Guyana chronicle e paper 08 03 2017

Central Mackenzie gets facelift with new roads Page 13

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017

Price: $80

UG Med School regains accreditation No. 104993

(VAT Inclusive)

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Bandits in Mon Repos stick-up Page 8

Lusignan trio gets more jail time for escaping Page 14

Pilot laid to rest Page 4 The casket carrying the remains of Roraima Airways Pilot, Captain Collin Winston Martin, being removed from the Central Assembly of God Church on Church Street where a Thanksgiving Service was held (Delano Williams photo)

Gov’t refutes people-smuggling claims

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Absence of GECOM chair not affecting LGE preparations

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

Assassination plot

Police slow to turn over relevant documents to CoI …Ram wants Ramjattan to testify

By Ariana Gordon CHRISTOPHER Ram, the lawyer representing the businessman accused of plotting to kill President David Granger, has petitioned the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, seeking to have Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan take

the stand.

Ram who is representing Imran Khan, brother of accused Nizam Khan, who also is a friend of Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, made the request on Wednesday when the inquiry continued. Ram opted to provide the Commission with reasons, but Chairman of the CoI, Paul Slowe said those reasons could be discussed outside of the public domain. Ram’s client is scheduled to testify on Friday for the first time, along with Assistant Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine and Inspector Prim Narine, who are being recalled by the Commission.

Also on Wednesday, Commissioner Slowe took umbrage to the fact that the Guyana Police Force has

failed to submit all relevant documentation, including statements to the CoI, despite a formal request to do same. Slowe was at the time referencing the Luanna Walcott statement read by Corporal Laundry.

Wednesday was not the first time Mr Slowe has had cause to raise concerns about the failure of the Force to submit all documents relevant to the Commission’s inquiry. On the 13th July, the Commissioner of Police was written to by the Commission requesting all statements and documents pertinent to the CoI. “Here it is again, I have to remark that apparently there is a document pertinent to the investigation…I am expressing disappointment that these documents were not submitted,” said Slowe. Chang, the Force’s attorney, volunteered to provide the Commission with the said statement by Walcott. “We have seen during the course of the inquiry, ranks from the Force saying they made statements and…so I am left to wonder what else is excluded,” the Commissioner remarked.

Frame Meanwhile, a Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) woman has reported that Andriff Gillard, the man who said he was offered $7M to assassinate President David Granger, told her he was going to ‘set up’ Nizam Khan so that he could be placed in jail.

The COI heard that Luanna Walcott, a cosmetologist, made a statement to Corporal Jermaine Laundry of the CID indicating that Gillard had planned to frame Khan. Gillard reported to the police that Khan, a businessman residing in Diamond, EBD, offered him $7M to kill the headof-state sometime in 2015.

Gillard testified before the commission under oath and noted that he had wanted to borrow $6M from the businessman to aid in his purchase of a property. It was at that time, the man said, he was offered $7M to assassinate the President.

He said had he accepted the offer, he would not have had to repay Khan the money. The alleged plot to kill the President was reported in March 2017. Khan has since denied the allegation and noted that while he and

Gillard were friends in the past, their friendship ended because Gillard borrowed money from him and failed to repay him. In fact, he told the CoI on Monday that Gillard owes him some $1.3M. On Wednesday, when Corporal Laundry was recalled before the Commission to be questioned by attorney for the Police, retired Justice Ian Chang, he read openly the statement provided by Walcott on July 19. In her statement, the woman said she was Gillard’s former landlord and has known him for about six years. Walcott opened her salon about three years ago and rented a spot in the premises to Gillard. The woman said the man never paid his rent on time and noted that she would have to report him to the police from time to time after which, he would pay the outstanding monies in part.

“He use to beat his child mother several times and she use to come over and complain for him. I would call him, talk to him…that time he was living opposite me,” Laundry read from Walcott’s statement. The woman said she was also told that it was Khan who had assisted the owner of the property where he operated his taxi service to have him evicted because he (Khan) wanted him evicted.

It was based on the aforementioned that Walcott said Gillard wanted to get back at Khan. In her statement, the woman said Gillard promised to have Khan “lost away in jail,” a story he thinks would be believable as they were friends.

The woman said she enquired from Gillard the evidence to support his claim to which he replied, “When I done with he, I gonna give everybody thing fuh talk.”

“When I done plan, I gonna go and say that he

paying me fuh kill Granger,” Walcott recalled in her statement. The woman told the police that she pleaded with the man to not carry through his plan as Khan was the one who assisted him in his time of need. “…I then told Andriff not to do that… [I asked him] if is not Nizam he said help him with his business… he said yes, but the man wicked because he want deh with he wife. I then told Andriff not to do that because he knows the man never do that…I asked him if he is ungrateful and [told him] ungratefulness is next to witchcraft. I told him he will reap his reward…if Nizam is wicked,” Walcott said in her statement.

The Diamond Housing Scheme woman said she cannot remember when she saw a Facebook report on the matter, but noted that when she heard of the CoI, she went to her attorney who advised her to speak with the police. “I was not forced nor prompt to go to the police,” her statement concluded.

Meanwhile, Corporal Laundry who was part of the initial investigation into the alleged assassination plot, told the Commission that he informed Gillard prior to the confrontation between Gillard and Leon Baldeo, of the allegation made against him (Gillard)

by Baldeo.

“Do you admit that you did contact Gillard by phone and inform him that Baldeo made a statement and what he said and you then invited him for a confrontation?” asked Chang, to which Laundry hesitantly replied, “yes sir” after reviewing his statement dated April 12.

Laundry then told the Commission that while stationed at Grove Police Station that he was familiar with Nizam Khan, but

did not know Gillard as he never had encounters with him. Meanwhile, on March 29, when Corporals Laundry and Heranjan Deonarine and Sergeant Komal Petamber travelled to Nizam Khan’s Diamond Housing Scheme home to conduct their investigations, it was reported that Khan was speaking with an unidentified male. The police did not seek to ascertain the identity of the man. Gillard had travelled to the location with the police.

“You said that when Gillard pointed out Khan, Khan was speaking to a person but that person was not questioned? Did you see any need to question that person?” asked the police attorney to which Corporal Laundry replied, “No sir”.

The Corporal said though he was present at Khan’s home when he was arrested by Police, he could not recall whether the man’s yard was fully concreted.

He also could not tell the Commission whether Special Branch was involved in the investigation of the assassination plot immediately after the report was made. “I won’t know sir,” he said. He could not say too, whether after Khan’s release on the night of March 29, whether he was being trailed by Police.

Additionally, he was asked of maltreatment of prisoners who were housed at the Grove Police Station while he was there. The Commission was told earlier of ill-treatment of prisoners by police. “You know of police mistreating prisoners at Grove [Police Station]?

Throwing sugar water in the cell fuh get ants so it could bit up the prisoners? asked Chang.

“No sir, I don’t know anything about that,” said Laundry, who said he has never heard or seen maltreatment of prisoners.

GPHC probes maternal death THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation has launched an investigation into the death of a teenager who died while giving birth at the institution on Tuesday.

Details of the teen’s death remain sketchy,

however, the Public Health Ministry confirmed the death.

Dead is Esther Edwards of Laluni, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

According to reports, the pregnant teen was admitted to the hospital

late Saturday night. The complications that led to her demise have not been disclosed. However, the Public Health Ministry on Wednesday said it has launched an investigation into the maternal death.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 3, 2017

UG School of Medicine regains accreditation THE University of Guyana School of Medicine (UGSM) has regained accreditation from the Caribbean Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP) for the period 2017-2021 with a few conditions.

According to a release, which did not say what the conditions are, it noted that the decision was made at the July 2017 meeting of CAAM-HP. The school first gained accreditation in 2008 and functioned as a professionally-accredited institution up to 2015.

The re-accreditation of the School of Medicine, located in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Turkeyen Campus, follows a site visit to UG in November of 2016 by a team of evaluators from CAAMHP, to conduct a comprehensive re-evaluation of the teaching/learning facilities available at the school and meet with the various administrative sections of the uni-

versity and medical students.

The team comprised Team Chair, Professor Christopher Stephens, Emeritus Professor of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Team Secretary, Professor Jonas Innies Addae, former Head of Pre-Clinical Sciences Department and former Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago; Professor Trevor McCartney, Professor of Surgery and Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica; and former Medical Chief of Staff, University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica.

The team was accompanied

by Lorna Parkins, Executive Director of CAAM-HP and Professor Emerita Marlene Hamilton, Chair of the CAAM-HP Council.

In commenting on this long-awaited announcement, Vice-Chancellor, Professor

Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith congratulated the faculty, students and staff of the School of Medicine “on this signally important decision” and expressed appreciation to personnel and students of the School, the University Library, Registry, Estate Management, Information Technology, Personnel Division and other units, President David Granger, the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Education , PAHO/WHO, and the Georgetown Public Hospital, for their contributions to this successful outcome.

“This investment of time and resources by the University in the re-accreditation of the School of Medicine is a tribute to the entire University and it strengthens our brand overall, as we pursue Project Renaissance,” he said, adding: “however, substantial amounts of time and money will be required to complete the needed enhancements of one of our flagship programmes.”

REAL WORK BEGINS This sentiment was echoed by the Director of the School, Dr Ronald Aaron, who emphasised that the accreditation was due to “community effort, now the real work begins”.

Shafali Milton, President of the University of Guyana Medical Students’ Association, expressed pride in the role played by the students in the eventual outcome.

“The road to regain our status as a regionally-accredited medical school was filled with countless

challenges; however, we, the student body were undaunted and did everything in our power to assist. We are elated at the result of hard work from both the administration and the student body and on this note; we would like to thank everyone who contributed in the process. The UGSM has regained its position as a prestigious institution in the Caribbean, one which the current students, as well as its alumni, can be proud to be associated with. We look forward to new endeavors as the journey continues,”

Milton said.

Dean of The Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Emanuel Cummings, noted in his brief history of the school that it was established in 1985 in the Faculty of Health Sciences as a Medical Practitioners programme which included four years of medical training and two years of internship.

This was upgraded in 1990 to a five-year programme followed by a oneyear internship. To date, the school has graduated more than 500 doctors who are working in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, Australia, the CARICOM region and locally, in leading positions in the healthcare sector.

Notable graduates include the current Junior Minister of Public Health, the Chief Medical Officer, Heads of Paediatrics, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Cardiology, Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

ECLAC, Caribbean envoys discuss priorities for 2030 Agenda The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena, met recently in New York with representatives of the countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to evaluate the subregion’s priorities and specific needs regarding implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Bárcena began by congratulating Belize for being

the first country in the Caribbean to present its Voluntary National Review (VNR) to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which held its annual session this year on July 1019 at the UN headquarters in New York. The Bahamas and Jamaica, meanwhile, will report on their progress in 2018.

“Peer review and exchange is fundamental for strengthening implementation of the 2030 Agenda. This process is oriented toward establishing a common vision with all stakeholders, staying

Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow (left), ECLAC’s Alicia Bárcena and another official during the meeting

the course and being accountable, not only to the regional and global communities, but especially to national ones,” Bárcena stated, highlighting the role played in this sense by the regional mechanism created for follow-up and monitoring of the Agenda: the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development.

ECLAC’s Executive Secretary said that the presentation of more reports by Caribbean countries “would Turn to Page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

Fallen Roraima Airways pilot laid to rest

By Shirley Thomas A MOOD of deep anguish pervaded the auditorium of the Central Assembly of God Church, on Church Street, Tuesday afternoon, throughout the Thanksgiving Service for the life of Captain Collin Winston Martin

who perished on July 25 last, while going in to land at the Eteringbang Airstrip in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The 39-year-old pilot was alone on the craft at the time.

Hundreds converged at the church to join his sorrowing parents, Mr. and

Mrs. Winston and Helena Martin; wife, Dr. Roberta Martin and their daughter, Rebecca and other family members and friends in paying their last respects to the fallen airman, whom his colleagues described as “an amazing pilot” and “a man of excellence”.

In the many glowing

Captain Learie Barclay pays his tribute.

Bereaved family members and other mourners during the Thanksgiving Service for the late Captain Collin Martin.

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tributes, he was remembered as a consummate professional; a man who was “on top of his game”; a military doctor and evacuation pilot; someone who lived his life so that others might live; and most of all, a man who served in the highest order of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

In March 1995, Martin joined the Force, enrolling in the Standard Officers

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Course. He was just 17plus. By September of that same year, he became a senior Cadet, the youngest of nine.

A mere two months later, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, and by virtue of his outstanding performance, worked his way up to the level of a Major in the army.

It had always been his dream and passion to become a pilot, and he attempted to do so through the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), but there were challenges, the first being that he was too young.

But, as was said of him in one tribute, “nothing could have stopped him from realising his life’s dream”, and so he entered the local School of Aviation and began flying. By May 2010, he became employed with Roraima Airways, and in record time, rose to the level of Chief Pilot. At the time of his passing, Captain Martin had amassed some 5,000 flying hours and conducted 9,000 medical evacuations from Guyana’s deepest and most remote jungle areas, even without electricity and under harsh weather conditions. All told, he’s saved in excess of 100,000

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lives.

A pilot with an unswerving commitment to evacuate the sick from the most rugged jungle terrain; a man of humanitarian nature, he never reneged on an opportunity to use the aircraft to save a life, even at the expense of his own.

SUPER-HERO Captain Gerry Gouveia (Snr), who has responsibility for the mercy flights and has been doing it throughout the years, recommended that Guyana should salute men like Captain Martin who served beyond the call of duty. And a fellow pilot, in his tribute, referred to him as “a hero”, a man who thought nothing of getting out of the comfort of his bed in the still of the night to do mercy flights.

Yet another affirmed: “He wasn’t a hero, but a super-hero, and deserves to be given an award!”

Father of the deceased, Winston Leeroy Martin, who read the Eulogy, remembered his son as a man who was loving, caring and very committed to his wife and family.

A member of the Cen-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

Fallen Roraima Airways ... and paid strict attention to detail.

He initially attended South Ruimveldt Primary, and later St. Stanislaus College.

Other tributes, whilst alluding to some of his struggles and how he overcame them, expressed the view that his loss has created a void that cannot easily be filled.

Among those paying

Lt. Col. Lorraine Foster paying tribute on behalf of the Chief of Staff and members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

tral Assembly of God Church ever since he was a young man, he was a very prayerful person and

always put God first in his pursuits. He was also said to be sports-oriented, and loved volleyball, swim-

ming, art and music. He also loved cooking and was a stickler for discipline, very meticulous,

Continued from page 4 tributes were: Dr. Michael Scott of the University of Guyana; Major General Joe Singh; Capt. Leary Barclay; Capt. Gerry Gouveia (Jnr); Lt. Col. Lorraine Foster of the GDF; Phillip Brown, Covenant Brother; and Judah King.

The Reverend Steve Adams, who officiated on behalf of Rev. John Smith who is abroad on vacation, extended condolences on

his behalf of the Church Board and other ministers and the congregation. He exhorted the congregation to mourn with hope, for God is not dead, but alive.

Said he: “As tough as we think it is, God sees the bigger picture and knows best.�

He also called on mourners to live for Christ and look to the word of God for strength.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

A mother surrenders her son IN THE midst of the madness of prison riots, a poignant story of a mother’s love surfaced when escapee, Kerry Cromwell, was handed over to police earlier this week.

Cromwell had escaped, along with 12 others, from the Lusignan prison on July 23. That breakout followed the previous escape of July 9 when, initially eight prisoners were on the run.

Of the 21 who had escaped, 17 have been accounted for, one of whom was killed in confrontation with the security forces. At last count, only four of the escapees are at large, but a dragnet is tightening for their recapture. The surrendering of Cromwell to the authorities came days after another escapee nabbed in Kitty was reportedly as a result of another relative informing the joint services. Rarely, however, have we seen a wife or a mother delivering, in their circumstances, a loved one to the security forces; and to them would go the tribute of a grateful nation that they removed from harm’s way elements who had raised rebellion against the state, by securing their surrender.

In previous jailbreaks the escapees were given succor by relatives and friends, but this time around there has been a marked difference in the attitude of society to the outlaws. Like Cromwell’s mother, the same attitude was displayed by residents in Corentyne where another of the escapees was caught.

Minister of Public Security, Vice-President Khemraj Ramjattan, had made an early plea to relatives to help turn in the escapees. He had urged civil society, including parents, to report any suspicious activities and to cooperate with the security forces. He had also disclosed that Operation Cleansweep was intelligence-driven, and that the sources of information on the whereabouts of the escapees were ordinary persons in various communities. The dragnet has brought in all but four of the escapees who are still

at large, considered dangerous, but not beyond the grasp of the long arms of the law.

On Monday Mr Ramjattan rightly commended the support of citizens, thanking members of the public who have been providing useful information which has led to the recapture of several of the fugitives who escaped from the Georgetown and Lusignan Prisons. The minister observed that members of the public have demonstrated bravery and a duty to the society to rid it of these persons who are to be in the custody of the state.

Importantly, the minister assured that the information has been treated with the strictest of confidence. The confidentiality and security of information passed on to the police over the years have always been an issue and must be refreshing to hear that due attention was given to this in the present situation. This can only inspire confidence and serves as encouragement to citizens to cooperate more with the security forces in the fight against crime.

Calls have also been made for the four remaining fugitives on the run to surrender and for citizens to continue their vigilance and to report all information to the police.

In this period family members, relatives, friends and associates of those on the run are also being urged to turn them in if you are in contact with them or know of their whereabouts.

The Georgetown Prison, styled the Camp Street jail, had housed over 1,000 prisoners who had staged virtual riots from time to time. In March, 2016, prisoners set the jail on fire, resulting in the death of 17 of the inmates. But July 9, 2017 saw the entire wooden blocks of the prison being razed completely. The nation cannot afford a repeat of the 2002 crime-fighting tactics whereby villages were held under siege and an entire group demonised. There would also be concern if there is an attempt to re-create the fear of one group, feeling

it is being targeted by another. Once the escapees are at large, it could also create and present cover for other criminal acts and harken back to the 20022006 era. Among the escapees are Uree Varswyck, also known as Malcolm Gordon, who was on remand for double-murder since 2014, and Bartica massacre convict, Mark Royden Durant, also known as Royden Williams. These are hardcore inmates. In 2015 Varswyck, who is a former policeman attached to the Tactical Services Unit, posted to his social media/ facebook account that he would be free from prison.

Many could recall the brutal precision in which the Bartica massacre was executed and the getaway tactics of those involved in the crime. Certain crimes in our society create opportunities for political connotation and hostility, which carry sharp racial undertones that people have not been immune to or protected from. Looking at the present blame game by former Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, former Presidents Donald Ramotar and Jagdeo, and former Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy via letters and statements to the media, is casting a dark shadow of what could likely ensue.

Authorities must ensure an inhabitable prison environment for inmates

Dear Editor,

I WRITE this letter from the perspective of a former inmate of both the Camp Street and Mazaruni prisons in the 1980s who, after having served a three-year sentence in both of these institutions, has acquired in the process a firsthand experience of the conditions – including the horrors, brutalities and degradation – of Guyana prison life. It is therefore with an active sense of both the conditions in and the operationalisation of the prisons in Guyana-the kind of experience, which those persons who administer the justice system do not have –that I pen this letter in an attempt to put before the people of Guyana

the vagaries of prison life and its impact on the prisoners’ psyche.

The first point I wish to make is this – we in Guyana operate on the premise that, as a society which is governed by the rule of law, there is a responsibility on the part of both the citizens and the authorities to respect and uphold the law. In the case of our prisons, there are also laws and rules that are designed to protect the prison as an institution as well as to protect prisoners’ rights.

In spite of the existence of these rules and laws, in the real world of incarceration, disputes between inmates and prison officers/warders are often played out in a one sided way. In almost every instance of a dispute between

those antagonists, the inmate is always held to be wrong and the warder deemed to be right. In short, the scales of justice behind the prison walls never appear to be balanced.

They are most often weighted against the prisoners, regardless of the circumstances.

This kind of situation forces the prisoner into a realisation that the prison is not an institution of correction; not a place where one pays the price for violating the laws of the land, but--because of the several unjust acts meted out to them by those in charge of the system--they view the prison as more of a bastion of degradation and abuse, which leaves those who pass through its gates more bitter with society than when they entered. This is the reality of

prison life.

My second point is that in the colonial days it was a requirement of the prison authorities to ensure that prisoners were educated on the rules of the prison, including the extent of the powers of prison warders and the rights and obligations of prisoners during the period of their incarceration. As far as I am aware, those days are long gone.

Drawing on my experience as a prisoner, I will say here that the principal contradiction in the prison is located in the relationship between prisoners and prison officers. This is an antagonistic relationship, since most inmates would want to regain their freedom as quickly as possible and the officers, in

keeping with their mandate, are committed in their resolve to ensure that prisoners serve their time. In a moment, this contradiction can explode with deadly force as has occurred on two occasions within a period of a year; the most recent being on June 9, 2017.

Subsequent to the crisis on June 9, I read in a newspaper a criticism that the prison authorities had information that suggested a possible jail break and they did nothing.

I don’t know the nature of the information or how credible it was. However, I have serious reservations that the authorities would have had such important information at their disposal and not acted to verify its credibility. Failure to act in light of a report of this magnitude would be interpret-

ed as a grave dereliction of duty on the part of the officer or officers concerned.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, it should be noted that in the prison environment, rumours of planned escapes are almost a daily occurrence. In that situation, it would be irresponsible for the authorities to react on these rumours, willy nilly--since doing so runs the risk of provoking dangerous levels of tension in the prison.

To deal effectively with rumours of a pending jailbreak, the prison officers/wardens will, on most occasions, be required to lockdown the prison and conduct a systematic search of all cells and each prisoner. This is always a risky business since it increases the level of tension in the Turm to Page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 3, 2017

Authorities must... prison. No responsible officer in charge of a prison, in the context of the situation that existed in the Camp Street Prison, will be inclined to do so without carefully balancing the consequences.

From my experience in prison, the following are, in general terms, situations that transform the prison environment from one of ‘normalcy’ to one of dangerous levels of tensions: (a) execution of condemned prisoners; (b) when an officer loses the cell key/keys; (c) lock down and search of prison; and (d) jail breaks and escapes. Note, I have deliberately not mentioned fires and riots(since I never experienced those situations). These, to my mind, are extremely rare occurrences, whereas the issues mentioned above are within the norm.

There is a prevailing view in the society which categorises all prisoners as ‘being violent’. This view facilitates “collective “punishment. I have heard people say “if they want to set fire in the prison, let them burn in their cells. If they want to riot, shoot them down.” These are examples of collective punishment.

This view/position attributes responsibility for the fires and riot to all of the thousand plus inmates. This is an erroneous but popularly held view. We often do not take into consideration that the majority of prison inmates are incarcerated for minor offences. A large number are on remand,

meaning, they are persons not convicted for any offence but are awaiting trial. Some of them are unable to pay the exorbitant bail fixed by magistrates and some prisoners are mentally sick people.

Whether or not you are tried and found guilty of breaking a law, or have been framed for an offence which you cannot disprove, or find yourself incarcerated for whatever reason, once you enter the prison it doesn’t matter, you are legally a prisoner and are treated as one. In fact, from the time you enter through the prison gates, the system is organised to impress that reality on you. It begins with a strip search of your person in the presence of officers. This is a most humiliating experience.

I want to take this opportunity to remind members of this society that from the time the enslavers established the institution of prisons, what has followed has been ongoing attempts to escape.

Prison escapes have always been a natural response to the dehumanisation of persons confined to prison life. It is not a new development and is found in all countries, barring none, where the imprisonment of individuals takes place.

What is worrying in recent times in Guyana is that the situation is getting worse and fires and riots are now emerging as regular features of prisoner resistance.

We must face the reality that a prisoner condemned to

From Page 6 die has no incentive to remain behind bars. The same is true for a prisoner serving life. For those categories of inmates, a run for freedom is always an option. We have to be careful that other categories of prisoners have not begun to feel the same way. In order to avoid the problems which will arise from that situation, the prison administrators and those responsible for the justice system in Guyana must ensure that the prison environment is seen and accepted not only as an institution of punishment, but also as one which rehabilitates and prepares the convicted for a life removed from the prison system. If we are unable to guarantee that a prison sentence doesn’t result in serious damage to the health of inmates, or become a death sentence, I submit that as a society and a nation we have lost the legal and moral justification to imprison our citizens.

In concluding, I am contending that the way we resolve the current prison crisis will demonstrate how civilised we are as a nation.

My conviction is that our prisons and the conditions therein will only change fundamentally when we as a society imprison the rich and powerful for crimes they commit. Once our prisons are seen only as institutions for the incarceration of the poor and powerless, there will be no meaningful changes in our prisons.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

Opposition Leader seems to have forgotten the previous administration’s own security woes Dear Editor, I AM amused that Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the Opposition leader, should accuse the Coalition Government of being “inept” on security matters. Jagdeo believes that somehow we have short memories and would not remember that it was when he was president, that Minister Sash Shaw was assassinated and up to when he left office, no inquiry was done or anyone was arrested It was under Jagdeo that we had the biggest jail break in 2002, and a near insurrection in which many policemen

were killed and some 400 youths were slaughtered.

I remember that it was under this “crime fighter” that police stations had to erect barriers around them.

The crime spree during Jagdeo’s presidency led to his Minister of Home Affairs being hauled before a Commission of Inquiry to answer charges of extra- judicial killings under his watch. A few Ministers had their US visas revoked!

I’d like to say more but would stop with the reminder that “pot telling kettle his bottom black”.

About the meeting in Canje, the Guyana Times reprinted that “several

thousand people” staged a march in Adelphi. Several Thousand? This shows the PPP’s desperation and Guyana Times is inventing crowds since no more than 300 persons attended the event. Last month, the failed GAWU march attracted about 120 persons at most and that number trickled to 30 whilst the union leaders were speaking. One of them claimed that people did not turn out, out of fear that they would lose their US visas like Dharamlall and Seeraj. What a silly excuse!

Regards Earl Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

Felix refutes Jagdeo’s ECLAC, Caribbean people smuggling claims envoys ...

From Page 3

MINISTER of Citizenship, Winston Felix has refuted what he described as “dangerous and false allegations” made by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, who accused the administration of engaging in people smuggling.

Jagdeo, a former President was quoted in the August 1, 2017 edition of the Guyana Times accusing the Government of engaging in “people smuggling”. Minister Felix clarified that neither Haitians nor any other groups are being allowed into the country illegally; noting that these allegations are spurious.

“There is no smuggling of people. We have not found any evidence of people smuggling…We do not have any people smuggling ring,” Felix is quoted in a Ministry of the Presidency statement as saying.

Guyana only recently received high praise from the United States for its fight against human trafficking.

Minister Felix explained that a number of foreign nationals come to Guyana on a daily basis, including, but not limited to, Chinese, Cubans, Brazilians and Haitians. With regard to the Haitians, he explained that a few months ago, two groups of Haitians came into the country; one group came in with all the requisite documentation and went about their business and there have been no reports of smuggling since. However, the second group appeared to have provided two different sets of information to the police and the immigration officers at Timehri with regard to their intended place of residence during their stay in the country.

“The police stopped them

on their way to Georgetown and queried their presence in Guyana… What the police did discover is that a number of people who came on that trip stated one address on the disembarkation card and by the time they were on their way to the City, they gave a different address to the police,” the Minister explained.

He noted, however, that this is not unusual, since very often people would have last-minute changes to their plans and as such, having verified that all of their other documentation was in order, they were allowed to proceed.

Additionally, there were a few issues regarding the documentation for some Haitian children because they were written in French. However, those were rectified after they were translated into English.

The Opposition Leader, who was reportedly speaking at a political rally last Sunday, also said that the country is being used as an in-transit hub for Haitians to travel to French Guiana illegally. This too, was denied by the Minister, who explained that Haitians have been travelling to Guyana to Suriname and then to French Guiana for decades. “This has been happening as far back at 1981-1982. Nothing is strange about this. Even when the Opposition Leader was President, Haitians were passing through here because it is the normal route for them to travel,” he said.

Responding to Mr. Jagdeo’s malicious and patently false claims about the issuance of false birth certificates, Minister Felix said that the Department of Citizenship is in the business of issuing legitimate documents based solely on records of birth at the General Register Office.

Moreover, the birth certificate

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix

features have been improved with the intention of guarding against forgery.

Back in June the US Department of State announced that Guyana had climbed to Tier 1 in its Trafficking in Persons (TIP), ranking, which signifies that this country has fully met the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards.

Guyana’s latest rank was at Tier 2. With Guyana putting into practise the recommendations listed in the 2016 report, the 2017 report highlighted that the government has made key achievements during the 11 months, thus resulting in its upgrade.

These achievements include approving the 20172018 national action plan for combating TIP; increasing the number of investigations, prosecutions, and convictions; and identifying and assisting more victims for the second year in a row. The Ministry of Social Protec-

tion’s Anti-Trafficking Unit (ATU) added three new officers responsible for planning and executing the unit’s site visits and victim-extraction exercises. The government’s inter-ministerial taskforce coordinated a number of successful police operations, which resulted in a number of investigations, prosecutions and convictions.

Since last year, more stringent penalties were enacted for the traffickers.

These ranged from three years to life imprisonment and were commensurate with those prescribed for other serious offences such as rape. The ATU, in coordination with the Guyana Police Force also developed identification procedures that field officers used informally during the reporting period, pending their formal review and approval from the taskforce.

These procedures allowed for the identification of 98 trafficking victims in 2016 (80 for sex-trafficking and 18 for labour trafficking), compared with 56 in 2015.

The government signed a MOU with an anti-trafficking NGO during the previous reporting period and committed public funding to the NGO-run shelter for the provision of enhanced psycho-social services to adult female trafficking victims referred by the government.

be a strong sign of the subregion’s commitment to implementation of the SDGs,” a task that requires a coherent and resilient institutional architecture for integrated and cross-sector planning and decision-making, she indicated. “ECLAC, which has a Subregional Headquarters in Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), is ready to support Caribbean countries, both individually and collectively, on all the aspects related to achieving the SDGs, from measurement and the analysis of means of implementation to the reporting of outcomes,” Bárcena said.

At this time, the Commission is working on a project that, in its initial stage, involves six countries of the subregion and seeks to strengthen both the national architecture for inter-institutional follow-up to the Agenda as well as national statistics systems for the effective implementation of the SDGs. In addition, in October of this year, ECLAC will present a full overview of challenges in the Caribbean during the next European Union (EU)-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Summit, which will take place in El Salvador, which holds the bloc’s Presidency Pro Tempore.

Furthermore, Bárcena explained, ECLAC’s thirty-seventh session (which is the regional body’s most

important biannual gathering) is scheduled to take place in 2018 in Cuba, which will hold the Presidency of the Commission for two years. The Ambassadors present at the meeting in New York underscored the role that ECLAC plays in terms of coordination in Latin America and the Caribbean, and praised the fact that the Commission addresses the Caribbean as a subregion, which allows for focusing responses on its specific needs, bringing together the goals of the 2030 Agenda and those of the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA Pathway).

Among the specific challenges seen in the Caribbean, high levels of debt and vulnerability to climate change were mentioned in particular.

Bárcena described the scope of a debt-relief proposal for English-speaking Caribbean countries, via the creation of a prevention fund for mitigating the impact of climate change on their economies, which the institution formulated two years ago.

The Caribbean continues to face high debt, moderate growth, reduced global demand for its exports and limited possibilities for accessing external financing, since countries have been classified as middle income.

The public debt stands at 70.7% of GDP on average, despite considerable fiscal adjustment efforts, the senior representative stated.

Bandits in Mon Repos stick-up POLICE are investigating a robbery committed on five persons who were robbed of their cash and electronic gadgets Wednesday afternoon at a mall located at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara

by two male suspects, one armed with a handgun.

No one was injured or any shots fired during the commission of the crime, police said in a release.

According to reports, at about 15:00hrs, the

suspects rushed into the E-Networks Store which is housed in the lower flat of the Mon Repos Mall and ordered everyone to lie on the ground after which they searched and relieved the victims of their valu-

ables, including the day’s sales. The bandits then fled in a waiting motorcar.

The persons robbed were the entity’s two sales representatives and three customers. No arrests have yet been made.

Three in custody for improvised shotgun A Corentyne family has been detained by police following the discovery of an improvised shotgun in their home Tuesday night.

According to a release, police acting on intelligence went to Kildonan Village, Corentyne, Berbice, and conducted a search of a two-story house for arms and ammunition and found an improvised single barrel shotgun, minus ammunition hidden in the lower flat.

A 61-year-old male, his wife, 51, and their 18-yearold son, are assisting with the investigation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 3, 2017

DEMTOCO wants Tobacco Bill resent to Select Committee

By Svetlana Marshall

Arguing that the recently-passed Tobacco Control Bill will put hundreds of street vendors out of business while giving rise to the illicit trade of tobacco products, Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO) has called on President David Granger to withhold his assent, and allow for the Bill to be sent to a Joint Select Committee of the Parliament.

The Tobacco Control Bill was passed last Thursday in the National Assembly with Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, arguing that the tobacco epidemic remains one of the greatest public health threats of the 21st century, claiming the lives of seven million people annually. Six million of those deaths are as a direct result of tobacco consumption, while about 900,000 are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

It is anticipated that the Bill when enacted will help to curb the manner in which people smoke, resulting in less deaths.

But on Wednesday, DEMTOCO’s Managing Director, Maurlain Arygle-Kirton, argued that if the President gives his assent to the Bill in its current form, it will not alter the consumption rate, but rather, will give rise to the black market trade of tobacco products and ultimately affect the revenues of legitimate businesses.

“A Bill that is so harsh in measures will have the shock effect, and you will see consumption moving in a different direction. It literally moves from the legit product to the illegal product,” Arygle-Kirton told reporters.

At the time, she was addressing reporters during a press conference at the Cara Lodge Hotel, with backing from two of DEMTOCO’s Directors, Raoul Gylnn and Chandradat Chintaman.

DEMTOCO is a subsidiary of British American Tobacco Co, which has an annual revenue of US$63 billion. Even though DEMTOCO ceased production in Guyana in 1997, it still markets and distributes widely in Guyana. According to reports, the tobacco company continues to make a profit with the increase in tobacco sales over the years, at an average yearly rate of 18 %. In 2016, DEMTOCO paid $4B in taxes to the local treasury.

Once the law is enacted, its revenue is expected to drop significantly.

While stating clearly that the industry is not up in arms against the regulations, and cognisant of Guyana’s obligations to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Arygle-Kirton said the company’s principal concern lies with the enforcement of highly draconian, discriminatory and even unconstitutional measures.

“We are of the view that some of the proposals are not balanced and justified, and we believe there are less restrictive alternatives which are proportionate, effective, and feasible, and that there are several clauses which infringe on the rights of ordinary citizens, and discriminate against many who are seeking to earn their livelihood from the selling of a legal product,” the Managing Director stated.

Arygle-Kirton added that while the Bill addresses smoking in public places - aimed at safeguarding non-smokers via the banning of indoor smoking, advertising, sponsorship and promotions, there are other measures that still require further probing and amending, to ensure that they are not outright bans and draconian in their impact and interpretation.

Alluding to Page 10, Paragraph 3 of the Tobacco Control Bill, Arygle-Kirton said that DEMTOCO has an issue with the definition of the term “workplace.”

According to the Bill, workplace “means any place used by one or more persons during employment or work, whether done for compensation or as a volunteer, and includes all attached and associated spaces commonly used during the course of work or incidentally, as well as work vehicles.” But for DEMTOCO, this infringes upon the privacy of all Guyanese.

“Imagine, if you hire any sort of help, be it a gardener, babysitter, or housekeeper, even your home may now be considered a workplace based on the prevailing definition. This definition is too wide, and now raises questions of enforceability.

How can this possibly be policed?” she posited.

According to the tobacco company, public places, such as, private entities and workplaces should be allowed by law, to set up adequately designated smoking areas. For example, factories, restaurants, bars, casinos, hotels, other workplaces or facilities that would be accessible to the public, should have such

DEMTOCO’s Managing Director, Maurlain Arygle-Kirton, and Directors, Chandradat Chintaman and Raoul Gylnn (Photo by Adrian Narine)

designated smoking areas that cater for both smokers and non-smokers alike.

Such is the practice in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad, the Managing Director further pointed out.

Turning her attention to hawkers (persons selling tobacco products in trays), Arygle-Kirton argued that the Tobacco Control Bill will now restrict the execution of this trade. She is of the opinion the Government could have regulated the hawkers, while allowing them to continue their trade with a stricter way of operation. DEMTOCO has approximately 3 800 retailers spread across Guyana, 10-15% of whom are street vendors.

Gylnn, in offering his supporting remarks, emphasised that street vendors should be allowed to make a living. “When we look at the vendors around the Bourda and Stabroek Markets, they have made a choice to do something legitimate, yeah we all have a choice in life, they made a choice to sell a legal product in a legal way, and you are saying to them, your livelihood is now gone,” he posited.

While the tobacco company is not looking to take any legal actions, Gylnn said, it is hoped that the Government will act with the people in mind.

DEMTOCO has also taken issue with Clauses 40-44 of the Bill, which limits interaction between Government officials and representatives from the tobacco industry.

“The industry is a key stakeholder of a legal product and should be consulted on any policies which are likely to affect the industry and the rights of individuals who chose to smoke. We are confident that the Government has the capacity and capability to effectively evaluate the pros and cons of different views from various stakeholder groups,” the

Managing Director stated.

According to her, despite the fact that the company wrote both the Government and Opposition on the “draconian” measures in the bill, the responses were less than desirable, pointing out that the industry was not directly consulted on the matter.

PAHO/WHO National Consultant, Attorney-at-Law Kesaundra Alves, who had worked on the proposed legislation since 2011, said Article 5.3 of the FCTC does not

allow for the policy makers to interface directly with the Tobacco Industry.

“We could not directly interface with the Tobacco Industry, the measures that the Tobacco Industry wants run counter to Public Health.

There is no seat for Public Health and the Tobacco interest at the same table,” Alves had said Nevertheless, while acknowledging that the Bill is now passed and awaiting final signature from the Pres-

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ident, DEMTOCO believes that it is not too late to send the Bill to a Joint Select Committee of the Parliament where some of contentious issues can be robustly reviewed as was done in Jamaica.

“A Select Committee allows all stakeholders and all means, those of us who are in support of the Bill and those of us who have issue with the Bill to get to a forum where you are allowed to ventilate the evidence not your emotions, the evidence or the facts and a decision is made. That never happened,” DEMTOCO Managing Director explained.

If the company fails to receive the support of the President, it will move ahead with its educational campaign, informing consumers, retailers, distributors and wholesalers that it is still in the business of selling a legal product. According to the Managing Director, it will also abide by the law and encourage its customers to do the same.

Surrender, police urge prison escapees THE Guyana Police Force is appealing to members of the public, relatives and friends to give any information they may have about the whereabouts of the prison escapees still on the run.

Those still on the run are: Uree Varswyck called “Malcolm Gordon”; Mark Royden Durant called “Royden Williams” and “Smallie”; Cobena Stephens called “OJ”; and Paul Goriah.

They are wanted by the police for escaping from lawful custody (Georgetown and Lusignan prisons).

Press Officer, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan said an appeal is being made to the escapees to surrender to the police or relevant authority, to avoid any serious confrontation that is likely to result in the use of force.

All information will be treated with a high degree of confidence and the rights of those escapees will be respected and

upheld.

Anyone with information that may lead to their arrest can contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-8196, 225-

2227, 227-1149, 226-7065, 911 or the nearest police station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

Absence of GECOM chair not affecting preparations for LGE

MINISTER of Communities, Ronald Bulkan said that there is enough time for the appointment of a chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and for the 2018 Local Government Elections to proceed without issues.

Speaking at the ministry’s mid-term review and budget proposal at Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, earlier this week, Minister Bulkan explained that despite the absence of a GECOM Chairman the work of that body continues in preparation for the elections, which is slated for next year. “The absence of a chairman is not affecting the work of GECOM,” Bulkan said ac-

cording to a Department of Information news bulletin.

He said the 2018 LGE will proceed without any issues, especially since the establishment of the Local Government Commission (LGC) is set to be operational by year-end. The eight-member constitutional LGC body, through the Ministry of Communities, is mandated to oversee, monitor, investigate and examine the actions of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and the municipalities.

The legislation for the Local Government Commission came into existence in late 2013, however, the body’s operationalisation required a commencement order which was not provided. This led to the government’s

decision to proceed with the initiative, in keeping with the ministry’s agenda to establish independence among the various local government organs. Minister Bulkan also explained that the Commission will be working with the ministry to ensure that there are improved services offered to the citizens.

Water Meanwhile, during the news conference Bulkan disclosed that the ministry has spent 29 percent of its $1B 2017 budgetary allocation, thus far for the hoods, towns and regions are managed and developed by democratically elected residents, environments are cleaned and safe, and access provided to affordable housing solutions.

The Minister further

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan

explained that the “European Union (EU) and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) -funded project for the construction of three treatment plants

at Uitvlugt, Diamond and Sheet Anchor has specifically used most of the money from the budget.”

Managing Director at GWI, Dr. Richard Van West Charles indicated that the contract for this project which is expected to benefit over 50,000 people, has been awarded after experiencing procurement issues. “We’re now waiting on the awardee to comply with the necessary financial arrangements of the bond, and the requirements to have a local bank account”, Dr. Van West Charles explained.

He further noted that a number of filter systems have been installed

in several hinterland communities including Kamarang and Baracara among others. In the interim, GWI is providing some small filters and jerry cans in other hinterland communities.

Currently, he added, GWI is making efforts to test water in several hinterland communities, especially those where villagers use supplies from creeks and rivers.

The water company is also collaborating with the Ministries of Public Health and Education for water quality testing at schools and health facilities across the country.

There are also plans to construct testing labs in coastal communities.

Body of miner found Chief of Staff visits in Blackwater Creek injured soldier

THE body of Don Mark William called “Fine man” or “Boy”, 31, was found Monday morning at Blackwater Creek, CuyuniMazaruni, Region Seven.

William of Port Kaituma, Region One was last seen on Friday last.

“We heard that his body was decaying and look like he died Friday night since people saw him during the day. He and some Amerindian boy went out and people see the Amerindian boy Saturday with a cutlass and he said he fell down in some hole, no one saw him since; people didn’t ask about Williams because they thought he was drunk and resting,” one relative told Guyana Chronicle.

The relative said Williams’s body was found in a corner of

Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West, on Tuesday paid a visit to Private Brian Samuels, who was struck down by a motorcycle at a recent road block during “Operation Clean Sweep”.

Samuels was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he received initial treatment

before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

While at the GPHC, Private Samuels was examined by doctors and an X-ray done which showed he sustained no serious injuries.

Samuels’ mother, who visited him, was

contacted before he was discharged. He is now resting comfortably at the Medical Centre in Base Camp, Ayanganna.

Samuels is in good spirits and is anxiously awaiting his release from the Medical Centre to rejoin his colleagues on “Operation Clean Sweep.”

Dead: Don Mark William

the creek in a severely decomposed state.

“People stumbled upon the body after the foul scent hit them and the police were contacted; the police called his mother to ask to bury the body because it was not possible to bring it out.”

Relative learnt of the miners passing after a woman who Williams was supposed to work with called his fiancé and told her that he died.

Police said they are seeking a suspect in r e l a t i o n t o t h e m i ner’s death.

Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West and Private Brian Samuels exchange handshake during his visit to the GPHC.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 3, 2017

22 condemned prisoners housed at Mazaruni

By Rabindra Rooplall TWENTY-two of 25 persons sentenced to death are at the Mazaruni Prison and two others are at another prison location, prison officials confirmed.

The 25th is escapee Mark Royden Williams called “Smallie”, who was sentenced to be hanged by the neck until death on February 2, 2017, following a lengthy jury trial for the Bartica Massacre.

Royden Williams was also sentenced with Dennis Williams, called “Anaconda”. They were each sentenced to death by hanging after a jury found them guilty of seven counts of murder.

They were also found guilty on five counts of man-

slaughter, in addition to receiving life imprisonment sentences.

The two men were part of the most notorious gang in Guyana’s history, led by Rondell Rawlins called “Fine Man”, which invaded the mining community of Bartica on February 17, 2008.

During the invasion, they murdered Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne as well as Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian, Irving Ferreira, Deonarine Singh, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, Abdool Yasseen, Errol Thomas and Baldeo Singh.

Although the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) was ready to execute the death penalty, a moratorium has

been in place since 1997 and President David Granger himself has made it clear that he has no intention of taking anyone’s life.

Prison officials have revealed that two of the death row inmates are reportedly ill as the Guyana Prison Service seeks to rebuild the Camp Street Prison.

According to a senior prison officer, the hanging of those persons sentenced to death who would have exhausted their rights to appeal, will be carried out if the President signs the order of execution.

“So those persons who are sentenced to death, provided that they would have exhausted their rights to appeal and their death sentence is confirmed, the President

Father of eight remanded to prison

--for ‘ganja’ possession A 25-year-old Mabaruma businessman charged with drug trafficking was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Derrick Persaud, a father of eight, denied that he on July 29, 2017 at Aruka River, North West District (NWD), had 75 grammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the pros-

ecution’s facts as read by Inspector Arvin Moore, on the day in question, Persaud had hired a boat to take himself and his load, comprising a quantity of limes, coconut and fuel, to the North West.

However, the boat was intercepted by the police along the way and searched, where-upon 65 grams of cannabis was found in transparent ziplock packets, and another

10 grams on Persaud’s person, in his back pants pocket.

The prosecutor objected to bail being granted to Persaud on the grounds that the defence failed to raise any special reason for pre-trial liberty, as required by the Narcotics Act. The Chief Magistrate ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Persaud until August 22, when he will appear at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court.

Death row escapee, Mark Royden Williams

at any one time can sign the order of execution and it will have to be carried out,” the officer noted.

However, if such orders are not given, prisoners on death row will remain there

for the rest of their lives and will be treated in keeping with the laws and guidance outlined for ‘death sentence’ prisoners.

Human rights activists continue to be angered by judges here who hand down death sentences and have railed against successive governments for still having capital punishment in the law books.

Guyana is also party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article Six protects the right to life. It does not make the death penalty illegal, but it imposes a treaty obligation on states to proceed to complete abolition of the death penalty.

President Granger made

it clear last year that he does not intend to sign the order of execution of any prisoner, even though no concrete decision has yet been made as to whether his government intends to abolish the death penalty.

Some death row inmates seeking release would have been in prison for more than 20 years.

Among them are Muntaz Ali, Terrence Sahadeo, Hafiz Hussein, Bharatraj Mulai and his brother Lallman, Ganga Deolall (Crankshaft), Oral Hendricks, Bryan Vandeyar, Lawrence Chand, Colwyn Smart, Vivekanand Singh, Kornel and Daniel Vaux, Derrick Calendar and Compton Tryell.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

Floods leave many Lethem roads impassable

WITH traffic between Lethem and Annai being slowed by the swamp-like conditions in certain sections of the roadway, the regional administration is reportedly keeping a close eye on whatever little fuel it has left to keep power going in the area.

In recent weeks, the condition of the roadway around Hunt Oil has gotten so bad that it’s virtually impossible for fuel to be delivered in a timely manner, and word is that the Lethem Power Company(LPC)is now down to approximately two days of fuel.

According to Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) Chairman, Bryan Allicock, a team of engineers from the region were expected to assess the situation on Wednesday to determine what short-term

measures can be implemented to remedy the situation on the ground.

At the moment, a tractor is in the area assisting with towing vehicles such as buses and the like which may have become stuck along the roadway. “We are hoping that some work can be done to fix it temporarily,” Allicock said.

And to make matters even worse, there’s no letting up on the weather, as reports are that the rains have been pouring in the savannahs in the proximity to the flood-affected areas.

Allicock said that water from the Ireng River as well as water from the Rupununi River have been trickling into the area. “This leaves a lot of flood water to remain in that general area,” he said.

As regards fuel supplies,

Allicock noted that fuel tankers are not able to venture past the Hunt Oil stretch of road, “and even parts of the road north of Kurupukari”. He said that a suggestion has been made to the Board of the Lethem Power Company to source fuel in the interim from Roraima State in neighbouring Brazil.

This “last resort” arrangement, Allicock said, had been in place since the 2011 floods, which had almost decimated the Rupununi. But that plan, he said, will take some time to put in place, since it will have to be approved by the government.

Allicock is, however, optimistic that the road’s condition will improve soon. “I think the situation will improve within the next few days,” he said.

Sections of the roadway between Annai and the town of Lethem, which have deteriorated in recent days.

International educator calls for continued quality education in the region An international education official has lamented the state of the public schools system in many Caribbean countries saying it does not reflect the importance attached by Caribbean people to quality education.

Addressing the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) conference here, President of Education In-

ternational (EI), Susan Hopgood, said that although literacy rates are higher than in most other low income countries ‘education budgets are, in our view, falling short of meeting basic conditions.”

She said that her organisation had received reports about the neglect of school building maintenance, inadequate sanitary facilities,

mould infested classrooms, crumbling asbestos rooftops and unprotected power lines. “Suffice it to say that we wholeheartedly support your demands that education authorities should pay more attention to poor health and safety conditions in your schools and classrooms,” Hopgood told teachers from across the region.

“We hope that together we will be able to have healthy and safe school environments move up the political agenda in all Caribbean countries.” The EI president said governments should give more priority to the restoration and repair of school buildings when damaged by severe weather conditions which hit the Caribbe-

an more frequently than in the past. Hopgood expressed solidarity with colleagues in the Bahamas who suffered devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew last October, adding that climate change was one of the greatest threats facing the planet today.

“Yet some powerful world leaders continue to bury their heads in the sand,

labelling climate change a hoax,” Hopgood said, to laughter from the audience. “You don’t need me to highlight the impact of climate change on your region – many of you are already experiencing it,” she said, noting that education is a powerful tool in raising awareness of “the global climate emergency”. (CMC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 3, 2017

Central Mackenzie gets facelift with new roads, drains

CENTRAL Mackenzie is one of the areas in the mining town of Linden that over the past month has seen transformation with the construction and major repairs to several key roads and drainage works.

The Government of Guyana and the Regional Administration have received high praise for having these roads completed to an acceptable standard. Roads that were recently completed include Upper Greenheart Street and Dagaraad Aveneue while the main access bridge to Indus-

trial Area was also competed.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle a resident of Green Heart Street on Wednesday said that the road would have received patches in previous years, but the standard of the work done this time around seemed more durable. “Yes, I think is good work they did, and I am happy because the road was a terrible headache for us, you would have to walk in because the cars wouldn’t want to come in and you can’t blame them because the potholes were huge,”

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she said. Another short-drop driver, Terry Belgrave, in an invited comment said that it is now easier to traverse the route on a smoother road.

“Yes, I am happy that the road was completed and I see many more roads and so being done because the people would curse the car man them, but then when they come out and leave their $100, is thousands you have to spend at the workshop,” Belgrave commented.

Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, at a press briefing on Wednesday

Workers putting the finishing touch to Upper Green Heart Street

The recently upgraded Dagaraad Avenue, Mackenzie

said that the roads were in the 2017 budget and given the magnitude of the road situation in Linden, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure responded positively in assisting with road construction as well.

Morian said that when the Council was elected to office in 2015, the reality was that almost all of the roads in the communities were in a deplorable state.

He said about 100 more

Stop bickering, talk solution THE Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has contended that prison riots are national emergency and require bipartisan approach through debates and engagements in and out of the National Assembly, not the trading of barbs between the government and opposition.

The GTUC in a release said the country is dealing with a national security crisis and it is important that a collective approach be pursued in addressing the matter and to determine a way forward.

Both sides are being paid by the citizens to manage their affairs and on this issue where safety is at risk, it must take priority, the GTUC said.

“Reactionary and ad-hocery approaches-evident in 9th July, Camp Street unrest and fire; 24th July, Lusignan break out; 29th July, Lusignan turmoil and interspersed conflicts -- coupled with treatment of prisoners and the condition prison officers are asked to work, point to: (1) escalating of the crisis and, (2) threat to the safety of citizens, including the rights of prisoners and

officers.

“GTUC recognises improvement in recapturing techniques, resulting in the minimising of causalities, and the overall handling of situations which clearly had potential to get worse. Acknowledgment of these do not absolve government- APNU+AFC and PPP/C from accountability for putting prison reform on the backburner, prioritising other issues of lesser import, and ignoring the problems that have been festering for years.

“GTUC is concerned at the level of apathy for the incarcerated, who though accused or convicted of running afoul of the law are human beings with inalienable rights.

Condemning them to a life of misery and deeming justifiable any inhumane treatment meted out would suggest society is losing its moral compass, its humanity. The incarcerated are there at the behest of the State that has responsibility for their safety and existence consistent with international standards. Commitment to the rule of law and human decency will ensure these basics are

being met,” the GTUC said.

It noted that incidents over the past weeks were bound to happen and there will continue to be similar scenarios. Lusignan Prison was already overcrowded and was further burdened with having to accommodate inmates from the overcrowded Camp Street Prison.

The situation became more untenable when high to low risk inmates were placed together and under conditions akin to a camp out or picnic style.

This is bound to cause conflict and bring to the fore inadequacies of the security system including lighting, camera, monitoring and intelligence gathering, the trade union body said, while noting that the ratio of prisoners to prison officers is also a problem.

NO PLACE FOR COMPLACENCY The GTUC said in this volatile environment, there is no place for complacency neither can the Executive do it alone, noting that the absence

of proactive and carefully thought out and implemented policies continue to result in logistical nightmares.

The GTUC also cautions the Opposition in its ill-advised strategy to turn a national emergency into a partisan political activity.

“The voracious and opportunist appetite to add fuel to fire, seeking to take advantage of crises partly responsible for must cease. The PPP/C is equally responsible for the decay in the prison system having had the opportunity for 23 years to improve it but did nothing substantial about it. Over the years, the cries of prisoners, families, society and the international community to address prison reform were ignored or given lukewarm treatment. Society remembers former Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee’s response that “prison is not a five-star hotel” when public attention was brought to the deplorable conditions at Brickdam Prison,” the GTUC recalled.

It also noted that the nation does not need another

roads in Linden are in need of repairs and the Administration will be working assiduously to have these community roads completed in 2018. The Regional Administration has prioritised upgrading access roads leading to public institutions such as schools, health centres and public offices. Roads that are under construction and will be completed soon are Casuarina Drive, One Mile

Access Road and I-CEE road. Repair works are also being done to internal roads at Christianburg, Brazena Scheme and Republic Avenue. Four of these major capital works were awarded to a Linden contractor. However, other small scale contractors are being encouraged to bid for maintenance works that will commence soon. A total of $80M has been budgeted for these current works.

-- on prison riots, GTUC urges Gov’t, Opposition Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to admit what has been known for years and not being attended to.

In the last 16 years, there were several commissioned reports and discussions on the prison system. Notable ones are Guyana Prisons 10-Year Strategic Development Plan (2001-2011), British Prison Reform (2001), Justice Cecil Kennard CoI (2002 jailbreak), Disciplined Services Commission Report (2004), Lloyd Nickram Study (2009), and Justice James Patterson CoI (2016 jailbreak).

GTUC also rejected the idea of privatising the prison system, pointing out that privatisation which started in the US in the 1980s has now been condemned by that society and accompanied by efforts at eliminating it.

PROFIT-DRIVEN “The private sector is profit-driven and providing this service is contingent on it being lucrative. Reports out of the U.S and Britain highlight evidence of massive corruption, abuse of prisoners, and

collusion by judges to guarantee supply of inmates. Instead of government funding private prisons, which is what privatisation means, it must use the money to engage in meaningful prison reform, modernise laws, including sentencing and establishing an effective rehabilitative programme,” the GTUC said.

The present situation, it noted, is overwhelming the prison officers, stretching their limited resources to the brink.

“Over the years, they have been treated like watchmen, deprived of the requisite skills, staffing complement and tools to competently deliver as required in modern prison system.

While the crises at Camp Street and Lusignan have seen reactionary management by the Joint Services, they nonetheless ought to be commended. Their performance, based on the available resources, has helped to contain the level of anxiety in the society and bringing about some level of reassurance,” the GTUC statement concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

Latest Lusignan escapees get 12 months each THREE prison escapees who were recently recaptured by the Joint Services after ‘digging’ their way out of the Lusignan jail, were charged on Monday with escaping from lawful custody.

Between July 23 and the wee hours of July 24, the 13 fugitives reportedly burrowed their way out of the holding area via a fivefoot-deep tunnel next to the fence at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara.

The recaptured prisoners, Shawn Harris, Kerry Cromwell and Pascal Smith, all appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh, at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court, charged separately.

The men confessed to the offence and were each sentenced to one year imprisonment.

According to the police, Harris was on Monday, July 31 recaptured by the

Joint Services in the bottom flat of a two-storey house at Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD) without any incident, while the day before, Cromwell, who was accompanied by his mother, surrendered to police at the Brickdam Police Station.

And on Friday, July 28, Smith was arrested by the police in a pit latrine in Barr Street, Kitty.

However, on Sunday, July 30, Clive Forde, aka “El Sinkie” another Lusignan prison escapee, was shot dead during a confrontation with the Joint Services in a squatting area in East La Penitence.

A handgun was recovered near his body.

Last week, seven inmates who’d escaped from the Lusignan facility were also charged before Magistrate Hugh for escaping from lawful custody.

The recaptured pris-

Shawn Harris

Kerry Cromwell

Pascal Smith

oners, Odel Roberts, Jamal Forde, Rayon Jones, Winston Long, Teshawn McKenzie, Jason Howard and Jamal Joseph were all charged separately.

Forde, Long and Joseph confessed to the offence and were each sentenced to one year imprisonment, while McKenzie, Jones, Howard and Roberts pleaded not guilty and were remanded until August 11.

Meanwhile, Lusignan escapee, Paul Goriah is still on the run. So, too, are three of the Georgetown Prison escapees, Cobena Stephens, aka “OJ”; Mark Royden Williams and Uree Varswyk.

Cromwell, 24, is on remand since April 2016 after being charged with the murder of Linden minibus driver, Alvin Lorrimer.

Lorrimer, who usually plied his trade at the Linden Bus park here in the city, was shot while he was standing outside his bus seeking passengers on March 21, 2016.

Smith, 25, was in June 2017 remanded to prison on a murder charge after he appeared before City Magistrate Leron Daly.Smith was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on May 27 at Alexander Street, Georgetown, he murdered John Houston.

Shawn Harris, age 29, was charged in February 2017 for the murder of 42-year-old Sunil Singh, a homeless man who had attempted to break up an altercation at the Blue Martini nightclub between the bartender there, Charles

DEAD: Clive Forde, aka ‘El Sinkie’

Del Valenzuela, and three men who demanded entry to the club.

In February 2016, Shawn Harris a/k “Bruk Up”, was charged for allegedly staging a daylight robbery at the Bank of Baroda branch at Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

Three other men were also charged in connection with the incident. He was remanded to prison after appearing before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court the following month.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday August 3, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

GRFU hoping to send male and female teams to RAN 7s By: Rawle Toney THE Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) is in an all-too-familiar position with having to find millions to ensure the country’s participation at this year’s Rugby Americas North (RAN) 7s Championship, set for Mexico City, November 25 – 26.

This year’s RAN Sevens Championship is a qualifier for the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation (CACSO) Games, 2018 Hong Kong Sevens, Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 and Commonwealth Games.

“The women have a very good chance of qualifying for some of those games because they’re really good,” said GRFU president Peter Green.

Speaking briefly with Chronicle Sport yesterday, Green, when asked about how much it will take to properly prepare and take both teams to Mexico in November, stated “about seven million dollars; that’s what we’re looking at for each team, but we have a meeting

later and I’ll be better able to give a better figure after.”

It’s no secret that Rugby in Guyana, despite their successful track record in the sport, is the least funded programme from both Government and corporate Guyana.

Green, however, said the Union will be doing everything in their power to send both teams to the championship.

Guyana players are known for their dominance in the Sevens format, having won seven regional titles; the most by any Caribbean team under the RAN umbrella, and Ryan Gonsalves, the team’s captain, stated that while retaining their title is priority, qualifying for a number other international tournaments is also key.

“We’re focusing next on the sevens in Mexico, we’re going to have our domestic season in a couple of days and from then, we’re going to focus on retaining our Sevens title,” said team captain Ryan Gonsalves while speaking to Chronicle Sport over the weekend.

New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach to headline

US Embassy’s basketball clinic ELVIS Valcarcel, assistant coach for Player Development for the New Orleans Pelicans, will headline the US Embassy’s athletes’ clinic with student players, which will also feature Agnus Berenato, women’s head coach at Kennesaw State University.

The clinic, which will bounce off today and concludes tomorrow, will engage basketball players

from Linden, Berbice and Georgetown. They will be educated on training regimens and techniques, physical fitness and nutrition.

The U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Terry Steers-Gonzalez, will address the participants of the clinic, and Director of Sport Christopher Jones is scheduled to deliver remarks at the opening of the event at 10:00hrs.

Australia players, board edge closer to pay deal MELBOURNE Australia (Reuters) - Cricket Australia is on the verge of agreeing a new pay deal with the players’ union, ending a long impasse and avoiding the need for arbitration.

A Cricket Australia spokesman said yesterday that negotiations had advanced to the “final details” after days of lengthy talks with the Australian Cricketers’ Association.

News Ltd media on Tuesday declared a “peace deal brokered” and the “Ashes saved”, a reference

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland

to the upcoming Test series against England.

But talks continued to grind on into yesterday.

Australia’s top 230 players have effectively been unemployed since the last five-year agreement expired

on June 30 and an ‘A’ tour of South Africa has already fallen victim to the lockout.

Australia captain Steve Smith told Fox Sports TV on Tuesday he was confident of a deal being brokered, but confirmed players would not travel to Bangladesh for a two-Test tour starting this month until the dispute was resolved.

CA chief executive James Sutherland had proposed taking the matter to binding arbitration if a deal was not struck by early this week.

Limited-overs matches dominate India’s cramped home season MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - Limited-overs cricket will return to dominate India’s home season as the country hosts Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka between late September and December.

India are ranked number one in Tests by the International Cricket Council and last year played 13 of the long-format matches during a bumper home season against New Zealand, England, Bangladesh South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:25 hrs Sitia 09:00 hrs Gyre 09:35 hrs Brutal Force 10:10 hrs Shezaleader 10:45 hrs La Suerte De Mat English Racing Tips Stratford 08:30 hrs Sage Monkey 09:00 hrs Milrow 09:35 hrs Shining Romeo 10:10 hrs Capsy De Mee 10:45 hrs The Trigger 11:20 hrs Boy In A Bentley 11:55 hrs Cougar’s Gold Goodwood 08:50 hrs Euginio 09:25 hrs Melodic Motion 10:00 hrs Barraquero 10:35 hrs Winter 11:10 hrs Billesdon Brook 11:45 hrs Magical 12:20 hrs Carlton Frankie Nottingham 09:10 hrs Crotchet 09:45 hrs Eirene 10:20 hrs True Colors 10:55 hrs Badenscoth 12:05 hrs Rainbow Orse 12:40 hrs Sheriff Garrett Irish Racing Tips Galway 08:40 hrs Fly Rory Fly 09:15 hrs Don’t Touch It 09:50 hrs Knockmaole Boy 10:25 hrs Music Box 11:00 hrs Lac Kivu 11:35 hrs Airlie Beach 12:15 hrs Camlann 13:00 hrs Peacocks Secret American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 For Goodness Sake Race 2 Iwishirish Race 3 Hogy Race 4 Becker’s Galaxy Race 5 Dreams Are Pazible Race 6 R Lucky Charm Race 7 Kahrumana Race 8 Tu Brutus Race 9 Seize

and Australia.

Virat Kohli’s men, who won all four Test series, also played eight ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals in the

India captain Virat Kohli

last home season.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has, however, not finalised the dates of the matches due to logistical reasons.

“The dates of the matches have deliberately not been frozen,” BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary told reporters.

“The logistics must factor in local factors such as festivals because as you know Durga Puja being what it is in the whole of eastern India and not only in West Bengal and other public holidays and logistics of distance.”

The team will play 11 one-day internationals, nine Twenty20 matches and three Tests.

Steve Smith-led Australia, who are embroiled in a bitter dispute between their players’ union and their national board over a new pay deal, will be first to arrive in India.

Australia, who lost a fourTest series 2-1 away to India in February-March, will play five ODIs and three T20 matches.

New Zealand will then play three ODIs and three T20 internationals.

Sri Lanka, who are currently hosting India, will then play a full series com-

prising three Tests, three ODIs and an identical number of T20 matches.

Kolkata, Nagpur and Delhi have been marked down to host the three Tests against the South Asian neighbours.

India are scheduled to travel to South Africa for a full tour after the completion of the matches against Sri Lanka.

INDIA’S 2017-18 HOME SEASON Australia: 5 ODIs in Chennai, Bangalore, Nagpur, Indore and Kolkata; 3 T20Is in Hyderabad, Ranchi and Guwahati New Zealand: 3 ODIs in Pune, Mumbai and Kanpur; 3 T20Is in Delhi, Cuttack and Rajkot Sri Lanka: 3 Tests in Kolkata, Nagpur and Delhi; 3 ODIs in Dharamsala, Mohali and Vizag; 3 T20Is in Thiruvananthapuram, Indore and Mumbai.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

Dopers must stop or else athletics will die: Bolt

LONDON, England - Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who prepares to race for the final time in his illustrious career, has issued a stern warning to his fellow athletes, saying they must stop doping otherwise track and field will die.

Bolt, an eight-time Olympic champion, will re-

Usain Bolt

tire after this month’s World Championships where he will run in the 100m and 4x100m beginning tomorrow in London.

“I don’t think it gets any worse than that,” the Guardian quoted him as saying while referring to the problems in Russia which he agreed had left the sport at

rock bottom.

“But it’s on its way back up now. Hopefully, athletes will see what’s going on and understand that if they don’t stop what they’re doing the sport will die,” he added.

Bolt, however, said he was hopeful that these perennial problems could be tackled as doping is not at all good for the sport.

“You can’t be happy about doping at all; it’s not good for the sport. But over the years we’re doing a better job, it’s getting clean and we’re catching up to a lot of athletes. There’s an understanding that, listen, if you cheat you will get caught.

Over time the sport will get better,” he said.

“I said a couple of years ago it had to get really bad, when there’s nowhere else to go but up. The only way track and field has left to go is up,” he added.

The Jamaican sprinter, considered as the greatest sprinter of all-time, completed a ‘treble treble’ of 100m, 200m and 4x100m Olympic titles at the 2016 Rio Games, but had his 2008 relay gold stripped last month after teammate Nesta Carter’s re-tested sample showed traces of a banned substance.

Carter was part of the Jamaican quartet who won the 4x100m in the Beijing Olympics. However, Carter has said he will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (ANI)

Stokes responds to Flintoff comparisons

Ben Stokes

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Ben Stokes is flattered by comparisons with former England captain Andrew Flintoff but would prefer forging his own path while helping his team win more matches, the all-rounder has said.

Stokes was adjudged player-of-the-match as England beat South Africa by 239 runs in the third Test at the Oval to go 2-1 up in the four-match series.

The 26-year-old hit a sparkling 112 in England’s first innings and took three wickets in the match, prompting paceman Stuart Broad to compare Stokes with Flintoff.

“I don’t really know what to say to that,” Stokes told reporters. “It’s always nice being compared to that guy and some of the spells he

produced for England were amazing to watch. But I am not trying to be anyone other than myself.”

Flintoff played 79 Tests for England, averaging 31.77 with the bat and took 226 wickets. Stokes has already matched the 39-year-old in scoring five Tests centuries.

It might, however, not be a fair comparison between both all-rounders, with Stokes being a better batsman while Flintoff was more effective with the ball.

“All I’m trying to do is produce the moments for the team that can swing it our way and mean we are going to win,” Stokes said.

“I am not trying to live up to anyone else’s reputation. I am trying to do what I do and keep on putting in good performances.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

Guilliams Foundation hosts Sport Day for Joshua House

Bermuda’s national football coach resigns

Bermuda national coach Andrew Bascome.

Some of the trophies that were later shared out to the children for their participation.

THE Joshua House Children Centre on Tuesday benefited from a sports day hosted at the Demerara Cricket Club, Georgetown on Emancipation Day. The event was organised

by the Carl and Clarina Guilliams Foundation. Events such as football, sprints and relay races were hosted as children were allowed to play and enjoy themselves.

They were all treated to

meals and first-, secondand third-place winners all received trophies.

The foundation will also have its third annual open air garden party and fund-raiser on August 27, 2017 in

Brooklyn, New York.

The event will attract motivational speaker Dr Julia Melchor and Evangelist Donna Sandy along with president of the foundation Dr Roy Hastick Sr.

World Cup hero Ranatunga stops watching Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AFP) - Former Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga yesterday lambasted the country’s cricket leaders and said he had stopped watching the ailing national team.

Ranatunga, 53, said he was also disillusioned with the government of which he is a minister because it failed to protect the game. “ F r a n k l y, I d o n ’ t watch cricket anymore,” Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to a World Cup triumph in 1996, told AFP. “I read about it in the newspapers but I don’t watch cricket.”

Since retiring, the sports star has entered politics and was an unelected cricket administrator in 2008.

“I am disappointed about cricket since the last elections,” he said.

Ranatunga and his brother stood for the top two posts on the Sri Lankan cricket board in January last year but were easily beaten by Thilanga Su-

mathipala and his team.

Ranatunga, who is the petroleum minister, is pushing for the ousting of the leadership and the appointment of an interim

right -- and I am part of this government -- I tried to take a step back and allowed them to run. They (the board) have messed up everything.”

and were hammered in the first Test against India at the weekend.

Last month Ranatunga demanded an investigation into the country’s 2011

Arjuna Ranatunga, pictured in 2016, says he no longer watches the national team.

committee to administer the game.

He said he had asked authorities to intervene in Sri Lanka Cricket but has had no response.

“I thought OK, if the government thinks this is

“No one is willing to listen to me.”

Ranatunga has not missed much in stopping watching the national side. Sri Lanka lost a home one-day series to Zimbabwe last month

World Cup final defeat by India amid allegations of match-fixing.

Sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekera has said he was willing to order a probe if there was a written complaint.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Andrew Bascome, the senior men’s football team national coach, has resigned from the post, the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) announced on Wednesday.

Bascome joined the Bermuda coaching staff in 2012 and was involved with the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 sides, as well as the senior side known as the Gombey Warriors.

He leaves to concentrate on his ABC Football Foundation school, the BFA said in a press release.

“Coach Bascome led our senior men through two Caribbean Cups and a World Cup campaign,” the BFA release added.

“The highlight of his contribution was with the success of the Under-15 boys, who placed fourth in the inaugural CONCACAF Under-15 Boys Championships held in the Cayman Islands in 2013 as well as winning the

gold medal at the NatWest Island Games hosted here in Bermuda in the same year.

“We thank Coach Bascome for his years of service to the national programme and wish him all the best in all of his future endeavors.”

BFA technical development director Maurice Lowe, who will oversee and co-ordinate activities involving the team on a temporary basis, said: “Andrew is a friend, mentor to many, and servant of football.

“None of this will change, albeit from a different capacity than senior men’s national team coach. We wish him all the best in his new challenges and look forward to collaborating with him further, soon.”

The BFA said it would immediately turn its attention to filling the post of national coach “as we strive towards improving upon our recent successes”.

Bermuda are currently ranked 184th in the world

by FIFA.

Rain ruins Regional Under-15 fourth round matches

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Only 39.4 overs were possible in the Regional Under-15 Championship here yesterday, as heavy rain across the island wrecked the fourth round of the competition.

All the action came at KMV Oval in the rural northern parish of St Andrew where hosts and title favourites Barbados clashed with Guyana in a contest that was eventually rained out.

In the other two encounters – Trinidad and Tobago versus Windward Islands at St Catherine and Jamaica against Leeward Islands at Rubis – play was washed out without a ball bowled.

The adverse weather resulted from a tropical wave which passed through the Eastern Caribbean yesterday.

Opting to bat first after play got underway at 10:48hrs, Guyana rallied to 66 for nine in a game eventually reduced to 35 overs aside, with only Andre Seepersaud reaching double figures with 14.

Tremaine Dowrich (2-8), Thierry Walcott (2-10) and Renacko Belgrave (2-13) all finished with two wickets each.

Chasing a revised target of 64 off 30 overs, the Barbados innings lasted 17 deliveries and 15 minutes before rain returned at 16:00hrs to end play prematurely.

Each team earned a point from the no-results. The final round is set to bowl off tomorrow.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

Neymar on verge of record-breaking move to PSG - agent

Money League report issued in January.

MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - Neymar’s record-breaking 222 million euros (198.82 million pounds) transfer from Barcelona to French side Paris Saint-Germain appeared close to completion yesterday, when his agent predicted he could be unveiled by the weekend.

Neymar’s teammate Lionel Messi posted a farewell message on social media to the Brazilian, whose agent Wagner Ribeiro was quoted on Spanish radio as saying PSG would pay Barcelona’s asking price and his client was en route to finalise the deal.

“They (PSG) are going to pay Neymar’s (222 million euros buyout) clause today so that he can be presented at the weekend,” Ribeiro told Spanish radio station Cadena COPE. “They (Neymar and his father) are in the air now.”

The move would complete a hectic few days in which Neymar’s heavily trailed exit has inched closer.

Events moved swiftly yesterday when Barcelona released a statement announcing that the 25-yearold had informed them of his intention to leave, and confirming the amount of his buy-out clause.

“The player Neymar Jr, accompanied by his father and agent, has informed FC Barcelona this morning of his decision to leave the club in a meeting held at the club’s offices,” Barcelona said in a statement.

“The club refers to the buy-out clause of his existing contract which as of July 1 totals 222 million euros.”

Earlier the 25-year-old arrived at the club’s training ground to tell team mates he was moving to Paris, Catalan radio RAC1 reported.

The Brazilian striker left the training area minutes later, it said, with the club confirming on Twitter that he had been given permission not to train.

Neymar’s departure would

end a four-year stay at the club, where he formed a formidable strike force with Messi and Luis Suarez.

Messi reacted to his team-mate’s imminent move by posting on his Instagram account: “It was a great pleasure to have shared all these years with you, my friend @ naymarjr. I wish you much luck in this new stage of your life. Be seeing you.”

In October, Neymar signed a new contract until 2021 with the buy-out clause raised.

For a while it seemed that the deal might stall over concerns about Financial Fair Play.

In an interview published yesterday, the president of the national football league, Javier Tebas, said the league would not accept payment

by PSG to trigger the release clause. It would potentially be in breach of UEFA Financial Fair Play rules, he told Spanish sports newspaper AS.

Neymar joined Barcelona from Santos after winning the Golden Boot award at the 2013 Confederations Cup

However, UEFA told Reuters yesterday that no complaint had been received, adding that European football’s governing body would not block any potential deal in advance.

“UEFA will look into the details of this transfer in due course to ensure PSG are compliant with FFP requirements,” the UEFA statement said.

“The transfer of Neymar to PSG will have an effect on the club finances over several years but the impact of such an operation cannot be judged in advance, notably as PSG could well sell several players for a significant amount.

“We shall therefore only

Senior century puts Jamaica in charge on second day BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Raewin Senior’s hundred put Jamaica in charge of their third round game in the Regional Under-19 Championship against Trinidad and Tobago, but the reigning champions were fighting back on the second day at

Molineaux.

Senior carved out a wonderful 120 as Jamaica were dismissed for 251 in their first innings, to secure a crucial 98-run lead.

At the close, however, T&T were rallying on 95 for two – just three runs shy of cancelling out their

deficit.

Resuming the day on 106 for seven in reply to T&T’s 153, Jamaica flourished through the efforts of Senior, while David Bird supported with an invaluable 35.

Left-arm spinner Justyn Gangoo failed to add to his overnight tally and finished with three for 33 while off-spinners Avinash Mahabirsingh (2-29) and Aaron Maniram (2-50), along with new-ball bowl-

Barbados snatch two key wickets to hold the edge

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Barbados snatched two key wickets to hold the edge against Guyana heading into today’s final day of their second round match in the Regional Under-19 Championship at Verchilds.

The Barbadians extended their overnight 140 for five to 207 all out to secure a first-innings lead of 65 runs before striking twice as Guyana ended the second day on 75 for two – a lead of just 10 runs.

Kevlon Anderson, batting at number three, was resisting with an unbeaten 30 while opener Raymond Perez made 29.

The pair came together after Aley Algoo fell cheaply for five with 12 on the board, putting on a crucial 47 for the second wicket.

Anderson has so far faced 99 balls and struck a single boundary while Perez counted four boundaries in his 69ball innings.

Earlier, Kilano Brathwaite completed a responsible 57 but Barbados lost their last five wickets for 67 runs to squander some of their advantage.

Resuming the day on 24, Brathwaite faced 121 deliveries in 139 minutes and counted seven boundaries, before he was ninth out.

He put on an important 34 for the seventh wicket with Raneil Smith who made nine.

Off-spinner Kevin Sinclair was the best bowler with five for 57.

make calculations at the end and make sure that they respect the rules.

PSG are one of the world’s richest clubs following their 2012 takeover by Qatar Sports Investments, an arm of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, which has transformed their fortunes.

Under the fair play rules - which UEFA’S FFP project leader Andrea Traverso was last week quoted by Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport as saying PSG were currently following - a club’s wage bill must not exceed 70 percent of its revenue.

PSG’s 2015/16 revenue came to 521 million euros, according to Deloitte’s Football

550 000 EUROS A WEEK? Media sources across Europe reported that Neymar is negotiating a potential six-year deal worth more than 550 000 euros a week. The striker only arrived back in Spain on Tuesday after trips to China and the Middle East.

Neymar has been active on social media, sharing an excerpt from the New Testament (Philippians 4:11) on Instagram which said, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learnt to be content whatever the circumstances.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learnt the secret of being content ... whether living in plenty or in want.”

A PSG spokesman declined to comment.

Neymar signed for Barcelona from Brazilian side Santos for 57.1 million euros in 2013, although it was later revealed the cost was closer to 100 million euros.

Sixteen wickets tumble on second day but Windwards facing stiff run chase

In-form opener Kimani Melius … was carrying Windward Islans hopes on the final day.

Jamaica’s Raewin Senior … struck 120.

Senior, starting on 26, played well to strike 12 fours and two sixes in an innings spanning 206 deliveries and four hours.

Bird, meanwhile, converted his overnight three into 35, an innings that required 78 balls and included a single four.

Together, they added 96 for the eighth wicket to frustrate the Trinidadians and carve out an important lead.

When they were separated, Senior found an ally in number 11 Kishawn Graham (9 not out) to put on 41 for the last wicket.

er Joshua James (2-51) all ended with two wickets each.

T&T had the worst possible start to their second innings when Navin Bidaisee perished for two with as many runs on the board but Leonardo Julien struck 54 and Sachin Seecharan, an unbeaten 34, to stabilise the innings.

Julien faced 90 deliveries and crunched six fours and two sixes while Seecharan hit four fours in his 59-ball innings, in a 93run stand for the second wicket.

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Sixteen wickets tumbled on Wednesday’s penultimate day but Windward Islands were left facing a daunting task in order to win their third round game in the Regional Under-19 Championship against Leeward Islands.

Resuming from their overnight 77 for five at St Paul’s, the Windwards were bundled out for 95 to concede a first innings lead of 85.

Elroy Francis was the best bowler with four for six while pacer Kian Pemberton ended with three for 44.

In their second turn at the crease, the Leewards were bowled out for 174 with first innings top-scorer Uri Smith again leading with 36, Javani Tyson getting 26 and Joshua Grant, 24.

Smith, who faced 59 balls and struck five fours, added 43 for the second wicket with Kadeem Henry (22) while Dimitri Adams (22) and Demari Benta (21) put on a further 30 for the fourth to keep the innings ticking over.

When the Leewards slumped to 130 for six, Tyson arrived to whack two fours and a six in a 41-ball knock while anchoring a 30-run, seventh wicket stand with Grant.

Sealron Williams was the best bowler with four for 48.

Set 260 for victory, the Windwards lost Wayne Edward for eight with the score on 28 but in-form opener Kimani Melius struck an unbeaten 26 from 51 balls with four boundaries, to carry his side’s hopes on the final day.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, August 3, 2017

Amazon Warriors depart Guyana for CPL title hunt

Roach bags three wickets in brilliant spell on rain-hit day

… Team spirit high, says Guptill Fast bowler Kemar Roach blows away the Essex top order with a three-wicket burst. (File photo)

The Guyana Amazon Warriors squad and management unit after the final warm-up game on Tuesday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

By Rajiv Bisnauth FOLLOWING a on-week training camp, which included three warm-up games, Guyana’s star-studded professional cricket team, known as the Guyana Amazon Warriors, departed these shores yesterday en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for their first match of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Saturday.

The Warriors, three-time finalists in the CPL will look to complete the journey this season with their new-look team led by New Zealand’s Martin Guptill.

The 17-man squad spent the last seven days, fine-tuning their preparations for this year’s tournament, in a preparatory camp held under head

coach Roger Harper and his technical support team.

After Tuesday’s final warm-up game, Harper indicated how pleased he was, heading into this year’s tournament.

“Taking everything into consideration I think we are satisfied with where we are at the moment. We expect that we will have a couple of sessions when we get to Florida to fine-tune for the matches in Florida, and come our first game, we expect to be ready,” Harper said.

Harper further indicated that their main aim is to win the tournament, but they will play each game as it comes as they aim to reach the playoffs stage.

Further, Guptill pointed out that team spirit is high, adding that the management will be depending on every-

one to play his part during the competition.

The second assignment for the Warriors will be on Sunday against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots before returning to the Caribbean.

Guyana home games are billed for August 17, 19, 20 and 22 at the Guyana National Stadium.

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 full squad reads: Martin Guptill (captain), Babar Azam, Sohail Tanvir, Rayad Emrit, Jason Mohammed, Veerasammy Permaul, Assad

Fudadin, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Chadwick Walton, Rashid Khan, Steven Taylor, Roshon Primus, Gajanand Singh, Keon Joseph and Keemo Paul.

Meanwhile, the Warriors recorded a convincing 72-run victory over the Guyana Select X1 on Tuesday, the last of three warm-up games.

Scores in the match: Guyana Amazon Warriors 160-5 in 20 overs. Guptill led the way for the Warriors with 47 from 25 balls inclusive of two sixes and six fours while receiving support from Jason Mohammed (45) and Babar Azam (41).

In reply the Select X1 were restricted to 88-7. Medium pacer Rayad Emrit claimed 3-12 and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul had 2-17.

Seven community sports grounds in Region 6 benefit from $1M grants

AS part of its ongoing initiative, the Ministry of Education and the Sports Community Grounds Enhancement project on Tuesday handed over a $1M grant to seven communities in Region Six. The presentation was made at the Region 6 - East Berbice, 2017 Mega Emancipation celebration.

Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, speaking excitedly at the 179th Anniversary of Emancipation which was held at Gibraltar – Courtland Primary School Region 6 – East Berbice Corentyne, said, “We are proud to distribute grants of $1M which will go to the enhancement and development works on the seven community sport grounds.”

The chairpersons/leaders of the seven communities were all present to receive their $1M grant. The presentation

was done by President David Granger.

Further it was noted that the Ministry is working to ensure that grounds are readily available to be used by mem-

bers of communities, most importantly, youths.

Additionally, Community Liaison Officer attached to the Ministry of Education Randolph Critchlow said, “The

President Granger presents a cheque to one of the Community Grounds Enhancement recipients.

Ministry has allocated over $40M which will go to support small developmental works in communities all across the country.

“Another $100M has been allocated for major development works as the ministry continues to ensure that communities are outfitted with the requisite recreational facilities.”

The grounds receiving the grants are: Liverpool/Lancaster Community ground Union Community ground Gibraltar/Fyrish Community ground Rose Hall Community ground New Amsterdam Community ground Scottsburg Community ground Kildonan Community ground.

CHELMSFORD, England (CMC) – Fast bowler Kemar Roach erased any doubt about his form and fitness with a brilliant spell which brightened an otherwise dour second day of the West Indies three-day tour game against Essex here yesterday.

Only two hours of play was possible at Essex County ground as heavy rain, which started during the lunch interval and continued into the afternoon, forced officials to abandon play at 15:15hrs.

However, Roach made the most of the time available, putting on an excellent exhibition of swing bowling, to end with three for 17 from six overs as Essex stumbled to the interval on 47 for four.

West Indies had earlier declared their first innings on 338 for eight after resuming the day on 309 for eight.

Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, starting on 28, scored 44 not out from 67 deliveries with seven boundaries.

Roach then increased West Indies’ stranglehold on the contest when he had opener Varun Chopra caught at third slip by a diving Kyle

Hope off the third ball of the innings for nought, edging an out-swinger without a run on the board.

He followed up by comprehensively bowling Dan Lawrence for eight in the seventh over with one that nipped back before completing a superb spell by trapping Adam Wheater lbw, also without scoring, with a full-length delivery nine balls later.

Slumping at 19 for three, Essex found themselves in further trouble when pacer Miguel Cummins, who shared the new ball, claimed captain Ryan ten Doeschate lbw for six.

Opener Nick Browne then managed to survive the Windies onslaught, battling 52 balls and 11/4/ hours for his unbeaten 16, to take Essex to lunch without further loss.

Roach is returning to the Windies side for the first time in 19 months after battling injury and loss of form, and his performance will be a huge boost for the Caribbean side ahead of their threeTest tour against England starting in two weeks.

SCORECARD

WEST INDIES 1st innings (o/n 309 for eight) K. Brathwaite b Taylor 61 K. Powell b Cook 15 K. Hope b Walter 22 S. Hope b Walter 22 R. Chase b Taylor 81 J. Blackwood lbw b ten Doeschate 59 S. Dowrich not out 44 J. Holder c Chopra b Dixon 6 D. Bishoo c and b Lawrence 4 K. Roach not out 12 Extras: (b-1, nb-6, lb-5) 12 Total: (8 wkts decl., 100 overs) 338 Fall of wickets: 1-19 2-55, 3-106, 4-150, 5-269, 6-275, 7-292, 8-309.

Bowling: Cook 23-6-57-1, Beard 16-0-65-0, Dixon 17-3-56-1, Walter 15-0-54-2, Nijjar 10-2-38-0,

Lawrence 4-2-6-1, Taylor 12-244-2, ten Doeschate 3-0-12-1.

ESSEX 1st innings V. Chopra c K, Hope b Roach 0 N. Browne not out 16 D. Lawrence b Roach 8 A. Wheater lbw b Roach 0 R. ten Doeschate lbw b Cummins 6 C Taylor not out 9 Extras: (b-4, nb-4) 8 Total: (4 wkts, 17 overs) 47 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-10, 3-19, 4-33.

Bowling: Roach 6-1-17-3, Cummins 6-2-8-1, Holder 5-1-18-0.

Position: Essex trail by 291 runs with six wickets intact.

Amazon Warriors depart Guyana for CPL title hunt See

Page 23

Neymar to earn £40.3M a year at PSG

Neymar arrived for training at Barcelona yesterday, and told his team-mates he wanted to leave.

NEYMAR will earn 865 000 euros (£775 477) a week when the Brazil forward completes his world record move from Barcelona to Paris St-Germain (PSG).

The 25-year-old’s wages will equate to 45 million euros (£40.3M) a year before tax.

Barcelona have told

the French club they must pay his 222 million euro (£198M) fee “in full” and they are understood to be ready to meet his release clause.

It means PSG’s total outlay across the initial five-year deal will come to £400M. The Brazil international arrived at training yes-

terday with his father and representative, and told the Spanish club he wanted to leave.

He was then given permission by Barca manager Ernesto Valverde not to train and to “sort out his future”.

The latest development comes two days after it emerged Barca were ready to push for a Financial Fair

Play investigation if PSG signed Neymar.

That came after La Liga president Javier Tebas threatened, in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, a legal response against the former Ligue 1 champions if European football’s governing body failed to take action.

He also said PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi had been made aware of the Spanish league’s intentions.

According to Forbes’ rich list, the Brazilian is currently the only footballer to earn more from his off-field endorsements than his playing contract at Barcelona.

Neymar’s sponsors include global brands such as Nike, Gillette, Panasonic and Beats by Dre and bring the 25-year-old in $22M (£16.6M) on top of

GRFU hoping to send male and female teams to RAN 7s See Page 19

Bunbury opens up eight football scholarships at Keyano College By: Rawle Toney ALEX Bunbury, the famed Guyanese-born Canadian superstar football player, has opened up the doors for eight of Guyana’s youths to attend college in his current homeland at Keyano College.

Located in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, Bunbury told Chronicle Sport yesterday, that the scholarships will see the selected students, both male and females, being offered a chance to attend school free of charge.

“The only expense is accommodation and meals and to that end, I had reached out to the Government of Guyana to assist,” Bunbury said during an exclusive interview.

Channelled through the Alex Bunbury Sports and

Academics Academy (ABSAA), the Canadian football Hall of Fame inductee stated, “I wrote to the Minister of Education (Nicolette Henry) about six weeks ago about this, and I’m happy to

Alex Bunbury

say that she replied timely and said that this is something her Government will be happy to support. So I’m just here waiting on a word.”

Bunbury said an additional letter was recently sent as a follow-up “and as soon as we get a response and one which we’re certain will be in our favour, we’ll head into selection process with players and their parents, and then we’ll take it from there.”

Bunbury also noted that next March, the College will be in Guyana to scout for players in the sport of basketball.

“I can’t thank Keyano College enough for this great opportunity given to our young men and women for working with myself and the Guyana government to make this possible,” Bunbury added.

his $15M (£11.3M) salary.

“He was the first soccer player to have his own custom Air Jordan sneakers made by the Swoosh,” says Forbes.

However, that will change when he completes a world-record move to PSG and collects a pre-tax weekly wage of 865 000 euros (£775 477) or 45 million euros (£40.3M) a year.

That is more than current Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, who signed a new deal worth a reported £500k per week in July, and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s £365,00-a-week deal.

It looks set to make the Brazilian the best-paid player in the world, overtaking Carlos Tevez who is said to earn £615 000 per week at Shanghai Shenhua.

Guyana’s Patrick King during a recent clash against Trinidad and Tobago

Elvis Valcarcel – (first from left) New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach for Player Development

See Page 19

New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach to headline US Embassy’s basketball clinic

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017