Guyana chronicle E-Paper 07 06 2017

SOCU seeks extradition of ex GRDB accountant

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2017

No. 104936

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Charges coming Pradoville2 land scam

…SOCU sends files for legal advice

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Bigger deal …gov’t says new pact with Exxon is 200% higher Page 3 than initial agreement

Bartica to be regional leader of ‘green’ development Pages 16&17

Young killers get 15 years each for murdering taxi driver Retired soldier dies in Bush Lot accident Page 5

Justice Navindra Singh takes the salute during Tuesday’s parade to open the Demerara June Assizes (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Pradoville2 land scam

Charges coming …SOCU sends files for legal advice SEVERAL persons are likely to be charged soon for the sale and development of the Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara (ECD) land, referred to as Pradoville 2, sources close to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday evening.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the investigation into the alleged corrupt acquisition of the lands at Pradoville 2 has been completed and police legal advisor Justice Claudette Singh has been asked to provide advice on the matter.

“A thorough investigation has been done and now it is all up to the legal people to ensure that the charges are laid,” the source said, while noting that some 200 persons were interviewed by SOCU. Interviewees included officials from the Cen-

tral Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), the Guyana Lands and Survey Department (GL&SD), the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), and the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL). In March, several former government officials under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) including former president Bharrat Jagdeo, former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon; and former Ministers of Agriculture, Home Affairs, Housing and Water, Labour and Education, Robert Persaud, Clement Rohee, Irfaan Ali, Dr. Nankishore Gopaul and Priya Manickchand were questioned by SOCU. In addition to the PPP officials Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar AliHack; former Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff,

Retired Rear Admiral Gary Best; and General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board, Lisaveta Ramotar, were also questioned by SOCU on the acquisition of lands at Pradoville 2.

Meanwhile, the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) had recommended that Attorney General, Basil Williams, put systems in place to facilitate charges of “misconduct in public office” being laid against Jagdeo and Persaud; former Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford; Manickchand; Dr. Gopaul and Rohee.

That recommendation by SARU follows an investigation into the procedures employed prior to the transfer and issuance of prime real estate at Sparendaam, lower East Coast Demerara, to the former government ministers and persons believed to be their friends. In November 2016, the Ministry of Finance handed over the final reports of the forensic audits

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

The APNU+AFC coalition government has indicated that it will be prosecuting those found culpable in wrongdoings with respect to the sale of lands at the Pradoville 2 Housing Project.

Cabinet earlier this year had approved the appointment of six attorneys to serve as special prosecutors on several cases, including but not limited to, the range of forensic audits conducted by the APNU+AFC administration when it came into power in May 2015. The six attorneys are Michael Somersall, Hewely Griffith, Lawrence Harris, Patrice Henry, Compton Richardson, and Trenton Lake.

Forensic audits done

on the National Industrial Commercial and Investments Limited (NICIL) revealed that some $257M was spent on development of the Pradoville 2 housing project, and the value of land there should have been $82.8M per acre, instead of the significantly less sum for which an acre was sold. “Instead of accumulating all the costs associated with the Sparendaam Project — including the market value of the land — in a special account to be applied in arriving at the price to be charged per house lot, NICIL’s Board and Cabinet were complicit in charging the related costs of $257.049M to NCN in the form of equity investment, and to CH&PA in the form of receivables. The fact that several key Cabinet members are the beneficiaries of the house lots renders it highly inappropriate for the very Cabinet to approve of the charging of the expenditure to the accounts of NCN

and CH&PA,” the audit report stated.

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

Bigger deal 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

…gov’t says new pact with Exxon is 200% higher than initial agreement THE Government of Guyana on Tuesday said Guyanese will enjoy significant benefits from its oil resources as the administration has negotiated a 200 percent increase on the initial agreement with US oil giant ExxonMobil.

The oil company had entered into an agreement with the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration in 1999. That agreement has since been renegotiated to ensure that Guyana and Guyanese accrue sufficient benefits from the emerging oil and gas sector, the government said in a statement issued by the Department of Public Information.

Government assured that it will continue to ensure that Guyanese and the country benefit from the emerging oil and gas sector.

The assurance by the government follows statements made by the political opposition, PPP which suggests that Guyanese will not benefit enough from the sector. “The royalties and profit sharing revenue are comparable with the world standard and will redound to the benefit of all Guyanese. In fact, the Coalition Government confirms that the 2% royalties represent a 200% increase on what the former PPP government had negotiated while it was in office before demitting in 2015,” the statement said.

The Government noted too that currently the 2 per cent will give Guyana $7B in annual revenues in addition to

the 50 per cent share of profits.

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

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader and former President Bharrat Jagdeo has accused the administration of neglecting the country’s traditional sectors, rice and sugar in particular to focus on the oil and gas sector. At a recent press conference Jagdeo said that Guyanese are being hyped about the benefits to be accrued from the oil and gas sector but that’s not sufficient to assist Guyana. He said that even with a 2 percent in royalties being paid to Guyana, the country would only benefit from $8B annually, once oil prices remain at US$50 per barrel and approximately 100,000 barrels of oil are produced daily.

“A payment of US$50 a barrel can’t solve our jobs problem,” the Opposition Leader told reporters last Friday during a press conference, while suggesting that come 2020 there is a high possibility that Guyanese would be “worse off”.

Jagdeo believes that in order to ensure Guyanese are not being duped; the coalition government needs to make public the new agreement between the government and the US oil giant.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

However, the Government stressed that Guyanese and Guyana will benefit from the new agreement and called on all citizens particularly “the political opposition and their surrogates and sympathisers, to act responsibly and not misinform the public and stoke a gloom and doom specter over our oil and gas potentials.”

“The Opposition must stop using this new sector of hope and future prosperity as a political football,” the government said expressing confidence that the agreements which exist will ensure a better life for all once the sector becomes fully operational in a few years.

The Government said too that the “pessimistic forecast”

by Jagdeo is tantamount to him “throwing water on prospects to realise the good life that had eluded Guyanese under his rule.”

“Mr. Jagdeo has no mor-

al authority to speak on the performance of the economy, having himself been at the helm of setting up Guyana’s economy for over a decade as one which was heavily reliant on narco-funds, money-laundering and the underground economy.”

The statement continued: “It is now abundantly clear to all that the economy inherited by the Coalition Government from the PPP administration was nothing more than a shell economy, seriously debilitated by huge debt such as the $85B GuySuCo debt which this government has been saddled with as a result of the wild and inadvisable dumping of resources into the Skeldon Sugar Factory which remains a monumental white elephant.”

As such, the government has questioned the Opposition Leader’s “motive when placed against the background of, by his own admission, having actively considered surrendering Guyana’s sovereign territory to Venezuela.”

Nevertheless, the APNU+AFC coalition government made it clear that it is working on completing lots of ground work to ensure that Guyanese benefit. Additionally, the government said that it is involved in many engagements with international experts to understand best practices along with stringent legal and other frameworks so that risks are minimised in the areas of environmental preservation as Guyana will

SOCU seeks extradition of ex GRDB accountant …court issues arrest warrant CHIEF Magistrate, Ann McLennan has issued an arrest warrant for former accountant of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Peter Ramcharran, even as the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has made formal representation to authorities here for him to be extradited to face the charges.

Ramcharran is reportedly in Canada and SOCU has since approached the relevant authorities to make the formal request for the former accountant to be extradited.

Meanwhile, head of SOCU, Assistant Commissioner, Sydney James told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday that the arrest warrant was

issued for Ramcharran on five counts of falsification of accounts.

James appeared before the Georgetown Magistrate’s court on Monday to explain why an arrest warrant should be issued for the former accountant. Ramcharran was responsible for ‘signing off’ on a number of questionable transactions that were traced to the six officials, who were recently charged and others caught up in the GRDB probe. Last week five charges of falsification of accounts were filed and sworn to in court by an investigating rank; however Ramcharran was not present in court since he reportedly fled the jurisdiction to Canada during

SOCU’s investigation.

But SOCU’s Special Prosecutor, Patrice Henry had explained to Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan that the accused was informed about the court proceeding and was ordered to be present in court. The Magistrate had adjourned the matter until June 5, 2017 at 13:15hrs and ordered that the Head of SOCU be present at the next hearing to satisfy the court why an arrest warrant should be issued for Ramcharran.

The allegation was made against Ramcharran during SOCU’s investigation in which six former GRDB officials were charged and released on $500,000 bail for failing to

make a proper entry into a register of a company two week ago. The six officials charged are former GRDB head, Madulall Ricky Ramraj; former General Manager Jagnarine Singh; former GRDB board members Dharamkumar Seeraj, Badrie Persaud, PPP Parliamentarian Nigel Dharamlall and former Deputy Permanent Secretary (Finance) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Prema Roopnarine. During SOCU’s investigation, Ramcharran was found to have falsified accounts at the GRBD of over $400M between the years of 2011 to 2015, while being the accountant at the company.

not compromise on its green state agenda.

The Government of Guyana is expected to grant a production licence to Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Ltd and partners Hess and Nexen. This announcement was made recently by the Ministry of Natural Resources. In a statement to the media, the Ministry said that following reviews of the technical and environmental aspects of the Liza Project-Development Plan that was submitted by Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Ltd (EEPGL) in December 2017, the government is expected to grant a production licence to ExxonMobil for production of petroleum to move ahead in 2020.

The licence is expected to place emphasis on local employment and training, the procurement of goods and services here, infrastructural soundness and protection of the environment. It is expected that the production licence is finalised before the developers make their Final Investment Decision (FID) for the project in June 2017.

“Extraction from the Liza field is expected to commence in 2020 at an initial rate of 100,000 barrels of crude per day in the first phase, with a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel providing the main infrastructural support for the project,” the ministry’s release stated.

It added: “The Government and people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will receive a royalty of 2 percent on gross earnings and benefit from 50 percent of the profits from the sale of petroleum once production commences.” In March, the U. S. oil giant announced another major discovery of oil here at its Snoek well offshore

Guyana, confirming some 82 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs.

ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd commenced drilling of the Snoek well on February 22, 2017 and encountered 82 feet (25 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. The well was safely drilled to 16,978 feet (5,175 metres) in 5,128 feet (1,563 metres) of water on March 18. The Snoek well is located in the southern portion of the Stabroek Block, approximately five miles (9 km) to the south-east of the 2015 Liza-1 discovery.

Following completion of the Snoek well, the Stena Carron drillship has moved back to the Liza area to drill the Liza-4 well.

“As we continue to evaluate the full potential of the broader Stabroek Block, we are also taking the necessary steps to ensure the safe, cost-efficient and responsible development of this world-class resource, which can provide long-term, sustainable benefits to the people of Guyana,” said Steve Greenlee, president ExxonMobil Exploration Company.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

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Deeply flawed

THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure has said that preliminary information suggests that the methodology used in the construction of the base of the Indian Immigration Monument at Palmyra was deeply flawed, which resulted in collapse of the structure and that key components of the project were cleared by the former PPP administration despite obvious defects.

“The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is deeply disappointed in the recent collapse of the base of the Indian Immigration Monument at Palmyra. This project commenced under the former PPP [administration], but was stalled for several years. The Coalition Government resuscitated the project to allow for its successful completion to honour our foreparents who came from India,” the administration said in a statement on Tuesday.

The monument collapsed on April 25, 2017, as workers were busy

trying to complete it for Indian Arrival Day celebrated on May 5. The Guyana Chronicle was told then that the walls of the structure collapsed while workers were at work. An eyewitness who had spoken to this newspaper said the interior of the structure was being filled with sand when it gave way. The witness revealed that from his observations, the concrete work was fairly fresh and proper engineering procedures were not observed.

“They were backfilling the inside of the building, but they did not tie the structure to avoid what happened. The concrete is still not yet fully cured and they should have used steel to tie the walls from the insides to keep the structure in place. The other option would have been to secure it from the outside,” the witness said.

Following the collapse of the base of the monument, Cabinet took a decision that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) would assume responsibility

for oversight of the project.

The construction of the base represented Phase Two of the project. Phase One was construction of the access road – approximately 60% of which has been completed to date by the contractor for this phase -- ‘Errol Lall Civil Engineering Works’ (ELCEW). Phase Three concerned landscaping and works have since been suspended. BK International has been contracted for Phase Three.

Following are the budgetary and financial details: Phase One – Errol Lall Civil Engineering Works (ELCEW) Budgeted amount: $43,027,544 Amount paid to date: $26,522,000 Phase Two – Alternate Contracting Enterprise (ACE) Budgeted amount: $42,232,239 Amount paid to date: $22,803,000 Phase Three – BK International Budgeted amount: $8,250,270

Amount paid to date: $7,335,000 According to government, following the transfer of documents related to the project from the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Minister within the Ministry, Annette Ferguson, called meetings with the supervisory consultants (FEBCAM), the design consultants (Innovative Engineering Consultant Services), the contractor (Alternate Contracting Enterprise), the MoPI Work Services Group Technical Team and other stakeholders.

Preliminary findings have thus far revealed that: 1. A design report for the project was not prepared.

2. IECS was not the initial designer of the project, Design Consultants Services Limited was.

3. G e o t e c h n i c a l surveys to determine soil properties and design requirements were not done.

IECS requested geotechnical investigations, but was

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday,June 7, 2017

…Gov’t says key aspects of collapsed Indian monument were cleared by PPP advised that this was not budgeted for. Assumptions were subsequently made for the soil data in lieu of geotechnical surveys.

According to the release, it is important to note that this project commenced under the previous PPP administration and thus this aspect of the project was concluded prior to the Coalition Government coming to office. Further, the site for the monument was also selected by the previous administration with former Minister Dr Anthony then at the helm of the sector.

4. The Supervisory Consultant revised the project design without adequate engineering analysis.

5. T h e m o n u m e n t base was to have been constructed using a four-footwide footing.

6. Block walls were to have been infilled with structural concrete, not mortar.

7. The internal monument base was to have been 8” thick reinforced concrete wall and not blockwork infilled with mortar.

8. It was the infilling with mortar which was done and which subsequently failed.

“The MoPI Work Services Group Technical Team is engaged in conducting a comprehensive and thorough design review of the project, inclusive of geotechnical surveys. Specialised geotechnical surveys services are being contracted. It is important to note that the monument donated by the Government of India weighs a substantial 17 tons, therefore, geotechnical analysis is vital,” the release added. “The Coalition Government remains committed to the completion of the project and the erection of the Indian Immigration Monument at the earliest possible time. The Coalition Government is also committed to taking up the offer from the Government of India to provide technical expertise for the erection of the monument and will pursue this accordingly,” the release stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Young killers get 15 years each for murdering taxi driver

ASHRAF Ali, 20 and Abdool Shazim Razack were on Tuesday sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each after pleading guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the June 10-14, 2014 murder of taxi driver Dhanraj Latchman during the course/ furtherance of a robbery.

Defence attorney Keoma Griffith, in his plea of mitigation told the court that his client Ali is 20 years old and at the time of the offence he was just 17. He related that his client is very active in the prison’s steelpan programme and has played across the country and also utilised the other programmes offered by the prison, such as carpentry, barbering and joinery.

Griffith added that his client was not alone at the time of the incident and asked for a reasonable sentence, given the fact that he is on the road to being reformed for re-integration to society. For Razack, the attorney said the young man resided at J.P Latchman Singh Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara and was in the family’s carpentry business.

Griffith added that his client was 18- years-old at the time of the incident and is active in the various programmes in prison in the trade of carpentry and joinery and was the head cook while at the Timehri Prison. Defence attorney told the court that his client is very remorseful and asked for leniency in his sentencing. Razack

Sentenced to 15 years: Ashraf Ali and Abdool Shazim Razack.

told the court that he is sorry for his actions and apologised to the relatives of the deceased.

He also pleaded with the judge for a light sentence.

In response, state prosecutor Tuanna Hardy told the court that the deceased Dhanraj Latchman was only 17 years old at the time of the incident. She stated that he grew up with both accused, who had planned to rob him of his vehicle after hiring him to take them to Parika Backdam, where they placed their hands on his neck until he passed out. The duo then dumped his body and escaped in his car.

A post-mortem revealed that Dhanraj died as a result of asphyxiation due to compression of the neck.

In handing down his ruling, Justice Singh told the court that he took into consideration the killers’ expression of remorse and their attempt to become better persons in prison by engaging in the pro-

grammes offered in jail. He then sentenced both men to 15 years imprisonment and asked that the time served be deducted from the 15 years given.

Justice Singh took several factors into consideration such as his early plea, his acceptance of responsibility for his actions and his direction in prison to be rehabilitated.

Ali and Razack had told the police that after they had choked the teenager until he blacked out, one of them attempted to slit his throat with a knife after they realised that he was still breathing, but the other, a mason, decided against spilling the victim’s blood.

Instead, they cut the car’s seatbelt with the knife, and put the seatbelt around his neck.

Then, using a piece of wood to turn the seatbelt, they tightened it around his neck until they had strangled him. The wood was later discovered in the car, which was found the

following day.

They then drove farther down the Parika Backdam and ‘four-handed’ the lifeless body of the teen into a clump of bushes, before making their way out of the area in his vehicle.

The men had lured Latchman and his vehicle to Parika with a story that they were heading to Parika to uplift some money. But as they were exiting Good Hope village, ECD, they had encountered Latchman’s uncle, and one of them had used the jersey he was wearing to conceal his face when they exited the car, instructing Latchman to pick them up at another location.

They had re-boarded the vehicle, and the party proceeded to Parika.

During the journey, Latchman had received several calls from his mother and father, cautioning him to take his time on the roadway since the distance was a far one.

Reportedly, during those calls, the young man had given his parents the names of the two persons he was transporting to Parika. At Parika, they had met with one Robin who has a body-work shop in the area.

Robin was the person from whom they had expected to collect the money — payment for Latchman’s car, which the two showed up to sell Robin.

While the suspects were in negotiation with Robin in his yard, Latchman was seated in his vehicle. They subsequently joined him, sitting on the car’s bonnet drinking a few beers

Murdered taxi driver, Dhanraj Latchman.

and apparently quietly considering how they would get rid of the unsuspecting teen.

Reportedly, when Robin enquired about the driver of the car, since it was the first time he was seeing him, the cousins told him that the driver of the car was in fact the owner of the car. The man then immediately declined to purchase the car, since he was not sure how the vehicle could be sold with its owner being present. He was not then aware that the cousins had already worked that out.

The cousins then left with Latchman, and murdered him by strangulation before returning to Robin, who then reportedly questioned them about Latchman’s whereabouts. “We finish he off,” they reportedly told Robin. For clarification, Robin reportedly asked the men what they meant, and they informed him that they had killed the teenager and taken the car. Robin then again told them that he was no longer

interested in purchasing the car, and that they should leave.

The two then returned to the Parika Backdam with the car, which they parked and immediately began searching for another market for the vehicle. They used their victim’s cellphone to hold a 45-minute conversation with someone on the Corentyne coast concerning purchase of the car, before returning to the East Coast Demerara via public transportation and going to a Third Street, Lusignan residence, where one of the men lived with his parents.

When Latchman’s relatives could no longer contact him, they decided to visit the home of the teen last seen in the car with him, along with the other suspect. They also took police to the home. However, when the men were questioned they gave conflicting statements, which caused the police to keep them in custody.

One of their statements was that they had travelled back to the East Coast with Latchman, but on the way he had picked up two other persons, who had requested to be taken to Enmore. They told investigators that they disembarked at the Lusignan main road and Latchman had proceeded with the other two men to Enmore.

While family members were a bit apprehensive, they became even more convinced that the two had something to do with the teen’s disappearance when his car was discovered at Parika Backdam.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday,June 7, 2017

Playing partisan politics with sugar FOR years it was public knowledge that the state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has been in trouble and limped along heavily reliant on the Consolidated Fund to the tune of tens of billions to keep it functioning.

Many have argued -- not without some justification – that the sugar industry has been used as a political weapon. In our polarised politics, it also subliminally carries racial connotations.

In the period of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government, strikes in the industry, also with other alleged acts of sabotage when it was fully known that the sugar unions had the Opposition People’s Progress Party’s (PPP) support, did not help. Whether these strikes were in keeping with usual industrial agitation to improve working conditions, political statements, or a combination of both await objective analyses. However, what cannot be denied is the financial loss to the economy with Guyana’s inability to sell and source scarce foreign exchange, reverberated throughout.

The fact too that when the PPP/Civic was elected in October 1992 and thereafter, almost like magic, young sugar canes were no longer being burnt, presented a source of evidence that the industry suffered the influence of partisan politics which hurt both country, communities and workers.

This is a reputation the workers and their unions bear. Also lurking in the background is that they were causalties of a political agenda that did not place their interests first. Albeit, strikes continued, along with poor policy directions of the boards, waste of over US$200M with the disinvestment in the Skeldon factory, loss of revenue and preferential markets and

decreased prices for sugar in the international market cannot be ignored. Earlier attempts in the 1970s at diversifying, which were resisted because of the government that initiated the programmes, outside of exemplifying the small-thinking nature of our politics, hurt efforts to make the corporation viable.

It would take much more than an editorial to analyse the problems in GuySuCo, including the role played by successive management, boards, governments, and the workers and their unions. Suffice it to say that there is more than enough blame to go around. But in 2017 when it is evident that Government is moving, determinedly, to reshape the future of sugar and GuySuCo it will have reverberating national impact. The centuries of sugar to the building of Guyana and the contributions of various groups in the process are forever etched in the annals of history. That sugar is also no longer sustainable is undisputed. Where disputes continue to percolate are concerns about the welfare of the workers, the communities where they reside and the economic opportunities created for others as a result of their wage labour.

The sugar industry affects the welfare of all on the coastland. Where the private sector has seized the opportunity to now speak out against future plans and stayed silent in the past to its impeding implosion is regrettable. That the sugar unions in addition to utilising protests and the media to express their views and GuySuCo see it most appropriate to respond through the media via letters would create speculation whether the approach would further aggravate relations between the two or heal it.

More importantly, that the PPP/C has seen an opportunity being created to make the proverbial political hay with the crisis cannot be ignored. The PPP/C had several opportunities before 2017 to put GuySuCo on a path to self-sustainability, if the assumption is being taken that that is the party’s interest. Ensuring the sustainability of the corporation would have seen the party making a presentation to the Stakeholders Consultation that started in 2016, doing fan out with the communities in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six , which would have lent the impression that it cares. Instead, the sugar workers were once again used and betrayed by a party who only sees its survival by making them their footstool. The excuse given for not submitting a proposal is that government must first conduct a socio-economic impact study, is an exemplification of the PPP/C’s inept management of the corporation. The PPP/C could not have awakened in 2016 and realised the necessity for such an approach, they would have had to know whether this was needed or not in the 23 years of government. Outside of making the corporation’s board and management the party’s source of giving their colleagues fat pay cheques without delivering, they looked on uncaringly at the industry imploding. The last thing GuySuCo and Guyana want is the future of sugar submerged in partisan politics.

Higher retirement age recommended for Public Servants by CoI Dear Editor, I SHOULD be grateful if you would please publish this letter on the Recommended New Retirement Age for public servants. The Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service of Guyana (CoI) 2016, under the Chairmanship of Professor Harold Lutchman, had referred to the current retirement age of 55 years, and with approval of 50 years in the Public Service. The CoI reported that public sector organisations such as the Bank of Guyana, the National Insurance Scheme, the Guyana Revenue Authority, and staff of the Office of the Auditor General have a retirement age of 60 years.

The retirement age for staff at the University of Guyana is 65 years, and for members of the judiciary and the Auditor General, the retirement age is 65

years. The CoI report further stated that the private sector also has higher retirement ages based on pension schemes providing for retirement between 60 and 65 years. There is also no fixed retirement age for top executives in the private sector.

Similarly in public life, the CoI noted that there is no retirement age for members of the National Assembly, ministers, leader of the opposition, vice-presidents, the President and their advisers.

In the context of employment service, the age of 55 is too early an age for retirement for public servants. The CoI stated that testimonies to the commission supported and advocated for a higher retirement age for public service staff. It is argued that at age 55, public servants would have acquired deep knowledge and wide experience in public management and in their professional and specialist fields. It would be a

great loss of experience, skills and expertise to the Public Service with a retirement age at 55 years.

This is one of the arguments used to justify the re-employment of many retired public servants on contract, immediately upon retirement.

The CoI further reported that a survey of human resource practitioners in the private sector recommended a retirement age of between 60 and 65 years. This was also in line with the testimonies to the commission by public servants and individuals. The advocacy calls for a retirement age of 65 years with an option of retirement at 60 in the Public Service to provide for the retention of valuable, experienced and skilled professionals.

The CoI drew attention that the age of retirement for civil servants of other countries including the British Virgin Islands, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago,

where the retirement age for public officials is 60 years. The current retirement age is 65 years in Bermuda, and 66.5 years in Barbados and in Dominica. Canada has abolished retirement age on the grounds of non-discrimination, while international organisations within the United Nations system retires international civil servants on attaining 62 years of age. The current retirement age in the Republic of South Africa is 65 years.

The CoI report affirmed that the higher retirement age of 65 years would provide for higher pensions under the Pensions Act for public officers, who would also continue to contribute to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) until the age of 60 years, when NIS pensions would be paid.

This would further increase the finances of the NIS scheme by the extended contributions from the Public Service of the State and its employees for an additional period

of five years, thus contributing to the continuing viability of the National Insurance Scheme. The commission stated that it was convinced that a higher retirement age for public servants would be mutually beneficial for the State, the public servants, and the National Insurance Scheme. The CoI accordingly recommended: - a new retirement age for new entrants into the Public Service, and those currently in the Public Service who are below 50 years of age, be retired on attaining 65 years of age, with the option of retiring on attaining 60 years; - that pension entitlements be calculated at a maximum of 43 and one-third service years; (as against currently 33 and one third service years) - that public servants who are currently below 55 years of age, be allowed the option to retire on attaining 60 years or any time before 65 or on attaining 65 years of age;

- that no public servant retiring from the Public Service before attaining the age of 65 years should be employed on contract in an established Public Service position.

- That the Pensions Act Chapter 27:02 be amended as may be required to provide for higher pensions, as a result of the higher retirement age.

Following consultations with the GPSU, the forgoing recommendations should be considered for implementation without delay. Together with many other recommendations of the CoI, a stronger, professional Public Service can be developed and nurtured to serve the people of this country in keeping with the statutory obligations of public service officers, and the national development policies and programmes.

Yours sincerely, Joshua Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

National awards and rewards Dear Editor MEDIA reports and other commentaries on the recent award of ‘National Honours’ indicated a hullabaloo of cynicism and apparent boomerang in the public domain regarding the conception, implementation and consequences of this and other typically routine annual rituals. I wish to share some of my own thoughts: Recognition, acknowledgement and celebration of people’s achievements are normally powerful processes to generate and sustain positive behaviour. (Interestingly, Bruce Fogle’s book on “The Dog’s Mind” confirms similar cause & effect correlations in animal behaviour); however, injudicious awards/rewards can have the opposite effect on the many who perceive themselves as equally good, if not better than those who were singled out for the awards. I believe a case can be made for an overhaul of current practices. For a start, I think it will help if the decision-makers can pay more attention to context and what already obtains, in order to reduce the unintended fallouts. A few examples might be helpful here: In the context of people in ‘paid employment’ which as far as I know was the case of the majority in the last list, their differential levels/ quality of work are already variously recognised by differentiated compensation, opportunistic promotion and

other forms of recognition within their companies/organisations; some employers have other in-house programmes of recognition.

It is natural to find some dis-satisfaction with their implementation, but mechanisms are in place or can be put in place to resolve these.

It is a double-dip for the State to super-impose “National Honors” for paid work. A distinction must be drawn for ‘contractual’, expressed and implied duties and responsibilities in regular employment. For example: a policeman/fireman is paid to save people from crime and fires unlike the neighbor or passer-by who voluntarily does the same things out of good neighbourliness or a sense of civic duty/responsibility.

Obviously, national honours are more germane to the latter. Similarly, the doctors who save lives by their professional practice are not the same as the numerous, public-spirited citizens who also save lives in other circumstances and by ‘non-medical’ means.

Consultants, engineers, lawyers, contractors and businessmen etc collect fees, commissions, profits. In the field of professional sports, sportsmen/women compete for selection and are compensated (in some cases extremely handsomely) for excellence and differential performances. In the field of music and literature, commissions and royalties are by no means insignificant.

And, it is difficult to resist

mentioning the ‘personally profitable’ field of politics so much in vogue these days, where it appears that opportunities for aggrandizement, sycophantic adulation and, as we know only too well in Guyana, pecuniary benefits are unlimited!

Another ‘negative’ is the cheapening of national honours by the excessive numbers awarded: 70 per annum for our tiny population? One wonders what the number is or would be for an average-sized population. However, the main thrust of this letter is that in virtually every sphere of human activity, there are already mechanisms in place that inherently provide the necessary incentives and recognition, thus obviating the need for another layer like our ‘National Awards.’

What is indeed eminently deserving of consideration and attention is a scheme to promote and recognise VOLUNTEERISM and SELFLESSNESS, especially at the grass-root, community levels where the prime mover for action is altruism and/or where the initiators /participants in community development and individual/social services to the hapless or underprivileged are suitably honoured by the nation for selfless services and altruistic leadership. I therefore strongly recommend a thorough review of our national-honours scheme.

Regards Nowrang Persaud

Ministry of the Presidency refutes Freddie Kissoon’s misleading column Dear Editor THE Ministry of the Presidency refutes the assertions and opinion expressed by Kaieteur News columnist, Mr Freddie Kissoon, in his Sunday June 4, 2017 column, titled, “I ignore the narrow-minded mandarins in Guyana; I always will”, in which the ministry is accused of deliberately omitting his name as a former student of Sister Noel Menezes during her booklaunching ceremony last week, as misleading and malicious.

Mr Kissoon in his column states, “Why my name was left out and others included?

I wasn’t even invited to the book-launching. The answer is simple, and I mean very simple. It does not strain the imagination to find the answer. In one of my columns or maybe more than

one, I may have written unflattering sentiments about the kings and queens in the APNU+AFC’s corridors of power and in the power establishment at UG. But to deliberately leave out my name shows we are certainly dealing with some ugly, petty minds with authority, power and status in this land that time forgot about.”

The ministry would like to make it clear that the names mentioned as former students were accurately reported. The Ministry of the Presidency did not ‘deliberately’ leave out Mr Freddie Kissoon’s name as is being peddled. During that event, a close friend of Sister Menezes, Dr Nigel Gravesande, in his remarks said: “Past students include former UG Vice-Chancellor, Dr James Rose; former Registrar, Dr David Chanderballi; former Acting Chancellor of the

Judiciary, Mr Carl Singh; former Dean of the School of Education and Humanities, Mr Tota Mangar; UG’s first Master’s graduate, Dr Basdeo Mangru and, of course, President Granger.”

Further to this, His Excellency the President was invited by the organisers to participate in the launching ceremony, an invitation he accepted despite having Cabinet meeting that day. The Ministry of the Presidency had no role in the organising of the event or control of the guest list.

The ministry views the column as a deliberate attempt to mislead the Guyanese people. The assertions carried therein have no basis in fact and the ministry is, therefore, calling for an immediate retraction.

Regards Ministry of the Presidency

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

DPP instructs magistrate to commit – accused remains in ‘Grey Boy’ to High Court custody

By Clestine Juan THE office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Tuesday instructed Magistrate Judy Latchman to commit former murder accused, Regan Rodrigues, known as ‘Grey Boy’ to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of political activist, Court-

ney Crum-Ewing.

The magistrate was instructed to do so, even though she had discharged the matter against Rodrigues for the second time on Monday at the end of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI). But this did not sit well with the DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack, who wrote a letter to the magistrate instructing her to commit the accused to

stand trial in the High Court.

On Tuesday afternoon, Special Prosecutor Nigel Hughes appeared before the magistrate on the matter, but Magistrate Latchman refused to commit the case to the High Court and explained that she had already discharged the matter against Rodrigues.

In her letter to the mag-

Dead: Courtney Crum-Ewing

istrate, which the Guyana Chronicle has seen, the DPP said, “In accordance with section 72 (2) (ii) (a) of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, Chapter 10:01, I hereby remit to your Worship the above-mentioned matter and direct you to comply with Sections 65 and 66 of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, Chapter 10:01 with a view of committing the accused.”

Magistrate Latchman discharged the matter against Rodrigues on the grounds that there is insufficient evidence against him. In her ruling, the magistrate said that while she was satisfied that the gun, which was used to shoot Crum-Ewing, was found at the home of the accused, the evidence offered by the prosecution did not implicate Rodrigues in the actual murder.

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

In September 2016, Rodrigues was freed of the murder charge by Magistrate

Regan Rodrigues known as ‘Grey Boy’

Latchman, due to the lack of evidence. The office of the DPP decided to re-open the case for further evidence from police witnesses and for the magistrate to rule on the oral statements made by Rodrigues.

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

According to Hughes, when Rodrigues was first arrested by the police at his home in River View, Ruimveldt, he had said to the ranks: “Officer, yuh can’t arrest me with this gun, this gun used to do nuff thing.”

As such, Hughes emphasised that based on this statement by Rodrigues, it shows that the accused had knowledge of the crime and what the gun was used to do. Additionally, Hughes, who is a prominent attorney, told this newspaper the fact that the murder weapon was found in the home of the accused, shows that there is sufficient evidence for the

matter to be committed to the High Court.

Rodrigues remains in custody Even though the matter was discharged against Rodrigues, the Guyana Chronicle has confirmed that he remains in police custody since Monday. Efforts made to contact Commander of ‘A’ Division, Marlon Chapman and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum to enquire on what grounds Rodrigues remains in custody, proved futile.

However, when contacted, Police Public Relations Officer Jairam Ramlakhan said he was instructed by Commander Chapman that Rodrigues is indeed in police custody, pending the outcome of legal arguments between the DPP and the magistrate.

During the course of his PI, Rodrigues did not have legal representation.

The bullet-riddled body of Crum-Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme, EBD, on March 10, 2015. The 40-year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach.

The police in a statement had stated that the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body. It was reported that the killer (s) used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing.

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

Miner remanded on fraud charge A MINER, accused of swindling over eight ounces of raw gold from his uncle, was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday.

Sherwin Saul, 37, of Mibicuri Village, West Coast Berbice, pleaded not guilty to the charge of fraudulent conversion; he did not have legal representation. It is alleged that between January 24, 2016 and February 24, 2016 at White Water, Cuyuni River, while being solely entrusted with 15 ounces and nine penny weight of raw gold on the account of

Sherwin Saul

Kelvin Saul, he fraudulently converted eight ounces and three penny weight of raw gold to his own use and benefits.

Police Prosecutor, Arwin

Moore opposed to the defendant being released on bail on the grounds that he is a flight risk. Moore further explained that when the accused was arrested and released on station bail in 2016, he failed to return to the police station as he was instructed to do and went into hiding. Saul was recently arrested in Georgetown and kept in custody.

The Chief Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favor and remanded Saul until June 16. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Man gets 12 years for killing girlfriend JOSHUA Baveghems, 21, was on Tuesday sentenced to 12 years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the August 8, 2015 murder of his girlfriend Angela Felicia McAllister, 18.

Justice Navindra Singh accepted his plea in the Georgetown High Court.

State Prosecutor Tameika Clarke told the court that on August 8, 2015 around 01:45hrs the accused had complained to his mother that he was having problems with his girlfriend shortly before she arrived at their East Bank Demerara home.

Clarke related that upon Mc Allister’s arrival at the

The accused: Joshua Baveghems

house, Baveghems dragged her to the kitchen and dealt her several chops about the body in the presence of his mother, sister and brother, who went to a neighbour’s house for assistance. Clarke

noted that the police came an hour later and found McAllister lying in the yard.

She was rushed to the Diamond Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Clarke told the court that Angela McAllister died of multiple incised wounds to the body.

There were 19 incised wounds on the body of the deceased, according to Dr. Nehaul Singh, who performed the post mortem.

In his plea of mitigation, defence attorney Keoma Griffith told the court that his client was only 19 years old when the incident took place and was a miner before his incarceration. He

Venezuelans charged with illegal entry THREE Venezuelans, who were recently nabbed during a police raid in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown were placed before the court on Tuesday and charged with illegal entry.

Marlon Attwell, 20; Iris Bolivar, 19 and her 23-yearold sister, Yennefer Bolivar appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and were charged separately. The court heard that on May 22, 2017 at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River, they entered Guyana by sea and disembarked without the consent of an

immigration officer.

The trio denied the charges and was represented

by Attorney, Dexter Todd, who argued that his clients have strong connections to Guyana. Todd pointed out that Attwell’s father, Martin Attwell is a Guyanese businessman and according to the Immigration Act once the parent of a foreign national is a Guyanese citizen, that national adopts the right to stay in the country as their dependants.

Additionally, the Attorney further explained that

Iris Bolivar being escorted by the police interpreter

Marlon Attwell

Yennefer Bolivar is the reputed wife of Martin Attwell and is five months pregnant for him. However, the other woman, Iris Bolivar is in a relationship with Martin Attwell’s other son and she visited Guyana to be with him.

Meanwhile, Police Prosecutor, Arvin Moore told the court that the trio was arrested on June 3 at Lot 907 Penny Lane Street, South Ruimveldt during a police raid. According to the Prosecutor, the trio could not provide any documents to the police of entering Guyana.

The Chief Magistrate fined each of the foreign nationals $30,000 with a default of four weeks imprisonment. The Magistrate also ruled that Iris Bolivar will be deported after she pays her fine, while the two others will remain in Guyana, due to their ties to the country.

added that while in jail his client accepted Jesus Christ and attends chapel and reads his Bible often and has utilised all the in-house programmes, including anger management, in an effort to enhance his life. Griffith noted too, that his client has also shown great interest in boxing in prison and hopes to represent Guyana at an international level if given the opportunity. With that into consideration, Griffith asked the court for a reasonable sentence.

In response, state prosecutor Tameika Clarke said that the deceased was only 18 years old at the time and it is a domestic abuse issue

in which both persons involved should have walked away alive but that wasn’t the case. She stated that the accused was a threat to his own family, who had to go to a neighbour’s house for assistance and a strong message should be sent, noting the prevalence of domestic abuse in society.

Clarke asked the court for the maximum sentence to be handed down. Baveghems told the court that he is sorry for what he did because he loved his girlfriend very much and still thinks of her.

He admitted that at that time he was out of control as he apologised to the relatives of the deceased in court on Tues-

day and asked for forgiveness.

Justice Singh told the court that he has taken into consideration his early plea and the fact that he accepted responsibility for his actions and showed remorse.

The Judge also took note of the accused’s participation in all programmes offered by the prison, as well as his youthfulness and asked him to better himself so he can make a meaningful contribution to society upon his release. Justice Singh then sentenced Baveghems to 12 years in jail and asked that the time he served be deducted and encouraged him to continue to utilise the programmes offered by the prison.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Corentyne man thrashed during ‘panty row’ – police accused of ‘cover-up’

By Nafeeza Yahya A FAMILY of #57 Village, Corentyne, Berbice is calling on the Guyana Police Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the brutal beating of Seudial Persaud, 47, at the hands of a 19-year-old.

The incident occurred on May 29, 2017 on the #56 Public Road and the family is alleging that there is a police cover-up, since the suspect is yet to be arrested and charged.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Persaud related that he was on his

way home on the day in question, when the alleged attacker, whom he identified as “Star” and “Sono,” approached on a bicycle in the opposite direction and verbally abused him.

Persaud claimed that he responded to the teenager, who then jumped off his bicycle and attacked him.

“I was coming home when he interfere with me calling me ‘Donkey panty.’ Meh call am back ‘bannu panty’ and he jump off he bike and push me down and start beat me up.”

According to Persaud, the suspect punched him

Seudial Persaud after the beating

in his face, eyes and head, which rendered him dizzy.

He shouted for help and residents in the area rescued him by pulling the teenager off him.

The neighbours alerted his wife, Geeta Beharry, who came and met the suspect on

the road. She claimed that the young man dared her to make a police report as he noted that his “boss has connections” with the police.

“He tell me fuh do wa we want fuh do that his boss buy out the whole 51 police station,” the woman told the Guyana Chronicle.

Beharry said her husband had bled profusely from the nose and mouth and his eyes were badly swollen as a result of the beating. She however decided to take him to #51 Police Station before visiting the Skeldon hospital.

According to the woman, she and her husband were forced to wait for over an hour at the station, even though Persaud was bleeding and in pain.

“This is not the first time he [the suspect] threatened me husband. He do it plenty

time and up to now them still can’t arrest he over one week now and he a walk free, while me husband deh in pain,” the distraught wife said.

When this newspaper visited the family on Monday, June 5, Persaud had just returned from the hospital.

“I feeling a lot of pain; just get back from the doctor, meh eye still red and swell up. When me cough, me ah bleed, me nose still ah bleed.

One week after, I still passing blood from mouth,” the injured man said.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Divisional Commander Ian Amsterdam said that the suspect is evading arrest. The commander emphasised that ranks are making every effort to apprehend him and that the investigation remains active.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Mercy commissions $97M resident care facility

First Lady Sandra Granger cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the Mercy Resident Care Home

MERCY Hospital Incorporated on Tuesday increased its service delivery infrastructure after it commissioned a $97M resident care facility which will provide accommodation for 33 senior citizens.

The facility was built from local and overseas donations and investments.

According to Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mercy, Carlton Joao, the building, which is located at lot 3 Pere St Kitty, is furnished with modern equipment with specifications to meet the unique, individual needs of senior citizens.

The building comprises two four-bed wards, four five-bed wards, three private rooms and two private self-contained rooms, all with bathrooms providing hot and cold water. A courtyard is also provided for early morning or afternoon relaxation, while alarm systems and 24-hour CCTV cameras have also been installed.

In detailing the history of the project, the Chairman revealed that in 2013 it was realised that the St Joseph’s Mercy hospital could no longer provide residence for the increasing number of senior citizens in need of this service.

“We recognised there was no space for privacy, dining, recreation or any other activity since the residents were housed in a hospital.

Recognising this shortfall, the board and management started having discussions on the need to build a specialised resident care facility” he said.

Having identified a lot and investing four years of time, effort and resources, Joao said that this dream was finally realised on Tuesday.

Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony, just prior to the unveiling of a plaque and the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon, was First Lady Sandra Granger.

According to her, the commissioning of this building is a manifestation of the tradition of invaluable service delivery from Mercy

over the last few decades.

Having toured the facility earlier this year, Mrs Granger was keen to note that the environment is a conducive one for the elderly, where there are attended to individually.

“I have had the opportunity to tour this facility earlier this year and I recognise the care and attention which has gone into the outfitting of this facility for the care and comfort of our seniors” she said.

The First Lady also reflected on the contributions of the Sisters of Mercy – the oversight body of the hospital – to the development of Guyana.

“In Guyana, the Sisters of Mercy have been active in education, health services and taking care of the vulnerable as demonstrated in the past through schools… the Mercy Hospital, the St John’s Bosco Orphanage and their involvement in the care and counseling of girls who have been rescued from trafficking.”

She added that recognition of the need for Guyana’s seniors to live in comfort and with care, had prompted the delivery of this facility which will boost the services industry and enhance the quality of life for those persons housed there.

Mrs Granger also seized the opportunity to extend congratulations to the Sisters of Mercy for this contribution to Guyana their continued efforts in helping to develop various sectors.

Meanwhile, Sister Julie Matthews, President of the Sisters of Mercy Latin America and the Caribbean Chapter, expressed her hope for the lives of the elderly to be transformed. She said that at Mercy Resident Care, they will strive to make every moment of encounter, one that respects the dignity of the person.

The short programme, which was held in the courtyard, was punctuated with musical renditions by the St John’s Bosco Orphanage Steel Orchestra, after which there was a tour of the facility.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Neighbourhood brawl turns deadly Truck driver in custody for chopped to death crushing death of Kwakwani youth –– labourer wanted bulletin issued for suspect A 61-YEAR-OLD truck driver employed with Sayhid Trucking Services has been transported from Kwakwani and is in custody at the Mackenzie Police Station where he may likely face charges for causing the death of 19-year-old Wesley Patoir.

According to reports, Carsdale Aaron of Bremsferd Ally Wismar-Linden was driving a heavy duty truck at Kurubuku Mines, which is located between Kwakwani and Aroaima when the wheels of his truck collided with the wheels of another parked heavy duty truck in which the young Patoir was sitting in the rim

Carsdale Aaron

of one of the wheels.

Aaron related to the police that Patoir was on his cell phone and saw when the truck used to transport the overburden of the bauxite moved off and because of the size of the truck it was difficult for him to

see what was happening so low. This was coupled with the narrow size of the road and its slushy condition as a result of the rainy weather.

One eyewitness told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that it was approximately 3 pm when the accident occurred and Patoir was indeed sitting in the tire. “He was sitting in the tire of the truck that was broken down and the next truck coming down the hill and went close to that truck and the two tire jam together and he mash between the two tires and that caused his death,” the eye witness said.

POLICE are investigating the murder of Roy Beckles, 45, a labourer of ‘B’ Field Squatting Area, Sophia, East Coast Demerara, which occurred about 18:30hrs Monday at the said address.

According to a police report, the man was chopped to death, allegedly by his 42-year-old neighbour, during an argument. The neighbour, who is a mason, has been identified as Troy Tasho called “19”. He has since gone into hiding and

police are yet to apprehend him. Police did not retrieve any weapon from the scene.

Investigation revealed that the victim was on his way home when he observed his wife and the suspect arguing. He intervened and the suspect, who armed himself with a cutlass and knife, attacked and stabbed the victim to his right shoulder.

The victim was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he succumbed while receiving treatment. The

The house where the chopping occurred in Sophia

WANTED : Troy Tasho

body is currently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Police hours after issued a wanted bulletin for the suspect. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Troy Tasho a/k “19” is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 2292289, 229-2019, 222-2232, 229—2655, 225-6411, 2258196, 225-2227, 225-0575, 911 or the nearest police station.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Retired soldier killed in Bush Lot accident CLIFFORD Crandon, a 43-year-old father of four of #9 Village, West Coast

Berbice, died on Monday night hours after colliding

The car which was involved in the accident

with a motor car while riding his motorcycle along

The motorcycle which Crandon was riding at the time of the accident

the Bush Lot Village Public Road, West Coast Berbice.

According to a police report, motorcar PFF 1232 was proceeding east along the northern carriageway at 16:30hrs, while Crandon, who was riding a motorcycle, was proceeding in the opposite direction on motor cycle CF 8454.

It is alleged that the car suddenly made a right turn into the path of the motorcycle. As a result, the cyclist collided with the left front bumper of the car and fell onto the road surface.

Crandon is said to be a retired member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who

Dead: Clifford Crandon

was employed by the Ministry of the Presidency in Georgetown; this newspaper understands that he was on his way to work at the time of the accident.

Crandon was rushed to

the Fort Wellington Hospital where he received medical attention and was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he died around 21:20hrs. Crandon leaves to mourn his wife of 16 years, Emelda and four children.

His wife said that he had bid her a cheerful goodbye less than half an hour before the fatal accident. The driver of the car has been identified as 43-year-old Oniel Alfred of Hopetown, West Coast Berbice. He has been taken into custody. A breathalyser test was conducted and no alcohol was detected in his blood.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Labourer charged with murder of pensioner LINCOLN Odell, 29, called “Shadow,” appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, charged with the murder of 80-year-old Fitzherbert Grimes, known as “Grimsy.”

He was not required to plead to the charge, which alleged that on June 2, 2017 at Lot 39, Race Course, Hazel Street, Corriverton, he murdered Grimes in the course

or furtherance of a robbery.

The accused told the court that his family had put him out of the house and he has been living on the streets; he said he has turned to drugs and alcohol, which he blamed for his behaviour.

The police prosecutor requested that the accused be sent for a psychiatric evaluation due to his abnormal behaviour during interrogation.

He was remanded to prison until June 19, 2017, when he

will make his second court appearance.

At approximately 12:30 hrs on the day in question, the pensioner allegedly lost his life at the hands of the accused, who reportedly strangled and beat him to death. A relative, who was identified as Dexter Parks, 42, had told the media that Grimes was at home relaxing when the accused entered the yard and demanded the man’s pension.

The father of eight al-

legedly refused to hand over the money and shouted at the accused telling him to “go look wuk.” This allegedly angered the accused, who reportedly grabbed the elderly man by the neck and strangled him.

“He just grab the man by the neck and start fuh choke he, but by the time I reach he did done collapse and he deh kicking the man, stomping on he and saying “dead, dead yuh s*@$t”. When I reach,

Murder accused: Lincoln Odell

he pointing to the man on the ground and seh “look wah happen;” I tell he is he do it and he say ‘no,’ but then the neighbour say is he do it and I just grab on pon he till the police come.”

The badly injured man was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital where he succumbed to his injures an hour later. He was severely beaten to the head and stomped about the body.

Post-mortem confirms businessman committed suicide

A POST-MORTEM examination done on the remains of businessman Parbhudyal Persaud called “Cecil” has revealed that he died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. The gun was placed in the mouth and fired causing an exit wound to the top of the head. The autopsy was done by Dr Nehaul Singh and was witnessed by his wife Chandrowattie Persaud. Police have confirmed their suspicion of suicide.

Mr. Persaud, who suffered from mental illness was found dead in his 82 Collingswood Avenue, Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara (E.B.D) home on Sunday. He lived with his wife and son. Persaud was a director of the Hauraruni Agricultural Development Company (HADCO) Incorporated. The Guyana Chronicle had incorrectly reported in an earlier article that he was the owner of HADCO. Persaud also owned a sawmill at 284A Long Creek on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Persaud was the holder of a licensed firearm. Reports indicate that up to the time of his death, the businessman was a patient at a health facility. It is alleged that residents in the area heard a gunshot but did not know exactly where it had originated. Only the businessman was home at the time. His wife and son were at their business place. Upon her returning home, she discovered her dead husband Sunday morning after she opened the backdoor of their premises. She immediately raised an alarm and summoned the police.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Teacher found lying next to dead husband in Cummings Lodge home

By Rabindra Rooplall

A TURKEYEN, East Coast Demerara nursery school teacher was found lying on top the partly decomposed body of her husband on Monday, days after the man reportedly died.

The gruesome discovery was made by the couple’s landlady on the lower flat of the house at Lot 7 Hugh Ghanie Park, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

Dead is 35-year-old miner, Kevin Dawson; his wife, Cindy Dawson, 28, has been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Police speculated that the man died between June 3-5, 2017. The decomposed body was taken to Lyken’s Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem. The mattress was also removed from the house.

When this newspaper visited the couple’s home, a neighbour said the miner may have died on May 31, since that was the last day she heard him vomiting in his bathroom.

Reports indicate that the man

was suffering from Malaria and Typhoid.

“Since he come out of the

bush about a month ago with Malaria and Typhoid is every morning I heard him vomiting.

Kevin Dawson and his wife Cindy Dawson in happier times

Is only last Wednesday it all stopped and it was like that same day he died,” one resident said.

Another neighbour said that the school teacher’s friends became worried since she did not report to work on Friday last and calls and messages to her cell phone went unanswered. As such, the friends decided to visit the house and contacted the landlady, who then checked on the couple and found the woman lying on top of the husband.

This newspaper under-

stands that the landlady rapped on the louvre windows after calling out to the teacher and receiving no answer. The teacher eventually answered the landlady and opened the louvre windows, during which a foul smell emanated from the apartment.

According to information reaching this newspaper, it was at this time that the teacher collapsed and remained unconscious. The landlady and the friends of the teacher then forced their way into the apartment, where the teacher

Cindy Dawson’s vehicle which someone crashed into recently

was found in the kitchen in an unconscious state and the partly decomposed body of the man on the bed. Eyewitnesses said that the teacher had what appeared to be self-inflicted wounds on her body.

“Is like if she wanted to kill herself, but the man had no marks on his body, she was just in there with him all the [time] sleeping with him while he was rotting, that’s real crazy love,” another resident said.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the couple married last year and the husband bought a new car – PVV 8047 - for his wife in November 2016. However, on Wednesday last, someone had crashed into the rear of the car.

Residents said Dawson was hardly home since he worked in the interior and returned only for the August and Christmas holidays.

“But she is a nice person though, she always went to work and no one ever visited her, only when her husband returned you would see them together,” one neighbour said.

EPA launches state of the environment report THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), launched the Guyana State of the Environment Report (GSER), which was presented to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Director of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers at the Umana Yana Monday night.

The report was launched also in recognition of the United Nations World Environment Day which was commemorated internationally on Monday. Delivering the feature address at the launching ceremony, Minister Harmon said based on the state of the country’s economy and Guyana’s current move toward the green development strategy, the report’s launch is timely and important.

Guyana is already making strides in accomplishing a green state and just Monday morning he was on an official visit to Bartica to be part of an event where funds leveraged from the Government of Italy, by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Climate Change center, to the amount of US$165,000, was utilised to finance a base study data collection project related to making Bartica a green town and for the provision of green and sustainable energy there.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon receives a copy of the Guyana State of the Environment Report from United Nations Resident Representative, Mikiko Tanaka (photo by Delano Williams)

Greening Guyana, Harmon said, is more than just a colour, but a development path for all Guyanese. “It is happening at a time when there is increased scrutiny globally on the protection and sustainability of environmental values for the benefit of present and future generations…and secondly an elevated need for a repository of information and data on the environment by stakeholders, groups at all levels to aid the decision-making processes.”

Environmental protection, he said, is constitutionally

guided and advocates specifically for every Guyanese to participate in activities which promote sustaining the environment and making rational use of natural resources.

“Our constitution also empowers the government to take all appropriate measures to conserve, protect and improve the environment, a mandate, the execution of which requires the availability of information on existing environmental conditions.

The development of the State of the Environment Report is therefore very significant be-

Director of the Department of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers, receives her copy of the report from UN Resident Representative, Mikiko Tanaka (Delano Williams photo)

cause it provides information about the status quo regarding the environment, facilities, the detection of information gaps, identifying areas in need of further research and highlighting areas that require the attention of various government agencies,” he said.

Guyana being uniquely positioned at the heart of the Guianas shield is endowed with rich and unique biodiversity; high species indemnity; the world’s second highest percentage of rainforest cover; significant resources for the production of solar, wind, hydro and bio-mass energy;

non-renewable resources including diversified mineral resources and petroleum; and an abundance of land and fresh-water supplies. Harmon said the Guyana and by extension, world population, benefit from Guyana’s natural resources which provide various environmental benefits including fresh air, clean water and food, natural, coastal and flood protection, climate regulation and economic productivity.

But maintenance of the these resources are affected negatively by illegal mining, poor mining practices, improper waste disposal, pollu-

tion of waterways, habitat loss and fragmentation, resulting in environmental degradation. Harmon said if these go unchecked, the quality of life and livelihood of all can be adversely affected.

That is why our environmental protection requires “a perspective that allows for great awareness of the state of the environment so that focused interventions could be made as required.”

It is with this in mind, that Harmon welcomed the report “to the body of work available on the environment in Guyana.” He said it will serve as a baseline for reports to follow and reference in preparation of green stage development strategy and plan. “The Green State Development Strategy represents government’s commitment to protection and stewardship of our national patrimony and commitment to lay a firm foundation for inclusive green growth and sustainable development,” Harmon said, and added that the document will address specifically protection, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems to ensure that natural resources provide greatest economic, social and environmental benefits for all Guyanese.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday,June 7, 2017

--Harmon says at ‘green project’ launch THE Government of Guyana remains committed to ensuring that the town of Bartica becomes a model of ‘green’ development, not only here but the entire Caribbean region.

That’s according to Minister of State, Mr Joseph Harmon on Monday as he launched a US$650,000 project at Bartica, that is aimed at establishing a reliable point of reference for the existing state of energy use in the township.

Financing for the project was received from the Government of Italy in support of the Model ‘Green’ Town, Bartica Project. The data generated from this pilot will be used for future measurements and predictions for evidence-based decision-making and pursuance of projects and programmes.

The project will be divided into two phases. In Phase One, which is expected to last an average of 12 months, all the energy audits will be completed; public awareness exercises completed; and energy data management centre established. To the degree possible, some small-scale pilots/demonstrations will commence. In Phase Two, the information gathered will be utilised to undertake the demonstration projects and scale up, where possible.

Minister Harmon, who delivered the feature address at the launch, held outside the Bartica Mayor and Town Council, said that the project is a demonstration of the government’s continuing efforts towards the achievement of the vision of becoming a ‘green’ state.

This, he said, is being done through the design and implementation of innovative solutions, first in Bartica, for equitable and inclusive social

and economic development and utilisation of the country’s natural capital.

“Bartica must lead the way as a model town in areas of alternative energy, including solar, wind and hydropower, solid waste management and economic diversification,” Minister Harmon said, adding: “It is our vision that this community will serve as an example to other towns and Regions across the country.

“Bartica will be a microcosm of what greening is, not only in Guyana but the entire region. So, as a government, the President has committed that political will to the devel-

opment of what is taking place and so Bartica will continue to see this type of development.”

The conceptual Green Bartica Development and Land Use Plan, the Minister of State said, provides for two inter-related actions: The modernisation and industrialisation of Bartica, which must be driven by reliable and clean sources of energy.

“When we speak of modernisation, we envision retrofitting current investments to meet green economy standards and climate-proofing all investments carried out, within the framework of sus-

tainable urban planning and management, which promotes interconnected green spaces, multiple transportation systems and mixed use development,” he said.

He noted that access to available sources of energy is indispensable for investment and expansion of all of the country’s productive sectors and will serve as driver of diversification for Bartica.

With direct reference to the project, Minister Harmon said that sound decision making with respect to alternative energy in Bartica through private direct investment and the Government of Guyana’s

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon

From left: Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ms. Simona Broomes, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Ms. Dawn Hastings -Williams and students of two of the Secondary schools in Bartica.

investment is dependent on this data.

“It must be based on imperial data. People think it is okay to sit in their offices in Georgetown and make decisions, but you have to come on the ground and that’s the basis of gathering baseline data,”

Minister Harmon said.

As such, the Minister urged the residents to get as involved in the project, noting that they are the beneficiaries and must, therefore, take responsibility not just for the project but for the entire transformation.

“The transformation is your responsibility. As we celebrate World Environment Day, today, let us reflect on the benefits provided by the environment and seek to be good stewards of nature,” the Minister said.

Harmon also used the op-

A section of the audience at the launching ceremony held on Monday in Bartica

portunity to publicly commend Mr. Ajay Bhyro of Four Miles Housing Scheme, Bartica, whose business and home are fully solar powered.

Mr. Bhyro said that he is supportive of the Government’s ‘green’ agenda and urged other Guyanese to follow suit.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Bartica, Mr. Gifford Marshall, said Bartica has noted the Government’s drive and fully throws its support behind the pursuit of a ‘green’ town and ‘green’ agenda. He noted that as the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change and global warming, it is the duty of every individual to play a role in the mitigation and adaptation efforts.

“Sound environmental practices are pivotal to reducing the impacts of Climate change. It starts with us, the model town, the dumping of bottles, tyres, drums and other receptacles in our drains, the disposal of solid waste in unregulated dumpsites… are all against environmental practices.”

Further, the development in the Kaieteur National Park (KNP), the continued pollution of our rivers by mining, deforestation, land degradation and our continued addiction to fossil fuels are all threats to the environment.

We must accept and realise that the only way is ‘green’ solutions. ‘Green’ solutions are needed to address the

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, commending Mr. Ajay Bhyro for heeding Government’s call

der of ‘green’ development

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

must provide the means and work with our development partners to leverage resources to make Government’s vision a reality. We felt that is our responsibility to see how best we can work with Bartica to realise the President’s vision.

This project will also position us for further and larger

infrastructural type projects,” she said.

Christian noted that Bartica is currently powered by two diesel generators, which consume approximately 700,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually.

The project is, therefore, even more significant and timely.

Dr. Kenrick Leslie, Execu-

tive Director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (Five C’s), the implementing agency and partner of the Government of Italy, in his remarks said that it is heartening to see such a project being implemented in the town of Bartica as the country forges ahead with its agenda.

Head of the Office of Climate Change within the Ministry of the Presidency, Ms. Janelle Christian

challenges and threats facing our country. Bartica will be an example to the rest of the country and Caribbean as a ‘green’ town. It must be a seen as Guyana’s pilot ‘green’ project,” the Mayor continued.

As the Town continues to push ahead with realising the Government’s vision for a model ‘green’ town, the Bartica Mayor said his Council will be looking to work on sustainable land use planning, the development of Protected Areas and the drafting and implementation of ‘green’ building codes.

“We have to make a change and that change must start here in Guyana, with us here in Bartica. We have a responsibility and we cannot continue to look to Central

Government for every need and we have to show them that we are serious when they put resources into this town,” he said.

Janelle Christian, Head of the Office of Climate Change (OCC the lead agency on the Government’s Climate Change commitments, said the project is located within the agenda of the Green Economy Framework within Guyana’s overarching sustainable development architecture.

She noted that Bartica will be the laboratory for piloting all ‘green’ innovations.

“At the center of development is cheap, renewable energy and so we felt that we at the OCC, which is mandated to lead Government’s efforts with regard to climate change mitigation and adaptation,

Mayor of Bartica, Mr. Gifford Marshall making his presentation

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon commending Mr. Ajay Bhyro for heeding Government’s call

He noted that the Centre shares a friendly relationship with the Italian Government and as such, has been tasked with encouraging dialogue for the next five to 10 years to continue the projects. “So this is just the beginning,” he said. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Masculinity and dancehall

By Akola Thompson

THROUGHOUT the centuries, the role of music has played an integral part in human societies. In our current age, it is often seen as merely something that provides entertainment and while it does provide that, it does much more. Music is an art form that helps to shape not only conscious and unconscious thought, it is also emotionally and intellectually stimulating.

It can even be argued that music can often be almost spiritual. I have always been fascinated by the role music plays in reflecting cultures however, and how music can help us to form dialogue and address systemic issues that are presented to us.

One of the most recent examples of the role of music in addressing social practices and problems was shown to me through Jamaican

artiste, Ishawana’s song, “Equal Rights.”

The song addresses the issue of female sexual pleasure, particularly oral, and reciprocity of that pleasure in sexual relationships. It is the song’s message of “equal rights” in the bedroom that has revealed how women’s sexuality is still hidden under a cloak of shame and how amazingly fragile the concept of masculinity is when reactions to the song are seen.

Any fan of dancehall music knows that lyrics are often raunchy and often go out of its way to describe (hetero) sexual acts. This is often the case with male dancehall artistes eager to show off their sexual prowess to their fans. Women in dancehall however, are not afforded the same celebration when they sing about their sexual escapades or preferences.

This, of course is rooted in the deep-seated patriarchal

beliefs that women should not be as free or as “loose” with their sexuality as men. Even if they are, this should be something they are ashamed of and not something that should be broadcast across airwaves. This was exactly the argument of Jamaican artiste, “Prince Pin,” who sang a ‘diss’ track against Ishawana for her song. He opens the song wondering why men are so silent concerning Ishawana’s disrespect and attempts to use her comfort in her sexuality against her.

Even famed dancehall veteran Bounty Killer, came out in condemnation of Ishawana’s song, claiming that it is disrespectful to men. It shows how even when women are comfortable with themselves and their sexuality they still have larger societal perceptions working against them.

What this clash of views lays bare is not only the double standards related to men

and women when it comes to their sexuality and them talking about it. The song is also instrumental in revealing how masculine fragility is alive and well.

There are always some misconceptions when issues such as the rape culture, patriarchal systems and masculine fragility come up. Often, the need is felt to either say “not all men,” or to attack any commentary on the issue as ‘feminist,’ or ‘liberal’ propaganda. But I want to spew both feminist and liberal ‘propaganda’ right now and state that addressing masculine fragility does not have to do with an attack on men, but rather the unfair concepts and responsibilities society places upon the male. These concepts such as, men should not wear pink or show emotions can be destroyed easily, hence why they are considered fragile. It is not meant to denigrate, but rather, show

that they and by extension, we are much more than society tells us to be.

Men are taught from childhood that the true way to be a man is to be aggressive, domineering, violent and risky, as these are the parameters in which masculinity is set. Any deviation from that can be attacked as feminine, because having “feminine qualities” might be one of the worst things you can say to a man not comfortable in his sexuality. Not all of masculinity’s fragility can be seen in the almost comedic stance of not engaging in oral sex with a partner however, and it can become dangerous very quickly. The rigidity of the concept of ‘maleness,’ not only cuts men off from addressing their emotions and experiences in healthy ways, but also ingrains in them a desire to harm and conquer that which they deem weaker.

Hence, when we think about

the rampant violence, misogyny and homophobia that often permeate male spaces and ideologies, we begin to see how harmful imposing these concepts on men are.

Ishawana’s song was not meant as an insult to men I’m sure, even though the reaction would have been expected. What it does show is how shallowly masculinity is defined when a woman singing about oral sex and reciprocity can conjure such annoyance.

It shows their sensitivity at not being at the top of a sexual pyramid that has always been skewed in their favour. Largely however, it reveals what we have already known: a woman’s sexuality can never be seen as just that. It always has to be an act of rebellion; a revolution in itself and while this can be good, in and of itself, it can also be inherently dangerous.

Hundreds rally against sugar industry reform at Skeldon A LARGE number of persons from Skeldon including sugar workers, vendors, the business community and workers from other estates on Tuesday protested Government’s programme to reform the uncompetitive sugar industry.

The protest comes weeks after the unveiling of Government’s White Paper on the Future of the Sugar Industry at the commencement of the 64th sitting of the National Assembly. The document held that government proposed to divest itself of the Skeldon Estate and that funds generated from the divestment go towards reducing GuySuCo’s debt and support and supporting its capital programmes for both sugar and the diversification initiatives.

Protesters rallying against this proposition

A section of the protesters during Tuesday’s demonstration

gathered at 07:00hrs, at the entrance of the Skeldon Estate compound. The ensuing march then culminated at Republic Square where they listened to various speakers including Regional Chairman, David Armogan, Member of Parliament, Vishwa Mahadeo, GAWU President, Komal Chand, Corriverton Mayor, Hemchand Jaichand and others.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Ramdeo Sooklall, a cane-harvester

for over 37 years, said the future for him and his family is gloomy. Sooklall called on Government to rethink the divestment and consider what will happen to the town and the workers. “ We nah a get regular wuk ,just two day ,three day and the wuk that them a give you can’t perform you can’t earn a daily bread,” he said.

The father of two said this is the toughest period he has ever faced and questioned how the administra-

tion will provide alternatives for every worker. “Me gotta find passage and lunch money for them children and then look after home. That money what you get for the three days can’t do anything …you nah get chance to earn. How we gon maintain we family? Me try look other wuk for the time, me try plant one lil garden but nothing nah even sell; money nah deh,” he said.

Champawattie Saran, a fish vendor of the Skeldon

Market said, the business has decreased in the Town “We as market vendors are punishing, when we use to sell seven bucket fish a day now we barely selling half bucket. Money nah circulating,” she said.

Addressing the gathering, President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand thanked the supporters for coming out in their numbers and urged them to continue to stand in unity against the closure.

“We are in a sad state and only the people together can stand up and win this battle, together with the other workers, together with the farmers and vendors those numbers count …this government has no shame.

This government come to you and said sugar will not fail. They promise the 20 percent increase and to date

no API was paid. They betrayed their promise made,” he said.

Regional Chairman David Armogan, stressed the need for the Management of GuySuco to work on making the sugar industry profitable again. He noted the consequences of divesting the estate is so dire, that it will take some 20 years to get back to normal. As such, the stakeholders are appealing to the administration to examine the economics of situation carefully.

Residents reiterated that the divestment will severely impact the business community and will lead to major economic challenges. They also echoed the call for government to reconsider and think about the sugar workers and their families and ultimately the state of the country at large.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

20 years jail for murder of transgender sex worker

By Michel Outridge

he asked for leniency in his sentencing.

Justice Singh told the court that he took into consideration that Forde has accepted what he did and during his time incarcerated, he placed himself in harm’s way to save other prisoners and underwent two surgeries so far for burns he sustained.

The Judge added that Forde has shown remorse but

ANDEL Forde called “Ron Forde” was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the July 22, 2015 murder of Nephi Noel Luther called “Noel Luther.”

The sentence was handed down by Justice Navindra Singh in the Georgetown High Court. According to State Prosecutor, Tuanna Hardy, on

Handel Forde called “Ron Forde”

Dead: Nephi Noel Luther

July 22, 2015 at about 1:30 hrs at Carmichael and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Forde pulled out a gun during an argument and shot Luther in the presence of others.

Luther, who was a transgender sex worker, was taken to Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A post mortem revealed that Luther died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

In his plea of mitigation, defence attorney Mark Conway told the court that Forde, 45, is a fish vendor of Lot 31, Rahaman’s Park and has

expressed remorse for his actions.

He added that during Forde’s time on remand, there was unrest at Camp Street Prison and there was a fire in a cell where he and other prisoners were trapped and he risked his life to save others. As such, he was severely burnt in the process.

Conway stated that his client pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and did not waste the court’s time and has thrown himself to the mercy of the court.

In response, State Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy told the court that Luther was shot in the presence of others, while he was unharmed. As such, the Prosecutor asked that the sentence reflect his actions, given the fact that a life was lost.

The accused then told the Judge that he regrets his actions and apologised to the relatives of the deceased as

Cops launch probe into blaze at juvenile centre

A heavy police presence at the Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre on Monday night after the fire

THE police have launched an investigation into the circumstances which led to a fire at the Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre on Monday, Press Officer Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan has confirmed.

It was alleged that a juvenile set a mattress alight in a cell in the lower flat of the facility about 18:00hrs on Monday that resulted in three males being rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they were treated for smoke inhalation and sent away.

The police said alert ranks on duty, responding to the smell of smoke emanating from the cell, quickly extinguished the blaze. No damage was done to the facility.

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

a life was lost; the judge described the incident as “stupid” and pointed out that a firearm was used to commit the crime.

Justice Singh then sentenced Forde to 20 years in jail and ordered that time served should be deducted from his sentence as he urged him to make use of the programmes offered in prison to enhance his life for re-integration into society.

Luther, of Lot ZZ Durban Street, Wortmanville, was gunned down by one of two men on July 22, 2015 at around 02:35hrs, while plying his trade in the downtown area of Carmichael and Quamina Streets in Georgetown. He was shot once in the chest when confronted by the duo during an argument over a paid transaction.

Reports are that a male

client had earlier visited the transgender sex worker for a paid sexual encounter, but was apparently not satisfied with the service and had returned to Luther.

Dissatisfied with Luther’s response, the client returned with another man, who reportedly shot Luther dead before fleeing the scene in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

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Williams, Bright to ...

Continued from back page

Daniel Williams

19 to 23.

The Commonwealth Youth Games athletes are sprinters Kenisha Phillips and Onasha Rogers, along with distance runner Claudrice McKoy, Danielle Melville and jumper Tremaine Browne.

Phillips and Rogers had qualified for the World Youth, along with Bright and Williams. However, Hutson explained that the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) would only be sponsoring the tickets of two athletes. Facing a cost of approximately US$8 000 per ticket, it was felt sending the other youth athletes to the Bahamas was a better option.

Additionally, Hutson noted that the athletes’ placements were also determined by how well it was calculated the athletes could fare at the different competitions.

“What we’re trying to do is to expose those athletes who can be more competitive at that particular Championship and the ones that we think may fare better at the Commonwealth level we send them to the Commonwealth Games,” Hutson said.

Bright has had qualifying standards in both the Girls’ long and triple jump, where the qualifying marks are 6m and 12.50m, respectively. A South American Junior Championships gold medallist Bright has a season’s best 6.30m in the long jump, which she cleared in

last weekend’s SAJC . However, she had already passed the mark since April when she was jumping 6.01m. The lack of wind readings in the long jump last weekend prevented Bright’s mark from standing as a national junior record.

In the triple jump her season’s best stands at 12.59m. Williams has thus far qualified in the Boys’ 400m, clocking a season’s best 48.24 seconds just last weekend, way inside the 49.1 seconds World Youth qualifying in this event.

With a SB 21.81 seconds, he’s has a ‘B’ time in the Boys 200m, but is still outside the 21.8 seconds ‘A’ time.

The same goes for the Boys 100m where the IAAF is asking for 10.6 seconds, and he’s only reached 10.70 seconds thus far. However, he still has time with the National Senior Championships set for later this month, and the qualification period not ending until July 3.

For the Commonwealth Youth Phillips and Rogers will be in the Girls’ 100m and 200m, McKoy will be in the Girls’ 1500m and 3000m while Melville will be in the Boys’ 800m and Browne is expected to do the Boys’ long jump.

The coach for the World Youth team will be Johnny Gravesande while coach Julian Edmonds will be travelling with the team to the Bahamas.

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Ostapenko shocks Wozniacki to reach French Open women’s semi-finals UNSEEDED Latvian Jelena Ostapenko became the first teenager to reach the French Open women’s semi-finals since 2007, with a shock win against former world number one Caroline Wozniacki.

The 19-year-old lost the first five games of her first major quarter-final before winning 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

She will play Swiss 30th seed Timea Bacsinszky, who beat France’s Kristina Mladenovic 6-4, 6-4. “ I ’ m re a l l y h a p p y, I can’t believe it,” world number 47 Ostapenko said.

Ostapenko will meet 27-year-old Bacsinszky in their semi-final tomorrow when both players celebrate their birthdays.

The pair eventually won their quarter-final matches after torrential rain disrupted the first two women’s last-eight ties in Paris.

Two rain delays - totalling almost four hours - meant Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s French Open

quarter-finals were postponed until today.

Ostapenko is the first teenager to reach the Roland Garros semi-finals since Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic and the first to book a place

With pregnant Serena Williams missing and a number of notable early exits, a first-time Grand Slam women’s singles champion will be crowned in Paris.

Wozniacki, 26, boasted

was competing in her eighth Grand Slam quarter-final, and Ostapenko was huge.

The Latvian looked a little nervous as Wozniacki eased into a 5-0 lead in the first set, but pegged her back to 5-4 before Wozniacki broke her serve for a third time to clinch the opener.

changing breaks before Ostapenko rattled off three games in a row to lead 5-2.

Ostapenko served out for the set after the first three-hour rain delay, and then grew in confidence in the decider as Wozniacki wobbled.

Ostapenko broke her serve in the fifth game, go-

Jelena Ostapenko has won all four of her meetings with Wozniacki.

in a Grand Slam semi-final since American Madison Keys at the 2015 US Open.

“It was tough because we had to go away two times from the court,” Ostapenko said.

“Caroline is a tough opponent, I knew I had to stay aggressive, I lost it sometimes but I found my game.”

the best pedigree of the eight players left in the draw, and was tipped by some observers to win her first major title.

The Dane ended the year as world number one in 2010 and 2011 and has reached two US Open finals without success.

The gulf in experience between Wozniacki, who

Timea Bacsinszky also reached the French Open semi-final in 2015, her only other appearance in the last four of a Grand Slam.

Ostapenko took only two of 11 break points in the first set, but was more clinical when the chances continued to come in the second set.

Both players again struggled to hold their serve, ex-

ing on to win the final five games to become the first Latvian women to reach a Grand Slam semi-final in the Open Era. After beating defending champion Garbine Mugu-

ruza in the previous round, the home fans had hoped Mladenovic could end France’s 17-year wait for a home winner at Roland Garros.

Both players struggled in the blustery conditions in the first part of the match but the French 24-year-old in particular lacked the intensity and power of her Muguruza win.

Mladenovic fought off a break point immediately after the first rain delay at the start of the second set, and broke serve in the following game, but Bacsinszky came back to win in one hour 49 minutes on court.

The win puts the 27-yearold Swiss into the French Open semi-finals for the second time, having been beaten in the last four by Serena Williams in 2015.

Bacsinszky almost quit tennis under the pressure of what she called a “control freak” father in 2013 but is now a win away from her first Grand Slam final.

(BBC Sport)

Warner breaks 27-year-old Australian record

OPENER David Warner has become the fastest Australian and equal third-fastest man overall to score 4 000 one-day international runs, matching India skipper Virat Kohli.

Warner achieved the milestone when he reached 36 in Australia’s ICC Champions Trophy clash against Bangladesh at The Oval on Monday, during his 93rd ODI innings.

The left-hander broke the Australian record of 102 innings set by Dean Jones 27 years ago and is behind only South African Hashim Amla (81 innings) and West Indian Viv Richards (88) on the all-time list.

The Australian is equal third-fastest alongside Kohli, who also achieved the feat in 93 innings, the pair ahead of West Indian great Gordon Greenidge and Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson (both 96 innings).

Warner’s innings on Monday continues an incredible run of form in 50-over cricket in the past

18 months; since the start of 2016, he has scored more than 1 800 runs at an average of almost 65, with nine centuries and four fifties.

The opener reached the 3 000-run milestone

Underlining Warner’s recent dominance of – and improvement in – the 50over game, he was just the 20th fastest to 3 000 runs (81 innings), equal-42nd fastest to 2 000 (59 innings) and equal-56th fastest to 1

last December he’s only just come to terms with how to pace his innings in the 50over game.

“I think first and foremost it’s probably been the format I reckon I struggled at early in my

shots early on.

“And just relay that Test match attitude into the one-dayers because you do get a few more balls in your area in oneday stuff where you can actually play through that line.”

FASTEST TO 4000 ODI RUNS 81 inns - Hashim Amla

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David Warner looks on after driving the ball, Australia v Bangladesh, Champions Trophy 2017, The Oval, London, June 5, 2017.

just eight months ago during Australia’s tour of South Africa last October and has added another 1 000 runs in just 12 innings since.

000 (31 innings).

Having burst onto the scene in T20 cricket and adapting quickly to the Test format following his 2011 debut, Warner conceded

career,” he said.

“The last 18-24 months I’ve really worked hard on trying to construct my innings and build an innings and not play too many big

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29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Sangakkara wants an ‘arrogant’ Beijing player recalls Sri Lanka to challenge India former Newcastle (REUTERS) - A young Sri Lanka team must play with arrogance if they are to upset holders India in tomorrow’s Champions Trophy match at the Oval, former captain Kumar Sangakkara has said.

rica in their Group B opener.

As if that was not bad enough, stand-in skipper Upul Tharanga was then slapped with a two-match suspension for the team’s slow over rate in the Proteas defeat.

at their best.

“I would personally like this young Sri Lanka side to walk out at The Oval and play with the arrogance and abandon of youth,” Sangakkara wrote in his column for the cricket gov-

Sri Lanka celebrate the wicket of South Africa’s Hashim Amla. (Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra Livepic)

The islanders had a nightmare start to their campaign, losing regular skipper Angelo Mathews to a calf injury before going down to South Af-

They next face the formidable task of taking on a rampant India side who crushed arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday despite not being

erning body website. (www. icc-cricket.com) “They should express their talent and play a really positive brand of cricket. If

they are able to do this, then they have a chance of pulling off an upset, but it will not be easy over an India team that so confidently overwhelmed Pakistan on Sunday.”

The prospect of a return for Mathews represents a major boost for the squad but Sangakkara stressed they badly needed to resolve their shockingly poor over rate.

“If Angelo, Sri Lanka’s best batsman and captain, is deemed unavailable for this vital clash, it could severely hamper the team’s chances of winning against India,” the former wicketkeeper-batsman added.

“Even if Angelo is considered fit, the threat of slow over-rate will be a major concern. Having Tharanga suspended is a huge waste.

“With quite an experienced and senior bowling attack led by (seamer) Lasith Malinga, a team constituting two spinners, it is unacceptable that Sri Lanka was over by 39 minutes.”

Centuries from Persaud and Hardiaow steer Everest to victory over PYO Masters CENTURIES from former Essequibo inter-county batsmen Basil Persaud and Sahadeo Hardiaow propelled Everest Masters to a comprehensive 123-run victory against the touring

Basil Persaud

PYO Masters of Trinidad and Tobago.

The 25-over fixture was played at the Everest ground last Friday and culminated the visitors’ one-week tour of Guyana.

Winning the toss and batting in brilliant sunshine, Everest Masters, through an opening stand of 190 between Persaud (101) and Hardiaow (100) were able to amass 277-1 in the allotted 25 overs. Former national youth batsman Hemraj Garbarran also contributed an unbeaten 34 containing (2x6, 2x4).

However, it was the complete dominance by Persaud’s brilliant 101 (retired), which was laced with 5 sixes and 7 fours along with Hardiaow’s commanding 100 which included 6 sixes and 5 fours that stole the spotlight.

None of the bowlers was spared from the onslaught as the Trinidad Masters

wilted under the searing heat and flashing blades of their hosts.

In reply the daunting total proved beyond their efforts as they were restricted to 154-4 when the overs expired.

Sahadeo Hardiaow

A composed unbeaten half-century 54 (6x4) and 32 (3x6, 2x4) from Bobby Khalil momentarily delayed the inevitable.

The wickets were shared

by Rajesh Singh, Rakesh Gangaram and Setyendra Khemraj who claimed one wicket each for Everest Masters.

At the presentation, trophies were presented to the best batsman and bowler.

Trophies were donated by Boyie Wheel Alignment of Trinidad and Tobago.

The visitors also donated a plaque to the host club, who reciprocated by presenting a plaque to the visitors, compliments of Trophy Stall.

It was the only game possible for the touring team as rain washed out two previous matches, one of which was scheduled for the Imam Bacchus ground in Essequibo.

(Elroy Stephney)

midfielder’s collapse

ONE of Beijing Enterprises’ players has recalled the “horrible” moment when Cheick Tiote fell to the ground in training and later died.

The former Newcastle United midfielder, 30, passed away on Monday, about an hour after he collapsed.

ing, a spokesperson for the fan club, told BBC Chinese. “We are in pain and very, very sad to see him die at such a young age.”

Chen said there would be further commemoration at Beijing’s home game against Harbin Yiteng later this month.

“On 24 June, we will

Beijing player recalls former Newcastle midfielder’s collapse

“He just collapsed right in front of me,” Jin Hui said in a post on social media platform WeChat Moments, and seen by BBC Chinese.

The 29-year-old said he joined with the firstaid efforts on the pitch.

“I still cannot believe this,” he added.

A club statement confirmed Tiote died at around 19:00 local time (11:00 BST).

“Beijing Enterprises Group FC mourn with deep grief over Mr Tiote’s death,” it read, adding that Tiote made an “outstanding contribution to the club”.

On Tuesday, members of an official fan club visited the Beijing’s home stadium to lay flowers on the pitch in a brief ceremony.

“They came this morning in the rain to pay tribute to Mr Tiote,” Chen Zhent-

pay tribute to the player, as he wore number 24,” Chen said.

“There would definitely be a silent tribute.”

The cause of Tiote’s death has not been announced, with the club waiting for the Ivorian’s family to travel to Beijing.

“We must wait until his family is here,” club spokesperson Yang Xiaoxiao said.

“We need to respect their opinion and not to speak more at this moment.”

Meanwhile, Beijing head coach Gao Hongbo has revealed the club has seen a request to postpone their next fixture rejected by opponents Meizhou Hakka.

“We hope the [Chinese] FA would offer some help to postpone the match on Saturday,” Gao added. (BBC Sport)

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

CONCACAF appoints new Chief of Football Officer THE Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) on Monday announced that Manolo Zubiria has been appointed as Chief of Football Officer, effective June 26, 2017.

He will lead the division of Football Operations, provide overall management and execution of CONCACAF’s tournaments, major events as well as football development programmes.

The Chief of Football Officer position was created as part of CONCACAF’s recent re-organisation to continue building a stronger and more efficient Confederation, focused on investing in growing football across the region and advancing the overall business of the organisation.

“We are very pleased to welcome Mr Zubiria as our Chief of Football Officer.

With his wealth of experience and understanding of our Confederation’s culture, his role will be critical as we continue growing the game through our One CONCACAF Vision,” said CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani. “Mr Zubiria will be instrumental in leading the management and evolution of our football operations, while helping achieve our organisation’s strategic priorities to take the game to the next level.”

Mr Zubiria joins CONCACAF from AS Roma, where he spent the last four seasons as the Head of Team Operations. His tenure at Roma was marked by operational improvements as well as competitive success for the club, including three second-place finishes in Serie A and qualification to the UEFA Champions League in three of the four seasons.

Previously, he served as CONCACAF’s Director of Competitions and Director of Marketing and TV. His first involvement in football came in 2003 at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Chief of Football

cers of the Finance and Administration, Commercial, and Legal and Compliance divisions.

“I am honoured to take on this truly important role as the Chief of Football Officer at CONCACAF,” said Mr Manolo Zubiria will take up the reins as Chief of Football Officer of CONCACAF on June 26.

Officer will have direct oversight of the departments of Competitions, Development, Disciplinary, Hospitality and Events, Refereeing, and Women’s Football. He will work sideby-side with the Chief Offi-

Zubiria. “The Confederation is poised for greater growth.

I look forward to working closely with our Council as well as the 41 Member Associations to develop a solid and sustainable football strategy that leverages the

Shuttle Time programme expected to be implemented by GBA this month RECENTLY, the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) president Gokarn Ramdhani attended the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Gold Coast, Australia May 19-21, 2017, and was able to lobby for the Shuttle Time programme to be held in Guyana.

In 2012, BWF launched Shuttle Time, a schools badminton programme supporting the principle that children should lead a healthy

GBA president Gokarn Ramdhani

and active life, both in and out of school. BWF’s goal is to make badminton one of the world’s most popular and accessible school sport.

Shuttle Time offers school teachers access to free resources, training and equipment, which support the teaching of enjoyable, safe and inclusive badminton activities to children aged 5-15 years old.

Shuttle Time lessons are designed to provide children with a positive image of

badminton through many opportunities to have fun, engage with others, and experience success.

The programme is currently being implemented in 101 countries in partnership with BWF’s Continental Confederations and Member Associations.

The GBA has plans to implement this programme in June 2017, and arrangements are ongoing to get the international coaches and personnel ready.

Cavaliers weigh moving Shumpert into starting lineup THE Sports Xchange The Cleveland Cavaliers, down 2-0 after blowout losses to the Golden State Warriors, may switch up their starting lineup for Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue is considering starting Iman Shumpert in place of JR Smith in the backcourt for today’s game in Cleveland, according to ESPN. Shumpert experienced cramping in the second half of the Cavs’ 132-113 Game 2 loss on Sunday night and required intravenous fluids after the game, a team source told ESPN. Shumpert finished with six points, four rebounds and three steals in 22 minutes off the bench, shooting only 1 of 6 from the field.

But the Cavs may go with Shumpert in the start-

ing lineup because of his defence in trying to slow down Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.

On Sunday, Curry and Durant teamed up to get the Warriors within two

victories of another championship.

Curry recorded his first career postseason triple-double with 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, while Durant -- seeking his

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots against Golden State Warriors forward David West (3) during the second half in game two of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada)

first ring -- had 33 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and five blocks.

Smith has been a non-factor in the two losses with just three points on 1-of-4 shooting in 28 minutes in Game 1 and had zero points in Game 2 on 0-of-2 shooting and four fouls in 14 minutes.

Lue said the Cavaliers must improve their defence to have a chance in Game 3.

“Having awareness, c a n ’t r e l a x , c a n ’t f a l l asleep,” Lue said after Sunday’s loss. “This team, their offence is constant movement, so you got to be locked in.

“You can’t take a peek somewhere else and lose your man. So they make you pay. And they have a lot of guys who are great passers, so you got to be alert at all times.”

organisation’s operational capabilities and opportunities more effectively.”

Mr Zubiria succeeds the Confederation’s Interim Chief of Football Officer, Mr Ted Howard, who has also served as Deputy General Secretary and has been with the organisation since 1998.

After Mr Howard retires in July 2017, he will work closely with Mr Zubiria on a transition through December 2017. During his tenure at CONCACAF, Mr Howard has been instrumental in leading the Confederation, while making significant contributions to its success and positioning the region’s game for further growth.

Mr Zubiria brings over 12 years of international experience within the sport industry, working with global brands in diverse areas including event operations, marketing sponsorships, con-

sulting, account and brand management, business expansion, professional football team management and development.

He has a proven track record in managing major global events including the FIFA World Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Summer Olympics, UEFA Champions League, Copa America Centenario USA 2016, CONCACAF Gold Cup and Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.

CONCACAF engaged in a comprehensive public search before presenting a list of female and male candidates to the Confederation’s senior management and Council members.

Mr Zubiria holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami in Florida and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance from the Boston College in Massachusetts.

Man United top Forbes’ most valuable soccer teams list (REUTERS)-Manchester United have replaced European champions Real Madrid as the world’s most valuable soccer team, according to the annual list published by Forbes on Tuesday.

United were valued at $3.69 billion, an 11 percent jump compared to last year.

That was a testament to the team’s powerful brand and marketing acumen, Forbes said in a statement.

Barcelona were second on the list with a value of $3.64 billion while Real Madrid, who held top spot for the last four years, fell to third place with a value of $3.58 billion.

Rounding out the top five were Bayern Munich ($2.71 billion) and Manchester City (2.08 billion).

Six Premier League teams featured in the top 10, with United and City joined by Arsenal ($1.93 billion), Chelsea ($1.85 billion) Liverpool ($1.49 billion) and Tottenham Hotspur ($1.06 billion).

German champions Bayern Munich ($2.71 billion) were ranked fourth while Serie A champions Juventus ($1.26 billion) were ninth.

Forbes also said the average value of the top 20 teams rose 3 percent over last year to $1.48 billion.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday June 07, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Sri Lanka & South Africa (2) Imran Tahir-SA Today’s Quiz: (1) Who won the first Man of the Match Award in ICC Champions Trophy 2017?

(2) Who had the best bowling figures in the first game of ICC Champions Trophy 2017?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 7, 2017

GABF calls 21 to trials for Centrobasket U-17 Championship … Lugard Mohan named head coach

By Rawle Toney WITH Guyana set to compete at the 2017 Centrobasket U-17 Championship, July 2630 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) yesterday announced a list of 21 players, both local and overseas, who were asked to report for trials this weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The trials will be held under the watchful eyes of head coach and former national point guard Lugard Mohan.

A release from the GABF also states that the process allows for individuals not identified on the shortlist to join the trials on the recommendation of any coach or representative from their affiliated members.

The players will meet from 08:00hrs to 10:00hrs and 14:00hrs to 16:00hrs on Saturday and Sunday. According to the GABF, training sessions will continue with a reduced squad at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on June 17-18, 24-25, July 1-10 and the team will be encamped from July 14-24 prior to their departure on Tuesday

B and vice versa.

The winners of the semi-finals will advance to the ‘gold medal match’, while the losers will play for the bronze of the continental event.

The top three teams from the tournament will qualify to the FIBA U-18 Americas Championship 2018, to be played in St Catharines, Canada, June 11-17, 2018.

Guyana were placed in Group ‘A’ of the tournament

FLASH BACK! Guyana at the CBC U16 Championship.

July 25.

Mohan will have Kenny Avent (USA-based) and Willon Cameron as his assistant coaches. Junior Hercules is the manager and leader of the Guyana delegation.

The competition system

of the tournament consists of two phases. In the Group phase, the eight participating teams (Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) will be divided into two equal

groups.

Te a m s w i l l p l a y i n round-robin format for three days. The top two teams from each group will advance to the next phase, where the firstplace team of Group A will oppose the second-place in Group

Centrobasket U17 team Head Coach Lugard Mohan

and will open their campaign against the Bahamas on July 26, followed by a clash with Puerto Rico on Thursday July 27 and then close off their group-play against Mexico on July 28.

Guyana qualified for the 2017 FIBA Centrobasket U-18 championship by finishing behind the Bahamas at last year’s Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) U-16 tournament which was hosted at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

After a sensational showing, Guyana went down 84-57 to a well-oiled Bahamas team that breezed through the tournament, having entered as clear favourites.

The players called to trials: Yannick Tappin (Linden), Leon Benjamin (Linden), Shamar France (Berbice), Kelmar Carmichael (Berbice), Garfield Benjamin (Berbice), Andrew Johnson (Georgetown), Nigel Bowen (Georgetown), Roydon Glasgow (Georgetown), Akeem Crandon (Berbice), Jermaine King (Berbice), Kareem Boyle (Berbice), Jordan Alphonso (USA Based), Kevon Wiggins (USA-based), Jahleel Young (Georgetown), Zion Gray (Georgetown), Jeremy Campbell (Berbice), Denzil Ross (Georgetown), Kadeem Dover (Kwakwani), Isaiah Hintzen (Kwakwani), Jether Harris (Georgetown) and Anthony Yansen (Georgetown).

Impressive England beat Kiwis to secure semi-final spot (REUTERS) - Hosts England became the first team to qualify for the Champions Trophy semi-finals after hammering New Zealand by 87 runs in Cardiff to stay top of Group A yesterday.

Eoin Morgan’s side mastered tricky conditions to reinforce their credentials as tournament favourites with an excellent team perfor-

mance in which everyone contributed.

Joe Root top-scored with an impressive 64 - his 32nd score above fifty in 85 ODIs - as England posted an allout score of 310 after being put in to bat.

In reply, New Zealand struggled to overcome the first over loss of Luke Ronchi for a golden duck and, although Kane Williamson

NSC congratulates National U-15 Golden Jaguars

DIRECTOR of Sport Christopher Jones and Commissioners of the National Sports Commission (NSC), yesterday extended congratulations to the Guyana National Under-15 football team on their successful run in St Martin at the SOUALIGA Tournament.

Guyana defeated the hosts 1-0 in the final, after playing undefeated and also without conceding a goal throughout the tournament.

“The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) must be complimented on their robust grassroots programme which continues to develop our young and talented players. At this time all Guyana stands proud of our young Champions,” the NSC said in a release.

The team returned to Guyana last evening and they were greeted by the executive committee of the GFF and other local, key stakeholders of the game.

struck an assured 87, his teammates were picked off

by England’s impressive attack.

Liam Plunkett was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets as New Zealand subsided to 223 all out in the 45th over.

New Zealand can still reach the semi-finals if they beat Bangladesh in their final game and Australia lose to England.

The day began on a sombre note when play was stopped after six overs at 11:00hrs local time (1000 GMT) for a minute’s silence to remember the victims of Saturday’s militant attack in London.

When play resumed England continued their early progress, although their total would have been higher had their top order not given their wickets away.

IMMACULATE ROOT Opener Jason Roy, looking horribly out of form, was bowled by a straight ball from Adam

Liam Plunkett picked off four wickets as New Zealand subsided, in Cardiff, to lose by 87 runs.

Milne for 13 and Alex Hales swept across the line after a quick-fire 56 as Milne took another wicket.

When Morgan also departed after a poor shot on 13, England were in danger of stalling.

But Root, who had made a century in England’s opening win over Bangladesh, played immaculately, sharing

a fourth-wicket stand of 54 with Ben Stokes before bottom-edging Corey Anderson on to his stumps.

Stokes (48) and Jos Buttler (61 not out) kept the scoreboard ticking over before England were dismissed in the 50th over for 310, probably 30 runs short of expectations.

The weather always

threatened to make a decisive intervention and a shower in between innings, which delayed New Zealand’s reply, made the pitch unpredictable as it dried out.

A stiff wind further complicated matters for batsmen and bowlers alike with ground staff having to reset the perimeter rope and the bails frequently blowing off.

After the dangerous Martin Guptill departed, edging Stokes to Root for 27, New Zealand’s hopes rested firmly on Williamson, who had scored a century in their abandoned opener against Australia.

The No.3 accumulated a solid fifty from 66 balls without ever dominating and was undone by a snorter from Mark Wood which bounced off his gloves to the keeper.

With Ross Taylor departing soon after for 39, and the run rate climbing further, New Zealand’s reply subsided as England closed in on a comfortable victory.

Impressive England beat Kiwis to secure See semi-final spot page 31

Brathwaite thrilled by Windies professionalism

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Windies captain Carlos Brathwaite has praised his side’s professionalism, after they trounced Afghanistan by seven wickets in Monday’s final Twenty20 International and completed a 3-0 series whitewash.

Entering the series as heavy favourites to beat the ICC Associate nation, Windies imposed their superiority to reduce each of the three games to a no-contest as they pulled off convincing victories in each.

The gulf between the two teams was especially evident in the final game as right-hander Marlon Samuels produced a stroke-filled career-best unbeaten 89 as the Windies easily chased down 147 to win by seven wickets.

“Marlon showed his experience, showed his class

and he brought us home and the manner in which he did it was very, very clinical and it is very pleasing,” Brathwaite said.

“You talk about being professional … and when you have teams on the back foot, about keeping them there and that’s exactly what we did … so it’s very, very pleasing to come away three-nil.”

He continued: “It would have been very easy to take a foot off the pedal and take this game for granted, lose the game, win the series 2-1 and be happy but the professionalism shown today was very commendable, very admirable and kudos to my team for bringing home the series in a whitewash.”

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan posted the highest total of the series and when Chadwick

Man-of-the-Match and Man-of-the-series Marlon Samuels cuts one square in 89 from 66 balls.

Walton fell to the second delivery of the run chase without a run on the board, the Windies faced a challenging time.

But Samuels arrived to see off the Afghan challenge with a stroke-filled innings that ensured there was no upset.

“The pitch was a lot better for batting than the first two games so we had to make some minor adjustments,” Brathwite explained.

“They got up to a score that we think if we had executed our skills a little better we could have got them for 10 runs less but nevertheless the score was on the board. It was manageable and going into the half-time break, I asked that one of the batters raise his hand, not only get a score but get a big score and come not out in a winning cause.”

Brathwaite, however, re-

served special praise for his bowlers who, he said, were superb throughout the series in keeping Afghanistan’s dangerous batsmen under tight rein.

“The bowling performance and the consistency, that is something we asked for so that one box was ticked,” he said.

“We (bowlers) did very well against Pakistan (in the recent series), we continually kept them down to 130 and as a bowling unit we strived to replicate what we did in that series.

“I don’t want to single out one moment of brilliance because those moments of brilliance don’t come unless there is a solid base and I think that throughout the three games, bowlers put the team on that solid footing … which made the moments of brilliance actually brilliant.”

JFF president Captain Williams, Bright to represent Guyana at World Youth Championships Horace Burrell dead at 67 … Phillips, Rogers among five to attend Commonwealth Youth Games

By Tamica Garnett

CARIFTA Games gold medallist Chantoba Bright and South American Junior silver medallist Daniel Williams are the athletes selected by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) to attend the IAAF World U-18 (Youth) Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, July 12-16.

Captain Horace Burrell was elected JFF president in 1994.

PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Captain Horace Burrell has died. He was 67.

Captain Burrell had been ailing for some time and spent some time in hospital. Reports said he died in hospital in the United States yesterday.

The JFF president was hospitalised a year ago after falling ill and was hospitalised prior to the start of the

Copa America Centenario tournament.

The federation issued a statement confirming that Captain Burrell was undergoing a series of tests but did not disclose the type of illness.

Burrell was elected president of the JFF in 1994 and was the force behind the Jamaican National team qualifying for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. (Sportsmax)

Chantoba Bright

AAG president Aubrey Hutson yesterday confirmed the selection while noting that five other youth athletes have also already been selected and submitted to be Guyana’s representatives in athletics at next month’s C o m m o n w e a l t h Yo u t h Games, which will be held in the Bahamas from July

Turn to page 27

Minute’s silence for victims of London Bridge attack Play was halted at 11am to observe a minute’s silence for the victims of the London Bridge attack, in the England v New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2017 match in Cardiff on Tuesday. (See story on page 31)

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2017