Guyana chronicle e paper 07 08 2017

Revised plan for law school discussed Page 2

No. 104967

SATURDAY , JULY 8, 2017

Price: $80

Special unit to drive sugar divestment (VAT Inclusive)

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‘Show some respect’ … Speaker, religious leaders upbraid MPs

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Garbage contractors on strike again Page 13

NPTAB never approved $630M drug purchase Religious leaders on their way to Parliament to protest against what they described as a lack of civility and conduct in Parliament. The religious leaders said as a faith-based group, “we confirm our respect for the human dignity of all our people, regardless of political persuasion, and we believe public officials should conduct the people’s business in an atmosphere of mutual respect, decorum and grace. We also affirm the goodness of our fledgling democracy and the legitimacy of all rights, roles and responsibilities of citizens and public officials alike.”

Cocaine swallower gets four years

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Guyanese killed by stray bullet in Florida Page 17

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‘Show some respect’ … Speaker upbraids MPs

By Svetlana Marshall CAUTIONING that they have a duty to venerate the Parliament of Guyana, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland on Friday scolded Members of Parliament about their conduct, even as members of the religious community also expressed concerns and sat in the Chambers to observe the day’s proceedings.

“Honourable Members appear to show little regards to this Honourable Institution,” Dr. Scotland told members on both sides of the House during the 67th Sitting of the National Assembly on Friday.

For him, it is “a poor lesson in Parliamentary decorum.” As he spoke, some Parliamentarians appeared disinterested.

At least one MP was seen making cell calls even as the Speaker spoke, while another used the opportunity to hold his spectacles up in the air to clean. Others were simply on their cell phones and laptops going about business as usual.

Nonetheless, the Speaker continued with his admonition. He said based on the conduct of some Members of Parliament in the Chamber and in some instances, outside, citizens may not necessarily have the highest regard for them. Dr. Scotland

told the august body that a junior Member of the House “took to social media to make uninformed comments in reference to the Speaker.”

It was not long after that, senior Members of the National Assembly decided to conduct themselves in a similar fashion, “making criticisms which involve the Speaker,” Dr. Scotland added.

He posited that the practice aimed at discrediting the Speaker continues whenever some Honourable Members are “displeased” with his ruling.

“The Speaker accepts communication directly either by voice or by writing from Honourable Members, and he holds such communication both useful and valuable,” Dr. Scotland stated. He said, however, when Parliamentarians make reference to those communications in public in an effort to make “political points,” their conduct could affect the ease of communication that exists.

It is his belief that there is “room for informing the public about any ruling by the Speaker without drawing the Speaker into any political contention.”

BOOM OUT “The disregard for the House is taking new forms. Recently, the As-

sembly formed a backdrop for a parody on what is known as Facebook.

This was drawn to my attention by a member of the public,” he further pointed out. He was referring to a Minister Simona Broomes video.

According to the S p e a k e r, m a n y H o n ourable Members in the House demonstrate an absence of civility and are in the practice of selecting words which border on “disregard if not disrespect” for their fellow Honourable Members.

Quoting a member of the public, Dr. Scotland said it would appear that some Parliamentarians have “private scores to settle,” and do so whenever they speak in the House.

“Our predecessors left us a legacy of decorum and good practice for this House. I ask, what should we leave our successors?”

Members of Parlia-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 8, 2017

ment, the Speaker emphasised, have a duty to venerate the noble House and give evidence to that veneration.

The Speaker’s address to the House comes on the heels of the last sitting which was disrupted causing him to walk out of the Chamber.

During the last sitting, tension ran high after Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Nigel Dharamlall, refused to comply with instructions handed down by the Speaker during a debate on the Commission of Inquiry into land rights. While addressing the august body, Dharamlall, was cautioned by the Speaker for not staying relevant in his presentation as is stipulated by the Standing Orders.

After several warnings which were rebutted with justifications from the Opposition MP, the Speaker asked him to take his seat.

Refusal by Dharamlall to comply with the instructions of the Speaker prompted loud heckling from both sides of the

House. Within seconds, the heckling evolved into an outburst with both sides vying for vocal dominance. In support of their colleague, the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) stood in protest, demanding that Dharamlall be allowed to continue his speech.

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

“When [Minister] Trotman attacked the Opposition Leader last evening (Thursday) you said nothing. You sat there and allowed it without saying a word. And tonight you are trying to silence our speaker who has done nothing?” she shouted passionately.

After a failed attempt to

restore order by aggressively pounding his gavel, the Speaker eventually left the noisy Chambers.

At this point, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who had been missing for most of the session, entered the Chambers and encouraged Dharamlall to continue his speech in the absence of the Speaker.

Several other PPP MPs joined in and within a few seconds, Dharamlall was continuing his speech.

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

Throughout the remainder of his presentation, the opposition MP remained almost inaudible despite several attempts to raise his tone above that of his competitors. After Dharamlall had completed his presentation, the House remained without a Speaker for about 15 minutes.

Revised plan for law school discussed THE revised business plan for the Joseph Haynes Law School to be established here was on Thursday discussed by stakeholders.

Representatives from the University College of the Caribbean (UCC) met with Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, S.C., along with other members of the task force to examine the provisions of the UCC’s revised business plan.

The UCC is one of the Jamaican partners in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) geared at establishing the local law school. In a statement to the media, the Attorney General’s office said that the business plan was submitted pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into between the UCC, Law College of the Americas (LCA) and the Government of Guyana (GOG).

That plan contained a provision for a feasibility study to be done to determine the viability of establishing the Law School. “The discussions are ongoing and the task force will submit a response to the proposals in the Business Plan,” the statement said.

It is also expected that the task force will submit counter proposals to the joint venture partners.

The members of the task force at present include Professors Harold Lutchman and Rudolph James, Justices James Patterson, and Claudette Singh S.C., Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana Dr. Barbara Reynolds, Economist Dr. Morris Odle, Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram, Law Revision Consultant, Justice Abdullahi Zuru and Solicitor-General Kim Kyte.

In January, the Government of Guyana signed the MOU with its stakeholders and it was disclosed that it will hold a 30 per cent share in the school and will contribute only the land where the school is to be built. On the other hand, its partner will hold 70 per cent shares and will foot all other costs. The school is likely to be located at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, S.C., who signed on behalf of the Government, said Guyana was given permission to establish the school over two decades ago by the Caribbean Legal Education Accreditation body, but this was never done by successive governments.

Over the years, Guyana resorted to sending 25 of its LLB holders to the Trinidad-based Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS), while the others have been unable to practice law because of their inability to acquire the Legal Education Certificate (LEC).

The hefty cost attached to acquisition of the LEC has been cited as one of the primary factors which have prevented students from acquiring the certificate. However, this school is expected to provide the same level of education at a cheaper cost compared to similar institutions across the region.

The JOF Haynes Law School, named after prominent Guyanese jurist, Joseph Oscar Fitzclarence Haynes, is expected to build on the legacy of the Norman Manley Law School and its counterparts – The Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago and the Eugene Dupuch Law School in the Bahamas.

Special unit to drive sugar divestment

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 8, 2017

AFTER hours of scrutiny at the level of the Committee of Supply, the National Assembly approved supplementary funding to the tune of $130M for the establishment of a “Special Purpose Unit” to manage the divestment of the Skeldon Factory and other Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) assets.

Responding to a string of questions posed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament, Komal Chand, Finance Minister Winston Jordan explained that the unit, which will fall under the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL), is specifically responsible for the privatisation of certain parts of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuYSuCo).

In the initial stage, its primary function would be to lead the privatisation and divestment process for the Skeldon Factory, Finance Minister Winston Jordan disclosed, while noting that the unit would be required to hire an established accounting firm to assist with the process.

The functions of the unit would also include the process of valuation, marketing, advertising and the drafting of legal framework. As time progresses, the unit would assist GuySuCo in the identification of other properties to be privatised.

Given the fact that the “Special Purpose Unit” falls under NICIL, PPP Member of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill questioned why funds are not being drawn from NICIL – an extra budgetary agency – to assist with the establishment of the unit. The answer, Minister Jordan said was simple, “NICIL does not have the money.” It was explained that while the unit’s primary function is aimed at GuySuCo and more so Skeldon Estate, in the future, its functions would be expanded to include other entities.

Not satisfied with the response given, Edghill

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, made his presentation. The conclusion of consultations among government, the unions and the opposition on GuySuCo’s future, along with the options advanced by the government and the proposal made by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), will form the basis of the White Paper, Harmon had told a news briefing.

When asked if any sugar estates will be closed, Harmon had said that proposals were made to that effect, along with diversification of several estates. He, however, emphasised that the welfare of sugar workers and their families is the top priority of the APNU+AFC government. “The welfare of the workers and their families is of primary concern. The other economic concerns and so on will of course be dealt with, but the workers’ interest is at the forefront of whatever policy we’re going to embrace with respect to the sugar industry,” Harmon said.

The White Paper is

Skeldon sugar Factory sought to clarify the reason behind the shift in policy, explaining that NICIL was not given a subvention in the past. In response, Minister Jordan explained that the $130M will be used solely for the establishment and operations of the unit and as such would not benefit other parts of NICIL. Approval for its establishment had been acquired from Cabinet.

PPP frontbencher, Irfaan Ali sought to have a greater understanding of the impacts, whether social or economic ,such transition would have not only on GuySuCo’s operation but the thousands of workers that would be affected.

In response, Minister Jordan told the House that such questions should be posed to the Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, not-

ing that he was merely trying to “get the money.” In addition to the setting up of the unit, the $130M will be used for the payment of salaries, utilities, professional and legal fees, advertisements, office space, and operating supplies, furniture and equipment.

The $130M in supplementary funding forms part of a larger supplementary financial paper which was subsequently approved to the tune of $6.395B. Of the sum, $143.5M accounted for current projects while the bulk – $6.252B accounted for capital projects in the areas of infrastructure, education and agriculture. In April, President David Granger announced that the Blairmont, Uitvlugt and Albion estates are likely to remain when government makes a decision to re-

structure the Guyana Sugar Corporation.

“We have to produce our commodities more cheaply, otherwise we will not be able to compete, whoever is in the Government. We will not be able to compete if your commodities are too expensive.

We want to save the sugar industry, but it must be efficient and competitive,” he had told the opening of the West Berbice Trade Fair and Exposition held at Bath Settlement.

Government is expected to present a White Paper in the National Assembly soon, pertaining to the future of GuySuCo, the Cabinet Secretary announced back in March. The issue was discussed extensively at the ministerial conference held on February 28, at State House, when

expected to deal with the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the sugar industry, the proposals by GuySuCo, the consultations held with stakeholders and GAWU’s presentation, the decisions facing government relating to the recovery of drainage and irrigation charges of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), diversification of the Skeldon factory and the leased lands.

In a report which was presented to the Parliamentary Economic Services Committee in January by GuySuCo’s Chairman, Dr. Clive Thomas and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Errol Hanoman, it stated that the outlook for Guyana’s sugar industry continues to be grim as the officials declared that funds injected into sugar industry at this time will be funds “wasted.”

If the situation remains the same, some $21B would be required in 2018 keep GuySuCo afloat.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8, 2017

Church: Venezuela Teenager jailed after toilet birth becoming dictatorship Venezuela’s Roman Catholic Church has criticised President Nicolás Maduro’s decision to have the constitution rewritten.

The head of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, Diego Padrón, said the reforms would turn the country into a “military dictatorship”.

Maduro issued a decree in May to establish a popular assembly that will write a new constitution.

The opposition is boycotting the vote to choose the assembly’s members.

The election will be held on July 30.

“This assembly will be imposed by force and its result will be that constitutional status will be given to a military, socialist, Marxist and communist dictatorship,” said Monsignor Padrón.

The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, which gathers the country’s bishops, considered Maduro’s proposed popular assembly “unnecessary and inconvenient,” he added.

He also criticised the attack against members of the opposition-held National Assembly by government supporters on Wednesday.

Several lawmakers were beaten up by intruders brandishing sticks and pipes.

“This attack shows that the government is unwilling to abandon violence,” said Mosignor Padrón, who has several times in the past criticised the government of Nicolás Maduro.

Maduro’s plans to create a citizen’s assembly to rewrite the constitution has

been heavily criticised by the opposition, which says it is an attempt by the president to increase his powers by sidestepping the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

Maduro argues that it will “bring peace” to Venezuela, where more than 90 people have been killed in protest-related violence since April 1.

He has accused the opposition of plotting a right-wing coup against his socialist government.

Venezuela is going through a serious economic crisis, with the shortage of many goods, high inflation and rampant crime.

The opposition accuses Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, of mismanaging the economy. (BBC)

A teenager in El Salvador has been sentenced to 30 years in jail for aggravated homicide after delivering a stillborn baby in a toilet.

Prosecutors argued Evelyn Beatriz Hernandez Cruz had avoided antenatal care, tantamount to killing the child.

Her lawyers said she did not know she was pregnant and no crime had occurred.

They said the pregnancy was as a result of repeated rapes she did not report.

The Central American country completely bans abortion in all circumstances.

Dozens of women have been imprisoned for the deaths of their foetuses in cases where they said they had suffered miscarriages or stillbirths.

In April last year, Hernandez gave birth in the latrine of her home in a small rural community. She lost consciousness after losing large amounts of blood.

When her mother took her to hospital, leaving the

baby’s remains behind, Hernandez was detained on suspicion of procuring an abortion.

Eleven days later she had an initial court hearing and she has been in custody since.

Her charge was changed to aggravated homicide when no evidence was found of her having had an abortion.

Although she was in the third trimester, Hernandez said she had confused the symptoms of pregnancy with stomach ache because she had experienced intermittent bleeding, which she thought was her menstrual period.

She told the court: “I did not want to kill my son.”

The judge did not believe she did not know she was pregnant.

Much of the case centred on whether the baby was dead at birth or died in the moments afterwards, but medical experts were unable to determine the answer definitively.

The human rights organisation Amnesty International condemned the sentence and Hernandez’s lawyer, Bertha de Leon, said she would appeal.

Efe Alberto Romero, from the Citizens’ Group for the Decriminalisation of Abortion, said witnesses could not determine whether Hernandez had intended for the baby to die, and that she had become pregnant due to repeated rapes in a forced sexual relationship.

Her lawyers said she had been too frightened to report the rapes. Some reports say the man who raped her was a gang member.

Pro-choice campaigners in El Salvador and around the world have argued that the country’s absolute abortion ban criminalises people who have not sought abortions but have had natural miscarriages, as well as forcing women to carry pregnancies to term despite risk to their own lives. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8 2017

Trump and Putin find chemistry in first meeting

In a meeting that ran longer than either side had planned, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin discussed alleged Russian meddling in the U.S. election on Friday but agreed to focus on better ties rather than litigating the past.

Trump, a Republican who called it an “honour” to meet with the Russian president, drew swift criticism from Democrats at home, who accused him of dismissing U.S. intelligence and giving Putin’s denial, reiterated on Friday, of Russian interference too much weight.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters at a summit of leaders of the Group of 20 major economies in Hamburg that Trump had “positive chemistry” with Putin during the meeting, which lasted some two hours and 15 minutes.

He opened their discussion by pressing Putin about “the concerns of the American people regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election” and had a robust

exchange, Tillerson said.

The Russian president has denied any meddling in the U.S. democratic process last year and Moscow has asked for proof that it took place.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Trump accepted Putin’s assertions that the allegations, backed by U.S. intelligence agencies, were false.

Tillerson said they both sought to move on.

“The presidents rightly focused on how do we move forward from what may be simply an intractable disagreement at this point,” Tillerson said.

That explanation did not sit well with Democrats.

“Working to compromise the integrity of our election process cannot and should not be an area where ‘agree to disagree’ is an acceptable conclusion,” said U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in a statement.

On Thursday in Poland Trump gave lukewarm support to the view that Moscow interfered in the 2016 U.S. political process.

Trump promised a rapprochement with Moscow during his campaign but has been unable to deliver because his administration has been dogged by investigations into the allegations of Russian interference in the election and ties with his campaign.

Trump says his team did not collude with Russia.

Tillerson said they agreed to work on commitments of “non-interference in the affairs of the United States and our democratic process as well as those in other countries”.

Andrew Weiss, a former National Security Council official responsible for Russia, said Trump had sent the wrong signal with upbeat body language and by not pushing Putin harder on alleged Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election.

“The atmospherics were chummy,” said Weiss, who is now at Washington’s Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank in

Washington. The clear push from Trump to normalise U.S.-Russian relations was on display in the meeting.”

GOING VERY WELL The two leaders spent a lot of time discussing Syria, and after their meeting an agreement between the United States, Russia and Jordan on a ceasefire in southwestern Syria was announced.

The face-to-face encounter was one of the most eagerly anticipated meetings between two leaders in years.

Trump and Putin spoke through translators with their respective foreign ministers present for six minutes before reporters were allowed into the room for their statements. Afterwards the reporters were ushered out and the meeting continued.

“President Putin and I have been discussing various things, and I think it’s going very well,” Trump told reporters, sitting alongside the Russian leader.

“We’ve had some very, very good talks. ... We look forward to a lot of very pos-

itive things happening for Russia, for the United States and for everybody concerned. And it’s an honour to be with you.”

Putin, through a translator, said: “We spoke over the phone with you several times,” adding: “A phone conversation is never enough.”

“I am delighted to be able to meet you personally, Mr. President,” he said, noting that he hoped the meeting would yield results.

Both men sat with legs splayed. Trump listened intently as Putin spoke.

The encounter went longer than expected, and first lady Melania Trump came in at one point to urge them to conclude, Tillerson said.

The two men later joined other G20 leaders at a concert. Mrs. Trump sat next to Putin at dinner.

Before the get-together, some feared the U.S. president, a political novice whose team is still developing its Russia policy, would be less prepared for the talks than Putin, a former KGB agent

who has dealt with previous U.S. presidents and scores of other world leaders.

Amid criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Syria and the investigations into its role in the U.S. campaign, Trump has come under growing pressure to take a hard line against the Kremlin.

On Thursday, Trump delivered some of his sharpest remarks about Moscow since becoming president, urging Russia to stop its “destabilising activities” and end its support for Syria and Iran.

But Trump stopped short on Thursday of any personal criticism of Putin and declined to say definitively whether he believed U.S. intelligence officials’ assertion that Russia had interfered in the 2016 U.S. election.

“I think it was Russia but I think it was probably other people and/or countries, and I see nothing wrong with that statement.

Nobody really knows.

Nobody really knows for sure,” Trump said on a visit to Poland. (Reuters)

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8, 2017

The Republic Bank attempted robbery GUYANESE have become animated over the recent attempted robbery at the Republic Bank Water Street branch one way or the other, including what may have been responsible for three promising young men trying such a daring criminal act.

That Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, has said that he will address the incident at a seminar next week on crime and youth violence is commendable. It can no longer be ignored or dusted under the carpet that something is amiss in this society with this new class of criminals emerging.

This demographic is young and educated, as in the instance of the Republic Bank incident. There are several reasons being put forward and in order to get to the bottom of the crisis and address same, every idea tabled should be critically evaluated. In the media-driven, instant gratification, glamourisation of crime, weakened family structures, disregard for mores and norms, poor enforcement of laws, high unemployment, corruption and peer-pressure environment, the young are being exposed to too many incidents and actions that are counter-productive to living a life that rewards integrity, good behaviour and hard work.

While the aforesaid reality does not ignore that there are amongst us young people being exposed to the same influences and have not gone astray, it cannot nor does it justify ignoring that these factors play a role in influencing anti-social behaviour. Where white collar criminals are allowed to retain their jobs and walk freely and blue collar criminals can find association amongst the political elites and connected,

such influences are bound to have toxic impacts on some impressionable minds.

Where government officials, elected and appointed, in a short space of time moved from rags to riches, on salaries that would not so allow them, they set the tone for what could influence others to feel it’s OK to do likewise. More so when officials, in the private and public sectors, are not held to account and their actions defended or covered up, and where in our society the spit press is very potent such is likely to see copycats in various forms. What makes the situation worse is that oftentimes criminal acts are perpetrated by persons in high office, well connected and with little or no consequence borne. Where rapaciousness exists at the highest echelons of society, family values eroded -- given internal and external factors -- it makes sense in the process of examining and before condemning to ascertain where society has failed the young and what can be done to halt and reverse the decline.

About two-thirds of the population is 40 years and younger. For most of their lives, this demographic has seen criminal behaviours nurtured, flaunted, protected and defended on a scale unprecedented in the nation’s history. Most have come of age within the past 30 years which represent five years under a PNC Government, 23 years under the PPP/C, and two under the APNU+AFC. The World Health Organisation defines adolescence as the period between 10 and 19 years, saying these are the formative as well as impressionable years when the maximum amount of physical, psychological and behavioural changes take place. It goes on to say, “Healthy development of ado-

lescents depends on several interactive and complex factors.

They include the socio-economic circumstances in which a person is born, the environment in which he/she grows up, his/her inter-personal relationships within the family, peergroup pressure, values of the community in which he/she lives and the opportunity for education and employment.”

This is a society that was nurtured on conservative values, where adults preached and practised the wisdom of sparing the rod would spoil the child, which does not necessarily mean sole application of corporal punishment. There was a time when a premium was placed on the village concept of raising a child, where the teacher, neighbour, religious community and extended family played integral roles along with the parent (s). Though the extent to which proven values could be recaptured could be debated, it nonetheless does not prevent recognising the crucial importance of creating and fortifying structures that will demand and ensure that the older lead by example. There remains no wisdom in expecting better from the young, where thinking and actions to ‘do as I say not as I do’ holds sway. The young are the future and Tuesday’s incident is another stark reminder of the importance of teaching them well.

GYSM congratulates new PNCR What are your views GS, political secretaries now Mr. John?

Dear Editor

THE Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM), joins with the rest of the PNCR in congratulating Minister of Social Protection and Member of Parliament Ms. Amna Ally on her appointment as the General-Secretary of the party. We also take this time to extend our congratulations to Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams, MP; Ms. Sandra Adams, MS; and Mr. Brian Smith on their appointments as Principal Political Secretaries.

The GYSM has immense faith in the skills and abilities

of Ms. Amna Ally, who has always been a positive voice in advocating for youth and youth development. We are positive that she will continue to serve the party with distinction. We are also very proud of His Excellency President David Granger’s selection of Mr. Brian Smith, the National Secretary of the GYSM, to serve as a Principal Political Secretary. We believe that this selection signals the leader’s continued commitment to young people and his willingness to include them in the decision-making of the party. We are indeed proud of Mr. Smith and are sure that he will execute his

duties with his trademark diligence.

The GYSM also takes this time to thank Mr. Oscar Clarke, CCH, for his years of dedicated and exemplary service to the party. Mr. Clarke has a wealth of knowledge and experience and we are confident that he will continue to be a great asset to the party, especially towards the young people of the GYSM who have always, and will continue to, look to him for advice and guidance.

Regards Guyana Youth and Student Movement

Dear Editor,

I REFER to a letter by Mr. E.B. John in SN edition of July 1st,2017 when he referred to the factory at Skeldon as a “failed computerised elephantine factory.” Editor, Mr. John’s utterances confirm that he needs to educate himself before peddling conclusive remarks on matters technical. In fact, Mr. John, who happens to be GuySuCo Human Resources Director since 2015, needs to enquire from his lord and master, the CEO of GuySuCo, about this factory. Since it is natural for senescence to be taking a toll on this director, I have an obligation to remind him that the present CEO of GuySuCo was a director for the company that managed the design, construction, testing

and commissioning of this computerised elephantine factory, which he also accepted without any reservations as the first Guyanese CEO after the Booker-Tate era.

It is unfortunate that GuySuCo’s G$1M/month Human Resources Director nests in a cozy office and creates spin in the media, laying blame on other stakeholders while matters under his direct purview are in a state of disorder. Since assuming the role of Human Resources Director, can Mr. John tell us when last he visited the frontline or work site of field and factory workers?

Having been conclusive on Skeldon, can he tell us when he walked Skeldon’s factory floors?

While sugar production is in free-fall, the corpora-

tion is mute on the causes why its lowly targets are not achieved and basic indices are not revealed. Here, I refer to one of Mr. John’s letters in the print media (KN edition of Nov. 26th, 2013- The increasingly curious ways of management of GuySuCo) where he stated: “In the meantime, one continues to wonder whether the public’s inaccessibility to basic production and productivity indices, e.g., the average yields of cane harvested, as well as those standing; factory sugar-processing per tonne per hour, is in fact a reflection of the mis-confidence felt by those who prefer spin.”

Regards Sookram Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8 2017

Massive drainage,enhancement Difficult to get access works ongoing in Region Five to GGMC officials

Dear Editor,

I WILL start off by saying, let the naysayers continue their negative works, but in Region Five, positive things are happening that had never happened for years under the PPP government.

This is shocking to some, as they talk negatively about the region on digital, print and social media. Those negative people won’t stop the positive works happening in Region Five and Guyana at large.

Over the past weeks, we saw unexpected rainfall in Region Five and I can safely say across Guyana at large.

Areas that are low have been severely affected and flooded in Region Five. Since the heavy rainfall is the act of God, we must be prepared to safeguard our residents and their livelihoods. And in Region Five, measures are being put in place to bring ease to the residents.

Over the past weeks, the regional administration has been working hand in hand with the Ministry of Agriculture, the NDIA, MMA\ADA and residents to bring much relief to the flood- affected areas. Areas that were affected saw much-needed relief as measures are being put in place across the region by the various agencies.

The reason for the water to be on the land for a while is because when the tide is high, the koker doors have to be locked. During this time, the waters from the backlands get into the residential drains and the main drainage canals, causing a rise in the water level. But as soon as the tides drop and the koker doors are opened, the water gets off the land in less than 45 minutes in some areas.

There are several self-locking doors and drainage tubes for protection of the various villages across Region Five.

Over the past month, myself, the REO and regional engineer have been visiting various villages in the region to look at the situation and to see how the administration could help as much as possible, so as to bring relief to the discomforted residents which were caused by the heavy rainfall.

At Trafalgar, there are five drainage pumps working when the tide is high and when the tide is low, the doors of the sluice go into

full swing. Also, new doors are being put on a structure at the said area that will help to bring much relief to the residents of Region Five. At Bush Lot Village, the NDIA has installed a drainage pump, however, the regional administration has also hired another pump that will help to drain the water at a faster rate. In the Trafalgar area, there is a NDIA pump up and running. NDIA has also installed a pump at District 10, Mahaica Creek. All the pumps have been working 24\7 so that the water can quickly get off the lands.

The sluices in Ithaca, Blairmont, Rosignol and D’Edward villages are also working when there is low tide. This helps to drain those areas quickly. There are also several self-locking kokers or tubes with self-locking doors functioning within those areas.

The regional administration over the past month has undertaken to clean several major drainage canals within the region. Some are being done manually, while longboom excavators are being used in some areas. The major canal works being undertaken by the RDC are located in Ithaca, Fort Wellington, Hopetown, Bush Lot, Litchfield, Vey Vey, Mahaica and Mahaica New Rd. A massive clean-up work and re-dredging of drainage canals were also done at the Mahaica Old Road that leads to the old bridge. This area was not cleaned for several years under the PPP. It was an eye sore for commuters who would usually use that route on a daily basis. Today under the APNU+AFC administration, that area was restored to its beauty or can I say better restord and was done to the satisfaction of the residents.

The regional administration has also embarked on clearing several small drainage trenches within the areas of Rosignol to No.5 villages, No.8 to Bath Settlement, Golden Grove to Belladrum, Mahaicony and Mahaica.

Over the past weeks, we have been on the ground, be it day or night, sun or rain working to ensure that much-needed help and relief come to the residents of the affected areas within the region. This seems to get some upset within the PPP. But while we are trying

to bring much-needed help to the people of Region Five, there are some within the region who are seeking political mileage by spreading false information about the situation and what causes the flood. The regional chairman took television and print media to some of the areas that are affected and talked about the silting up of some of the internal drains within the villages.

Well, I must let the chairman know that the NDC and the CIIP workers are responsible for getting some of the internal village drains cleaned. But several of the NDCs are controlled by the PPP and the CIIP workers have been failing to do what they have to do within those NDCs. Those PPP NDCs don’t care about the residents, so instead of trying to show that you, Mr. Chairman, is doing something positive for the region, you should go to those NDCs and visit the areas that they control and see what they are doing to hamper development.

This is how you can contribute to the development of the region, rather than to seek poor political mileage during a situation that residents are affected by, which was the main cause of heavy rainfall.

I must compliment the REO and regional engineer for devoting their time and ensure that they are there for the people after working hours and also on weekends.

I must compliment the administration for the steps they have taken in ensuring that the main drainage canals are being cleaned. I must compliment the REO and team for a work well done on the Mahaica Old and New roads.

Let us continue the positive works and partnerships for the people in Region Five and allow the PPP to be more annoyed because for 23 years they did nothing to better the situation in Region Five and Guyana at large.

By working like this and for all the people, it truly shows that the APNU+AFC administration is for all, no matter race, religion, politics, etc. In this way Mr. REO and team, we know that there is a Better Life For All under this APNU+AFC Government.

Regards Abel Seetaram

Dear Editor,

PLEASE allow me a few words to highlight my frustration with the GGMC Manager of Mines, Ms. McDonald and her secretary, Jacqueline Jones.

It is very difficult to get access to this manager and then it is even more difficult to have her address simple issues or have them resolved. Simple issues that could be immediately resolved take weeks if not

months. And when a miner has a dredge in the ‘bush’, every day it costs money to maintain that operation. So the time that she is wasting is literally costing miners money.

In my experience dealing with them both, I conclude that they do not wish to serve the public and I believe if that is the case, they should step aside and let other public servants take those positions.

We miners pay seven

per cent royalty on every ounce of gold and that money not only supports the GGMC, but the entire Guyana. We need people at the GGMC who are willing to assist us and allow our business venture to be successful, instead of employees like Ms. McDonald and her secretary who are obstacles to miners’ progress.

Regards Small Miner

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 8, 2017

Outgoing Dutch, Israeli Ambassadors bid farewell to Guyana

ISRAELI Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Mordehai Amihai-Bivas, said that there is a growing interest among Israeli companies with regard to Guyana as a potential investment destination.

He made this disclosure to President David Granger, during a farewell courtesy call on Friday at State House.

The Ambassador explained too that even though he was only accredited in February last year, he is being reassigned as a result of a restructuring process that his Government has embarked on, in order to forge stronger cooperation with the developing world. He also informed that his Government is working to arrange a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of State on the side lines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September.

He also, noted that there is tremendous scope for cooperation between Israel and CARICOM countries, particularly in the areas of agriculture and mining.

President Granger said that Guyana, with its enormous agricultural potential, looks forward to cooperating with Israel and learning about its cutting-edge farming technologies. “We look forward to more meaningful dialogue in these areas. The door is open and we can start with a pragmatic approach,” he said. In his short term in office, Ambassador Amihai-Bivas served as Israel’s diplomatic representative to seven Caribbean States, as well as to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Meanwhile, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Ernest Noorman, whose tour of duty has also come to an end, had a brief meeting with the President, during which he spoke glowingly

of the cordial relationship that Guyana has shared with the Netherlands over the years. The two sides have cooperated in many areas particularly water management, infrastructural development and, more recently, in the fight against climate change.

The Ambassador, who was accredited in March 2015, also updated the Head of State on the Dutch Government’s commitment of €4.2M for conservation and sustainable development of the Guiana Shield of which Guyana is at the centre.

The Netherlands and the European Union Commission have been the two major contributors to the Guiana Shield Facility, which is a multi-donor fund for the six countries with territories in the Shield; Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, Brazil, Venezuela and parts of Columbia. (Ministry of the Presidency)

President David Granger and outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Mordehai Amihai-Bivas at State House

Orealla-Siparuta youths get BIT training in Small Engine Repairs

OREALLA-Siparuta villages in the Corentyne River, East Berbice celebrated with thirty-one (31) young persons who graduated from the Ministry of Social Protection, Board of Industrial Training (BIT) in Small Engine Repairs on Wednesday.

Department of Public of Information spoke with some of the graduates and they shared their thoughts.

Stevan Crickshank of Orealla village noted that his experience on the training has given him a push in life. “It actually got me a job. I want to thank the government and thank whoever came up with this idea and I can assure them that this thing has not gone in vain and I’m happy” Crickshank said.

Santos Johannis, who plans to help his neighbours around the community and also teach them some of

BIT Technical Officer, Richard Maughn, Officials from BIT, Toshaos, David Henry and Graduates from Orealla-Siparuta what he has learnt said that, he will look towards furthering his education. “The training was good. It really helped pushed the folks, the young people from Siparuta to another standard,” Johannis added.

Being one of the five females on the training, Vicky

Williams noted that the programme was difficult at first but as time progressed things fell into place. “I want to further my education first. So (that), I could at least get a bit more knowledge and then go way beyond heights,” Williams explained.

The Toshao of the sis-

ter villages, David Henry said that he is appreciative that the government has chosen his communities for the training programme and those interior villages are benefiting from some of the government proceeds.

BIT Technical Officer, Richard Maughn said that

BIT is pleased to be able to fulfill its mandate to train another group of indigenous people, equipping them with marketable skills. “The training that you have received has enabled, has established the opportunity for you to experience social and economic empowerment. Ad-

ditionally, you must note that the one who possess the skills such as you have received, possess the key to sustain his or her livelihood thereby being able to reduce poverty for him or herself as well as his or her family,” Maughn explained.

The Board of Industrial Training (BIT), National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) was launched in 2005 to provide national training for capacity-building and youth empowerment. Youths are trained countrywide, in their communities or nearby to ensure they attend sessions regularly. They are also given a stipend and tools for the training.

Upon successful completion of their training, they are given tools to conduct their trade or craft as a small business or as an employee. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 8, 2017

156 youths equipped with technical skills

SOME 156 young people from vulnerable communities are now equipped with technical skills and the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) held a graduation in honour of their achievement at Umana Yana, Georgetown on Thursday.

The graduates hail from the Bell West Skills Training Centre, Buxton Skills Training Centre and the Training to Help Realise Innovative Ventures and Entrepreneurship (THRIVE) Centre.

Delivering the feature address, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said, according to the International Development Bank (IDB), Guyana has persistently high unemployment.

And two of the main factors contributing to high unemployment in Guyana are school drop outs and lack of marketable skills among many youths and women.

“These two obstacles to Guyana’s growth are made even more frightening when you consider that there is a perception that some youths want material gains, while lacking the wherewithal to do so,” the minister said.

Government’s policies, he said are geared towards

The best-graduating, most improved and persevering students gathered to take a picture with Finance Minister, Winston Jordan lowering the unemployment rate through job opportunities.

“I am heartened and extremely hopeful for the future when young people take the reins of their life and begin to set a course for their legacy,” he said.

The graduation was somewhat a bitter-sweet moment for the minister, who noted that “It is happening at a time when another young graduate met his demise while attempting to rob a bank.”

“You have to work for

Gov’t concerned about vandalism of drainage structures at Black Bush

By Alva Solomon

AS flood waters impact cattle farmers at Black Bush Polder on the Corentyne, the authorities are concerned that persons may attempt to drain water by breaking the banks of empoldered areas, a situation which can destroy adjacent rice farms.

At the same time, government has refuted statements made by an opposition-aligned Region Six official, who stated that a shortage of fuel and lubricants has added to the flood woes faced by the region.

Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, told the media during a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday that the level of the Canje Creek has swollen and as such there is inundation at areas which are not affixed with drainage and irrigation infrastructure. Those areas include the Cookrite Creek Savannah, as well as the Sukhram Pasture, areas where there was no recorded history of floods.

“So the cattle population is in jeopardy”, Holder said, noting that an aerial surveillance has shown that there have not been much carcasses in the affected areas.

He noted that the area cannot be drained into the swollen Canje Creek and he noted that engineers are on the ground assessing the situation. The Agriculture Minister said additional pumps have been sent to the location but he noted that this can prove

problematic since the waters from the cattle lands can enter the rice lands, much to the detriment of the rice under cultivation.

He said the situation is being observed since some cattle farmers may attempt to drain their pastures into the rice lands to arrest the situation.

Holder said the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has installed pumps at Lesbeholden, Numbers 46, 49 and 52 villages on the Corentyne to bring relief to the cattle farms. In addition, excavators are cleaning canals in the area.

He said if there is no excessive rainfall over the next 3 to 4 days, the situation will improve.

Head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Colonel (retired) Chabilall Ramsarup told the media at the press briefing that another area in Canje, the Baracara, is also affected by flood waters. He said 3000 to 5000 heads of cattle are at that location. Ramsarup recounted that during the 2005 floods, grass from along the coastland was cut and transported to the affected locations by raft. However, he noted that an aerial assessment of the situation at the moment, such as one undertaken at the Cookrite Savannah has indicated that the situation would be “a harder nut to crack” in terms of ferrying grass to feed the affected cattle. Ramsarup suggested see page 10

your wealth, no matter how small it may be; it can only be done through the acquisition of skills through an education,” he said.

The skills and training of the graduates, he said are needed in the country.

“With the recent find of oil and gas, these skills will be in heavy demand. There will be need for mechanics, welders, steel benders and so on. Even certificates in food and beverages will be in demand.

“The education system is now being reoriented in of many ways in terms of our department in innovation and reform,” he said.

Government has acquired a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank for the establishment of a tourism

and hospitality school and technical and vocational skills training.

“Just two months ago I signed a MoU [Memorandum of Understanding] with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to reduce youth involvement in crime and violence in certain targeted communities,” he said.

Best graduating student in Garment Construction, Danetta Mc Clurehm, of the Buxton Skills Training Centre was overwhelmed by her achievement.

She intends to start her own business and help her fellow Buxtonians.

Kayla Glen, who was adjudged Best Graduating Student of woodworking from the Buxton Skills Training

Centre, said being a girl, she did not expect the award.

She is hoping to open a business and to further her studies in joinery.

Since in 1979, the BNTF Programme has been contributing to poverty reduction in targeted communities by providing infrastructure and livelihood enhancement services, nationally and regionally.

So far, there have been seven BNTF programme cycles, implementing over 2,000 sub-projects to directly impact the lives of more than 2.8 million people in poor communities.

The programme supports a socially inclusive development process that empowers the poor and vulnerable and supports institutional development.

Best Graduating Student of woodworking, Kayla Glen, receives her award from Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8, 2017

Court action filed to scrap SARA bill RUSSIAN-trained lawyer and former Presidential Advisor, Ramon Gaskin has filed court documents challenging the legality of the Act governing the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA).

Court documents filed in the Supreme Court before Chief Justice Roxanne Wiltshire Thursday contend that the recently passed legislation is in direct conflict with several elements of the Constitution and its challenger is seeking to have the entire Act scrapped.

Christopher Ram and Davindra Kissoon are lead attorneys in the matter.

Kissoon told the Guyana Chronicle Friday that the SARA legislation is being challenged because it is “unconstitutional”. He said the new law interferes with the legal professional privilege, it gives the director of SARA “impermissible” powers, reverses the evidential burden of proof, interferes with citizens right to privacy and the violation of separation of powers among several other claims.

Kissoon said there are sections of the SARA legislation that gives the director of the agency the power to appoint persons as police and customs officials, while the agency has the power to cease peoples’ items ex-parte or without them having a chance to defend themselves.

Gaskin told the newspaper that in his perusal of the SARA legislation he found as many as 80 sections and subsections that violate the Constitution including Articles 142, 144, 146, 212, 216 among several others.

Gaskin said that Article 142 of the Constitution which speaks to the protection of citizens from depravation of property states that, “No property of any description shall be compulsory taken possession of, and no interest in or right over property of any description shall be compulsory acquired, except by or under the authority of a written law.” At Section 29 of the SARA law, Gaskin said it claims contrary, that a restraining order could be made on an ex-parte application to a judge in cham-

bers, and it could contain provisions, conditions and restrictions laid out by the court; in the absence of the affected party.

Gaskin said he is concerned that the SARA law speaks to a fund where 25 percent of sums garnered from the seizure of assets is placed. According to the Laws of Guyana, all monies belonging to the state must go into the Consolidated Fund. This section, Gaskin claimed, leaves space for a “slush fund”.

The lawyer took further issue with Section 9 (1) of the SARA legislation. It says that the SARA director can request the finance minister to instruct the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), “to designate the director and other named officers of SARA as persons having the powers of a revenue and customers officer.” Likewise, the SARA director can request that the public security minister instruct the Commissioner of Police, “to designate the director and other named officers of

Ramon Gaskin

SARA as persons having the powers of a police officer and an immigration officer.”

Gaskin contended that

legislation dealing with money laundering and asset recovery, for example, already existed. Outside of that, he said that the SARA law is encroaching on the country’s substantive laws.

“An ordinary law passed by Parliament cannot disrupt the entire Constitution,” Gaskin charged.

The SARA Bill was passed in April amidst heated debate, and the eventual walk out by the opposition side of the House who wanted the bill repealed or sent to special select committee. SARA was developed, “… in consonance with the United Nations 2003 Convention against Corruption

and signed on to by the previous administration. Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall had said that the SARA law brought much fear and apprehension to the business community.

But the government had stated at the time that it was only concerned with recovering state asset stolen by what was described as an “extremely corrupt” outgoing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government and friends. Gaskin’s matter against the state is set for August 3. Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams was named the number defendant.

Gov’t concerned about vandalism ...

From page 9

that mounds be built at the areas in future as a preventative measure.

Meanwhile, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, in response to queries on whether opposition aligned Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC’s) may be sabotaging infrastructure in Region Six, noted that he does not know of any credible information, nor at the level of the Cabinet. Harmon refuted statements made by a regional official who is aligned to the Opposition.

The official noted that some of pumps were not functioning because the government has cut the budget for that

agency. “Clearly this is a serious bit of propaganda by the regional official from the Peoples Progressive Party”, Harmon said.

He read budgetary information from the Finance Ministry and noted that Agency 76, the East Berbice/ Corentyne was allocated $309,773,000 in the 2017 national budget. He said to date $58,463,000 was spent, and a balance of $251,309,000 has been unspent. He said that under the maintenance of drainage and irrigation infrastructure, the region was allocated a sum of $257M and to date $78M was spent by the regional administration. Har-

mon added too, that under the public works programme agenda, an allocation of $5M was made under fuel and lubricants and to date $898,000 was spent by the region.

“So that when these regional officials seek to give the impression that it was a lack of resources provided by the Central government that was causing this problem , the figures tell a different story”, Minister Harmon noted.

He said the people of Region Six should understand that the leaders of the region must act in accordance with their respective responsibilities rather than political undertakings.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8 2017

Civil Aviation Authority training school recertified THE Civil Aviation Training School (CATS) on Thursday received its accreditation at a simple ceremony held at the Air Traffic Control Tower, Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.

Formerly known as the Guyana Air Traffic Services Training School and more recently as the Air Navigation Services Training School, the CATS was originally established in 1979 and certified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It provided training for almost four decades, a release stated.. Certification is evidence-based and the school lost its certification over time. Notwithstanding the setback, the school continued to provide training to ICAO standards, producing persons who were able to secure jobs as Air Traffic Controllers in other jurisdictions,

and have been commended for their skills, knowledge and aptitude.

In delivering the feature address, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, noted that the certification of the school means that the institution will be able to offer courses approved and recognised by the ICAO. The Minister also commended the staff of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for their hard work and dedication in getting the school recertified to ICAO standards by the GCAA regulatory arm. Certification by a government is critical to being an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) and is essential for the training of persons to acquire an air traffic control license. It is also critical to becoming an ICAO TrainAIR Plus Centre which is in its mandate.

Director General of GCAA, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Egbert Field, in his address noted that the recertification of the training institution came as a result of an audit done by ICAO in 2007 and 2017, which highlighted several deficiencies including the need for continuous training of Air Traffic Control Officers. In 2017, the GCAA, with the support of the government, embarked on a planned programme focused on training of its personnel and correcting the other deficiencies highlighted by the ICAO. The sum of $113 million was budgeted for capacity building initiatives for personnel of GCAA. Mr. Field noted that training is not only beneficial for the individual, but also the Authority and the country. He encouraged the staff of GCAA to take full advantage of the training

Director General of GCAA, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Egbert Field, presents the accreditation certificate to Mr. Courtney Frank, Manager of the Civil Aviation Training School, with its newly acquired and commissioned 3D Simulator in the background.

opportunities being provided by the Authority so that they can meet the numerous challenges ahead and make the GCAA better equipped to discharge its function.

The Civil Aviation

Training School will continue to provide training for Aeronautical Information Services Officers and Air Traffic Controllers at every level including; Aerodrome, Approach and

Area Control (non-radar).

The school will also provide training in other areas such as Dangerous Goods, Safety Management Systems and other courses in aviation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8, 2017

More than 350 successful businesses established --HEYS programme making its mark GOVERNMENT’S leading youth programme, which targets capacity-building, the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) executed under the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has scored notable successes since its introduction.

This flagship programme rolled out a year ago has seen 1862 youths from 112 indigenous villages across the 10 administrative regions given the opportunity to discover how they can operate in any environment, while learning vital skills.

The curriculum supported the intellectual growth of the nation’s indigenous youth, while also offering them an opportunity for moral development through the capacity building’s core curriculum.

The programme ensured they channelled their energies towards identifying their strengths, interests, challenges, as well as understanding the value of team work, building trust and becoming financially independent. It also prepared them for the

world of work, earning honestly and not being dependent on handouts.

The HEYS Department in its review, reported that more than 350 businesses were established under the youth programme, a figure Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alfred King, said is commendable.

It was recognised that despite challenges in terms of remoteness, the youth were able to demonstrate the importance of working together since the groups established were able to successfully execute several projects.

Among the businesses established were several grocery shops, poultry production, pig and small ruminants’ production, boutiques, Internet café, furniture manufacturing and eco-tourism destinations.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and who has direct responsibility for Youth Development, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, was pleased with the achievement.

“I am very proud that the

indigenous youth grasped the opportunity to actually established businesses within their communities. This, of course, was due to the fact that the BYOB training was part of the programme; hence, youth were able to identify business opportunities that can prove successful within their own villages. I have visited several villages and was amazed at the various businesses that were in operation, either in groups or individually,” the Minister said.

With this aspect of the programme coming to an end, the minister said: “I wish them well and encourage them to focus, do not give up and do not be afraid to explore new business ideas, especially within the tourism industry.”

A spinoff of the HEYS programme, the Sun Dried Tomato Project, a sustainable, green economic initiative undertaken in Paramakatoi, Region Eight, which is unique to the hinterland, is currently creating employment for more than 50

farmers.

“Under the careful guidance of the Chief Coop Officer from the Ministry of Social Protection, a farmers’ cooperative has been formed and their first harvest will be in August. More than 30 persons have already been trained in food/ agro process-

ing by the Board of Industrial Training and are now eagerly awaiting their stint in the processing facility,” Minister Garrido-Lowe said.

The Sun Dried Tomato Facility will be opened shortly.

Throughout the duration of the programme, youth

from a number of villages spoke about the opportunities this initiative has afforded them in positively changing their lives.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the programme will be rolled out shortly in 100 villages in regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

Proprietors attend to their new businesses

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8 2017

Garbage contractors on strike again

By Telesha Ramnarine

TWO of Georgetown’s major garbage contractors, Puran Brothers Disposal Services and Cevons Waste Management, have informed the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on Friday morning that they will be taking industrial action with immediate effect.

Although not a complete pull out, as the contractors will continue to clear garbage from the municipal markets and some other facilities, there will however, be no garbage collection from households between Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Agricola, on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

The contractors, last Wednesday, had signalled their intention to the M&CC that they will pull their services and were subsequently invited to a meeting at City Hall to negotiate.

City Hall provided a written proposal to the firms as to when payments for garbage collection will resume. M&CC is owing in excess of $300M. Instead of receiving a feedback from the contractors on the proposed way forward, City Hall received telephone calls that the companies would be taking strike action.

Contacted Friday, both contractors acknowledged that they decided to pull their services due to outstanding balances from the M&CC. While Managing Director for Puran’s Kaleshwar Puran, opted not to comment further on the issue, Cevon’s Director Morse Archer offered that the M&CC owes them for services dating back to August 2015.

Archer is saying that the company has to be paid a substantial amount before it resumes any work.

But Solid Waste Management Director Walter

“As a result, the Council entered into discussions with the two contractors and offered a proposal going forward to settle its accounts with them. The proposal is with our contractors and the Council awaits their counter proposal and general reaction to it,” City Hall said.

Solid Waste Management Director Walter Narine

Narine told Chronicle on Friday that he expected some more maturity on the part of the garbage contractors.

“This is not good for Georgetown and even for all the employees that they (the contractors) had to send home. Some more maturity should have been shown. If they didn’t like our proposal, they could have come back to us and say so.

But we’ve been doing business with them for many years now and so I am very confident that they will come back to us with a proposal,” said Narine.

According to him, City Hall will not continue negotiations under duress and the contractors will have to resume work before such negotiations can proceed.

Narine said he has already put in place some arrangements to deal with this new development.

“We have some small contractors, together with us (M&CC). We will have to manage,” he said.

INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT Just last month, Town Clerk, Royston King told city councillors that the M&CC was finding it

increasingly difficult to honour its financial obligations to the contractors.

He said Council has been trying to keep up with current bills, although it has outstanding amounts for the years 2015 and 2016.

King said it was “extremely difficult” for the Council to sustain payments to these contractors because the municipality is being asked to do more with less resources. He pointed out that the Council is now doing more drainage works than it did before.

Although help has been forthcoming from the Ministry of Infrastructure, it is often inadequate, King noted, and called for the commercial fee to be implemented as soon as possible, and for the container-fee issue to be sorted out.

Meanwhile, in a press statement, the M&CC said the monthly payment to both contractors is $45M. “Council’s limited financial resources, combined with its conduct to its employees and statutory obligations to provide a wide range of vital municipal services to local communities, has facilitated a payment delay on the current accounts of the contractors for 2017.

In the meantime, M&CC said the administration will employ all of its resources using an inter-departmental approach to keep the City clean and that a schedule of new collection arrangements and advisories will be published in the local media shortly.

Furthermore, M&CC

said the City Treasurer’s Department has intensified its revenue collection drive to recover outstanding sums owed by cor porations and individual property owners.

“Council needs every cent of its money owed by defaulters to continue to provide essential City services.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 8, 2017

23 ranks graduate from Arms Instructors Course

TWENTY-THREE ranks, including six members of the Guyana Police Force, successfully completed the Arms Instructors Course 2017-01, which concluded recently at Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri.

Sergeant Ralph Osborne of the Training Corps was adjudged the Best Graduating Student of the skill course. Sergeant Adesini Benjamin also of Training Corps received the

Runner-up prize.

The course is intended to equip students with the necessary skills to plan, conduct, and supervise live firing and live grenade throwing, in accordance with the GDF Shooting Policy and Pamphlet No. 21 Regulations for planning, conduct and supervision of training with infantry weapons systems and pyrotechnics.

Best graduating student Sergeant Ralph Osborne pose with six members of the Guyana Police Force

Haitians injured after car hits donkey

FIVE Haitians who were reportedly heading to Suriname have suffered injuries after the car in which they were travelling hit a donkey on the Number 53 Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice Friday morning.

The accident reportedly occurred at 05:15 hrs and the car in which they were travelling HC 5547 was driven by a fireman of Corentyne, Berbice. Police are investigating if the injured were victims of trafficking-in-persons.

Reports say the car was proceeding north along the western side corridor of the road at a fast rate when a donkey suddenly ran into its path.

The driver tried to swerve away from the animal and lost control of the vehicle which toppled several times before coming to a halt.

Passengers Dossier Farantazcia, 15; Dia Doxine, 19; Helas Naima, 5; Dossier James, 15; and Ony Jean Pierre, 15 were injured in the

accident.

They were taken to Skeldon Hospital where they were seen by a doctor who treated the driver and Dossier Farantazcia for minor injury.

The other passengers who suffered more serious injuries were transferred to New Amsterdam Public Hospital where they have been admitted.

The driver has been arrested and is in custody at the Number 51 Police Stations.

Man charged for stealing bicycle, wristwatch

T W O m e n o n F r i d a y, found them themselves in the Magistrate Court after pressing charges against each other on a related incident.

It is alleged that on July 4, 2017, at Thomas Street Kitty, Georgetown, Sandro Roy Donner stole one bicycle valued $35,000 and a watch valued at $19,000, totaling $54,000, property of Mark Hubert.

According to the police,

on July 4, 2017, at 06:00am Hubert left for work and proceeded to Thomas Street, Georgetown where he parked his bicycle as he waited for his work place to open. At 15:00hrs, Hubert returned for his bicycle, which at his surprise was missing. Hubert with the use of a surveillance camera that was in the vicinity where he parked his bicycle, discovered that it was Dooner who had stolen his bicycle. The footage was

shown to the police and an investigation was carried out.

Donner pled guilty to the offence and was fined $40,000 by Magistrate Leron Daly. If Dooner fails to pay the fine he will spend the next six months in prison. It is also alleged that on July 5, 2017, Hubert assaulted Donner.

Hubert pled not guilty to the offence and was placed on $20,000 bail. He is expected to return to court on July 14, 2017.

Man fined $50,000 for wounding friend

A MAN was fined $50,000 for wounding his friend earlier this week when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

It is alleged that on June 26, 2017 at High Street, Georgetown, Mark Valen-

tine unlawfully and maliciously wounded Lancy Liverpool.

According to the police, Valentine and Liverpool are known to each other and the two men had a misunderstanding, which led to an exchange of words, resulting

in a fight. An investigation was carried out on the case.

The defendant pled guilty to the offence and was fined $50,000 by Magistrate Leron Daly.

Liverpool was free to go since there was no charge against him.

Waddle pleaded guilty after the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was applied to the charge.

The items he stole were: one water pump, one pressure washer, one gas engine and sixty trays of eggs. The prosecution’s facts are that on July 3, Edun secured his store room leaving everything intact. When he returned the following day he noticed the western door was tampered

and he discovered the said articles missing.

An investigation was launched when the matter was reported to the police, who went to the house of the defendant and the items were found there.

The items were positively identified by Edun.

When Waddle was told of the allegation he said that he would buy the items back.

Jail for burglar TWENTY-THREE-YEAROLD farmers, Leon Waddle, was on Friday sentenced to 18 months in imprisonment by City Magistrate Sunil Scarce on a break and enter and larceny charge committed on the store room of Shiduik Mohammad Edun at Kuru Kururu between July 3 and 4, 2017 from where he stole a quantity of items to the value of $951,000.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8 2017

CARICOM pursues cheaper regional flights -CDB to do cost analysis of regional airline industry

By Ravin Singh in Grenada THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) under the Chairmanship of Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, will be making an ambitious attempt to have the regional airline tax reduced.

In his inaugural speech at the opening of the 38th Meeting of CARICOM Heads on Tuesday in Grenada, Dr. Mitchell lamented that, comparatively, intra-regional air travel is more expensive than destinations outside of the region.

“Weak domestic and intra-regional air travel, added to low service competition and high travel costs—all culminate in the reality that Caribbean countries connect more easily to destinations outside of the region than to destinations within Member States” he reminded other Heads of Government.

Noting that transportation remains the life-blood of the regional integration process, the Chairman said that it would represent a significant installment to the regional integration account if leaders collectively agree to reduce airline ticket taxes, as well as, other fees attached to the cost of intra-regional air travel.

And, at a Thursday evening press conference which followed the conclusion of the meeting, the CARICOM Chairman informed journalists that the Heads of Government had agreed that air transportation in the region has to improve.

Building on this realisation, Dr. Mitchell disclosed that heads agreed to implement measures to facilitate the ease of travel in the region, and mandated the government-owned airlines to continue working towards increasing the level of collaboration and coordination in the region.

He noted too that there was agreement on the need for the establishment of a single airspace. To pursue this, Dr. Mitchell said that the CARICOM Secretariat was mandated to work with relevant agencies to define a roadmap and identify the necessary process for its implementation.

Further, he revealed that it was agreed that issues of aviation taxes regime within the context of appropriate mechanism for the financing of civil aviation, would be examined. As such, the Chairman related that the regional bloc requested the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to finance a story on the impact of aviation taxes on economy of member states.

Should this cost assessment recommend a reduction or elimination of taxes on air transport in the region, it means that CARICOM nationals will benefit significantly.

Meanwhile, a bitter aviation dispute has erupted within the regional movement. Unable to restrain himself, the newly-appointed Chairman in his opening remarks took aim at the management of LIAT airlines.

“I have long held the belief that political presence on the board of airlines, such as LIAT, is not helpful to its proper management and efficiency” Dr. Mitchell said.

The Chairman opined that LIAT’s sustainability would have benefitted it more, if it was run more as a private sector company. He offered that governments could then subsidise flights to given destinations or routes that are in the best interest of their respective countries.

“Colleagues, how could LIAT thrive when, for example, a few months ago, literally overnight, LIAT cancelled one of its most lucrative routes to and from Grenada, without any consultation with the citizens or leadership of Grenada?” the Grenadian leader questioned rhetorically.

He suggested that the move was “…all based on politics,” and that “we have to do better as a region”.

LIAT is owned by several governments in the region, including that of St Vincent and the Grenadines. And, those remarks were rejected by that country’s Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves.

“PM Mitchell’s speech was unfortunate in two respects.

We disagree on LIAT. But to say the decisions which are made at the board level, is political, he just doesn’t get it; in relation to how the LIAT board is comprised” he said, adding that the Chairman of LIAT’s board is a distinguished former diplomat of Barbados. That Chairman is Dr. Jean Holder.

PM Gonsalves argued too that the mandate that the airline has, within the context of the 10 aircrafts they are operating, dictates that they are deployed the best way they can, professionally.

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Guyanese killed by stray bullet in Florida Everglades LAWRENCE Ramdass and his family and friends often enjoyed going fishing in the Everglades of Florida. It did not matter if they caught anything. It was just a time to be together. Wednesday last was no different until a stray bullet ended the life of this beloved man.

“My brother was good, loving, sweet, kind, never says any bad word to anyone,” said Ramdass’ sister, Sandy Stallone.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s investigators say Ram-

dass was shot and killed in an accidental shooting in the Holey Land Wildlife Management Area near the Broward-Palm Beach County line Wednesday evening.

He was with two family members at the time. Investigators believe the person who fired the gun may not even know that they hit someone.

However, detectives want to find out who fired the fatal shot; So does Ramdass’ cousin, Vineta Harnarrine.

“I just want the truth,” she said.

Harnarrine said the people fishing with her brother said the shooter fired off more than 15 rounds in about one minute. One of those bullets hit Ramdass as the others scattered for cover. “You don’t go out in the wild and fire shots and fire shots out of your sight where you don’t see what you’re shooting or who is behind a bush someplace or a corner that you can’t see,” Harnarrine said.

Harnarrine said this family is extremely close, with cousins having grown up

together, hanging out and being more like brothers and sisters. She said the pain for Ramdass’s mother is unbearable. “She’s just screaming all night,” Harnarrine said. “She doesn’t want to live anymore.

It’s such a great loss.”

The most important things for this family are to grieve together and to make sure the person who fired the shot that killed Lawrence Ramdass is held accountable.

“Whosoever did this to my brother would have the decency to come forward

and admit it because I don’t feel it was an accident,” said Stallone. “A stray bullet don’t just hit somebody sitting in a boat.”

A spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told CBS4 News that under state regulations for this time of year, it is illegal to have a firearm or to hunt in that area of the Holey Land Wildlife Management Area.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation.

Dead: Lawrence Ramdass

T&T soldiers among 75 to commence GDF training SEVENTY-FIVE soldiers from units across the Force as well as two from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) have commenced training on the Junior Leaders Course 2017-02.

The JLC will run for 12 weeks and is intended to equip soldiers with the necessary skills to lead and administer a section, squad or equivalent in peacetime or combat.

Deputy Chief of Staff (COS), Colonel Nazrul Hussain, officially declared the course open on Friday at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS) lecture hall, Base Camp Stephenson.

He implored the soldiers to work hard for best results.

The two Trinidadian soldiers, LCPL Alister Maxwell and PTE Adrian Haynes, have indicated that while the training thus far is arduous,

it has brought them close to actual combat since they are exposed to grenades and other battle handling exercises, for the first time in their military careers.

The Course will cover a number of a number of areas including Open and Close Country Warfare, Drills, Field Craft, Military History, Skill at Arms,Signals,First Aid, Leadership and Administration.

A section of the soldiers that will be trained in the Junior Leaders Course

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 8, 2017

Food For The Poor launches wheelchair distribution programme

FOOD For The Poor (Guyana) Incorporated in collaboration with the Free Wheelchair Mission of the United States of America (USA) launched its third Wheelchair Distribution Programme on Thursday.

The distribution was conducted by the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, the Palms, St. Francis Developers in Berbice, Linden Hospital Complex, the Suddie Hospital in Essequibo and at the FFTP (Guyana) Inc. location. Persons in need of wheelchairs can contact Ms. Hyacinth Massay, Ms. Barbara Lawrence, Mr. Alex Foster, Ms. Bollers or Ms. Donella Drakes, Dr. Sonia Gray and Mr. Compton Giddings respectively of the various organisations mentioned above.

While those in need of wheelchairs are able to receive them at no cost, the name, address, copy of their identification card and a most recent photograph displaying the disability of the person in need or a recommendation from a doctor must be submitted to the various entities to verify their authenticity. Persons collecting wheelchairs on behalf of those in need are also required to walk with some form

of identification.

FFP also distributes Personal Energy Transportation (PET) carts and electronic wheelchairs to those in need to assist with their mobility.

Mr. Michael Abrams on receipt of his PET cart said “I will cherish this until I die.�

The Free Wheelchair Mission was founded by Laurie and Don Schoendorfer in 2001 as a faith-based, non-profit humanitarian organisation; it has over the years been able to provide wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations.

The collaboration which began in 2015 saw a total of over 1000 wheelchairs being distributed across the country and over 500 more are expected to be allotted to those in need this year.

There are two types of wheelchairs to be distributed; the GEN2, which is not collapsible and the GEN3, which is collapsible. The recipients of the wheelchairs have expressed gratitude and thanks to FFP. The wheelchairs provide comfort and enable users to be mobile; to visit relatives, friends and health clinics in their communities.

FFTP officials as they presented a wheelchair to a citizen on Thursday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 8, 2017

NPTAB never approved $630M drug purchase

By Svetlana Marshall

THE National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) never approved the purchase of the more than $630M in “emergency pharmaceutical supplies” for the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), the National Assembly was informed on Friday, confirming reports by the Guyana Chronicle that the purchase was made without knowledge and approval of NPTAB. Responding to a series of written questions by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill, on whether requests were made by GPHC for the waiver of tender procedures for the procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for the period January 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan responded in the positive while providing a long list of requests.

In his response, however, Minister Jordan made it clear that the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board’s procedures are not waived. “The Board would take into account the most appropriate method of procurement as prescribed under the Procurement Act 2003, applying/recommending, in the first instance Open Tendering which is mandatory. The other methods are used when the appropriate conditions apply,” the Finance Minister explained.

Other procedures include Restricted Tendering, Re-

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan quest for Quotations, and in the case of an emergency or in order to avoid catastrophic event – Single Sourcing.

“The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board only grants approval to use an appropriate method of procurement and does not grant waivers,” Minister Jordan reiterated.

Notably, the Minister in his response, named 14 instances when approvals were granted based on requests from GPHC. It noted too that four requests were denied by the NPTAB. Those requests had to do with the procurement of the more than $630M in emergency drugs and medical supplies.

According to the written response supplied to the House, GPHC had made a request for the procurement of $2.9M in emergency pharmaceutical supplies from Health 2000 by way of Single Sourcing. It was explained that the items were required urgently. Additionally, the

Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence hospital indicated that “it was impractical to use the Open or Restricted Method of Procurement, due to the time required to utilise those methods of procurement.” That request was not approved by the Tender Board.

Secondly, GPHC requested permission for the procurement of emergency pharmaceutical supplies to the tune of $20.8M from New GPC via Single Sourcing.

A similar explanation was offered but the request was denied.

The hospital had also requested the procurement of emergency pharmaceutical supplies via sole sourcing from Chirosyn Discovery at a cost of $2.1M but that too was denied. The final request by the hospital for the reporting period was made for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies from Ansa McAl at a cost of $605.9M via sole sourcing and like the previous three, the request was disapproved.

In another series of questions, Bishop Edghill asked whether similar requests were made by the Public Health Ministry and, while the Finance Minister responded in the affirmative and provided a list of the requests, none was linked to the controversial procurement of the more than $630M in emergency pharmaceuticals.

Top sources at the Public Health Ministry had told Guyana Chronicle that it was the hospital’s former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alan Johnson, and the Finance Director, Ronald Charles, who teamed up to sole source the drugs.

during which the shortages of drugs were confirmed, the hospital’s Finance Director was summoned to a meeting.

It is alleged, that during the meeting, Charles was instructed to meet with Berkley Wickham, NPTAB Chairman and explain the need for the fast-tracking of the pharmaceutical emergency supplies.

The senior hospital official, the source said, also needed clarity on whether there were provisions within the National Procurement and Tendering System for an addition to be made to the original bid document, given the fact that the suppliers had already bought the original

GPHC Finance Director, Ronald Charles

Former GPHC CEO, Allan Johnson

Johnson was fired in June, 2017 by the GPHC Board of Directors following “a series of lapses,” which included the embarrassment of the Corporation before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on May 29.

According to a top source at the Ministry, following a meeting with the Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, in early February,

document.

Additionally, the source said, Charles was constantly told by the senior official to proceed with the Emergency Supplies Bids in the “name of transparency, warning him, that any attempt to obstruct the process by annulment would cause ‘eyebrows to raise.’

But the pleas by the senior hospital official, the

source contended, fell on deaf ears. “Unknowingly to his superior, Charles cancelled the bid and requested, as a matter of emergency that the drugs be sole-sourced.

And, he had the backing of Johnson,” the ministry source maintained.

It is alleged that the Finance Director wrote the NPTAB Chairman requesting that the Emergency Supplies Bid Document be cancelled. In that letter, which was allegedly signed by the then CEO (Johnson), Charles sought to have the emergency drugs sole-sourced. Charles, Guyana Chronicle was told, proceeded to compile a list of the critical drugs which was subsequently given to four suppliers: Ana McAl, New GPC, Health 2000 and Chirosyn Discoveries, for the submission of quotations based on the document.

Attempts, the source said, were made to have Minister Lawrence sign off on the documents but she had reportedly declined noting that there was an established system to be followed.

“It was the CEO who had prepared the letters for the four suppliers, telling them to proceed with the process,” the source pointed out.

According to the source, it was after the drugs were delivered at the end of February that a letter was sent to the NPTAB requesting that payments be made to the four suppliers.

When Minister Lawrence appeared before the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) in June, 2017 she denied approving the purchase of the drugs.

Flood-hit Rupununi farmers Cocaine swallower gets being urged to reap their crops four years, fined $5M

REGION Nine farmers are being advised to reap their crops as the flood situation in the area continue to be monitored by the authorities.

Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Head, Colonel (retired) Chabilall Ramsarup told the media on Friday during a post-Cabinet briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency that the region’s floods are worrisome at this time. The floodwaters there are being attributed to the swollen waterways on the border with Brazil; the Ireng and the Takutu Rivers.

Those waterways have overtopped and as the rains pour in northern Brazil the Rio Bronco in the neighbouring country has been pouring into the Takutu and Ireng

Rivers.

Ramsarup said that the water level at the town of Lethem has dropped, however it is the sub-regions within the Rupununi which are flooded. “We advise the farmers down there to reap all the crops that they can reap”, he said. He noted that there is no shortage of food at the moment, however if the conditions persist the situation may be on the contrary. He said weather forecasts indicate that there will be rains throughout this weekend in Brazil and this can lead to a rise in water levels.

Ramasarup said a truck is leaving Georgetown with relief supplies for affected residents as well as nutrient for animals. That truck will leave for the Rupununi this

weekend. He advised that even through the water levels are receding in Lethem; persons should follow all necessary precautions as regards returning to their affected homes. The Guyana Chronicle was informed by residents of the South Central Rupununi that farm lands near the village of Potarinau washed away earlier this week. Toshao Paulinus Albert noted that six homes collapsed under the flood waters while 15 farms were inundated.

Regional and government officials have reported that the floods in the Rupununi are not as severe as the 2011 floods which swamped the region. Those floods weer also attributed to swollen waterways within the region

and the Rio Branco which poured water into the Takutu and Ireng rivers.

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine is providing relief to residents affected by flooding. An Emergency Management Committee was established to manage and coordinate the disaster response operations, with technical support from the CDC. Two emergency shelters have been established at Arapaima Primary and Culvert City Nursery Schools; these shelters have a total of 12 households (43 persons).

The floods have displaced a number of persons in Lethem and its environs and affected farms in all five sub-districts in the region.

A 35-YEAR-OLD man was on Friday sentenced to four years jail after pleading guilty to the charge of drug possession by Magistrate Leron Daly.

It is alleged that on July 3, 2017 at the Woodlands Hospital, Eaion Le Blanc had in his possession 774 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the police, Le Blanc was observed in the Ogle Airport, at Liat Airlines, flight 329, which was preparing to leave for Barbados. He was seen sweating in a suspicious manner.

Le Blanc was taken to the Woodlands Hospital where an x-ray revealed that there was several pellets in his intestine. The pellets were examined and a powder like substance was discovered which was later confirmed as cocaine.

On July 6, 2017, the defendant was taken to the police station, where the cocaine was sealed and marked in his presence. Le Blanc was then charged for the offence.

Le Blanc pleaded guilty and apologised to the Magistrate for committing the act.

He was fined $5,120,010 and will spend the next four years in prison.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 8, 2017

Accused bank robber flaunted cash, gun on facebook since 2012

KERON Saunders, the cousin of now dead bandit, Elton Wray, who is in police custody for attempting to rob Republic Bank Limited (RBL) Water Street branch on Tuesday, had been posting pictures of stacks of cash and even a handgun since 2012.

The 22-year-old proved to be his worst enemy when his Facebook page showed a table stacked with millions of dollars in thousand dollar bills wrapped in rubber bands. Elton Wray, 24, and his accomplices identified as Jamal Haynes, a Republic Bank staff member and cousin, Keron

Saunders, were arrested

Keron Saunders after a botched robbery at the Bank.

Wray was killed in the

incident and soon after it was revealed that he had recently secured a loan from the said institution to purchase his Nissan Juke automobile, which he had parked in South Ruimveldt while attacking the bank. He had studied in China on a government scholarship, obtaining a degree and worked at the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) as an agronomist. Reports indicate that Wray was planning to visit his girlfriend in the U.S., but he did not have sufficient funds to make the trip.

Police said three firearms, including two 9

MM handguns and one .40 gun were found. The case is being investigated by ranks of the Major Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) OF THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) Meanwhile, the Police have made a successful application to the High Court for permission to further detain the suspects involved in the botched robbery for another 72 hours. Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, said that the Government was cognisant of the fact that much more needed to be done to turn the tide against youths who turn to crime.

The gun Saunders posted on Facebook since 2012.

T h e M i n i s t e r re vealed that the Government would be hosting a “crime and youth vi-

Keron Saunders Facebooks posts of cash between 2012-2013.

olence forum� at the Pegasus Hotel on July 12, 2017 to address the issue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8, 2017

National U-17 team departs for regional tournament GUYANA’S National Under-17 team departed these shores for Cricket West Indies Regional tournament in Trinidad and Tobago this morning.

The team will commence their first game against the Windward Islands on Tuesday, the first of five rounds as they aim to lift the championship

honours this year.

Below is the 14-man squad along with manager/assistant coach Nazeer Mohamed and coach Orin Bailey.

National Under-17 squad: Alex Algoo, Sachin Singh, Orlando Jailall, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Christian, Kevlon Anderson, Lance Roberts, Alphius Bookie, Ashmead Nedd, Pradesh Ballkishun, Gevon Schultz, Reyaz Khan, Qumar Torrington and Kelvin Umroa.

English Racing Tips Sandown 08:20 hrs Almoreb 08:50 hrs Tis Marvellous 09:25 hrs Hors De Combat 10:00 hrs Standing Rock 10:35 hrs Eminent 11:10 hrs Oriental Fox Leicester 08:25 hrs Melonade 08:55 hrs Milton Road 09:30 hrs Squiggley 10:05 hrs Twin Appeal 10:40 hrs Uptown Funk 11:15 hrs Wonder Of Dubai 11;45 hrs Poor Duke 12:15 hrs Roger Thorpe Haydock 09:05 hrs Cribbs Causeway 09:40 hrs Rich Legacy 10:15 hrs Big Country 10:50 Magical Memory 11:25 hrs The Armed Man 12:00 hrs Excellent Sounds 12:30 hrs Across Dubai Irish Racing Tips Naas 08:35 hrs Yulong Warrior 09:10 hrs Polly Douglas 09:45 hrs Little Clarinet 10:20 hrs Camelback 10:55 hrs Belle Boyd 11:30 hrs Claregate Street 12:05 hrs Less Of That South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth 08:25 hrs Above Eleven 09:00 hrs Counting Stars 09:35 hrs Paddington 10:10 hrs Rocketeer 10:45 hrs Colour Magic 11:20 hrs Eternal Light Turffontein 08:40 hrs Matthew Lips 09:15 hrs Wrecking Ball 09:50 hrs Lady Scarlett 10:25 hrs Silver Scooter 11:00 hrs Dawn Flight American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Master Merion Race 2 Selenite Race 3 National Flag Race 4 Desert Duchess Race 5 Turbo Street Race 6 Batallion Runner Race 7 Mind Your Biscuits Race 8 Sister Charlie

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8, 2017

Persaud leaves for Bisley C O M M O N W E A LT H Games selectee Mahendra Persaud has departed the shores of Guyana to participate in the annual Imperial Shoot at Bisley, England.

His participation in the Imperial Championship, termed the mecca of shooting in the world, was made possible through the Guyana Olympic Association. The Championship is billed to run from July 7 to 22.

The finals for the HM Queen’s Prize will see the final hundred shooters compete for the trophy, from a starting number of over one thousand.

Mr Lennox Braithwaite, our other Commonwealth Games selectee, was unable to obtain his British visa in time to travel.

He, however, along with Persaud will be attending the Canadian National Championship in August, followed by the Australian National Championship in October, immediately following the West Indies Championship being held in Guyana.

The Championship in Australia will be held at the very range the Commonwealth Games shooting will take place.

This will enable the shooters to acquaint them-

Bimshire Bound!

The local schoolboys’ team that will be participating in the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament in Barbados, pose for a photo op (minus the coach and manager) at St Joseph High School, minutes before leaving for the Eugene F Correia Int’l Airport at Ogle. The team includes players from St Joseph High, Saint Stanislaus College, St John’s College,and North Georgetown Secondary. Chronicle Sport has belatedly learnt that at least two other local secondary schools will be participating in the prestigious tournament, including School of the Nations (Photo by Anthony Layne)

selves with the conditions of the range and to gauge their preparation so far with the other selectees who will all be attending the Championship.

GFF male, female teams to be encamped today GUYANA Football Federation (GFF) will begin a five-day national encampment for both boys’ and girls’ teams on Saturday, July 8, 2017 as respective teams begin preparations for tournaments scheduled for August 2017.

This is the first of three camps for the girls and two for the boys, which also include an international fixture for the girls in Suriname (July 18-22) and for the boys in Trinidad and Tobago (August 6-12).

Additionally, the boys will be engaged in a tour to Brazil from July 1322 July, which will see them engaged in a series of matches against state teams.

Thirty girls from six GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATC) will be encamped in preparation for the CONCACAF Caribbean U-17 Qualifiers scheduled for August 9-13 in Guyana. On the other hand, 28 boys from seven ATCs will participate in their camp as they prepare for the CONCACAF U-15 Boys Championship in the United States of America (USA) from August 13 to 19.

The respective ATCs to be represented for the girls include the following: Upper Demerara (5), Berbice (8), Rupununi (6), Georgetown (5),

East Bank (3) and West Demerara (3). For the boys, the ATCs which will be represented are Rupununi (6), East Coast (5), Berbice (3), Georgetown (7), East Bank (2), West Demerara (3) and one player each from Bartica ATC and Region 1.

“This camp will be used as part of our development initiative as we seek to both build and strengthen the women’s football programme in Guyana.

We have added some new talent from the Rupununi and Berbice ATCs which we will tap into to ensure technical balance to the team,” said Tricia Munroe – Women’s Development Officer and Assistant National Coach for the female national team.

She added, “Our aim going forward is to help the developmental pro-

cess and give our girls opportunities to represent Guyana at the highest level possible. I know the U-17 women’s team will give a good representation of themselves.”

Head coach of the U-15 team Bryan Joseph said: “We continue to work towards our national teams having the very best players from across the country and the Diaspora. We have included in this squad some new faces who have performed well in their respective ATCs and who, among others, will compete for an opportunity to make the final squad. We will pay attention to some specific areas of focus, including defensive shape, possession play, pressing from the front, playing in the final third and set plays.”

The teams will be headed by Technical Director Ian Greenwood.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (SATURDAY JULY 08, 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) Evin Lewis & Kyle Hope-35 runs each (2) Chedean Nation-26 Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was voted Man of the Match at the end of the fourth ODI

in the recent WI/IND series?

(2) Who was voted Player of the Match at the end of the WI/SA

match of the current Women’s World Cup? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8, 2017

GMR&SC fundraiser on today THE Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), with the aim of retaining the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) country Championship, will today host a

fund-raising barbecue.

According to president Rameez Mohamed, the idea behind today’s Fundraising Bar-B-Que is to ensure that Guyana’s team get to the second round of the Caribbean Champion-

ships set for Trinidad at the end of this month.

“What we, the executive committee decided was that we should have fund-raising events to ensure that we can send as strong a team as possible

to the second round of the Seaboard Marine championship,” Mohamed said.

He added, “After careful analysis, what we found out was that Trinidad managed to score a lot of points at home last year when they won the title and we are hoping to take away a decent number of points to set ourselves for this year’s championship.”

Although no names

have been listed as yet, there have been several high-profile drivers and riders who have signalled their intentions.

Mohamed added, “No, up to last evening (Thursday) we hadn’t named a team thus far but there are a lot of guys who are saying that they want to go and we as a club are going to try to accommodate them as much as we can.”

“That is primarily the reason for tomorrows’ Bar-B-Que and lime, the more support we can get is the more drivers and riders we can send to keep the flag flying high,” he added.

He noted that the plan is to encourage many supporters to make the journey as well.

Today’s event starts at 17:00hrs.

PM Gonsalves takes aim at CWI (CMC) – St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves has again questioned the authority of Cricket West Indies to run the regional game, especially since the organisation has claimed to be a private entity.

Gonsalves, also a trained lawyer and the current chairman of CARICOM’s sub-committee on cricket, said cricket constituted a “public good” and therefore called on CWI to explain where it derived the right to manage West Indies cricket “to the exclusion of everybody else.”

“I think there’s a legal case, not for the West Indies Cricket Board to be dissolved because it’s a company and as a matter of law you’re not going to dissolve the company – you’re not a shareholder of the company,” Gonsalves said during the ongoing CARICOM Heads of Government summit here.

“But the question is: cricket is a public good.

Can a private entity run the public good; and that question has been determined in another jurisdiction in India, so that’s a separate

question. I’m not interested in the dissolution of the West Indies Cricket Board.”

He added: “All I am saying (is) how have you gotten the right as a private entity to run and manage a public good to the exclusion of everybody else? No, that can’t be right so that’s the fundamental question which I raise.”

Regional Heads last year threw their support behind a CARICOM-commissioned Governance Review Report which in part called for the “immediate dissolution” of the-then WICB – recently renamed Cricket West Indies.

CWI has since resisted the recommendations of the report, in particular the call for dissolution, labelling it an “unnecessary and intrusive demand”.

Last year, both Gonsalves and Grenada Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell questioned CWI’s authority as a private entity to run regional cricket, referencing the 2015 ruling of the Indian Supreme Court on the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI).

Then, the Justices said the functions of the BCCI

were “clearly public functions” and contended that “any organisation or entity that has such pervasive control over the game and its affairs and such powers as can make dreams end up in smoke or come true cannot be said to be undertaking any private activity.”

CWI has come under fire in recent years for its handling of West Indies cricket with the once powerful Test team now eighth in the rankings just ahead of minnows Bangladesh and the one-day team ninth in the world and unlikely to automatically qualify for the 2019 World Cup. The board found itself facing a US$42 million claim of damages from the BCCI three years ago after it failed to settle a pay dispute which resulted in the Windies abandoning an ongoing tour of India and the scheduled Test series to follow.

At the opening of this week’s summit here, Mitchell called on CARICOM leaders to unite in order to save the sport arguing that the current CWI governance model “almost renders the regional game irrelevant”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8, 2017

Five-place grid penalty for Hamilton

WBO to rescore Pacquiao/Jeff Horn fight (SPORTSMAX) - In response to public outcry against last weekend’s result of the Manny Pacquiao/Jeff Horn fight, the World Boxing Organisation is to re-score the fight. However, there is no plan to change the result.

According to a report on Skysports, the WBO was responding to a Philippines government department’s request to review the fight after Pacquiao said the decision against him last Sunday was unfair. The Philippines Games and Amusements Board (GAB) said it based the request on protecting boxing’s integrity, citing possible miscalls by the referee and judges.

“I would be very grateful if the GAB can provide any evidence indicating fraud or violation of law,” WBO president Francisco Valcarcel said in a letter to the GAB dated Thursday.

“The purpose of this review is to be able to give the fans certainty of who was the winner of the bout, even though we do not have the power to reverse the decision of the judges.”

The fight at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium was scored 117-111 by Waleksa Roldan and 115-113 each by Chris Flores and Ramon Cerdan, with Roldan’s score coming in for most criticism. In the re-scoring exercise, five anonymous judges will review the bout, assigning their own scores to rounds, Valcarcel said.

“Then, we will tabulate the results to ascertain clearly which rounds each fighter won using an average scale based on 60, 80 and 100 percent. This means that three of the five officials have to agree to determine which fighter won the round.”

Lewis Hamilton was fastest in both of yesterday’s practice sessions.

(BBC) - Lewis Hamilton will receive a five-place grid penalty for tomorrow’s Austrian Grand Prix as a result of an unauthorised gearbox change.

Teams must run a gearbox for six consecutive events but Hamilton’s was

changed before that period had expired.

Stewards have not confirmed the penalty but Hamilton’s Mercedes team have accepted that it is inevitable.

It is a blow to Hamilton’s attempts to close the championship deficit to

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.

Yesterday, Hamilton was fastest in the second practice session, ahead of title rival Vettel.

Hamilton was 0.147 seconds quicker than Vettel at the Red Bull Ring, with the second Mercedes of Finland’s Valtteri Bottas

0.216secs off the pace.

Hamilton is 14 points behind the German heading into tomorrow’s race at the Red Bull Ring, having dropped two further points at the last race in Baku when he finished fifth, a place behind Vettel.

South African Bavuma checks England's progress SCOREBOARD

Temba Bavuma drives down the ground, England v South Africa, 1st Investec Test, Lord’s, 2nd day, July 7, 2017. (Getty Images)

ENGLAND 1st innings A. Cook c de Kock b Philander 3 K. Jennings lbw b Philander 8 G. Ballance lbw b M. Morkel 20 J. Root c de Kock b M. Morkel 190 J. Bairstow lbw b Philander 10 B. Stokes c de Kock b Rabada 56 M. Ali b Rabada 87 L. Dawson lbw b M. Morkel 0 S. Broad not out 57 M. Wood lbw b Rabada 0 J. Anderson c de Kock b M. Morkel 12 Extras: (lb-2, nb-13) 15 Total: (all out, 105.3 overs) 458 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-17, 3-49, 4-76, 5-190, 6-367, 7-367, 8-413, 9-413.

Bowling: M. Morkel 25.3-2-1154 (nb-2), V. Philander 20-3-67-3 (nb-5), K. Rabada 28-4-123-3 (nb-1), K. Maharaj 22-1-107-0

(nb-1), T. de Bruyn 5-1-30-0, T. Bavuma 5-0-14-0.

SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings D. Elgarc Ballance b Ali 54 H. Kuhnc Cook b Broad 1 H. Amla lbw b Ali 29 J. Duminy lbw b Broad 15 T. Bavuma not out 48 T. de Bruyn c Bairstow b Anderson 48 K. Rabada not out 9 Extras: (b-4, lb-5, nb-1) 10 Total: (for 5 wickets, 68 overs) 214 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-82, 3-98, 4-104, 5-203.

Bowling: J. Anderson 2-4-27-1, S. Broad 14-5-27-2, M. Wood 11-3-30-0, L. Dawson 8-1-45-0, M. Ali 13-5-35-2, B. Stokes 10-141-0 (nb-1).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8, 2017

Trying to reach the top

Samuel Lynch overtakes senior Quacy Morian in the Men’s 800m final last Monday.

THIS past week has seen a lot of junior talented athletes and among them was distance runner Samuel Lynch, who last Monday established himself as Guyana’s men’s 800m champion, following a silver medal performance in the same event last month at

the South American Junior Championships.

“Even though I’ve been running 10 years now it’s only in the last 2 years that I’ve really started to take things seriously because I was young and in your small days you don’t really take things serious.

So here I am now trying to reach the top,” the 18-year-old athlete remarked.

For the Running Brave Athletics Club athlete last Monday’s performance was the result of his determination and discipline. Lynch ran the race of his life, for a come-from-behind victory, after coming out from fourth place in the last lap to win the race, barely ahead of the second-place finisher Quacy Morian.

This was after Lynch ran a new personal best the day before in the men’s 400m, where he finished in second place - his first sub 50 seconds time was 49.50.

“I just said to myself ‘you ran really fast yesterday’ so I went out there when was the last time I don’t know what happened something just went in me and I said ‘run Samuel run, the other guys are right there’,” was all he needed to tell himself, to sprint through the final 200m of the race.

For Samuel the performance marked quite an accomplishment, representing the beginning of just how far he wants to go with his skills, especially now that he has completed school, and is entering that period where many athletes usually end up leaving the sport.

– athlete Samuel Lynch

Lynch has been with the Running Braves Athletics Club since he was nine years old, shortly after he started competing at the School Nationals.

Starting out at the Nationals in the Boys’ Under-10 category in 2008, Lynch finished with three silver medals and a bronze, and took the champion boy title in his category. It was Lynch’s teachers, while he was at Stella Maris Primary who decided that Lynch had a lot of energy and needed to do something productive with it.

Lynch comes from a family with an athletic background, particularly his grandfather who was a sprinter.

After his first year at Nationals, Lynch has never missed a year since, even after he moved from Primary School to Queenstown Secondary.

Though he now concentrates on the distance and middle distance races, Lynch has done it all, and used to be an reasonable sprinter before his coach, Julian Edmonds noticed a distance runner in him.

Lynch then began to perform regionally, breaking out at the Trinidad’s Hampton Games in 2009, and then again in 2010.

Last year he finally made it to the team to represent Guyana at the CARIFTA Games. He was again on the team this year after making the qualifying time, at the trials clocking his current 800m personal best 1:54.57s.

Though he did not medal at the Games, he turned his luck

around at the South American Juniors where he took silver.

Having just completed his CSEC examinations, the former Chase Academy student is now contemplating his next move, and whatever it is, he just knows it will involve becoming as great an athlete as he wants to be.

Samuel Lynch

‘Nothing is working for us’ - Aguilleira (CMC) - Veteran West Indies Women batsman Merissa Aguilleira says she is at a loss to explain the side’s wretched form in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup. The Caribbean outfit, the reigning Twenty20 World champions, have lost all four of their tournament games along with their five warmup fixtures to be winless on the tour.

“I am pretty much disappointed. I know the entire team is really disappointed in the way we [have] started off and keep going on throughout this tournament,” said the Trinidadian, who celebrated her 100th One-Day International in the eight-wicket defeat

to New Zealand Women on Thursday.

“We know our potential, we knew what this team has and we know what we can do but apparently it’s just not clicking for us – nothing is working for us.

“I guess this time is where we have to regroup as a team and what I admire about the players is that they are sticking together in this rough period and we have to give God thanks for that because at the end of the day we could have been in a devastated place mentally.”

She continued: “Most importantly, we’re sticking together as a team and I believe we will bounce back and bounce back well.”

While West Indies have been unable to halt their losing slide, more worrying has been the manner of their defeats.

en wickets before suffering embarrassment in their third match against South Africa Women when they were bundled out for a tournament-low

Former skipper Merissa Aguilleira says Windies have never been in this position before.

They lost their opener to reigning champions Australia Women by eight wickets, went down to India Women in their next game by sev-

48 to lose by 10 wickets.

On Thursday, their batting improved slightly, managing to muster 150 but it was not enough to press

for their first victory as the Kiwis easily overhauled the target.

Aguilleira said left-hander Kyshona Knight, who topscored with 41, deserved some credit for her fighting knock.

“I think there are some positive things we can take out from this game,” the former skipper said.

“We had Kyshona Knight who played extremely well.

I’m sorry she didn’t carry on (and) I think that’s an area that we have to look at as well – players getting starts but not carrying on.”

West Indies are stuck at the bottom of the eight-team rankings without a point, with only pride to play for in their three remaining games.

Aguilleira said it was im-

portant that the side enter these final fixtures as relaxed as possible so they could salvage some positive results.

“I think what we have been doing is just getting ourselves in a relaxing and good space because in a tournament we have never experienced something like this before,” the 31-year-old said.

“And just relaxing and trying to get your mind in that space where you are pretty much comfortable (is important so) you can build your energy from that, feed off of each other and go out there and try (to play) to the best of your ability.”

West Indies take on Sri Lanka in Derby on Sunday in their next game.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 8, 2017

DIGICEL Junior Caribbean Squash Championships

Guyana, Barbados battle for title today THE Land of Many Waters and the Land of the Flying Fish will vie for supremacy in the DIGICEL Junior Caribbean Squash Championships today at the Georgetown Club, in what is shaping up to be yet another very tight race.

Following yesterday’s morning session the two countries were tied with 12 wins in the Boys’ competition, where Guyana are the defending champions.

However, over in the Girls’ division Barbados have the edge, having won nine of their ten matches, whereas Guyana have only won eight of theirs.

Both countries have much to prove as the competition concludes today. Guyana will try desperately to maintain their title, while Barbados would like a taste of victory - a privilege they’ve been denied since 2004.

Guyana took a major hit when they finished 3-2

against the Jamaicans on Thursday afternoon, losing their slight advantage over the Bajans, which they had, after grabbing a 5-0 against Trinidad on Wednesday.

However, both sides still stand a chance to improve their fate when matches continued yesterday as Guyana Boys took on the Cayman Islands, while Barbados played Jamaica.

In yesterday morning’s session, both Barbados and Guyana won 4-1, in the Girls’ division, when they played Trinidad and Cayman Islands, respectively.

After Guyana’s Kirsten Gomes had a quick 11-0, -2, 11-0 win against Sigourney Williams, things were looking bright for the Golden Arrowhead side.

But all that changed as Rebecca Low faced off against Girls Under-19 semifinalist Marie-Claire Barcant.

After Low seized the first four points of the match,

Barcant held her at bay and equalized.

They traded points and rallied until Barcant became the first to touch 10 points, but with Low just one point behind the set was far from over, and Low knew it.

Low dug herself out of the hole and Barcant managed just one more point before the Guyanese took the set. But that was her last set win, Barcant wrapped up the next three 11-3, 11-5, 11-4.

Taylor Fernandes, Makeda Harding and Madison Fernandes, however, made sure that was Guyana’s only loss.

Harding and Madison had 3-0 wins against Jinan Alrawi and Chloe Walcott, respectively, while Taylor blanked Amanda Yearwood 4-0.

In the Boys’ Guyana-Jamaica battle Benjamin Mekdeci, Shomari Wiltshire and Michael Alphonso won their matches, while Daniel Islam and Alex Cheeks suffered losses in theirs.

Guyana Makeda Harding (left) in her match against Trinidad’s Jinan Alrawi

Floodlights recapture Softball Legends Title in New York … defeat Regal Masters in final

From left: Floodlights Mohan Sukhu, Ravi Lutchman, Wayne Jones, Robert Mohan, Ricky Deonarain, Hubern Evans (with American Eagle), Gordial Mattai, Anil Beharry (hidden), Kamraj Sumair, Mike Singh

LAST weekend June 30, July 1 & 2, the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) annual Independence/Legends Cup Softball Cricket Tournament was played in New York.

Floodlights, the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association official team were champions in 2015 when they defeated Regal Masters but lost to them in 2016.

Now again in 2017, these two teams have reached the final for the third consecutive year in New York, as they defeated Tri State Masters, Amazon Warriors and New

York Muslim in preliminary round.

They thrashed New York Hustlers in the semi-final then made light work of Regal Masters in the final, played at Roy Wilkinson Park in New York. In the final Floodlights opted to bat first and made 217 for 4 wickets off their allotted 20 overs.

Ravi Lutchman led the way with an undefeated 112, he was well supported by Unnis Yusuf (34) and Lloyd Ruplall (38).

Ravi and Unnis made a flying opening start of 66 in 6 overs.

Lloyd Ruplall then joined Ravi Lutchman and together

they put on 105 for the second wicket. Ramesh Narine Deonarine chipped in with 15 and Wayne Jones 8 not out.

Regal Masters bowlers were put under pressure by Floodlights batsmen who mixed aggression with sound defence and good running between the wicket to eventually reach 217.

When Regal Masters replied, only Rudolph Baker (38) showed some resistance. Regal Masters ended up with 167 for 7 off 20 overs. Wayne Jones took 4-32 Ramo Malone, Ramesh Narine, Deonarine and Ravi

Lutchman took one wicket each. Floodlights took away all the prizes that were presented in the Legends Tournament.

Ravi Lutchman was voted man-of-the-match in the final and was also MVP of the tournament.

In the Open category of the tournament called the Independence Cup, New York Softball Cricket League defeated Regal All Stars in the final.

Floodlights and Floodlights Legends will now turn their attention to Canada, where the Toronto Cup 2 will be played on August 4 , 5 & 6.

GCB disorganised female T20 tournament bowls off

THE lack of interest in female cricket was evident yesterday when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) female inter-county Under-19 T20 tournament got underway at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

While one game was completed on a rain-affected day, it was not as well organised as it was supposed to be.

To start, the tournament was made public only a day before the actual commencement, more so this publication was made aware that the Essequibo team could field only seven players, since the time was too short to field a team.

Their final eleven yesterday was made up of two players from Demerara, and one player from Berbice.

However, in round one of the tournament, Demerara batted first and made 136-9 from their allotted 20 overs. Casey Charles top-scored with 36 runs, Yogeeta Balkishun and Mandy Mangroo being the only other batters to reach double figures with figures 12 and 11 respectively.

Stacy Moses took 3-23, while Devina Buer, Eylinda Abrams, and Kimmone Thomas supported with two wickets each.

Essequibo were then bowled out for 41 in 7.5 overs.

In the second match, President’s X1 won the toss and sent Berbice in to bat, Berbice were at 46 without loss in 3.3 overs when rain interrupted play.

The second round is billed for today at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

See Page 31

More medals for team Guyana in NAPF/FESUPO Championships

Erwin Smith stands tall with his silver medal from the FESUPO Men’s Open category for his class.

THERE were more medals for Guyana on the fourth day of the 16th North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) and 32nd South American Powerlifting Federation (FESUPO) Championships being contested in Orlando, Florida.

Andrea Smith and Erwin Smith managed to score three more medals in the equipped category for the Golden Arrowhead.

In the women’s 72kg

weight class, Andrea scored 420 points through her 160kg squat, 77.5kg bench press and 182.5kg deadlift copping a gold medal in the FESUPO women’s open and silver in the NAPF open. Throughout her lifts, she oozed confidence and used her ability to shatter the Caribbean open deadlift record through her 182.5kg lift. executed Competing in the 93kg class was Erwin Smith who amassed 662.5 points through

his 235kg squat, his 145kg bench press and finally, his 282.5kg deadlift. His third and final deadlift of 282.5kg was Erwin’s new personal best.

Despite his herculean effort, he only placed fourth in the Men’s Open for his class. His effort was thwarted

by Michael Correa of Puerto Rico who took bronze, Jaime Castro of Ecuador with silver and Gabriel Garcia of Mexico copped gold. Nevertheless,

he managed to cop a silver medal in the FESUPO Open for his class, after only being beaten by Jaime Castro.

So far in the competition, Team Guyana have raked in 29 medals: 16 gold medals, 8 silver and 5 bronze.

In the final segment of the competition today, Guyanese 120kg weight class lifter John Edwards will be seeking to add to Guyana’s total as he competes in the equipped competition.

Guyana, Barbados battle for title today See Page 35

Fullbore captain Mahendra Persaud

Persaud leaves for Bisley National U-17 team departs for regional tournament See

Page 30

GMR&SC fundraiser on today See Page 32

Guyana’s Rebecca Low charges to a shot in her match against Marie-Claire Barcant

GMR&SC president Rameez Mohamed Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2017