francois Fillon after an emergency meeting.

Mr Fillon, once the front-runner, has lost much of his support after being told he faces formal investigation for embezzlement.

He denies the charges

and has refused to step aside.

The leader of Mr Fillon’s Republican party, Bernard Accoyer, said the party was re-launching Mr

Fillon’s campaign.

The new push to revive his campaign comes after several leading Republicans wavered in their support.

Israeli town removes Arafat street sign AN Israeli Arab town has dropped the name of for-

mer Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat from one

of its streets after Israel’s prime minister objected.

The village of Jatt, in the north of the country, removed the sign, officials said.

On Saturday, Benjamin Netanyahu said streets in Israel could not be “named after murderers of Israelis and Jews”.

Many Palestinians see Arafat as an icon in their fight for a state, but many Israelis view him as a terrorist.

Mohammed Watad from Jatt council told Israeli TV that the sign had been up for nine years.

--despite valid entry visas LAWYERS in the US have filed a petition seeking the release of an Afghan family who were detained in the US despite having valid entry visas.

A couple and their three young children were taken into custody shortly after their arrival at Los Angeles International Airport last week.

They had Special Immigrant Visas, granted for work done for the US

military that put their lives at risk.

Afghanistan was not among the countries listed on a now blocked US travel ban.

The original order prohibited the entry of immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries, but has since been halted by US federal courts. The Trump administration is preparing a new executive order.

North Korea expels Malaysian ambassador NORTH Korea is to expel Malaysia’s ambassador, amid a growing row over the death of Kim Jongnam.

State media said the Malaysian envoy

would leave within 48 hours.

Malaysia has already expelled North Korea’s ambassador, after he said North Korea could not trust Malaysia’s inquiry into Mr Kim’s death.

Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was killed with a nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur airport last month.

Malaysia has not directly blamed North Korea for the attack, in which two women smeared VX nerve agent on Mr Kim’s face. But there is widespread suspicion Pyongyang was responsible.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Small miners pledge allegiance

to ‘green’ economy According to Cheryl Williams, a miner attached to the Puruni Small Miners’ Syndicate, safety is very important where they’re concerned.

Addressing the first ‘Syndicate’ forum on Monday at the Square of the Revolution, Williams said that their ultimate goal is to have “zero accidents” in the mining industry.

And in order to achieve that goal, she said, the parent

body, ‘Syndicates in one’, is heavily depending on the GGMC to train miners in good safety practices.

“We can chase after gold, diamonds and other minerals; all of that is okay, but safety comes first,” Williams said.

A MATTER OF SURVIVAL At the forum, the little over 100 small miners in attendance made it clear that

we worked in the past; we will be organised and have rules,” she told her colleague smallscale miners.

Judith Blair, a member of the Karau Syndicate

By Ariana Gordon

AS they await the processing of their applications for land, small miners who have formed themselves into syndicates across the country are demanding that their contribution to the economy should not be taken lightly.

They promise to be fully compliant with safety regulations, to the extent that they are in the process of drafting their own safety guidelines, with the help of the GGMC to ensure that the regulation are on par with the body’s rules and regulations.

--drafting own safety regulations to prove it

they are not at all attempting to compete with the largescale miners, but are rather looking to survive in an ever evolving industry.

As a matter of fact, they say they are fully prepared to function in keeping with the country’s ‘green’ initiative, as it’s important for them to mine in a hazard-free manner.

The miners contend that for far too long, they have been struggling to obtain land from the government, and are

Puruni miner, Cheryl Williams

Miners gathered at the Square of the Revolution on Monday (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

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grateful to the APNU-AFC coalition government for living up to its promises thus far.

Judith Blair, who represents the Karau Mining Syndicate, said small miners are progressive people who are looking for an avenue to continue contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The former parliamentarian said the formation of syndicates will see miners working in an entirely different environment.

“Under syndicates, we will no longer work in the way

NO MORE TIP In keeping with the rules that will govern the syndicates, Blair said there’ll be zero tolerance for Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and child labour, twin ills currently plaguing the industry.

She noted, too, that the time has come for females in the industry to be respected. “It is time we protect our womenfolk. And let us not forget our youths; we must shy away from child labour; we must encourage our 16-year-olds to remain in school,” Blair said, adding: “We can mine without our children being in the backdam; it is dangerous.” Having said that, she proceeded to call on government agencies to ensure that there is strict monitoring of the backdams to ensure that child labour is stomped out.

Turn to Page 8

Standard & Poor’s cuts Barbados one notch --UWI lecturer says it's a ‘wake-up call for T&T’ THE Government is putting the economy on a sure path to a credit rating agency downgrade that will trickle down to hurt everyone through higher interest rates on loans and credit card payments.

So says University of

the West Indies financial economics lecturer, Vaalmikki Arjoon in an e-mailed response to queries.

He was responding to Standard & Poor’s (S&P’s) Friday-evening decision to downgrade Barbados further into what the industry calls “junk status” or

non-investment grade, to “CCC+” from “B-”.

Unabated borrowing without raising revenue to service the very debt created from said borrowing, to allow the government to keep spending beyond its means, builds an economic house of cards that

will inevitably collapse and prompt a further downgrade by the credit rating agencies, Arjoon said.

“The Barbados downgrade is a wake-up call for us. If we continue this listless economic management, a future downgrade is inevitable,” the UWI lecturer

said, adding that in order to prevent this from happening, the government needs to take “ambitious leaps to lift revenue earnings, exports, foreign exchange, foreign direct investment and lower unemployment.”

Arjoon, who lectures at both the St Augustine and Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Busi-

ness, Mt Hope, campuses, said: “Our key risks for a downgrade stem from, but are not limited to, our persistent fiscal deficit, staggering debt, our lax approach to earning additional foreign exchange, a worsening current account balance, illicit financial inflows and crime.”

(TrinidadExpress)

US praises T&T drug fight THE United States government has praised T&T for its ongoing efforts to combat the international illegal drug trade despite facing many challenges.

According to the 2017 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report,

which was released this month by the US State Department, “The Government of T&T continues to make progress in its ability to investigate complex counter narcotics cases targeting criminal networks.”

The State Department continued, “Robust in-

terdiction efforts continued through 2016, though overall seizures decreased from 2015.”

The State Department also noted that T&T maintains a narcotics control and law enforcement agreement which allows the US to patrol this coun-

try’s waters, overfly its territorial sea, and detain vessels suspected of trafficking drugs.

At last Thursday’s post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon praised

the Coast Guard for their role in a recent multi-million-dollar drug bust in international waters during a joint drug interdiction operation with the US Coast Guard.

The interception took place on February 16 in international waters north of

Paramaribo, off the coast of Suriname, and resulted in a find of 4.2 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of US$125M ($837,000,000).

The ministry said this was one of largest drug busts in the Atlantic since 1999. (TrinidadNewsday)

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Editorial

Ethnic accusations THE Guyana Indian Indentureship Abolition Association (GIIAA) last Friday hosted a ceremony to mark the 100 years since the abolition of Indian indentured labour.

Indentureship, which was a system of bond labour, and used to source the plantation society after the abolition of slavery in 1834, saw various ethnic groups coming to then British Guiana.

Those who came through the indentured system were Africans, Chinese, Portuguese, Europeans, and East Indians.

India provided the largest and most sourced supply of this labour. The system of indentured servitude was abolished by the British Crown in 1917. Abolition came as the result of justified determined resistance by the indentured, those who empathised and lobbied against its tyranny, including locals, British Parliamentarians, and others within that society.

Agitating against the mistreatment of workers was trade unionist Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, whom the indentured Indians nicknamed the ‘Black Crosby,’ in homage to the white Immigration Agent General, whose role it was to look into their welfare, and whom they considered their only friend. Indentured labour has become solely associated with our Indian brothers and sisters, given that they represented the significant majority. That Indians have played a significant role in developing this society, none can deny. Equally it cannot be denied the presence and contributions of this group in every sector of society, moulding and shaping the nation’s mosaic.

There is much within this centennial anniversary Guyanese can learn about the system, its cruelty, and the indomitable spirit of those who fought against it. Such frank and honest discussions would also allow for reflection on how far we have come as a people, and examining the hindrance

of to achieving the aspiration of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” This could be a year for Guyana to shine.

But something went awry last Friday at the GIIA’s event to commemorate the end of abolition of indentured servitude.

Sitting in the audience included members of the Government, Opposition and Diplomatic Corps and those referred to as Rights Activists and promoter of a race blind world.

Outside of the speeches to recall the struggles and honoured contributions of Indians, as with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and a few others, some took this moment for reflection to raise issues, real or perceived, that have since generated spirited debates.

For instance Rhyaan Shah holds the view Indians have been marginalised. This perception is held where Guyana has seen an Indian-dominated government holding the reins for 34 of the 74 years of self-government, of which 23 of the last 25 years it held office. It is hoped Ms. Shah could provide supporting evidence to damnable claim that would bring about deserving attention. Ravi Dev, who viewed the closure of Wales Estate as an attack on Indians, overlooked the diversity of those workers. While it is not expected he would be a Critchlow, it is reasonable to expect he would have considered all the workers, irrespective of race, deserving of equal attention.

Adrian Anamayah Member of Parliament (MP) from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic expressed the view that “Indian businessmen are being penalised for their success,” making a call to his “Indian brethren…to stand firm and resist.” The MP also felt that the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) is set up to target Indian businessmen. The SARU

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

is established to recover state assets acquired through questionable means, which Anamayah is aware of. It is therefore offensive to Indians and every businessman, who would have acquired their assets legitimately to feel that they are being targeted. As a public servant paid by taxpayers, irrespective of race, the MP has brought disrepute to the august body he sits in and insulted all Guyanese who are paying him and playing by the rules.

The GIIAA event lays bare, once again, the simmering mistrust and stereotypes of others. Though inflammable some of the presentations may have been where these views exist and are being promoted by leaders, they cannot be ignored. The society will look towards sources like the government, organisations like the Universal Peace Federation, headed by Roshan Khan to stimulate discussions that flowed from that event. For it surely reminds that Guyanese can no longer play deaf to these voices and their perceptions, real or perceived. Mahatma Gandhi encourages that “You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” Ms. Shah, and Messrs. Dev and Anamayah would aid the comity of country paying heed to his wisdom.

Gov’t, private sector must engage each other Dear Editor,

RELATIONS between the private sector and the government of any country are critical to the development of the country. Some private companies are at times quite “mercenary”...focusing only on maximising profits, while disregarding the need to pay taxes, pay proper wages and offer good working conditions etc. But an entire private sector cannot be punished for the faults of a few.

Further, various governments of a country, when they take office may offer different incentives from that of the previous government to

the private sector and in doing so may favour those who donated handsomely to their elections campaign. Unless these incentives violate any campaign financing or other laws, then such actions are just the politics of business or the business of politics.

Beneficiaries of such favour, once not in contravention of any law, should not be targets of a new government. But it must be ensured that these incentives are used for the purposes for which they were granted and that job- creation is one of results.

In recent letters I have been pointing to various examples in this hemisphere where governments and their

private sector have been intensifying their collaboration and cooperation. Just last week the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) announced a plan to facilitate financing for the private sector in its member states.

The Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) approved and signed an agreement establishing the Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation to facilitate the private sector access to financing. The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation is designed to encourage financial institutions in the

Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) to increase their lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through the provision of partial credit guarantees to facilitate access to financing by the private sector.

The Council also agreed that commercial banks should be encouraged to increase lending to the private sector as a means of spurring growth.

In the US, many Caribbean governments, jointly with their private sectors, are looking at ways of influencing the implementation of the provisions of HR 4939—The US/Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act, which inter alia, provides for assistance

in promoting the economic development of Caribbean countries. Here again the Guyanese private sector and government need to be working together on a strategy to identify initiatives, programs and priorities that would help develop the economy. The diaspora too can also play a meaningful role here.

Against this backdrop, I am concerned about the current unease in the relationship between the Private Sector Commission of Guyana (and by extension the private sector as a whole) and the Government of Guyana. I point to these recent developments in other countries as yet

another form of evidence as to how the private sector and governments in other parts of our hemisphere are working together for the common good of the people.

It is my sincere hope that the Government of Guyana and the private sector of Guyana could embark on “A Fresh Start” and engage immediately in consultations that would lead to enhanced confidence in each other and collaboration on workable programs to create much needed employment and growth in the economy.

Regards Wesley Kirton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

An equal partnership: Man and woman Dear Editor,

AT TIMES I have been disheartened by the number of churches that talk about egalitarian theology, but are not actually practicing it. Egalitarianism, is a movement based on the theological view that not only are all people equal before God in their personhood, but there are no gender-based limitations of what functions or roles each can fulfill in the home, the church, and the society.

It is sometimes referred to as biblical equality. Egalitarians understand the Bible as teaching the fundamental equality of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups, all economic classes, and all age groups, based on the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.

Let me also say that it should not be confused with secular political, economic, social egalitarianism.

Growing up, many of us were taught that the man is the head of the household (which hold truth in the word of God), and we’ve probably heard about how the husband is supposed to “wear the pants in the family.” But most of what is said is actually based in religion, and they contradict the Word of God. In the beginning, God designed marriage as an equal partnership between man and woman, with both of them sharing equally in a close relationship with Him. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish

of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:27, 28).

Notwithstanding, that all changed when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. The gender equality they previously enjoyed disappeared, and the stage was set for unequal relationships, patriarchy, and male domination. This was not God’s original plan, but sin brought consequences. “Unto the woman He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life” (Genesis 3:16, 17).

This continued until Jesus was born to undo the damage that was done and re-establish gender equality.

Some of the ways He did this included speaking to women, who were considered social outcasts (John 4:5-27), and showing mercy and compassion to women seen as inferior in a male-dominated society (John 8:1-11). Jesus challenged the traditional mindset of men exercising dominion over women, and He willingly died on the cross to abolish the curse that locked men and women into unequal relationships.

Women in pagan societies during biblical times were often treated with little more dignity than animals. Some of the best-known Greek philosophers—considered the brightest minds of their

era—taught that women are inferior creatures by nature.

Even in the Roman Empire (perhaps the very pinnacle of pre-Christian civilization,) women were usually regarded as mere chattel—personal possessions of their husbands or fathers, with hardly any better standing than household slaves.

Most people are unaware that the way marriage and gender relationships have evolved is biblically incorrect, but the Scriptures reveal that God never meant for men to be above women or for women to be subservient.

“And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them” (Deuteronomy 28:13). This applies equally to both men and women.

Women today continued to be used and abused. Pornography turns women into objects and victims of dirty, cowardly Peeping Toms, who leer at them with greedy eyes. Throughout the world, women are traded like animals for sexual slavery. In more “civilised” places, men routinely use women for no-consequence, no-commitment sex only to leave them pregnant, without care and support. Some rights groups aid and abet male selfishness and irresponsibility, and they “free” women to murder their unborn children. Women are left alone, emotionally scarred, financially destitute, and experientially guilty, ashamed, and abandoned.

Where is the freedom, dignity, and honor in that? Let me point out that, ancient

Ravi Dev responds to David Hinds Dear Editor, I saw that my friend, David Hinds, was very quick on the draw to respond to my presentation at the “100th Anniversary of the Abolition of Indian Indentureship”, from one “sound bite” of my 30 minute presentation.

My focus was anything but on “victim-

hood”. I placed Indian Indentureship within the broad arc of the development of various methods of exploiting labour, after the European “discovery” of the New World. I outlined the historical irony of indentured White Indentures being succeeded

by African slavery – with racism invented to justify it and then back

to indentureship once again, but this time with the racist slant.

I think Guyana Times’ piece: “Indo Guyanese must protect their contributions to Guyana – activists” March 5, 2017 provides a wider account that can be checked.

Regards Ravi Dev

and contemporary, within the Bible, from cover to cover, the Bible exalts women. In fact, it often seems to go out of the way to pay homage to them, to ennoble their roles in society and family, to acknowledge the importance of their influence, and to exalt the virtues of women.

The quality of our relationships greatly impacts our overall happiness, especially in marriage. Marriage is a blessing and a gift from God, but many people don’t truly understand His original intent for it. With divorce rates at an all-time high and many young people today choosing to remain single, marriage has gotten a bad reputation. But God’s design for this sacred relationship is radically different than the world’s view. God loves us all equally and our relationships should reflect that.

Freedom in Christ extends to everyone!

While equality has been a hot topic in some denominations and groups of churches in recent years, it’s still something that’s pushed under the carpet by many others – often never being discussed. Our job should be to paint a picture of a world

where equal value and opportunity is beneficial, not a slight against those who may be starting to notice a sudden lack of automatic advantage.

I believe that the church should encourage everyone equally in leadership as they are gifted. This includes encouraging not just young married women, but also older women, and single women, alongside men. The Pastors should publicly encourage and support women in leadership roles, and express appreciation for their influence and gifts.

For Christian men that believe that women should not preach and teach, let me ask you a few questions and provide answers at the same time. Who were the first people that saw the resurrected Christ and were given the lofty task of changing humanity? Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women who came to the tomb. Who was called by Paul, “A fellow worker in Christ” and held up as great teacher? Priscilla.

Who was given the responsibility to answer to angels, take scorn and shame, bear the Son of God and encourage Him to greatness? Mary.

As we celebrate “International Women’s Day” on March 8, let me put on record that Women aren’t footnotes in Scripture; they’re some of the most vital players in all of Christianity. I believe that we must fight for the cause by going into every corner of every church to call out inequality. Influential leaders who continue to perpetuate gender inequality must be publically questioned, in love, but in firmness.

Men will not rule over women in heaven, and the Bible says to do our very best to bring heaven to earth (Matt. 6:10). Will we be earthly people who continue to hold up power hierarchies based on gender, or will we be kingdom people who tear down power hierarchies and allow the Spirit to invade our establishments? Gender equality, the full partnership of men and women in both worth and authority, will set us apart from the world and will result in a global revival for the Christian Church.

Regards Adel Lilly

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

SOCU Investigators testify in trial against Omar Shariff

By Clestine Juan THE trial against former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Shariff, and his reputed wife, Savitri Hardeo, commenced before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The two were charged with failure to provide court-requested documents to the police in January. The trial commenced with the testimony of Superintendent of Police, Brian Vieira, who is an investigator attached to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

Vieira, while being led by Special Prosecutor, Patrice Henry explained to the court that he conducts investigation into financial cases such as money laundering and that on June 30, 2016 about 08:30 hrs he was given a search warrant made out in his name and given certain instructions by SO-

CU’s Head, Assistant Commissioner, Sydney James.

“As a result of those instructions, I headed a search party to the home of the defendant, Omar Sharif, at Dowding Street, Kitty,” the witness explained.

According to Vieira, upon arrival at the premises, he made contact with Shariff’s reputed wife, Savitri Hardeo and identified himself to her as an officer and the nature of his visit. He further noted that he read her the search warrant, requesting the couple’s financial records, inclusive of electronic equipment that they might have information about.

“In her presence I supervised the search during which I retained several financial documents, two laptops, an electronic tablet, an external hard drive and two laptop bags also containing financial files,” the witness said in his evidence in chief.

The Superintendent noted that he gathered his finding in boxes and told Hardeo

Former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Shariff

she would have to accompany him to SOCO Headquarters when she requested to call her husband, which he granted.

“I placed a call to Commissioner James informing him on the finding of the search. He then give me certain information, as a result I remained at the premises in

Pastor charged with causing death by dangerous driving A SENIOR pastor of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God was remanded to prison on Monday after he was charged with causing the death of Maurice Moseley by dangerous driving.

Thirty-five-year-old Haleno Angelo Luiz was not required to plead to the indictable offence when it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. It is alleged that on March 3, 2017 on Hadfield and Smyth Streets, the pastor drove vehicle,PPP 4765 in a dangerous manner causing the death of Moseley.

The court was informed that Luiz, who is also a televangelist on several local stations, moved to Guyana three years ago, spreading the Word of God. The Brazilian,who is a resident of Guyana,lived and worked here for the past three years and holds a work permit, which was issued last year.

Police prosecutor,Deniro Jones,objected to bail, citing the nature and penalty of the

the company of Hardeo and the items.”

He noted that within 20 minutes, Assistant Commissioner, Sydney James arrived with other ranks and a male, whose name he learnt later to be Omar Shariff. Vieira told the court that James took possession of the box, which contained the findings and left with Shariff, while he [Vieira] returned to SOCO headquarters.

Under guidance by the prosecutor, Vieira recalled that on November 4, 2016, he had interaction with Shariff, when the accused visited SOCU headquarters to deliver six boxes of financial records for James.

The witness explained that he had informed Shariff that the Assistant Commissioner was not in office at the time but he was willing to take the boxes and deliver it safely to him.

Shariff, the witness disclosed, handed over the six boxes containing the documents and an envelope.

Also testifying, was Superintendent of Police, Trevor Reid, who is in Investigator attached to SOCU. Under oath in the witness stand, Reid explained that he investigates cases of money laundering.

He explained that on September 2, 2016 he received information from Assistant Commissioner, Sydney James and as a result he prepared a search warrant and executed it on Krishandat Hardeo and his wife, Diaram Hardeo, the man’s wife. Krishandat is the brother of the female defendant. The search was carried out at their Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo home.

Reid testified that he informed the couple of the warrant and that they need to hand over all electronic or hard copies of documents related to money laundering between them and Savitri Hardeo.

“In their presence, several documents related to

the transaction of Savitri, Omar Sharif and them were found,” Superintendent Reid told the court.

He further explained that he took possession of the findings, along with a laptop and ordered the couple to accompany him to SOCU headquarters. There was no cross-examination of the witnesses since Sanjeev Datadin, the Attorney of Omar Sharif, and his reputed wife, was absent in court.

The Magistrate adjourned the matter until March 23 for the witnesses to be cross- examined and the continuation of the trial.

The case is being prosecuted by a six-member team of attorneys – Trenton Lake, Michael Somersall, Hewley Griffith, Lawrence Harris, Patrice Henry and Compton Richardson.

Omar Shariff was fired from the post of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, which took effect on December 31, 2016.

Small miners pledge allegiance...

From page 5

Haleno Angelo Luiz

offence, as well as the fact that Luiz is not a Guyanese citizen. He was remanded to prison until March 15.

Jones added that Luiz had not offered his passport to the police, nor did he offer any statement to the police.

It is alleged that on the day in question, the defendant was proceeding east along Hadfield Street at a fast rate when he failed to stop at Smyth Street, hitting the deceased, who was riding his motorcycle.

Moseley, a former meter technician at the Guyana Water Inc (GWI), was heading to work at Top Branz Distributors when he met his demise.

He was reportedly riding his motorcycle along Hadfield Street when the driver of the van failed to stop at the intersection and crashed into him. Moseley was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

And, stressing the importance of syndicates to the mining sector, Blair made it clear that once small miners work together much can be achieved. “We will move forward if we work together; this land doesn’t belong to one set of people,” she said.

She further called on the authorities to examine those who are in possession of mining lands for a number of years but are not utilising them, as she believes that those lands ought to be confiscated and handed out to small-scale miners.

BILLS TO PAY “We have bills to pay; children to feed,” she said, while noting that the lands promised to small miners through syndicates need to be made available speedily.

“Processing of these lands should take precedence in GGMC; we need to have our land to work,” a passionate Blair told her colleagues

who readily agreed with her.

Similarly, Renwick Solomon stressed the need for miners to be given fertile lands to mine. He said over the years, small scale miners were given lands to which were already mined out. “We aint working pine…we working gold…we need good lands to mine,” he stated.

He applauded the government for making a promise to small miners when they campaigned leading up to the 2015 general and regional elections and said, the administration has lived up to its word. “We are not competing with anybody; we are trying to survive- we approached the government with our plea and they have responded favourably,” Solomon stated.

NOTHING NEW Additionally, Bastiani, a miner attached to the Mahdia Syndicate, explained that syndicates are not a new and

unheard of initiative, but one that began many years ago.

He referenced former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds encouraging miners to form themselves into syndicates but that suggestion by the former Prime Minister differs from that which obtains today.

“Twenty years ago, Sam Hinds called on us to form syndicates…but it was a lottery, lottery syndicate where you had to apply for land. We formed ourselves into groups of four but the persons in the group were randomly chosen…they selected us from the beginning so we started with failures,” Bastiani explained.

The Mahdia miner said that as a result of syndicates “miners now have a voice” noting that it is no longer ‘a rat race’.

“This movement is big; it is different now…This is a fight for survival,” the miner added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Parking meter project to go on THE controversial parking meter project being executed by Smart City Solutions with the full backing of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council will continue even as the matter engages the court’s attention.

On Monday, Justice Brassington Reynolds rejected an application by Attorney-at-Law Kamal Ramkarran which sought to have the project put on hold until a substantive case, which is before Chief Justice (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards,is completed. Last month, Justice Cummings-Edwards granted an ‘Order Nisi’ to quash the decision of the City Council and Town Clerk to enter into a contract

with Smart City Solutions, unless they can give just cause why it should be so.

The application was filed by Mahendra Arjune through his Attorney,Ramkarran.

Ramkarran had argued that the order granted by Justice Cummings-Edwards should have acted as a stay against the Mayor and City Council moving ahead with the parking meter project.

However, when the matter came up on Monday, Justice Reynolds told the Court that Order of Rule Nisi is not a stay of the proceeding, and as such the application to have interim relief from the parking meter project was rejected.

However, the substan-

tive matter will continue on March 20. In the substantive case, Arjune, through his lawyer Ramkarran,is challenging the legality of the contract signed between the Municipality and Smart City Solutions. Last Thursday, Justice Reynolds ruled that the case will proceed after the Town Clerk, Royston King, through his attorney Roger Yearwood, on February 27. 2017, had filed a jurisdiction application questioning whether the case filed by Ramkarran on behalf of Arjune for the project to be quashed, could be heard in the High Court under the new Civil Procedures rules.

Justice Reynolds after

hearing submissions from both sides ruled that the High Court continues to have jurisdiction to hear the case of the parking meter project and the operations of M&CC to impose penalties and fees on people, who wish to park their vehicles in the city.

The contract gave the company exclusive rights to conduct paid public parking within Georgetown and includes the installation of parking meters. But the project has attracted a lot of controversy and public debate with members of civil society calling for the terms and conditions of the venture to be rescinded.

Woman remanded for supplying ganja to students of Kuru Kuru college A RESIDENT of Kuru Kuru on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway was remanded to prison on Monday after she was accused of supplying marijuana to students of the Kuru Kuru Training College.

Sixty-four-year old Suria Somaria, known as ‘Sheila Gordon’, appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court, where she was charged with aiding a juvenile to supply 28 grammes of marijuana to two juveniles of the institution between February 4 and 9, 2017.

According to the information received, Somaria was identified as a single supplier of the illegal drug to the students of the college. The court heard that her home was searched on February 10, 2017 and what

appeared to be a freshly dug hole was found in the sand in the back yard.

There police found a large quantity of cash, totaling one million, two thousand and ten dollars, which were found divided in containers throughout the house. A number of cigarette lighters, smoking wrapping paper and tobacco leaves were also found and kept for evidence. No narcotics were found in the said home or on her possession at any time.

The matter was prosecuted by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford. Somaria was represented by Attorney- at-Law, Mark Waldron.

The matter was adjourned until March 24, 2017.

A release from CANU

noted that on February 09, 2017, CANU responded to an invitation by the authorities at the Kuru Kuru Training College. As a result narcotics and stories of pupils’ leisure use of marijuana at the institution were revealed.

According to the release, four males, inclusive of a civilian, a 15-year-old, who has admitted to being the distributor of marijuana to students on campus and three students, who have admitted to being consumers of marijuana – each ranging between the ages of 16 to 20, years old were all detained and escorted to CANU Headquarters, where they and their respective narcotics were weighed and processed.

The release further noted that three of the four young men had nominal quantities

of suspected marijuana in their respective possession and one of the three exceeded the statutory amount (over 15g) to qualify for a trafficking offence, which amounted to a total of 20g marijuana.

“CANU, with the cooperation of their respective parents and guardians, along with an official each from the Schools Welfare and the Probation Authorities, obtained statements from the young men with a view to finding the suspected supplier(s),” the release noted.

According to CANU, the four male detainees were released into the care of their parents and guardians, as well as the School’s Welfare and Probation Authorities, pending future monitoring and counselling.

More raids for Stabroek Market square POLICE are to conduct impromptu raids at the Stabroek Market square following the murder of Haymant Persaud, brother of Commissioner of Police,Seelall Persaud.

Acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine,said the vicinity is a ‘hotspot’ after dark for traffic and criminal elements,as such raids are being done to make the area safe.

He told reporters on Monday at the Police Officers’ Training Centre that they are doing some work in collaboration with the City Constabulary to rid the area of criminal elements, who are lurking in the shadows of darkness to rob people.

Ramnarine deemed the incident as “sad” and most unfortunate loss of life when some persons were drinking at 03:00hrs in the morning and others wanted to steal Persaud’s chain,and when he put up his defence he was fatally stabbed.

He said they are working behind the scene to beefup security in that area and those efforts will continue.

On Friday morning at about 02:00hrs when the party at

Stabroek Bar was in full swing and packed to capacity, the police swooped down on the premises and cordoned off the place after which they conducted a search of all its patrons. The raid yielded varying illegal instruments and a small quantity of cannabis sativa.

A 15-year-old boy is said to be in custody while sleuths are hunting another suspect up to press time. Persaud, 51, of Affiance, Essequibo Coast, was knifed to death on February 19 in the vicinity of Stabroek Market. He was positively identified by his sibling at GPHC mortuary after a bulletin was issued by the police seeking to identify the man. Reports stated that Persaud was on a ‘drinking spree’ when he was joined by a female, after which he was lured to a washroom in the area.

Persaud was reportedly attacked by two men and stabbed with a knife and relieved of his money and other valuables,after which the men escaped. He was taken to GPHC where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Helen Marshall, former Queens borough president, dies aged 87

By Denis Slattery HELEN Marshall, a longtime Queens, New York politician and the first African-American to serve as the borough’s president, died last Friday. She was 87.

Marshall, the daughter of Guyanese immigrants, was a Queens College graduate and a former public school teacher.

She entered politics in 1974, serving as a Democratic district leader, before representing parts of Queens in the state Assembly and in the City Council for nearly 20 years.

In 2002, Marshall was elected Queens borough president and served in office for three terms.

She retired from politics in 2013 and moved with her husband to California.

Melinda Katz, who replaced Marshall as borough president, called her predecessor “a deeply compassionate

person, who cared tremendously about the well-being of her fellow Queens residents.”

“Helen fought tenaciously to improve our children’s schools, to address seemingly intractable quality-of-life issues and to secure a fair share of City resources for Queens,” she added.

City Comptroller, Scott Stringer released a statement commending Marshall’s work for her beloved borough.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Liberty Avenue fire leaves many Guyanese jobless – businesses counting their losses

PERSONS of Guyanese extract are now unemployed and businesses counting their losses after a fire of unknown origin ravaged a row of buildings on Liberty Avenue in Queens, New York.

According to the New York Daily News, more than

200 firefighters responded to battle the blaze, which quickly spread from one store to a dozen two-storey apartments.

The daily has also quoted the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) as saying that “the seven-alarm fire started just

before 11pm (23:00hrs) Saturday in a store on the first floor of a row of two-storey buildings on Liberty Ave. near 111th St. in Richmond Hill.”

Although reports say no lives were lost, the fire, which, according to one news source, took “four

Some of the buildings that were gutted by the fire

Police Officers cordoned off the section of the Avenue where the fire took place

hours” to extinguish, still took a toll in some ways on those who occupied the buildings for either business or dwelling purposes.

One reliable source has informed the Guyana Chronicle that the blaze took out several businesses and apartments, some of which are reportedly owned or rented by persons with close ties to Guyana, who reside in New York.

Some of the businesses which were wiped out by the fire include, Ace Caribbean Market, Ramo Nauth Jewellers and the ever-popular

Bobbie’s Travel Agency.

The source said that those places were not only owned by persons of Guyanese origin but also employed a number of persons, many of whom share close ties to Guyana.

Bobbie’s Travel Agency was described as a service which Guyanese in Queens frequently used to book their flights and make their other travel arrangements.

According to the Agency’s website, it was established in 2001, and is owned and managed by a husbandand-wife team with a com-

bined experience of over 46 years in the travel industry.

The source told the Guyana Chronicle that persons, who appeared to be occupants of some of the buildings, were seen yesterday in tears, staring at what’s left after the fire.

The Guyana Chronicle was also informed that police and other officials have barricaded the area and are conducting their investigations.

So far, reports coming out of the international media indicate that the source of the fire is yet to be determined.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

ASP in AK-47 find likely to escape criminal charge THE Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who is accused of smuggling an AK-47 assault rifle out of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) compound last week will not be criminally charged, but he will be dealt with departmentally.

This is according to Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, who told reporters on Monday at Police Officers’ Training Centre that the officer in question is still on the job, pending the outcome of legal advice, since it is his third matter to engage the GPF. He is also being investigated in two traffic related matters, one of which was

caught on video and went viral on social media.

According to the Crime Chief, detectives are also awaiting the return of the file from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on this same matter.

Blanhum related that other ranks, including, a Corporal were placed under close arrest, which expired after 72-hours and as such they were released. The Corporal, he said, will also be charged departmentally, but the lone civilian is expected to make his first court appearance soon.

Blanhum also told reporters that so far, they have

been unsuccessful in tracing the origin of the weapon, but the probe continues to ascertain where the AK-47 was obtained. On February 28, ranks from the CID Headquarters conducted an operation and during same, a motor car driven by a civilian was intercepted and an AK-47 rifle was found.

Subsequently, the detectives acting on further information, contacted four ranks from the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) and placed them under close arrest pending a probe. The investigation was initiated when a private vehicle drove into the CID compound and stayed

60 months jail, $57M fine for couple attempting to smuggle cocaine – charge dismissed against co-accused

Mahendra Ramsuchit and Rohbina Basdeoram

A COUPLE who was caught red-handed attempting to smuggle over 21 kilos of cocaine through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in 2015 was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment on Monday.

Mahendra Ramsuchit of Rosehall East Canje, Berbice and Guyana-born Canadian citizen, Rohbina Basdeoram were found guilty before City Magistrate Judy Latchman following a year of being on trial.

Ramsuchit is accused of having 10.392 kilograms of cocaine in his possession, while Basdeoram is accused of having had 10.968 kilograms, on January 30, 2015 at the CJIA. Magistrate Latchman informed the court that Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt was able to prove that the

FREED: Kenroy Joseph

couple had physical control and possession of the illegal substance. Given the quantum of the cocaine, Magistrate Latchman pointed out that she believed beyond a reasonable doubt that they intended to traffic it.

Ramsuchit and Bas deoram were jailed for 60 months each, while Ramsuchit was fined $28M and

Basdeoram was fined $29M. Reports are that the two were scheduled to depart from the CJIA for Toronto, Canada via a Fly Jamaica flight.

The discovery was made at the scanning point. It was there that a rank from the Police Narcotics Branch spotted the “bricks” that were concealed in the bag.

Reports are that the cocaine was found in all four pieces of luggage that was being carried by the Guyanese national and Canadian citizen. Enveloped parcels were found stitched neatly into two laptop bags.

Meanwhile, Kenroy Joseph, a former personal assistant to former Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Ali Baksh, was charged with aiding and abetting the couple.

He reportedly presented a forged document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the airport duty office, indicating that he was carrying out protocol duties for Ramsuchit and Basdeoram, who claimed to be relatives of a government official.

However, Magistrate Latchman dismissed the charge against him citing that there was no evidence to prove he hatched a plan with the couple to smuggle the drug.

Joseph has to return to court on another charge of uttering forged documents.

there overnight. This was observed and the vehicle and its occupants were

put under police surveillance. When the vehicle attempted to exit the CID

compound, a search was carried out and the weapon was found.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Devika opens up on being diagnosed with cancer IT WAS a beautiful Sunday morning;just perfect for lunch outdoors. As we settled into our seats, I was struck by how beautiful Devika looked with her face-framing ebony hair now growing back quite thickly. “You look great with short hair.”

She chuckled “Thanks, it’s just great to have hair again”. I touched my own newly-cut hair imagining what it must feel like to be bald.

Sitting opposite me that Sunday morning in December was a woman who had

just completed the exact treatment I was now facing.

Devika Tinsarran was officially diagnosed in April 2015;in 2014,before her diagnosis she had done the fine needle biopsy which had assured her that it was just a giant fibroadenoma.

However,during this time she would complain about excruciating pain in her breast, tiredness, vomiting and weight loss.This led her to have a lumpectomy done to remove what should have been a fibroadenoma but,much like mine, turned out to be a malignant tumor.

As we started on our meal,Devika shared her emotional experience of finding out she had cancer for the first time. “What did you do? Did you know what stage then?” Mom and I rattled questions off to her. With a smile on her face she said “When I was told I had breast cancer, I became numb, I looked at my doc as he continued to speak and I just heard myself stop him.I said stop whatever you're about to say right now,wouldn't make any sense to me, give me a couple of days and i'll come

back and we can go from there. I didn't want to do chemo, but I decided to after a lot of consideration, and my doc telling me that my cancer was extremely aggressive and within a year’s time it will all be too late.”

Because of our age,it is very likely Devika and I have both been genetically predisposed to cancer.

“What was the chemotherapy like?where did you do it?”, I asked. “My doc had recommended GPHC.I was skeptical at first but once I got there and met everyone in the Oncology unit,I felt comfortable and decided to go ahead with treatment.”

Devika responded.

I didn’t like the idea of GPHC for any sort of treatment. It wasn’t the lack of good medical practitioners that concerned me, it was the lack of care from the nurses that worked there. I shared my experience with Devika,“ I visited the GPHC trying to enquire how to join the chemo clinic just last week and I came home frustrated by the apathetic nurses I met at the various surgical,diabetic and general clinics. I felt as though I was disturbing the nurses from something.”

Devika explained to me that the Oncology Unit of the GPHC was located in its own building behind the Accident and Emergency area.

There was no signage,at the time I visited,to indicate this. Devika sang the praises of the nurses in the Oncology Unit. She assured me that her treatment at the GPHC was comfortable and recommended that I do it there “ and it's free” she added.

Chemotherapy can cost as much as 150-200,000 per cycle at private institutions.

I was reminded that services like free healthcare is one of the reasons why we pay taxes and we should take advantage of them once in a position to do so.

Each round or cycle is administered intravenously and the procedure lasts up to three hours each time. There is a break of twenty-one days between each cycle for the patient to be able to build their white blood cells up and to maintain a healthy immune system through vitamin and food intake.

Devika told us a bit about the different chemo drugs and how they affected her.

“I did 8 rounds, I did 4 AC and 4 Paclitaxel. AC made me so sick, I was vomiting every time I ate or drank anything.I was so tired all the time, lost my hair after the very first round!It was emotional to see my hair fall, I had long beautiful curly hair! I knew it was going to fall so I started to cut it off bit by bit.

Then one morning I woke up

and I took off my sleeping cap, and the entire front of my head was bald;the hair was all in the cap. It was then I decided I didn't want to see that every day.

The real touchy part was that moment I decided to have my brother shave it all off;I cried for the first time when I saw myself with no hair.Paclitaxel made every bone in my body ache… I couldn't walk on my own for days.”

We spoke briefly about radiation,which she described as tiring and not being able to shower for a month during radiation,as well as the severe burns and scarring she experienced after. Speaking to someone who had survived what seemed like such an ordeal and in good spirits was very promising to me.

Before leaving the restaurant I asked her how she was able to get through it all;I was overwhelmed just imagining her struggle.I realize that life can be taken from us just like that, I live everyday trying to help as many people that will let me help them fight this disease. I wake up every day thankful for all that I have.I forgive easily now and I don't let anything bother me, I laugh as much as possible. (Cont’d Next Week: My first round of chemotherapy)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

‘We want to preserve the sugar industry’ – President says

By Navendra Seoraj

THOUGH the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is faced with a number of challenges, President David Granger has not given up on the ailing sugar industry.

This is despite remarks to the contrary from commentators and others about the industry being a ‘bad investment’. “The whole GuySuCo reform plan will be taken to the National Assembly; the plan is necessary because we have been spending billions of dollars every year to bail it out, but we still want to preserve the sugar industry and the employment of workers,” President Granger said Sunday at a Congress Place event to mark Ghana’s 60th Anniversary.

GuySuCo had announced last year that with a debt of $77.3B and consecutive losses, some officials were

advising that the industry is one not worth investing in unless plans for the reorganisation, restructuring and diversification of the industry are present. Figures based on 2015 audited accounts show that GuySuCo recorded a profit just once in the past six years, this being in 2013 when there was an adjustment in taxes.

In light of the foregoing reasons, officials are recommending “radical reorganisation, contraction of sugar, and major diversification” as a matter of urgency “for better predictability and planning”.

This was the thrust of the President’s announcement on Sunday, when he indicated that there is serious need for the industry to be “rationalised”.

And, last Friday, the Ministry of the Presidency reported that during a ministerial conference at State House

President David Granger at the Ghana Day event on Sunday

on February 28, there were discussions on major policy positions, particularly pertaining to GuySuCo.“...all we are looking to do is to work with the opposition, unions and members of civil society to

make sure jobs and the sugar industry are preserved,” the President said Sunday, adding that an inclusive approach is being taken towards ensuring that the industry does not crumble.

The efforts by the government is needed, according to GuySuCo, because the Corporation had reported last year that the need is high for these interventions because the industry is faced with many challenges, one of those being the fact that the cost of production is US 36 cents per pound, while it is only sold at US 16 cents per pound.

And, coupled with the deficit incurred because of the imbalanced prices, the Corporation is still faced with the fact that “101 per cent” of their revenue goes towards employment.

In 2015, it was recorded that 16,937 employees were employed by GuySuCo. Therefore, taking the numerous factors into consideration, the Corporation has declared that they would need $18B in 2017 and a further $21B in 2018 to run GuySuCo. And, in order to reduce

this, it was highlighted that the government must use the opportunity to access funds needed to keep sugar operational.

The corporation had also looked towards diversifying Rose Hall, Providence, Wales and the East Demerara estates. Meanwhile, the First Crop for 2017 commenced during the week ending February 18, 2017 at Uitvlugt and Blairmont Estates.

The Corporation’s sugar production target for the First Crop 2017 is 74,172 tonnes, however, with Skeldon Estate not having a First Crop, due to the co-generation plant being unsafe to operate as was advised by Skeldon Energy Inc. (SEI), the Corporation will not be benefitting from the budgeted 8,871 tonnes that the estate was expected to contribute to the overall production target.

GWI in moves to pump up water distribution in Paramakatoi AS THE Guyana Water Incorporated continues to address the need for equal access to potable water countrywide, it has recognised the need for a sustainable supply of water not only for consumption and domestic purposes, but also to support economic activities in the village of Paramakatoi, Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8).

This was noted following a recent visit by a team of GWI officials headed by Dr. Van-West Charles and accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs,Valerie Garrido-Lowe,to assess the water situation there and to look at ways of improving the water production and distribution system to allow all residents easy and adequate access. Paramakatoi is located in the highlands, roughly mid-way between the Barima-Waini and Cuyuni-Mazaruni Regions to the north and the Rupununi Region to the south.

According to a GWI release, recognising the urgent need for better water access,

Dr. Van-West Charles invited representatives of the Paramakatoi Village Council to meet with GWI’s technical personnel at his Vlissengen Road, Georgetown,office to discuss the realisation of new water systems for the community.

During the meeting, Toshao of the community, Mr. Gideon John, Vice Toshao, Mr. Jimmy James and Mr. Christopher Chung, presented to Dr. Van-West Charles;Executive Director of Infrastructure, Planning and Implementation Mr. Ramchand Jailal and Hinterland Manager, Mr. Osei Manifold, a community- designed plan for the drilling of wells at various feasible locations. A plan to source water at the top of a mountain and distribute it to the community was also discussed as a possible solution to the situation that exists. Additionally, Dr. Van-West Charles spoke to the need for multiple water sources, pointing to rainwater harvesting and springs as alternatives.

Satisfied with their proposal and knowledge of the

GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, hands over agreement to Paramakatoi Toshao, Mr. Gideon John, in the presence of Vice Toshao,Mr. Jimmy James; Community Representative - Mr. Christopher Chung; Director of Infrastructure, Planning and Implemention, Mr. Ramchand Jailal and Hinterland Manager, Mr. Osei Manifold

community, GWI entered into an official agreement with the Paramakatoi Village Council to develop the ideal water system that would allow for an adequate supply for domestic and economic purposes. Dr. Van WestCharles said GWI’s priority is satisfying the population’s and farmers’ needs.

The agreement will see the community members assisting with preparatory

works for drilling. This includes excavating the proposed water source to facilitate test pumping by GWI and submitting a proposal for the maintenance of the water system among other things.

This collaboration is seen as the coming together of engineering expertise and community knowledge to realize the need of the community.

Dr. Van-West Charles assured the community

members that GWI is committed to ensuring the timely completion of a water production and distribution system through strict monitoring of works. Upon completion, the Managing Director said GWI will focus on the installation of a filtration system and regular testing to ensure quality water. The community currently depends on a reservoir of spring

water that is deemed insufficient. Villagers have also complained about droughts during the period of January to March. This undertaking is a realisation of GWI’s mission which speaks to the delivery of “safe, adequate and affordable water and to ensure safe sewerage systems for improved public health and sustainable economic development.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Patterson promises to fix infrastructures in Region One MINISTER of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, recently visited the Moruca Sub-Region to discuss areas of infrastructural development for the community.

Minister Patterson was accompanied by Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, and met with residents and regional executives in Moruca, Region 1, including the Deputy Regional Executive Officer; the Toshao of Santa Rosa; and members of the Regional Democratic Council.

Minister Patterson was also accompanied by a team from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, including Ministerial Adviser, Kenneth Jordan; Hinterland Coordinator, Gregory Rickford; Hinterland Engineer, Jeffrey Walcott; and

Roads and Bridges Engineer, Bhageshwar Murli. The visit was a follow-up for Minister Patterson who in December 2016 was a part of a ministerial team that visited the area and he had committed to returning to Moruca in the new year.

According to a release,during the recent visit, Minister Patterson emphasised the importance of developing the hinterland regions. Minister Allicock shared these sentiments and applauded Minister Patterson, along with his team from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, for his role in “bringing the country together by bridging the coast and the hinterland.”

“I and my administration have a vision when it comes to the hinterlands; we want to see the hinterlands, in the next five

to ten years, becoming even more developed and for that to come to pass we need to listen to your concerns,” the MPI release quoted Minister Patterson as saying. He further said that the same methods previously employed should not continue simply for the sake of saying work has been done.

Instead, he said, a systematic approach is needed. He continued, “Of course, we can’t do everything at once because of certain limitations,but we want to ensure that what is done will stand the test of time.”

Minister Patterson also urged the residents and the executives to prioritise projects and indicate these priorities to his ministry. He stressed that, as the persons working and living within the Region, they would have the most

Residents accompanied Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock,to a site-visit of the bridge in Moruca, Region 1

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson (right) makes a point during a meeting with residents and regional executives of Moruca, Region 1,in the presence of Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock

insight into what is actually needed. “We’re in Georgetown and sometimes what we think is best is not always the community’s highest priority.

Therefore, that is what we’re here for; to listen to your concerns and decide on the way forward,” he said. He added, “From this visit here we’ll collectively make a decision because this will not work unless we all buy into it.”

Upon the opening of the floor, the key areas of concerns expressed were the rehabilitation of the sub-region’s main bridge; the improvement and expansion of electricity supply, and, to a lesser extent, the

state of the airstrip serving the communities.

Residents and regional executives explained that the bridge is in a deplorable state despite its importance as the link between Santa Rosa and other communities such as Paloma. They also raised concerns on the initial design of the bridge and called for the ministry’s intervention in providing a safe alternative.

Ministry officials who were present for the visit subsequently took the opportunity to visit the bridge and Minister Patterson committed to lending the ministry’s support towards the bridge’s rehabilitation. He

also assessed the conditions of roads within the sub-region.

Furthermore, following requests for a more regular supply of electricity to the sub-region, Minister Patterson indicated that efforts will be made to extend the supply of electricity from its current 7.5hrs. The hours of operation, he stressed, must be determined by the community and must be based upon their needs. Minister Patterson and team and Minister Allicock also visited nearby communities to have a first-hand look at other concerns raised during the meeting.

PANCAP hosting forum to strengthen AIDS response in Caribbean THE Pan-Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) is hosting over 70 NAP managers, selected chief medical officers and permanent secretaries, as well as representatives of civil society organsations at the Fifth Meeting of NAP Managers and key partners at the Office of the Parliament, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from 6 – 10 March, 2017.

The forum will focus on strengthening the regional HIV and AIDS response and the meeting is funded by the Global Fund and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

In his keynote address at the opening ceremony

of the meeting, Hon. Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, called for a ‘recalibration of the messages being used to educate the public on HIV and AIDS. “Despite the millions of dollars invested in HIV and AIDS prevention, people are failing to change their risky behavior”, stated Minister Deyalsingh; “we have to get our men in particular, to take responsibility if we are going to end HIV by 2020.”

The minister further emphasised that since donor funding for the disease in the Caribbean is dwindling, programme implementers must be strategic and focus more efforts on behavior-change.

“We must teach our young

people, using the forms of media that occupy their time,” stated the Minister, “if we are to truly end HIV by 2020, we must invest our efforts in creating real behavior change.”

In his address, Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit, Dereck Springer, stated that the meeting is occurring at an ideal time when the entire region is discussing the sustainability of the HIV and AIDS response in the Caribbean and it offers an opportunity to assess progress on current global strategies, and identify innovative ways to address gaps and strengthen the Caribbean regional HIV response.

“I am pleased that the

discussions will focus on identifying what gaps and challenges remain in the Region’s response to HIV and AIDS as prevention is high on the list of critical initiatives, which must be resuscitated and sustained,” stated the Director. He said most pivotal to the discussion will be the next steps and recommendations for bridging these gaps. These next steps are of particular importance when one considers the regional challenge of reduced funding for HIV and AIDS programmes, as well as the region-wide discussion on the need for Government supported programmes to fill the gaps which remain.

The discussions with NAP managers and key

partners will be conducted within the context of the Caribbean’s advancement in achieving the 90-90-90 targets with the overarching aim being an agreement on recommendations, which NAP managers and pivotal stakeholders can advocate at the level of policy implementation.

An update from development and regional partners, including The Global Fund, PEPFAR, UNAIDS, CARPHA, the University of the West Indies, Caribbean Med Lab Foundation and ‘Live Up’ on current and planned initiatives for the Caribbean region, including progress and support provided by development partners for coun-

tries and regional partners, is another feature of the agenda. There will also be an update on the PANCAP Local Capacity Initiative Project and the PANCAP-Johns Hopkins University Knowledge for Health Project. “I encourage all NAP managers and civil society partners to utilise the forum to formulate strategic next steps for strengthening the regional HIV and AIDS response,” stated Mr. Springer, adding that the ideal outcome from the forum will be an agreement on policy recommendations and strategies for assisting countries to operationalise their responses to achieve the global and regional targets.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

– Lewis slams PPP double-standards on sugar, bauxite workers AMID public outcry by the opposition and other groups over government’s plans to diversify the sugar industry, veteran trade unionist, Lincoln Lewis said the PPP was being hypocritical at best, as they had treated bauxite workers worst when they privatised that industry.

Writing in his Guyana Chronicle column ‘Eye on Guyana’ under the caption: “Do suh nah like suh”, Lewis said it was “this same PPP/C, during the Bharrat Jagdeo presidency, that sent home all the workers of the then stateowned bauxite industry. The Jagdeo government refused to talk with the workers’ unions about a rescue plan for the industry, and severance benefits for the workers.”

Lewis added that pleas by the workers’ unions- the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers (GB&GWU) and Guyana Mines Workers Union (GMWU)- and then Leader of the Opposition, Desmond Hoyte, to meet with the unions and stakeholders to develop an alternative plan were ignored. “Instead of engaging the unions on the workers’ welfare, Jagdeo visited Everton, Kwakwani and Linden, and lured the workers into forming what he called “workers committees” to meet with him and discuss their future.”

Lewis charged that the PPP/C had moved ruthlessly to address the challenges in bauxite, noting that they

took away bauxite workers’ negotiated tax-free overtime – which was achieved through their sweat, and extended to sugar workers, under the Desmond Hoyte administration, but kept it in sugar. He added that all bauxite workers were fired, their approximately $3 billion Pension Plan was dismantled and repeated public calls for stakeholders engagement were ignored. “LINMINE was sold to a foreign investor for $1.00, and the well-being of workers and their communities were placed on lifesupport,” Lewis said.

According to the trade unionist today the same “uncaring PPP/C,” now in opposition, is calling for a compassionate approach to sugar, and this is only because these workers are seen as their support base. Lewis said sugar workers must also remember the poor treatment meted out to them under the Bharrat Jagdeo regime, and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union served with a letter of de-recognition, which conflicts with the Trade Union Recognition law. “Managers were imposed on the industry without consultation and agreement with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Board.”

CONCERNS Lewis said sugar workers are within their right to be concerned about their future, given the problems of Guy-

Veteran Trade Unionist, Lincoln Lewis

SuCo and the uncertainty about the way forward, however, he said sugar has had problems for years. According to Lewis, when during the Hoyte administration, the Booker Tate management firm was invited in 1990 to manage the company, the other crops division did not rank in primacy of interest.

“The PPP/C assumed office in 1992 and the continued relegation of the other crops division worked to the perils of the company.”

Lewis said to his credit the Forbes Burnham government sought to address the economic problems by seeking to diversify the company, but these efforts were resisted by others and the opposition political forces, including the PPP and Working People’s Alliance. “Ideas of diversifying and creating a Diversification Plan, as

now being floated, though appear new, were applied in the past and many who today advocate for these worked against them. This is indicative that our debased politics is of such that emphasis is not placed on programmes and messages, but on the messengers,” Lewis charged.

Lewis noted that on entering office the APNU+AFC commissioned a public inquiry into the performance of GuySuCo and the PPP/C refused to appear before the commission and let its views be known, including recommendations to make the company viable, content to stand on the sideline and shout that the company must not be closed.

The government subsequently established a special committee, which according to Lewis, came after much public agitation for the inclusion of stakeholders. Headed

by Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, who was at time of its commissioning, Leader for the AFC, the PPP/C participated in these meetings, but failed to submit a proposal, and as it calls for the industry not to be closed, it is also calling for a ‘needs-assessment’ before closing it.

Lewis said asking for a ‘needs-assessment’ is not without merit, but stressed that the PPP/C failed to do exactly this during its 23 years in office, even as it was fully aware that sugar was in crisis and such an assessment

would have been important in making decisions on the industry’s future. “This instance serves as another reminder of how politicians treat the people and their business with contempt.”

Speaking at a Babu Jaan function on Sunday in memory of President Cheddi Jagan, Jagdeo called on Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) workers to resist any closure of estates and government’s diversification plans. “Why is it that sugar workers, when they

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

now go on strike – a routine thing provided by law (that) they’re told that if you do this we will shut down the factory it is against the law.

It is again to drive fear into the minds of sugar workers so they become less militant, so they won’t want to take protest action because if they do they will have consequences. The sugar workers

have to be prepared to take to the streets too. You have to be prepared mentally. Sugar workers used to strike when the PPP was in office. We need to see that now too,” he said.

Government last week assured that the welfare of the workers and their families is of primary concern as it pursues its diversification plans. “The other economic concerns and so on will, of course be dealt with but the workers’ interest is at the forefront of whatever policy we’re going to embrace with respect to the sugar industry,” Harmon told reporters at a post-Cabinet media briefing last Thursday.

He said too that the coalition government is expected to present a White Paper in the National Assembly soon, as it relates to the future of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). The issue was discussed extensively at the ministerial conference held on February 28, at State House, when Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, made his presentation. The conclusion of consultations between government, the unions and the opposition on GuySuCo’s future, along with the options advanced by the government and the proposal made by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) will form the basis of the White Paper.

ASP under investigation for abusing junior traffic ranks AN ASSISTANT Superintendent of Police (ASP) is under investigation after a video went viral on social media of him verbally abusing several of his colleagues, following an accident on Broad Street, Georgetown on February 22, 2017, which he was involved in.

At the time of the incident, the ASP, who appeared to be drunk, was in plain clothing and driving a heavily tinted motorcar.

Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine told reporters that the video is “disgusting”; however the ASP remains on the job as the probe is ongoing. The

Top Cop made the disclosure following the Guyana Police Force (GPF) opening ceremony of five courses at Police Officers’ Training Centre on Monday.

Ramnarine told reporters that the Force is seeking legal advice and the matter will have to go through the Police Service Commission for finality. When asked whether the ASP will be charged for the traffic matter, Ramnarine said based on the legal advice, the GPF will know how to proceed.

Paul Davendra Ram on his Facebook page stated that the officer was drunk and hit his vehicle from behind, while his

pregnant wife was inside; Ram claimed that the ASP threatened to kill him “because they don’t know who he is since, he is an ASP of Police.”

In the video, the ASP was heard threatening the police ranks, who were on the scene.

The ASP is seen pointing his fingers in the face of a colleague in the presence of civilians, one of whom was recording the incident.

The ASP refused to calm down even though he was asked to by the ranks present. On the day in question, the very officer was said to be involved in another traffic accident and was observed

to be under the influence of alcohol as he cursed and threatened several ranks there before driving off.

PROFESSIONALISM Meanwhile, at the training session on Monday, the acting Top Cop, underscored the values of being the beacon of truth as he gave the charge to the participants. He told ranks to portray an attitude of professionalism which will be respected by the general public, since they are the frontline ranks that have to interact with members of the public on a daily basis.

Ramnarine added that the police force has been making strides in bridging the gap between them and the public with several initiatives introduced recently; however these initiatives go in vain as numerous complaints are made against ranks by members of the public through the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).

Ramnarine urged the officers to behave properly regardless of what their rank is in the Force and to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times in order to gain the trust and respect of members of the public.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

No preference for military men …Trotman dismisses allegations of gov’t preference for ex-military personnel

By Frederick Halley MINISTER of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman has scoffed at allegations that the administration is paying special attention to employing ex-military personnel.

Addressing a Stakeholder Engagement Session, themed “Guyana Rising from Po-

tential to Prosperity,” held at Westmount Event Centre, Toronto, Canada last Saturday, minister Trotman emphatically denied the assumption from a member of the audience.

In a terse reply, Trotman said “it’s not true at all.”

The minister pointed out that many people are being hired on a daily basis, some

of them happened to have served in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). They are citizens and are entitled to work if they have the qualifications and that should not exclude them.”

Trotman said, if it is that others who are better qualified were bypassed, then there’s an issue, “but what I think what we are seeing is A member of the audience poses a question to Minister Trotman during the question and answer session

a large body of well-trained persons that was lying idle, people who wanted to give back.”

Trotman alluded to the fact that perceptions do suggest that there is a preference for military or ex-military people, but he said that this is not so, “and bear in mind that we are a nation of less than a million people, so if you inject four persons from the military, it looks as though it’s four hundred, but it’s just four.”

Responding to several complaints about the lack of action on previous issues facing members of the diaspora, minister Trotman disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently formulated a “Diaspora Strategy,” which has been circulated within the last two weeks. The strategy, which will be up for further discussion at the heads of mission conference, is to be held in Guyana in early April. He also promised to bring up some of the matters with the minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge.

Concerning bottlenecks experienced by some members of the diaspora, including overseas-based alumnus, when exporting items to their homelands mostly as gifts, minister Trotman disclosed that the Ministry of Business, in conjunction with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) have a preferential list for all importers. He said that it is a list that they are now putting together of credible business places and importers so they can get immediate clearance of their goods but certainly the alumni associations will qualify.

Trotman further disclosed

that the alumni associations shouldn’t be caught in that clogging up kind of situation and that he is going to recommend that they be included as frequent importers.

Touching briefly on the crime situation, Trotman admitted that some of the crimes that are being committed he never imagined were possible, “the ease at which lives are being taken, husbands plotting to kill wives, wives plotting to kill husbands and the emergence of high incidence of gang-related crimesm, which have crept into our region.”

Trotman said it is the view of Caricom that several of these crimes emanate from North America into the Caribbean and Guyana has not been excluded. In light of this, Trotman disclosed that Caricom Heads of Government expressed grave concern at the level of crime in the Community and resolved to increase their efforts to curb the scourge, including greater focus on the social determinants of crime, especially among the youth.

“We have our own unique issue of suicide, which is unprecedented and it is a national crisis that has to be addressed.”

Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada, Mrs. Clarissa Riehl, who was also present at the session, believed Guyana was on the verge of realising its great potential with the oil find and a better life is in the making for all Guyanese.

According to Riehl, “this jump start of our economy is coming at a very timely manner and Guyana will seriously begin to move again.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Crime down in Region 10 …commander says youth initiatives paying dividends

By Vanessa Braithwaite WHILE there may be an upsurge in burglaries and armed robberies countrywide, ‘E’ Division (Upper Demerara Upper Berbice) has recorded a significant decrease in these categories of crime over the past few months.

Commander of the Division,Superintendent Fazil Karimbaksh,believes that the meaningful involvement of youths is one of the division’s most effective crime fighting techniques. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, Karimbaksh boasted of the very low crime rate in Linden, and while there are cases of break and enter and larceny, the perpetrators are most times apprehended.

Being cognisant of the high unemployment rate in Linden which results in youths being involved in unconstructive activities such as gambling, liming and smoking, the Division has taken up the task, though not in their remit, to have these youths meaningfully employed in constructive activities. Currently across the entire Region 10, there are 15 youth groups with 573 members in total who are involved in activities and training,ranging from art and craft, vocational skills, music, first aid training and food and nutrition.”We have designated ranks who monitor them, the Division also collaborates with other organizations such as the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE)and the Board of Industrial Training who would provide voluntary training in welding and fabrication, mechanics, information technology and carpentry,” the Commander highlighted. The youths meet on a weekly basis and the training is continuous. There is another batch of youths expected to be enrolled in vocational training next week. ‘We are doing a lot with the youths, we have the scout groups too training in the field of music and the military band… we would also speak to them on teenage pregnancy, personal

Commander of ‘D’ Division, Superintendent Fazil Karimbaksh

hygiene and give general counselling,” The ranks of E’ Division under the stewardship of Commander Karimbaksh are also involved in community projects which allow them to strengthen and build a close relationship with the Community. Just last week, the Division built a bus shed at Mabura and will be building two others shortly. The division has partnered with the business community and the Regional Administration to identify sporting facilities that are in need of repairs and have recapped basketball courts, constructed playgrounds and pavilions, painted pedestrian crossings among other projects.

INCREASED PATROLS While the youth groups are to deal with the youths, the Division has also increased patrols in the several communities across Linden to monitor hot spots and known criminal characters.

The ranks have partnered with the Community Policing Groups to patrol these inner streets and pathways frequently. “ We have an increase in foot patrols;these patrols are supported by twowheel motor cycle patrols, anti-crime patrols, regular station mobile patrols, ATV patrols, we also have marine patrols, so with the advent

of all these patrols, we are preventing crime,” affirmed Karimbaksh.

The Division is also fighting crime by strict monitoring of parties and promotions where Deejays may be inciting violence and immoral behaviour through their music. Ranks in the recent past were forced to shut down parties and other social activities as a result of the violence being encouraged which results in fights and gun-play. Commander Karimbaksh explained that it is in the interest of the masses that the police are monitoring these activities so that the youths will not be negatively influenced.

He also spoke of the ripple effect of the several parties within Linden though the community has an ailing economy. Most of the men are lured to these social events where they end up spending their earnings rather than to carry it home and when the needs of the family are not met, domestic violence is ensued, the children are forced to steal to have a meal and triangular love affairs may start which can result in murder.

Commander Karimbaksh reiterated that the Division is here to work with promoters for the good of the entire community while upholding the rule of law.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

NPPO services are free of cost ALL services provided by the newly created National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), a department within the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), are free of cost.

In a statement on Monday, NAREI said the NPPO consists of the Plant Quarantine and Plant Protection units, and was established under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Sanitary and Phy-

tosanitary (SPS) Measures with the objective of facilitating and increasing Guyana’s competitiveness for trade on the world market, and at the same time protecting its agriculture sector from the introduction and

spread of exotic plant pests and diseases.

Services provided by the department include: The inspection of agricultural commodities for import and export; registration of importers and exporters of fertiliser;

issuance of phytosanitary certificates; granting of import permits for agricultural commodities; conducting of Pest Risk Analysis; conducting surveys and surveillance for pests and diseases; and conducting of farm, nurs-

ery and facility certification (bonds, warehouses, kilns).

NAREI said officers are not authorised to uplift or collect monies/payments on behalf of the NPPO, not on its behalf for the services provided.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

GDF march into Elite Leaders’ final

By Ras Wadada

THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) continued from where they left off last year as they notched up their 6th win from as many outings in Guyana’s top flight football for the 2016-17 season.

When action resumed, after close to 3 months last Sunday, at the Tucville Community ground in the GFF/ STAG Elite League Leaders competition, the ‘yet to be beaten’ Army secured a come-from-behind 2-1 victory against home side Fruta Conquerors in the feature game of the double-header

to restart the second half of season two.

The number two side, boosted by several imports through the transfer window, looked the aggressors in the opening minutes with left winger Eon Alleyne making several forays down the flank.

On the opposite side, Pernel Schultz made inroads as well while former Alpha United’s Solomon Austin looked solid in defence.

A direct free kick from about 35 metres out was exquisitely executed by former Pele midfielder Konata Manning to give Conquerors the

lead after 25 minutes of play.

The perfectly measured rightbooter curled over the wall and into the keeper’s right ‘V’ and it turned out to be the only moment of celebration.

The Army came out in the second period and immediately took control of the match as they levelled the score after just two minutes when midfielder Delroy Ferdinand produced a beauty from just outside the area on the attacking right.

In collecting the Olvis Mitchell pass with his back to the goal, Ferdinand’s first touch with his right boot lined up the ball for him to turn towards the

goal and in one motion fired an inside left-booter, curling low to the far post and into the ‘onion bag’.

Second half substitute, Jeffrey Perreira sealed the win 13 minutes after coming on in the 65th minute and again former youth national Mitchell was the provider.

Mitchell’s perfectly weighed and measured pass from the right side into the area was well read and timely met by Perreira in the box while the Conquerors’ defence appealed for off-side.

Perreira’s powerfully struck low right-booter cannoned off the far post and into the net. It was the

Chelsea ease past West Ham thanks to Hazard and Costa

By Martyn Herman LONDON, England (Reuters) - Chelsea brushed aside London rivals West Ham United with a 2-1 away win that restored their 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League yesterday.

Eden Hazard gave them the lead after a swift 25th-minute counter-attack before Diego Costa bundled the ball home shortly after the break to put the Blues in control at London Stadium.

West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini grabbed a consolation in added time, but the result was never in doubt.

Mid-table West Ham, who knocked Chelsea out of the League Cup this season when crowd trouble marred the night, offered little threat for most of the game as the west London side surged on towards the title.

Antonio Conte’s team, who have won 21 of their 27 league matches this season, have 66 points ahead of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea were content to sit deep and draw West Ham’s sting for the opening 20 minutes in which the home side enjoyed plenty of the ball without troubling goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Striker Andy Carroll

Diego Costa taps in simply for a second goal for Chelsea.

got a bloody nose for his efforts as he made his presence felt in the box but Chelsea were unruffled.

When the opportunity presented itself, though, Chelsea were primed and launched a lethal counter-attack to take the lead.

Midfielder N’Golo Kante stole possession deep inside his own half and immediately released Hazard who exchanged passes with Pedro before calmly taking the ball around keeper Darren Randolph to slot home his 11th league goal of the season.

MORE CLINICAL Chelsea took control after that and might have secured the points before

halftime had they been a little more clinical.

Another breakaway ended with Victor Moses, who was on loan at West Ham last season when the Hammers finished 12 points above Chelsea, having a shot blocked by Aaron Cresswell before Randolph saved well from Pedro’s close-range follow-up effort.

Manuel Lanzini wasted West Ham’s best chance when he fired well over the bar from a central position. Chelsea then went further ahead five minutes into the second half when Cesc Fabregas’s corner skimmed off the head of West Ham’s Pedro Obiang and straight to Costa who could not miss.

burly Perreira’s 3rd strike in two meetings against Conquerors, following up on his brace in last December’s 3-1 win at Buxton.

The soldiers now await the winner of Thursday’s semi-final clash between Devcon Victoria Kings and Fruta Conquerors who have a second opportunity to contest the grand final set for next Sunday and worth $2.2M. The Kings in a rather ordinary performance overcame Buxton United in last Sunday’s opening game by a 1-0 margin, thanks to an Aubrey Gibson direct free-kick after 76 minutes.

Gibson who came on as a substitute in the 61st

Perfect penalties bring ...

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be thwarted on both occasions by Honduras goalkeeper Javier Delgado.

In the ninth minute, Brooks Lennon delivered a corner kick from the right side that Justen Glad headed towards goal from nine yards, but Delgado was able to get his hands up to make the save and then kick the loose ball away.

Delgado made an acrobatic stop after it appeared that Lennon’s 27th minute free kick was headed for the upper-right corner.

Apparent leg injuries to midfielder Eryk Williamson in the first half and defender Justen Glad shortly after the break limited the second-half substitution options of U.S. head coach Tab Ramos, but the 50-year-old was able to win his first CONCACAF U-20 crown in three tries.

Under Ramos’ leadership, the U.S. fell 3-1 to Mexico after extra time in the 2013 final. Two years ago, the Americans got past El Salvador in a playoff, 2-0, to secure a berth in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In addition to the U.S. and Honduras, CONCACAF will be represented by Costa Rica and Mexico in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup later this year in the Korea Republic.

South Africa Racing Tips West Ham roused themselves and it took a superb low save by Courtois to deny Sofiane Feghouli before, seconds later, home defender Jose Fonte headed over with the goal at his mercy.

Costa looked certain to double his tally with a brilliant turn in the area but his shot was clawed away by Randolph.

The closing stages were played out to swathes of empty seats as West Ham’s fans drifted home while Chelsea’s sang “We’re going to win the league”.

It was hard to disagree, although Lanzini did provide something for the hosts to cheer with a stoppage-time strike.

minute scored from just outside the box with an inside left-footed shot that curled around the inside of the wall and eluded the attempted grasp by goalkeeper Darren Marques, just to his left and above his shoulder.

The poor effort by Marques seemed to dent the spirits of the Buxtonians and the Kings held on for their second win in as many meetings at the Elite level.

It was also a debut win for coach Denzil Thompson although many of the Kings’ fans appeared upset with his team selection and strongly voiced their disapproval on the sidelines.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Pujara, Rahane launch fightback

By Sudipto Ganguly

BENGALURU, (Reuters) - Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane shared an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 93 to keep alive India’s hopes of a series-levelling win over Australia, giving the hosts a lead of 126 on a seesaw third day of the second Test yesterday.

India’s chances appeared slim when paceman Josh Hazlewood’s triple strike helped Australia reduce them to 120 for four before tea and the touring side looked favourites to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

But Pujara and Rahane batted through the final session to ensure India will set them a decent target to chase

on a difficult pitch.

At close of play, Pujara was unbeaten on 79 with Rahane on 40 to take India, who lost the opening Test of the four-match series by 333 runs, to 213 for four.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja took six for 63 as India fought back to dismiss the tourists for 276 in the morning session before Hazlewood’s haul swung the Test back in Australia’s favour.

The paceman struck in the first over after lunch to send back opener Abhinav Mukund and returned late in the session to dismiss India captain Virat Kohli in a huge setback for the home side.

India promoted Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja exults after dismissing Nathan Lyon The left-arm spinner took six for 63.

up the order to make a leftright batting combination but he scored just two before the 26-year-old Hazlewood

clean-bowled him.

SORRY NOTE Mukund’s first Test in almost six years ended on a sorry note as his off-stump was uprooted for 16 following a first-innings duck.

Fellow opener Lokesh Rahul completed his second fifty of the match before he fell for 51 to left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe, Australia captain Steve Smith completing a flying, one-handed grab at slip.

Pujara, who was dropped on four by Smith off Nathan Lyon, and Kohli initially batted without much trouble before the latter was given out lbw for 15.

Kohli reviewed the decision immediately and despite several replays, it could not be determined if he had hit

the ball before it struck his pad and the umpire’s decision was upheld.

The day started with Australia resuming on 2376, a lead of 48, and the tourists added 32 runs before losing their last four wickets for seven runs.

India were looking to race through Australia’s lower order but left-handers Matthew Wade and Mitchell Starc kept them at bay for the first 45 minutes.

The Australians dealt well with the threat of off-spinner Ravichandran

Ashwin before Starc perished for 26, holing out to a brilliant catch from Jadeja on the deep mid-wicket boundary to trigger a collapse.

Kohli finally brought on Jadeja in the ninth over of the day and the left-armer Jadeja trapped Wade leg-before for 40 and repeated the feat with his next ball to Lyon to complete his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests.

Hazlewood denied Jadeja (6-63) his hat-trick but soon became the 28-yearold’s sixth victim.

SCOREBOARD INDIA 1st innings 189 (L. Rahul 90; N. Lyon 8-50) AUSTRALIA 1st innings (Overnight 237-6) D. Warner b R. Ashwin 33 M. Renshaw stp. Saha b Jadeja 60 S. Smith c Saha b Jadeja 8 S. Marsh c Nair b U. Yadav 66 P. Handscomb c R. Ashwin b Jadeja 16 M. Marsh lbw b I. Sharma 0 M. Wade lbw b Jadeja 40 M. Starc c Jadeja b R. Ashwin 26 S. O’Keefe not out 4 N. Lyon lbw b Jadeja 0 J. Hazlewood c Rahul b Jadeja 1 Extras: (b-14, lb-3, nb-5) 22 Total: (all out, 122.4 overs) 276 Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-82, 3-134, 4-160, 5-163, 6-220,

7-269, 8-274, 9-274.

Bowling: I. Sharma 27-848-1 (nb-3), U. Yadav 247-57-1 (nb-1), R. Ashwin 49-13-84- 2, R. Jadeja 21.41-63-6, K. Nair 1-0-7-0.

INDIA 2nd innings L. Rahul c Smith b O’Keefe 51 A. Mukund b Hazlewood 16 C. Pujara not out 79 V. Kohli lbw b Hazlewood 15 R. Jadeja b Hazlewood 2 A. Rahane not out 40 Extras: (b-10) 10 Total:(for4 wickets, 72 overs) 213 Fall of wickets: 1-39, 2-84, 3-112, 4-120.

Bowling: M. Starc 10-0-45-0, J. Hazlewood 16-0-57-3, N. Lyon 27-2-69–0, S. O’Keefe 16-3-28-1, M. Marsh 3-0-4-0.

Ibrahimovic, Mings charged with violent conduct (REUTERS) - Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings were charged with violent conduct by the Football Association yesterday.

Mings landed on the United forward’s head with his studs and Ibrahimovic caught Mings in the face with his elbow soon afterwards during the teams’ 1-1 Premier League draw at Old Trafford on Saturday.

“The players were involved in two separate incidents in or around the 44th minute which were not seen by the match officials at the time but caught on video,” the FA said in a statement.

The players have until 1800 GMT today to reply

to the charge and face minimum three-match bans if found guilty.

Swede Ibrahimovic, who has scored 26 goals in all competitions for United this season, could miss the FA Cup quarter-final trip to Chelsea

next Monday.

Mings could face an increased ban for his offence.

“The FA has submitted a claim that the standard punishment that would otherwise apply for the misconduct committed by the Bournemouth defender is ‘clearly insufficient’,” the FA said.

Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings are spoken to by referee Kevin Friend (Reuters/Andrew Yates Livepic)

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

London mayor approves Chelsea’s new ‘jewel’ of a stadium (REUTERS) - Chelsea’s plans for a new 60 000-capacity stadium at their historic Stamford Bridge home have been approved by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Khan said in a statement yesterday that he was confident the £500 million redevelopment would produce “a jewel in London’s sporting crown” and attract visitors and fans from around the world.

“I’m satisfied this is a high-quality and spectacular design which will significantly increase capacity within the existing site, as well as ensuring fans can have easy access from nearby transport connections,” he added.

Planning permission was granted by the local council in January but it was subject

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

to the mayor’s approval.

Premier League leaders Chelsea said Khan’s decision was a significant step towards the new stadium,

which currently has a capacity of 41 600, but some hurdles remained.

“Further steps lie ahead, both during and after the planning process, before construction work can commence,” Chelsea said on the club website (www.chelseafc.com).

The new stadium has been designed by Swissbased architects Herzog and de Meuron, whose other works include Bayern Munich’s 75 000-seat Allianz Arena and Beijing’s ‘Birds Nest’ Olympic Stadium.

The current ground dates back to 1877 and has been home to the west London club since 1905.

Chelsea’s three main London rivals either have or are building larger stadiums than their previous homes.

Barca FC cop 5-A-Side football competition in Essequibo TWO spectacular goals from the boot of Keeto Joseph piloted Barca FC to victory over Front Road FC in the final of the Henrietta United FC- sponsored 5 ‘A’ side Football tournament, held on Sunday at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground.

Watched by a fair-sized crowd, Barca dazzled with skilful display throughout the competition which involved the four teams.

Earlier Barca defended a fierce challenge from BackStreet Boys to eventually secure a 1-0 win, following Keeto Joseph’s long range shot into the net.

Meanwhile, Front-Road FC gained a walkover from Ghetto Conquerors to reach the final. That game was preceded by an Under-15 exhibition match among players from the Henrietta United FC Club.

In the final, Barca FC maintained their momentum and with impressive ball possession and control, they secured a 2-1 victory in extra time against Front Road FC which was realised through two wonderfully executed goals from Keeto Joseph, whose three goals in the tournament earned him the Most Valuable Player award.

Chris Stephney netted

Captain of Barca FC Naseem Shaw receiving the winning trophy from Secretary Tiffany Gordon

the lone goal for Front Road FC in a losing cause during the 20-minute affair.

At the presentation Barca received the winners’ trophy from Henrietta United Football Club’s secretary Tiffany Gordon.

Coach of the club and coordinator Trevis Bowen expressed satisfaction with the staging of the competition, stating that it will be a regular feature, with matches being organised every weekend for the next two months.

This will form part of the club’s calendar of activities for the year and will also include coaching especially for young footballers ranging from 8 to 16 years.

He is also appealing to the private sector for sponsorship in the form of trophies. Bowen is one of two GFF-contracted football coaches on the Essequibo Coast who are tasked with promoting and developing grassroots football in the Region. (Elroy Stephney)

Arsenal play at the 60 000 capacity Emirates Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur

are building a new White Hart Lane ground with a similar capacity and West

Ham United now play in the London Stadium, built for the 2012 Olympic Games.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Simmons points to Caribbean series as key for Afghanistans GREATER NOIDA, India (CMC) – Discarded West Indies coach Phil Simmons believes Afghanistan’s oneday series against West Indies in the Caribbean later this year, will serve as a great opportunity for the fledgling side to begin to make strides in international cricket.

An associate member of the International Cricket Council, Afghanistan will be playing their first-ever bilateral ODI series against a major international full member when they take on West Indies in May/June.

Simmons, hired recently by the Afghanistan

Cricket Board to prepare the squad, said at this stage the aim was to be competitive and make inroads.

“I like to be realistic. I don’t think the BCCI (Indian Cricket Board) or the Cricket Australia would be really interested in hosting them for a series at this moment,” said Simmons, who was sacked by the West Indies Cricket Board last September.

“The important thing would be to remain competitive at this level, and when that happens you are bound to get your chance against

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

I think the upcoming series in the Caribbean in May is a step in that direction.”

In Simmons’ first series in charge last month, the Afghans beat Zimbabwe 3-2 in a five-match series in Harare, a tour the Trinidadian believes his side should have won more convincingly.

And with upcoming series against West Indies and Ireland, Simmons believes his job is to get Afghanistan to take the next step.

“These guys were good against the Zimbabweans,” he noted.

Afghanistan coach Phil Simmons

“But if you look at their performances in the World T20 last year, they came close to winning on a num-

ber of occasions, but could not seal the deal. My job as the coach would be to help them through.”

Afghanistan is ranked 10th in the ICC one-day rankings – ironically one place behind two-time former World champions West Indies – with Zimbabwe 11th and Ireland 12th.

Though the assignment is a short-term one, Simmons hopes he can use his experience to help the Asian side get the most out of the next few series.

“I was the Ireland coach for a considerable

amount of time, and since Afghanistan are scheduled to play two series against them, they have sought my experience, which is fair, I think,” he said.

“They have hired me for just three series. This series against Ireland, followed by another five-match ODI series against West Indies in the Caribbean in May, followed by a return series in Ireland in July. That’s what I am looking at currently.”

Afghanistan were good enough to beat West Indies in the preliminary round of last year Twenty20 World Cup in India.

Ramdhani finishes third in Canadian tournament GUYANA’S Sunburst National champion Narayan Ramdhani finished third place in both the open Men’s singles and Men’s doubles of the Tournament held, over the weekend, at the Vancouver Racquets Club in Vancouver BC, Canada.

Representing the Shuttlesport Badminton Academy, Ramdhani was seeded 3/4 going in to the tournament, and gained a walkover in the first

round. This passed him through to the quarter-finals where he came up against Nestor Lin. Ramdhani won the match 20-22, 21-14, 2111 but then went under 10-21, 12-21 against number two seed Eugene Chan in the semi-finals.

In the Men’s doubles Narayan partnered with Zack Fan, and the pair went under 8-21, 13-21 in the semi-finals, when they were pitted against

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

COMPLIMENTS OF: THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE 176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1Brian Lara-295 ODI matches (2)2Paul Collingwood-197 ODI matches Today’s Quiz: (1)Who was declared Man of the Match at the

end of the first ODI of the current WI/ENG series?

(2) Who are the players that took to the field in the first but not in the second ODI of the current WI/ENG series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

number two seeds Alex Lin and his partner .

Last weekend’s matches followed similar third-place finishes that Narayan placed in

the open Men’s singles a n d U n d e r- 2 3 M e n ’s doubles at the tournament.

The Guyana Badminton Association issued a statement yesterday, say-

ing the body is “extremely pleased that Narayan, being still a junior, is holding up with his training plan to keep up in the senior division”.

Only two weeks ago

he got third place in the Open Men’s Singles & Under-23 Men’s Doubles and won the Consolation in the Under-23 Mixed Doubles at the tournament.

English FA to appoint more women to the board (REUTERS) - The English FA will increase the number of women on its board to three by 2018 as part of a range of proposed reforms to the world’s oldest soccer federation, it said yesterday.

Only one woman, Heather Rabbatts, currently sits on the board.

The reforms included reducing the board from 12 members to 10 and introducing limits so that nobody serves more than three terms of three years.

The FA said it also planned to add 11 new members to the FA Council “to ensure it better reflects the inclusive and diverse nature of English football”.

FA chairman Greg Clarke said last month he would step down if the government did not support

his proposals to reform the under-fire governing body.

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch wants the FA, whose 120-member Council has been accused of being antiquated and resistant to change, to be more transparent and diverse.

“I am delighted that the FA board is able to unanimously recommend this strong package of reforms,” said Clarke in a statement.

“They represent huge progress and, if approved following consultation, will ensure that the FA is meeting the requirements of UK sport governance best practice.

The FA board has conducted a review of its corporate governance over the past six months as it seeks to serve better the long-term in-

FA Board member Heather Rabbatts

terests of the English game.

It said a special meeting of the FA Council will be convened on March 21 to debate the recommendations, with a formal

vote scheduled for April 3. If majority approved, they will be voted on by shareholders at an annual general meeting on May 18.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Mahadeo repeats, Duke dominate Kares Fitness Challenge

By Stephan Sookram DILLON Mahadeo proved once again that he is the fittest man locally while Semonica Duke outshone the pack as the Kares Engineering Fitness Challenge concluded on Sunday.

Mahadeo, the defending champion, produced an epic

performance over the fivestage event amassing 462 points and in the process, demoted Charlie Walker to second (410) and Anis Ade Thomas to third with 397 points.

The athlete, who finished second in the inaugural event found little trouble in carting off the win-

ner’s trophy and the $250 000 first prize. $150 000 went to Walker and Ade Thomas pocketed $100 000.

Later, he joined with the In Cross Fit 592 team to lead them to the overall team championship with 1 268 points ahead of Elite Systems who finished second on 1 250.

Fitness Paradise, led by

Part of the celebrity challenge yesterday. (Stephan Sookram photo)

Paul Meusa and Adonis, were third on 1 220 followed

by GDF (1 149) and Out Of Towners (1 007).

In the women’s category, Semonica Duke also of Cross Fit 592 took the top spot. Lynch (490 points) defeated Delice Adonis (470) of Fitness Paradise in a close battle for the honours.

Meanwhile former St. Stanislaus student Duke, overcame the challenges of Deice Adonis of Fitness Paradise (470), who finished second and Christina Rahman of Genesis Fitness Express, third with 435 points.

Apart from the competition, there was the Scotiabank celebrity event which featured several prominent enthusiasts. Fans also received several giveaways.

The event was also sponsored by Fitness Express, Ansa McAl, COURTS Guyana Inc, Wings Transportation Services, Windjammer and Baganara Resort.

Fittest pair locally: Dillon Mahadeo and Semonica Duke emerged as the fittest man and woman respectively in Sunday’s Kares Fitness Challenge.

Paul pledges to grab opportunity with both hands … Only new face in Guyana Jaguars squad

By Rajiv Bisnauth FOLLOWING his predictable maiden call-up to the Guyana Jaguars squad for the sixth round game against Jamaica Scorpions in the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) fourday competition, 19-year-old Keemo Paul hopes to grab the opportunity with both hands.

Paul replaces fellow all-rounder Christopher Barnwell and is the only new face in a 13-man squad, released by the Guyana Cricket Board on Saturday afternoon.

In an exclusive interview, the former West Indies Under-19 vice-captain said that

the selection is another opportunity for him to play alongside the region’s best players.

“I must thank the selectors for showing faith in me and putting me in the fourday squad; it’s a very good feeling. This is a very big opportunity for me to play alongside senior players like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Leon Johnson, guys that you look up to,” Paul said.

Once given the opportunity to play, the Saxacalli, Essequibo River-born resident disclosed that he is fit and ready to showcase his talent.

“I will try to gain as much possible knowledge from these guys and definitely try

one of three over-aged player to have featured in the West Indies Youth team that to improve my game; I’m just competed in the recently looking to grab this opportuni- concluded Super50 compety with both hands and make it tition. count and try to be consistent In the Super50, he made as possible”.

139 runs from 11 innings, He added, “I’m ready, including a highest 72 against I have been training hard, English county side Kent going to the gym, eating Spitfire. healthy and I’m 100% fit He also picked up 10 and I’m just ready to go wickets at 27 apiece, with a show what I can do,” Paul best of 4-31 against Windassured. ward Islands Volcanoes.

There is no question about Paul had a four-wicket haul Paul’s talent. The all-rounder against Leeward Islands has represented Guyana at all Hurricanes. the youth levels. His enormous Meanwhile, Romario performances at the Under-19 Shepherd, has been drafted level earned him a place in the into the squad, who leave West Indies Under-19 team for this morning for the Reggae the 2016 Youth World Cup. Island.

Subsequently, Paul was The game, which bowls

Keemo Paul

off on Friday, is a top-of-thetable clash. Scorpions, with

three wins and a loss and a draw have 67.6 points, while Jaguars, with two wins, one loss and two drawn encounters are in second spot on 64.4 points.

Barbados Pride (47.2), Windward Islands Volcanoes (41.6), Leeward Islands Hurricanes (39.4) and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (35.6) complete the table.

The Guyana Jaguars squad reads: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Leon Johnson (captain), Vishaul Singh, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Romario Shepherd, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph, Rajendra Chandrika and Keemo Paul.

Veteran Misbah-ul-Haq to lead Pakistan in Caribbean LAHORE, Pakistan (CMC) – Under-fire Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq will lead Pakistan on their three-match tour of the Caribbean starting in April, after rejecting calls for his ouster and making himself available.

Calls for the veteran player to step down had intensified in recent months following Pakistan’s poor

form which saw them lose all five of their last Tests to New Zealand and Australia.

But the 42-year-old – he turns 43 in May – said it was important that he stay on to help Pakistan end their losing skid.

“I am committed to the Pakistan Test team and that’s why I’ve made myself available,” Misbah said.

“We as a team will do

our best to lift ourselves from the slump which we’ve had by losing six Tests on the trot.”

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan confirmed he had been informed by Misbah of his decision and that had been conveyed to the selection panel.

A PCB statement subsequently indicated that Mis-

bah would be at the helm for the West Indies series.

“Accordingly the chairman has approved his appointment as captain of the Pakistan Test team for the upcoming Test series in West Indies,” the statement said.

“The chairman has also approved the appointment of Sarfaraz Ahmad as vice-captain of the Pakistan

Test side.”

Misbah has led Pakistan in 53 of his 72 Tests, winning 24, losing 18 and drawing 11. Last October, he steered the hosts to a convincing 2-1 victory over the Windies in a three-match series in the United Arab Emirates.

Since then, however, he presided over a 2-0 loss to the Black Caps and a 3-0

defeat to the Aussies away from home.

Pakistan face West Indies in the opening Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica from April 22 to 26, in the second Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados from April 30 to May 4 before clashing in the final game at Windsor Park in Dominica from May 10 to 14.

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Mahadeo repeats, Duke dominate Kares Fitness Challenge P.27

GDF march into Elite Leaders’ final ‌ Kings to battle Conquerors for other final spot

See Page 23 The GDF team notch up their sixth win from as many outings on Sunday night

Devcon Victoria Kings overcome Buxton United 1-0.

Perfect penalties bring U.S. CONCACAF Under-20 title See Page 23

The United States Under-20 soccer team was ecstatic after winning the CONCACAF final on Sunday.

THE United States captured the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship title for the first time, outlasting Honduras 5-3 on penalty kicks after their 2017 final ended in a 0-0 draw on Sunday at the Estadio Nacional.

Danny Acosta netted on the final conversion from the spot for the Americans, who were perfect on all five of their attempts as Brooks Lennon, Coy Craft, Emmanuel Sabbi and Luca de la Torre also beat goalkeeper Javier Delgado.

Honduras was successful on their first three efforts through Jorge Alvarez, Douglas Martinez and Foslyn Grant. On the fourth kick, however, second-half substitute Rembrandt Flores missed.

A match of limited scoring opportunities saw the U.S. generate two of the best in the first half, only to See Page 23

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TUESDAY, MARCH, 7 , 2017