Guyana chronicle e paper 07 04 2017

Nandlall was tipped off Page 3

– on planned search for law books

Relief pours in No. 104963

TUESDAY JULY 4, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

...as flood waters continue to rise in Rupununi

Centre page

Submit proposals for sugar Page 2

– Min. Harmon tells Berbice private sector

Kuru Kururu man in custody Page 10

– following Soesdyke-Linden Highway fatal accident

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, Region Nine Chairman, Brian Allicock, Deputy Director-General of CDC, Maj. Kester Craig and other officials visiting a flood-affected area in the Rupununi (DPI photo)

Fire guts MMZ house

■ Page 8

CARICOM to push for improved intra-regional travel Page 11

– at heads meeting in Grenada

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Submit proposals for sugar – Min. Harmon tells Berbice private sector MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon issued a call to members of the business community in the East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) to develop proposals for the way forward for the sugar industry over the next six months, as well as to pursue options for diversification.

Harmon made the comments Sunday evening, at a fund-raising dinner hosted by the Berbice Chamber of Commerce (BCC) at the New Amsterdam Town Hall. Noting that Government has embarked on a consultative process to determine what are the best options to ensure the viability of the industry, the Minister

called on stakeholders in the region to be drivers of economic diversification as Guyana cannot continue to rely on what the President calls the six sisters; sugar, rice, timber, bauxite, gold and fish. “There are greater opportunities that present themselves for businesses individually or working with the workers’ union or workers’ organisations to take the benefit of what is going to happen in the short space of time,” Minister Harmon pointed out.

Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin, who also spoke at the event, said that when the annual bailouts and investments in sugar are considered against the cur-

rent price of sugar, it is clear that things cannot continue as they are and Guyana has to expand local manufacturing. “This might be a good time for us to invest more in value-added productive businesses. If your imports aren’t selling, I can guarantee you that Guyanese want to buy local products. Guyanese are proud whenever we put quality local products on the market and this, for us, is a direction that we have been trying to nudge investors towards,” Minister Gaskin said.

Minister Harmon added that while it is the Government’s responsibility to continue to develop an investment friendly and more

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon speaking at the Berbice Chamber of Commerce’s fund-raising dinner at the New Amsterdam Town Hall

enabling environment for the growth of businesses, it is the responsibility of the private sector to tap into available resources to grow their businesses. Many of the concessions that were placed in the 2017 National Budget and resources allocated for Guyanese businesses are yet to be tapped into, Minister Harmon said. Private sector officials were encouraged to recognise Guyana as a single investment space and were called on to bid for contracts as well as invest in other parts of the country. “Step out of the box in which you operate and see that greater opportunities are available for you as business people,” Mr. Harmon said.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Ms. Catherine Hughes told members of the private sector gathered at the event that embarking on “out of the box” business ideas in the technological sector can result in profitable economic activity.

Pointing to the use of robotics, Minister Hughes said numerous possibilities exist in the digitised environment and Guyana is poised to take advantage of the strides being made in Information and Communications Tech-

Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin delivering remarks at the fund-raising dinner held by the Berbice Chamber of Commerce at the New Amsterdam Town Hall

nology (ICT).

“I am saying to you that this is how we take traditional agriculture, the traditional things we have done for many years, that are still important to our country, still vital to our people and this is how we take it to another level, to a new generation of technology that we are well positioned to take advantage of,” she said.

Meanwhile, newly-elected President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ryan Alexander committed that the private sector in Region Six will be working arduously to seek other opportunities outside

of the traditional sectors.

He touted the idea of using the vast estate lands for the development of micro-enterprises. Representatives of the Indian High Commission, members of the Upper and West Berbice Chambers of Commerce and other Government officials were in attendance at the fundraising dinner, which provided the opportunity for private sector officials to mingle with the Ministers as they discussed the future of the business in the region and how they can work together to push economic development.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

Public health high on CARICOM heads agenda PUBLIC Health is being placed high on the agenda

as regional leaders meet in Grenada for the Thir-

ty-Eighth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The conference will open today with a grand ceremony at the Grenada Trade Centre, subsequent to which Heads of Government will move to the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, in Grand Anse, for two days of business sessions.

On Monday, while addressing journalists from across the region, CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said that health matters will feature prominently during the conference, with a specific focus on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

This year marks 10 years

since the Caribbean Community adopted the Port of Spain Declaration aimed at “Uniting to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic NCDs”.

According to Ambassador LaRocque, non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and stroke are the main causes of death in the Caribbean region, and today remain a major concern to the Caribbean Leaders.

“I have seen some estimates that suggest that NCDs cost our region anywhere between two and five per cent of GDP,” he said, adding: “So while it has a n impact on an individual’s health, it also has an impact on the State and its ability to provide support for those suffering from NCDs.”

Even as a study is being carried out to investigate ways to reduce NCDs such as diabetes and high blood pressure,which are responsible for more than 60 per cent of deaths in the Caribbean, Ambassador LaRocque said what may very well be of help is a change in lifestyle.

“Lifestyle; what we eat, how we eat, when we eat is a major contributing factor to our state of health,” he said, adding that Caribbean nationals tend to eat a lot of fast foods or those that are high on salt, fat and cholesterol.

“We don’t exercise enough,” he said, adding that the damaging effects of smoking and second-hand smoke cannot be understated.

Under the Port of Spain

Declaration,CARICOM Member States pledged their full support for the initiatives and mechanisms aimed at strengthening regional health institutions, in addition to the provision of critical leadership for implementation of the agreed strategies for the reduction of the burden of Chronic, Non-Communicable Diseases.

As such, the Caribbean Cooperation in Health Initiative Phase III (CCH III), which seeks to address the issue of NCDs, is being coordinated by the CARICOM Secretariat, with able support from the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and other relevant partners.

Out of our hands

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

– GAWU says can’t do anything to get workers back in fields THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has indicated that there is very little it can do to help increase workers attendance, which at this time threatens the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)’s second crop.

GAWU believes that the sugar company must pay the workers their severance, and then re-employ them. In desperate attempts to save the company’s second crop of sugar production, GuySuCo has commenced the first of a number of outreaches to up workers’ attendance. Protest action earlier in the year, and a long-existing trend of worker absenteeism seriously affected the first crop, costing the company and workers

millions of dollars in revenue and wages respectively.

The goal of the outreaches is to get as many stakeholders to encourage sugar workers, particularly planters and harvesters of sugarcane, to work.

At the disbanded Wales Estate, workers are calling for severance pay instead of accepting employment at the Uitvlugt Estate, where there are presently vacancies for some 400 workers.

During the Wales outreach, GuySuCo’s Industrial Relations Manager, Deodat Sukhu told reporters that the workers were advised by a political figure to demand their severance pay and then seek re-employment, despite earlier agreements among the

company, union and workers that they would remain on Wales’ payroll.

GAWU’s General Secretary, Seepaul Narine told the Guyana Chronicle that it is not unusual for workers to receive severance pay and then voluntarily offer their service for re-employment in the same business, since severance is basically a payment for previous service and continuation in employment thereafter will be as a re-employed worker, with no previous service.

“You heard for yourself the workers saying they are demanding their redundancy pay like others who have already received theirs. Previously, our Union was accused of advising the

workers to demand their redundancy entitlements.

Moreover, the workers demand for redundancy pay is supported by the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act,” Narine said, adding: “The workers are also aware that the Constitution of Guyana prohibits forced labour, as GuySuCo is seeking to do by commanding them to go to Uitvlugt.”

Narine said that workers were previously advised by GuySuCo that they would receive their pay, if they so desired, and made copies of their ID Cards to correctly fill out redundancy cheques.

“Self-termination”, which was mentioned by GuySuCo as a result of work-

ers abandoning two consecutive crops, Narine said, “is a new and strange concept” being advocated by GuySuCo. “No one self-terminates his/herself; people voluntarily terminate their service by being absent from work for a prolonged period, without offering any form of communication to its employer. In this case the employer is well aware that the workers are awaiting their severance,” he said.

Narine said that workers are “highly demotivated”, given the closure of two estates and the privatisation of another. There is a high sense of job insecurity and pay dissatisfaction.

A government White Paper detailed plans to scale down GuySuCo’s loss-making activities.

Billions of dollars had

been spent on the sugar industry under the last government, but failed to improve the industry.

Sugar workers were told of merging estates, divestment and diversification.

Workers were told that some would become redundant and others would remain on the job.

The current challenge, GuySuCo says, is that while some redundant workers have been paid off, all of the workers are now demanding severance.

They will then seek re-employment with the company, and at this time, are refusing to work.

In the meantime, GuySuCo has about a week left to convince workers to return to the fields for the commencement of the second crop in mid-July.

Nandlall was tipped off

– on planned search for law books THE police have confirmed that someone did tip off People’s Progressive Party MP, Anil Nandlall of a planned search on his premises for law books he allegedly stole before leaving office as attorney-general.

In responding to an article in the Guyana Times

under the caption, “Did SOCU hoodwink Chief Magistrate?” the police have clarified that on Tuesday June 27, 2017, officers of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) were to conduct a simultaneous search of residences under the control of the former Attorney-General, Mr. Mo-

habir Anil Nandlall in an ongoing effort to recover the 14 Law Reports of the Commonwealth he allegedly stole prior to demitting office in 2015.

“These searches were abandoned after Nandlall was apprised of the pending searches,” the police have said.

According to the police, the public should be informed that in May, 2017 the Honourable Acting Chief Justice, Roxanne George-Wiltshire had granted a Conservatory Order restraining Officers from the Special Organised Crime Unit from executing a warrant, searching and seizing ‘Commonwealth Law Reports’. “The Force wishes

to advise the Public that the publications being sought by the Guyana Police Force are fourteen (14) ‘Law Reports of the Commonwealth’ which were not the subject of the Conservatory Order issued by the Acting Chief Justice, and which is the subject of criminal charges against the former Attorney-General of Guyana.”

PPP Member of Parliament, Anil Nandlall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Man charged with plotting to kill French president

A SUSPECTED far-right extremist has been charged with plotting to kill French President Emmanuel Macron at the Bastille Day parade later this month.

The 23-year-old was arrested in a Paris suburb last Wednesday after police were alerted by users of a videog-

ame chat room where he allegedly said he wanted to buy a gun.

He also said he wanted to attack minorities, a judicial source told AFP. Mr Macron has been giving a state-of-the-nationstyle address in Versailles.

He has been outlining

his priorities in the speech, taking place during a special session of both houses of parliament at the Palace of Versailles.

However, the French president is facing criticism over the address, with farleft leader Jean-Luc Mélénchon accusing him of behav-

ing like “a pharoah”.

Investigators found three kitchen knives in the plot suspect’s vehicle, and an analysis of his computer revealed he had conducted Internet searches on possible targets.

After his arrest, he told police he wanted to attack “Muslims, Jews, blacks and homosexuals,” AFP said.

The suspect was convicted last year of condoning terrorism after praising

Norwegian mass murderer, Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people in July 2011.

He was jailed for three years, with half the sentence suspended.

The Bastille Day parade on July 14 commemorates the start of the French Revolution, and takes place on the Champs-Elysées avenue in Paris.

In 2002, then-President Jacques Chirac was the subject of a Bastille Day assas-

sination attempt when a man with far-right links took out a rifle and fired a shot before being overpowered.

This year, the ChampsElysées has seen two attacks on police. Last month, a man rammed a vehicle containing guns and gas canisters into a police van. In April a gunman shot dead police officer Xavier Jugelé, using a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

(BBC)

Modi is first Indian PM to visit Israel

NARENDRA Modi will become the first Indian prime minister to visit Is-

rael, when he arrives there today.

Mr Modi, who recently

said India and the Jewish State share a “deep and centuries-old” connection, is expected to agree military and cyber security deals.

Observers note he will not travel to Ramallah or meet Palestinian leaders, as visiting dignitaries often do.

The visit is seen by some as a turning point in India’s position on Israel.

India and Israel have had diplomatic relations for 25 years, but it has always been a balancing act, given India’s sizeable Muslim population.

The two countries have been working closely together for years on counter-terrorism, defence, agriculture and the water and energy sectors.

Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed the meeting as “a very significant step” in strengthening relations, which he said were “on a constant upswing”, reported the Times of Israel.

The Indian leader will also be meeting an Israeli boy, Moshe Holtzberg, whose parents were killed when gunmen stormed a Jewish centre in Mumbai during a 2008 terror attack. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4 2017

Cuba to reinstate ‘love hotels’

THE authorities in the Cuban capital, Havana, say they are restoring a network of hotels where rooms are rented by the hour to lovers.

State-run “posadas”, or love motels, disappeared during Cuba’s economic crisis in the 1990s when they became hurricane shelters.

Private householders filled the gap in the market, but at exorbitant prices.

Officials say the posadas will be cheaper, and will help end the practice of love-making in Havana’s open spaces.

Private renters usually provide air-conditioning,

a fridge and a comfortable bed at a cost of about $5 for three hours.

But that is around a sixth of the average monthly Cuban salary (£22.90; $29.60) and unaffordable for most people.

State housing officials at the Provincial Housing Company of Havana say the new network of five posadas will be highly lucrative, and will help people struggling with Havana’s overcrowded and scarce housing.

Many families often share the same apartment in Havana, and divorced couples often have nowhere to go, and are often forced to remain together because

of the housing shortage.

The officials said they hoped the new chain would provide cheaper options for love-making in the city.

Couples making love are a common sight in Havana’s parks, on the beach and on the famed Malaccan seafront.

A commentator in the Trabajadores newspapers recalled that the first posada opened at the end of the 19th Century in central Havana, and that most Cubans had vivid memories of them, “Of memorable kisses and of the porter calling to the lovers when their time had finished”.

‘Trini’ New Yorker helps raise $$ for storm victims

Ricardo Babulal, centre, and members of ‘Helping Hands’ in a celebratory mood after the fundraiser

NEW York-based school teacher, Ricardo Babulal, who opened his home in Trinidad to flood victims, has kept his promise.

Babulal, assisted by a group of Trinidadians now living in the United States,

has raised US$11,101.

That money, he said, would be used to purchase items to send to flood victims in Trinidad. Families would also be provided with building materials.

The group, Helping

Hands, hosted a fund-raising after-work lime at Elegant Floral Design, Ozone Park, New York, last Thursday.

The event raised US$6,101. (TrinidadExpress)

The return of the “posadas” is intended to put an end to such public displays of affection

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Editorial

Sourcing local labour for oil and gas industry

GUYANESE are not only interested in the oil and gas discoveries and what this industry can mean for the country’s development but also theirs as a source of labour.

This well placed position given observations and actual practices in this country where Guyanese labour was not used though constructions were being done for the country and with the citizens’ tax dollars.

One instance that attracted nation-wide condemnation was the building of the Marriott Hotel where the contract was not only given to China but the labour was also sole-sourced from there. What this meant is that not only local labour was deprived opportunity to work but also the wages were not returning into the economy, which is a necessary component in development. Wage investment is done through spending, creation of direct and indirect economic opportunities, and increasing tax revenue.

The outcries by Guyanese, though the PPP/C government sought to make it about race rather than government duty to ensure citizens’ benefit as far as possible, not only through labour but other resources and developmental opportunities available, were well placed. The issue of Marriott has not been singular though it was the most pronounced on. Understandably, after this experience Guyanese are more vigilant in seeking to ensure they are nor denied future opportunities, and where this new industry brings possibilities, not to be left out.

The mobilising fervour that has seen the calls for local

opportunities and the several responses by Exxon to hire local talent is encouraging. The placement of advertisements by this company present such opportunities and should be exploited, including establishing the mechanism to provide education and training so Guyanese would not be excluded.

The Government will from this month commence a Quarterly Labour Survey (QLS) in the ten administrative regions. This survey, which will be conducted by the Statistical Bureau, intends to capture men and women age 15 years and older, living in private households, and are part of the economically active populations. Where its objective is to enable the collection of accurate and updated data on unemployment levels of the economically active, factors supporting job creation and job description, the composition of the labour force in terms of education, gender and other key demographic characteristics of interest and movement of persons between areas, reasons for movement and types of skills lost, such widespread overview could play a tremendous role in national planning.

Every year thousands of children are graduating from high schools and young adults from the University of Guyana. That many among these have felt that sense of hopelessness securing employment because the market is not there, and where some remain unemployed, underemployed or don’t see business opportunities, as others see opportunity only through migration, the under-utilisation and depletion of our human capital has had negative impact on develop-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

ment. While not all the unemployed would be able to find employment in the industry, the more Guyanese employed the greater are the opportunities for other direct and indirect economic opportunities such would present for others.

There was a time when Guyana ran a Labour Employment Exchange, where those interested in work would register and be called when opportunities as per their signalled interest or qualifications exist. Government may find it useful to revisit this model with modification made for the 21st century and in keeping with its programme of national unity and social cohesion. For instance the exchange, set up in each region, can be manned by a national broad based Board providing overarching policy direction.

Building a database off the QLS demographics not only allows for the tracking of movement, but also provides necessary training and education to meet market demands.

Undisputedly there are greater benefits to be derived using scientific data to inform planning and decision-making.

Non-governmental opportunities can also be created when such data is made possible to better equip the workforce and also as a pool source for recruitment.

The oil and gas industry has its pluses and minuses.

In the former instance it brings wealth to the society and people, once properly managed. In the latter it can create conflicts/wars spawned through inequity, exclusion, corruption and reckless use of the environment. There is greater premium seeking to minimise or eliminate the latter by preparing for it, and optimising the former by putting systems in place to make realisable the benefits.

The truth is out!

--Jagdeo, Ramotar run for cover Dear Editor, THE truth is finally out and both men, Jagdeo and Ramotar, are running for cover. Ramotar said: “This is a serious mistake; a definite mistake and makes us look bad.”

Joe Harmon, Minister of State, has put them to shame: “Tell the nation what you all did with the money!”

Joe is on the right track.

He did not call them thieves, but when they can’t find the

$348B that were given, SPECIFICALLY for Guyana’s sugar industry, then the tune will play.

Ramotar said that he knows that it can’t be right, because he was a Director for more than 10 years on GuySuCo Board, I guess sucking cane, because he can’t remember things that went on in the Industry.

He did not know that Jagdeo was building Skeldon Factory with technical help from the Chinese, rather than

from the Indian government.

Did he not know that Gail Teixeira, Clement Rohee, the deceased Attorney-General, Doodnauth Singh and Jagdeo went to India and agreed on a memorandum of understanding to build the Skeldon sugar factory?

Mr. Doodnauth Singh told this writer that Jagdeo reneged on the deal, without informing his PPP colleagues. But Donald Ramotar was on the Sugar Board!

Donald Ramotar did not

seem to know also that the EU report that was handed to the PPP regime in 1996, showed that sugar was in rapid decline internationally, and that something had to be DRASTICALLY done to RESTRUCTURE the industry.

But the PPP paid no heed to the warning issued by the EU. According to Jagdeo, as stated in a SN news article, he spent $30B on the dilapidated Skeldon factory, which never grind a single cane, and which remains a “White Elephant”.

Like the sugar industry,

the PPP destroyed the rice industry, losing in the process the Venezuelan “rice-for-fuel” market which delivered the highest price for rice, amounting to $9,000 per bag of paddy.

They paid the rice farmers $3,000 and pocketed the $6,000. The FORENSIC AUDIT on the rice industry has resulted in the six persons directly linked to the PPP being charged and facing trial in the Guyanese court for alleged fraud and corruption.

Minister Jaipaul Sharma, the Junior Minister responsible for the facilitation of the

the 50 forensic audits ordered by the Coalition Government, has stated repeatedly that it is the biggest corruption scandal the rice industry has ever experienced in its entire history.

There can be no JUSTICE done until all the culprits that were engaged in massive fraud and theft are put on trial, and their wealth, derived by illegal means, are confiscated and they serve appropriate jail sentences.

Regards M. JINNAH RAHMAN

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4 2017

NA suffering from infrastructural neglect Dear Editor, PLEASE permit me to express my dissatisfaction on the infrastructural fragilities of New Amsterdam. Over the past twenty-five years the town has suffered from the worst forms of infrastructural neglect.

The four major roads in the town which are Republic Road, Stanley town, Strand and Main Street need major resurfacing, as potholes and uneven surfaces make daily traverse a difficult exercise. Smythfield Road and Angoys Avenue which are two major road arteries are both in a deplorable condition with ten-inch-deep craters that creates hardship for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. These roads were rehabilitated some ten years ago and were supposed to last for twenty years, but engineering and administrative negligence have resulted in the current state of affairs. The residence of Theatre Alley has not seen any maintenance work executed on this street and it is the worst access road in the town.

Recently Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Paterson at the unveiling of the Anthony Sabga Arch in May, expressed his passion and desire to see infrastructural growth in this country. I now publicly ask the Minister to visit NA with his team of engineers and experience the dilapidated road network in the town that are reminiscent of those found in war torn third world countries.

The NA Municipality and the Region 6 RDC seem not to have the human resource capacity as well as the visionary desire to start the process of transforming the town from its “depressed community” status to one of infrastructural advancement and economic growth, hence the input of central government is urgently needed to halt the social and economic decay of this town.

I suggest that the following initiatives be taken to assist in improving the town’s infrastructure: firstly, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure need to re-establish its road maintenance unit in Berbice to carry out regular maintenance in patching emerging potholes and repairing road shoulders on a regular basis to prevent disintegration to the point of becoming craters and costing taxpayers millions of dollars for substandard repair work. In the eighties, they then Ministry of Public Works had an office in Berbice and carried out this task efficiently until it was disbanded in the nineties with no justified reason given.

Secondly ,central government needs to provide engi-

neering oversight when road works are being carried out in New Amsterdam. A walk around the town would reveal that the parapet along major roads are filled with overgrown shrubs and desilted mud from the canals which allows for the creation of water pools in the rainy season, thus weakening the road shoulders as there is no run-off area for the water and this gives rise to the formation of potholes and craters which results in great inconvenience to road users.

Thirdly, with the increase volume of traffic in the town, there is need for traffic lights to be erected at critical junctions of Main and Philadelphia Street, Republic Road and Philadelphia Street and Main and Vryheid Street. These traffic control measures will go a long way in controlling the chaotic traffic congestions that occur during the rush hours in the mornings and afternoons. To our Local Government Minister, Mr. Ronald Bulkan, I invite you to visit the town and observe the effects of a dysfunctional waste management system.

Recently, waste collection Skips were placed in strategic areas of the town to collect waste disposed by residence, but untimely collection has allowed for stray dogs and scavengers to scatter the waste on the roadways which is unsightly and repulsive to one’s sense of decency. It has been more than a year since local government elections were held and residents of the town are still to experience the transformation of this process, hence the need for central government to have a more proactive role as the local government organs struggles to fully understand their roles in providing basic services to the community.

Without out central government input, the enjoyment of the good life promised after the May 2015 general elections will continue to be an elusive dream for residence and would result in a disgruntled electorate come 2020 general elections who would have felt betrayed by the current administration unfulfilled promises. I look forward to Ministers Paterson and Bulkan visiting NA and meeting with regional and municipal representatives to design and execute a developmental plan that would start the process of transforming the town from its “depress community” status to a state prosperity and economic growth.

Regards Michael Baird Jr.

‘Common Entrance’ and the so-called ‘good schools’ Dear Editor,

ONCE again, the children of Guyana have suffered the consequences of the traumatising and obsolete National Grade Six Assessment, known as Common Entrance.

Every year, Guyanese children at the tender age of nine to 11 years are forced to sit a series of exams which will ultimately decide their fate, competing with each other for the coveted socalled “good schools”.

Those that do not do well in these exams are condemned to what we in Guyana call “bad schools”. It is, quite simply, a hideous system.

Every year we watch on at families ashamed to acknowledge their children’s results, and children who have their self-esteem and confidence shattered as a result of being labelled winners or losers. We are told that our education system is a meritocracy; in other words, those that work

hard will do well and get a “good school”.

Of course, it is far from a level playing field. The sons and daughters of the wealthy, who are well nourished, well housed, have electricity, access to books and computers, will, of course, fare better than the children of the poor, who are under-nourished and hungry at school, often don’t even have transportation money to get to school, have no access to the Internet, books etc. Inevitably, there will be one or two children from poor families that beat the odds and make it to Queen’s College and Bishops’ High School.

This will be held up as a shining example that it can be done on the basis of merit. However, the fact that there are so few exceptions to the rule simply reinforces the self-evident fact that there is most definitely a high correlation between debilitating poverty and poor educational achievement.

The uncomfortable truth of the matter, that is rarely addressed, per-

haps because it is so morally repugnant, is that Common Entrance is primarily designed to maintain a status- quo built on social and economic elitism. It is a way of sifting the rich from the poor. It is a left-over from our colonial past, and it serves the present neo-colonial arrangement, since it grooms and reproduces a certain class to manage the system left behind by our erstwhile colonial masters.

Guyana’s reactionary ruling clique (the 1%), with their elitist view of everything, including education, actually express shock and horror at the very idea of giving every child the right to a quality education, regardless of their parents’ socio-economic status.

They are so crass in their thinking that they simply cannot imagine allowing all the children of Guyana to go to a “good school”, and have a chance to reach their full potential.

Historian and educator, John Hendrik Clarke summed it up best when he said, “Powerful people cannot afford to educate the people

that they oppress, because once you are truly educated, you will not ask for power. You will take it.”

And Richie Spice said, “If education is the key, then why they make it so expensive for we?”

And therefore so inaccessible?

Why indeed?

One of the first things an OVP government would do is abolish Common Entrance. Guyanese children would attend the secondary school closest to where they live, and every school would be transformed into not only a “good school”, but an “excellent school”.

Imagine a Guyana where every child has the right to free, quality education, from nursery to university. Believe me, this is not an impossible dream.

In the words of Dub Poet, Mutabaruka, “What a day when the pendulum swings!”

Gerald A. Perreira Leader Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Venezuela not on agenda for regional leaders summit

By Peter Richards ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Jul 3, CMC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders will rely on “some basic principles” when it comes to the issue of the unfolding political situation in Venezuela, but the matter is “not on the agenda” for their annual summit that begins here today, CARICOM Secretary-Gen-

eral Irwin LaRocque has said.

“The agenda for the Heads of Government meeting will be adopted on Wednesday morning, and I guess we will see what emerges out of that agenda.

“Currently, the issue of the situation in Venezuela is not inscribed on the agenda,” LaRocque told a news conference here Monday ahead of the summit.

Fire guts MMZ house FIRE of unknown origin on Monday night gutted a Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Demerara home.

Reports are that the fire was observed at around 20:30 hrs at Lancelot Ross’ home at Back Street, Meten-Meer-Zorg.

The man’s wife, Patricia, told this newspaper that no one was at the house at the time, as both she and her husband have been staying in Tuschen, a few villages away, since she is not well.

She said her husband left the Meten-Meer-Zorg house at around 17:00 hrs after feeding the dogs.

She also said that the house was not connected to the electricity grid, and as such she cannot fathom what could have caused it.

Members of the Guyana Fire Service reportedly arrived at the scene some 30 minutes after the house was gutted.

The matter is being investigated by the fire service.

Opposition supporters have been taking to the streets in Caracas demanding the removal of President Nicolas Maduro. The demonstrations have resulted in the deaths of several Venezuelans.

But CARICOM appeared to be divided on the issue, with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica among those regional countries urging the Caribbean not to interfere in the internal affairs of the South American country.

LaRocque said that while the Venezuela issue is not on the agenda, there are some basic principles that the community has elaborated and this principle still holds.

“All our member states subscribe to the statement issued by the COFCOPR (CARICOM Foreign Ministers) of non-interference, non-intervention in the internal affairs of the sovereign state of Venezuela,” he said, adding: “Despite what you may have read about a particular text being considered at the OAS (Organisation of American States), those principles hold.

“I think we have to wait for the outcome of the meeting to see what statements come out of this meeting on Venezuela, if any.”

“We have basic principles that we are united on that continues to inform our approach to dealing with Venezuela and whether or not the matter is discussed we have to wait and see what is the outcome of the meeting,” LaRocque said, adding that Maduro had not been invited to the three-day summit that will be chaired

by Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell.

During the news conference, LaRocque disclosed that the United States Under Secretary of State will hold talks with CARICOM foreign ministers “specifically to discuss CARICOM-US foreign relations” in the context of the new policy being articulated by President Donald Trump.

“Our foreign affairs ministers will be having an encounter in the margins of the meeting here in Grenada this week with the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Thomas Alfred “Tom” Shannon Jr. specifically to address CARICOM US relations and of course I am sure

Anti-government demonstrators out on the streets in Caracas

out foreign ministers will then report to the heads.”

LaRocque said that the region is “very encouraged by the recent passage of the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act,” which is aimed at consolidating Washington’s engagement with the Caribbean.

Under the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act, the US Secretary of State and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will devise a multi-year strategy on issues of concern to the region, such as security, energy, diplomacy and increased access to educational opportunities.

“I am very much aware that the State Department has published the first strategy… so all of that will form the backdrop to the discussions,” he said.

But LaRocque said that the region continues to be “concerned about the cuts in funds to the State Department does not impact us in CARICOM. “We are currently receiving a significant amount of resources, individual member states and collectively under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), we trust that the partnership would continue and urge that the funding levels do not decrease.

“We know that the Americans have cut funding on HIV/AIDS, which we regret very much and I have informed them, but let’s wait and see what the discussions come out later this week and we will have a better sense of it.”

LaRocque said that CARICOM “has requested engagement at the higher level

and we await a response from the Americans on that,” and that it also welcomes in principle the idea of debt swapping and the regional leaders will discuss a proposal from the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC) in that regard.

“It’s a proposal that was first raised by ECLAC when we meet in Barbados, it is one in which we welcome in principle, basically our region on the whole, the member states are heavily indebted and that debt is occasionally in large measures by natural disasters, whether they be severe climatic events as of recently, many of countries are repairing and rebuilding the same infrastructure over and over because of the destruction by bad weather and also economic externalities,” he said.

“The proposal has been put forward that some arrangement be put in place with the debtor countries to allow for that debt to go into some kind of fund can be used for climate change and other national issues,” he said.

During the recent Caribbean Regional Climate Outlook Forum in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the host Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, said that natural disasters related to climate change are increasing the national debts of most CARICOM countries.

“Borrowing to assist with the recovering and rebuilding from a natural disaster is increasing the national debt, in my case natural disaster related debt is as high as 15 per cent of GD (gross domestic produc)t,” said Gonsalves LaRoque told journalists

that the ECLAC proposal is a general one that is not related to the debt swap proposal from Germany which is being championed through The Nature Conservancy – the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

In the May 2015 Blue Growth conference held in Grenada, Robert Weary, Senior Director, Product Development at The Nature Conservancy, said that the debt swap initiative for nature through his organization involves countries cancelling debt against another and the money used toward environmental development projects.

He had explained that debt swapping is not debt relief but debt re-direction.

Weary said that through the initiative, his organisation will negotiate to have the debt purchased by a third party, which will then be transferred to a local Trust established in accordance with the relevant national law.

The regional leaders at their summit will also a wide range of issues, including tourism, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), crime and security, health with particular reference to the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Port of Spain Declaration on Non-Communicable Disease.

They will also deliberate on cheaper broadband within the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and the trade relations with Britain following the country’s decision to leave the European Union.

Time for reform!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

– Regional group petitions CARICOM Heads to address legal education woes THE current admission policy and practices of the CARICOM Council of Legal Education have long been described as unfair, inequitable and discriminatory by many CARICOM nationals, and according to Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque, it is time these issues be addressed.

In an Online petition, the Association of Caribbean Students for Equal Access to the Legal Profession (ACSEAL) is calling on the Secretary-General and CARICOM Heads of Government to include and duly address the problems surrounding ‘Equal Opportunity and Legal Education in the Caribbean’ during their three-day meeting in Grenada.

According to the Association, “The policy and practices administered by the Council of Legal Education (CLE) and Caribbean Law Schools, particularly as it relates to CARICOM nationals who have graduated with accredited Undergraduate Law Degrees from Institutions other than the University of the West Indies (UWI), are unfair, inequitable, discriminatory, and lack transparency.”

For ACSEAL, “It is time for reform!”

Speaking on the issue on Monday ahead of the commencement of the meeting, Ambassador LaRocque said the issues concerning Legal Education in the Region are being addressed.

“I know the Council of Legal Education, at the request of Heads of Government, has done some work on it. I am very much aware of a consultant providing some advice on the way forward,” he noted.

However, recommendations by the Consultant must first go through several channels for review, including the Council of Legal Education, before being placed before the Heads of Government.

“The current situation where certain graduates have preferential access to Legal Education is something that needs addressing,” Ambassador LaRocque said, adding: “I think any graduate coming out of our system, once they meet the qualifica-

tion, should be considered for admission.”

He is, however, also cognisant of the issue of space, especially where the Hugh Wooding Law School is concerned.

The 1971 Agreement, which brought into effect the Council of Legal Education, was signed by Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, the University of the West Indies and the University of Guyana.

According to the CARICOM Secretariat, the Council was established in order to provide training in the region for lawyers desirous of practising in the regional bloc.

Its establishment came one year following that of

the UWI Faculty of Law, which has departments on each of the University’s three campuses.

The Council operates three law schools within the region: The Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica and the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad, both of which were established in 1973, and the Eugene Dupuch Law School in the Bahamas, which was established in 1998.

“To be admitted to these Law schools,” the CARICOM Secretariat says, “persons must have first obtained a bachelors degree in law (LL.B). Non UWI LL.B graduates can be admitted to the Law Schools if they are successful in the CLE’s

annual entrance examination which is held in July.

“Graduates from the University of the West Indies and the University of Guyana must then complete two years of study and practical training at one of the three schools. At the end of this period, a professional Legal Education Certificate is awarded by the CLE. Upon receiving the Legal Education Certificate an applicant is fully qualified to practise in the English speaking Caribbean.”

Persons who have obtained a legal education requirement elsewhere cannot be admitted to practice in the Region unless they obtain the Legal Education Certificate.

Minister Hughes promises West No word from GTT in 13 years –Berbicians to look into matter

By Clifford Stanley

RESIDENTS of ten villages on the West Coast of Berbice applied for Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) landlines 13 years ago but to date are yet to receive that service.

The highly upset members of the communities between Numbers 2 and Number 10 Villages, a few miles west of Rosignol, on the West Bank Berbice, were given a welcome opportunity to vent their frustration over the neglect of the GT&T to Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, last Sunday when she visited the area and met with them.

Group spokesman, Mr. S. Harripersaud, AKA Trevor, complained bitterly about GT&T. “Minister, our villages are right here on the coastland; not in the hinterland. But GT&T skipped our villages, which have thousands of residents and big business places, and went on to provide landlines to other villages along the West Coast of Berbice.

“I personally complained to GTT, in writing, about this situation 13 years ago, and the GTT replied saying that they would address the issue shortly.

“That “shortly” is now 13 years and running.”

Minister Hughes, who expressed surprise at this complaint, assured the res-

to Georgetown; the whole process will be done on a computer. No more long trips.”

She added that Internet connectivity also brings with it improved opportunities for business, for E-education, which is essentially

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Ms Cathy Hughes, interacting with Region Five residents on Sunday

idents of an immediate intervention by herself on their behalf. She promised to talk to the CEO of GT&T this week to see what could be done to alleviate their situation.

She assured them also that within the next two to three months, the GTT’s monopoly will be broken; that other companies will be allowed in, and the consumer will be the beneficiary in a situation of a highly desired liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in Guyana.

She stressed: “I want to say to you, do not be despondent, because it is going to happen. By the end of August to early September, we expect to finish negotiations with GTT and then the monopoly will no longer exist.”

She also said that in the meantime, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications will introduce a community ICT Hub in close proximity to the villages so

that residents, regardless of their age or profession, can access the Internet free of charge.

The minister’s visit to the villages in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) came a few weeks after overseeing the installation of several ICT Hubs in neighboring Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne).

Addressing the residents, Minister Hughes said: “There is no doubt that higher levels of Internet penetration have a positive impact on the national economy and on the quality of lives of its citizens.

“What we started off doing, and what my Ministry is trying to do, is to provide more and more government services, using the Internet and using computers. For example, applying for a passport, a driver’s licence, registering a business, sorting out NIS etc!

“If you live in Berbice, you don’t have to travel

utilising technology to virtually transport a teacher in a classroom in Georgetown live to an indigenous community via platforms like Skype.

Internet access allows government agencies to provide better health and other

social services to citizens.

She reiterated that the mandate of her ministry is to create a knowledge-based ICT-enabled society in the shortest possible time, and that she will re-visit the area at the next earliest opportunity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Gov’t takes comprehensive approach – to addressing shortcomings in education sector THE Ministry of Education (MOE) has developed a comprehensive implementation plan relative to the 83 recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the state of the country’s education sector.

The plan seeks to address the recommendations in the short, medium and long-term, and where possible will be integrated into the Education Sector Plan. Subject Minis-

ter, Nicolette Henry told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday that in a bid to complete over 80 per cent of her ministry’s mandate, she has to divide up her approach.

Fourteen per cent of the recommendations made by the COI address general issues in the education sector, the minister said.

Of the remaining 86 per cent, 16 has to with matters at the nursery school level;

50 with management and operations; 15 with primary and secondary schools; and three with Information Communication Technology (ICT).

“What we did,” Minister Henry said, “we looked at those recommendations and we aligned them first of all with the Education Sector Plan which is dated 20142018, and we have worked out to determine how many of those are in alignment with

that plan. We will integrate those into the plan.”

She said, too, that those recommendations that are not aligned to the plan, will be examined in greater detail when the ministry is reviewing the Education Sector Plan in 2018, when it expires, to determine the strategic plan for the next five years.

Meanwhile, in its recommendation, the COI stressed the need for the MOE to re-establish and foster a greater collaboration with

the University of Guyana (UG) in the area of research.

“The Ministry should provide the University with ‘Areas’/‘Topics’ that need investigating so that the decisions of the Ministry can be more informed by research,” the report stated.

Minister Henry said that since her ministry does not have enough data point to begin implementing some of those recommendations, some would be sent to UG as research questions to be dealt with by students at the Masters and PhD levels.

“They will provide us with the necessary data points to move that forward,” she said, while giving assurance that her ministry has developed a comprehensive implementation plan for the COI. In the case of infrastructural works, the members of the COI, which included Chairman Ed Caesaar, Ronald Austin Jr, Jennifer Dewar, Lance Hinds and Ramesh Persaud, along with Suelle Findlay-Williams, Clayton Hinds and Kelly-Ann Payne-Hercules, dwelt particularly on the state of school buildings.

In fact, the members in their report said the school buildings are in “acute disrepair” and in some cases are too small for their student population, which has grown in many cases by 100 per cent since the school was first built.

“In some cases, new schools have been built without any consideration given to ventilation, and no consultation with the teaching staff or HM. Running water, plumbing and sanitary blocks are also major issues, both with schools and teachers’ quarters. An ongoing maintenance system needs to be put in place for every school,” the COI report stated.

Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry

As such, it was recommended that there is a need for a countrywide survey to be embarked on to determine where new schools and dorms are needed, and where schools should be merged and even de-gazetted.

Given the recommendations, Minister Henry made it clear that in the short term, focus would be placed on infrastructural needs, while during the July/August school break, the MOE will conduct an infrastructural audit of all public schools to determine how they are, in terms of building needs.

The assessment will be placed into four categories, including those which require immediate rehabilitation and those which don’t. “That would inform our selection of schools for maintenance and rehabilitation works,” Minister Henry said, adding: “We will partner with the University to have students at the post-secondary and tertiary institutions who have civil capacity to be part of that survey.

“So we expect that data by the third week of August to inform our programme implementation for civil works. That is key.”

Kuru Kururu man in custody – following Soesdyke-Linden Highway fatal accident A 45-year-old driver is in police custody following a fatal accident on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway on Sunday night which claimed the life of an unidentified male pedestrian of East Indian descent.

According to the police, their investigations have revealed that at around 22:30hrs on Sunday, the driver of Motorcar HC 6634 was proceeding south along the western carriageway of the Highway when the pedestrian, who was shirtless but clad in a pair of black long pants, suddenly ran across the road from west

to east into the path of his vehicle.

As a result of the impact, the pedestrian received injuries to his head and body. He was taken to the East Bank Demerara Public Hospital at Diamond, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is at the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting identification and post-mortem.

The driver, meanwhile, who reportedly resides in Kuru Kururu, on the lower Soesdyke-Linden Highway, was given a breathalyser test and no blood alcohol was found.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

CARICOM to push for improved intra-regional – at heads meeting travel in Grenada CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque on Monday said he hoped that regional leaders will sign off on an age-old Multilateral Air Services Agreement that seeks to pave the way for easier inter-regional travel.

Ambassador LaRocque made the observation during a curtain-raiser press conference in Grenada, ahead of the opening on Tuesday of the 38th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The Conference, which is being held in the Grenadian capital, St George’s from July 4 - 6, is being chaired by Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. Keith Mitchell.

“We are hoping that the Multilateral Air Services Agreement will get policy sign off from the Heads of Government. It will allow greater ease of travelling within the region in terms of CARICOM-owned airlines,” Ambassador LaRocque told journalists in Grenada for the HOG meeting.

The aim of the Multilateral Agreement Concerning the Operation of Air Services within The Caribbean Community, commonly called Multilateral Air Services Agreement, is to improve the level, quality and efficiency of air services within and beyond the Caribbean Community. It dates back to 1996.

During the Conference

of the Heads of Government, the CARICOM Secretariat would seek approval for all aspects of the policy of the agreement from the Regional Leaders.

According to Ambassador LaRocque, the policy will allow for more opportunities for inter-regional travel.

“The agreement concerns operations of CARICOM Air carriers...It provides for fair and equal opportunities for all CARICOM Air Carriers to compete in air transportation covered by the agreement,” he posited, while adding that in addition to the large carriers, there are a large number of small carriers within the region.

CARICOM nationals have long complained about the high airfares attached to inter-regional travel, and according to Ambassador LaRocque, the Secretariat is aware of the issue.

“The issue of cost of air transportation is one that continues to concern us; it will come up again,” he emphasised.

Through the Regional Transportation Commission, CARICOM airlines “are now talking to each other,” Ambassador LaRocque said.

“The airlines are looking to see how they could cooperate and collaborate better,” he added.

The Regional Transportation Commission (RTRC) has been meeting to advance its work towards the provision of adequate, efficient and safe transportation ser-

CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

vices at affordable cost to the people of the Community.

In July 2013, conscious that transportation services delivered in CARICOM had to address the needs of the travelling public and intra-Regional trade, CARICOM Heads of Government agreed to the urgent establishment of a Transportation Commission to address air and maritime transportation matters.

Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and The Grenadines and Trinidad and Togabago have all ratified the Multilateral Air Services Agreement, which came into force in 1998.

Caribbean Airlines, one of the many air carriers owned and operated by CARICOM member states

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Relief p

...but flood waters continue to rise in Rupununi

By Alva Solomon THE relevant authorities were, up to late Monday, said to be rendering whatever assistance they could to bring relief to at least 50 flood-affected villages in the Rupununi, as water levels continue to rise despite fair weather conditions.

The flooding, which is caused by persistent rainfall in the area and which led to the overtopping of several major waterways, has impacted a number of farmlands within the Region.

The Lethem township also remained under steadily rising water levels on Monday, causing the authorities to contemplate closing schools one week ahead of the official closing date.

Efforts were reportedly being fine-tuned on Monday to address the situation, and according to Lethem Mayor, Carlon Beckles, with weather conditions over the next 24 hours likely to be critical, the region’s disaster prepared-

ness plan has been activated.

The floods are caused by overtopping of waterways in the area, namely the Tabatinga and Moco Moco Creeks, as well as the Rupununi River, and the Takutu and Ireng Rivers on the border with Brazil.

The latter waterways have been impacted by waters which rose in the Rio Branco River in the neighbouring country.

Beckles commended the efforts of the Central Government, the representatives of which he said were on the ground to obtain a first-hand assessment of the situation.

He said that the situation on the ground was not as serious as the 2011 floods.

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo along with Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan on Monday paid a visit to the flood-affected areas in Lethem, after meeting with regional officials and officials of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and discussing what plan of action

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (third right) hands over relief supplies to Region Nine Chairman, Bryan Allicock as Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan (second right) and other officials look on

was being implemented.

Regional Chairman, Bryan Allicock, who also attended the meeting, told this newspaper that to date, the regional administration has received reports from 50 villages which have been affected by flooding.

Those reports, he said, have come from the toshaos

of 14 villages in the North Rupununi; seven in the Karasabai District sub-region; 13 in Central Rupununi; 11 in the South Central; and nine in the Deep South. He said that at the moment, the farms in the villages have all been swamped.

Allicock said that since Sunday, efforts were under-

The Santa Fe rice farms under water on Monday. The area was flooded as a result of overtopping of the Ireng River

way to assist the affected villages, and according to him, the army has been on standby to provide transportation to those villages which were cut-off by the floodwaters.

Lethem businessman, Daniel Gadjie has reported that between midnight Sunday and midday on Monday, the water level in the municipality had not only risen some six inches, but was on the verge of encroaching on areas that had not been affected before.

Gadjie noted too that the water in the nearby Takutu River was moving at a fast rate, which he said is a good sign.

Gadjie posted pictures of the Santa Fe rice farms which he noted were under flood waters. The Santa Fe farms span a total of 29,000 acres of arable lands in the North Rupununi. The rice lands are supplied with water directly from the Ireng River through

a gravity irrigation system.

Rice grown at Santa Fe is exported, while ground provision and other cash crops are sold in Lethem.

Meanwhile, the communities of Parishara, Nappi and Hiowa remained cut off from Lethem on Monday because the access road is almost completely under water.

The Region Nine (Upper Essequibo-Upper Takutu) river system is integrally linked to that of Brazil, and when there is heavy rainfall in the Amazon, or even in the mountains, that water runs into the Rio Branco River.

The western half of Regions Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine are drained by the bordering rivers, the Takutu and the Ireng, which flow into the Rio Branco, Brazil, and downwards to the Amazon.

These river basins are overloaded and have overflowed their banks.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

pours in

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Relief supplies which were shuttled into Lethem on Monday to assist residents affected by flooding

The state of the road near St Ignatius on Monday (Anita Winter photo)

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan in talks with stakeholders during a meeting to address the flood situation in Region Nine

A section of the road at Lethem (Daniel Gadjie photo)

A section of a flooded roadway at Lethem on Monday (Anita Winter photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

By Orderly

POLICE officers are mandated to protect and serve, placing persons who find themselves on the wrong side of the law before the courts.

However, many of these officers are finding themselves in hot water, handcuffed and placed before the very courts for engaging in various criminal activities.

The Guyana Chronicle has compiled a list of some matters engaging the court’s attention involving members of the Guyana Police Force charged with offences ranging from rape, attempted murder, drug trafficking, fraud , bribery, firearm possession, causing death by dangerous driving, etc.

RAPE Corporal Osbert Paul attached to the Lethem Police Station is currently out on $100,000 bail on two counts of sexual assault. It is alleged that Paul sexually assaulted two physicians who are attached to the Lethem Hospital.

His matter is currently ongoing at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.

ATTEMPTED MURDER Police Constable Lyndon Thompson is accused of discharging a loaded firearm at

Sergeant Lakeram Deochan

Police Constable Louie Dublin

Corporal Shevon Marks

Cadet Officer Franz Paul

Shawn Williams with intent to commit murder on August 5, 2016 at Itaballi, Mazaruni.

Constable Thompson reportedly shot Williams after an argument. The officer was sent to arrest Williams when the man allegedly resisted.

FRAUD Constable David Singh, attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), was in April indicted before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, on two fraud related charges. He is currently out on $30,000 bail.

transferred to the Tactical Services Unit.

DRUG TRAFFICKING Police Constable Louie Dublin is charged with having 558 grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking on March 17, 2017 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA.) The trial is currently ongoing before City Magistrate, Leron Daly.

Dublin was arrested by fellow officers carrying out a sting operation at the Lotus restaurant and bar located at the airport. Dublin was searched and the cocaine allegedly found in his possession.

DEATH BY DANGEROUS DRIVING Assistant Superintendent of Police, Jermaine Grant is currently on trial at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court after being charged for causing the death of 65-year old Annmarie Deonarine of New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, back in September 2016.

Grant is accused of hitting down the 65-year-old woman who was walking along the roadway, when his vehicle veered in her direction.

After the accident, Grant was removed from his duties as divisional detective and

Azore for discharging a loaded firearm at Alex Griffith, a teen. It is alleged that the Cadet Officer placed a firearm in the teen’s mouth on April 30, 2014 and shot him.

He was charged with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm to him. It is also alleged that he unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm as well as assaulted the teen.

BRIBERY Sergeant Lakeram Deochan, stationed at Police ‘G’ Division is currently out on $100,000 bail after being accused of taking a $2M bribe to drop a murder charge against a man.

Deochan is currently before the Charity Magistrate’s Court for the indictment which alleges that while being an agent of the Government of Guyana, he corruptly obtained the cash from Nalini Baharally, as an inducement to forgo a criminal charge against her husband, Lennox Baharally, following a boat mishap which resulted in the death of Mohamed Shameer.

ILLEGAL POSSESSION Corporal Shevon Marks was charged in March for illegal firearm and ammunition possession.

It is alleged that Marks attempted to smuggle an AK-47 and forty 7.62×39 live rounds out of the Tactical Services Unit compound on February 28, at Kingston, Georgetown. He is currently on trial before a city magistrate.

Shooting civilians, colleagues Police Cadet Officer, Franz Paul is currently on trial before City Magistrate,

ASSAULT Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Frank Thompson was in March charged for the offences of verbally assaulting a civilian and using threatening language towards a junior rank.

Thompson is accused of making use of threatening language to Hemchand Budhai on February 22, 2017 at Broad Street, Georgetown.

Thompson also pleaded not guilty to another charge, which stated that on the said date, he made use of abusive language to Police Constable Leandrea Gillis. The court heard that this incident stemmed from an altercation between Thompson and Budhai.

He is currently out on $120,000 bail and is on trial before City Magistrate, Judy Latchman.

A video on popular social media website, Facebook,

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Frank Thompson

went viral with the incident.

WOUNDING POLICE Constable Gadi Hoyte was charged in May and released on $75,000 bail, pending trial at the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court for assaulting a woman with a bottle.

Hoyte is alleged to have unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Maxi Duncan, causing actual bodily harm on December 3, 2016 at Ekereku landing, Mazaruni River.

Constable Hoyte was stationed at the Ekereku Police Station when Duncan went to report a matter and the two parties had an argument.

Duncan was hit on the left side of her face During the previous year, over 30 ranks were dismissed from the Guyana Police Force for a variety of offences.

Once the officer is arraigned before a court, he/ she will be suspended from duty, pending the outcome of the court case and will receive half their regular salaries during the period of suspension.

If found guilty, ranks will face dismissal , but if exonerated the file will be sent back to the DPP for advice.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4 2017

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt U-17 football, Berbice leg

Corriverton Links FC whip Young Strikers FC 5-1

… Monedderlust FC win 3-0 By: Colin Bynoe Jr.

CORRIVERTON Links and Monedderlust Football clubs registered victories last Sunday when play in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 League continued at the Burhnam Park and No.5 grounds respectively.

In very soggy conditions at Burnham Park, Corriverton Links defeated a spirited Young Strikers unit, who squandered many opportunities. Alex Pertab of Corriverton FC was in a goal-scoring mood. He opened his team’s account in the 2nd minute, with a target shot that flew to

the back of the opposition’s net.

It took a breakaway play from Oshea Leitch in the 25th minute but Corriverton FC goalkeeper made a mess of a shot that went straight to him.

As a result, Leitch capitalised to pierce the net on his second attempt, which resulted in a goal for Young Strikers.

Shaundy Ryan Grimes increased his team’s advantage in the 31st minute. By halftime the players were all visibly muddy.

Seven minutes into the second half, Alex Pertab was once again on target with a scintillating header coming from a perfectly placed corner kick in the 47th minute to put his team in a commanding 3-1 lead.

Young Strikers never

Goalscorers Akex Pertab (right) and Shaundy Grimes

threatened in the second half, as two more goals were added, compliments of Pertab.

This third goal of the match was scored in the 77th, minute and Grimes scored his second in the 78th minute.

Over on the West Coast of Berbice at the No.5 ground, Monedderlust FC

recorded a 3-0 victory over Hopetown United Rangers FC. The goals for the victorious Monedderlust FC came from Daniel La Rose and Brentnol Frank.

Action in the Berbice leg of the competition continues next Sunday, weather permitting.

Phillips, Caesar take sprint doubles as National Seniors C/ships concludes UNSURPRISINGLY Guyana Defence Force’s Kenisha Phillips and Christianburg’s Compton Caesar wrapped up sprint doubles, while Samuel Lynch battled his way to the men’s 800m win, as juniors continued to rule at the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) National Seniors Championships, which concluded yesterday at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora.

Police’s Emmanuel Archibald was again relegated to second place when he faced off against Caesar in the men’s 200m finals. In a lineup that included men’s 400m champion Daniel Williams, Police’s Owen Adonis and Linton Mentis, 19-year-old Caesar was touted for the win from the beginning.

After proving that he

was still in fine form by winning the men’s 100m on Saturday, in a new personal best, he was not to be denied the 200m as well, and 21.28 seconds was all the time required Archibald, who already had to take silver in the 100m, finished the race just milliseconds behind the South American Juniors silver medallist, clocking 21.36s. Williams took third in 21.59 seconds.

Sixteen-year-old Phillips consigned women’s 400m winner Alita Moore to second place in the 200m after she clocked 24.07 seconds for her win.

Moore had a time of 24.55 seconds, while Linden’s Onasha Rogers was third, with 24.63 seconds.

In the men’s 800m Lynch ran a tactical 800m against Police’s Quacy Morian. The South Ameri-

Linden’s Compton Caesar flies past the finish line for the men’s 200m win.

can Juniors silver medallist pushed hard and was rewarded, with a season-best 1:54.21s finish for his efforts.

Morian took 1:54.42 seconds, and junior Anfernee Headecker was third (1:56.42s).

In the newly introduced hurdles events, Christianburg’s Hosea Glen crossed the finish line in 18.23 seconds to take the win, his teammate Shimar Velloza was second, with 20.02 seconds.

Police’s Joanna Archer ran down Claudrice McKoy to take the women’s 800m title, stopping the clock at 2:14.55 seconds. McKoy came in at 2:15.36s, and Police Kezra Murray took a bronze medal (2:22.45s) Running Brave’s Natrena Hooper and Upper Demerara’s Chantoba Bright grabbed the women’s high jump and triple jump wins respectively.

Hooper just needed to clear 1.70m to take her win, while Bright, who already bagged the women’s long jump win on Saturday, won the triple jump with a best jump of 12.24m.

Army’s Lloyd McCurdy won the men’s triple jump with a distance of 15.67m; and Running Brave’s Cleveland Thomas ruled the men’s 5 000m in a time of 16:24.44s.

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Domingo confirms re-application for Proteas coaching post IT REMAINS to be seen who will coach South Africa from September, but incumbent Russell Domingo is eager to remain in the role.

Russell Domingo confirmed yesterday he has re-applied for the position of South Africa head coach.

Domingo’s deal to coach the Proteas expires in August, following the team’s tour of England and a process - involving former national team bosses Gary Kirsten and Eric Simons - is under way to determine who will take charge of South Africa thereafter.

Ahead of the first Test with England at Lord’s, Domingo told reporters: “I have forwarded my application form and I have gone through an interview.

“It’s a fantastic honour to work with this team. I’ve loved my time with it and hopefully I can continue. If not, it’s in the best interests of the team.”

Domingo added: “Player support is massively important. The most important

Russell Domingo

support that you need is from your players. We work with these players day in, day out.

I’ve loved my time working with them and, obviously, by the support they’ve shown, they’ve enjoyed what we’ve offered the team, so that is satisfying.

“I’ll be honest with you, if that is it, then so be it.

That’s cool. It’s out of my control. It’s not something I go to bed thinking about

Brighton English Racing Tips Hamilton 09:00 hrs Armes Response 09:30 hrs New Delhi 10:00 hrs Torcello 10:30 hrs Nicholas T 11:00 hrs Wordsearch 11:30 hrs Harwoods Volante 12:00 hrs Dutch Dream 12:30 hrs Wee Jock

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)Hayley Matthews-46 (2)Stefanie Taylor-2/33

Today’s Quiz: (1)How many 50-over World Cup games WI Stefanie Taylor has played to date?

(2)Who has captained the WI in most Women’s World Cup games to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

or wake up in the morning thinking about. It’s not something that generally affects me.

“The way I see it is that there’s due process that needs to take place. They need to decide if I’m the right guy to take the team forward and so be it. That’s how it is.”

South Africa begin their Test series with England on Thursday. (Sportsmax) 1`4:40 hrs Fantasy Queen 15:10 hrs Monologue 15:50 hrs Rahmah 16:10 hrs Hawkerland Irish Racing Tips Gowan Park 13:00 hrs Masucci 13:30 hrs Fascinating Lady 14:00 hrs Nivvo 14:30 hrs Elegant Rose 15:00 hrs Storm Ranger 15:30 hrs Miss Snossyboots 16:00 hrs Frima South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth 08:35 hrs Janice’s Secret 09:10 hrs Sister Soozie 09:50 hrs Brilliant Crimson 10:25 hrs Spending Spree 10:55 hrs Free Agent American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Heavenly Lucky Race 2 Miss Aja Brown Race 3 Old Dubai Race 4 Lulu’s Pom Pom Race 5 Elenzee Race 6 Iron Power Race 7 Emancipation Race 8 Big Handsome Race 9 The Pooch

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4 2017

Sebastian Vettel to face no further punishment

SEBASTIAN Vettel will face no further action after his collision with Lewis Hamilton at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, met Vettel and Ferrari team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene in Paris yesterday.

The 29-year-old fourtime world champion admitted full responsibility for the incident, which happened during the race in Baku on June 25.

Vettel “has extended his sincere apologies to the FIA and the wider motorsport family”, the FIA said.

Championship leader Vettel accused Hamilton of ‘brake-testing’ - deliberately slowing in front of him - as they prepared for a restart behind a safety car.

Vettel then pulled alongside Hamilton and drove his car into the Mercedes so they banged wheels.

The German was given a 10-second stop-and-go penal-

ty during the race after being found guilty of dangerous driving.

Hamilton, who was cleared of any wrongdoing, said Vettel’s driving was “disgusting” and “not sportsman’s conduct”.

Vettel finished a place ahead of Hamilton in fourth extending his championship lead to 14 points after the Briton was forced to pit to change a loose head restraint.

The FIA held a meeting yesterday to “further examine the causes of the incident to evaluate whether further action is necessary”.

It said in a statement: “Following detailed discussion and further examination of video and data evidence related to the incident, Sebastian Vettel admitted full responsibility.

“Sebastian Vettel extended his sincere apologies to the FIA and the wider motorsport family. He additionally committed to devote personal time over the next

Smiling Kvitova into second round (REUTERS) - A smiling Petra Kvitova skipped into the second round of Wimbledon yesterday, the twice champion beating Johanna Larsson 6-3, 6-4 on a sun-bathed Centre Court.

Playing only her third

event of the year after recovering from a knife attack in December, the Czech 11th seed used her swinging serve to great effect on the main showcourt, signing off with a heavy ace.

Kvitova will next face

the winner of the contest between American Madison Brengle and Richel Hogenkamp of the Netherlands.

The Czech won a warm-up tournament in Birmingham last month, after making her return to tennis at the French Open.

Sebastian Vettel 12 months to educational activities across a variety of FIA championships and events.

“The FIA notes this commitment, the personal apology made by Sebastian Vettel and his pledge to make that apology public.

“In light of these developments, FIA president Jean Todt decided that on this occasion the matter should be closed.” (BBC Sport)

Petra Kvitova

Venus breaks down in tears Nadal already feeling at home on Wimbledon grass after win over Mertens (REUTERS) - Rafael Nadal moved seamlessly from months of claycourt success to a satisfyingly smooth firstround victory on grass as he opened his Wimbledon campaign with a commanding 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Australian John Millman yesterday.

Nadal missed the warm-up grass tournament at Queen’s Club to look after his battered body following victories at the French Open and in Madrid, Monte Carlo and Barcelona but he looked comfortable on the faster surface and displayed the full array of groundstrokes that have earned him two Wimbledon titles.

Millman, who missed the first five months of the season with a groin injury, played his part in some entertaining rallies, particularly in the first two sets, as Nadal, playing conservatively, worked on his rhythm.

However, the fourth-seeded Spaniard, who missed last year’s Wimbledon through injury and was playing his first grass tournament match for two years, was always in control and seemed to be more concerned about his own shots than anything his opponent could dish up.

Nadal really hit his stride in the final set once he had mastered his timing, smashing a series of blistering forehands that left Millman as much a spectator as those crammed into Number One Court.

He finished with a flourish a trade-mark crashing forehand

Rafael Nadal

on to the line - to wrap up the ideal victory in well under two hours.

“It was a very positive match for me, a good start,” Nadal told reporters.

“At the beginning I was trying to not have a lot of mistakes, playing safer, but I finished the match hitting some great forehands.

“That’s the way I need to play - aggressive with my forehand - if I’m to have a chance here.”

After reaching the final in

five out of six years from 2006 to 2011 Nadal has had something of a torrid time at Wimbledon since, losing twice in the second and once in the first and fourth.

“I’m happy because I didn’t win a lot of matches in the last couple of years here,” he said.

“Today I did and I’m looking forward to play the second one.

“For all the players it is so special to play here and for me, after the history I have here, I am very happy to be back.”

(REUTERS) - Venus Williams broke down in tears during her post-match news conference at Wimbledon yesterday when asked about a recent motoring incident she was involved in, which led to the death of a 78-year-old Florida man.

Williams, who won her first-round match against Belgian Elise Mertens in straight sets, was asked about her feelings regarding the incident.

“There are really no words to describe, like, how devastating and ... yeah. I’m completely speechless. It’s just - yeah, I mean, I’m just,” said the American before breaking down in tears and leaving the room.

The five-time Wimbledon champion returned shortly afterwards to finish off the compulsory media briefing.

News of the fatal incident near her home in Palm Beach Gardens surfaced on Thursday.

Palm Beach Gardens police released a preliminary report saying she was the driver at fault in a June 9 accident that left Jerome Barson, a passenger in the other car, with fatal injuries.

After the crash, Barson was taken to a Florida trau-

Venus Williams

ma centre where he died 13 days later, according to the Palm Beach county medical examiner.

The police report estimated Williams was travelling at about 5 miles per hour (8 kph) at the time of impact and was not distracted or suspected of any drug or alcohol use.

Before breaking down in the news conference, Williams had been asked several questions about her emotions in the past month but had avoided directly addressing the matter.

“Life, you can’t prepare for everything. I prepared

for a lot of matches, tried to get ready for whatever my opponents will throw at you; but you can’t prepare for everything,” she said.

“I have no idea what tomorrow will bring. That’s all I can say about it. That’s what I’ve learned,” she said to another question on how she was handling the situation.

Last week Williams released a statement on Facebook saying that she was “heartbroken” and “devastated” by the death of Barson.

Williams also said she was missing her sister Serena who is on a break from the game while she is pregnant.

“I miss her a lot. I think she misses me,” she said.

The 37-year-old American faced a tenacious opponent as she began her bid for a sixth Wimbledon singles title with a 7-6(7), 6-4 victory.

While a nervous Mertens struggled early, going 3-0 down in the first set, the 21-year-old, ranked 54th in the world, battled back to force a tiebreak which Williams won 9-7.

Williams, who last won Wimbledon in 2008, was unable to convert two match points in the second set before a rain break, but she returned to serve out for victory.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Kycia Knight, Subrina Munroe added to West Indies squad AFTER crashing to 48 all out - their second-lowest total in ODIs, West Indies suffered further blows, losing fast bowlers Shakera Selman and Shamilia Connell to injuries.

Perhaps with a mind to bolster their batting, Kycia Knight, who has not played international cricket since the 2016 World T20, was brought into the squad.

Alongside her came 32-year-old medium-pacer Subrina Munroe, who was last seen in West Indies colours in May 2015.

Selman was ruled out after being struck on the helmet while fielding at short leg during West Indies’ opening game at the Women’s World Cup last week. In their next one, newball bowler Connell left the field

after bowling only four overs and has been diagnosed with a hip injury.

The ICC’s event technical committee - comprising Geoff Allardice (ICC, chairman), Campbell Jamieson (ICC representative), Steve Elworthy (Tournament Director), Alan Fordham (host representative), Anjum Chopra and Alison Mitchell (both independent nominees) - has approved their replacements.

Kycia, twin sister to Kyshona, who is already in the squad, made her debut in 2011 as a wicketkeeper-batsman. She has played 44 ODIs to total 762 runs – the eighth-highest tally for West Indies in Women’s ODIs. Munroe, meanwhile, has 11 wickets in 23 ODIs at an

Subrina Munroe (left) and Kycia Knights

average of 51 and economy-rate of 3.8.

West Indies are one of

three teams to have lost every match they have played at the Women’s World Cup, but their

captain Stafanie Taylor has not lost hope. While admitting to deficiencies in their line-up, she believes, with four games left, there is still time to rally.

“I guess when you look back at the game (against South Africa), especially for the batters, we just got out softly and a lot of our batters, especially at the top order, we didn’t apply ourselves properly. We’ve been in England for a while, it’s not like we’ve come here yesterday where we don’t know what has been happening. I didn’t think that our mindset was right. I don’t think we were focused.”

When pressed on how she was going to lead West Indies’ turnaround, Taylor offered a very frank reply.

“I’ve been asking myself

that, to be honest. As a captain, you are thinking, you’ve lost all three games, what do you say to these players now? But if you really want to make it to the semi-finals, you’ve just got to find a way to turn it around.

We’ve lost three games now.

We have four more games to go, so we just have to bounce back and keep fighting.

“There’s still a chance. I do believe there is still a chance.

We still have games to go and teams that I know we can beat.

As individuals, we really need to look into ourselves and see what we’re doing wrong and just to rise above.”

West Indies’ next match is against former champions New Zealand on July 6. (ESPNCricinfo)

Kesrick Williams did an outstanding job - Holder AFTER winning the Champions Trophy in 2004 and reaching the final in the next edition, West Indies failed to qualify for the tournament this year. They hit another low when they tumbled to a 63-run defeat against Afghanistan in last month.

Not many would have given them a chance to topple India, especially after they had suffered heavy losses in the second and third ODIs. Things seemed dire for the hosts in the fourth match as well, when they snoozed their way to 189 for 9. But the bowlers, led by captain , rallied the team to defend the score against No. 3-ranked India.

Holder, who used the word “proud” three times in the press conference, put down the win to resilience.

“I have a lot of faith in the guys and have a lot of faith in myself,” he said. “Once we

stay together, we can learn as quickly as possible and see more results like this.

“Extremely proud. We have copped a lot of criticism over the last four months as a team. We haven’t had the best results and people tend to write us off. The way the guys played today, I am extremely proud. Our backs were against the wall at the halfway stage and a lot of people didn’t expect us to win the game. But it shows what we have in us and I am really, really proud of the guys.”

Holder played a starring role, claiming a maiden five-wicket haul in his 62nd ODI, and was ably backed up by , who was playing his second ODI, and Alzarri Joseph, who had replaced Miguel Cummins. Williams, in particular, shackled MS Dhoni, conceding only 13 runs off

33 balls. The fast bowler ultimately had Dhoni holing out to long-on at the end of the 49th over, bringing the equation to 14 from the last over.

“The guys really, really supported me not only in the field but with suggestions,” Holder said. “The bowlers really supported me, the way they came out and bowled.

It is easier when guys come out and do what is expected of them. I must give Kesrick Williams a lot of credit; I thought he did an outstanding job. He is only in his second game and showed a lot of maturity. Alzarri Joseph also makes the job a lot easier.”

West Indies coach Stuart Law also delivered a glowing appraisal of Williams.

“In the first game he played the other day, he got none for 60 (69), I thought to bowl five overs straight to the best finisher in the world, MS

Kesrick Williams

Dhoni, and to only go for the amount of runs he did was a great effort,” Law said.

“He’s got some tricks, which are difficult, and he is our leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket this year and we drafted him into the (ODI) side to do a job for us through the middle and towards the end. He only got one wicket but it was pretty

crucial one and only gone for 29 runs. That’s an outstanding effort. He is a livewire in the field and is good in the dressing room.”

Their batting, however, looked far from promising.

Each of the top five batsmen got starts on Sunday, with the highest score being 35. Law held shot selection, not lack of talent, responsible for the batsmen not making it big.

“It’s not lack of talent. I have seen these boys from close quarters for a while now, and it’s definitely not lack of talent,” he said.

“They have got skill and it’s just about match awareness - being smarter in the shots they choose to play at the right time. If you have been watching for a while now, they lose wickets at crucial times and if they do that we start putting ourselves under pressure. We are learning and we talk about it all the time. They are honest and we

can deal with it in an honest manner.”

Law also hoped that Sunday’s success, which came about three months after West Indies secured their highest successful ODI chase, against Pakistan, would be a stepping stone to higher honours.

“We beat Pakistan a couple of weeks ago, chasing down 300, and now we have defended a reasonably small total against India,” he said.

“We have beaten two of the best teams in the world ....

It’s a big ladder, and today is one step closer to where we want to end up.

“People in the Caribbean probably don’t see we are working hard, as hard as we are. We are pleased we put up a win for everybody in the region. It gives us a warming feeling and hopefully it gives everybody a good feeling as well.” (ESPNCricinfo)

Windies captain Taylor stumped by losses

AFTER three consecutive losses to start the ICC Women’s World Cup in England, Stafanie Taylor, captain of the West Indies Women, is desperately trying to find a way to motivate her players to break out of their horrific slump that threatens to see them ousted from the tournament before the end of the preliminary round of matches.

The Windies Women lost their opening match to Australia by seven wickets then lost to India by eight wickets. However,

the most humiliating defeat came on Sunday when they were routed for just 48 runs in 25.2 overs by South Africa who then needed only 6.2 overs to race to victory.

Dane van Niekerk set a world record becoming the first bowler of any gender in international cricket to take four wickets in a match without conceding a run as she helped commit the West Indies to a 10-wicket loss, the biggest of the tournament to date.

Taylor believes she has to find a way to avert the

Windies captain Stafanie Taylor

crisis. The question is: how?

“I’ve been asking myself that, to be honest. As a captain, you are thinking, you’ve lost all three games, what do you say to these players now? But if you really want to make it to the semi-finals, you’ve just got to find a way to turn it around.

“We’ve lost three games now, we have four more games to go; so we just have to bounce back and keep fighting,” said the frustrated captain, who said there was still hope.

“There’s still a chance, I do believe there is still

a chance. We still have games to go and teams that I know we can beat.

As individuals, we really need to look into ourselves and see what we’re doing wrong and just rise above.”

Against South Africa, Taylor said the team lacked focus.

“I guess when you look back at the game especially for the batters, we just got out softly and a lot of our batters, especially at the top order, we didn’t apply ourselves properly.

We’ve been in England for a while, it’s not like we’ve

come here yesterday where we don’t know what has been happening. I didn’t think that our mindset was right. I don’t think we were focused.”

Meantime, two players have been brought in to address another problem facing the team. Kycia Knight and Subrina Munroe have been selected to replace the injured Shakera Selman and Shamilia Connell.

West Indies’ next match is against former champions New Zealand on July 6. (Digicel Sportsmax)

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 4 2017

Hassan dominates Race of Champions round two

By Stephan Sookram AZAD Hassan proved his skill on a wet track to take the Sport and Street Tuner classes of the recently concluded Race of Champions round two on Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit.

Hassan was in fine form, sweeping the Street Tuner (1600cc) class before turning around to take the Sport Tuner class in a day marred by rain.

In the Street Tuner class, he left Raymond

Seebarran and Narine Dasrat to battle for second and third respectively in Race one, with the result repeating itself in Race two and the two switching positions for Race three.

In the Sport Tuner class, Hassan whipped Sharima Khan in Race one, before he defeated Narine Dasrat and Peter Morgan in Race two. He also topped Race three, ahead of Sunil Singh and Sharima Khan.

Elsewhere, the Group two trophies were split - one apiece for Rameez

Mohamed, Chet Singh and Ryan Rahaman.

In Race one, Mohamed came in ahead of Mohamed Roshandin and Rahman with Race two being won

by Singh, ahead of Adrian Fernandes and Mahendra Boodhoo. Race three was taken by Rahman.

Group three saw a podium filled with E-Networks representatives Vishok Persaud, winning ahead of Hamid Ramlogan and Andre Danraj in Race one.

In Race two Adrian

Fernandes got the better of Rameez Mohamed and Persaud respectively, while Persaud returned to the top step of the podium ahead of Shairaz Roshandin and Chet Sigh respectively in Race three.

The lone Group four race was combined with Group three, with only Andrew King showing up.

In the Beharry Starlet Cup, it may have been Allan Da Silva’s first time out for competition and he drove well but could not stave off the challenges of

the Motor Trend team of Motilall Deodas.

Deodas won Race one ahead of Da Silva and Afraz Allie, and then turned around to finish race two in the same order.

Race three, however, saw Rameez Mohamed take the chequered flag ahead of Deodas and Ramlogan.

On the superbikes, inclement weather permitted only one race of the day, which was won by Heemand Boodhram ahead of Matthew Vieira and John

Bennett respectively.

Race two was abandoned when Boodhram had to be air-dashed to Georgetown after a spill.

Among the day’s sponsors were: Ansa McAl, Prem’s Electrical, B.M. Soat, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Ready Mix, Special Auto, Japarts, Ticket Master, Palm Court, KGM, MAC Batteries, S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction, L Mahabir and Sons Cambio and Choke Gas Station.

‘Chicken legs’ Griffith cops Tampico 60 miles cycle race

CHRISTOPHER ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith overpowered Jamal John to the finish line to capture the Guyana Beverage Company Tampico 60 miles cycle race yesterday.

The riders pedalled off from in front of the company’s Berbice office at Palmyra, East Coast, Berbice, and proceeded to the No. 51 Police Station before returning to the starting line.

Griffith registered a time of 2 hours 26 minutes 37 seconds, just ahead of Jamal John. Paul De Nobrega placed third, while Andrew Hicks came in fourth.

The race, which attracted 52 starters, started off at a gruelling pace.

Griffith, John, followed by De Nobrega and a skilful Hicks made their presence felt early on in the race then separated themselves from the bunch

in the scorching heat.

The top riders turned the heat on when they approached the turning point. Griffith signalled his intention to break away, as he took control of the race from No.46 Village. Jamal John maintained his composure as he was hot on the heels on Griffith in the closing stages of the race.

The cat-and-mouse game was evident as the two riders separated them-

selves from the others. It was a ding-down battle to the finish line as Griffith prevailed, edging Jamal John at the finish line.

On hand at the presentation were the organiser and coach of the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) Randolph Roberts, and the Managing Director of Guyana Beverage Company, Robert Selman, along with employees.

Each senior rider received a case of Turbo

energy drink compliments of the sponsor.

The winners of each category all received cash incentives and a trophy.

Results in the other categories are as follows: In the BMX category 1st Munesh Bagwandin 12-14 category 1st David Hicks 2nd Jonathan Ramsuchit 3rd Sase Narine Bhagwandin Juniors

1st Zamal Khan 2nd Ralph Seenarine 3rd Kenwyn Collins Female category 1st Sheneika Teixeira 2nd Deyonce Welch Veterans 1st Stephon Fernandes 2nd Ian Jackson 3rd Jaikaran Sookhao Prime Prizes Jamal John (4) Christopher Griffith (3) Akeem Williams (1) Kewel Moses (1) Romello Crawford (1)

Moon spoils ‘Candy Man’ Hardy’s return … Guyanese picks up second career defeat via unanimous decision

By Rawle Toney in New York

IT WAS supposed to be Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy’s triumphant return to the ring after two years, but the script was written differently for him, as he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Eric Moon on Saturday, when the two collided at the Buckhead Fight Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

The defeat was Hardy’s second in his career which now sees his ring-record dip to 13 -2.

Moon, 26, improved to 5-0, but it was the first time that he didn’t win via TKO. At the opening bell of

their middleweight clash in front of a full house, it was obvious that both fighters were cautious in their approach; feeling each other out.

It was also obvious that Hardy was rusty, and why not? Hardy’s last outing in the ring was against Vito Gasparyan when he suffered a unanimous decision loss over two years ago.

“Tough night” Hardy told Chronicle Sport, adding “.... inactivity is a b***h! I felt strong but I wasn’t explosive like I should be.”

The 30-year-old Hardy, while showing flashes of the type of flamboyant fighter he is, played into Moon’s game.

Moon wasn’t exceptional either; the American was oftentimes easily hurt by the ‘Candy Man’, but the Guyanese couldn’t put him away.

“To be honest I didn’t feel like myself and I was not explosive with combos,” Hardy said after the fight.

One thing was clear; the American Moon was a bit more physical than Hardy.

Moon was more defensive than Hardy, and connected more.

Hardy was not out-boxed by a long shot, stating, “I know I’m much better and couldn’t execute like I should.”

Hardy said he plans to return to the gym, work on

his mistakes and should be in the ring in August.

The Guyanese fighter also promises to be more con-

sistent in terms of ring time. He admitted that the primary reason for his demise on Saturday was ‘ring rust’.

Kesrick Williams did an outstanding job - Holder P.22

Hassan dominates Race of Champions round two

See page 23 Heemand Boodhram displays his chequered flag after winning the lone superbike race of the day.

Azad Hassan runs rampant on race day.

Moon spoils ‘Candy Man’ Hardy’s return … Guyanese picks up second career defeat via unanimous decision

‘Chicken legs’ Griffith cops Tampico 60 miles cycle race

Simeon Hardy (right) and Eric Moon at their weigh-in

See page 23

Christopher Griffith raises his hands as he crosses the finish line

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See page 23 TUESDAY, JULY, 04 , 2017