Guyana chronicle e paper 07 19 2017

CHPA electrification project to light 16 housing schemes Page 15

WEDNESDAY , JULY 19, 2017

Price: $80

STEM Guyana places 10th No. 104978

(VAT Inclusive)

–– after valiant fight at inaugural World Robotic Olympics

Fire destroys building owned by WPA activist

Page 13

Linden child killer gets lifetime in jail

Page 3

Page 22

Page 11

Jones freed of 2013 murder of Sophia man Page 23

A fire early Tuesday morning destroyed a three-storey building owned by Working People’s Alliance (WPA) activist, Ms. Joycelyn Dow at 172 Charlotte Street, Georgetown and left a trail of destruction in its path (Delano Williams photo)

Gino Persaud to be sworn in as judge

Page 11

59 NDCs get subventions for developmental projects Page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

GuySuCo apprenticeship programme providing training for some 70 years

SINCE 1960 the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) has partnered with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to make the Apprenticeship programme, a success.

The programme seeks to enable persons to gain the technical competencies in numerous fields such as electrician, mechanic, ma-

chinist among others. BIT is an initiative under the Ministry of Social Protection, which seeks to develop youths through skills training. Minister Amna Ally in her feature address at the 56th Apprentice Graduation exercise of the GuySuCo Training Centre, last Wednesday, reiterated that “This administration intends to not

only lift people out of poverty through these training programmes but to transform their horizons, aspirations… and improve social mobility within our country.”

The Minister commended GuySuCo for the programme, success in spite of adversities. This Apprenticeship programme is designed to satisfy the need for voThe 56th graduating class of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Apprenticeship programme cational/technical skills in field and factory. The training programme is four years duration; two years are spent in a residential setting pursuing general academic and specialised vocational skills training, the apprentices then write an exam. The final two years are spent on the estate participating in an in-plant training programme.

Minister Ally told the graduating class of 61young men and women that in addition to continuing the rolling out of youth skills and empowerment programme, the government will continue to

work in collaboration with all partners to facilitate, “the progression and empowerment of all our people regardless of their background.”

The students received certificates in several areas which included; Industrial Electrical Installation, Engineering Fitting & Machining, Factory Process instrumentation, Heavy & Light Automotive Engineering, Automotive Electrical Engineering, Factory Process Sugar Boiling and Instrumentation training. Manager of the Training Centre Jay Sookpaul explained that the new

GuySuCo concept captures the essence of the direction in which the corporation is progressing, that includes sugar cane cultivation, sugar production and a diversification division that will focus on a variety of ventures some of which include aqua culture, fruit crops, dairy farming, livestock farming, and rice cultivation.

The apprentice’s programme with BIT, initially began with 16 persons.

Some 178 Guyanese would have benefited from this training between the period 2001 to 2017. (DPI)

Man remanded for Albouystown robbery A 20-year-old man was on Tuesday morning remanded to prison on a charge of robbery under arms, during which he allegedly relieved Patrick Douglas of over $300,000 in jewellery.

It is alleged that on June 14, 2017 at Albouystown, Georgetown, Aubrey Hodge of Howes Street, Georgetown, being armed with a gun, robbed Douglas of one 22- pennyweight gold chain; a 23-pennyweight gold chain and a gold ring totalling $345,000.

Hodge, a gold miner, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore objected to bail, stating that the defendant had been on the run since he committed the act and he may not return to court if released on bail.

Bail was denied by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan who then remanded the unrepresented accused to jail.

The matter has been adjourned until August 11, 2017.

Aubrey Hodge

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

Fire destroys building owned by WPA activist

A F I R E e a r l y Tu e s day morning destroyed a three-storied building owned by Working People’s Alliance (WPA) activist, Ms. Joycelyn Dow at 172 Charlotte Street, Georgetown and leaving a trail of destruction in its path.

The fire was said to have started at around 05:20 hrs and attention was drawn to it,

by Mrs. Dow who occupied the two upper flats at the back of the three-storied wooding building and rented out apartments on the lower floor.

Meanwhile, firemen were combing the debris to determine the cause of the fire which has left hundreds of millions of dollars in losses.

The apartments on the ground floor housed: Anetha’s Elegance Boutique, owned by Anetha Daniels who specialises in African wear; Trans Caribbean Cargo International, owned by Captain Laurie London; a Hair Dressing Salon, owned by Ms. Kim-

Ramlagan.

Mrs. Dow recalled that shortly after 4:30 hrs the alarm went off and she went outside but saw nothing, and so proceeded to the middle floor from whence she saw smoke emanating. She insisted: “It wasn’t on the first

What is left of the gutted building at 172 Charlotte Street.

A deeply distraught Ms. Joycelyn Dow at the scene of the fire which destroyed her Charlotte St. property on Tuesday.

Captain Laurie London, Managing Director of Trans Caribbean Cargo Int’l. outside of his gutted office yesterday. berly Niles and a Lumber Yard owned by Rambarran

“but the smoke was very nauseous.” She quickly called the fire service and they responded very quickly.

Meantime, she called up her son who had spent the night with her. On experiencing that development, her son grabbed her and whisked her

two floors. It was clearly on the bottom floor,” adding,

out of the house, but she admitted running back up into the building to try and get her pets – four dogs and two cats, but only got two of the dogs.

The smoke soon developed into a huge flame, and in record time the entire wooden component of the building was ablaze, with the flames licking away angrily at the age-old and prized architecturally-designed building.

Soon, the entire residential dwelling was gutted, leaving Mrs. Dow with absolutely nothing but her two dogs, and with the Trans Caribbean Cargo Service, reduced to a rubble. But, with valiant fire-fighting by the firefighters, they managed to douse the fire threatening Anetha’s African Wear boutique and Kimberly Niles’ Hair dressing Salon. But

Items brought out of Kimberley Niles Beauty Salon.

even though not burnt or scorched, Anetha’s Elegance suffered huge losses caused through soaking with water from the firemen’s hoses.

Weeping, Ms. Daniels who deals in African attire, said the disaster was most unfortunate – firstly since she was celebrating her 10th year in the business and had even planned a cocktail event for next week.

Then secondly, with African Emancipation Day just around the corner she had travelled abroad and returned with large stocks of clothing just the day before, so as to give a boost for Emancipation 2017.

As for Trans Caribbean Cargo International, Mr. Laurie London confirmed that everything in that entity was burnt to smoulders and 12 years of investment and hard labour would have gone down the drain. He said that he was at home when he received a call from Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who informed him that his business was on fire, and who also raced down to the scene.

Asked how does he see the destruction affecting the company, London replied: “Oh, terrible. There’s nothing left … everything has gone down.” Recounting the first moments of the conflagration, he likened it unto an inferno.

A cargo transit office, staffed by four, it was a facility where documentation and processing of cargo coming in from North America were done, right here in Guyana.

The customer would come into the office, pay for the cargo; uplift the documents, and that having been com-

pleted, would go to the wharf where he presents the documents and picks the cargo up.

Meanwhile, owner of Ramlagan’s Lumber yard, Rambarran Ramlagan claimed not to have suffered significant losses. Dow recalled that this has been the second fire to have brought her destruction, the first being at her Liana Cane furni-

ture factory at Victoria Road, Plaisance, in January 2016.

Meanwhile, Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle said firefighters reported heavy fire conditions at the rear, upper and middle flat of the building, but the firemen were able to contain the flames from spreading to nearby buildings. Investigations are ongoing.

Anetha Daniels nervously attempts to enter the building which houses her boutique

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Workshop zeroes in on mental health

A five-day problem management workshop for specialists of the Ministry of Public Health, Mental Health Unit opened on Monday at the Marriott Hotel. Social workers, psychologists, and health education officers are also benefitting from the five-day exercise.

The training programme is being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, the Loma Linda University of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Pan America Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) with foreign facilitators being utilised. It focuses particularly on anxiety and stress, and other psychological and social problems intervention management.

The training programme is in keeping with the public health ministry’s agenda to decrease the burden of mental illness and its devastating effects on individuals by improving the country’s mental health service delivery. Minister

within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings said that the goal is to have highly skilled and trained public health professionals.

She noted that, “One of the strategic action plan for mental health highlighted in the health vision 2020 is to improve the quality, appropriateness and responsiveness of mental health services in Guyana and this includes the provision for an appropriate comprehensive range of therapeutic hospital and community based treatment with a focus on reality, sanity and recovery from mental illness and distress.”

Minister Dr. Cummings explained that, “The problem management plus+ training is a low intensity psychological training intervention for adults who are impaired by distress or where they are exposed to adversities such as loss of family, friends, livelihood, sexual violence or a family member missing.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings

Individuals who experience adversities generally reside in circumstances where they lack social security, access to basic services and opportunities to improve their livelihood which places them at increased risk of developing both psychological and social problems,” the Minister highlighted.

Minister Dr. Cummings stressed that the training workshop will assist in the government’s agenda to create a healthier country using Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) health vision as guidance. She particularly noted the SDG Three which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and

promoting well-being for all, at all ages.

PAHO/WHO Representative, Jean Seme Fils Alexandre said that, the training workshop is necessary since it will serve to assist persons living with a mental disorder. “Normally we (public) believe that the mental health unit needs to be managed or dealt with by psychiatrist or neurologist but with Problem Management plus+ training, we will be able to have non-personnel trained to help those with mental health issue…as the first support,” the PAHO/WHO Representative explained. He noted that appropriate interventions cold deter victims from committing suicide and prevent substance abuse and alcoholism from being used as coping mechanisms.

Mental illness is a structural-functional disorder of the brain that inhibits one’s ability to cope with life, to manage the everyday issues and to choose correct solution to personal problems. In Guyana, mental illness affects nearly one in four persons with women, the unemployed and young adults accounting for over 60 percent. However, the administration has been taking concrete steps to address the issue; in addition

to the recently launched Mental Health Unit to boost the capacity of the health professionals, plans are in

train to establish a Mental Health Institute which will offer counselling and occupational therapy. (DPI)

Police comb Port Mourant for escapees RESIDENTS of Port Mourant on the Corentyne closed their doors early Tuesday evening and could be seen peering through the windows, as police patrolled the area in search of the Camp Street Prison escapees.

There were at least five patrol jeeps and a white vehicle believed to belong to the major crime unit was seen dashing in an out of streets in the area.

This coupled with police running on the ground assuming tactical positions at various streets, sent residents on a panic as rumours began to circulate that the wanted escapees were spotted in the area.

There were also unconfirmed reports of people hearing what appeared to be gunshots. “I hear like

about 10-15 shots and see the police running” one person told this publication.

I see the police chasing a known criminal and he dash through Babu Jaan and left a haversack by the septic tank. I hear at least five shots and the police just tell me “get in the house and lock up,” a female eyewitness reported.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer told this publication “there is no need to panic, the police are doing their jobs and residents should remain indoors.” The officer declined to comment on the nature of the operation citing it may compromise the efforts of the lawmen.

The police operation began at 18:00h and up to press time was still present in the area.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 19 2017

SASOD commends gov’t for supporting LGBT resolution at OAS THE Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) has applauded the Government of Guyana on its moves to join the Resolution on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression in consensus for the past two respective General Assemblies in 2016 and 2017 without footnoting any reservations.

In a press statement on Tuesday, SASOD called for full implementation of the Resolution and expressed its willingness to partner and assist the Government in fulfilling its international commitments and meeting its human rights obligations to the LGBT population of Guyana.

It was noted that the OAS Resolution comes on the heels of SASOD’s 14th anniversary, when the organisation released its latest report titled, “Guyana’s Voting Records and Responses on LGBT Human Rights Issues at International Fora.” The report was commissioned by SASOD and was written by two law graduates, Bryce Celestan and Samy Dorgham, under the tutelage of Professor Andrea Parra at the American University Washington College of Law. SASOD noted too that it recently participated in the 47th General Assembly of the Organisation of the American States (OAS) in Cancun, Mexico, from June 19 to 21.

Representing SASOD was member and volunteer Terianna Bisnauth, who met with several local and international representatives of government and civil society organisations while there. Since her return, Bisnauth was also recently elected as the Chairperson of SASOD Women’s Arm Guyana (SWAG).

“Leading up to the official events, Bisnauth engaged in several meetings with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Travesti and Intersex (LGBTTTI) Coalition of Latin America and the Caribbean, of which SASOD is a member organisation.

The coalition met a few days before the General Assembly

meetings to discuss the issues in their respective countries and agree on proposals that were tabled at the official General Assembly meetings,” the organisation explained.

“SASOD joins with the LGBTTTI coalition of Latin American and the Caribbean to celebrate the adoption of the Resolution on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression by OAS during its 47th General Assembly,” it added.

According to a statement prepared by the LGBTTTI coalition, “In that Resolution, the OAS condemns all forms of discrimination and acts of violence based on sexual orientation or on gender identity or expression, and urges member states to take effective measures for the protection of the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) people.

In particular, the Resolution calls on member states to generate data, prevent and in-

First Vice-President and Rapporteur for Guyana of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Margarette May Macaulay (right), receives a copy of SASOD’s recent LGBT Human Rights Report from SASOD member and volunteer Terianna Bisnauth.

vestigate acts of homophobic, lesbophobic, biphobic, and transphobic violence. Further,

it calls [on] states to guarantee proper protection to human rights defenders working on the rights of LGBTI people through the implementation of policies and procedures ensuring the protection of these rights. The Resolution, as in previous years, urges states to afford appropriate protection

to intersex people, regarding medical practices.”

The foreword to the report was written by Guyanese-British Barrister Ulele Burnham, who specialises in mental health, mental capacity, human rights and equality law.

Burnham wrote, “Whilst we wait to see whether the current administration will act less as neutral arbiter and more as custodian of citizens’ rights, this report is a startling reminder of just how little leadership, and how much inertia, successive governments have demonstrated in relation to this issue.”

She pointed out that the graduates collected invaluable data on Guyana’s voting record on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) issues before international bodies.

“Their analysis indicates that many of the international conventions which now require Guyana to take steps to repeal discriminatory laws and confer positive statuary rights to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons were ratified between 20 to 50 years ago.” Adding that, “it is also difficult to see how it is possible to reduce discrimination against LGBT persons where same-sex sexual acts

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remain criminal offences.”

In its Declaration which was read at the Dialogue with Heads of Delegations at the General Assembly, the coalition demanded that member states “review legislative frameworks and repeal laws that criminalise same-sex sexual relationships, the use of clothing traditionally associated with another gender, and any other legislation that criminalises and directly or indirectly discriminates against LGBTTTI persons.” Guyana’s delegation was led by Second Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs,the Hon. Carl Greenidge, M.P. The report concluded that “before the Government of Guyana can adequately protect persons suffering violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, Guyana must turn its proLGBT rhetoric into action that is viable and meaningful …” Bisnauth presented a copy of the report to the First Vice-President and Rapporteur for Guyana of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Margarette May Macaulay, at the 47th OAS General Assembly in Cancun, Mexico.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Vigilance is the virtue required THOUGH it sometimes happens silently or goes unreported, the number of instances of rape reported so far this year is a cause for concern and points to the need for prompt and serious action in addressing these matters.

Not to be mistaken, every rape case is a cause for serious concern. Last week alone, this newspaper carried four reports on three separate incidents, two of which involved girls in their early teens.

The first involved a 15-year-old girl from an East Bank Demerara village who is now seven months pregnant and her mother has virtually given up pursuing the matter, complaining of a royal push-around by the authorities.

From reports, the act was allegedly committed by a close relative -- an uncle -- who has since fled to a hinterland village where he is said to be walking free.

Faced with shame and in a bid to avoid it, the family of the 15-year-old has decided to keep her way from the public; a decision one can only hope is not permanent and will end in due course.

Simply put, an unfortunate act, which was not in any way the fault of the victim, must not deny her an opportunity for education, self-empowerment and to genuinely turn around her life, in which she has many, many years ahead.

If this incident was bad, the other involving a younger teenage girl was worst.

Only a sick, grotesque and morally depraved animal of

the lowest moral order would rape his own daughter, which according to reports, was allegedly committed to give the already pregnant girl ‘a free passage to give birth.’

The child at the time was in the care of her grandmother.

And quite interestingly, the matter received serious attention only when the child’s mother, who resides overseas, travelled to Guyana to personally pursue the case against her husband.

The father who allegedly committed the act has since been processed through the court, but was released on $100,000 bail.

And then there was the brutal rape and attempted strangling of a 75-year-old Berbice pensioner by a man in his early 30s, who was a close friend of her son.

In all of these cases, a common trait stands out. The perpetrators are known to the victims, and in the cases of the teenage girls, the act was committed by a close family member, who was supposed to be their guardian or protector.

As grotesque as they are, these matters are lessons to be learnt, and underline the need for mothers or responsible guardians to always keep a close eye on their sons and daughters, close relatives or even neighbours growing up.

This is necessary, because excluding the three incidents mentioned, in the majority of cases, the act is not often committed by persons unknown to the victims, but by close relatives or friends whom the victims trust.

And the trauma and stigma sometimes never escape the psyche of the victims.

It happens because rape is never about love, but of use of violence in dominating and exercising power and control over someone.

Aside from the cases referenced in this editorial, there have been a number of others. In fact, the majority of the 78 sexual offences in the first quarter of this year pending trial before the High Court involve rape.

Sometime back, there was a campaign called the ‘Stamp It Out’ Campaign which garnered the views of the citizenry on domestic violence and other related matters and at one of the public meetings, a novel approach was proposed.

The residents had noted the casual approach by the police in handling these matters and called for the perpetrators of rape to be castrated.

But while the police are often criticised for not pursuing these matters with due attention, there have been instances where victims refuse to give evidence in court. Notwithstanding this, there is need for the pressure groups in society to be more strident and vocal, especially on the issue of rape, so that perpetrators do not slip through the cracks and are brought to justice.

GWI needs to fix billing system Dear Editor

Dr. Richard Van-West Charles and I have a fond acquaintance. Many thought he would have run for high office after the death of his late fatherin-law and first Executive President Linden F.S. Burnham. But Dr. Richard is a noble gentleman who has no illusions about Guyana’s political realities.

Notwithstanding his reservations, Dr. Richard’s capability was recognised by the incumbent administration and he was appointed Head of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

I believe he is trying to do his best with what he has inherited.

Parts of that inheritance are incompetence and mis-

management.

I usually pay the water bill for an aged relative.

The GWI account number is 1013389. In June, I paid $6,050. An amount of $6,048 was stated on the bill as the total due for June. It was later acknowledged by GWI staff that the bill was an estimated one and that the actual charge should have been for $4,048.

GWI did not offer a refund, but said the overpayment of $2,002 would be rolled over to the July bill. The July bill came, with a current charge for $971. It therefore means that an overpayment difference of $1,031 should have been reflected. Amazingly, the July bill reflects an overpayment of a mere $2. Only God knows where the remaining $1,029 went. I intend to query the July bill.

That means I have to take time off again from my job to help somebody do their job of simple Math. Maybe something is wrong with the computer programme too.

My visit to query the obvious discrepancy will cost me downtime and transportation, since these types of queries invariably get nowhere over the phone. While a $1000 is lunch money for many, it can purchase a few days vegetables for most households.

Imagine someone who lives out of central Georgetown having to deal with a matter like this. Someone who wasn’t fortunate to go very far in school; someone who lacks the ability to do simple addition and subtraction would be at the mercy of institutionalised malpractices and error. They would lose

their money, right before their eyes. Many Guyanese have woeful tales of discrepancies and overbilling by utility companies. Estimated charges are the hallmark. Even more frustrating, in many instances, is the hood-winking one receives as imposed panacea or deflection from the rip-offs by these utilities. Their defence teams are led by lofty clerks, some of whom simply go to work to clock hours or post selfies on Facebook and Instagram.

Most of my compositions highlight indiscreet realities faced by Guyanese, especially common folk. Negligence or incompetence leading to the aforementioned discrepancy when multiplied institutionally causes thousands of people to feel frustrated,

disillusioned and often ends up with central government bearing the brunt of blame.

Sometimes too, people like me have to bear the brunt of frustrations others feel because of failing systems or practices.

The level of mistakes and incompetence experienced locally is completely unacceptable. It is unacceptable for utilities to be making fundamental errors, particularly when there is generally no easy compensatory mechanism for the associated inconvenience and costs they create for the average consumer outside of the Public Utilities Commission or court. Consumer advocacy is virtually dead.

I have carefully attempted to make a clear distinction between the

GWI head and the Billing Department. I will not be presumptuous to blame him for the obvious misrepresentation of his efforts.

During the era of Dr. Richard Van-West Charles’s father-in-law’s reign, repeated issues such as these would have led to someone being fired or demoted.

However, Burnham was labelled a dictatorial tyrant for his firm stance against the type of incompetence that now overshadows Guyana. I keep hearing whispers in various circles about “if it was in Burnham days.” But as the old adage goes, you never miss the water ‘till the well runs dry!’

Regards Orette Cutting

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 19 2017

Something does not These are not escapees smell right at City Hall Dear Editor,

Dear Editor IN a recent letter to the editor I outlined the nightmare I encountered while attempting to recoup some bail money lodged at the City Constabulary. As I proceeded with the final stage to collect the money, I discovered to my chagrin that the bottleneck appeared to be longer than the distance from City Hall to Imbotero Police Station on the northern tip of Guyana on the Guyana / Venezuela border. The process can be likened to a mixture of English and Spanish which any reasonable person cannot comprehend.

Please permit me to briefly repeat some issues I mentioned in my previous letter to the editor. One of my friends was unjustly charged by a member of the City Constabulary for a very minor traffic offence and place on $8,000 cash bail to attend Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. He attended as ordered.

The magistrate reprimanded him and discharged the case.

He experienced great difficulty to get back his bail money. He explained that he is residing at an interior location and it would cost him $32,000.00 in transportation to travel from that location and back home to make an application at the City Constabulary to recover the bail. In addition, he is forced to return sometime after to collect the money when it is available. This will be an additional cost of $32,000, thus spending $64,000.00 to recover $8,000.00. As a result, he gave me a written authorisation signed by two witnesses to collect the money.

I thought that it would have been an easy task to uplift the money. Here is the process I encountered. The prosecutor who is difficult to contact in or out of court is required to endorse the bail receipt stating that the case was completed and that the money can be returned to the bailor.

Thereafter, someone from the court office has to check several piles of disposed case jackets to find the one under review. The jacket and the endorsed bail receipt are then taken to the administrative officer for his approval.

He is not always available, as he sometimes performs duties at nights and is not on duty the following day. After approval is given, there is a mandatory 14 working days period of waiting to uplift the money from the treasury. I felt that it would have been an easy task to collect the money after the long and agonising fourteen-day waiting period had expired.

After the expiration of the waiting period, I went back to the City Constabulary. I was

given back the bail receipt and the authorisation and was politely directed to the treasury to collect the money. Written on the wall is a notice stating, “Cheques etc, Monday to Friday 9.30-11.30 am, 1.00-3.30pm.” I gave a member of the treasury the authorisation, my identification card and that of the bailor as instructed by the City Constabulary. He examined them more closely than SOCU’s anti-money laundering investigators would have done. He went into the office and returned about five minutes later.

He told me that he wanted to see the identification cards of the two persons who had signed the authorisation. I was shocked. I explained to him that I did not have their identification cards. The witnesses were in the interior and it would take me at least seven days to get their identification cards. He uttered a terse statement, “Sir, you have to get the identification cards of the witnesses or you cannot get the money.” I left the office. While in the compound i saw a senior member of the constabulary who will remain nameless. He asked me if I had received the money. I explained to him what transpired at the treasury. In an effort to assist me, he went into the treasury.

He came out a few minutes later and told me that I have to get the identification cards of the two witnesses in order to uplift the money, that is the procedure.

I returned 10 days later armed with identification cards of four persons spanning across four of the 10 administrative regions of Guyana. Perhaps, I could have qualified as a fit and proper person to be an employee of GECOM, but not as the chairman. I tendered my bail receipt and my identification card to a member of the treasury. He looked at them and went into the office. He returned a few moments later with a cheque for $8,000.00 written in favour of the bailor and asked me to sign for it which i did. No identification card of the bailor, no identification card of the witnesses, no authorisation was required.

Call it double standard. Call it inconstancy. Put whatever label you may want to put on it.

The present process to recover bail will not improve the image of City Hall or promote public confidence in the operations of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

The process I encountered to recoup the bail money has the potential to promote unethical and corrupt behaviour. Persons in real need to get back their bail may be tempted to offer an inducement to an employee

of City Hall to do so and that employee may yield to the temptation. On the other hand, employees may demand that persons leave something to get back their money faster. If it has not happened or is not happening, it will happen. The words of world-renowned Guyanese musician and now Sunday columnist Dave Martins keep wringing in ears, “This is Guyana.” It might be interesting to find out how much unclaimed bail money is lodged at City Hall because of the system in place.

Something does not smell right at City Hall. No wonder there are so many issues and concerns with garbage and portable toilets at the Georgetown Mayor and City Constabulary. All is not lost.

There is the need for a more transparent and speedy process to be designed and implemented to refund bail at City Hall. This can be done if those in authority connect the dots and do some more thinking outside of the box.

Regards Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner Of Police (Rtd)

I’D like to clarify something from the outside looking in and knowing the facts the misconception of the media and what people are saying is incorrect (or not correct).

To begin with it was NOT a prison break, it was an unrest followed by the prison being on fire and the ultimate escape was escaping death.

Had it been a prison break the entire prison would have been empty and prisoners would have been all over the land having the country under duress. In this case the prison was on fire. Let us reason, if the prison is on fire what do you expect those inside the building or compound to do?

Granted those who planned to escape did just that, they escaped death the others as tempted as they were sensed danger and saw death close up so amidst protest about the conditions they sought to be free from being a statistic among the possibility of that death. Imagine 1,018 men in a prison and about six unaccounted for amongst those probably four or even just three may have really intended to escape. The others I call opportunistic survivors.

They could’ve been torched to death in that building and we have disregarded that. Fact is we don’t look at them as humans anymore and that’s something that is confusing me.

To me it is sad to see how the state is hunting for the survivors armed to the teeth. To me when someone survives something as tragic as that you don’t go looking for them to kill them it is like you

had wanted them to stay in there and burn in the first place. That doesn’t resonate well with me because some were on remand. I don’t want to believe these survivors are just on the run. They fear to come back to the authorities. Who want them dead. I don’t blame them in that case for hiding. But I hope those survivors out there are not causing harm to others, that they have no intent on causing harm to others. I hope that they have the freedom for a long time while this government fixes itself. Our President, for whom I have great respect, should know first-hand how it feels to be accused of something you never have done.

In Camp Street there were a lot of innocent people waiting on a court date or because they couldn’t afford bail for a ‘spliff’ which was wrong in the first place and I hope that that part of the system is fixed soon. Personally, the feeling at present is if those survivors come together and form a political party and participate in the next election, we have a clear winner because clearly, this administration or our leaders of this administration are perfect politicians and we don’t want a perfect politician to govern imperfect people, cause we all are imperfect.

We all have flaws. Where is the empathy? Government has no empathy on its own and that’s bad. I pray and I hope that these survivors are not found and killed and I also hope that these survivors take my advice and don’t harm people and just pray that smartness prevails and that this

government fixes itself and we could come to some conclusion where you could return yourself back and have a retrial for lesser sentences and things could move forward.

Yes, you do the crime you then should do the time, but a harsh penalty as death I don’t think is necessary in these times. Guyana should never have the death penalty, it is ridiculous it’s like man can be God now you know and that’s wrong. I am not a supporter of the death penalty, I am not a supporter of doing crimes and thinking that there are no consequences also.

However, I do know most of these guys claim innocence and when a criminal does something and he survives a tragedy such as the Camp Street fire, I think you should pardon that person because a lawsuit can be waiting for the government, because the government had to protect those prisoners. Why should I stay in a building on fire that you control?

What about if something happened to me where is my liability? The government can be sued and if I could do anything for justice and anybody wants sue the government, I will be a founder/ funder to that movement. I’m for justice, the government can face a defamation lawsuit by calling the unaccounted survivors escapees from lawful custody; being in a burning building is not lawful custody.

Regards Noel Shawnpey

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

New education dep’t to be up next month

By Ariana Gordon THE Department of Innovation and Education Reform created under the Ministry of the Presidency will become fully operational in August, President David Granger disclosed last Thursday during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle at State House.

According to the headof-state who will have oversight of the department, it will remain under the Ministry of the Presidency for the short term and then be merged with the Ministry of Education.

The announcement of the new department was made in June when the President reshuffled his cabinet for the third time since taking office in May 2015. In June, it was announced that Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, who held the post of Minister of Education, had been reassigned to the Ministry of Public Service, a new ministry.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon during the announcement said that the changes are geared at ensuring that better education and public services are provided to the Guyanese people in a smooth and efficient manner. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, now performs the function of Minister of Education.

Meanwhile, the new department responsible for innovation and reform of the education sector

emerged out of a Cabinet decision last year to have a Plan for Emergency Education Reform (PEER) and to deal with the specific problem of poor performance in mathematics.

“I would say as a result of that intervention, the grades improved, but the grades are not good enough,” said President Granger who said that there is need for “a longer intervention.” “We have to look at the education system as [a] whole and not just specific interventions.

As a whole, there are problems in the hinterland and there are problems with the public school system.

So we feel that we maybe need to allow teachers to serve a little longer rather than retiring at 55,” he stated.

The President who before taking office had criticised the state of the country’s public education sector, believes that other improvements in the curriculum and methodology employed by educators need to be examined in great detail. “…So the plan to establish a department should be taken within the framework of a wider education reform policy. It will start in August, in time to catch the next school academic year,” the President declared. The Ministry of the Presidency is actively receiving advice and is searching for persons to staff the department in order to bring about the change government wants

to see occurring in the public schools, particularly at the primary level where a plethora of problems exist.

The head-of-state made it clear that the department has to focus on the entire sector and not just coastal aspects. The plan must cater for hinterland and coastal students he stressed.

“From what we have seen in the intervention of the PEER is that it can work and we need to broaden it. It is not right now within the Ministry of Education, because the Ministry of Education has day-to-day functions to perform. It will be a separate task force and later on we’d merge on to the ministry,” he assured. Additionally, President Granger assured that the Education Sector Reform Programme will not only focus on subjects being done at the National Grade Six, but on the performance of the sector holistically. “That is why we don’t need people who are going to work at 8am and leaving at 4pm.

We need a special task force that is going to go into the hinterland, implement the recommendations of the CoI and as a result of that we will see a real turn around. We have had interventions before but these were specific, but we are now looking at a holistic approach to education reform,” the President noted.

Notwithstanding the challenges, the head-of-

state was quick to state that in all fairness to the officialdom, it is very difficult to implement a strategic plan on the basis of a day-to-day schedule and noted the fact that there is need for persons who are going to make the intervention on behalf of the administration. And I must say this, in fairness to the officialdom, politicians in the system it is very difficult to implement a strategic plan on the basis of a day-to-day schedule, we need people who are going to make that intervention on behalf of the government.

“Yes, the reform group, task force is going to be located outside of the Ministry of Education in the short term but when it gets into stride, it will be merged into the ministry,” he stated.

Asked whether he is satisfied with the pace of the education sector reform, the President responded: “I am satisfied that there was a positive or favourable outcome from the intervention which began in 2015, but I am not satisfied with 45 per cent, I am looking for 75 per cent passes. We have to get it; no parent, nobody would be satisfied with a child performing at 45 per cent; we can do better, I know we can do better,” he declared.

Meanwhile, earlier this month the National Assembly approved $16.6M in supplementary provi-

sion for the establishment of a Department of Innovation and Education Reform. During debates on the subject, Minister of State Joseph Harmon disclosed that the Department of Innovation and Education Reform falls under the Ministry of the Presidency, and is aimed at improving education and learning outcomes through innovation.

He said the new department would focus on capitalising on new innovative trends and personalised learning that rely on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in addition to addressing the parallel challenge of promoting learning in an equitable way, as well as the potential for modern approaches to providing quality education. “This decision arose out of an analysis which was made from a Commission of Inquiry which was conducted into the education system, and proposals which were made to the Cabinet. And based on those proposals, this was one of the decisions made with respect to education,” Minister Harmon explained. The department will be managed by a director and deputy director, who are yet to be hired, and will be paid approximately $700,000 and $500,000 respectively.

He went on to explain that the proposed salaries at reference include provisions for allowances,

President David Granger NIS, telephone charges, duty and travel; that the positions will be publicly advertised, but that public servants will be given first preference.

Additionally, three technical employees: early, primary and secondary childhood education specialists, a technical research assistant, and an administrative officer will be hired. It is proposed that these technical personnel be paid approximately $122,640 per month. The Department of Innovation and Education Reform will be furnished and equipped at a budgeted cost of $3M. The supplementary provision of $16.6M also caters for the purchase of field materials, office materials, print and nonprint materials, in addition to local travel and subsistence, telephone charges, refreshment and meals among other things.

59 NDCs get subventions for developmental projects FIFTY-NINE out of 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) across Guyana were able to commence and execute developmental projects within their communities with government subventions.

Principal Regional Development Officer at the Ministry of Communities, Surendra Khayyan, explained to the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the subvention translates

to approximately $2M for each of the 59 councils. He further explained that the subvention programme is a government grant given annually to the 62 NDCs across Guyana. It is aimed at assisting NDCs with developmental capital works within their respective communities including the construction of bridges and culverts and road rehabilitation among others.

The Principal Region-

al Development Officer noted that 59 of the 62 NDCs across Guyana have benefitted, since the remaining three NDCs have to complete the necessary steps before they qualify for the subvention. He said “the three outstanding NDCs are the Hague Blanken Burg NDC in Region Three, and the Bel Air Woodlands and Woodlands Farm NDCs in Region Five. They were asked to do a resubmission of their

budget; we’re working with them to revise their work programme because it was more of a current than a capital and the government subvention is capital nature.”

To date, the Ministry of Communities has approved 95 percent of the allocation for subventions totaling $118M. Khayyan recalled how the local government amendment Bill which was approved on August 05, 2015, now provides

NDCs with more leverage in their spending and expenditure. He highlighted that previously NDCs were eligible for a subvention of $100,000 but with this Bill in place, requests for developmental works above $1M are approved.

“NDCs have responsibilities for projects within their communities, so some choose purchase of equipment over developmental works since they would have the capacity

to do the works themselves, so some communities have benefited from new equipment to execute their works.”

Some $1.043B was allocated in the 2017 budget for the Ministry of Communities from which $206M covers municipalities, $264MNDCs, and $556M the inclusion of an aspect of the Community Improvement Programme under the functions of the local councils. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

Guyana ‘on target’ for August Laing Avenue man allegedly submission of EITI application found with Glock pistol GUYANA is expected to be accepted as a candidate country into the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in October.

National Coordinator for the Guyana EITI Secretariat (GYEITI), Dr. Rudy Jadoopat, at a public outreach in Linden on Saturday, said that the Multi Stakeholder Group (MSG) is expected to finalise the application by August.

The MSG will meet later this month, where the application will be “changed or adjusted,” before its finalisation in August. Guyana has already fulfilled four of the five step application process. Those include the government’s commitment to the standards and the establishment of the MSG. The remaining step is the completion of a work plan.

“That work plan must be published and after that is done…we will be eligible to submit our candidature application to the EITI,” Dr Jadoopat explained. Guy-

National Coordinator of the GYEITI Secretariat Dr Rudy Jadoopat ana’s acceptance as a can- EITI standards. These standidate country is expected dards endorse corporate to be announced at the In- social responsibility, enternational EITI Secretariat courages sharing of inforconference in Manila, Spain mation, revealing beneficial in October. Guyana’s appli- ownership and promoting cation process began seven revenue transparency. The years ago when the previous EITI is a global standard administration gave its com- that promotes transparency mitment to signing onto the and accountability in the standards. The application management of a country’s process was only fast tracked extractive resources, by adover the last two years. dressing key governance Membership of EITI issues. means that Guyana will There are 52 countries have to voluntarily adhere with membership that adto the 12 principals of the here to the standard. (DPI)

A LAING Avenue man was remanded to prison after he was allegedly found with a Glock pistol and 17 live matching rounds.

Jermaine Phillips, 24, was slapped with three charges and appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday. It is alleged that on June 14, 2017, at Norton Street, Georgetown, Phillips discharged a loaded firearm at Troy Grant with intent to disfigure, disable or to cause him bodily harm.

Phillips pleaded not guilty to the charge. It is also alleged that on July 11, 2017, at Laing Avenue, Georgetown, Phillips had in his possession one .40 Glock Pistol and 17 live matching rounds when he was not the owner of a firearm licence.

Phillips pleaded not guilty to this charge as well.

According to the prosecutor, acting on information the police visited the premises and saw Phillips who had a bag around his neck, attempting to escape. He was apprehended after which the firearm was discovered in the bag. Phillips was remanded to prison by Magistrate Leron Daley until August 7,2017, for having in his possession live rounds and a firearm.

Meanwhile, his attorney Adrian Thompson stated that his client has no pending matter nor does he have any prior conviction. The attorney also stated that his client was arrested on July 11, 2017, and was held for more than 72 hours.

He added that the police had visited the defendant’s home and took away items including a tablet and his passport. The defendant was not aware of the charge until June 14, 2017, when the charge was indicated to him, the lawyer stated. The attorney also mentioned that his client does not know Grant and that three other persons were arrested at the same time for firearm possession. The lawyer requested that his client receive bail in a reasonable sum.

Prosecutor Sanjay Singh objected to bail,because of the gravity of the offence.

He then stated that Grant knows Phillips.

In addition, 40 shells were recovered along with the firearm. However, Magistrate Daly granted substantial bail in the sum of $400,000.

The condition attached to bail is that Phillips report to the CID headquarters every Friday. He is expected to return to court on August 7, 2017.

Against The Grain

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

Retribution vs. Rehabilitation

OUR prison system is a monumental failure.

There are many arguments that can be made for and against it, but when the tallies are done, it would say that our prison system is a mon-

umental failure. In our pursuit to obtain justice for the wronged and punish perceived wrongdoings, we have created a system in which even the most innocuous of crimes can see you languishing

in an overcrowded prison for years.

With 17 deaths in a prison riot last year and one death in last week’s occurrence which started with a fire and led to the escape of prisoners, the

glaring issue of our prison system is one that has been coming up a lot. Mostly, people talk about the need for the city’s prison to be relocated and the need for more prisons to deal with overcrowding. Less than often, the conversation about the need for prison reform and the need for rehabilitative measures arises. Yet, it is exactly here that we need the conversation to go.

President David Granger in a televised address to the nation made mention to the fact that the public knows that they “are building a brand new prison in Mazaruni and effecting repairs to the others.” This is definitely a good step.

There should be adequate prison facilities for those who have broken the law because I believe overcrowding to be amongst the chief reasons of human rights violations in prisons. However, while overcrowding can decrease temporarily by the building of new prisons, it is not a sustainable solution.

If the same judicial system exists then those new prisons too will soon become too full. Then, what we have are new prisons that further entrap the poor but also new prisons which put pressure on the country’s valuable resources.

Presidents Granger had initiated yearly pardons for low threat offenders and this is a good initiative.

The releasing of non-violent offenders following the fire was also a good move. However, when we begin to examine the crimes of these people being pardoned and released,

we realise that, given their crimes, their sentences usually outweigh the seriousness. Others have not even been found guilty as yet, but because of being unable to afford bail, they languish in prison.

When we look at who largely make up the prison population, we will see it disproportionally affects those who live lives of poverty. We cannot keep upholding a justice system that punishes the poor with imprisonment for being poor. What we need is not just slight modifications to a stationary system. We need to create one that is always evolving; one that sees the need for alternatives to imprisonment and which aims to educate and reform those imprisoned.

We already have some elements of this with inmates being taught CSEC and basic technical education. If we are serious about taking down our crime levels, then we need to begin exploring options that could be restorative and solidifying the ones that are helping.

Parole system programmes should be implemented so as to help prisoners reintegrate into society. We need to explore non-custodial sentences for non-violent and petty offenders. The money spent to upkeep prisoners are remarkably higher than money spent on non-custodial sanctions.

According to the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the Camp Street Prison riot last year, it takes $485,000 to house one prisoner annually. Do we still think imprisoning petty and non-violent

offenders should be our first step? Then, there are indirect costs such as economic and healthcare that cannot accurately be measured but which are often immense and long term.

Of course, rehabilitation does require a considerable amount of tax money and there are bound to be programmes that fail. That is the realistic outcome, but we should keep in mind that nothing is 100 percent effective.

Rehabilitation and educational programmes are crucial in our fight against mass incarceration. So, even while the financial resources needed might be pricey, we must keep in mind other larger and longer lasting causes of up keeping a broken system.

Unless prisoners learn valuable practical and life skills while imprisoned which can help them obtain and keep a job on release, the chances are that they will end up right back in the prison system.

Ensuring that our people are not imprisoned for minor and non-violent offenses and instead are guided through rehabilitation is not an individual interest. It has large implications on the financial and social effects on our country.

We must collectively recognise that the system as it remains now is basically a tutorial on becoming a hardened criminal and if we are serious about deterring future crimes, we will seek to reform the prison system and all the structures that contribute to it, such as the Judiciary.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

Gino Persaud to be sworn in as judge

JUSTICE Rishi Persaud will today be sworn in as a Justice of Appeal before President David Granger while four new Puisne judges, including Gino Persaud will also take the oath of office at a State House ceremony.

The four new judges are Simone Ramlall, Sandil Kissoon, Damone Young and Gino Persaud.

In May, President Granger swore in two appeal court judges, Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George-Wiltshire and High Court Judge, Justice Dawn Gregory as Appeal Court judges.

During that simple ceremony also held at State House, the Head-of-State

Gino Persaud said the swearing–in of the judges represents a fulfillment of a commitment he made. “This installation ceremony of judges is an affirmation of the government’s commitment to ensuring a judicial system

that reflects the values of independence, impartiality and integrity,” the President said.

He noted that the executive branch of government has no interest in interfering in the work of the judiciary, but seeks its preservation, “which is unbiased, unblemished and unmindful of personal prejudices”.

“The executive branch of Government also has no interest in interfering in the adjudicatory role of the Judiciary,” the President added.

President Granger noted too that the executive has taken steps to ensure the judiciary does not feel

Simone Ramlall beholden to the Government, and the enactment of the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Act of 2015 provides for the first time financial autonomy of the judiciary in accordance

with the Constitution being one such step.

Government he said will continue to respect the authority and dignity of the judiciary whose efficiency relies on there being a full complement of judges and magistrates.

Additionally, the President said continued support would be given to the efforts of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to ensure all vacancies are filled.

The Head of State posited that the Constitution empowers the JSC “…to make appointments… and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control… over certain judicial and legal

officers.”

The Commission is expected therefore to be a fearless custodian of the highest standards of judges’ personal conduct, and is obliged to ensure that its recommendations for appointments will be made on the basis of a clearly defined criteria applied in assessing the appropriateness of appointees.

The President also mentioned that the JSC is aware that an ethically compromised judiciary can cripple the institutional mechanisms established by the legislative branch and enforced by the executive arm of Government.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

Opposition Leader to also appeal CJ ruling on GECOM chair case

OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is likely to appeal in part, the decision of Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George on the interpretation of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana relative to the selection of a Chairman for the Guyana Elections Com-

mission (GECOM).

The opposition leader was a named party to the case brought by city businessman Marcel Gaskin, who has also indicated that he instructed his lawyers to file a Notice of Appeal on Justice George’s decision. Gaskin in his application had questioned whether

the list of persons for appointment as GECOM Chair to be submitted by Jagdeo must include a judge, former judge or person qualified to be a judge; the President is required under the constitution to state reasons for deeming each of the six names on the list as unacceptable; the President

is obliged to select a person from the six names on the list unless he has determined positively that the persons are unacceptable as fit and proper for appointment and whether a finding of act by the president that one or more persons on the list is not fit and proper renders the entire list as unac-

ceptable.

Justice George ruled that persons nominated to be selected as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) do not have to be judges, former judges or persons qualified to serve as a judge. She also ruled that while the President has the ultimate say on who is determined fit and proper to serve in the post, and could also reject the list of nominees, he should provide reasons as to why specific persons are unsuitable.

“However, I am informed that in the course of her ruling, the Honourable Chief Justice is interpreted to have said that if the President deems every name on a list as unacceptable, then the proviso to Article 161 applies.

If this report is correct, we respectfully take issue with this aspect of the Chief Justice’s ruling. We maintain most resolutely that the proviso only applies when no list has been submitted. That once a list has been submitted, the proviso has no applicability,” Jagdeo said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Opposition leader has submitted two lists to President Granger, both of which were outrightly rejected by the head-of-state. When the decision was handed down, the opposition leader was in the process narrowing down his nominees for the post with the intent of submitting a third list to the President.

“It is public knowledge that a list has been submitted several months ago. The first six names on that list have been rejected and a second six set of names have been substituted therefor. The second set of names has also been rejected and a third set of names shall be submitted shortly -- all upon the invitation of the President,” Jagdeo stated.

He said the proviso to Article 162 of the Constitution had not been placed before the court for its interpretation, nor was it part of any of the questions posed to the court, nor was it the subject of any legal submissions, neither from the Applicant’s, or the Guyana Bar Association nor his Attorneys-at-Law. “It is therefore rather strange that such a proposition appears to form part of the ruling in the case. I await a copy of the written decision and if that statement is in fact in the written decision, then I will have no alternative but

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to support any appeal filed by Marcel Gaskin in the matter.”

That aside, Jagdeo said based on media reports he was satisfied with clarification provided on many of the issues answered by the Chief Justice. Meanwhile, the government has argued that the Chief Justice vindicated its position that it is the President who must determine whether the list of nominees submitted by the opposition leader is acceptable. The Chief Justice also confirmed in her ruling that it is the President, acting in his own deliberate judgment, who must determine whether a person is ‘fit and proper.’

Justice George-Wiltshire, in her ruling, advised that there is no legal requirement for the President to state reasons for rejecting a list, though it is her belief that in the furtherance of democracy and good governance, he should, since Article 161 (2) speaks to the need for dialogue and compromise.

In a statement, government said the President has made consultation and dialogue priorities by meeting with the opposition leader and other members of the Opposition as recent as June 12, 2017.

They had previously met on March 8, 2017. “After the first list had been rejected on Constitutional grounds, the Head of State and Mr. Jagdeo engaged in a period of consultations, with legal representatives from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) meeting with the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mr. Basil Williams, to ensure that there was a clear understanding of the requirements as stated in the Constitution,” the statement noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

STEM Guyana places 10th

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–– after valiant fight at inaugural World Robotic Olympics

By Vishani Ragobeer THE team of local teenagers aged 15-19 that represented Guyana in Washington DC at the first Global Robotic Olympics as ‘STEM Guyana’ ended the competition in 10th place after six rounds.

Despite being in first place at the end of Day One, STEM Guyana thereafter struggled to maintain its position on the second and final days despite the teenagers’ valiant efforts.

At the end of the competition, the local team managed to finish in 10th position overall.

The youngsters faced challenges after being paired with underperforming teams and robots, and failed to win any of the three rounds

ny Frank, Arianna Mahase, Christopher Nelson, Sahief Poese and Vevekeanand Ramnarace, alongside Team Manager Farnaz Baksh; Coach Ricky Chan; and Public Relations Officer Horace Mosley.

This team had worked together during the past few months to build their robot, ‘Megathurium’ to compete in this competition.

The robot was required to ‘battle’ against opponents in the competition’s simulation exercise, called ‘H2O Flow’.

‘Megathurium’ was placed in an alliance with the robots of two other teams, and was required to pick up balls on the playing field which represented water and deposit them in reserves or at the

Guyana’s Megathurium [circled] in the playing arena during the team’s final round of competition on Tuesday. In the sixth and final round in which STEM Guyana competed, it found itself in an alliance with Nicaragua and Palestine.

And, strive as it might to rake in as many points as it could to help the alliance go head-to-head with Germany, in the end, they lost this round as well.

Nevertheless, the team members fought valiantly in the final three rounds of the ‘H2O Flow’ game, and scored many points for its alliances. Moreover, on realising that the robot of one of its alliance members was not up to par, STEM Guyana built its distinctive ‘koker design’ onto that robot.

The team comprised Ryan Benschop, Antho-

laboratory.

After depositing the ‘water’, the robots would have to attach and elevate themselves onto metal bars at the sides of the arena to escape from the oncoming ‘flood.’

Pioneer of STEM Guyana and overseas-based Guyanese, Karen Abrams, expressed her elation at the team’s success via social media.

Support for the team came rushing through on social media also as the young team sought to represent Guyana on the platform.

Out of the 809 youths competing from 157 countries through more than 160 teams, the Guyanese competed after being exposed to robotics in

Guyana for only about one year.

President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, speaking at the closing ceremony, charged the youths from around the world to develop their skills in this regard to

remedy the global ailments we face daily.

The next global challenge will be held in Mexico City next summer, and STEM Guyana will be seeking to attend once more and excel once again.

STEM Guyana members assisting another team with their robot

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

Implementation of government’s green agenda moving apace

THE implementation of green spaces, boulevards, and a green energy project, are just some of the initiatives being rolled out across the country, as part of the government’s green agenda.

These projects form part of a holistic programme being rolled out by the government through the Ministry of Communities which looks at the modernisation and transformation of the country, while promoting safe, sustainable environmental practices.

In press release from the Department of Public Information (DPI), Project Coordinator, Karen Roopchand was reported stating that the projects are designed around three (3) thematic areas: in-

frastructure development, institutional capacity building and public awareness and community participation.

As it relates to the green spaces initiative, which will be rolled-out at a cost of $183.5 million, Roopchand said that the project seeks to provide access to social and economic facilities as well as provide employment within communities.

“Our infrastructure component, where we are developing green open spaces, as well as other infrastructure-type projects will improve access to social and economic facilities such as the parks, community centres [and] multipurpose buildings, to provide areas where persons can interact and people in the community can come

Ministry of Communities,Project Coordinator, Karen Roopchand out and interact in a safe and clean environment,” Roopchand explained.

The release said that contracts were awarded for proj-

ects in Bartica and Mabaruma. Projects for Anna Regina, Corriverton, New Amsterdam and Lethem are currently at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) while Linden, Rose Hall and Georgetown are still at the designing and consulting stage.

Under the green energy programme, $75M will be spent on projects that will see a significant reduction of monies spent on electricity. It is anticipated that this intervention will result in municipalities saving up to $3.4 million annually, Roopchand said. “[That depends] on the municipality and the size of the buildings and the type of devices they are using, but based on an energy audit that

we would’ve conducted in collaboration with the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), those are the expected savings,” Roopchand explained.

The Project Coordinator added that the intervention will see the replacement of all of the bulbs of the municipal buildings, community centres, multipurpose centres, market places or any building that is managed by municipalities. “We are going to be replacing the less efficient bulbs with the LED bulbs and in the administrative buildings we are going to be implementing or putting in the photo sensors,” Roopchand said.

Other initiatives include the tree planting project, green economy training and green development plans.

The project will be rolled out over the next three years, where the ministry will be collaborating with the local organs and other stakeholders to plant 10,000 fruit, decorative and pest control trees across the ten Administrative Regions. The project was launched last month in East Berbice, Corentyne and Bartica.

The project also has an infrastructure development component, where the focus is on the construction of bridges, culverts, roads and markets. These projects will see a total of $299 million being invested. These initiatives are also part of the Ministry’s mandate to build cohesive, empowered and sustainable communities, the release said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

CHPA Electrification Project to light 16 housing schemes

CHIEF Executive officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Leon Saul, has announced that 16 government-led housing schemes and communities across Guyana are slated to receive electricity through CHPA’s $471 million Electrification Project.

The schemes targeted

tion Programme is organised into three sub-components, according to Saul. The first component involves the procurement of the requisite electrical hardware materials, of which 30 percent of the mobilisation payments have been made. The line hardware, sourced from China, is expected to arrive by the end of October while the

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Leon Saul, during the press briefing held on Tuesday. under this programme are: Onderneeming, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Zeelugt and Lust-en-Rust in Region Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands); Hope/ Experiment and Baltyrock in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Kilcoy Chesney in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); and Peter’s Hall, Farm, Covent Garden, Diamond, Eccles, Barnwell, Paradise and Enmore in Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica ) Encompassed in these 16 housing schemes are some 38,000 housing units in addition to the industrial areas.

All of the persons residing in these areas have been without electricity for a period of about three to five years.

“We expect the project to be closed out by the beginning of December,” Saul said at a press briefing on Tuesday. “It is not our desire for people to be left out in the dark.”

The 2017 Electrifica-

transformers and conductors are expected to arrive by the end of September.

The second component entails the procurement of the wallaba poles, but the CEO related that the supply of the poles has been delayed by six weeks, since Cabinet only approved it on July7, even though the evaluation report was submitted since April, 2017. The poles should be delivered and planted by the end of September as well.

The third component involves the hiring of electrical contractors for the installation of the electrical system. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the CHPA and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to only contract pre-qualified electrical contractors that abide by GPL’s standards. “It is projected that all works would be signed and ready for schedule in time for October 2017month end,” Saul said.

After the completion of the electrification works,

GPL will then assume responsibility for supplying and managing the electricity in the areas.

In September 2016, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Pat-

terson had earmarked a sum of $900 million to foster the electrification of housing areas in 2017. This was in response to the complaints of the unavailability of electricity and other infrastructure in

some of these areas.

The CEO related at the briefing that the aim of the CHPA is to create communities, moreover communities that are equipped with the basic living requirements like

electricity.

In establishing communities, the authority is mandated to ensure that the requirements like electricity, roadways and the supply of water are provided.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

Education COI finds ...

Too many ‘mummy duties’ for nursery school teachers THE Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the education system has found that nursery school teachers are burdened with extraneous ‘mummy duties’ as a result of unprepared and untrained children heading into the nursery level.

Members of the Commission have thus recommended that the government either revise the age of entry for nursery school children, or hire nursing assistants so as to take the burden off teachers and make them more efficient.

According to the preliminary report which was handed over to the education ministry by COI Chairman, Mr Ed Caesar, consideration should be

given to reviewing the entry age of three years, nine months as, “Many teachers complained that children are ill-prepared when they enter school at the early age.”

The report said that should the nursery level entry age remain as is, then consideration should be given to the employment of teaching assistants to help with the non-academic issues the teachers must address.

In the past, teachers have complained about having to perform ‘mummy duties’, where children not potty trained or lacking of certain behavioural skills require the teachers’ non-academic attention.

Some privately-ran nursery schools refused such students.

The COI said, however that, “Evidence was provided to show that a teacher may sometimes spend 15 minutes attending to an early entrant, while the class remained unsupervised.”

A further look into the system’s nursery level revealed that teachers must be managed in such a way that the number of charges per class does not exceed 15. The COI felt, too, that consideration should be given to ensuring that there is an active collaboration with the Ministry and Department of Health to facilitate eye, ears, and dental examination and a psychological assessment of each child in first-year nursery to facilitate early detection of learning barriers and difficulties.

On the academic front, the COI found that the nursery programme should focus mainly on numeracy, literacy, skills development and moral values, and that elements relating to social studies and science could also be taught. Arrangements should be made to ensure that the text books and student work books are made available from the beginning of the new school year since, many

of the schools, it was revealed, only received books in 2017 for the academic term commencing September 2016. Up to four months ago, schools were yet to receive these books.

The COI recommended consideration for the review of nursery books to ensure better sequencing in lining both numeracy and literacy with the calendar of events the child may encounter. Outside of this, the production of standardised teaching aids and child-friendly classroom aids, should be considered.

“Such could be centrally designed, produced and packaged. This will reduce the burden of teachers having to pay for materials out of their pockets.” This method will also ensure consistent delivery of the curriculum throughout the country, the report opined.

Where the nursery level feeding program is concerned, the education COI recommended a review of the standard biscuit and juice offered, since it is rejected by students. Poor storage also adds to the situation. “Many schools do not have adequate, secure and hygienic storage spaces and as such biscuits are given to children in bulk to overcome this challenge.

It was reported that such action by head teachers is condemned by Education Officers who do not offer a viable solution,” the COI related. Some teachers have recommended a breakfast programme that include sandwiches.

The education COI also recommended early child involvement in extracurricular activities. “Consideration should be given for “Pee Wee” leagues for various sports to be set up to facilitate sport development from an early age,” to improve child development.

The COI said that based on their investigations at least five regions need immediate assistance in reviewing its nursery programme.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

Region Eight RDC in move to recoup overpayments to contractors

OFFICIALS of the Region Eight Regional Democratic Council (RDC) were on Monday accused by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of colluding with at least four contractors to rob the state of millions of dollars which had been overpaid.

In the absence of the former Regional Executive Officer, Rafel Downes, who was sacked as the accounting officer over his performance and attempts to mislead the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Acting REO Gavin Gounga sought to convince the committee that steps were being taken to recover the millions of dollars that were overpaid to the contractors.

But instead, the RDC officials were accused of corruption with open calls made for the police to be called in.

According to the Auditor General’s Report for 2015,

the regional administration was still to recover overpayments totalling $12.7M made on 15 contracts during the years 2011 and 2013. It was subsequently noted that two contracts for $139,000 and $242,000 for rehabilitation of the Mahdia Bridge and construction of Campbell Town Nursery School respectively, were cleared by the Audit Office.

On Monday, the REO (ag) told the committee that since the report was compiled, several letters were written by the regional administration requesting that the six contractors repay the monies owed and commitments were made by the contractors to have the funds refunded.

Gounga, who was appointed to the post of REO (ag) with effect from May 22, 2017, said upon entering office he wrote the contractors on June 4 and June 10. Since

Georgetown woman admits to fraud charges AN East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, woman was on Tuesday fined a total of $200, 000 on two fraud related offences after she made a false claim on an affidavit to gain her dead mother’s property.

Maxine Baird Sampson, 44, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded guilty to the two charges and was fined $100,000 on each charge or in default serve nine months of imprisonment.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that on October 23, 2004 at Georgetown, she took a false Oath of Affidavit in a letter of administration for the Estate of Linnett Duncan stating that Duncan had one child, knowing same to be false and intended for the letter of administration to be granted to her.

It is further alleged that on May 10, 2005 at Georgetown, Sampson took a false oath of affidavit in a letter of administration requesting title of the estate by falsely claiming that Linnett Duncan had one child and she was the sole beneficiary of the estate, knowing same to be false.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Arwin Moore told the court that Sampson is the daughter of the late, Linnett Duncan and on October 23, 2004, the accused visited Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits, Michael Wright and swore that she is the only child of Linnett Duncan who is deceased.

Sampson reportedly applied for an estate tile of the plot of land along the East Coast of Demerara which was later granted by the Deeds Registry in 2005. In 2005, Sampson reportedly went back to the said Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits and swore to the title of administration to sell the property. The land was reportedly sold for $1.4M. The prosecutor explained that Sampson’s brother reported the matter to the police when he learned that his sister sold the property and made the false claims.

The unrepresented woman told the court that her other siblings were in the United States and she was the left in Guyana to take care of two properties which belonged to her mother.

Sampson broke down in tears as she explained that she was burdened with bills for the two homes and did not receive any assistance from the other siblings. She said she had to continue paying a mortgage for one of the houses after her mother died.

“I tried to sell it and was advised that the only way is if I said that I was the only child,” the tearful woman said.

She pointed out that she received $1.4M for the home and payed $1M to the mortgage and used the remainder of the money to fix the fence of the other home.

then, he said two contractors have started to repay.

The contractors indebted to the region have been identified as Curtis Garraway of 111 Miles, Mahdia, who paid $100,000 on Monday; Salim Yusuf of 273 Block X Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, who had paid previously; Nigel Forde of Bartica, Troy Dainty of 111 Miles Mahdia; and Ramuping Wilson of Railway Line, Kitty.

In addition to the letters

issued by the acting REO, letters were reportedly issued

by Rafel Dowes. While the acting REO did not have those letters, he had responses from four contractors based on the correspondence issued by Downes.

All of the responses issued by the contractors were structured similarly, creating an impression that they had been written by a single individual, and signatures were simply affixed to the documents.

They were also dated May 2,

2017. Gounga disclosures had caused an outburst by the PAC members. “Do you see a collusion?” Ali questioned and in response, Gounga said yes.

In addition to Ali, Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira expressed his disappointment and called for serious action to be taken against those responsible.

“The reoccurrence of the same wording of a letter dated May 2, one would want to conclude, that the RDC seems

to be in collusion with some of the contractors and we are being forced to believe that representatives of the state are trying to rob the state,” Figueira said.

Ali added that the evidence was clear. This situation was compounded by the fact that Gounga and team were ill-prepared.

They were sent away and are to prepare a detailed statement based on questions that will be supplied by the PAC.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

Mackenzie High HM pre-empts dismissal –– opts for early retirement to safeguard benefits FORMER Mackenzie High headmaster, Mr Gary Roberts, has found himself in a spot of hot water after it was revealed to the Region 10 Department of Education (DoE) that he was dipping into the school’s coffers.

Following the revelation, an investigation was launched into the matter and according to Regional Education Officer (REO), Ms Marcia Paddy, Roberts has opted for early retirement after realising that he was facing dismissal, which would have resulted in his losing whatever benefits he was entitled to, gratuity and all.

The matter was raised at the Regional Democratic Council’s statutory meeting on Monday, when Regional Chairman Renis Morian expressed concern over the issue, since Roberts, in a letter to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), is refuting the DoE’s claims.

According to the Regional Chair, the DoE has apprised, by way of a letter, the Ministry of Education’s Chief Education Officer (CEO) Mr. Marcel Hutson, of their findings, based on their investigations.

The Guyana Chronicle has learnt that in an effort to bring closure to the matter at the earliest opportunity, the department has recommended to the CEO that the money Roberts filched be deducted from his benefits.

This was reportedly done, so that the reins of the school can be formally handed over to Mr Roberts’s successor. In the interim, however, Ms Carlotta Nurse has been acting as HM since September 2016, when Roberts proceeded on retirement.

“It is as a result of the department writing the Ministry of Education, after we found all of these discrepancies, that the HM opted to go on early retirement, because he would have been dismissed because of the findings,” Ms Paddy told RDC Councillors. She also revealed that the department’s first option was to give Roberts time to make restitution.

“We would have given

him time to rectify most of them; but, as it is, he is still indebted to the regional administration,” the CEO said.

Pressed further on the matter on Monday, Ms Paddy explained that Roberts could not have given account for all of the school’s liquid assets, such as the $100,000 for the school’s Home Economics Department, which cannot be accounted for.

“We were working with him since last year,” Paddy said. “I called him and said this matter needs to be completed; the $100,000 from ‘Home Ec’, we are not seeing if it was deposited or expended; just show us a deposit slip or a receipt.”

She said that after much time had elapsed and they seemed to be getting nowhere with Roberts, as he continued to deny any wrongdoing, the matter was finally referred to the higher authorities.

She went on to explain to the Council that should the school be handed over without the matter being resolved, then it is the acting HM who will now be indebted to the department.

After hearing the REO out, the regional chairman asked that an audit of the school be done so that the discrepancy claims can be backed up by audited documents, since there is nothing preventing the former HM from challenging the DoE with a court injunction, given that he has already falsified the claims.

Regional Executive Officer, Mr Gavin Clarke, who noted that the former HM is currently abroad marking CSEC papers, said that upon his return he will summon him to a meeting in the presence of both the REO and the regional chair, so that together they can iron out the matter. “As soon as he returns, I will pursue that matter,” Clarke said.

Mr. Gary Roberts acted in the position of HM when former HM, Ms Cheryl McDonald, went on retirement in 2011. He was appointed in 2014. Prior to that, he for many years taught Mathematics and Information Technology to the CSEC and CAPE-level students.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 19, 2017

QC Maths Camp opens –– aims at garnering students’ interest in STEM

THE Queen’s College’s Summer Maths Institute began on Monday with the aim of harnessing the mathematical capabilities of youth and fostering an interest in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

This Maths Camp was initiated in 2016 by Queen’s College alumnus and member of the Queen’s College of Guyana Alumni Association New York Chapter (QCAANY), Dr. Terrence Blackman, aiming to place young, inquisitive minds on the career pathway of STEM. This year, it returned with the same aim and caters for students from Grades eight to 10. In addition to Queen’s College students, this year’s initiative will see participation of students from the Bishop’s High, Saint Stanislaus College and Tutorial High school. Each session begins at 09:00hrs and concludes on 15:00hrs, until Friday, July 28, at Queen’s College.

According to Queen’s College alumnus and facilitator of the programme, Shindy Johnson, “What we’re trying to do is to encourage the students to pursue careers in STEM.” While trying to foster an appreciation and interest for the subject, Johnson however related that the camp does not take a classroom-session approach; rather, the sessions are more engaging.

She noted that while they will be exposed to the subject through mathematical theories and the use of the ‘Maths circle,’ a social structure that fosters mathematical thinking, and they will also be engaging with professionals in the field chatting with the students.

Moreover, the students will be taken on field trips

to places such as the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and both University of Guyana (UG) campuses. These trips are geared at illustrating the real-world applications of the discipline.

Another interesting feature of the camp is that the students will be introduced to ‘maplesoft’ – mathematical and engineering software used to also illustrate the application of the discipline.

In light of the recent oil discovery off the shores of Guyana, too, it is pertinent that students are educated in this field of STEM, to work in the emerging sector, according to Johnson.

While the camp is still in its pilot stage, Johnson related that the camp will definitely return in 2018.

Presently, the QCAANY is seeking to establish a Maths Club within the college which seeks to further spark an interest in STEM within the students.

As the lead professor of the camp, Dr. Blackman will be joined by a Doctoral Candidate in Applied Mathematics at North Carolina State University and former Queen’s College alumnus Mr. Cleveland Waddell. Their efforts will be supported by President of QCAANY systems engineer at Thomson Reuters; Karen Wharton, science educator, teacher trainer, and author of “Learning about Science Volumes I and II”, a textbook for adult learners in South Africa; Ms. Shindy Johnson, among other members of the association and other stakeholders.

All components of the Summer Maths Institute are completely free of cost and are sponsored by the QCANNY through magnanimous support from many other organisations.

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Dr. Terrence Blackman explaining a mathematical theory to the young maths enthusiasts

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Media urged to join fight against tobacco “FIGHT smoking with your pens…convince the world that the pen is mightier than the smoke,” Terrence Esseboom urged media operatives on Tuesday as he declared opened a Sensitisation Workshop on the Tobacco Control Act at the Grand Coastal Hotel.

Esseboom – a communication lecturer at the University of Guyana and Head of the Public Health Ministry’s Public Relations and Health Promotion Unit – said it is time all journalists, photographers, and videographers join the fight.

“In the anti-tobacco fight, media messages must be short, clear and well-studied. We want you ensure that your ‘well-studied’ messages are emotionally stimulating without being sensational,” Esseboom said.

In presenting much needed facts on the negative impacts of smoking, the Public Relations Coordinator pointed out that on a yearly basis millions of persons die as a result of tobacco smoke.

“Globally, one person dies every six seconds from tobacco use: that’s 10 persons every minute or 600 persons per hour which is 14, 400 per day or 432,000 per month. At this rate some 5,184, 400 will die from tobacco use every year. Almost 900,000 of those deaths are from second hand smoke (SHS),” he pointed out.

In addition to the yearly

Terrence Esseboom – Head of the Public Health Ministry’s Public Relations and Health Promotion Unit

deaths, millions of persons develop diseases and disabilities as a result of tobacco smoking and second hand smoking.

“For example, workers exposed to tobacco smoke on a regular basis have a risk of cancer that is between 7 and 700 times higher.

Children exposed to SHS suffer from a wide range of ailments including acute respiratory diseases, bronchitis and pneumonia, while adults will contract cancer of the lung and oral/nasal cavity; breast cancer in young, primarily pre-menopausal women, heart disease and heart attacks,” he further pointed out.

In moving forward, Esseboom argued continuous

surveillance must remain on the front burner as the country moves to put a comprehensive ban on advertising which globally shows that the measure helps lower consumption.

Hefty taxation on the industry must be instituted, he lamented, noting that this measure will undoubtedly discourage tobacco use. “Guyana has one of the lowest taxation on tobacco and this is unfortunate,” Esseboom noted while reiterating his call for the media to aggressively and continuously raise awareness on the aged old matter.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry’s Chronic Non Communicable Diseases Coordinator, Dr. Kavita

Dr. Kavita Singh

Singh reported that tobacco use is a significant burden to the health sector, nationally and globally.

In making her case, Dr. Singh told the media operatives that tobacco use is one of the four major modifiable risk factors that cross cuts each of the four major groups of NCDs: cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic lung diseases, and diabetes. She said the situation is further compounded by the fact that NCDs account for 70% of premature mortality in Guyana.

Dr. Singh said in 2016, Guyana for the first time completed the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise (STEPS) Survey to determine how risk factors are compounding the nature

of NCDs in the country.

It was explained that STEPS is a simple, standardized method for collecting, analyzing and disseminating data on NCDs and risk factors. Data are collected on the established risk factors and NCD conditions that determine the major NCD burden, including tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity, overweigh and obesity among others.

The survey was conducted between September and October of 2016, during which 3,456 households were targeted during the first two phases. The overall response was 77% for steps 1 and 2 and 40% for step 3.

According to the survey, 26.6% of men, 3.3% of

women, and 15.4% overall were current smokers of tobacco. It was also noted that 6 in 10 current smokers tried to stop smoking in the last 12 months while 3 in 10 current smokers were advised by a health care provider to stop smoking in the last 12 months.

Alluding to the Guyana 2015 Country Report – Global Youth Tobacco Survey, Dr. Singh pointed out that one in every three students had used tobacco products at some point while almost one in every six students currently used tobacco products.

Dr. Singh noted that the situation is further compound when persons consume excessive alcohol and smoke tobacco. “Compound with smoking it is disastrous,” she lamented.

Given the situation, the Ministry from September, 2017 would roll out a comprehensive National Community Strategy to combat the trend of tobacco smoking. PAHO/WHO National Consultant, Attorney at Law Kesaundra Alves; and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle were among those present in addition to media operatives from Guyana Chronicle, Stabroek News, the National Communications Network (NCN), the Department of Public Information (DPI), and Nightly News among others.

Region 10 on track to use up budgetary allocations REGIONAL Executive Officer (REO) of Region 10, Gavin Clarke, is optimistic that the $3.1 B that was allocated for 2017, will be expended as the region is completing current and capital projects in a timely manner, as well as expending the $1.6 B that was allocated for the region’s ‘other charges’.

Clarke explained at the Regional Democratic Council’s statutory meeting, that out of the entire $3.1 B budget, $1.6 B is to be used for other charges under the various programmes. Out of

that, the region has expended $611. 5 M- a total of 37%. On the capital side of the budget, the region has expended 14% of the total funds while 44% has been expended on the current projects. While 15% of the capital budget has been spent, Clarke explained that there are a number of payment vouchers that are in process and the RDC has made request for additional releases to be made. “In my estimation, I see us being able to pull off our budget,” he affirmed.

Clarke was at the time responding to questions asked

by Councillor Sandra Adams who revealed that Minister Jordan has made it clear that regional budgetary allocations for 2018 will not be any more than what was released in 2017. In addition, if the region did not expend all of the funds for 2017, the 2018 allocation will be less than 2017. Adams, therefore urged the administration to expedite spending so as not to be short-changed in 2018.

Some of the capital projects that are to be completed in 2017 include the construction of several roads including Wallaba Road at

Christianburg; Boulevard Avenue at Amelia’s Ward; 2nd Cross Street Amelia’s Ward; Farm to Market Road at West Watooka; Daggarad Avenue and Upper Green Heart Street. A total of $368.272M was budgeted for public infrastructure while $55 M has been allocated for repairs to be done to current roads. Other infrastructural projects include the construction of the drain at Manni Street, Mackenzie; desilting of the SilverBalli Creek; the construction of two schools at the community of Bamia located

on the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway; the first phase of the construction of a new RDC building and the purchasing of an ambulance for Rockstone.

Calls for the timely release of tenders Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, has called on the National Tender and Procurement Administration Board (NTPAB) to release tenders sent by the regional administration in a timely manner, since the long wait stymies progress in the region. Morian said that he has written to the Minister of Fi-

nance about the matter since the Region would push off its tenders very early. “These things reflect very negative on the region and I need their support in getting the National Tender Board to move very quickly in awarding these tenders,” Morian said.

REO Clarke said while he doesn’t want to cast blames around, tenders are being awarded months after being sent; in some cases, four months after.

“In some cases more often than not,” he said. “These things can stymie a few of our projects.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 19 2017

PAC hears of urgent need for generator at Suddie Hospital

A GENERATOR set which was budgeted for since 2015 as a matter of emergency for the Suddie Public Hospital in Region Two is still to be purchased by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

The revelation was made on Monday when the Region’s Officials led by the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson, appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

According to the Auditor General’s 2015 report, the “region did not achieve its anticipated level of capital expenditure activities in 201 5 by $65.6M or 23.3%.”

Though two of the primary projects were re-budgeted and completed in 2016, Hopkinson told the PAC, chaired

by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament, Irfaan Ali, that the generator set had not been acquired although, a cheque was “cut” since December 2016.

Initially, the REO sought to lay the blame on the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). “Unfortunately, the generator was an NPTAB project and we did not get the approval but they have asked us now to resubmit,” Hopkinson said in his defense.

In responding to a question posed by Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, who sits on the PAC, the REO told the Committee that a cheque was cut for the purchase of the generator but has not been returned to the consolidated fund, although the purchase was not made.

The generator was budgeted at $10M. Although the requisite approval had not been granted

by NPTAB, the REO said he was advised by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary to solesource the generator given the urgency of the matter.

“I remember that I personally went and get the quotation from MACORP,” Hopkinson added, while

maintaining that he was acting on the advice of the Permanent Secretary.

Ali, told Hopkinson that he had breached the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. Bishop Juan Edghill, who also sits on the committee, argued that given the fact that the Region’s expenditure had been consistently low, Hopkinson and team tried to increase its expenditure by attempting to sole source the generator.

But Hopkinson argued that the option of sourcing was selected because it was a matter of emergency and MACORP is the most “reputable” source of generators.

“In view of the urgency, I was advised to go to MACORP,” the REO maintained.

“You had a budget that was approved by this House for the acquisition of a generator. In your capital project you did not advertise for this generator to be procured.

In December while your project is underperforming, you sought to get the money out of the system to improve your performance, so you opted for sole sourcing…

Everything against the law,” Bishop Edghill rebutted.

He added there was no urgency. Edghill was backed

by Ali who said, “It could not have been an emergency because the generator is still not supplied!”

But Public Health Minister informed the PAC that there is an urgent need for the generator. “As far as I know, this generator is needed at the Suddie Hospital. While there is a generator in place, it is not adequate enough to take off the load of the hospital. So this particular item is an emergency…for the hospital,” Minister Lawrence stated.

Minister Lawrence said provisions had been made for the purchase in 2015, and subsequently re-budgeted for in 2016. “I was told that the generator was ordered,” she added.

Although, Hopkinson had sought to lay the blame at the feet of NPTAB, but he had no written documentation to show that a request had been made to NPTAB or that NPTAB had indicated that approval was not granted.

Based on the responses given, Minister Lawrence advised that the cheque be returned to the Consolidated Fund and the proper procedures be followed to allow for the sourcing and acquisition of the generator.

The PAC chair reinforced that because of the slothfulness and irresponsible attitude displayed by the REO and team, operations of the Suddie Hospital is being affected. Ali noted too that although the

Region Two officials had appeared before the PAC before, he like the other members, is dissatisfied with the region’s accountability level and is looking to see marked improvements in the future.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Linden child killer gets lifetime in jail

By Michel Outridge FORMER postman Rawle Samuels, 29, was on Tuesday sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 30 calendar years

by Justice Nareshwar Harnanan in the Georgetown High Court after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the February 6, 2013 murder of his stepson, who was knifed to death at his Buck Foot Hill, Wismar, Linden home.

The judge started at the base of 45 years at the sentencing after which he deducted a total of 15 years for the early plea, remorse and for the positive signs of rehabilitation. Samuels, who was moved to tears after the judge told the court he was sentenced to life

Murdered: Four-year-old Jamal Nedd

imprisonment, will be eligible for parole in 2047.

He was led away to jail in tears and could be heard wailing loudly for some time afterwards.

Justice Harnanan told the court that Samuels’ early plea and his admittance to the lesser count of manslaughter were considered

during sentencing, but based on the facts of the case, the deceased Jamal Nedd was only four-yearsold and body bore two gaping incised wounds. The judge also said that a knife was left embedded in the child’s body and noted that the incident was savage since the child offered no challenge or provocation.

Justice Harnanan told the court that from the probation report, the accused was noted for his penchant for violence towards women but was said to be a hardworking individual who would have been ideal for reform.

The judge added that the accused showed genuine remorse but he resorted to violence when dealing with intimate relationships and as such there is no consideration for his release.

PLEA FOR MERCY

Rawle Samuels at the Georgetown High Court on Tuesday

When asked if he had anything to say before he was sentenced on Tuesday, the accused

told the court that because of his actions he caused people to live in fear and see himself as a disappointment to his family.

Samuels said, “I know I cannot bring back what was lost and saying sorry may not be enough, if I had the chance to turn back the hands of time none of this would have happened.”

At this point, he began to cry as he addressed the court; his relatives who were present also started to cry along with the relatives of the deceased.

Samuels asked the relatives of the deceased to forgive him, as he noted that he has failed them; he said he has two children who will grow up without a father. Samuels told the court that his actions caused him to be separated from his children and everyone else as he begged for leniency.

According to him, during his time on remand, he had time to think and if given a chance, he will enhance his life.

“I beg you to have mercy on me.”

ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS Meanwhile, Probation Officer for Region 10 Shaneila Wilson, told the court that Samuels was born an only child to his parents but has six siblings from other relationships his parents had.

She related that he grew up at his grandmother’s house in Amelia’s Ward with his mother and stepdad since his biological father did not play a financial role in his upbringing. Wilson told the court that Samuels completed his secondary education and was the lone occupant of his aunt’s house at Buck Hill when he was a pork knocker.

She explained that he is literate and semi-skilled and in 2005 developed a visiting relationship with Jenel Semple while he was a postman for three years and she worked as a sales clerk at a grocer. Wilson added that on September 1, 2008 they had their first baby after which Semple accused him of being unfaithful to her.

The court heard that Semple however left the home and Samuels was charged with assault when he hit her during her pregnancy with their second child.

Wilson said Samuels was de-

scribed as a polite, hardworking and quiet person by his relatives and neighbours who, admitted that they heard he was abusive to Semple but never saw him hit her. They claimed he also smoked illicit drugs and consumed alcohol.

According to the probation officer, in 2009, Samuels started a relationship with Neisha Naranjan and she along with her 4-year-old son, Jamal Nedd moved in with him. The court heard that Samuels became abusive when Naranjan refused to iron his clothes. She too, accused him of being unfaithful to her and she moved out of the house and expressed her desire to end the relationship which angered Samuels, who threatened her in a text message.

The court heard that on the day in question, Samuels attacked Naranjan’s younger sister after which Nedd was knifed to death. The probation officer said that prison record reflects that Samuels’ conduct is of good behaviour and he is part of the cooking team. She said he expressed remorse for his actions during an interview.

Wilson added that Samuels had a promiscuous behavior which resulted in him being unable to maintain a steady relationship as such he became abusive and had difficulty controlling his temper to rejection and resorted to violence. She pointed out that the violence displayed by Samuels led to the death of young Nedd; the probation officer said that this cannot be condoned and justice must be served.

Wilson told the court that Naranjan has another child and is fearful for her life.

THE MURDER According to state prosecutor, Siand Dhurjon, on the day in question, the accused had a problem with his common law wife, Neisha Naranjan who, is the mother of the four-year-old child.

Naranjan ended the relationship with Samuels after an argument during which he had a dispute with her 17-year-old sister, who managed to ran away but Nedd was nearby and encouraged his aunt to ‘run away’.

At the time, Samuels was chasing the woman and when he heard what the four-year-old said, he became enraged and stabbed the child five times to the body. The knife was reportedly stuck in the child’s back and was removed by the pathologist, who performed the post mortem. The accused and Naranjan shared an intimate relationship and on the day in question the child returned home from school and reportedly witnessed Samuels raping his aunt.

Samuels reportedly confessed to the crime via a caution statement and the state is also in receipt of an eyewitness report. The state was represented by Prosecutors Siand Dhurjon, Shawnette Austin and Lisa Cave while, the defence attorney is Maxwell McKay.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 19 2017

Jones freed of 2013 murder of Sophia man

ANIKI JONES, who was on trial for the 2013 murder of Carl Garnett, walked out of the Georgetown High Court a free man on Tuesday after Justice Nareshwar Harnanan upheld a no-case submission made by Defence Attorney, Mark Conway in association with Keoma Griffith.

The visibly relieved and smiling Jones expressed gratitude to the court and his attorneys after the judge told him he was free to go. Justice Harnanan contended that after 14 witnesses, the state failed to make out a prima facie case against the accused when they closed their case last week. As such, he directed the 12-member jury to return a formal not-guilty verdict.

Jones had pleaded not guilty in the Georgetown High Court for the December 15, 2013 murder of Garnett, a linesman.

It is alleged that on the day in question at about 19:00 hrs, the linesman went to Jones’ home with a cutlass and proceeded to fire several chops at him.

It was reported that both men suffered injuries during a fight and were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where Garnett succumbed to his injuries. Garnett, 42 at the time, of 229 Thomas Street, Section ‘B’ South Sophia, had called Jones’ home after which a quarrel ensued. It was alleged that after a heated exchange, Garnett visited Jones’ house with a cutlass and a fight ensued.

The deceased is the father of four children, whose mother is in a relationship with Jones. The state was represented by Siand Dhurjon, Shawnette Austin and Lisa Cave.

Taxi driver remanded on drug charge

A 34-year-old taxi driver, who was recently busted by the Custom Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) with over 16 pounds of cannabis in his car, was remanded to prison for drug trafficking on Tuesday.

Glenmore Adrian McBean known as ‘Small-man’ of Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden, and Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the charge.

It is alleged that on July 16, 2017 at Soesdyke Junction, Linden Highway, McBean had 7.388 kilograms of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. Attorney, Bernard DaSilva in an application for bail, told the court that his client is married and has a child.

DaSilva stressed that the drugs were not found in his client’s possession but rather in his vehicle.

The attorney contended that on the day in question, McBean was proceeding to Linden with a passenger in the back seat of his taxi when the said passenger asked to be let out at the Soesdyke Junction.

According to DaSilva, the passenger had reportedly received a phone call and exited the vehicle and his client was left to proceed to Linden alone. However, the vehicle was stopped and searched

Glenmore Adrian McBean known as ‘small-man’

by CANU ranks and the drugs were found in the backseat of the passenger car pocket and also in the trunk.

CANU prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford told the court the ranks received Intel about the drugs since the accused was in Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, which led to the road block at the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. Sandiford further related that during the search of the car, McBean confessed to having a bag of weed in the trunk of his vehicle.

Bail was objected to by the prosecution on the grounds that no special reason was raised by the defense counsel for his pretrial liberty. He was remanded until July 31.

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No-one will dominate again like Tiger says Spieth

By Simon Evans SOUTHPORT, England (Reuters) - Golf is unlikely ever to be dominated again by a single player in the way that Tiger Woods ruled the sport, world number three Jordan Spieth said yesterday ahead of this week’s British Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

he captured the U.S. Masters and U.S. Open titles and came close to winning the Open and U.S. PGA Championship.

B u t t h e 2 3 - y e a r- o l d American was unable to maintain that extraordinary level of performance in 2016 and says those hoping for a new king of golf may be waiting in vain.

“I wouldn’t get your hopes

Tiger Woods

Spieth has come the closest to any player of repeating the kind of dominance that Woods enjoyed, producing a magnificent 2015 season when

up. What Tiger’s done, I just, having experienced a year like he continued to do for years.

It just takes a lot out of you.

It’s very tough to do,” he told reporters.

What I’m saying is, I doubt you’ll see dominance like that maybe ever again in the game. I just think guys are learning; guys are getting stronger.

“Guys are winning younger, playing more fearlessly, even in major championships, and I just think that it’s so difficult now.

“I wouldn’t get your hopes up for domination like that whatsoever,” he added.

However, the Texan believes that the sport will still provide plenty of drama even without an undisputed number one.

“I think it’s going to be

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a very exciting time. You’ll see a group of 10-to-12 guys over the next 15, 20 years that are going to have a lot of different competitions that come down the stretch with each other.

“It’s different than one person being the guy to beat. But I think it’s exciting, exciting for us as players. You just never know, and if you play well, you’re going to have a chance with these other guys who are equally as capable,” he said.

Spieth will probably always be judged against his remarkable break-out year and he said that his current form was not far off that level - even if he now acknowledges there won’t be many years like 2015.

“I haven’t been making as many putts as I did that year, this year,” he said. “I’ve struck the ball better than I did in ‘15.

I’ve actually been in better positions. If you took hole by hole, I’ve been in a better position tee to green than I was that year.

“If I putted the same as ‘15 I’d be having a better year right now. It’s hard to do. So, certain parts of the game I think I’ve improved on. And others ... it’s just fluctuated. And that’s how it will go. It will go like this,” he said.

“I recognise that, being five years in now, and five years doesn’t make me a veteran but it helps me realise ... how things go.

“Last year I was pretty caught in 2015, and this year I’m not. This year I recognise that that kind of year, hopefully, we can have another one or two like that.

“But if we keep on trying to improve each part of the game, stick to the process, then we’ll have the results that we want.”

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GFF aiming to add Region One as Regional Member Association THE president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde announced last Sunday that it’s the Federation’s hope for Region One to become a Regional Member Association (RMA), sooner rather than later.

Forde made the pronouncement at the final of the Rupununi Football Association Champions League 2017 held at the Guyana Rush Saints football ground in Lethem, Region 9.

In his address to the teams prior to the match he emphasised the need for the expansion of the GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATC). Forde said the GFF is currently on a fact-finding mission in Region 1.

“Today (Sunday July 16) Dion Inniss, Executive member of the GFF, is in Region 1 on a fact-finding mission. He will be meeting with leaders of the communities to initiate the membership process. Region 1 will become a Member Association in the coming months and we will be establishing an Academy Training Centre there as well,” Forde said.

Forde underscored the human development element of football in the hinterland as well as the importance of the talent in the hinterland being part of the growth of the game.

According to the GFF president, “The football leaders of the past offered excuses, my executive offers practical solutions to accessing the talent of the hinterland. We have the courage to confront the challenges that for many years have suffocated the development of football within the hinterland communities.”

“This is what football development should look like. We are doing our best to make up for many years of neglect and I promise you that I will not rest until the leadership of this Nation recognises the human development power of football and its value to the peoples of the hinterland communities.”

In the final of the RFA Champions League 2017 the Guyana Rush Saints FC male team were crowned champions over Paiwomak Warriors FC, defeating them by a 4-1 margin while Guyana Rush Saints FC female team defeated Titans United FC 2-1.

Among the scorers for the Guyana Rush Saints FC were Franklyn Parks (2) and Jude McDonald (2) while Shawn Browne was the scorer for Paiwomak Warriors FC. For the female team, Nara Rocha and Samantha Paulina scored for the Guyana Rush Saints FC and Jannes Marawanarau scored for Titans United FC.

T&T retain ... partnerships during the innings with Smith adding 48 for the first wicket with Shaquan Pemberton (24) and Francis and Paul Miller (18) posting another 44 for the fifth wicket.

When Leewards slumped from 128 for four to 148 for seven, Benta then shepherded the innings, striking seven fours in a 60-ball knock.

Off-spinner Avinash Mahabirsingh was the best bowler with three for 48 from his 10 overs.

At Gilbert Park, Barbados dismissed Guyana for 149 off their 50 overs before rain also prevented them from starting their reply.

Opener Sachin Singh top-scored with 29 while Kevin Christian and Kevlon Anderson both chipped in with 25.

Anderson and Singh put on 41 for the third wicket before Christian and Ash-

Continued from back page

mead Nedd (23) added 35 for the fifth wicket but Guyana lost their last six wickets for just 23 runs.

Fast bowler Matthew Forde led the Barbados attack with four 34 while fellow new-ball seamer Ramon Simmonds claimed three for 44.

In the other game at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, opener Kirk McKenzie struck a stroke-filled 81 off 60 balls as Jamaica reached 186 for seven off 48 overs against Windward Islands before the game was abandoned.

McKenzie counted 14 fours and two sixes, dominating a 53-run third-wicket stand with Geordae Seymour (9) and a 44-run, third-wicket partnership with Jerome Johnson who was unbeaten on a patient 40.

Off-spinner Garvin Serieux was the leading bowler with three for 33.

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Dickwela, Gunaratne guide Sri Lanka to victory in one-off Test COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne hit crucial half-centuries to guide Sri Lanka to their highest-ever run chase as the hosts defeated Zimbabwe by four wickets on the final day of an intriguing one-off Test yesterday.

against South Africa in 2006 when they made 352-9 in the fourth innings in Colombo.

Their total of 391-6 was the fifth highest run-chase by any team in Tests.

The touring side, chasing their first Test win against Sri Lanka, made a good start to the final day

Dilruwan Perera and Asela Gunaratne celebrate after steering Sri Lanka to victory on day 5 in Colombo.

Chasing 388 for a win, the hosts, who had lost their first one-day international series against Zimbabwe prior to the Test, had been reduced to 203 for five before Dickwella and Gunaratne combined in a stand of 121 to anchor the chase.

Dickwella was out for 81 after posting his highest Test score while Gunaratne, who battled on despite suffering from a hamstring injury, remained 80 not out.

S r i L a n k a ’s p r e v i ous highest run-chase was

when they picked up two early wickets through captain Graeme Cremer after the hosts had resumed on 170-3.

The leg-spinner, who took his maiden five-wicket haul in the first innings, took his second innings tally to four victims when he sent back Kusal Mendis, who made 66, and former captain Angelo Mathews for 25.

However, Sri Lanka fought back through Dickwella and Gunaratne before the former was caught by wicketkeeper Regis Chakab-

va off left-arm spinner Sean Williams.

Chakabva, however, had an otherwise forgetful day behind the stumps as he missed chances to get both batsmen out.

WINNING START “Disappointing but credit to Sri Lanka ... to chase 380 on a day-five pitch is pretty special,” Cremer said at the presentation.

“So credit to them, but credit to our guys as well. The way the guys fought and got the runs on the board and pushed Sri Lanka till he last day was great.

“The one-day series is a high point for us, we brought that confidence into the Test

SCOREBOARD

ZIMBABWE 1st innings 356 (C. Ervine 160; R. Herath 5-116) SRI LANKA 1st innings 346 (U. Tharanga 71, D. Chandimal 55; G. Cremer 5-125) ZIMBABWE 2nd innings 377 (S. Raza 127, M. Waller 68; R. Herath 6-133) SRI LANKA 2nd innings (overnight 170-3; target 388 runs) Dimuth Karunaratne b Williams 49 Upul Tharanga c Moor b Cremer 27 Kusal Mendis c Williams b Cremer 66 Dinesh Chandimal c H. Masakadza b Cremer 15 Angelo Mathews c & b Cremer 25 Niroshan Dickwella c Chakabva b Williams 81 Asela Gunaratne not out 80 Dilruwan Perera not out 29 Extras: (b-9, lb-8, w-2) 19 Total: (for 6 wkts, 114.5 overs) 391 Fall of wickets: 1-58, 2-108, 3-133, 4-178, 5-203, 6-324.

Bowling: S. Raza 13-1-58-0, S. Williams 43.5-2-146-2 (w-2), G. Cremer 48-6-150-4, M. Waller 4-0-10-0, C. Mpofu 6-3-10-0.

Federer qualifies for ATP Finals for record 15th time (REUTERS) - Roger Federer has secured his place in the ATP Finals for a record 15th time after the Swiss world number three won a record eighth Wimbledon title on Sunday, the Association of Tennis Professionals confirmed on Monday.

The 35-year-old sixtime champion joins French Open winner Rafael Nadal in the season-ending tournament at the O2 Arena in London, having played in the event for a record 14 consecutive years from 2002 to 2015 before missing out last year through injury.

“I look forward to returning to London in November,” Federer said.

“I was sad not to be able to compete last year as I love playing there and had not missed the event since 2002.”

for the first time since 2012 if he maintains the form that has earned him a 31-2 record.

Federer and Nadal will

Roger Federer

The 19-time grand slam winner has won five tournaments this year, including the Australian Open, and is on target to return to the top of the world rankings

be joined at the November 12-19 event by the remainder of the top eight players in the Race to London standings following the Paris Masters.

match and it gave us the belief that we could push the big teams.”

Sri Lanka spin spearhead Rangana Herath was named player-of-the-series for taking 11 wickets over the two innings, while Gunaratne was named player-of-the-match for scores of 45 and 80 not out and a

two-wicket haul in the first innings.

Dinesh Chandimal, who replaced Mathews as captain, will now lead Sri Lanka in a three-Test home series against India starting on July 26.

“It’s been a really good five days, so credit goes to all the players, they stuck to

the plans and went there and did their best,” Chandimal said. “ I t ’s a l w a y s t o u g h when you’re batting in the fourth innings but I told the team that they should play their normal game and they played some outstanding innings, especially Dickwella and Asela.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Women’s World Cup

England beat South Africa in tense finish to reach Lord’s final HOSTS England reached the Women’s World Cup final following a nerve-racking two-wicket win over South Africa in Bristol.

Anya Shrubsole steered a tense England over the line with just two balls to spare after they lost six wickets for 78 runs.

Heather Knight’s side were

chasing South Africa’s 218-6, built on Mignon du Preez’s unbeaten 76.

They will face Australia or India in Sunday’s final at Lord’s.

England required a boundary from number 10 Shrubsole to seal the win after they appeared to be cruising towards victory.

Sarah Taylor - arguably their best player - scored a typically classy half-century in a stand of 78 with captain Knight (30) to take them to within 80 runs of victory.

However, both players fell in quick succession - Knight to a wonderful catch from Laura Wolvaardt at square leg - and a collapse followed.

Nat Sciver (3) was bowled round her legs and Katherine Brunt (12) was dismissed charging the seamer, but Fran Wilson (30) and the experienced Gunn, with a runa-ball 27, held their nerve.

Taking singles initially before being more expansive in the closing overs, they inched England towards victory.

is once again an integral part of the side after being sidelined with anxiety-related issues, was named player-of-thematch following an outstanding all-round display.

She executed a brilliant leg-side stumping to remove South Africa’s Trisha Chetty in a near-flawless display with the gloves.

Heather Knight and Danielle Hazell toast their victory in Bristol.

There was still time for brief alarm when both Wilson and Laura Marsh fell in quick succession, but Shrubsole drove her first ball for four to spark wild celebrations in the England camp and reduce a number of South Africa players to tears.

TAYLOR THE ALL-ROUND STAR Wicketkeeper Taylor, who

To underline her importance in a low-scoring contest, Chetty - Taylor’s opposite number - spilled two catches and was largely responsible for her side conceding 25 extras.

With the bat, South Africa’s teenage opener Wolvaardt hit her fourth half-century of the competition and Du Preez impressed with some silky off-side play and hard-hitting into the leg

side.

However, once again, England’s bowlers were miserly - Brunt and Laura Marsh conceding just 22 runs in the powerplay.

CAN ENGLAND WIN IT? Since losing their opening match of the competition against India, England have won every game - topping the group table on their way to the final four.

They have the tournament’s leading run-scorer Tammy Beaumont - and in Sciver an explosive all-rounder who has hit two centuries in the competition.

Taylor and Knight lead a formidable middle order while, in the field, Brunt has bowled more dot balls than anyone else in the competition.

Australia are the defending champions, but England won it in 2009 and also on the other two occasions they were hosts - in 1973 and 1993.

The Lord’s final is a 26 500 sellout and the International Cricket Council released a statement last Wednesday declaring that 50% of ticket buyers were female and 31% were under the age of 16 - suggesting the tournament has been a hit with some new cricket fans.

(BBC Sport)

Matthews back in the green jersey game as Kittel dropped

By Julien Pretot ROMANS-SUR-ISERE, France (Reuters) - Michael Matthews improved his chances of winning the points classification on the Tour de France, as the Australian claimed the 16th stage yesterday after his Sunweb team worked hard to keep green jersey holder Marcel Kittel out of contention.

Sunweb rode hard in the first climb of the day as German Kittel was dropped, making sure he would not come back, and they collected their third win in four stages after Matthews won stage 14 and Frenchman Warren Barguil prevailed on stage 13.

Matthews collected points in the intermediate sprint and at the finish to narrow the gap with Kittel to 29, setting up a duel with the Quick-Step Floors rider in the final days of the race.

“It had been the same guy every year for five years (Peter Sagan), now this is going to be exciting,” said Matthews, who outsprinted Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen and German

John Degenkolb.

Degenkolb complained that Matthews did not hold his line in the sprint, but the Australian was adamant he raced fairly.

“I saw the sprint on TV afterwards. I sprinted in the same direction; I did not change my line. I left a space between me and the barrier,” Matthews said, adding that Degenkolb had grabbed him by the neck after the finish.

Australia’s Michael Matthews “He grabbed me by the neck. The officials saw that, I don’t know what they’re going to do about it. I don’t think it’s very sportsmanlike.”

It was a bad day for QuickStep Floors as Ireland’s Dan Martin, who started the day in

fifth place overall, lost 51 seconds after a late peloton split as crosswinds swept the roads in the Rhone valley.

Martin slipped to seventh, 2:03 behind race leader Chris Froome, who retained the yellow jersey after his Team Sky’s brutal acceleration 14km from the line caused the decisive split in the peloton.

With several other top sprinters out of contention after being trapped behind, Matthews was the strongest of what was left of the bunch.

Overall, Froome leads Italian Fabio Aru by 18 seconds.

“Everybody knew that the last 20 kilometres were in the wind and that’s where we decided to up the pace to make a selection,” said Froome.

Frenchman Romain Bardet, who was at the wrong end of the split, had his AG2R-La Mondiale teammate Oliver Naesen to thank as the Belgian champion produced a massive effort to bring him back into the front group.

Bardet stays third overall, 23 seconds off the pace ahead of a couple of brutal stages in the Alps today and tomorrow.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 19, 2017

The Instructors with some of the students.

SOME 140 karatekas were on Sunday last graded by IKD Chairman and Chief Instructor, 9th Dan Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai, at the YMCA, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

He was ably assisted by Sensei Amir Khouri (6th Dan) and Sensei Roger Peroune (4th Dan).

Students from the Association do Shotokan Karate-Guyana (ASK-Guyana) Dojos in Linden, Albion, Blairmont, Land of Canaan, Canal Number One and Georgetown were examined and graded.

Meanwhile, ASK-Guy-

ana congratulates all the students and instructors Amir Khouri and Roger Peroune (YMCA), Hazrat Ali (Albion and Blairmont), Laurence Lowe (Georgetown), Parmeshwar Persaud (Land of Canaan), Nathalie Gibson (Linden) and Mahadeo Ramotar (Canal Number One).

According to ASK-Guyana, Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai held Instructors training last week and continued on Monday (July 17) to today (July 19) from 18:00hrs to 20:00hrs.

“Thanks to all the parents who attended and those who assisted to make the examina-

Hamilton Green K.O. Cup football now kicks off on Saturday THE Hamilton Green Knock-Out Cup Football Tournament will finally kick off on Saturday with a double-header, set for the Victoria ground, East Coast Demerara.

The tournament which has so far seen three rescheduling due to, according to the organiser Lennox Arthur, the inclement weather that made the playing venues water-logged.

However, according to the former national player/coach, Arthur, the conditions have improved over the past week and the tournament will definitely get started on Saturday.

Mahaica are down to face Santos in the opening game from 18:00hrs, while Ann’s Grove will tackle Pele in the feature match from 20:00hrs.

The following day (Sunday), Golden Grove take on Uitvlugt from 18:00hrs at the same venue and Buxton United come up against Den Amstel from 20:00hrs.

On July 26, the action moves to the Mackenzie Sports Club ground where Milerock oppose Police in the opening game from 18:00hrs and the feature game from 20:00hrs brings together Silver Shattas and Western Tigers.

Two days later (July 28) and at the same venue, Winners Connection face Kuru Kururu from 18:00hrs and from 20:00hrs, Eagles United battle against Georgetown Football Club.

Over $1M in prize money, trophies and other incentives will be at stake in the competition.

Eighteen teams will be vying for the $500 000 first prize, along with the Minister of Citizenship trophy, while the second-place team will earn $250 000 and the Busta trophy.

The third place team will receive $150 000 and the John Fernandes Limited trophy, while the team finishing fourth will collect $100 000 and the Cummings Electrical trophy.

tion a success, including Vanessa Profitt, Seema Sookram and team at the fund-raising sale table,” ASK-Guyana said in a release.

Below are the results.

Second Dan Promotions: Matthew Alexander Gurahoo (YMCA) First Dan Promotions: Harikirtan Singh (YMCA), Orlando Giddings (YMCA), Joshua Parasram (Blairmont), Aarti Ramgolam (Land of Canaan), Alex Nandram Benjamin (Land of Canaan), and Sean Paul Wesley (Land of Canaan).

Outstanding Kyu Grades Promotions: 10 Kyu to 8 Kyu: Javy

Archibald, Daniel Cox, Jelani Jones, Brandon Foo, Alexander Singh, Kenetha Fraser, Cleon Brisport, Javari McKenzie, Rasheed John, Shoaib Majid, Robert Gittens, Emily Ramlochand, Fardeen Thomas, Benjamin Best, Eshan Brij, Ronald Arjune, Paul Albert, Jaden Clarke, Bibi Farook, Immaunel Griffith, Leonardo Totaram and Thamishwar Dyasindoo.

10 Kyu to 7 Kyu: Amara Nandan, David Bissoon, Jasmine West, Ricardo Narine, Meshach Sullivan, Saarah Majid and Maheshwar Dyasindoo.

10 Kyu to 6 Kyu: Kejin Wan, Ya Meng Wan and Shaquan Barrow

8 Kyu to 6 Kyu: Yi Jun Huang, Bohan Cao and Piya Parasram 7 Kyu to 5 Kyu: Mark McCalman, Brandon Lewis, Joslyn Abraham, Bradley Fenty, Demian Dhanraj, Ramzan Singh, Crystal Itwaru and Krisendat Phagoo.

6 Kyu to 4 Kyu: Aldo Melendez, Danielle Persaud and Emily Santana-Leon.

5 Kyu to 3 Kyu: Cecil Dasilva, Jerry Santana-Bain, Arya Ramessar, Raphael Isaacs and Ava Koosial.

TOTAL KYU GRADES PROMOTIONS (133)

24 students to Yellow Belt (8kyu) 38 students to Orange Belt (7kyu) 21 students to Green Belt (6kyu) 12 students to Blue Belt (5kyu) 10 students to Purple Belt (4kyu) 18 students to Brown Belt (3kyu) 4 students to Brown Belt (2kyu) 6 students to Brown Belt (1kyu) 6 students to 1st DAN (Black Belt) 1 student to 2nd DAN (Black Belt)

Rossignol Meat Processors joins hands to assist cricket clubs in Berbice SEVERAL cricket clubs in Berbice will receive assistance in the form of cricket balls from a sponsorship deal between the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, and the Suriname-owned Rossignol Meat Processors.

The Georgetown-based company last Saturday handed over a cheque for $100 000 to the Club

Patron’s Outreach Programme.

The donation will be used by the eight cricket teams of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation to assist their peers in other clubs.

Long-serving Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that over the years the club has been very passionate about assisting other clubs across Guyana.

The donation from Rossignol is the first of its kind, and Foster expressed confidence that the relationship between the company and the club will be strengthened in the future.

The cricket balls would be shared out on Friday during a special ceremony. A total of $500 000 worth of cricket balls will be donated to Blairmont, Bush Lot,

Young Achievers, Young Warriors, Chesney, No. 19, No. 53, Kildonan and Whim cricket clubs.

Administrative Manager Regina Low-Koon expressed confidence that the programme will be a success and that the cricket balls can assist the clubs to produce cricketers for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies.

Arun named India bowling coach, Bangar assistant coach

Rossignol Administrative Manager Regina Low-Koon hands over the sponsorship to RHTYSC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster.

FOLLOWING a recommendation from India coach Ravi Shastri, Bharat Arun has been named the side’s bowling coach.

The appointment came after a meeting between Shastri and a four-member BCCI committee, where it was also decided that Sanjay Bangar will be the team’s assistant coach.

The appointments mean Shastri will work with the same set of coaches - including fielding coach R Sridhar - who assisted him in his earlier tenure as team director.

India’s support staff have all been given two-year contracts, until the end of the 2019 World Cup. Arun, as a result, will now have to give up his coaching roles in the IPL and the Tamil Nadu Premier League in accordance with the new conflict-of-interest guidelines.

Arun, who has been a bowling coach with Royal Challengers Bangalore since 2015, was recently named coach of VB Thiruvallur Veerans in the TNPL. Shastri also confirmed that Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan will be on board as consultants. “I have spoken to both the individuals as good as three or four days ago,” Shastri told reporters after the meeting.

“They are fantastic cricketers for India, and their inputs will be invaluable. They will be on board once they have spoken to the authorities concerned, so there are no issues on that.”(ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Waramadong cruise through to United States beat Digicel schools football next round Bermuda in U-19s opener … play Bartica tomorrow

The victorious Waramadong team and head coach pose for a photo following their win over Paruima.

REGION Seven favourites and defending champions Waramadong were in fine form as they marched into the regional final of the 2017 Digicel schools football tournament on Sunday.

Paruima were the victims of an onslaught at the hands of the Waramadong side who showed no mercy to their opponents as they look to capture that evasive title.

Nadir Walker’s set piece from the corner had enough bend and power to open the scoring for the eventual winners as his shot curled past the flailing hands of the keeper and into the net The back-and-forth for possession continued as the game progressed, both sides losing the ball in their respective final thirds on numerous occasions before the second of the day, an

Avlon Hunter strike solidified Waramadong’s lead.

He latched onto a wing pass before dropping two defenders and unleashing a right-foot rocket that was only stopped by the net in the right corner with Javin Castro etching his name on the scorecard in the 23rd and the half ending at 3-0.

On the return, the Paruima side was set further on the back foot after Colin

Edwards slotted home a long ball to make it 4-0, after which Reon McNaughton made it 5-0 in the 66th and Castro coupled his brace in the 68th.

The Waramadong side move on to play Bartica in the Regional final tomorrow at the Leonora Synthetic Track Facility on the West Coast Demerara with the winner moving on to the national playoffs.

Sir Garfield Sobers Int’l Schools Cricket Tourney, B’dos

St Joseph, School of the Nations suffer fifth-round defeats ST Joseph High and School of the Nations suffered defeats in their respective fifthround matches on Monday.

Mark Ramsammy

At Briar Hall, Foundation School beat St Joseph by seven wickets. St Joseph took first strike and were dismissed for an inadequate 144 in 27 of their 40 overs.

Jeremiah Scott, who represented Demerara in the Guyana Cricket Board’s Under-17 Inter-county tournament in April, again spearheaded the scoring with 42; Quinton Sampson,

Dodi O’Selmo and David Marshall weighed in with 25, 19 and 12 respectively.

Rondre Yearwood claimed 3-15, Shakeem John-Ruck 3-27 and Joshua Corbin 2-22.

The Foundation School replied with 147-3 in 24 overs. Joshua Corbin topscored with 55 not out, followed by Glennico King, 51.

At Friendship, Bolton School of the UK beat ‘Nations’ by seven wickets. ‘Nations’ batted first and were bowled out for 127 in 28.4 overs.

The usually consistent Mark Ramsammy, who represented Essequibo in this year’s GCB/Hand-in-Hand Under-19 50-overs tournament, was again the leading scorer with 38; Mark Baptiste, Suresh Jainarine and Akash Singh weighed in with 21, 17 and 12, respectively. Bolton replied with 131-3 in 16 overs. Joe Ball

made 51, Harry Bevan 29 not out and Daniel Southworth 23.

Meanwhile, in fourthround matches played last Friday, St Joseph High rebounded from their third-round loss by crushing Queen’s College (QC) of Barbados by eight

Jeremiah Scott

wickets at the Foursquare ground.

Batting first, the QC lads were dismissed for 145 in 33.5 overs, with Ajani Waterman top-scoring with 48. For

St Joseph Evan Blair claimed 3-21 and skipper Kennard Moonsammy 3-25. Chasing a rain-induced, reduced target of 115 in 30 overs, St Joseph made light work of the total, reaching 117-2 in 13.1 overs.

Jeremiah Scott led the way with a well-played 72, followed by Kennard Moonsammy 20 and Quinton Sampson 15 not out.

At Windward, French Verandah Community College of St Vincent (STV) crushed ‘Nations’ by 102 runs. STV took first strike and rattled up 247-6 in 37 overs, which was subsequently reduced to 200 in 30 overs because of rain.

Romando Browne led with 82 and Zivon Walker 70; Dillon Douglas 37 and Rayon Williams 19 also made useful contributions.

In their reply, ‘Nations’ found the going rough and crashed to 97 all out in 30 overs. (Anthony Layne)

KING CITY, Canada, (CMC) – Skipper Arjun Patel led the United States to a six-wicket victory over Bermuda in the opening match of the triangular ICC Americas Under-19s World Cup qualifier which was reduced from 50 overs to 20 overs because of a wet outfield at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club here on Monday.

Patel’s unbeaten 46 from 42 balls, including two sixes and two fours, helped overhaul Bermuda’s 103 for eight with 21 balls to spare.

Opener Solomon Burrows played a lone hand for Bermuda after they lost the toss and were sent in, striking 56 from 65 balls with three sixes and four fours before he was one of four batsmen dismissed in the final over.

Aravind Patnam claimed three of the wickets to finish with three for 12 from his four overs.

Sahil Patel, who opened the bowling with Mohak Buch, took two for 28.

Apart from Burrows, Dalin Richardson (14) and Marcus Scotland (10) were the only other Bermuda batsmen to reach

double figures.

In reply, the US suffered an immediate setback when Buch was run out for nought off the second ball but number three Patel, later named Man-of-the-Match, teamed up to add 36 for the second wicket with Harish Easwaraiah (15) and 29 with Raymond Ramrattan (15) for the fourth wicket.

Vivek Narayan (nine) was the fourth wicket to fall at 81 in the 13th over but Patel ensured there were no further hiccups as he and Gaurav Patankar (five not out) added 23 in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand to steer their side home.

Bermuda’s most successful bowler was fifthchange Jaiden Manders, who took two for 10 from 3.3 overs.

The double round-robin tournament continues on Tuesday when the US take on hosts Canada.

The prize for the winners will be a place in the 16-team Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in January next year. The winners will also compete in the Super50 One-Day tournament in St Kitts next month.

Four Horsemen Promotions to stage seven-race Emancipation Day meet THE Four Horsemen Promotions will on August 1 stage a seven-race horserace meet at the Port Mourant Turf Club.

The feature event is for horses classified E3 and non-winners for 2016-17. It also involves animals classified `F’ and `G’ non-earners of $500 000 for 2017 and will be run over a distance of 1300 metres. At stake will be $350 000 and a trophy.

Three-year-old Guyana-bred horses will face each other in a 1300-metre event for the first prize of $300 000 and a trophy, while animals classified `H 3’ and Lower will compete in a 1200-metre race for $300 000 and a trophy for the winner.

Two-year-old Guyana-bred horses will battle over a 900-metre trip and will be eyeing the $250 000 first prize along with a trophy.

The I3 and Lower horses will be competing over 1200 metres for $200 000 first prize and a trophy.

Horses four years old as well as J3 and Lower and K Class will contest a 1100-metre trip for the $15 000 first prize money, while the L Class non-winners in 2017 will have an opportunity to run in a 1200-metre event for a first prize of $120 000.

Interested owners and trainers can contact Bobby Vaughn (624-6788 or 223-5097).

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Thompson, Baird blame AP Invitational performances on lack of support

WOMEN’S national record-holder Brenessa Thompson and World Junior silver medallist Kadecia Baird said that their below-par performances at last Saturday’s AP Invitational were due in part to the lack of money and support, and they’ve just about had enough.

Thompson, in particular, is just about ready to shop around elsewhere, even hinting at possibly not representing Guyana at World Championships next month.

“Over the summer time I was really broke because they are supposed to like support us in a kind of way and they haven’t, so how you expect us to come out here and do our best when ya’ll not trying to help us.

Other countries do it for

their athletes so I could easily not do it for this country, like I don’t have to go to the World (Championships) and

Brenessa Thompson

I’m so serious. That means next year I could run for a different country and I’m so

59th Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships

Guyana team arrive, serve into action today GUYANA’S national senior women’s and men’s table tennis teams arrived in Havana, Cuba early yesterday morning ahead of their participation in the 59th Senior Caribbean Championships, which began yesterday and continues until next Monday at the ‘The Sports City Coliseum’ in La Habana.

The contingent had departed from Guyana and the USA on Monday en route to Cuba, Christopher Franklin, Nigel Bryan, Joel Alleyne

be in the men’s veterans category.

Edghill and Greaves, who recently completed one-month training stints in China, will be in the women’s Under-21 category while Britton will lead Guyana’s charge in the men’s Under-21 category.

Britton is coming off a campaign in the USA, where he won the Asian American Culture Table Tennis championships (AACTT) Open Under-24 category on July 9, in Flushing New York.

serious,” the women’s 100m and 200m record-holder said.

“They always want to talk about how good you doing in the U.S. but ya’ll don’t do anything for us but talk. That is annoying. My rent is high as hell because they don’t want to support us, so every day it’s going up.”

Thompson, who last year won the first women’s sprint double AP Invitational, finished last in the women’s 100m this year, with a time of 11.87 seconds. Thompson has qualified for the 100m and 200m at World Championships next month, where world great Usain Bolt is set to bring a close to his time as an athlete.

Thompson had opted out of the Douglas and Associates women’s 200m, on Saturday,

suffering hamstring damage.

Baird, who was in the 200m, finished eighth overall with a time of 23.72 seconds, very much dissatisfied with how she did.

“My 200m was terrible. I didn’t push I didn’t do anything that I needed to do, so it wasn’t a good race overall.

My body just didn’t feel up to par because, well, Guyana is not providing money for us to take care of our bodies so we can’t train properly. We don’t eat properly so that’s why,” cited the 22-year-old.

Baird has only qualified for the women’s 200m at World Championships. Notwithstanding Saturday’s performance, however, she is still optimistic about how she will do just a few weeks from now.

“Well my training has been

good and I think I will do very well, but we just need money to have food and buy supplements to take care of

Kadecia Baird

ourselves,” she said.

Both Thompson and

Baird are attending Texas A&M, a NCAA Division I college. Neither has received funding this year. However up to last year Baird was one among four athletes who were recipients of Olympic Solidarity funding, This saw the athletes receive US$1000 each month, for some two years in the leadup to the Rio Olympics. The other recipients were Stephan James, George and Adam Harris.

However, Baird did not participate in last year’s Olympics after she never made the qualifying time in any event. Neither did James, nor Harris. Guyana was represented by George, Thompson, Aaliyah Abrams and Troy Doris at last year’s Olympics.

Crandon heroics help All Stars triumph over Berbice

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – A brilliant all-round performance from former Guyana and West Indies One-day player Royston Crandon piloted All Stars to a crushing seven-wicket victory over the much-vaunted Berbice line-up in last Saturday’s inaugural white ball Inter-county tournament, played at Keele Top, North York here.

A Berbician by birth, but representing All Stars, Crandon transformed his hard ball skills to the softball arena with a vintage all-round effort which somehow failed to win him the man-of-the-match award.

Set a challenging 128 for victory in the 20-over affair, Crandon, who had earlier

claimed two for 16 from 2.3 overs and taken two fine catches, ended on an attacking 33 not out as victory was achieved with 7.3 overs to spare.

The platform for the run chase was set by the burly Farouk Hussein (29) who dominated a 49-run opening stand with former Guyana Under-19 player Harrinarine Chattergoon whose contribution was a mere three. Hussein’s knock contained four towering sixes.

Skipper Anil Ramotar kept up the tempo by contributing 18 and by the time he was dismissed at 71 for three in the seventh over, his team was already in a commanding position to cart off victory.

Crandon, in tandem with the no-nonsense Zaheer Allard ensured Berbice didn’t get back into the game as they carried their side to victory with an unbeaten fourth-wicket partnership of 57 with the latter finishing on 28 not out.

Earlier, Berbice, who opted to take first strike, suffered an immediate setback and were in dire straits at 45 for six with the likes of Hemnarine Chattergoon, Riaz Kadir, Yadram

Bogh and Damodar Daesrath all falling cheaply.

Skipper Loaknauth Ramsuchit (33) and Linden Persaud (23) stemmed the tide somewhat as Berbice reached what proved to be an inadequate 127 all out in 19.3 overs.

Bholanauth Sukhu was the main destroyer with three for 16 in his four overs while Rabindra Diaram supported admirably with two for 19, also from four. Crandon, who was responsible for breaking the 51-run stand between Ramsuchit and Persaud, chipped in with two for 16 from 2.3 overs.

The semi-final encounters saw All Stars get the better of Demerara in a closely-fought encounter while Berbice also stopped Essequibo in a fierce battle.

At the presentation ceremony which followed, All Stars copped the winning trophy and Cdn$2000 while the runners-up took home a trophy and Cdn$1000.

All Stars skipper Ramotar was the recipient of the best batsman award, having totalled 84 runs in his two innings while Riaz Kadir claimed the best

bowler prize for his five wickets.

Sukhu was named the best bowler and Crandon the best batsman in the final, each earning a trophy for his fine efforts. Sukhu was also named the most valuable player (MVP) in the final.

Organiser Daesrath, who pledged that the event will be an annual affair, disclosed that he was pleased with the day’s activities and expressed sincere thanks to the participating teams. He also showered praise on the several sponsors who were responsible for making the day’s activities a tremendous success.

One of the main sponsors, Dhanny Sukhu of Dent Wizard and PGI Ltd, also stated that he was pleased to be part of the inaugural tournament and was excited to see the interest displayed by the players.

Apart from Dent Wizard and PGI Limited, other sponsors were Trophy Stall, Caribbean Heat Restaurant, T&S Enterprise, Caribbean Lyme Restaurant, 24 Hrs Glass System, JDG Tooling, Canadian Surplus Guyana and Hawaiian Arctic.

Some of Guyana team members (L-R) Chelsea Edghill Nigel Bryan, Natalie Cummings, Joel Alleyne, Trenace Lowe and Christopher Franklin.

and women’s player Natalie Cummings left Guyana on a Copa Airlines flight while travelling from the USA were Shemar Britton, Trenace Lowe, Chelsea Edghill, Priscilla Greaves, Dianne Chance, who will also act as team manager. George Nicholas and Cardo Williams will

Overall, 52 men and 44 women are scheduled to be competing in Havana, representing 13 associations from Aruba, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia as well as Trinidad and

Tobago.

A total of 10 events will be held - Men’s Team, Women’s Team, Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Under 21 Men’s Singles, Under-21 Women’s Singles, Over-45 Men’s Singles.

The victorious All Stars team pose with their winnings. Manager Pramchand Pitam Punwasi is at extreme left (standing).

Thompson, Baird blame AP Invitational performances See on lack of support page 39

GFF aiming to add Region One as Regional Member Association See page 34

President Forde with members of the Guyana Rush Saints FC

President Forde presents winning cheque to captain of the Guyana Rush Saints FC female team.

T&T retain Regional U-17 title after tropical storm Don ruins final round

The water-logged outfield at the National Cricket Centre following heavy rains yesterday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media) 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

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago retained their Regional Under-17 title after all three final-round matches were abandoned because of heavy rain from the passage of tropical storm Don here yesterday.

The hosts ended on 19.8 points with Barbados second on 16 and Windward Islands third on 14.7.

Leeward Islands finished narrowly ahead of Guyana (13.3) with 13.4 while Jamaica were bottom on 1.3 after sustaining four defeats in their five matches.

Playing at the National Cricket Centre, T&T limited Leewards to 214 all out off 47.3 overs, before the rains arrived and ruined any chance of a reply.

Demari Benta, batting at number seven, top-scored with 47 while opener Uri Smith got 27 and captain Elroy Francis, 26.

There were two key

Turn to page 34 WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2017