GPL launching new project to clamp down on electricity theft Assassination plot Page 13
No. 104981
SATURDAY , JULY 22, 2017
Price: $80
(VAT Inclusive)
Detective slammed for poor work Page 8
Exxon warehouse, logistics base by March Page 2
– up to 300 jobs to be created
Detective Sergeant Komal Petamber
Fisherman stabbed to death at Meadow Bank Page 13
Escapees not together Page 9
Landfill site being restored in phases Page 17
THE onshore logistics and warehousing base for ExxonMobil’s first-phase development of the Liza field is expected to be ready by March 2018, and will create up to 300 jobs for Guyanese (Samuel Maughn photo)
Camp St rehab pegged at $500M –– scanners, new equipment, inner fencing to be installed
Page 3
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
Exxon warehouse, logistics base by March – up to 300 jobs to be created
By Ravin Singh THE onshore logistics and warehousing base for ExxonMobil’s first phase development of the Liza field is expected to be ready
to 200-300. So that is quite a significant development. We have to have this facility operational by March of next year,” Mangal told reporters. ExxonMobil – the company currently drilling for
persons with four-five being non-Guyanese. However, Director of Muneshwer’s Limited, Robin Muneshwer, noted that those non-Guyanese will have three-year contracts which will stipu-
Construction ongoing at the Muneshwer’s wharf which will be developed into an onshore logistics and warehousing base for ExxonMobil by March 2018, and will create up to 300 jobs for Guyanese. This was the assurance of Lars Mangal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TOTALTEC Oilfield Services – one of four consortium partners which won the contract to develop the onshore facility. That company, along with Muneshwers Limited, Pacific Rim Constructors, and LED Offshore, formed the Guyana Shore Base Inc. which owns and will operate the logistics and warehouse base. The CEO made this disclosure on Friday, during a tour of the facility and its wharf, which was organised for Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and the media. “We will be creating a number of other jobs with supporting companies and service companies that will be working with us, that will be amounting
oil in Guyana – had planned to use Trinidad and Tobago as its base. The base will service the needs of the rig which will be offshore Guyana drilling for oil. Fuel, water, cement, mud, and other materials will be available at the base. However, the five companies pooled their resources and developed the area which Muneshwer ’s Ltd had intended to use as a container wharf after its purchase in 2013. The area being developed is 28 acres, with a waterfront of 900ft by 1600ft in depth. The company is aiming to build a wharf of 600ft, with 360ft having been completed. According to Port Development and Operations Manager, Rabin Chandarpal, the company is on scheduled to complete the main part of the construction by the end of this year. The facility will employ about 100
late that they train Guyanese during that time. The Director also shared that a lot of the services being conducted at the fa-
cility are being done out of Trinidad and Tobago. As such, he noted that most of the services will now be offered from Guyana due to the development of the base. “…as quickly as we could get the facility ready, it means that we are creating jobs and industry in Guyana, bringing the business into Guyana, decommissioning Trinidad and commissioning Guyana, which is a big step” Muneshwer said. Having toured the facility last year, Minister Trotman said that he is “impressed” with the progress that has been made since then. “We toured last year while it was under construction and it still is. It is very impressive. It will meet international standards and it raises the standards across the board for ports and facilities of this nature in Guyana” Minister Trotman said. He said that the Government was pleased that the construction is being done entirely by Guyanese businesses and that Guyanese will now be in position to find “good employment” by the hundreds.
Lars Mangal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TOTALTEC Oilfield Services shares some of the plans of Guyana Shore Base Inc. to develop the servicing base in the coming months “As we approach production in 2020, it’s good that we won’t have to wait until then to start to see the benefits. It’s good to see local content, local involvement, local skills and local achievements” he said. Two weeks ago, Guyana Shore Base Inc. advertised several positions in the local
newspapers, and according to Muneshwer, the response has been overwhelming. He shared that the company has been averaging 100 applications a day, with more than 2000 having been received to date. The vacancies listed are for office positions and technical officers.
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, tours the facility with officials of the Guyana Shore Base Inc.(Photos Samuel Maughn)
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Camp St rehab pegged at $500M
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
–– scanners, new equipment, inner fencing to be installed
By Navendra Seoraj OVER $500M is expected to be expended on the repairs and the installation of additional security features to bolster the Camp Street and Lusignan prisons, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan has said. In order to get the necessary funding, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, told members of the media that government, through the Ministry of Finance, will be applying to the National Assembly for a supplementary budgetary allocation during the next sitting. “The over $500M will be spent on temporary repairs to the brick building at the Camp Street prison and to install a kitchen, an administrative building and an inner fencing at the prison…as well as money to pay contractors who have been working at the Lusignan prison,” said Minister Ramjattan. Although the figure is not confirmed by the contractors, he said that they have advised him about an estimated sum and will make a conclusive disclosure by Monday. On July 9, 2017, most of the facilities within the Camp Street prison were destroyed
by a fire, leaving over 1000 prisoners to join the Lusignan inmates. But due to the congestion, most of the prisoners had to occupy a pasture within the perimeter of the holding facility. SCANNERS One of the measure being put in place to ensure safety within the prison, is the installation of scanners and other equipment that are expected to reduce the contraband being smuggled in to the prison. A scanner has already been installed in the new facility at the Lusignan prison. And over the long term, Samuels said once they receive the funding they will install them at other holding facilities. When the process is complete, it is expected to provide a safer environment for both prisoners, as well as prison officers. In an effort to reduce the burden, the Ministry of Public Security and ranks of the joint services shifted 210 prisoners to other holding facilities; however, the remaining prisoners could not have stayed in the unfavourable conditions within the pasture. Early last week, the Ministry constructed a tarmacked facility next to the pasture that
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan to pasture. The facility which houses over 400 inmates is equipped with sheds, toilet facilities and other basic necessities. “Although we have shifted many prisoners, 90 of them, who due to their acts are considered real bad ones, will remain in the pasture because we do not want them to contaminate the new facility,” said the Minister. The pasture is expected to be filled with sand so that the prisoners do not face harsh conditions when it rains. Director of Prisons, Gladwyn Samuels said that prisoners will remain in the pasture until the repairs and additions to the Camp Street prison are completed. Construction is projected to last over two and a half
months. Their aim, he said is to ensure that the facility is safe and well equipped to house the prisoners. When completed, it will be able to house about 250 prisoners. OVERCROWDING Meanwhile, simultaneously government will be working on a programme to prevent overcrowding at prison locations countrywide. The project, which is expected to work to significantly reduce prison population through ‘pre-trial liberty’ and ‘alternative sentencing’, was cancelled one day after the country’s main prison facility at Camp Street was destroyed by fire.
Attorney General, Basil Williams, had told this newspaper that despite the cancellation, the ministry, its Inter-American Development Bank partners, who were already in the country at the time of the unrest, as well as other stakeholders were able to go ahead with their work. “We were able to meet,” Williams posited, before noting that the project will be, “managed by a sectoral committee.” The Legal Affairs Ministry said since the 2016 prison unrest and fire at the Camp Street jail, “The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Legal Affairs, has been assiduously moving apace to address the issue of overcrowding at the prisons.” The ministry said that the government has therefore secured US$8m from the IDB to fund the support for the criminal justice system project. Guyana’s prison population is said to be at 256 per 100,000, which is above the world average of 146 per 100,000. The current IDB-funded project is designed to complement a previously approved citizen security programme targeting high-crime neighbourhoods. Four million of the US eight million dollars allocated to the project is financed
via the IDB’s ordinary capital, has a 30-year amortisation period and an interest rate based on Libor. The remaining $4 million is through the IDB’s subsidised lending arm. It has a 40-year amortisation period and a fixed interest rate of 0.25 per cent. Last Monday’s prison fire completely destroyed wooden structures at the Camp Street prison. One prison
The system is designed to prepare unique examination for each candidate and provide the scores obtained within 10 minutes, while restricting the applicant’s ability to cheat during the examination. “We’ve got to stay in front of the race, and one of the things we have included is to install cameras so that individuals can be monitored while taking their examination and not Google some of the answers,” Field said. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GCAA, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Lawrence London said the monies invested in training staff and procuring equipment is beginning to pay off, particularly with the production of oil and gas on the horizon.
“This event is a step in the right direction; it tells me and the authority that we are moving swiftly in the right direction, we are preparing for the challenges ahead of us”. London encouraged the staff to guard against persons who may want to manipulate the system with dishonest motives in mind. There are currently 110 registered pilots, 155 aircraft registered AME engineers and 28 ATC officers, all of whom would now have to use the COCESNA Licensing and Examination System to either renew or upgrade their licenses. Additionally, examinations for new applicants will be administered on the automated system at the GCAA’s Personnel Licensing (PEL) Unit.
Director of Prisons, Gladwyn Samuels warden was killed by escaping prisoners, while several others were injured. While no prisoner was harmed during last Monday’s unrest, 17 died in 2016 when inmates had lit their mattresses. They said they were fed up of overcrowded prison cells, poor food and long trial dates.
GCAA commissions modern licensing, examination system By Ariana Gordon
THE Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Friday commissioned a modern licensing and examination system for pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers (AME) and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC). The new licensing system will see the introduction of a plastic card license being issued to applicants who are successful at their examinations administered by the Personnel Licensing (PEL) Unit, replacing the old paper booklet license being issued to pilots, AMEs and ATC officers, a statement from the authority said. At the simple ceremony held at the GCAA’s boardroom, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Fergu-
son applauded the staff of the GCAA for modernising the authority’s operations, in keeping with the Government’s green economy agenda. The Minister noted that Guyana is becoming compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, and is now on par with the other countries that already have an automated licensing and examination system. Minister Ferguson admitted that while she does not possess a technical background, she is passionate about the operations within the aviation sector and pledged government’s full support for the development of the sector. GCAA Director General, Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Field said the system
GCAA Director General, Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Fields presents Minister Annette Ferguson with an honorary plastic pilot’s licence was procured from Central America Corporation for Air Navigation Services (COCESNA). He noted that the system
was built to run on the Windows platform with licensing modules for the creation and management of records of the licence holder.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 22, 2017
Sean Spicer quits as Trump seeks to fix his image White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer resigned on Friday, ending a short and turbulent tenure that made him a household name and the butt of latenight television comedy lampoons, amid further upheaval within President Donald Trump’s inner circle. While not a surprise, Spicer’s departure was abrupt and accompanied other changes in Trump’s media and legal teams, as an investigation of possible ties between his campaign and Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election widened. After six months in power and still without a major legislative win, Trump shuffled some of his closest staff, parting ways with Spicer after naming Anthony Scaramucci as the new White House communications director. Spicer had
been communications director as well as press secretary following the resignation of Mike Dubke as director early last month. A Republican close to the White House told Reuters that Trump settled on Scaramucci, 53, a political supporter and former Goldman Sachs banker, for the head media job on Thursday and met with him on Friday morning to formally offer it to him. A White House official briefed on what happened next said Spicer was told of Scaramucci’s hiring and Trump urged Spicer to stay on. But Spicer, 45, said he did not want to stay on under the terms and conditions described to him and quit. A source close to the White House said: “Basically Donald Trump likes Scaramucci on TV and saw the communications director
job as a way to ... make him a top TV surrogate.” The source said Trump wanted Spicer to be press secretary and do much of the communications director’s work as well, “with Scaramucci holding the ceremonial title with no responsibility. And that was the real challenge.” At an early afternoon briefing, Scaramucci, in his debut before the White House press corps, named Sarah Sanders as the new press secretary. She had been Spicer’s deputy. Known by insiders as “Mooch,” the new communications director is a Harvard Law School-educated Long Islander who founded a hedge fund after leaving Goldman, and sold it to join the Trump administration. Spicer, a veteran Washington staffer, was parodied memorably by actress Me-
lissa McCarthy on the “Saturday Night Live” TV comedy show for his combative encounters with reporters. “I am grateful for Sean’s work on behalf of my administration and the American people,” Trump said in a statement. “I wish him continued success as he moves on to pursue new opportunities. Just look at his great television ratings.” Spicer will stay on the job through August. From the start, Spicer invited controversy, attacking the media in his first appearance as press secretary for reporting what he called inaccurate crowd numbers at Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration. “This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe,” he said, an assertion that quickly drew scorn. In a Twitter post on Fri-
Saturday, June 22nd, 2017 -14:30hrs Sunday, June 23rd, 2017 - 4:30hrs Monday, July 24th 2017 - 5:00 hrs
day, Spicer wrote, “It’s been an honor & privilege to serve @POTUS @realDonaldTrump & this amazing country. I will continue my service through August.”
EASTER BUNNY Before Trump tapped him for the job of press secretary, Spicer was the Republican National Committee’s spokesman. He had previously worked in the administration of former President George W. Bush. During that time, he dressed up in an Easter Bunny costume for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Spicer and other Trump aides shook up White House dealings with the media, including cutting back daily televised news briefings and replacing them with audio briefings only. Scaramucci told reporters, “I love the president. ... It’s an honour to be here.” Asked how he was going to right the White House ship, Scaramucci said there was nothing to fix. “The ship is going in the right direction. I like the team. Let me rephrase that: I love the team,” he said. TRUMP TURMOIL Separately, Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating the possible Trump-Russia ties, has asked White House officials to preserve any records of a meeting last year between the president’s eldest son,
Donald Trump Jr., and a Russian lawyer, a source with knowledge of the request said on Friday. The spokesman for Trump’s outside legal team, Mark Corallo, resigned. His departure came amid media reports that the role of Marc Kasowitz, who had been leading the team, was being reduced. On Thursday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions brushed off sharp criticism from Trump, saying he loved his job and planned to stay in it. Trump took a broad swipe at his administration’s top law officers this week in a New York Times interview, saying he would not have appointed Sessions as attorney general if he had known he would recuse himself. White House unrest was not limited to communications and legal staff, said two officials familiar with the situation. Trump has ignored the recommendations of national security adviser H.R. McMaster and his senior director for Russia, Fiona Hill, on dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. They said McMaster is frustrated by continuing debate about sending more U.S. forces to Afghanistan. One official said tension persists between McMaster and chief White House strategist Steve Bannon and chief speechwriter Stephen Miller. (Reuters)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 22 2017
Clashes as millions strike in Venezuela
Millions of Venezuelans have joined a general strike called by the opposition as pressure mounts on President Nicolás Maduro to cancel elections for a new constituent assembly. Clashes between police and protesters killed at least three people. More than 300 others were reportedly arrested. Maduro said the strike was minimal and that its leaders would be arrested. Since April, when opposition protests intensified, almost 100 people have died across the country. Protesters barricaded roads in the capital, Caracas, and other cities with rubbish and furniture. The opposition said that 85 per cent of the country joined the strike.
But in pro-government areas of the capital, life went on as usual, with shops open and streets busy. Public employees also appeared to have worked normally. In several cities, police fired tear gas as they clashed with protesters. One death was reported on the outskirts of Caracas while two others died in the northern city of Valencia. More than 360 people had been arrested across the country, a local rights group said. Colombia, France, Spain, the US and the EU have urged the Venezuelan government to cancel the vote for a new constituent assembly on 30 July.
Protesters and police clashed in several cities across Venezuela
But Maduro has rejected the calls. In a speech on TV, he claimed “triumph”, saying that key sectors had not joined the strike. “Work has triumphed, love, life, and hope; work has triumphed. They [the Venezuelan opposition] who
have never worked, let them carry on not working, we are moving forward, comrades.” “I’ve ordered the capture of all the fascist terrorists.” The assembly would have the power to rewrite the constitution and to bypass the opposition-controlled legislature.
Opposition politicians say Maduro wants to use the assembly to entrench himself in power, while the president argues a new constitution will promote dialogue in the polarised country. The opposition have ramped up their schedule of protests in the days leading up to the elections, including Thursday’s general 24-hour strike and a mass demonstration on Saturday. Meanwhile, Isaias Medina, a senior diplomat representing the country at the UN, resigned, saying he could no longer represent the government because of human rights abuses. Venezuela’s ambassador to the UN, Rafael Ramirez, said Medina had acted “dishonestly” and been fired.
Earlier, the head of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, warned of a “calamitous deterioration” of the situation, accusing Maduro’s government of having “blood on its hands”. “Behind every detainee, every political prisoner, every person tortured and every person killed there is someone that is institutionally responsible,” Almagro wrote in a report. “The fear that is on everyone’s mind, but we are too afraid to speak out loud, is our fear that this will escalate into a bloodbath.” Almagro has long been one of the fiercest and most outspoken critics of the Venezuelan government. (BBC)
Family of murdered girl begs for US visa The family of an 11-yearold girl murdered last week in New Jersey has implored President Donald Trump to let them into the US to attend her funeral. AbbieGail Smith was allegedly stabbed in the neck by her neighbour while taking out the rubbish on July 12. Her father, Kenroy Smith, was deported from the US to Jamaica in 2001 following a cannabis arrest. Last week Trump inter-
vened to help grant visas to Afghan students who wished to attend a US robotics event. “Please let me see my daughter for the last day before she goes under,” said Smith in a tearful video, ahead of her funeral on Monday. Smith has yet to learn the status of his visa request, he told APP.com from his home in Kingston. AbbieGail’s big sister, Kenish, has been denied
a visa to enter the country from Jamaica to attend the funeral. A spokesman for the US Department of State would not confirm the status of their visas, citing confidentiality. “All visa applications are adjudicated on a caseby-case basis in accordance with the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and other applicable laws,” the official said in a statement to the BBC.
AbbieGail Smith was allegedly stabbed in the neck by her neighbour
AbbieGail’s body was found the day after she vanished, wrapped in a blanket on the rooftop of her apartment building in the town of Keansburg. Her 18-year-old neighbour, Andreas Erazo, was arrested hours later and charged with her death. “Every time I close my eyes, I see her in front of me playing,” said Smith. “She just loved to play because she was such a lovely girl.”
“President Donald Trump I am asking you, please sir, if you could assist us by getting us to the United States of America to pay our last respects to AbbieGail Smith.” AbbieGail’s other older sister, Latisha Smith, who lives in the state of Maryland, has been writing letters to local officials, begging for help. “We’re a family. We all need to be together for AbbieGail,” she said. (BBC)
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Editorial
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 22, 2017
Our young champions THERE is so much our young people have to offer society if given the right environment and opportunity, and this truth continues to be proven time and time again. With approximately three quarters of the population falling within this demographic the potential can be limitless. For those who think Guyana’s worst days are ahead of us or that all is lost, such can easily be disproved looking at the young whose future is ahead of them, and who in many instances continue to make us proud. Such acknowledgment is not intended to ignore evidence of anti-social behaviours, society’s concern in this regard, and the need to address these as matters of national priority to halt and reverse the tide. Technologically, Guyana is not on par with developed countries and may it be said, even among our Caribbean and South American neighbours. Our youths’, compared to their counterparts in other societies, ability is not considered equivalent in mathematics, science, engineering and technology. Where countries such the United States (U.S.) and others, at the highest level of government dedicate resources and promote the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as progressive paths to development and being able to compete and out-compete other societies, Guyana lags. When Guyanese in the diaspora decided they were going to invest in a STEM Programme, using tools such as social media to bring about awareness, raise funding and support, as a matter of confidence in the young, the cynical may not have seen this a worthy pursuit. Follow-
ing the path of the six-member team who visited the U.S. to compete with 164 other countries for the top positions, it won’t be surprising if any held the view this was a joy ride because such ability is not among those resident here. The participants, ages 15-19, Ryan Benschop (team captain), Anthony Frank, Arianna Mahase, Christopher Nelson, Sahief Poese and Vevekeanand Ramnarace did us proud, achieving 10th space out of 165 countries worldwide. With the kindling and nurturing of a new interest in less than a year, and four months to prepare for the international stage, the team piloted with the support and guidance of others, achieved another feat for Guyana. Success was not only achieved by the space won, but in the rallying of Guyanese, at home and abroad, across ethnic diversity, in support of them. The Golden Arrowhead was not only physically waved by the participants, mentors and chaperons, but also technologically on social media and elsewhere. Guyana was competing against the world. This show of patriotism says to us, that deep within we recognise that felt need for oneness and have the heart to proudly identify. As a nation, this is an aspiration yearned for in our everyday lives though at times it can be elusive. In the absence of an identity and proud proclamation of we lose the essence of our being, who we are, what needs to be done, and embark on what we are capable of doing. This is a proud moment for us as Guyanese and the young who participated are shining examples and serve as encouragement for those at home. The team’s
welcome Wednesday at the Cheddi Jagan Airport was befitting of the champions they are. This passion for competition, the thirst for knowledge, setting new boundaries and creating new frontiers, vital to human development must become part of the national curriculum and see resources dedicated to such pursuits. Those who have made this possible should be allowed the space and support to continue their work, as they have demonstrated that they know what is required to compete and win, even at short notice and with limited resources. Tenth space, though the final determination of the score, was not without placing first in others rounds, in spite of challenges. Like our young sportsmen and women who continue to distinguish themselves on the regional and international stages, our budding scientists who participated in the First Global Robotics Competition have too placed Guyana proudly on the map. Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!
Is there a conspiracy against CEO Lowenfield by KN, AG Office
Dear Editor
THE name Mike Brasse has been known to GECOM/ NRC the National Registration Centre since the 1994 Local Government Elections. The Chief Elections Officer then was the late Stanley Singh. Mike Brasse, trading under the business name R.Y. Trading, was awarded the contract to provide the National Registration Centre with cameras and films for the 1997 Regional & General Elections. His contract to supply the films developed into a controversy with Acme Photo Studio who was the sole agent for polaroid film
in Guyana. At that time, the commission, led by the late senior council Doodnauth Singh averted a court battle by splitting R.Y Trading contract for the supply of cameras and films. Acme Photo Studio was awarded the contract for films and R.Y Trading owned by Mike Brasse, supplied the cameras. Please note those cameras were supplied with no warrantee and the commission had to pay whenever repairs had to be done. After the 1997 elections, Kaieteur News reported in December 1999 that Brassonics Limited supplied N.R.C with several refrigerators and that one was purchased for no reason
at all. With the passing of Stanley Singh Gocool Boodhoo was appointed Assistant Chief Elections Officer with responsibility for administration and Mike Brasse was once again the main supplier to GECOM, this was for the 2001 Regional & General Elections. This trend continued for the 2006 elections under Goocool Boodhoo’s watch as Accounting Officer. This time, BRASSE included the business Tri Star Trading that supplied the commission with janitorial supplies to the tune of 25,000,000 dollars; he also supplied high-frequency mobile radios Duracell batteries and hammocks. After the 2006 elections and the
conflagration which resulted in GECOM losing records in the accounts department. The Brassonics and Mike Brasse show continued with Gocool Boodhoo as Accounting Officer in 2007 Mobile Authority Brasse latest company supplied GECOM with OKI Data Toners at a cost of $1,000,000 per set. This purchase of these toners that is use to produce ID cards raised eyebrows and the Audit Office of Guyana started a forensic audit at GECOM which was suddenly halted. At the Public Accounts Committee meeting in 2008, concerning the elections purchases of 2006, Mr. Boodhoo reported that the late GECOM admin manager
Tyrone Semple was the man that was responsible for those purchases. For the record, present PPP commissioner Bibi Shadick was a member of that Public Accounts Committee meeting of which she publicly lambasted Mr. Boodhoo for his casual approach as accounting officer. The PAC revelation did not stop the Brassonics and Mike Brassee show at GECOM. In 2009, while Calvin Benn was deputising for CEO Gocool Boodhoo who was on leave, GECOM purchased OKI Data Toner at $1,000,000 per set from mobile authority they also purchase finger kit pads for the conduct of Registration. These purchases continued
when Mr. Boodhoo returned from leave in 2010. This was the order of the day until Mr. Boodhoo’s contract came to an end in 2012. So the million-dollar question being asked by taxpayers: is Keith Lowenfield who was appointed CEO in 2014 Mike Brasse and Brassonics instigator at GECOM. Could Mr. Deodat Sharma explain why the forensic audit for the OKI Data Toners was aborted. Yes, Glenn Lall, those purchases were from the Water Street businessman. Regards Former GECOM employee
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 22 2017
Justice George-Wiltshire presents an opportunity for this gov’t to determine what side its wants history to record it on Dear Editor MONDAY’S ruling by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire on the interpretation of Article 161 of the Guyana Constitution, regarding the criteria of those eligible to be on the List of Nominees for Chairman of GECOM, represents the ruling of the court and must be respected by all. Until another court, be it the Court of Appeal or the Caribbean Court of Justice, deems otherwise, this decision stands. This is a nation designed to have the law rule. It is the rule of law that would ensure law and order, peaceful and harmonious relations among the people, and the development of this country. Perception of the law, liking or disagreeing with the law, is not justification to disregard the law and moreso the decision handed down by the court. The judiciary is the branch of government tasked with responsibility to adjudicate on the law. Where it has been asked to discharge its duty and has so pronounced its interpretation, is what must be followed. It is being noted with interest the different views being adumbrated by the government, opposition and litigant. The government has a premier responsibility to respect the
court’s ruling because it is the Government/Executive that sets the tone for respecting the independence and checks and balances in the three branches of government in society. The Opposition, though it finds its voice to speak about authoritarianism in the society, it needs to be reminded that in addition to disregarding the rule of law in the day-to-day administration of the State when in the Executive, it also had flagrantly disregarded the decision of the court. On this issue, should the government flout the court’s decision then neither side will have the moral authority to condemn the other, and this society will be the victim of anarchy that has seeped into governance under the PPP/C and APNU+AFC. Justice George-Wiltshire presents an opportunity for this government to determine what side its wants history to record it on, and what society must accept from its elected (i.e. representative) political leadership. It is opportune to remind this society that when the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision in the Seeram Teemal vs GuySuCo and the State, the Desmond Hoyte administration respected its decision. It can also be said that Hoyte did not take a
ruling against his administration personally, for he later went on to appoint Chancellor Keith Massiah, who had upheld the High Court’s decision, as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs in his administration. This country has the benefit of this precedent, and it must not be recorded as an anomaly in the system, but must become a matter of norm when it comes to the rule of law. The right of the litigant to appeal what he considers he did not ask the Chief Justice to rule on is respected. For it represents a civil approach in respecting the authority and processes of the judicial branch. Regards Lincoln Lewis
GWI deserves special commendation Dear Editor
Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, along with his Billing and Customer Service Management teams, deserves open commendation for swiftly and actively addressing a matter surrounding Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI)’s service. This follows my ventilation in an earlier article a few days ago regarding billing discrepancies on an account that I pay. Guyana is a country where most officials and decision-makers upwards of supervisorial levels often claim to be busy with meetings and various forms of engagements all day long. It is a virtual impossibility to receive acknowledgements and responses to correspondence, much less meet with those types of gods in person,
unless one holds a significant hierarchical position in society or hail from the ABC caucus. I consider myself an ordinary citizen with the singular focus of thriving for the best possible life while God gives me breath in Guyana. For this reason, I am absolutely impressed by the attitude, responsiveness and availability of GWI’s management to address the matter I highlighted. My respect for them and their hard work has increased immensely. Our meeting was cordial, fruitful and gave hope for an unfolding new dimension of customer service. There are a number of positive and promising outputs emanating from that engagement. The GWI team read and clearly understood the content of my article. They investigated the matter. There was a collaborative
effort to resolve it. They availed themselves. They acknowledged what went wrong and by whom. They provided an apology and a resolution was immediately initiated to correct the problem. Part of the aforementioned resolution lies with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Dr. Van-West Charles and his team are already engaging the PUC on addressing the broader issues. The issue I addressed, which many other consumers lament about, may not have required our engagement if the PUC and GWI had been able to forge greater public awareness. Nevertheless, expedient progress is being made in that regard and I can only wish them well! Regards, Orette Cutting
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
Assassination plot
Detective slammed for poor work By Ariana Gordon
COMMISSIONER probing the alleged plot to kill President David Granger, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe, on Friday upbraided a senior detective of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for what he deemed as poor work during their investigation into the matter. Slowe in his critique lambasted Detective Sergeant, Komal Petamber, who accepted that he did not comply with several established rules and guidelines of the Force during the investigation. Earlier this year, Andrif Gillard alleged that Nizam Khan asked him to kill President Granger sometime in 2015, an allegation Khan has denied. According to Giffard, who testified on Thursday before the Commission, he had approached Khan to loan him $6M but Khan instead offered him $7M, noting that he would not have to repay the money if he killed the President. According to Giffard, Khan displayed a long black gun which he (Giffard) was expected to use to kill the President. He contended that since he refused to carry out the act, Khan has been harassing him. However, during Friday’s hearing, Detective Sergeant Petamber, said that a search was conducted on Khan’s Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) property but no such weapon was found. Instead a pistol and matching ammunition were found and the licence for same produced by Khan. The firearm and ammunition were taken by police and lodged at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary. Petamber told the Commission that he became involved in the case on March 29 upon the behest of the Officer-in-Charge (OC) at the time, Assistant Superintendent, Mitchell Caesar, but noted that after that day he didn’t have a role to play. The Detective explained that he received instructions from Caesar to take a statement from Gillard on March 29 at around 10am and he complied and reported same to Caesar. That process took some three hours, the police said. “It took me more than three hours,” he added noting that he “believed it was a serious story.” Giffard had reported that he made several reports to the Grove Police Station to no avail and as a result of his frustration he traveled to the City to speak with investigators. Later that day, at approximately 4pm, Giffard along with three police ranks, Detective Petamber, Corporals Deonarine and Jermaine Laundry, along with Giffard visited the home of Khan. Upon their arrival, Khan was seen talking with another man. However, as the police approached, the man, who remains unknown to investigators departed. “Did you not see it fit to find out who the person was?,” asked retired Assistant Police Commissioner, Paul Slowe, to which Petamber replied in the negative. “If you left CID with a view to investigate a serious crime…you saw this man speaking to a next person, you didn’t see it necessary to intercept the other man?” Slowe questioned. “No,” replied the detective who joined the GPF in 2005 and started working at CID in 2009, after which he was stationed in the Major Crimes Department in May 2016. It was at that point that the retired Assistant Police Commissioner said, “I find that strange!” Giffard was left standing alone outside of Khan’s home, while the three policemen entered the accused’s yard. “Myself, along with Deonarine, identified ourselves and told him of the allegations…he denied and we carried out a search on him…we took possession of the firearm and ammunition,” Petamber recounted. Thereafter, the detective said a search which lasted about 45 minutes was conducted on the two storey property. In the presence of Corporal Deonarine a search of Khan’s home was done and no firearm was found, the man reported. Khan’s wife, Alisha Singh was also interview after which Khan was arrested and escorted to CID Headquarters. At CID there was a confrontation between Giffard and Khan and Khan continued to deny the allegation leveled against him. SEARCH WARRANT Meanwhile, the Detective told the Commission that he, along with Deonarine went into Khan’s house, while
… admits did not comply with some SOPs
Retired Assistant Police Commissioner, Paul Slowe Corporal Laundry stayed behind near the vehicle with Giffard. Laundry during his testimony said he was stationed to the front of Khan’s yard, while Giffard was alone near the police vehicle. When asked what specifically Khan told him during his visit to the man’s home, Petamber said “I can’t remember…I can’t remember exactly what he said.” The detective said too that he took about 45 minutes to search the entire premises including the interior of the house and the yard. “Did you get a search warrant?” asked Slowe, who subjected the Detective to extensive questioning. The detective replied, “No sir”. His response prompting the Commissioner to question, “Did you not see it fit to obtain a search warrant?” Petamber said, “I would have obtained one if he had denied us entry,” a statement which clearly did not find favour with Slowe who responded “That’s carry on policing… I don’t understand that. You left CID headquarters with the intention of investigating this matter. You can’t know whether this man will permit you to search or not and you did not seek to ensure you cover yourself legally to search…That is not the type of policing that one would expect or I would expect from a Sergeant in the Major Crimes Investigation Unit”. The detective later in the inquiry told retired Justice Ian Chang, who is representing the interests of the police that the process to obtain a search warrant was too time consuming, given the nature of the matter. Additionally, the Detective said he felt he and Corporal Deonarine didn’t need assistance in the searching of Khan’s premises. The other Corporal was stationed to the front of the accused’s yard and could not see part of the sides of the yard, along with the back. It was later discovered that Khan, who was arrested by the officers was not taken to CID headquarters in the waiting police vehicle but in his own vehicle. “In which vehicle did he (Khan) go?” asked Slowe. “His vehicle,” replied Petamber. “Who drove the vehicle?” Slowe continued. “Deonarine drove the vehicle,” said the detective who later said “I can’t remember who drove the vehicle…but I know it was myself and Deonarine took him to CID.” “What nonsense is that?” remarked Slowe, who questioned the statements made by the detective. “You are investigating a major crime, you arrested a man by the name of Nizam Khan and you ain’t know if Nizam Khan drive this vehicle from Grove to CID headquarters?” The retired Assistant Commissioner then asked Petamber whether it would have been normal for a person arrested for a serious offence to be allowed to drive himself, a question which was answered in the negative, accepting that the act was “abnormal.” The Detective said he was unaware that only licensing and certifying officers can drive vehicles they have been licensed to drive. DECLINED TO MAKE STATEMENT
Meanwhile, he said while at CID he lodged the firearm and recorded it in the general property book and noted that while he was on duty on March 29, Khan declined to make a statement. He however said the following day he was informed that a statement was made subsequently. “I don’t know who was the lead investigator; I wasn’t,” said the detective, who was the most senior person conducting the investigation that day. Petamber said too that he left work at around 9:30pm that night and handed over the case to Officer Sewsankar, who was a corporal at the time. He however failed to book out his time. “That is a major breach. You got to book your time leaving the station unless they got a new standing order,” said Slowe. “I reported to duty till afternoon the next day…I had to go to Leonora Court,” the man told Slowe. He said it was Sewsankar who told him Khan was placed on bail on the night of March 29. “…but I don’t know who placed him on bail,” said the detective. This prompted Commissioner Slowe to question whether Petamber inquired about the lodged firearm and ammunition. “Did you check?” asked Slowe. “No”, replied Petamber, who said he found it strange that Khan was released on bail so quickly. “You found it strange that given the nature of
Detective Sergeant Komal Petamber the allegation he was sent on bail so quickly…but didn’t do checks?” questioned Slowe. The Detective said he was told that a report was done by the police but could not state who made the report. He noted too that a few persons had arrived at the CID Headquarters stating that they wanted to make statements in relation to the matter. The detective said he is unsure how those persons became a part of the investigation and didn’t question same. Additionally, the detective said many of the things he was required to answer were not placed in his statement. “Any reason why those things were not in your statement…if they were not contained in your statement then you were not giving people an accurate picture of what transpired; then it is neglect…if it is not neglect then it is incompetence,” said Commissioner Slowe, who chided Petamber for his reasoning. Meanwhile, retired Justice Chang questioned whether the investigation has been closed, to which Petamber responded, “I don’t think so.” Chang then asked whether at any stage of the investigation, advice was sought in the matter. Petamber responded in the affirmative noting that after the file returned there was no recommendation for charges to be laid. Attorney Christopher Ram, who is representing the accused Nizam Khan, asked Petamber to give his understanding of a plot and whether it is possible for one person to make a plot. “No sir,” replied the detective, who Ram then asked “Who was Mr Khan plotting with?” He received no response. Sergeant Petamber may be recalled to testify after written verbatim reports are submitted to the attorneys of the CoI.
Escapees not together
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
... one weapon still unaccounted for By Vishani Ragobeer THE FIVE prison escapees remain on the run and Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud believes that the men are not together as was originally suspected. Meanwhile, one weapon- a pistol, still remains unaccounted for after the Camp Street fire, Prisons Director Gladwyn Samuels has said. The director related this to the Guyana Chronicle at a press conference held at the Ministry of Public Security, Brickdam, Georgetown. This missing weapon was not discovered even as rehabilitation works, which include the removal of debris, at the Camp Street
prison are underway. To this end, Samuels explained that there were two places the weapons were stored in, the Prison’s arms’ store and in the operations room. “Due to the magnitude of the fire, some of the weapons [in the operations room] have been damaged beyond recognition and that is what is causing the issues,” Samuels related to the Guyana Chronicle. He did not confirm that the missing weapon is among those that have been disfigured, but stressed that this is the most probable explanation for the whereabouts of that weapon. However, at the last press conference Samuels had highlighted
that all of the weapons, except one, from the prison’s arms store had been accounted for. He did not mention that weapons were stored in the prison’s operations room, which is located at the top floor of the prison. Despite this incongruity, Samuels ruled out the possibility of this weapon being illegally removed since according to him, the operations room was guarded until every prisoner had been escorted out of the blazing prison. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police reiterated that police officers are still pursuing the five prison escapees: Stafrei Alexander, Cobena Stephens aka “OJ”, Mark Royden Williams
and Uree Varswyk. It was reported in the Guyana Chronicle on July 19 that police had encountered Alexander in Port Mourant, Berbice and shot him in a confrontation. Seelall, however, could not confirm whether Alexander was shot, but he
highlighted that blood was indeed seen. In light of intelligence report the police service has received, it was disclosed that the five escapees are not travelling together, as was once believed. “He [Alexander] is alone, they are all alone,”
Seelall disclosed. As investigations into the whereabouts of the five prison escapees continue, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle noted that investigations have also been launched and assured that there will be a conclusion shortly.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
Court awards $79M to Arjoon … monthly pension set at $372, 498
JUSTICE Brassington Reynolds on Thursday awarded former Chief Executive Officer of the New Building Society (NBS), Maurice Arjoon some $79M for loss of earnings, pension and severance for being wrongfully dismissed by the entity back in 2007. Justice Reynolds also
ruled that Arjoon be paid a monthly pension of $372, 498. The financial award comes days after Reynolds had ruled that the former CEO be compensated by the state-owned agency for wrongful dismissal by the then Bharrat Jagdeo-led government. Arjoon who is currently ill, had sued the
financial institution back in 2011 for wrongful dismissal in 2007. He was fired after being accused of conspiring with two others to defraud NBS of $69M – a case which went to trial and was subsequently dismissed. The money reportedly belonged to Bibi Khan. The other two accused were the then Assistant Mortgage manager, Kissoon Baldeo, and Operations manager, Kent Vincent. Initially, a decision was expected to be handed down by High Court Judge, Justice Brassington Reynolds on November 29, 2016. After that time had elapsed, July 10, 2017 was announced to be the new date for a ruling. That deadline was also missed. However, on Monday, the court ruled that the former NBS boss had been
Former CEO of NBS, Maurice Arjoon wrongfully dismissed by the then government and is entitled to his pension and other benefits which were snatched from him. In 2007, Arjoon of La Fleur Road, Eccles; Baldeo of Zeeburg, West Coast Demeraram and Vincent of Canje Pheasant Lane, South Ruimveldt were charged for conspiring to defraud NBS of $69M. At that time, Arjoon was on the verge of retirement and
would have been paid a pension and other benefits. After the trio was charged, they faced trial in the Magistrates court but the matter was later thrown out after the main witnesses stopped attending court. The CEO had claimed that he was framed after refusing to illegally endorse the lending of $2B in 2006. His decision to only lend $350M in keeping with the laws of Guyana, reportedly angered then President Bharrat Jagdeo, who allegedly threatened to deal with him. After being vindicated, the former CEO and the other two managers filed a complaint to the office of the Ombudsman. He subsequently moved to file a $2M lawsuit against the then Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) government for malicious prosecution in 2011. A report by the Ombudsman in 2014 had stated that the police at that time had wrongfully charged Arjoon and the two others, and that the men be
compensated for losing seven years of their lives. In an interview with Kaieteur News earlier this year, Arjoon shared that: “My family and I have endured so much suffering during the past decade hoping for justice. I recently lost my son who was also very traumatised by this matter.” “I hope I receive justice during my lifetime and not posthumously” a hopeful Arjoon said. The matter was also taken to the National Assembly to be debated, but that was stalled pending an outcome of the court matter. Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo also weighed in on the matter last month, offering that: “This is a man who sought relief through the court on [allegations] that an injustice was done to him in the executive sector. The matter has been ongoing for so long. What makes the situation worse is the fact that he [Arjoon] is sick.”
140 local companies sign up with Exxon for oil jobs
MORE than one hundred (100) Guyanese businesses have signed up with ExxonMobil’s local Business Centre to access opportunities in the oil and gas industry. In an interview with the
Department of Public Information (DPI), Exxon’s Public and Government Director, Kimberly Brasington, said the company has compiled a database of local businesses interested in opportunities available in the oil and gas industry. “Back in January, in the interim, before we could get this (Centre) going we launched a supplier database, registration portal and so we already have 140 Guyanese companies registered in our database,” Brasington said. This database is currently being transferred over to the
local Business Centre which was officially opened last week. The Business Centre, among other things, will provide key linkages to local businesses for joint venture opportunities in the industry. “It’s really a robust research centre of Guyanese companies that third parties could come in to form potential (joint ventures) with,” Brasington explained. The Business Centre is already providing information on upcoming tenders and contract bids; information critical to creating these joint venture opportunities. (DPI)
ExxonMobil’s Director of Public and Government Affairs, Kimberly Brasington
Destitute gets three years for malicious wounding A HOMELESS man was on Friday, sentenced to three years in prison by Magistrate Leron Daly on a charge of malicious wounding. According to the police, on June 26, 2017, along Charlotte Street, Georgetown, Devon Jackson wounded Marlon Mohammad. The particulars of the charge alleged that on June 26, 2017, at about 19:00hrs
Mohammad was lying on a cardboard on the pavement along Charlotte Street, Georgetown, in the vicinity of Beharry Automotive when he was approached and instructed by Jackson to get up. Mohammad then told Jackson that one of his legs has a cut and he is not in the position to stand. However, Jackson who held a cutlass proceeded to hit Mohamed about his body
with the cutlass. In addition, the defendant then took the cutlass and cut the pants that the victim was wearing. The defendant went on kicking and hitting Mohammad about his body. Mohammad was then carried to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by an ambulance. Jackson was arrested and charged for the offence which he pleaded guilty to.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
Prosecution to call final witness in restaurant waitress murder PI
POLICE Inspector, Gordon Mansfield, is winding down the case for the prosecution in the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the 2014 slaying of waitress Debra Blackman. Ex-police constable, Maxwell Grant, will be called as the closing witness. The prosecution is contending that on August 23, 2014, Shelton George, now crippled, of Better Hope
DEAD : Debra Blackman
South, East Coast Demerara (ECD), allegedly murdered Debra Blackman, a waitress. George is being represented by attorney-at-law, Melville Duke. When the PI continued on Friday before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, Prosecutor Mansfield indicated to the court that he attempted to issue a court summons for his witness, Grant, but was informed that
the officer had left the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and is abroad. Also, George’s attorney was absent from court. The Chief Magistrate in light of the situation adjourned the matter until August 4. Debra Blackman, 48, of Critchlow Circle, Tucville, was shot and killed on August 23, 2014, in the Delicious Chinese Restaurant on Durban Street, George-
town. The mother of five was killed while standing behind the counter of the restaurant where she had worked for some 11 years. The killer and an accomplice reportedly arrived and left on a CG motorcycle. Police arrested George in his mother’s Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home. He has been wheelchair-bound, after he was shot in the back
while in Suriname.
Shelton George called ‘Boorie (News Source Photo)
Woman gets bail on attempted murder charge A 40-YEAR-OLD woman charged with the attempted murder of her stepson after she reportedly stabbed him with a knife, was on Friday released on $150,000 by City Magistrate Ann McLennan. Samantha Bourne, mother of five, was ar-
raigned a few months ago during her first appearance for the indictable charge. Particulars of the charge read that on May 28, 2017, at Lot 292 Independence Boulevard, Georgetown, Bourne unlawfully and maliciously wounded Kevin Blair with intent to commit murder.
The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) is ongoing before the Chief Magistrate. During Friday’s proceedings Bourne’s attorney, Adrian Thompson, made an application for bail for his client since she was on remand. Thompson contended that Bourne is willing to
move out from the Lot 292 Independence Boulevard, Georgetown, residence since her step-son also resides at the same property. Police Prosecutor, Gordon Mansfield made no objection to the woman being granted her pre-trial liberty but requested that conditions be attached.
The Chief Magistrate released Bourne on $150,000 bail with the condition that she keeps away from the victim. The trial is adjourned until July 27. According to reports, Bourne and her stepson lived at Lot 292 Independence Boulevard, George-
town but are not on speaking terms. However, on May 28 there was a confrontation between the two parties when Bourne pulled out a knife and stabbed her stepson to his abdomen. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by his sibling.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
GPL launching new project to clamp down on electricity theft
THE Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) is intensifying efforts to reduce the shocking rates of electricity theft. In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) the power company’s Public Relations Officer, Shevion Sears, explained that the new project “GPL Customers in Focus” is set to be launched on August 08, 2017 to raise awareness about electricity theft. She pointed out that GPL’s loss reduction division will conduct interactive sessions to sensitise customers. “They (customers) will be informed and educated on metering issues, how to
apply for a legal service, penalties for bypass and diversion of electricity among others. So GPL will be in several communities interacting with the customers to ensure customer satisfaction and that they are informed and educated on all aspects of GPL’s operation.” The initiative falls under the loss reduction division of GPL, which has three departments; operational, metering and field services departments. The customers will be interacting with key personnel from those departments. The PRO encouraged customers, as well as users (those persons who divert or steal electricity, to par-
ticipate in the awareness sessions so that they will also be able to educate others. Sears highlighted that the programme is not to humiliate persons but to help them to understand the value of paying their bills on time, and getting on the grid legally. Operations Manager, Loss Reduction, GPL, Leon Williams, explained that electricity theft is costing GPL millions in losses. Therefore, the division will outline to customers how electricity theft can affect their safety, the tariff or cost of electricity and they can work together with GPL to eliminate electricity theft. Many persons use
ingenious methods to pilfer electricity. The Operations Manager explained that in some cases the theft is not visible and the power company has to use specialised equipment to detect it, which can be challenging. “In some cases, the customers are innocent because they would have inherited a premise (building) that has a bypass to electricity theft, so we would like to work with them so that when we detect these thefts the customers do not feel cheated and all parties are satisfied,” Williams underlined. The project will be implemented in all the served areas across Guyana. (DPI)
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Fisherman stabbed to death at Meadow Bank
POLICE are hunting for a suspect “Chokadag” following the fatal stabbing of a fisherman at Meadow Bank Wharf, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Thursday night during a fracas. Police said they are making stringent efforts to apprehend the male suspect who is alleged to have fatally stabbed a fisher monger. A probe revealed that the victim, Chan Wen Wong, 42, of Lot 14 Seaforth Street, Campbellville, and the suspect had a quarrel which resulted in a physical confrontation. They were parted by onlookers and the victim walked away only to be pursued by the suspect who whipped out a sharp object and stabbed him to the left region of his chest and fled the scene. Wong collapsed after being injured and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body is presently at the Lyken’s Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination. A visit to the man’s residence in Campbellville saw no one at the apartment which is occupied by a group of Chinese nationals, who are employed at Mei Tung Restaurant which is located on the second floor of Buddy’s Building on Sheriff Street. At the Chinese eating house, employees said that Wong was a cook at the restaurant some years ago, but quit and turned to fishing and used to be at sea for long periods. Employees added that Wong who used to hang around the wharf area when he was not at sea, came to Guyana as a child with his Chinese parents who have since passed away. They related that his parents had a business in the North West and after they died Wong came to the city and he was a cook at the restaurant for some time. Police told the Guyana Chronicle that the suspect is known to law enforcement officials and efforts are being made to locate him.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
Social Cohesion Inter-Village Exchange Camp to be launched on August 13
THE Ministry of Social Cohesion will launch its Inter-Village Exchange Camp on August 13, targeting 160 young people between the ages of 16 and 25 years old from 23 communities across Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine). The camp targets pre-identified peer leaders and will run for one week. It is aimed at fostering an appreciation of differences in order to build more unified communities. Programme Coordinator at the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Ms. Sharon Patterson, in an invited comment today, said that the idea was born out of the Strategic Plan which was developed by the Ministry through countrywide consultations. She noted that the activities at the camp will be focused on educating the participants on the role of social cohesion in nation building, and building their capacity to foster inclusivity and unity in their communities.
“This is a pilot activity and it is an inter-village programme because it will be promoting geographic inclusiveness. We want the young indigenous persons to, not only understand diversity but also feel included and so we want to develop a cadre of young people who can go back into their villages and help with building a cohesive society,” she said. Ms. Patterson said that the young persons who will be taking part have all been selected by their village leaders and Toshaos and would have been individuals who exhibited leadership qualities and are involved in community development activities. To ensure that the youths are exposed to content, which not only promote the Ministry’s message but can also provide personal development opportunities, the Ministry has planned several sessions aimed at boosting their self-confidence to empower them to take the lead
Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton receives the cheque from General Manager Operations, Republic Bank Guyana Limited, Ms. Denise Hobbs in promoting trust, unity, equity, equality and an appreciation of diversity among their peers. The overall aim of is to create an enabling environment that will foster community development. The youths will be pro-
vided with additional information on topics including the importance of education, career opportunities in various fields, business opportunities at the community level, youth and the law, as well as social issues such as
Trafficking in Persons (TIPs) and domestic violence by representatives from Government agencies, educational institutions and businesses. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have confirmed their participation and will engage the participants on the opportunities, which are available in the two organisations. The Ministry of Public Health will also be sending its Adolescent Health team and the Ministry of Social Protection will have a presence at the activities. Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited will also be hosting a Banking and Business session, which will speak to investment opportunities and available financing for the start-up of small businesses. The financial institution, today, handed over a cheque of for an undisclosed sum to support its participation in the camp. Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, in
accepting the donation, said that the Ministry is thankful to corporate Guyana and Republic Bank for coming on board and making the events possible. He noted that the Ministry looks forward to future partnerships, which can be beneficial to all involved. Several other sponsors have thrown their support behind the initiative, including: RUBIS Guyana Incorporated, MACORP, Gaico Construction and General Services Incorporated, Mohammed’s Enterprise, and Mekdeci Machinery and Construction Incorporated. Ms. Patterson said that the Ministry has also planned a full roster of interactive activities such as outdoor games and physical exercises, along with a campfire and a special cultural evening all aimed at empowering them to make individual and group inputs in their respective communities. (Ministry of the Presidency)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
Reparative justice is a necessary cause that must be pursued - President tells Rastafarian confab
PRESIDENT David Granger said that public education is essential in order to heighten awareness at the personal, national, regional and international levels with regard to the calls for reparative justice, which he described as a just and necessary cause. “The world needs to know about, and people need to be conscious of, the crime of enslavement,” he said. The Head of State made these remarks at the National Rastafarian Conference which opened on Friday in collaboration with the Guyana Reparations Committee at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus.
He explained that awareness and education will allow for greater solidarity which will serve to bolster the region’s collective advocacy at the international level; implant in the public mind, the legal and moral bases of the region’s demand for reparations; indicate the precedents in support of reparative justice and lay the foundation for international advocacy and agitation. “Reparative justice’ is not a ruse for development finance or international handouts. It is a demand aimed at ensuring recompense for crimes against humanity, enslavement and native genocide, and for
President David Granger was greeted by members of the Reparation Committee and the Rastafarian Community upon his arrival at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus the atrocities of indentured immigration. The demand for ‘reparative justice’ must
Members of the Rastafarian Community seated in the audience at the George Walcott Lecture Theatre at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus
not be confused with developmental assistance,” the President said. Noting that reparative justice is not an alien concept to Europe and the rest of the world, the President pointed out that Britain compensated sugar planters for the loss of their ‘property’ (slaves) in 1838 as well as the victims of torture during the Mau-Mau uprising in Kenya. Further, Germany paid reparations to its allies after the first and second World Wars, and even agreed to pay reparations to Israel for the ‘Holocaust’. However, there has been no recompense for the dispossession and underdevelopment of the Caribbean as a result of
Always be prepared –– CARPHA urges regional health labs
THE Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is calling on public health laboratories to prepare to fight emerging diseases. “Public health laboratories play a critical role in the fight against communicable diseases, specifically vector-borne diseases, to better prepare the region to detect and respond to new and emerging threats,” stated Dr Karen Polson-Edwards, acting Director, Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Con-
trol at CARPHA. According to a statement from the agency, Dr Polson-Edwards was speaking at the opening of a two-day technical and policy forum for laboratory directors from 19 English and Dutch-speaking public health laboratories across the region. The meeting also included delegates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), Council of Min-
isters of Health of Central America and the Dominican Republic (COMISCA), and the Caribbean Med Labs Foundation (CMLF). The aim of the forum was to share activities, achievements and strategic priorities, inform of technical laboratory advances, and exchange lessons-learned from the most-affected countries. The meeting discussed and sought to establish consensus on regional and country-specific needs and action
plans for laboratory preparedness and technical capacity development training, with specific focus on the Zika virus and other outbreak prone diseases. Dr Polson-Edwards highlighted CARPHA’s role in assisting member states to strengthen capacity in the testing of arboviral diseases, especially in response to the recent Zika outbreak. She underscored the function of laboratories in the long-term development
slavery, native genocide and indentured immigration. “The descendants of the colonised peoples of the Caribbean, therefore, are correct in their call for reparative justice to right these wrongs. The victims of these crimes against humanity have been deprived of an apology. They have been deprived of ‘reparative justice’ for the abominable crimes that resulted in the loss of millions of lives, the expropriation of wealth and the legacy of underdevelopment,” President Granger said. Head of the Guyana Reparations Committee, Mr. Eric Phillips, expressed his appreciation to President Granger
for ensuring that the Committee gets an annual budget, which allows its members to meet on a weekly basis. This is the only committee in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) that gets such a budget. The aim of the National Rastafarian Conference is to bring together leaders and members of the Rastafarian community to discuss the issue of repatriation. Mr. Phillips said that his Committee needs the Rastafarian community to host members of other Rastafarian communities in the Caribbean with a view of creating a White Paper on repatriation. (Ministry of the Presidency)
of the Roadmap for Regional Health Security, not only for diagnosis of new and emerging pathogens, but also in areas of biosafety and biosecurity. Delegates were urged to use the opportunity to strengthen linkages with regional partners to mutually develop a tangible plan for capacity building of regional public health laboratories. The intent of the delegates was to promote and ensure long-term sustainability, and country ownership of ongoing laboratory preparedness and response activities jointly implemented by multiple technical assistance teams and national partners. Various initiatives, including the growth of networks such as the Caribbean Public Health Laboratory
Network (CariPHLN) and the Caribbean Vector-Borne Diseases Network (CariVecNet) were discussed and the strengths, weaknesses and gaps in regional laboratory systems were reviewed. The meeting was organised by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and Training Programmes in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET), a programme of the Task Force for Global Health. Support for the forum was provided by the Bureau for Global Health, US Agency for International Development, under the terms of an Interagency Agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
Indigenous communities sensitised about ‘rights’act
SEVERAL Indigenous communities have been sensitised about the Sexual Abuse and the Sexual Offences Act, Domestic Violence Act, Human Trafficking and the Counter Trafficking in Persons Act and other labour related issues. They received the vital information when a team from the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry and Social Protection’s Labour Department recently conducted a two-day sensitisation workshop with 18 village councils in Region Nine. The participants were drawn from Central and South/Central Rupununi and the workshop was held in St. Ignatius. The Ministry’s team was led by Senior Social Worker, Pauline Welch and Welfare Officer, Onika Bishop. The collaboration seeks to inform village councils of their rights and responsibilities under the Sexual Offences Act, the Domestic Violence Act, the Labour Act and the Combating Traffick-
The facilitators and participants of the workshop held in Region Nine ing in Persons Act. It was noted that when social issues arise, persons in the communities are sometimes unaware of the procedures that should be followed, thus, the importance of the sensitisation workshop. The villages were asked
to select two persons who are community-oriented to receive training so they can return with a reservoir of knowledge to be shared with residents of the respective villages. “Coming out from this important exercise, persons were able to have a better
understanding of critical aspects of the labour, sexual offences, domestic violence and trafficking in persons act. Misconceptions were clarified as it relates to the roles of law enforcement officers and the various agencies involved in addressing these issues,” Welch said.
She also noted that “participants pointed out the need for additional human resources to assist in addressing these issues, while there must be a more concerted effort by those in authority to prosecute perpetrators”. Participants welcomed this initiative and requested
future training in parenting skills, while a request was also made to the Ministry of Social Protection to establish a labour office in the region. Statistics on trafficking in persons indicate that more indigenous persons are susceptible to trafficking, sexual and labour exploitation. To bring awareness, similar initiatives are being held countrywide by the Ministerial task Force in trafficking in Persons (includes several Government and non-governmental agencies) to bring awareness to this scourge. As part of its commitment in the fight to empower indigenous peoples, the Ministry has recognised the need for villages to become more aware of society’s social ills and the approach needed to adequately address them. The Ministry is in the process of planning a similar session for Aishalton Village, Deep South Rupununi in early August, while similar interventions will be made in Annai and Karasabai are set for later in the year.
Landfill site being restored in phases By Navendra Seoraj IN order to restore the Haags Bosch dumpsite to landfill standard, the Ministry of Communities will be working in three phases to have every aspect of the site fully functional. After a fire destroyed most of the dumpsite at Ec-
cles, East Bank Demerara last year, the management had to employ temporary methods to ensure proper waste disposal. Subsequent to a tour of the site on Friday, site supervisor for the Ministry of Communities Solid Waste Management Unit, Lloyd Stanton, told Guyana Chronicle that a temporary cell was
used to dispose of the garbage after the fire. “That area is being treated, reshaped and covered… peripheral drainage is also being developed around it,” he said. They will however be moving back to “cell one” so they can regain landfill standard but that will be done in
The tyre shredder in use at the dump site (Photos by Delano Williams)
One of the cells being compacted a three-phase process. As part of phase one, they cleaned the site by reshaping and compacting the existing pile. This will be complemented by phase two which includes the rehabilitation of buildings in the area and the scale. And, phase three will include the construction of cell two. “Three and two can run together if we get the funding as soon as possible,” said Stanton while adding that
work is moving at a slow rate. Although the waste disposal is under control, he pointed out that there is still the issue of commingled waste -- waste streams that are mixed together. Piles of metal are mixed with decomposable garbage, so they have problems reducing them before they get to the cells. Their solution to this problem is to separate the metal and await the recommencement of the scrap metal
trade. The ministry is looking at more machinery to separate the garbage. Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings said she is pleased with the operations and will be looking to address pertinent issues. The minister was pleased with the acquisition of a tyre and wood shredder that are helping with destruction of materials that are difficult to breakdown.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 22, 2017
CDB approves US$295,000 for Guyana’s agri sector
THE Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) have approved a grant of US$295,000 to support the Government of Guyana in developing a framework, which will guide the development and implementation of measures to adapt to the impact of climate change on the agriculture sector in the country. In Guyana, the agriculture sector is a significant contributor to the gross domestic product (GDP), and also employs a large portion
of the population, CDB said in a release. Climate change can have a significant effect on the sector, as most agricultural production is concentrated along the coastal plains which are on average 1.4 metres below sea level at high tide. Rising sea levels, increased in the intensity and frequency of rainfall and higher temperatures associated with climate change are already negatively impacting agricultural production. This technical assistance project will allow the Government to identify areas that are the
most vulnerable to climate change and to adopt new climate-smart agricultural practices. “The project will help the Government to identify specific crops and crop varieties that are most suited to particular regions, as well as activities that are specific to these regions that can be implemented to adapt to the effects of climate change. This will assist the Government in better planning investment programmes in the agriculture sector,” said Deidre Clarendon, Division
Chief, Social Sector Division in the CDB. Findings from research completed under the project will be used to support capacity-building in Guyana and other CDB-Borrowing Member Countries. Once completed, it is expected that the results of the project will be shared through a regional knowledge dissemination workshop, which will bring together agriculture stakeholders from across the region. The project is scheduled to be implemented over a period of 16 months. It is
consistent with CDB’s strategic objective of supporting inclusive sustainable growth and development, as well as the Bank’s corporate priority of supporting agriculture and rural development. The Caribbean Development Bank is a regional financial institution established in 1970 for the purpose of contributing to the harmonious economic growth and development of its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs). In addition to the 19 BMCs, CDB’s membership includes four region-
al non-borrowing members – Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela and five non-regional, non-borrowing members; i.e., Canada, China, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. CDB’s total assets as at December 31, 2016 are USD2.89 billion (bn). These include USD1.59bn of Ordinary Capital Resources and USD1.29bn of Special Funds. The Bank is rated Aa1 Stable with Moody’s and AA+ Stable with Standard and Poor’s and Fitch. Read more at caribank.org.
Ex-cop slapped with robbery charges
AN ex-policeman was remanded to prison after being slapped with two robbery-related charges on Friday morning at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. It is alleged that Edwin Nunes of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, robbed Dimitri Charles of his keys, chain and ring, valued $53,000 on July 18, 2017 in the vicinity of Campbellville Avenue Georgetown. The 24-year-old suspect who had disguised as a woman, had allegedly committed the act with several other accomplices, all of whom were armed with cutlasses and knives. Nunes was said to be armed as well. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to
the offence. It is also alleged that Nunes, along with another on July 18, 2017, in Sheriff Street, Georgetown, robbed Parmanan Harrylall of one cell phone and cutlass, totalling $13,000. The unrepresented man pleaded not guilty to the offence. Corporal Harris objected to bail based on the nature of the charge. He also stated that the ex-police officer has been previously charged. Nunes was remanded to prison by Magistrate Leron Daly, who stated that bail was refused because the defendant had a previous matter of similar nature.
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Avon Samuels overcomes fear and reaps success THE first time sprinter Avon Samuels was in a race she got so scared that she had a false start, but after having another go at it she blew the competition away. The year was 2009, and with the encouragement of her mother and teachers, Samuels was entered in the Girls’ 100m and other races at her school’s (Tucville Primary) inter-house sports. The win surprised Samuels, as did all the other wins that eventually landed her a spot to represent the South Georgetown District at the National School Championships or Nationals as everyone calls it. “I couldn’t believe that I made it that far. That was my first Nationals so it was a big deal for me, I was so happy,” Samuels recollected.
Avon Samuels finishes second place in the Girls’ 400m at the South American Junior Championships in June.
GABF president makes donation to Abdullah Hamid Summer Camp
It wasn’t just the 100m that she was in, Samuels was also in the 200m and 400m, events, running all three at Nationals. She won only in the 400m, finished fourth in the 200m and performed the worst in the 100m. The devastation of her 100m loss left her in tears. But none of that mattered’ a passion had been aroused and at just 10 years old she had many years ahead of her. Fast-forward eight years later and Samuels hit a career-high by winning three South American Junior Championships medals, which she won on her return earlier this season in June, after being out with injury for some time. Samuels is also currently putting together preparations to take up a scholarship at Monroe College in the U.S. She no longer runs the 100m, and has personal best of 24.6 seconds in the 200m and 55.12 seconds in the 400m. Getting over her fear of running is something that Samuels took some time to adjust to., raring its head the first time Samuels represented Guyana at CARIFTA Games.
After missing out on Nationals in 2010, in 2011 Samuels began a rivalry with Jevina Sampson, in her first year in the North Georgetown District 11, after she had graduated from primary school and began attending Christ Church Secondary. That year was also the year Samuels took her athletics to another stage, joining the Running Brave Athletics Club to develop her skills. However, that was not enough to stop Sampson from putting a halt to Samuels’ aspirations of attending Nationals in 2011. Sampson defeated her in the 200m and 400m at the inter-zone level of the competition. But by 2012, Samuels was shining again, and this time in a very big way. Everyone was taking notice when Samuels took commanding wins in the 100m, 200m and 400m races, competing in the Girls’ Under-14 category. Again she went all the way to Nationals. This time she took the hat-trick in the sprints. She encountered another rival that she would battle through the years – Linden’s Onasha Rogers. Like Samuels, Rogers
was also recently offered a scholarship to Monroe College. In 2013, Samuels reached another level. She was among those selected to represent Guyana at the esteemed CARIFTA Games, being held that year in The Bahamas. It was also the year that Samuels set her first record at Nationals. At CARIFTA Games, nerves and fear again enveloped Samuels, as she took to the starting line for the Girls’ Under-18 200m and 400m. She went on to medal. But as the year winded down, Nationals was her time to shine. She won the Girls’ Under-18 400m in a record-breaking 1:00.2 seconds. She herself later erased this record in 2015. She still holds the 59.5 seconds record she set two years ago. Samuels also participated at CARIFTA Games in 2014, and 2016. She had qualified to be on the team in 2015, which unfortunately did not attend that Games after the entire team had to pay after one athlete forgot passport. (tgarnett_sports@yahoo. com)
Bolt runs sub-ten seconds first time in 2017
GABF president Nigel Hinds addresses the attendees at Abdullah Hamid Summer Camp in Linden.
NIGEL Hinds, president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), yesterday made a donation of balls, t-shirts, water bottles and other paraphernalia to the Annual Abdullah Hamid Basketball Summer Camp in Linden. Hinds journeyed to the mining town and visited the camp where scores of young, aspiring ‘ballers’ are supervised by Hamid, a former
national player and coach. This year marked 29 years since Hamid’s programme is in existence, as he expressed his appreciation to Hinds and the GABF for their timely contribution. Meanwhile, Hamid said this year the programme will culminate with a skills challenge and an East versus West contest, allowing the players to showcase their talent to their parents.
(REUTERS) - Eight-times Olympic sprinting champion Usain Bolt ran under 10 seconds for the first time this year as he narrowly won the 100 metres at the Monaco Diamond League meeting yesterday. The Jamaican was slow out of the blocks, just as he was in his last race in Ostrava last month, and never managed to put a big gap between him and the field. He won in 9.95 seconds, three hundredths of a CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday July 21, 2017)
COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)` Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets (2) South Africa won by 340 runs Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was voted Man of the Match in the recent SL/ZIM one off Test? (2) Who was declared Man of the Match in the recent ENG/ SA second Test? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE
second ahead of American Isiah Young. South Africa’s Akani Simbine was third in 10.02 Before the meeting, Bolt went to Germany to have treatment on back
issues that have troubled him for years. It was his last outing before next month’s world championships in London where he will race in the 100 metres and 4x100m relay. 15:30 hrs Jumira Prince
South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:35 hrs Emerald Bay 09:15 hrs Duke Nukem 09;50 hrs Dan The Lad 10:25 hrs Penny Serenade 11;00 hrs Blue Berry Pie American Racing Tips Gulfstream Race 1 Solfatara Race 2 No Denial Race 3 Sum Quick Cash Race 4 Sweet Abdication Race 5 Forest Gator Race 6 Particularity Race 7 Espresso Caliente Race 8 Vigas Race 9 Sassy Slew English Racing Tips Haydock 12:55 hrs Spirit Of Rosanna 13:30 hrs La Celebs Ville 14:00 hrs Floreat Floreat 14:30 hrs Crazy Horse 15:00 hrs Stamford Raffles
Newmarket 09:05 hrs Bambino Lola 09:40 hrs Apphia 10:15 hrs Interlink 10:50 hrs Masham Star 11:25 hrs Buxted Dream 12:00 hrs Love Dreams 12;15 hrs Contango Newbury 08:50 hrs Early Morning 09:25 hrs Mount Logan 10:00 hrs Magical Memory 10:35 hrs Corintha Knight 11:10 hrs Helvetian 11:45 hrs Lincoln Rocks 12:20 hrs Knight Destroyer Irish Racing Tips Gowan Park 08:40 hrs Iron Blue 09:15 hrs Hatton Cross 09:50 hrs Alans Pride 10:25 hrs Less Of That 11:00 hrs Carta Blanca 11:35 hrs Hazama 12:10 hrs Golden Dandy 12:40 hrs Insayshable
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 22, 2017
More than 21 International athletes to descend on Linden next month MORE than 20 international athletes are on the cards for the eighth annual Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic, which was officially launched yesterday morning, for the first time in Linden, at Chicken’s Stag Bar on Republic Avenue, The athletes will be coming from across eight different countries – the United States of America, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Bahamas, St Lucia, Martinique, and for the first time at the meet, Uganda and Barbados. The international athletes will compete against Guyana’s best on August 12-13 at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, where over $2M in cash and prizes will be up for grabs at the inter-club meet. Present at yesterday’s
launch was Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland as well as chairmen of the Boyce and Jefford commit-
$500 000 will be for second- placers, $300 000 for third-placers and $200 000 for fourth-placers. In addition, the compe-
and female long jump. Each of the international events carries a US$500 purse with US$250 for the winner; US$150 to second
Yesterday’s head table, from left, Tournament Director Mark Scott; Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Boyce and Jefford chairmen Edison Jefford, and Colin Boyce; and Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland
tee, Colin Boyce and Edison Jefford. The winning club will walk away with $1M while
tition has six international events, namely the male and female 200m, male 800m, female 1500m and the male
place and US$100 for third. The male and female champion athletes will also cash in, running away with $50
000 each. Eight gate prizes will also be given away to lucky ticket-holders. Children’s tickets are available at ZSK Beverage Depot only for $500 while all other tickets will be $1 000 at the venue on the day. Movements Sound, DJ Winston, Father Moey and Determine Immortal Sound will be providing the Entertainment throughout the event. At yesterday’s launch, Jones lauded the meet and its organisers for continuing Guyana’s most longstanding lucrative meet. Jones also commended the organisers for staying true to their commitment to seeing the meet remain in Linden. “Boyce and Jefford, I
want to commend you and ask that you ensure your Classic goes beyond eight years,” Jones said. Sentiments reiterated by Holland during his address, noting how elated he is to see such an outstanding event continue in his town, saying, “Speaking on behalf of the Linden community, we are heartened to have this event here again.” He believes that the continued effort of the organisers to remain steadfast with a “signature event” in Linden shows enormous commitment to the community of Linden. Holland pleaded with Lindeners to come out in numbers and show appreciation for the consistent confidence the organisers have shown in the community.
Canada, USA, Mexico and Argentina headline teams for Indoor Pan American Cup
… Guyana to hosttournament on October 14 GUYANA will embark on hosting its first ever Pan American level hockey championships on October 14 when the ‘Indoor Pan American Cup’ is played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The tournament will feature two simultaneous competitions for men and women and serves as the Pan American Continental Qualifier for FIH Indoor Hockey World Cups, scheduled for February
sented by participation from North, Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. Only the 2010 competition, held in Venezuela, was larger and by just one team. The tournament will see the return of all four semi-finalists for both genders from 2014 in competition and promises to be one of the most highly contested. In the men’s competition, the Canadian side which
Latacia Chung (right) may be one of the emerging stars on show for Guyana in the upcoming competition.
2018 in Berlin, Germany. This year’s ‘Indoor Pan American Cup’ will be one of the biggest ever in its history which dates back to 2002. There will be eight nations contesting the women’s competition and seven contesting the men’s with each tournament being repre-
boasts the most first-place finishes (four), will comprise some players not entirely unfamiliar with Guyana and the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, due to their participation in the Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Festival. Trinidad and Tobago similarly are likely to
have several players in their ranks that competed in Guyana, as the island which has supported the local hockey festival with the greatest attendance of foreign players throughout the years. The mighty Argentina and USA have both been finalists in the past with the USA winning the championships against then hosts Argentina back in 2008. Barbados round out the participation from the Caribbean, and although not known particularly for their indoor game, always produce players with tremendous skill, while Mexico return to the competition for their third time as the lone Central American entrant. Guyana have competed on three occasions in this competition, resulting in a 4th place finish in 2005, fifth place in 2010 and their best showing, 3rd place in the last competition held in 2014 in Montevideo, Uruguay. The seven teams of the men’s competition, Guyana, Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago and the USA are all strong contenders for the gold although Canada remain the favourites having won the competition a record four times out of six. The same seven nations will compete in the women’s
competition with the addition of Uruguay who have been the surprise of Pan American hockey over the past few years. Argentina and Canada both have enjoyed the winners’ podium twice while Trinidad won the inaugural women’s Indoor Pan American Cup back in 2002. The Guyanese women, who have competed creditably over the past 10 years in the outdoor version of the game, will taste their first
international indoor hockey competition this year as the competition’s least experienced side. Most of the Guyanese players, however, would have had the experience of competing in the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Festival over the past several years and will be familiar with the conditions and the vociferous home support. Apart from the usual strong spectator support for the competition and those
accompanying the visiting teams, the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has plans to have all matches streamed live. Viewership throughout the Americas is expected to be in the tens of thousands and the GHB intends to use the opportunity to also showcase Guyana as a sports and recreational destination, especially to the many viewers who may not have heard much about the beautiful country.
Guyana’s Allicock reaches Commonwealth Youth Games semis
… to face Canada’s Jordan Mathieu today
SENSATIONAL and aggressive Guyanese boxer Keevin Allicock registered a 4-1 points victory to advance to the semi-final of the boxing championships at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games currently underway in the Bahamas. According to the Com-
Keevin Allicock
monwealth Youth Games website, Allicock registered a 4-1 win against Kian Bittles of England in their 52kg quarter-final contest and will today meet Canada’s Jordan Mathieu in one of two semi-final contests.. The other Guyanese boxer at the Games is Caribbean Development lightweight boxing champion Christopher Moore, who on the opening day defeated Dimitris Christofi of Cyprus in their 60kg contest. According to reports, team coach Sebert Blake described the victory as a convincing one, as Moore took early control of the fight. He felt that once Moore retains his form he will end up on the podium and the Guyanese (Moore) lived up to
Christopher Moore
expectations. The following day, he defeated Australia’s Mark Steven Borg to advance to the semi-final where he was down to face England’s Charles Frankham yesterday evening.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 22, 2017
2017 Digicel Schools Football Tournament … Waramadong thrash Bartica for Region 7 title
Digicel representative Jacquline James hands over to the winning Waramadong team, the kit that they will use in their next match on Sunday.
By Stephan Sookram OVERNIGHT showers and a slightly soggy section of the Ministry of Education ground could not dampen the parade of the Waramadong team as they clubbed Bartica 6-0 in the Region Seven Final of the Digicel Schools Football Tournament yesterday.
The eventual champions were in fine form, as they disposed of the Barticans with the first goal coming off the boot of Whitaker Paul in the 9th minute They doubled their money with Colin Edwards just four minutes later as they exhorted their dominance early. Reon McNaughton joined the party in the 22nd and 37th
minutes as he netted his brace to put the game well out of the reach of the opponents before the conclusion of the first half. The score could have been much higher had it not been for the tenacity and determination of the Bartica goalkeeper who managed to stop the majority of the rabid Waramadong attacks. On the resumption, things
didn’t get better for Bartica as Devon Nathan completed his brace in the 56th and 78th to ensure the game ended 6-0, much to the cheers of those Waramadong fans present. The Waramadong side move on to play their next match against the Region Three champions Uitvlugt at the Leonora Stadium on Sunday.
Guyana U-19 team departs for regional tourney
The National Under-19 squad and coach Julian Moore (extreme left) pose before departing the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence hostel and indoor facility for the Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Manager/assistant coach Andy Ramnarine is absent.
By Rajiv Bisnauth GUYANA’S 14-man squad, coach Julian Moore and manager/assistant coach Andy Ramnarine departed Guyana yesterday afternoon for St Kitts, confident of doing well at the upcoming Regional Under-19 Cricket Championships. This year’s tournament is scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 28. In an invited comment before the team left, Moore expressed confidence in the unit, adding that the team would be going all out to win both titles. “Turf practice was the main setback for us, but hav-
ing said that, we spent some time at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence hostel and indoor facility where we went through some intense training, so I am confident that the boys are ready for the battle,” Moore said. “We have a well all-round squad, capable of winning”. Guyana will be looking to defend their 50-over title after they whipped the Windward Islands to win the 50-over title last year, but surrendered the three-day crown to Trinidad and Tobago. The Regional Under-19 tournament will return to a full slate of matches, and will see the region’s leading youth
players get a chance to mix it up in five rounds of threeday matches, as well as seven rounds of Super50 one-day matches. According to a release from Cricket West Indies, the three-day competition will have the teams from the six territories, while in the 50-over format; the ICC Americas will field a team for a group of seven. Following the West Indies success in the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh last year, the team is gearing up for the World Cup in New Zealand next year. Rawl Lewis, the officer in charge of youth develop-
ment at Cricket West Indies notes this tournament as an important part of the calendar of events. “The Under-19 tournament is an integral part of the development of cricket in the West Indies. It is the final stage before first class cricket and many of our top players hone their skills here.” Fast-bowler Alzarri Joseph, one of the young and upcoming players on the West Indies senior team is a prime example of this. Shimron Hetmyer, former captain of the Under-19 team who secured the championship trophy last year, has also featured at the top of the order for the West
Khan urges cricket fans to take early advantage of CPL tickets
… Berbice’s Seon Glasgow included in Warriors training camp By Rajiv Bisnauth EXCITEMENT is mounting here and cricket fans are encouraged to take early advantage in acquiring their tickets for the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches scheduled for August 17, 19, 20 and 22 at the Guyana National Stadium. Providence. The local ticketing office, located at 238 Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, was officially opened yesterday, and Operations Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Omar Khan, is urging Guyanese to take advantage of the orderly system in acquiring their tickets early. “We want to urge all our cricket fans, all the Guyanese public to come out early. There is no rush there is a very orderly system in place for you to get your tickets; there is no hassle so take advantage of that situation,” Khan stated. Tickets cost $5 000 for the Red and Green Stands; $3 000 for the Orange Stand and $2 500 for the Grass Mound, and, according to Khan, there is no restriction on the amount of tickets patrons wish to purchase. Meanwhile, car pass for each match day cost $1500 for inside the stadium tarmac, while parking between the stadium and Ramada Hotel will cost $500. Patrons can purchase their tickets or car pass from 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs, Mondays to Fridays, 09:00hrs to 13:00hrs on Saturdays. Apart from the CPL ticketing office in Georgetown, tickets will be available to patrons in Berbice and Essequibo early next week. However, Khan indicated that the venues for those counties will be made public shortly. The ticketing office also houses the merchandise store which has a variety of Amazon Warriors replica uniforms, cricket gear and many memorabilia. Meanwhile, in keeping with the Warriors’ developmental programme, Khan revealed that talented all-rounder Seon Glasgow will be a part of the training camp in order to have him exposed at a different level. He, however, noted that while the majority of the members will assemble on July 25, Pakistani all-rounder Sohail Tanvir will join the squad on July
26, while New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, and Australian middle-order batsman Chris Lynn will arrive in the afternoon. Khan pointed out that the coaching staff remains the same as last year, with former West Indies off-spinner Roger Harper the head coach, with former Guyana first-class cricketer and current coach of the Guyana Jaguars, Esaun Crandon, the assistant coach. Fans can expect to witness cricket match rivalry between the Jamaica Tallawahs, Trinbago Knight Riders, Barbados Tridents and St Lucia Stars. The host team (Guyana Amazon Warriors) take on the Jamaica Tallawahs on August 17 from 20:00hrs; Trinbago Knight Riders on August 19 from 12:00hrs; Barbados Tridents on August 20 from 18:00hrs and St Lucia Stars on August 22 from 18:00hrs. The squad will depart for Fort Lauderdale, Florida on August 2. During the Florida leg, the Warriors will play St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in two games before returning to the Caribbean. The South American-based franchise has been one of the most consistent sides since the tournament’s inception, reaching the final in 2013, 2014 and 2016. In 2015, the Guyana Amazon Warriors reached the semifinals phase. This year the Warriors have raked in six newcomers in their squad. Destructive Jamaican wicket-keeper/batsman Chadwick Walton will head to the franchise this season, as well as Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan. The big-hitting ICC Americas opener Steven Taylor will also suit up for the Warriors, along with Barbados all-rounder Roshon Primus and the Guyanese pair, batsman Gajanand Singh and fast bowler Keon Joseph. Joseph was called in as a replacement for the injured Ronsford Beaton in the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad in 2013. However, he did not play a match. The retained players are Tanvir, Guptill, Lynn, Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder Rayad Emrit, Trinidad and Tobago batsman Jason Mohammed, Guyanese trio Veerasammy Permaul, Assad Fudadin and Steven Jacobs and Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper/ batsman Steven Katwaroo.
Indies test team recently. The National Under-19 squad: Ronaldo Ali Mohamed (captain), Raymond Perez, Kevin Sinclair, Javed Karim, Kevlon Anderson, Ramnarine Chatura, Adrian Sukhwa, Alex Algoo, Richie Looknauth, Kheshram Seyhodan, Ashmead Nedd, Karan Arjpaul, Sylus Tyndall, Joshua Jones,
Gavin Boodwa, Mark Jeffers, Joel Fortune, Stephon Campbell, Julian Moore (coach), Andy Ramnarine (manager/ assistant coach). Meanwhile, Bhaskar Yadram and Joshua Persaud will be joining the team upon their return from the West Indies Under-19 tour to South Africa and Zimbabwe.
2017 Digicel Schools Football Tournament Canada, USA, Mexico and Guyana’s Aderemi Simon on the attack against Uruguay in the 2014 competition
… Waramadong thrash Bartica for Region 7 title Argentina headline teams for See See page 31
Indoor Pan American Cup
page 30
A Waramadong player, muscling his way past a Bartica defender, was indicative of how the Region Seven final was played. (Delano Williams photo)
SEE INSIDE
More than 21 International athletes to descend on See page Linden next month 30
Khan urges cricket fans to take early advantage of CPL tickets See page 31
… Berbice’s Seon Glasgow included in Warriors training camp
GOT HIM! Part of the action in the GTT Tapeball tournament
GTT ‘Do More’ Tapeball tournament moves to Uitvlugt today THE Uitvlugt Community Centre ground will be the venue for today’s action in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) inaugural Tapeball cricket tournament from 10:00hrs. According to the organisers, over 25 teams will take the field in the 7-a-side, ‘win or go home’ style event. The
teams will battle until the top two teams remain. The final of the competition which started last weekend at the National Park tarmac will take place on July 30 at the GCC ground. $200 000 will be awarded to the winning team, while second- and third-place teams will collect $100 000 and $50
000 respectively. Justin Nedd, GTT Chief Executive Officer had stated that the event is being used by the company to give back to the communities, adding that “this will also bowl off the cricket season, since GTT is also the proud sponsor of the Guyana Amazon Warriors.” (Rawle Toney)
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Cricket fans take early advantage in acquiring their tickets for the Guyana leg of the Hero Caribbean Premier League. SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2017