Guyana chronicle e paper 08 12 2017

Guyoil acquires $159M fuel tankers Page 10

EBDA eyes Skeldon takeover No. 105002

SATURDAY,AUGUST 12, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

-- submits ambitious plan to manage sugar factory

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‘I am not mad’ Pag e 9

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Fisherman charged for stealing GTT cable

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Businessman kills wife, self Page 2

Rush on to fix Lethem trail Page 10

…as gas stations run out of fuel

Businessman, Rudolph Blair

Businesswoman, Rhonda Blair

Four charged with rape of Bartica girls

Page 14

Region 5 RDC approves $3.6B 2018 budget Page 3

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

Businessman kills wife, self …massive debts, broken family seen as motive

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric A BUSINESSMAN allegedly stabbed his wife to death and then blew his brains out sometime between Thursday night and Friday morning at their East Canje, Berbice home, police have confirmed.

Dead are Rhonda Blair and her husband, Rudolph

Blair. They co-owned the three Stretch the Dollar supermarkets, located at Rosignol, New Amsterdam, and East Canje Berbice. Rudolph was found with what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his ear, in a forested area behind his Coburg Street ,East Canje home on Friday morning .

Police in a statement said

an investigation has been launched into the murder of Rhonda Blair, 42, whose body was discovered about 00:05hrs Friday at the back of her yard with two stab wounds-one to the left side breast and the other to the right side of the neck, and also the suspected suicide of the deceased husband, Rudolph Blair, 46, whose body was discovered

The Stretch the Dollar Store in New Amsterdam

with two suspected gunshot wounds, to the left ear and left side chest, about 08:40hrs in some bushes at the back of his premises. Rudolph Blair’s licensed .32 pistol with six live rounds and one spent shell were found next to his body.

The bodies are at the New Amsterdam Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem examinations.

-BURDENED DEBT Residents and relatives are in shock as to what may have led to the crime. However, reports have surfaced that over the past eighteen months the businesses encountered financial challenges, as lending agencies were closing in.

Reports are that Rudolph Blair was pleading with his wife to sell one of their properties, in an effort to save the largest branch of his stores at Pitt Street , in New Amsterdam.

But, relatives claimed that the woman was adamant in keeping all the businesses which have since been rented to tenants .

The Guyana Chronicle was told that Rudolph subsequently became a hire car driver and would drive the East Canje route , but the income was insufficient to pay his loans. As a result of mounting financial debt, Rhonda Blair left their home and went to live with her friend, Dover, at Ithaca Village, West Bank Berbice. Reports are that Rhonda received a call from her husband and she decided to reach him at their home . However, the friend, having been told of Rhonda’s whereabouts, became worried after she got no response from her after 19:30hrs .

Consequently , Dover travelled to East Canje, where a missing-person report was made at Reliance Police Station. It was after the missing

Businessman, Rudolph Blair

Businesswoman, Rhonda Blair

person report was made , that the police accompanied the reporter to the Blair’s home , where the lifeless, bloodied remains of Rhonda were found in the fenced yard just before midnight on Thursday. Berbice Commander, Assistant Commissioner, Paul Williams, said the body bore multiple stab wounds.

Meanwhile, at the scene on Friday, police and relatives were overheard talking about Rudolph Blair, fondly referred to as ‘Ruddy’. Prior to his death, he was overheard calling for his sister Merlyn.

However, he warned them not to get close to him. Shortly after, a shot was heard; the dogs howled, followed by seconds of deafening silence before relatives and friends erupted in screams.

also texted a friend saying he wanted his family together.

During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle in December 2014, Rudolph Blair had denied reports of suicidal attempts and had on that occasion recommitted the services of his business to Berbice customers. He had confessed that two months after opening the largest supermarket in Pitt Street, there were many challenges , which were based on rumours which had stated that he had attempted suicide because of mounting financial pressures. “But, it was all a lie’, said Randolph Blair back then. “While those rumours were being peddled, I used to come and open the store, before returning home to find solace with my God, as I realized that no one else could have helped me, but God…,” he told the Guyana Chronicle. “Persons were not seeing me, so, they came up with rumours that I committed suicide. I hang myself because of financial difficulties. There was a rapid decline in sales , which first started with the outlet on the West Bank of Berbice. It was also peddled to various wholesalers that persons from a particular ethnic grouping cannot do business…and so it became most challenging…but it never came to my thought to sell the business or to commit suicide.

However, I had to downscale on my staff,” Rudolph Blair had said. “When I had a smaller business, I was not recognized, but now, with a bigger establishment, persons believe it is too much for me.

But I have the assurance and the faith that something good will come out of this,” he had assured.

On November 22, 2013, the Stretch D Dollar Supermarket at Pitt Street, opened the new expansion which almost tripled its previous size. The entity offered a wider variety for a better range of choices for the customers. The Stretch D dollar chain was first established in 2002 in Canefield ,East Canje , while the doors at Rosignol, West Bank Berbice were opened in 2010.

A GOOD MAN Rudolph Blair was referred to as a ‘good man’.

However, his wife’s new found ‘spirituality’ brought an additional strain on their relationship. The Guyana Chronicle was told that prior to his death, Rudolph Blair messaged contacts on his mobile device, informing them to take care of his son and daughter as it was a bloodied day. He had

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 12, 2017

Alleged assassination plot…

Ramnarine denies misleading President

By Svetlana Marshall THE credibility of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), David Ramnarine, was once again placed under the microscope with him being accused of not only trying to gain political points, but misleading President David Granger on the progress of the investigation that had been launched by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) into the alleged assassination plot.

On Friday, Ramnarine, who is currently acting as the Commissioner of Police, took the stand for the third time and was grilled by Attorney, Glenn Hanoman, as the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate the President and the Police handling of the matter continues.

Hanoman is representing substantive Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud.

In his capacity as Acting Commissioner of Police, Ramnarine on March 30, 2017 at 08:00hrs, briefed President Granger on the report of the alleged assassination plot and the progress of the investigation.

In putting a series of questions to Ramnarine, Hanoman suggested that the acting commissioner of police was ill-prepared to brief the President and may have misled him in the process.

Ramnarine, in his response, had told the Commission, headed by retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe, that at the time of his briefing with President Granger, only a single statement had been taken, but Persaud’s Attorney begged to differ.

OUTRAGEOUS “Let me suggest to you that you went and give the President false information on the 30th March,” Hanoman said as he grilled Ramnarine. In response, the attorney was told that the suggestion was not only false but “outrageous.”

But Hanoman did not stop there. In a bid to make his case, he pointed to the evidence, reminding the acting commissioner of police that the Commission was presented with a log of all activities since the initiation of the investigation by the Police Force.

“I have evidence before me that statements had been taken from three different persons by the time you went to brief the President. Three different persons had given statements and so when you went to the President you misled him,” Hanoman stated.

“I didn’t mislead the President,” the Acting Commissioner of Police maintained at a time when he was reminded that as of 08:00hrs on March 30, 2017, the time of the brief, statements were taken from Andriff Gillard, Nizam Khan and Steven Persaud. But, despite being confronted with this information, Ramnarine held firm to his position.

During that “private” meeting with President Granger, Ramnarine told the Commission that he was instructed by the President, in his capacity as acting commissioner of polic to compile a report but that had proven to be difficult because the statement taken by the complainant, Andriff

Gillard, was poorly written and had to be typed.

As such, when the substantive commissioner of police returned to office on April 1, 2017, the report had not been completed. Questioned by Hanoman if he felt that he was the “go-to” person in the Force for the President, Ramnarine responded in the negative, maintaining that he was acting in the capacity of commissioner of police.

COMMISSIONER BRIEFTED Upon his return, Persaud was briefed on the report and the need to have it submitted to the President to which he committed to do. However, after meeting with Persaud, Ramnarine called the President’s aide-de-camp (ADC) Colonel Abrahams and informed him that he was no longer compiling the report.

But his reason for calling the President’s ADC was also called into question, with Hanoman suggesting that it was the responsibility of the substantive commissioner of police to inform the President that he had returned to duty and would have completed the report initiated by Ramnarine.

“Now, look, I am trying to understand you and your motives,” Hanoman said as he put a series of questions to Ramnarine.

In response, the acting commissioner of police said it was a matter of discipline and was not intended to undermine the substantive commissioner.

“It was the discipline of the organisation that requires that out of respect for his

told him to supervise it,” Hanoman suggested to Ramnarine and he responded in the affirmative.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine

Excellency, and me in my capacity as commissioner at the time, it would require me indicating through his ADC that commissioner had resumed duty,” Ramnarine posited.

While he was still being cross-examined, Ramnarine told the Commission that in his capacity as acting commissioner of police, he spoke to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on the seriousness of the matter.

According to Ramnarine, upon hearing of the report filed by Gillard against the accused Nizam Khan, he told the crime chief “to spare no effort and… to oversee the investigation.”

Hanoman posited that Ramnarine’s “instructions” despite the fact that Blanhum and his team at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had already initiated the investigation and was being supervised by the former.

“The crime chief was already supervising this investigation at the time you

IT WAS NECESSARY “So there was absolutely no need for you to say supervise the investigation,” Hanoman added, but was told by the acting commissioner of police that there was a need.

Again it was put to Ramnarine that the only reason he had given the “instruction” was to impress certain persons by showing them that he had a personal interest in the matter.

“The instruction was ‘crime chief I know that you were already supervising the investigation but I am telling you to supervise it’,” Hanoman posited, emphasising that Ramnarine not give any specific instructions but rather “platitudinous things”.

Ramnarine’s decision not to defend the police when they were accused of being “lethargic” in their investigation of the case was also called into question. He said at the time the statement was made about the tardiness of the police, he could not have defended it.

Additionally, on Friday, Hanoman made a second request to question Ramnarine on a personal problem he may have with the commissioner of police and the crime chief but it was not allowed by Slowe.

During his second appearance at the CoI, Hanoman had told Ramnarine that it was widely circulated in the press that both Persaud and Blanhum were alleging that he (Ramnarine) had interfered in a murder inves-

tigation for a friend.

“It was widely reported in the press about the Rio (Night Club) shooting,” said Hanoman. “Something was reported in the press, I do not recall reading in the press what it was, I who obstructed the investigation,” noted Ramnarine. In September 2016, a 19 year-old, Ryan Sergeant, was fatally shot to his head while another man received gunshot wounds to his neck and torso following an argument outside of the night club.

“Your name may not have been mentioned, but you know it was you… you are not currently being investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) for interfering in that investigation on behalf of a man named Saddiq Bobby Rasul?” asked Hanoman to which Ramnarine denied, while noting that the investigation was completed months ago.

Ramnarine said he knows of Rasul but made it clear that the man is “not his friend but a mere acquaintance”. He admitted knowing that Rasul has been accused of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from a local bank.

It was during this line of questioning that commissioner and retired Assistant Police Commissioner (APC), Paul Slowe, questioned the relevance of the question posed to Ramnarine. And as such, that line of questioning was disallowed.

Next Wednesday, the police legal adviser, retired Justice Claudette Singh will appear before the Commission as the investigation continues.

Region 5 RDC approves $3.6B 2018 budget Councilors of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) on Wednesday approved a proposed $3.6B budget for the Region for 2018.

The approval was given during a special meeting of the RDC which occurred despite a rift between the APNU/AFC Councilors and the Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal over his perceived disrespect of the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ovid Morrison.

The APNU/AFC Councilors have been maintaining that they would not sit at statutory meetings chaired

by Ramphal until he apologises to Morrison for being disrespectful to that official during a meeting last April.

The Special Sitting of the RDC was chaired by Vice Chairman of the Region Rion Peters who under announcements disclosed that Ramphal was on annual leave.

“This was a special sitting of the RDC and given the importance of the Budget Councilors on both sides of the table cooperated and worked together to ensure that the proposals submitted addressed as far as possible the needs of the people of Region 5,” Peters said.

Morrison who presented the proposals under the heads of Administration, Agricultural Development, Infrastructure Education and Health said that the overall requests represented a 23% increase over what obtained from Central Government

last year. Morrison said that the proposals for the 2018 budget were arrived at after consultations with the councilors and overseers in the ten Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), with residents during special organised community meetings in several communities, from proposals from councilors of the RDC and other stakeholders within the Region.

Maintenance of existing infrastructures, provision of more all-weather streets in communities as upgrades on earthen dams, provision of more farm to market roads, bridges, upgrading of drainage and irrigation channels and structures and in some cases sea and river defence structures featured prominently in the proposals

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ovid Morrison

which were amended and subsequently approved.

Morrison said too that the RDC had addressed the possibilities of obtaining funds which would enable it to give special attention to the infrastructural needs of each of the ten NDCs in the region. The budget anticipates the acquisition of $3.6 B in 2018 as against $3 B provided last year representing an increase of $667 million or 23% over what was obtained from Central Government in 2017, he said. The proposals approved by the Special Sitting of the RDC Wednesday last will be sent to the Ministry of Communities and then subsequently to the Ministry of Finance for inclusion in the 2018 budget.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

Trump says U.S. is ‘locked and loaded’ in North Korea confrontation President Donald Trump issued a new threat to North Korea on Friday, saying the U.S. military was “locked and loaded” as Pyongyang accused him of driving the Korean peninsula to the brink of nuclear war and world powers expressed alarm. The Pentagon said the United States and South Korea would proceed as planned with a joint military exercise in 10 days, an action sure to further antagonize North Korea.

Meanwhile, Russia, China and Germany voiced dismay at the escalating rhetoric from Pyongyang and Washington.

Trump, vacationing at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf resort, kept up the war of words and again referenced North Korea’s leader in his latest bellicose remarks toward Pyongyang this week.

“Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely,” he wrote on Twitter. “Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path!”

The term “locked and loaded,” popularized in the 1949 war film “Sands of Iwo Jima” starring American actor John Wayne, refers to preparations for shooting a gun.

Asked later by reporters to explain the remark, “Those words are very, very easy to understand.”

Again referring to Kim, Trump added, “If he utters one threat ... or if he does anything with respect to Guam or any place else that’s an American territory or an American ally, he will truly regret it, and he will regret it fast.”

Friday’s tweet by the Republican president, a wealthy businessman and former reality television personality, came after the North Korean state news agency, KCNA, put out a statement saying “Trump is driving the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of a nuclear war.”

Guam, the Pacific island that is a U.S. territory, posted emergency guidelines on Friday to help residents prepare for any potential nuclear at-

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tack after a threat from North Korea to fire missiles in its vicinity.

“Do not look at the flash or fireball – It can blind you,” the guidelines stated.

“Take cover behind anything that might offer protection.”

Guam is home to a strategically located U.S. air base, a Navy installation, a Coast Guard group and roughly 6,000 U.S. military personnel. KCNA said on Thursday the North Korean army would complete plans in mid-August to fire four intermediate-range missiles over Japan to land in the sea 18 to 25 miles (30-40 km) from Guam.

The United States, which is technically still at war with North Korea after the 195053 Korean conflict ended with only a truce, wants to stop Pyongyang from developing nuclear missiles that could hit the United States.

‘BACK CHANNELS’ Trump said he did not want to talk about diplomatic “back channels” with North Korea after U.S. me-

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dia reports that Joseph Yun, the U.S. envoy for North Korea policy, has engaged in diplomacy for several months with Pak Song Il, a senior diplomat at Pyongyang’s U.N. mission, on the deteriorating relations and the issue of Americans imprisoned in North Korea. In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Pyongyang and Washington to sign up to a previously unveiled joint Russian-Chinese plan under which North Korea would freeze missile tests and the United States and South Korea would impose a moratorium on largescale military exercises. Neither the United States nor North Korea has embraced the plan. Lavrov said the risks of a military conflict over North Korea’s nuclear program are very high and Moscow is deeply worried by the threats from Washington and Pyongyang. “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, t h e rhetoric in Washington and Pyongyang is now starting

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to go over the top,” Lavrov said on live state television at a forum for Russian students. “We still hope and believe that common sense will prevail.”

The annual joint U.S.South Korean military exercise, called Ulchi-Freedom Guardian, is expected to proceed as scheduled starting on Aug. 21, said Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Logan, a Pentagon spokesman. Trump’s latest comments were a continuation of days of incendiary rhetoric, including his warning on Tuesday that the United States would unleash “fire and fury” on Pyongyang if it threatened the United States.

Amid the heated words, South Koreans are buying more ready-to-eat meals that could be used in an emergency and the government is planning to expand nationwide civil defense drills planned for on Aug. 23. Hundreds of thousands of troops and huge arsenals are arrayed on both sides of the tense demilitarized zone between the two Koreas.

Tension in the region rose when North Korea staged two nuclear bomb tests last year and increased further when it launched two intercontinental ballistic missile tests in July in defiance of world powers. The United Nations this month tightened sanctions on Pyongyang after it tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads to the United States.

The damage inflicted on world stocks this week by the tensions topped $1 trillion by Friday, as inves-

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tors again took cover in the yen, the Swiss franc, gold and government bonds. U.S. financial markets took the rhetorical escalation in stride on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.06 percent while the S&P 500 gained 0.12 percent and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.64 percent.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there is no military solution to the dispute, adding that “an escalation of the rhetoric is the wrong answer.” “I see the need for enduring work at the U.N. Security Council ... as well as tight cooperation between the countries involved, especially the U.S. and China,” Merkel told reporters in Berlin.

Trump said hours later, “Let her speak for Germany.”

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has called a meeting of EU member states next week to discuss what action they will take regarding North Korea. There were no changes as of Friday morning in the U.S. military status in the continental United States or in the Pacific military command readiness or alert status, U.S. officials said. China, North Korea’s most important ally and trading partner, hopes all sides can do more to help ease the crisis and increase mutual trust, rather than taking turns in shows of strength, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. Trump on Thursday again urged China to do more to resolve the situation. (Reuters)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

China denies being involved in “economic colonialism” in Jamaica China Friday condemned a video circulating on social network in which an opposition legislator claims that there is “a form of economic colonialism by Chinese businesses operating in Jamaica”.

In a statement, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China it is offended by the “unsubstantiated claims” in the video and has generated widespread discussion on social media. In the video, former national security minister, Peter Bunting, and a member of Parliament, makes the claim of “economic colonialism.”

“We believe these claims could encourage a backlash and create an unsafe environment for Chinese Nationals working in Jamaica,” the Embassy statement noted.

China-JamaicaBeijing denied allegations that Chinese companies operating here are government owned and therefore have unlimited resources which Jamaican compa nies cannot compete against.

“There are clear separations

between the Chinese Government and the management of Chinese state-owned enterprises. State-owned enterprises operate independently under business rules and assume sole responsibility for their profits and losses. “The Government does not underwrite losses of state-owned enterprises. The Chinese Government con tinues to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Jamaica as long as these projects bring value to the Jamaican people and are profitable,” the statement noted.

China also dismissed allegations that Chinese companies in Jamaica engage in unfair competition, saying “Chinese companies are by nature very competitive. Their primary aim is the satisfaction of their customers by delivering timely, within budget and high quality work. “Duty concessions are usually offered for projects that are joint ventures with Government of Jamaica such as the North South Highway and in other cases as a way to attract foreign inves-

tors. Concessions offered by the Jamaican Government are not limited to Chinese companies but are made available to other Foreign Investors.”

The Chinese authorities also disagreed with sugges tions that more of their na tionals were employed here as against Jamaicans, noting that the number of Jamaicans on staff at all Chinese companies far outnumber Chinese staff.

“The allegation that Chinese companies use convict labour is offensive and false. Such serious allegations by a former Minister of National Security should at the very least be substantiated by evidence. If Mr Bunting can produce such evidence, the Chinese Embassy will not hesitate to support whatever sanctions the Jamaican Government would wish to impose on the offending company,” the Embassy said. It also disagreed with allegations that Chinese companies here are not transparent. “The companies operate under Jamaican laws and regulations. If any Chinese Company is found

to be operating outside of the law, it is up to the Jamaican authorities to take action.

“This Embassy and by extension the Government of China support the rule of law.

We have also taken steps to promote the learning of English by our Chinese workers and Chinese by Jamaicans to promote better communica tion and mutual understanding.” The Embassy said that although Bunting claimed he has asked it for information, “the Embassy has so far not received any request via phone, letter or email from him on this matter.

“China and Jamaica have had a long friendship and over the years our economic partnerships have been mutually beneficial. Chinese companies will continue to offer to the Jamaican Government and people value for money in the contracts they pursue. “As we did recently in granting a request from the Govern ment of Jamaica to supply the fireworks for the Grand Gala Celebrations, and the construc-

tion of a Children’s Hospital in Western Jamaica, the Government of China will continue to support projects and events that benefit the masses the Jamaican people.

“Our aim is not to “colonise” Jamaica but to always find areas of cooperation and mutual benefit that will improve the lives of both our people,” the Embassy said in the statement. Earlier this week, Prime Minister An drew Holness said that his administration will act in the best interest of the Jamaican people while remaining open to foreign investment in the country. Holness made the comments as the government signed a partnership agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the Barbican Road Improvement Works project.

“The government is very sensitive to what has been happening. I want to reassure the people of Jamaica that the Government of Jamaica will always act in the best interest of the people of Jamaica,” said

Prime Minister Holness, noting that the country’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China dates back to 1972; and that Jamaica continues to support the One China policy.

He said that as the largest provider of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), China represents a window of opportunity for Jamaica to gain true economic independence. ““We have to be receptive to investments not just from China. Jamaica wants to see a diversified portfolio of investors coming into this country. We want investors from all over to come here and invest. “We want people to choose Jamaica to invest; we want people to choose to make their homes in Jamaica and so the Government of Jamaica has, not just with my government but with the previous government and the government that I was a part of before that developed a strategic relationship and partnership with the Government of China,” Holness said. (CMC)

PM Gonsalves denies report of snap elections Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has fuelled speculation that he may be contemplating a snap general election in St. Vincent and the Grenadines after disclosing the results of a recent poll conducted by the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES).

“All I have to tell you is that I’m in a far better place than the other fellas. I wouldn’t tell you where I am,” he told reporters after indicating that the poll was conducted in July and involved 963 people in12 constituencies.

The speculations of a snap election have come amidst repeated court rulings in favour of the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) in the two election petitions challenging the results of the December 2015 general elections in two constituencies. The ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) won the elections by an 8-7 margin for a fourth consecutive term in

office and the High Court is expected to hear next month an application by lawyers for the NDP to inspect the 2015 election documents, including the ballot boxes. It is the first poll that the ULP is known to have conducted since Godwin Friday became NDP president and Opposition Leader replacing Arnhim Eustace, who held both positions for nearly 16 years. He said the new figures were “not really” a shift from what other polls have found. “What I notice with polls, outside of an election season, the number which they have for leadership, though significant, is lower than what they would normally put as they get closer to an election.”

Asked if with this poll there is an election on the horizon, Gonsalves said, ‘No, no, no, no, no.”

Gonsalves told reporters that the ULP had asked CADRES to conduct the poll on several issues including health,

politics, employment, education, housing, water and electricity. He said six per cent of the population had responded to the health concerns adding “we have to take regard of that”.

He made the remark in the context of added focus here on health care following the death of 75-year-old social and political activist, Oscar Allen. Allen died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital two weeks after warning in a letter to hospital officials that the postponement, twice, of an urgent surgery to his large intestines could have “fatal consequences”.

Gonsalves said that the poll showed that persons are also concerned about jobs and crime. “In fact, our

success at so many of these things, like health, youth concerns, education, housing, water and electricity, garbage collection, these numbers recede as matters of greatest concern.” When respondents were asked about the constituency issue of greatest concern, job and crime rose to 10 per cent and healthcare to eight per cent, said Gonsalves, who is also Minister of Finance and National Security. Prime Minister Gonsalves said that the issues most likely to influence a person’s vote are employment, cost of living, and crime. “Because people want responsible leadership, which is what I am provid-

ing here… I am not being demagogue on the issue of health. I am saying what are the issues, where we are strong, where we have some weaknesses, and people must not go about drawing some conclusions which cannot be drawn on the facts.” He said the pollsters have also found that a majority of Vincentians now support either full or partial decriminalisation of marijuana, adding this is

“an improvement of nine per cent in terms of complete” decriminalisation, but did not give the comparative figures. “So that I guess that with the discussions that are going on – still there is a significant number of people who’re opposed to it: 35 per cent, for instance. “I have to test what is happening on a number of issues. I am a scientific person,” Gonsalves told reporters. (CMC)

Editorial

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WORDS are important not only because they present a method of communication among human beings, but more so the consequences they can carry, especially when they can build positive relations or conversely pose dire threats to relations and lives.

Given their potency, people and governments could find greater wisdom choosing their words carefully, lest they be misconstrued, forced them to act based on what was said for fear of losing face, or compelled to somersault diminishing their credibility and respect. Recognising the potential consequences, though known, unfortunately in the heat of moment such wisdom is oft ignored.

Last Saturday the 15-member United Nations Security Council voted

unanimously to impose new sanctions on North Korea following its test of two intercontinental ballistic missiles last month. This vote was brought by the United States. China, a member of the Council, shares a border with North Korea and is that country’s biggest partner, but according to Foreign Minister Wang Yi, China is prepared to enforce the resolutions. This suggests, though the U.S can score this as a major victory, China’s support is evidence of its concern as to the consequences such test and development of arsenals pose to global security and more particularly its internal security.

United States President, Donald Trump, has not minced words on North Korea’s actions and following through with sanctions, calling on countries to provide the needed support, which

has achieved. The positive responses to what is clearly a threat to man and the environment, particularly given the experience of the nuclear bomb the U.S dropped in Japan 72 years ago (9th August 1945) was not un-expected.

The desire to avoid a repeat or any semblance of, and to halt the intent of those who seek to violate international agreements on nuclear production and usage, would find support.

As a result of the sanctions, North Korea reportedly stands to lose US$1 billion in exports affecting its coal, iron ore, lead and seafood trade. In reaction the government of President Kim Jong-un threatened to bomb Guam, a U.S territory located 3,400km (2,100 miles) from North Korea.

Since such threat, on Tuesday President Trump said should North Korea dare

the U.S will respond with “fire and fury,” reinforcing his position on Thursday that “maybe [his statement] wasn’t tough enough,” even as his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerman, has been re-assuring world leaders since Tuesday that “there is no imminent threat of war.”

Whereas according to a CNN poll, released on Monday, found 60 % of the population do not trust President Trump, 48% approve of his handling of national security and members of the U.S Congress have either condemned the rhetoric or are asking for a de-escalation out of concern of the dire consequences they can create, the impact these could have on the President’s future choice of words is anyone’s guess.

On the other hand, where President Jong-un may feel the threat of war is imminent and desire to bolster his

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

internal political power, it is also anyone’s guess what could ensue.

In the meantime world leaders, notably China, France and Germany, have called for the de-escalating of the rhetoric between the two countries. Words have consequences. Small state societies such as ours, that pursue world-wide comity, would too hope the conflict between the two countries, which carry external and global implications, can be resolved soonest. A nuclear threat, verbal and actual, threatens human existence and environmental protection, which the world can ill afford. This issue is

causing tremendous global tension and where both leaders are considered unpredictable, the general hope is there would be the intensifying of all-out efforts to influence the toning down of the rhetoric, more particularly on the U.S.’ part, given its traditional leadership, particularly in global issues of such nature. Humanity would be best served using words to make real the Treaty adopted by the UN on 7th July, charge with responsibility “ to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination.”

Comparative Analysis

Broadcasting Act 2011 Act No. 17 of 2011 and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017 Dear Editor,

THE Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017 was conceived to eliminate the discrimination and inequalities that subsisted in the sector while simultaneously leveling the playing field and providing much needed clarity for regularization.

The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017 applies a number of remedies to gaps left by the Parent Act. The following must be noted: A clarification of “broadcasting service” from “a service providing broadcasting” to “a service providing broadcasting which includes (i) a television

broadcasting service; and (ii) a radio (sound) broadcasting service.”

• While the Parent Act of 2011 spoke to the issue of public service broadcasts, it provided no definition. The 2017 Bill cures this lacuna (mischief). Within the 2017 Amendment Bill a public service broadcast is defined as “a programme produced for the purpose of informing and educating the public, and promoting policies and activities of the Government that benefit the public as a whole.”

• The Parent Act in section 18(i) and 18(k) respectively, provides the following: “The Authority shall…

require licensees to carry information on any programmes issued by the Civil Defence Commission, the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service and or health services, and certain other programmes as public information deemed appropriate and necessary in terms of national security, emergency and disaster as a public service at no cost…[the Authority shall]...require licensees to carry a certain percentage of public service broadcast or development support broadcast as public information deems appropriate as a public service at no cost.”

• The 2011 Act and the 2017 Amendment

Bill both speak to public information (whether implicitly or explicitly governmental) as material to be included in public service broadcasts at no cost. However, the 2017 Bill introduces a cap and thereby removes the existence of a wide and untamed application for public service broadcasts.

It is a myth, a falsehood that the 2017 Amendment Bill has introduced the public service broadcast of government information at no charge. This has always been the legislative position. The new Bill sought to delimit and clarify that position and not leave it open-ended.

It is important to note that in the region, both

Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados have put the cap on 2 hours and more daily on public service broadcast for information the government believes to be of public interest.

Guyana now has a cap of sixty minutes where there was a limitless opportunity before.

• Classes of broadcasting services have been introduced thus, “(a) commercial class, (b) non-commercial class, or (c) community class” so that applicants must apply for a broadcasting service licence of one of these classes. The machinery of classification was absent from the Parent Act. • The new Bill provides for zoning thus,

“(a) primary broadcasting zone; (b) secondary broadcasting zone, (c) tertiary broadcasting zone”.

This machinery allows for broadcast licences to be granted to persons to carry out a broadcasting service in one or more of the broadcasting zones, and was also absent in the Parent Act. The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority conducted consultations with broadcasters and the issue of fairness regarding fees that applied across the board with no recognition of the correlation between population density and profits, was found to be unfavourable.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

National coordinating coalition mobilised to deliver greater impact Dear Editor,

THE National Coordinating Coalition (NCC) is a local autonomous umbrella network that coordinates the work of its members on the national level for greater impact and sustainability of the national response to HIV/AIDS and other societal challenges.

At a time when Guyana was among the five countries in Latin America and Caribbean region with a HIV/AIDS epidemic that had spread beyond specific high-risk groups into the general population, the NGO Coordinating Committee was established under the Guyana HIV/AIDS/ STI Youth Project, in 1999, by a small group of NGOs that became involved in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support.

In 2000, along with UNAIDS, USAID, Family Health International (FHI)/IMPACT and the Global Bureau, a behaviour change intervention strategy was developed, known

as the National AIDS Programme Strategic Plan.

The Committee later grew to twenty-one (21) organisations under the USAID/ Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention (GHARP) Project with responsibility for oversight and coordination as well as monitoring of project results. Programmes implemented under the project includes, the areas of prevention of mother-to-child transmission, counselling services and HIV/AIDS testing, prevention: abstinence and faithfulness, community mobilisation, stigma and discrimination, job training and employment services, commercial sex workers/men who have sex with men interventions, orphans and vulnerable children, among several others. Citizens may recall one of the popular campaigns “Ready Body! Is it Really Ready?” that raised awareness on healthy lifestyles.

To strengthen HIV/ AIDS interventions in the country, the members de-

cided to transition and formalised the Committee to the National Coordinating Coalition (NCC), established as a legal entity under the Companies Act of 1991 as a not-for-profit.

Currently, the NCC has twenty-six (26) established NGOs member organisations spanning across seven (7) Administrative Regions (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and10) of Guyana. It is governed by a Board of Directors, and supported by an Executive Committee, Governance Committee, Finance and Audit Committee, Working Group Committee.

In response to the need for broader interventions to address societal challenges, the NCC has adopted a multi-sectoral approach that looks beyond HIV/ AIDS. With USAID’s support, the NGOs of this Coalition have enhanced their capacity and competence in the areas of financial sustainability, human rights, gender equality and youth development.

Building on their foundation and strengths, the

NCC has taken steps since to ensure the NGOs have the capacity and resources to continue their work, as strong and sustainable organisations. In support, USAID has entered into a 3-year cooperative agreement with Volunteer Youth Corps Inc. to lead implementation of the Guyana Civil Society Leadership project. The current month of June marks the end of year two of the project and the beginning of the final year.

There are much experiential learning and community development approaches that can be learned from NGOs. Over the past 15 years, this body has made tremendous impact in their respective communities, and further reinforced their commitment and position to provide certain key services.

Collectively, the members of the NCC serve over 3,000 clients monthly for a range of social services which include HIV testing and counselling, domestic violence counselling,

and care for orphans and other vulnerable children, suicide counselling and others. It is estimated that 75% of the key population services are provided

by NGOs. Further, NGOs provide over 50% of counselling and testing done in Guyana and 75% of care and support for orphans and vulnerable children.

Today, the NCC has formal partnerships with the Government of Guyana, private sector organisations and international agencies to promote an enabling environment for local NGOs. The need to expand relations and strengthen collaboration with all stakeholders must be reiterated, particularly since the launch of the Health Vision 2020 – National Health Strategy of Guyana, and, noting the targets and goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global plan of action to solve some of our biggest problems like poverty, education and health.

Meet the NCC Mem-

Broadcasting Act 2011 Act ...

• Fees were increased for broadcast licences by 1000% across the board under the former administration without consideration for market forces constraining categories of large and small broadcasters. The 2017 Bill provides for various base fees commencing at the sum of $300,000 Guyana dollars instead of the flat, across the board broadcast licence fee of two million, five hundred thousand dollars imposed by Regulations made under the 2011 Act. • The 2017 Amendment Bill precludes the

broadcast of hate speech, racial incitement and terror threats, thereby offering further and specific human rights protections that the Parent Act did not.

• There is provision for a broadcaster to register an official complaint, and activate a process of inquiry and corrective measures, where that broadcaster has signed an international agreement to broadcast a programme or channel and another operator broadcasts same without such an agreement.

• The Amendment Bill provides existing broadcasters with 30 days to ap-

ply to continue broadcast services. The 2011 Act did the same.

Under the PPP various blatant infringements to press freedom occurred.

Notably: • Kaieteur News was disallowed State advertisements; • Stabroek News was disallowed State advertisements for almost two years to facilitate the operationalization of the Guyana Times Newspapers; • Mr. C.N. Sharma was repeatedly banned from broadcasting for several months; • Reporter was banned

from State House; • Reporter was banned from Office of the President; • The University of Guyana was denied a broadcasting licence; • Television stations were prevented from expanding operations across Guyana and the National Communications Network was the singular entity allowed to so do; • Licences were given to Clement Rohee and family, associates and friends of Mr. Jagdeo with no requirement for application fees at that time; • The Alliance for

bers: Artistes in Direct Support; ChildLink Guyana Inc.; Comforting Hearts; Family Awareness Consciousness Togetherness; For the Children Sake Foundation; Network of Guyanese Living with and affected

by HIV/AIDS; Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association; Guyana Sex Worker Coalition; Guyana Trans United; Help and Shelter; Hope For All; Hope Foundation; Jazz and Poetry on a Stool; Lifeline Counselling Services; Linden Care Foundation; Merundoi Inc.; Monique’s Caring Hands; Practical Christianity Ministries; Rainbow House; Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination; Sophia Community Development Association; Specialists in Sustained Youth Development and Research Inc.; United Bricklayers; Youth Challenge Guyana.

Regards LEROY ADOLPHUS

Continued from page 6

Change was repeatedly denied the option of placing ads on NCN; • Mr. C.N. Sharma was removed from channel 12 to channel 6 and forced to purchase costly equipment to operate with weaker frequency; • Vi e r i a C o m m u nications Network was stripped of the lottery broadcast and the broadcast was given to the National Communications Network; • Journalist and social commentator grotesquely assaulted with faeces; • Journalist and social commentator denied state

services.

The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017 which benefited from consultations with the broadcasters, the National Frequency Management Unit and the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority is a collaborative and modern document that seeks to improve the broadcasting landscape and allow for information, equity, choice and access for the benefit of all Guyanese.

Regards EARL HAMILTON

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

EBDA seeks Skeldon takeover -- submits ambitious plan to manage sugar factory

By Alva Solomon THE East Berbice Development Association (EBDA) has submitted an ambitious plan to the authorities to manage the Skeldon Sugar Factory and proposes the cultivation of crops such as rice and beans to boost the income generating capacity of the State lands.

If the EDBA sees its way, the body will sell sugar and its by-products from the Skeldon factory here in Guyana and only the surpluses would be exported; the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) would buy the body’s primary market.

The EBDA, which was formed in 2009 with the aim of identifying areas of development of the East Berbice region, has submitted its proposal to the government via the Ministry of Agriculture.

In June, the Ministry forwarded the entity’s proposal to the government holding company, NICIL (National Industrial Commercial and Investment Limited), which points to the imminent di-

vestment of the multi-million dollar factory.

In its plan for the Skeldon Estate, the association, which is chaired by David Subnauth, proposes a public/private arrangement in which it offers one million shares at US$100 each.

“The shareholders would comprise sugar workers, civil servants, members of the business community, the general public and the diaspora,” the group stated.

The association proposes a sectioned management structure which would include a “Cultivation Section,” which it said would operate like a private cane farm.

The group said the factory would operate as a separate entity, receiving payments similar to the current arrangement with the private cane farmers in which 1/3 sugar is produced for the factory and 2/3 for the farmers.

The association proposes that all agricultural machinery will be in a “machinery pool”, where each entity, as well as independent farmers

or the public can hire from the pool, providing they are available.

On the other hand, it stated that the pool can hire from the farmers when the need arises.

It noted that there would be a machinery workshop, which would be a separate entity and the public can also utilise its services.

It proposed a dispensary which will offer its services to the public at a cost and there would be a main office which would operate independently, providing services to all the various entities, including the public.

The security services would be another entity, providing services to the estate and the general public and there is also a plan for a guest house and other relevant departments which would be responsible for generating their independent revenue to cover all costs and produce a surplus.

LESS PROBLEMATIC In terms of employees,

the group proposes a pension fund and other workers welfare will be taken care of in the said prevailing manner.

It said that labour relations would be less problematic since every worker would most likely be a shareholder.

According to the group, although figures submitted by the management of Skeldon Sugar Estate show that for 2015, which has been the best year of operations, the approximate loss of the estate was S2.5B. “We still believe that with prudent management and new strategies we can eliminate the losses and see a profit,” the association stated.

It said that it proposes to separate the field from the factory, where the production of the field would be paid similar to the current arrangement with the private cane farmers. All the other sectors of the estate would operate independently to make surpluses.

In its plan, the association proposed crop rotation.

The body explained that when a field should

be flood-fallowed after its sixth or seventh ratoon, rice would be planted so that the land can be under water for a long period.

“Beans can also be another one of our crops,” it said, adding that aquaculture is yet another option to obtain the benefits of flood fallow, while still using the land to generate more income.

To this end, the association stated that within two years of commencement, all the land under the control of the Skeldon Estate will be utilised.

“We anticipate that the factory would operate and maintain itself with the onethird share of annual production and income from other by-products of sugar/sugarcane, including co-generation,” the group proposed.

In addition, the association plans to look overseas in its proposed take-over. It said it would look at India, Brazil, and Australia, among other sugar producing countries, to investigate the various by-products of the sugar industry and once feasible, to connect the factory to

implement production.

The association added that it will venture into value-added production such as packaging and refining. It noted that the marketing of sugar and other by-products would be done locally since the entire company would be owned and operated by Guyanese.

“The main intention of acquiring the estate is to secure local ownership, maintain and create additional employment for our citizens and to enhance the economy of this region and Guyana as a whole,” the association noted in its proposal.

The body has been engaging the government since February this year to acquire and manage the Skeldon Estate.

The US$200M factory was built by the former government with the aim of being the industry’s flagship and an intended production capacity of 450,000 tonnes.

However, since 2009 when it was opened, the factory has been beset by mechanical and other difficulties and production never met the intended dreams of the government of the day.

The East Berbice Development Association (EBDA) has submitted an ambitious plan to the authorities to manage the Skeldon Sugar Factory

‘I am not mad’ GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 12, 2017

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…whistle blower in alleged assassination plot defends testimony

By Ariana Gordon DURING a feisty cross-examination on Friday, Andriff Gillard, the Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident who said he was offered $7M to assassinate President David Granger made it clear that his mental faculties are intact.

Attorneys before the Paul Slowe-led Commission of Inquiry (CoI) sought to discredit Gillard’s story but the man maintained his innocence throughout what can be described as a somewhat aggressive cross-examination. Attorney representing the interest of Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud, Glenn Hanoman suggested that Gillard suffered from lack of attention and would do anything to be in the spot light. The man’s memory and criminal record were also scrutinised before the Commission.

Hanoman asked Gillard whether he has ever sought treatment for any psychiatric conditions to which the 32 year-old man replied in the negative. “Let me suggest to you that you have this need for attention, that you have a strong desire for attention.”

Gillard while seeking clarity on what the attorney meant, said his need for attention is only if he is sick. “Let me explain, there are psychiatric conditions that causes persons to see themselves as a victim of authority figures and they often go about making complaints and seeking attention; it is a psychiatric condition,” said Hanoman.

Businessman Andriff Gillard (Adrian Narine)

YOU THINK I MAD “You’re suggesting that I am mad?” asked Gillard to which Hanoman replied, “I am asking you if you have been treated for that condition?” “I was never treated for no mental condition.” Gillard questioned why he would need to be examined by a psychiatrist. “…for what?

You think I mad?” asked the clearly agitated man who the attorney indicated he believes has a mental problem. “I do think so…I think something is wrong,” Hanoman said. Unbothered by the lawyer’s response, Gillard asked, “I look mad to you?” It was as a result of the apparent tiff between Hanoman and Gillard that Slowe instructed Gillard to answer questions directly posed by the lawyer.

Meanwhile, Gillard, a businessman told the Commission that he visited the Ministry of the Presidency first to talk to anyone who would listen to him, and report acts of collusion between the police and the accused

Nizam Khan. He said it was while at the Ministry of the Presidency, he was told to visit the Ministry of Public Security to make his report. The man said he had no intention of going to the police because of the affiliation of the Khan brothers, Imran and Nizam, with law enforcement authorities. He disclosed in full view of Imran Khan, the brother of Nizam Khan, who is also a close friend of the police commissioner, the man accused of offering him $7M to kill the president. According to Gillard, the Khans were also associated with Head of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), Heeralall Mackhanlall “…because I was personally sent to him by Nizam to have four police removed.”

The man spoke of what he considered to be police brutality at the hands of members of the Major Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

“I was aware that I was rough up, push, pull, put on the bench [at CID] and was left there until midnight,” said Gillard who said he

Glenn Hanoman (Adrian Narine)

was looking for protection from the Ministry of the Presidency but “… I went there for help…rescue because I was tormented…I ended up back at the same police who connected to the people I reporting on.”

The clearly ruffled man said, “I know for a fact that…Nizam Khan controls the Guyana Police Force…I know this.” Gillard said his intention was to report his concerns to someone who was professional but did not agree with the suggestion that he was forced to speak to the police. “I told [Clifton] Hicken (Assistant Commissioner of Police) I didn’t want to go… I wanted the matter to be investigated thoroughly,” said the EBD resident, who noted that ordinarily he would not have gone to CID as ranks of the Department frequent Nizam Khan’s snackette.

It was suggested that it was after speaking with his lawyer, whose identity he said could only be revealed in camera, that he decided to make the complaint.

“You are saying I put it together and I can’t

accept that,” remarked Gillard. He accepted that he did an interview with Travis Chase, a television journalist after making a report to CID, where he was “roughed up” and “disrespected”. “I had to go somewhere else,” he declared.

“Tell me something, this Nizam Khan, you make him out to be a wicked chap…he was involved in your mind, in getting you put out of the house you were in?” asked Hanoman. Gillard was ordered to vacate a Diamond, EBD house by the court after the owner of the property passed away. The matter was taken before the court by the deceased son, Stephen Persaud.

“When I went to the court, the claim was that I failed to pay rent in May and June, or June and July, for a property in Diamond I had a business on…” something he denied as he had receipts to prove he had paid. After skirting around, the man said he believes Nizam Khan was behind his eviction from the property. He said he was not upset but was baffled to know that “Ian Chang issued

the letter…and to know that I was paying my rent on time…”

“I told Nizam, ‘your fingerprint all over this…how could you do this to me, this is my livelihood’…and he said to what happen to you after now, you have to go through it, you are a stupid black man and if you had killed the president or organised the killing of the president, nobody would not have removed you from the property,” Gillard recounted. He then denied a suggestion by Hanoman that he is known to be a killer. “You ever told Nizam that you is a man that would kill?” asked the attorney to whom Gillard responded, “Nizam knows I am a planner…for events and parties.” His response caused Hanoman to ask why he was approached to assassinate the President. You got to ask him that,” the man retorted.

Gillard who reported the matter to the police on March 29, this year, some 21 months after he was allegedly offered the $7M, told the Commission that he had asked Nizam Khan to borrow $6M to put with an additional $6M he had, to purchase a property.

However, on Friday he said he is unsure of how much money he had to purchase the property, while noting that the money was not kept in a bank account but at his home. “I do not keep bank accounts sir…I had some cash but I can’t remember the amount,” Gillard explained while adding that having a bank account causes too much “run around.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

Sugar second crop underway …production down, labour turnout poor THE Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) said that its second crop for this year has commenced.

The Blairmont Estate was the first to start grinding on 17th July, followed by Rose Hall on 27th July and Albion on 5th August, 2017.

Sugar production for the crop–to-date – 11th August is 5,725 tonnes, the total for the year- to-date is 55,331 tonnes and the target for the second crop is 124,844 tonnes.

The Skeldon, East Demerara and Uitvlugt estates factories will commence their crop by the first week of September, 2017, GuySuCo said in a statement.

According to the sugar corporation, the average har-

vesters’ attendance for this week at the three estates that are currently grinding are as follows: Albion 59%, Rose Hall 67% and Blairmont 64%, hence the industry’s average for the week is 63%.

The Corporation is encouraging harvesters to turn out to work and ensure that their estates harvest all of the sugar canes in the cultivations. The Corporation is also appealing to residents in communities around estates to encourage employees, particularly harvesters and planters to turn out to work.

Meanwhile, corporation continues to have an operating deficient, recorded at $6.3B for the end of the first half of 2017. The $7B

sum to GuySuCo by central government is a reflection of its continued inability to reform its cost structure and improve its competitiveness. According to the Ministry of Finance mid-year report, the revised revenue forecast for 2017 is $27.1B, down from the budgeted $28.9B. The corporation expects to notice increased revenue from land sales, but lower revenue from sugar sales. According to the report, expenditure is forecasted to rise to $35.7B, putting the deficit at $8.6B. However, the closing of Skeldon Energy Incorporated (SEI) during the first crop, weather, strike action, and factory maintenance down-

Guyoil commissions $159M fuel tankers

Chief Executive Officer, Reggie Bhagwandin, handing over the keys of new tankers to Terminal Superintendent, Joseph Bagot

GUYANA Oil Company clients across the country will now be able to receive fuel in less than 24 hours when orders are made, following the acquisition of two new tankers which were commissioned on Friday.

Two new fuel tankers were commissioned at Guyoil’s Providence Terminal.

The company said the purpose of the tankers is to provide reliable service to its customers in terms of the delivery of products.

Chief Executive Officer, Reggie Bhagwandin, told reporters that the company over the years has been faced

with many difficulties as it pertains to their customers receiving timely and reliable service. He also stated that there were limitations because it was using “old wagons,” which would have had mechanical problems while transporting products to their customers. He also stated that they would have had to hire wagons to transport products prior to purchasing the new tankers. “We now feel reliable,” stated Mr. Bhagwandin.

The company had initially brought in three tankers but one had been sent to Berbice to begin

immediate operation. The tankers cost $53M each, totaling $159M and have the holding capacity of 23,000 liters each. Guyoil now has a total of 15 tankers in the entire Guyana.

The tankers are stationed in Georgetown, Berbice and Adventure.

Terminal Superintendent, Joseph Bagot, expressed that he is presently over whelmed for the tankers because it will assist them in quick delivery to their customers. The company promises its customers that delivery will be made in less than 24 hours.

time were some of the factors that contributed to the lowering of sugar production targets and revenues.

The sugar industry continues to be plagued by several problems, including an increase in the price of several inputs such as fertilisers, among other issues. These issues have had a negative impact on the company’s ability to comprehend sufficient cash to cover its operating costs.

It was also stated that the sugar industry employs over 13,000 or over 75 percent of the total employment amongst the PUBLIC Enterprises(PEs), noting at midyear, GuySuCo’s employment cost was an alarming 111.5 per cent of revenue.

The corporation highlighted that over the past

six months the World Market price for sugar has significantly dropped with a range of US$250 – 275 per tonne, which is the price of US12.66 cents per pound.

According to GuySuCo’s website, it supplies annually, 65,000 tonnes of bagged and packaged sugar to Caribbean and local markets. Another 12,000 tonnes of raw sugar is supplied to the North American market, while the remainder, also raw sugar, is sold on the European market.

The supply to Europe for the second crop 2017 will total some 70,000 tonnes.

With the closure of Wales Estate some workers were absorbed in Uitvlugt Estate, while private cane farmers at Wales were also encouraged to sell their crop to Utitvlugt

estate. It was highlighted that companies from India and Trinidad and Tobago have been exploring the possibility of buying out operations at Skeldon.

GuySuCo’s public statement said that engagements will be held with stakeholders at Wales, Uitvlugt, Enmore, Albion, Rose Hall and Skeldon estates among others. The focus of the meetings will be ‘The Role of Communities in improving attendance on estates for the second crop 2017’.

The Corporation wants to mobilise cane harvesters, planters and cane transport operators, their families and communities around the importance of improving attendance at all estates in order to sustain the industry.

Rush on to fix Lethem trail …as gas stations run out of fuel AS fuel stations at the town of Lethem ran out of fuel Friday morning, works were ongoing to remedy the impassable sections of the Georgetown/Lethem trail.

Reports are that all the gas stations at the Region Nine (Upper Essequibo/ Upper Takutu) town were without gasoline on Friday morning. A Lethem businesswoman told the Guyana Chronicle that the pumps at the Takutu Gas station were closed when she turned up at the fuel depot Friday morning. It was noted that some gas stations had limited stocks of diesel.

Regional Chairman, Bryan Allicock, noted on Friday that while there is a shortage of fuel at the gas

stations, work commenced on the problematic Hunt Oil Stretch on Thursday. He said the contractor, JR Ranch, is working to compact the affected area before commencing full works to ensure traffic can traverse the roadway without becoming stuck.

He noted that lighter vehicles are bypassing that section of the roadway via the savannah at the moment and according to him, the works should be completed during the course of next week in order to accommodate all forms of traffic.

Allicock said some persons volunteered prior to the commencement of works, by filling parts of the swampy Hunt Oil stretch with boulders. He said the affected

part of the roadway stretches about half of a mile. Last week, two fuel tankers were able to venture past the Hunt Oil Stretch of road into Lethem. As such the Lethem Power Company is not affected by the current state of the roadway.

The Board of the Lethem Power Company can source fuel in the interim from Roraima State in neighbouring Brazil in any eventuality. Last week, Allicock said the “last resort” arrangement had been in place since the 2011 floods, which had almost decimated the Rupununi. But that plan, he said, would only be activated with the consent of the government.

The condition of the Georgetown / Lethem trail in the vicinity of the problematic Hunt Oil Stretch on Thursday afternoon

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 12, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

Moco Moco to go into block making operations THE village of Moco Moco will benefit from a block making machine as the Ministry of Social Protection launched one of the preliminary Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Developments (SLED) projects in the community.

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, who visited the community on Thursday met with residents of Moco Moco during which she outlined the goals of the SLED project, which aims to provide an

avenue for the economic development of groups and communities.

The SLED programme, which is implemented through the Ministry of Social Protection gives grants to Cooperatives and Friendly Societies to equip them to engage in sustainable, entrepreneurial ventures.

The block making operation is valued at $3M. Toshao, George James, welcomed the initiative and complimented the minister for her efforts to assist the community. The

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally and officials of Moco Moco

residents are tasked with the construction of a shed to house the block making operations as they await the arrival of the block making machine. This project comes just one day after another SLED initiative was launched in the community of Hiawa in Region 9 (Upper Takatu- Upper Essequibo). The Toshao and residents thanked the Minister and her team for the SLED initiative and committed their efforts to the success of their project.

Five pedestrian overpasses by December

IN an effort to reduce the hassle of pedestrians having to cross busy streets, five pedestrian overpasses will be erected by the end of this year.

This was one of the items listed in the Ministry of Finance’s 2017 Mid-Year Report which was tabled in the National Assembly last week, by Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

According to the report, the pedestrian overpasses are being constructed “to address road safety concerns”.

Meanwhile, works have progressed on the foundation for the structures to be erected at Houston, Eccles, Peter’s Hall and Providence.

In April, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had announced that a contract to the tune of US$364,727 was awarded to S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services for work on a another overpass at the Diamond, East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

The minister had also announced the award of US$1M contracts for the construction of overhead crossings at Peter’s Hall and Eccles, also on the East Bank.

With more than 10,000 vehicles entering the country every year, traffic congestion on key arteries leading to Georgetown continues to be a major bugbear.

This congestion has been contributing heavily to delays for workers at peak travel times, in the mornings, between 07:00hrs and 09:00hrs, and in the evening from 16:00hrs to 18:30hrs.

The East Bank Demerara Road is among the busiest in the country, providing linkages to not only the villages along the way, but to the Demerara Harbour Bridge which leads to West Demerara, Essequibo and beyond, but to Linden and the hinterland as well.

The report also highlighted that the proposal for a fixed bridge over the Demerara River is expected in the third quarter with final designs expected by end of the year. It was noted too that costing and options for an appropriate financing mechanism will also be prepared for consideration.

In relation to road networks, over $840M is expected to be advanced for preparatory works to commence the widening of the East Coast Demerara (ECD) Highway from Better Hope to Annandale and the improvement of the existing carriageway from Buxton to Belfield.

In addition, the report stated that a consultant for the design of the Linden to Mabura Hill road and the Kurupukari crossing will be contracted.

Meanwhile, expenditure on roads for the year included the rehabilitation and construction of selected roads under the Hinterland Roads Programme to the tune of $784M. In addition, works progressed on the upgrading of roads, with $613M and $727M expended on the West Coast Demerara (WCD) highway and urban and miscellaneous roads, respectively, while works on the upgrading of the EBD came to an end.

Regarding the East BankEast Coast Road Linkage, the report highlighted that an Indian company is being considered to provide project management consulting services. Additionally, the proposal for funding the rehabilitation of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway was submitted to the World Bank for consideration.

Some $37.2B was budgeted to support the continuous improvement to public infrastructure in the 2017 budget.

Of that amount, $4B was expended on roads and $242M on bridges at the half year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 12, 2017

Major fire averted at Nirva Super Store FIRE fighters received high praise on Friday for their swift response to what could have resulted into a major blaze at the Nirva Super Store on Sherriff Street, Georgetown.

A fire broke out at the store at around 07:55hrs, attracting the attention of the employees who were reporting to duty at the time. According to one of the employees, she along with several of her colleagues went into work at about 07:55hrs. They then went upstairs and raised

Nirva Super Store – the building where the fire erupted on Friday but was saved by firefighters

Fisherman charged for stealing GTT cable

A 22-YEAR-OLD fisherman was on Friday charged for stealing $1.3M worth in fiber optic cable from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT).

Ricky Singh of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) appeared before City Magistrate Annett Singh and denied the simple larceny charge.

Particulars of the charge alleged that between July 22 and 24 2017, at Soesdyke, Linden Highway, Singh stole a quantity of fiber optic cable belonging

to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) valued $1, 394,444.

The unrepresented man was released on $350,000 and is expected to return to court on August 25.

Recently, Sanjay Seecharran, 24-year-old fisherman of Grove Public Road, EBD was also charged for sealing fiber optic cable from GTT. Seecharran appeared before City Magistrate Sunil Scarce and confessed to the charge and was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Ex-clerk of Everest Cricket club on embezzlement charge A FORMER Clerk of Everest Cricket Club was on Friday released on $100,000 bail after being charged with allegedly embezzling money from the company.

Soma Basmattie Jaikaran of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, appeared before City Magistrate Leron Daly and denied the allegation.

Particulars of the charge alleged that between September 28, 2016 and November 15, 2016 at Georgetown, while being employed as a clerk or servant at the company, Jaikaran fraudulently em-

bezzled $549,600, money taken into her possession in the name of or on the account for the company.

The woman was represented by attorney, Nigel Hughes, who made an application for reasonable bail. Police Prosecutor, Richard Harris made no objection but requested that reporting condition be attached to the bail.

The magistrate released Jaikaran on $100,000 bail with the condition that she report to the Brickdam Police Station once a month. The matter is adjourned until September 22.

the shutter and was greeted by smoke. The terrified employees then exited the building. Luckily, a firefighter who was about to shop at the store questioned the employees about the smoke emanating from the store.

He showed his badge so they allowed him to go into the building. He then called the Fire Service .

A fire warden told the Guyana Chronicle that the control room at the Central Fire Station received a report that the store was on fire.

Immediately a dispatch was made, allowing a fire tender 84 and a water carrier 11 from the Central Fire Sation to proceed to the location of the store. When they arrived, they noticed that smoke was coming from an office on the first floor. He explained that gaining access into the office was a difficult task but wasn’t impossible. Once access was gained, they observed that there was fire prorogating in the office. The fire was contained and extinguished. They noticed that

the microwave was plugged in, which may have led to the fire. Investigations are still ongoing.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the building is not connected to GPL and is continually powered by a generator owned by Tony Ramkumar, who is the owner of the store. Rani Ramkumar, who is the owner’s wife, expressed sincere gratitude to the firefighters for responding in a timely manner.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

Teen needs help for urgent eye surgery PAULA Cottam, 16, is seeking financial assistance to save her left eye for which she needs urgent surgery in the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago (TT).

The total cost of the vitrectomy surgery expected to be performed by Dr. Ronnie Bhola is US$3,500 or TT$23,000.

The student of the Ministry of Education Visually Impaired and Blind Students Resource Centre and St. Joseph’s High School is blind in the left eye and underwent

a surgery in TT in 2012, but needs a follow-up surgical procedure.

She was accompanied by her father Paul Cottam, who is blind in both eyes and is asking for help financially to offset medical and travelling expenses for his daughter’s surgery overseas.

Paula is a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

In April 2012, Paula had left vitreo-retinal surgery in TT and her cataract was removed leaving her aphakia (the absence of the lens of the

eye, due to surgical removal, a perforating wound or ulcer, or congenital anomaly).

She, however, returned in November 2012 for a follow-up and she was found to still have a persistent retinal detachment. She underwent left vitrectomy, encirclement procedure, endo-laser with silicon oil implantation.

Paula returned to TT in April 2013 and had left ROSO-SF-Air and lens implantation.

Thereafter, she had follow-up treatment at GPHC

but the vision in her left eye remains low.

Paula resides with her father at Lot 127 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown and is seeking financial assistance to have this surgery done in TT as soon as possible to save her eye.

Interested persons willing to help can contact Paula’s family on telephone numbers 692-5223, 6178471, and 231-2361 or can make a deposit in their bank account 244-4065 at Republic Bank.

Paula Cottam and her blind dad Paul Cottam making an appeal for monetary assistance for her surgery in TT

Four men charged with rape of Bartica girls FOUR persons were on Friday arrested for the alleged rape of two minors under the age of 16, at Bartica, Essequibo River, the Guyana Police Force said.

The quartet, Romario Smartt, Tyan Boodhoo, Dale Edwards and Cadacy Degees, was charged based on advice handed down by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and placed before the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, where they were each placed on $150,000 bail.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Shawn Peters was charged with the rape of a minor when he appeared before the Bartica Magistrates Court.

He was placed on $200,000 bail.

In June, the Guyana Chronicle reported that a rape gang was tormenting Bartica teens. The Town’s Mayor, Gifford Marshall, had confirmed the reports to be true and said an investigation had been launched.

Guyana Chronicle was told by a source that the latest two cases involved, two teenaged school girls – ages 13 and 14 respectively – who com-

plained of being gang-raped on separate occasions.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that one of the girls, a 13-year-old complained that five adult men had gang-raped her before letting her go. The Guyana Police Force in response to the gang-rape of the teens said a holistic effort is needed by key players and stakeholders in society to address the issue of rape and sexual exploitation of teenage girls, as reported in Bartica.

The Force said it was working in tandem with the Child Care & Protection Agency (CC&PA) along with the School Welfare Officers in an effort to eliminate the problem. Thus far for the year, it was disclosed that there were fourteen reported cases of sexual assaults committed on females within Region Seven.

In June, the Force said ten of the matters were before the courts; one was dismissed for want of prosecution, two were sent to legal advice and in once case a suspect is being sought.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 12, 2017

Chinese businessman found dead in home

FORTY-four-year-old Liyan Jiang, a Chinese businessman of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo was found dead in his home on Thursday night.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the man was found by his friend and police around 22:00hrs in his bathroom with his hands tied behind his back and his mouth gagged.

A reliable source told this publication that the assailant(s) entered jiang’s home through the bathroom window.

Prior to him being murdered, sources say that he was playing games with friends online around 03:00 hrs Wednesday morning when he told them to “hold on” but he never returned.

So far nothing has been confirmed missing from his

Dead: Liyan Jiang

home but the idea of robbery is not being ruled out by investigators.

The man’s body was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and subsequently to the funeral parlour. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) confirmed that investigations are ongoing and the matter

is being treated as a murder/ robbery.

His neighbours said they were sleeping at the time of the incident and were made aware of what took place when they woke up.

The father of two reportedly moved to the area one month ago and was in the process of setting up his restaurant at the bottom flat of the house and a supermarket in the area. His wife, Liang Yuelan and children were left in Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, awaiting the completion of the businesses.

Persons said they were shocked by what happened because the area is not prone to such crimes. They, however, pointed out that the attention of the police is needed in the area because crime has been on the rise over the past few months.

Jiang’s lifeless body was found in his house

Kato mini hydro plant design completed THE drive to provide adequate electricity supply to the hinterland will soon see several communities benefiting from improved electricity distribution.

Kato in Region Eight is one of those communities which will soon benefit from a mini hydro plant.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that he has recently approved the extension of the power grid from Kato to Paramakatoi. He said “it’s progressively being done so by the end of 2018 early 2019 Kato, Paramakatoi and other surrounding areas will be powered by the mini hydro.”

The ministry has received US $2.5M funding

from the Inter-American Development Bank under the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund. Minister Patterson noted that the designs for this project are completed and the Ministry is now in the procurement process of securing a suitable contractor.

The hydropower plant will use the Kato Waterfalls at the Chiung River (close to Kato village) to provide about 320Kilowatts of electric power. The electricity will be administered to the Kato Secondary School, the village of Kato and the 18 Kilometers distant village of Paramakatoi.

Meanwhile, for electricity distribution in other hinterland communities, Minister Patterson

explained that currently there are no major challenges except in Lethem.

The poor road conditions make it difficult to transport diesel into the community. “They have fuel for another two weeks and the contractors are onboard to repair the road.

That is the only challenge; Mahdia has no problems; Port Kaituma is still being serviced ok; Kwakwani has no issues at the moment, so they are all receiving electricity,” Minister Patterson pointed out.

The minister emphasised that his Ministry is intensifying efforts to ensure that, as far as possible, all hinterland communities receive an adequate supply of electricity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

HERO lives up to its name AN overseas-based medical team completed 30 surgeries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on a recent mission here.

The non-governmental organisation, Health and Education Relief Organisation which is known by the acronym HERO, is dedicated to providing free, high-quality health-care and education support to communities in the Caribbean, including Guyana.

Speaking at a press briefing at the GPHC on Thursday, acting Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Brigadier (retired) George Lewis praised the NGO which conducts annual medical outreach programmes.

At left: GPHC Chair Kesaundra Alves; GPHC Director, Dr Sheik Amir; GPHC acting CEO, Brigadier (retired) George Lewis; and Dr John Mitchell at the press briefing Thursday

The team comprises medical professionals, some of whom have Guyanese roots.

Dr John Mitchell, general / trauma surgeon told reporters

that HERO has been serving the Region for some 20 years and over that time, the team has been visiting the GPHC. Initially, he said the team

undertook surgeries in club foot, a disorder in the ankle.

Those were mainly undertaken on children. Operations in low-extremity deformities

were also undertaken during the initial years.

He said over the years, the teams handling expanded to surgeries as well as a fullscale medical mission and literacy programme.

Dr Mitchell noted that a programme which addresses the needs of children was also introduced this year. The team has been in Guyana for a week.

“At the end of the mission, we would have done about 30 operations,” he said, noting that the figure is less than the 45 the team had initially planned.

“It’s still a major accomplishment,” he said.

This year four different surgeons were a part of the team

and the outreach included sessions in Region 10 and in Georgetown.

The literacy project was undertaken at Providence and in Mocha-Arcadia on the East Bank of Demerara and was geared at helping children to improve their performance in time for the new school term.

The team also spent time at the Joshua House Children Centre in the City.

HERO consists of 40 plus individuals, including physicians, nurses, medical students and college students.

Dr Mitchell expressed appreciation for the support the team has received from the GPHC, as well as from the Ministry of Public Health.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 12, 2017

Assassination plot

Lawyers grill accuser about run-ins with the police

By Ariana Gordon

Andriff Gillard, the man who said he was offered $7M by Nizam Khan, a businessman of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) to kill President David Granger, has said he relied solely on his memory to report the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Gillard, who appeared for the second time before the Paul Slowe-led Commission of Inquiry (CoI) while being questioned by attorney representing the interest of Imran Khan, the brother of accused Nizam Khan, said he was not in a position to document his version of the allegation.

The 32-year old man said he recalled making two statements on the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger back in 2015 and as far as he knows, the statements were accurate.

He accepted that his report on March 29 was done some 21 months after the alleged offer.

“You said your statements were accurate in every respect, so you’d say that you have an excellent memory?” asked Christopher Ram, attorney representing

March 2017, “No, I didn’t, I had no facilities to do that.”

It was in June 2015 that Gillard said Nizam Khan offered him $7M to kill the president. He said since then, he never made any effort to document the information.

The man said he was relying solely on his memory and “scenario situations”.

The Diamond, EBD resident, recalled borrowing money from Nizam Khan on several occasions and said while he can’t state each time he borrowed money from Khan, he would borrow the money to “keep promotions” or go into the interior to purchase gold to re-sell. It was at that point he disclosed that he is a dredge owner.

He assured that “I never borrowed money from Nizam Khan without repaying.” Gillard’s account contradicted entirely from that of Khan who told the Commission that Gillard owes him some $1.3M. Ram asked, “Why weren’t you paying these debts that you have outstanding, including your rental money?” a question which clearly did not find favour with Gillard who responded, “Have I ever owed you?” His response was immediately chided by the Commission’s

Attorney Christopher Ram grills Andriff Gillard.

Immediately seated behind Ram is Imran Khan, his client, who is also the brother of Nazim Khan, the wman accused of plotting to kill the President. (Adrian Narine)

sheep in West Coast Berbice, the wounding of several persons, assault among others were put to the witness who in most instances said he could not recall. He said in one case he was wounded by someone and the matter was placed before the court.

“Can you recall the events of April 13, 2017 at the Timehri Police Station?” asked Ram who indicated that Gillard had assaulted his wife. “I have no idea what you are talking about,” replied Gillard who said he has no specific place of worship. “Do you normally go to Diamond Masjid?”

Ram asked as he continued his line of questioning. “So you consider yourself pretty strict with the faith?” Gillard replied, “Yes”.

He told the Commission that he and his wife visited the President of the Diamond Masjid and asked him to get Nizam and Imran Khan to speak with them. However, Ram suggested different.

According to the attorney, Gillard wanted the duo together to apologise to them.

“I did ask for an interview with them because of the threats…to ask them to stop it because I was very fearful for my life… he told me he would orga-

to of a long black gun. The image was posted on August 5, 2017 and was captioned, “Nizam Khan got #busted”.

Gillard in response said the photograph was downloaded from Google and uploaded to his social media page.

“What impression did you want to give?” asked Ram, to which Gillard said he wanted to show that Nizam was busted for having the long black gun which he wanted to be used to kill President Granger. But Ram suggested that Gillard wanted to corroborate his story, but that statement did not rest well with Gillard.

“How would I know Khan has a gun just like this, if I had not seen it from him?

This is a picture to show the type of gun shown to me because I cannot explain myself in names and details of it…I got a picture to show that this is the exact looking gun to the one Nizam had given to me,” said Gillard.

But Ram maintained that Gillard was lying before the commission and said he got the photograph from nationalguntraders.com. “I got it from Google,” maintained Gillard. Ram said too that the photograph was taken down on February 20, 2013 at 12:55pm. “This is not a

Andriff Gillard answers questions before the COI on Friday. (Adrian Narine)

Imran Khan. “I would not exaggerate,” replied Gillard to whom Ram suggested he has a flawed memory. “Do you have any problems with your memory… did you make any contemporaneous notes at the time of this so called allegation about a plot to assassinate President Granger?” Ram followed up.

Gillard, who is a practicing Muslim but swore by the Bible, told the Commission that between June 2015 and

head. “Answer the question the lawyer asked you, don’t get argumentative… that is uncalled for,” said Slowe.

Ram said Gillard’s behaviour represents contempt of the Commission and refused to tolerate such behaviour. He nevertheless proceeded with his line of questioning. “My question to you is, if you had your $6M why were you unable to meet your obligations?”

It was then that Gil-

lard asked Ram to specify what he is talking about.

“Well, your rental amount to $300,000… the unpaid balance from the loan.” “Sir that is all suggestions by you,” the man responded sharply.

Criminal records Meanwhile, Gillard was asked about his police record before March 2017 and despite Ram putting records to him, the man repeatedly denied. He said he is not aware of being charged with

an offence concerning dishonesty. “Robbing people is a dishonest act?” asked the attorney to whom Gillard responded in the affirmative. “Were you charged for robbery?” Ram continued, to which Gillard replied, “Not that I know of.”

It was then the attorney said, Gillard was charged in July 2009 with robbery under arms, but the man still denied stating that he was just “the driver of the vehicle.” The issues of larceny of

nize a meeting, but after he told me the Khan’s deny meeting with me.” The man dismissed three quarter of the allegations as “propaganda” and stated that the police stationed at the Diamond-Grove Police Station arrested him for “nothing” on a number of occasions.

Facebook post That aside, Ram presented evidence to the Commission that Gillard had posted on his Facebook page a pho-

contemporaneous thing sir, said Ram who continued, “Commissioner, this man is the plotter in this whole exercise. What one needs to do, to fabricate something is have some intelligence.”

Attorneys Ian Chang and James Bond, representing the Police Force and the Commission respectively, along with Commissioner Slowe also cross-examined Gillard on Friday.

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Aries You realize that your current work is not just about completing your chores today. It’s beginning to dawn on you that it’s going to be a while before you reach your current goals. Nevertheless, you’re committed to fulfilling your obligations, however long it might take. Make a list of everything you thought would be done by now but haven’t yet completed and set new milestones for the next few weeks. Motivational speaker Jim Rohn said, “If it’s important to you, you will find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.”

Taurus Your love life is driven by fantasy today, but reality may deal you a different hand. In fact, you could feel as if you’re stuck; you aren’t making any progress, yet you’re not unhappy enough to attempt an escape. You have a fun-filled agenda mapped out for the weekend, but people might bail on you at the last moment, leaving you to fend for yourself. Although you’re fully capable of going it alone, don’t make it a habit. Stepping outside of yourself and being part of a community allows you to find the love you seek.

Gemini You are ready to explore new territory today, but prior commitments make it difficult to find the time for your adventure. You don’t believe that anyone else is purposefully holding you back, yet you’re happy to go through the motions of justifying your behaviour. Ultimately, private discussions with a close family member will offer you the motivation you need. Screenwriter Mario Puzo wrote, “The strength of a family is in its loyalty to each other.”

Cancer You may revisit an unfinished conversation with a friend in order to clear up a lingering misunderstanding. At first, the tension increases as you talk, making you question the wisdom of your actions. Emotions can become heated because your perspectives are so different. In fact, winning an argument is an unrealistic goal today. However, acknowledging one another’s positions can be healing, even if resolution is elusive. The Dalai Lama said, Compassion is the radicalism of our time.

Leo You want to apply your quick thinking to invent new avenues of income. However, everything takes longer than it should and you don’t understand the reason for all the delays today.

Instead of worrying about the timing, concentrate on the practicality of your plans. The more grounded your intellect, the sooner you can manifest the fruits of your labour. But don’t shy away from your intensity just to make others more comfortable. Your fiery passion is one of the main ingredients of your magic.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

President receives courtesy call from JCI’s President PRESIDENT David Granger on Friday received a courtesy call at State House from Mr. Kwesi Des Vignes, National President of the Junior Chamber International’s (JCI) West Indies Chapter, who is currently in Guyana for several activities, including facilitating a Communications Workshop for young professionals.

According to its website, JCI is a non-profit organisation of young active citizens ages 18 to 40, who are engaged in and committed to positively impacting their communities.

During the meeting, Guyana’s pursuit of a ‘green’ economy, the tourism industry, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and em-

powerment and professional development of the young population, were discussed.

President Granger applauded the organisation’s commitment to the development of young people, noting that it will go a long way in shaping the kind of communities, which can positively contribute to society. “This is a good initiative. It gives young people confidence and [equip them with] what they need to succeed. It is the catalyst that would transform an idle society into a productive society…and persons can become role models,” he said.

Mr. Des Vignes, in an invited comment, after the meeting, said that part of his responsibility as President is to collaborate with local chapters to find ways

to improve the way the organisation is able to create a positive impact in the country. He noted that he is currently in Guyana to work on plans and projects, which can see JCI Guyana becoming more proactive in communities. “I look forward to hearing greater things about JCI Guyana.

We look forward to hearing more impactful projects coming out of JCI Guyana and we have some activities planned, which are all about creating a positive impact and finding ways to collaborate and find and connect with new partners to expand the impact and continue making positive impact in Guyana and the West Indies,” he said. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Virgo You might experience one annoying mix-up after another today, but nothing serious enough to stop you in your tracks. Your key planet Mercury turns retrograde in your sign, changing the rhythm of your conversations. You want to continue a discussion, but you’re at a loss for words. Don’t force any answers if nothing is coming to mind. The flow will pick up again on its own accord, so be ready to ride the next wave when it hits. Mozart wrote, “The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.”

Libra You may be picking through the backwaters of your mind today in search for a lost idea or quote, but the more you look, the less you yield. You can’t find what you’re hunting for but neither can you set it aside. The subconscious has a magical way of adding meaning to whatever you perceive while clever Mercury retrogrades in your 12th House of Spirituality.

There’s no reason to resist this inward journey but don’t rush it, either. Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.

Scorpio Try as you might, you can’t figure out your place in your network of friends now. One minute you feel like the ringleader of the pack and the next minute you’re doubting the reasons for your participation. Thankfully, you can ground yourself today by following through on what you already started, possibly stabilizing your role in the community. Trust your dreams, but don’t let them grow larger than life. Author Ashleigh Brilliant wrote, “Nothing we do can change the past, but everything we do changes the future.”

Sagittarius Your mind is on the long-term trajectory of your career and you wonder why your progress seems to be stymied now. You might feel frustrated if your current plans aren’t creating the forward movement you were hoping for. Nevertheless, this is not a smart time to walk away from your current path. Make another attempt and put your best effort toward accomplishing your goals. Psychologist B.F. Skinner wrote,” A failure is not always a mistake. It may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.”

Capricorn You have recently stretched the envelope in new and daring ways. But you don’t want to take the time to bring others along in your thinking. In fact, you may have left out quite a bit of the story, for the step-by-step details are not within your grasp today. Don’t get side-tracked by the minor problems that crop up now; plan on working out the rest of the plot as you continue on your way. Poet Mary Oliver wrote, “Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.”

Aquarius You are turning into an investigator now and will continue to dig into the unknown until you have all the facts. However, you may be facing stiff resistance as you bump into someone who is opposing your progress. Don’t get caught up in petty ego battles; confrontation is not the highest use of your current passion. The more information you gather and the more experience you accumulate, the better decisions you will make. Wisdom is the ability to learn from change.

Pisces People may mislead you today, but they aren’t likely doing it on purpose. Mercury’s retrograde turn in your 7th House of Others can add confusion to a relationship because you’re likely to misunderstand one another. Fortunately, this is not rocket science; listen carefully and ask plenty of questions if you are unsure of what you heard. George Bernard Shaw wrote, The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.

President David Granger and officials of JCI .

Housing officer arrested for alleged land sale fraud A regional housing officer was taken into police custody Friday for allegedly converting a sum paid for a plot of land to his personal use.

The Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) housing officer, identified as Omesh Sasenarine, was said to have been taken in for questioning in relation to the alleged fraud matter. The Guyana Chronicle understands that earlier this year, the official had allegedly sold a plot of land to the tune of $50,000 on behalf of the regional office. However instead of issuing an official receipt to the applicant, a personal receipt was provided.

This newspaper further understands that it was only after the land applicant visited the regional office for an update on her property, it

was realised that the receipt issued was done in the official’s personal capacity. Checks done by the regional office revealed no record of the land transaction. When the land applicant made further checks at the Central Housing and Planning Authority it was also revealed that no record of the transaction existed. The police was subsequently called in.

Housing officials confirmed that an investigation was ongoing into the matter. They said that the police were called in when they realised that the personal receipt issued was to the tune of $50,000 but no record of the transaction was available. “We don’t know what sum was told to the applicant for the land but we are aware that a personal receipt was issued for the

sum of $50, 000,” the newspaper was told. The ministry has also launched its own investigation to ascertain whether other such transactions were made by the housing officer.

Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson, told the Guyana Chronicle that he was aware that some alleged fraudulent activity had taken place involving the region’s housing sector but could not provide further details. He said that the matter was brought to his attention that someone had “forged a signature” and investigations were ongoing. While Hopkinson said he was not aware that an arrest was made into the matter, he said he is not surprised, knowing that matter was being looked at.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 12, 2017

First Lady, Bartica Municipality discuss social issues affecting youth, women leaders for change in their respective communities.

“We also spoke about the ICT [Information and Communications Technology] workshops and how these can tie into what the Bartica group has in mind and how we also can incorporate

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger met with Bartica, Cuyuni-Mazaruni Mayor, Mr. Gifford Marshall (first, left), Councillor, Ms. Carmel Williams and Town Clerk, Ms. Phebe Wallerson (first and second from right)

FIRST LADY, Mrs. Sandra Granger on Friday met with the Bartica, CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven) Municipality to discuss a number of social issues affecting the youth there, particularly young women. The meeting was held at the Office of the First Lady at State House and was attended by Mayor Gifford Mar shall; Town Clerk, Ms. Phebe Wallerson; and Councillor, Ms. Carmel Williams.

The municipality decided to consult with the First Lady on these matters since her office has been doing extensive work throughout the country, which is focused on women’s empowerment and youth employment. Mayor Marshall said that systems have to be put in place to protect and mentor the young people of the region; hence collaboration with the First Lady’s office and other agencies and Government Ministries would place the municipality in a better position to effectively address problems

of abuse and exploitation of women in the Bartica and its environs.

“As Mayor, I must say, my heart aches when I see what is going on with our young people… We believe that we were given an assignment, not only to lead or make Bartica a model town in terms of the ‘green’ economy, but we also need to have model young people that we are proud of and of course young people that will go forth and become future leaders,” the Mayor said.

Mrs. Granger explained that her office currently runs on a small budget. However, she suggested that they tap into a number of ongoing programmes such as the Comprehensive Empowerment Programme for Teen Mothers, which, among others, educates teen girls on the need for healthy lifestyles; provides counselling for those suffering from low self-esteem and other emotional problems; encourages them to learn a particular skill and empowers them to become

[them] into those workshops that are coordinated by my office,” the First Lady said.

M e a n w h i l e , C o u ncillor Williams said in recognition of the high school drop-out rate of males in Bartica, the Municipality has plans to implement an

ICT programme, provide evening classes and support to those youths, who left the school system early.

In this regard, Mrs. Granger noted that the Self Reliance and Success in Business Programme will soon embark on a training

or trainers workshop, where persons from the various regions would be trained, so that they can return to their various communities and teach the young people the necessary skills to start their own businesses. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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New World champion to be crowned in 100 hurdles as Jamaicans crash out

(SPORTSMAX) - All four of Jamaica’s challengers to the United States dominance over the 100-metre hurdles at the IAAF World Championships of Athletics, including the defending World champion, crashed out.

The Jamaicans, with four athletes in the semifinals of the hurdles expected casualties with four Americans

and Sally Pearson also in the mix. However, nobody expected what was to happen.

Pearson won her heat in a fast 12.53 seconds to relegate the United States’ Nia Ali, 12.79, to the second automatic qualifying spot, while Netherlands heptathlete, Nadine Visser, 12.83, edged Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds, 12.93, to third.

Simmonds was on the

bubble, but was to be run out of a non-automatic spot in the very next race, as Jamaica’s Yanique Thompson finished third in 12.88, to briefly hold the last spot.

But that wasn’t the story of the second heat, as defending World champion Danielle Williams of Jamaica crashed into the first hurdle and never recovered, knocking almost every other

hurdle to finish fifth in a pedantic 13.14.

The United States’ Christina Manning got out early and controlled the race to win in a more conservative 12.71, while Belarus’ Alina Talay ran a season’s best 12.85 to finish second for the second automatic qualifier.

The Jamaicans had one more chance to have an automatic qualifier in the

final. However, Burton, who wasn’t terrible over the hurdles, faded to fifth in 12.94 in a race won by another American, Dawn Harper Nelson in a season’s best 12.63.

G e r m a n y ’s P a m e l a Dutkiewicz, was second in 12.71, but again, that was not the story of the heat, as world record holder, the United States’ Kendra Har-

Liverpool midfielder Coutinho submits transfer request

LIVERPOOL midfielder Philippe Coutinho has submitted a transfer request, hours after the Premier League club released a statement saying he is not for sale.

Coutinho stated his desire to leave via email. The club rejected the request.

On Wednesday,

the Reds rejected a 100 million euros bid (£90m) from Barcelona for the 25-year-old, who is out of Saturday’s trip to Watford with injury.

In a statement on

previewing the league match at Vicarage Road (12:30 BST kickoff), Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said the Brazilian would miss the season opener because of a back prob-

“not been in training since last Friday”.

Coutinho, who scored 14 goals in all competitions last season, signed a new fiveyear deal in January that did not include

Borussia Dortmund’s 2 0 - y e ar - o ld f o r w ar d Ousmane Dembele since they sold Brazil forward Neymar to Paris St-Germain for a world record £200m last week.

The German club

a release clause. He joined Liverpool from Inter Milan for £8.5m in 2013.

Barcelona have also had a bid rejected for

confirmed they met Barca representatives but the offer did not meet their valuation of the France international.

Philippe Coutinho started 31 Premier League games for Liverpool last season, scoring 13 goals

Friday, the club’s owners said its “definitive stance” was that “no offers will be considered”.

Speaking at an earlier news conference

lem.

Klopp said he was also a doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League play-off first leg at Hoffenheim as he had

rison hit the first hurdle and looked for all the world to be out of it, much in the same vein as the defending World champion.

Harrison, however, showed real resolve in recovering to finish third in 12.86, to hang on to a non-automatic qualifying spot, pushing out Thompson by just two hundredth of a second.

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

Hope boosts West Indies in Day/Night fixture against Derbyshire KYLE Hope gave the West Indians a boost ahead of next week’s first Test at Edgbaston when he scored the first century of the tour in the day/night game against

Derbyshire at Derby.

Hope made 105 while his brother Shai, Kieran Powell and Roston Chase all passed fifty under the County Ground floodlights against the pink

ball.

Although Derbyshire fielded a weakened side, Hope and Powell, who made 92, impressed before Shai Hope with an unbeaten 69 and Chase with

62 not out shared an unbroken stand of 109 in 28 overs to take the tourists to 340 for 3 at stumps after a delay for rain.

The game was played in chilly overcast conditions from the start but the performance of the Hopes, Powell and Chase made it a good day for the tourists after skipper Jason Holder won the toss and elected to bat.

Derbyshire rested the players who will figure in next week’s T20 games so it was an inexperienced side that Tony Palladino led out with three making their first-class debuts.

One of them was 16-yearold seamer James Taylor who, along with older brother Tom, became the first brothers to play in the same match for the county since 1939.

The conditions suggested batting could be awkward against the pink ball although it was a loose shot that accounted for Kraigg Brathwaite, who was lbw playing across the line at Tom Millns in the fourth over.

But that was Derbyshire’s

last success of the first session as Powell and Kyle Hope enjoyed valuable time in the middle in conditions similar to the ones they will encounter in Birmingham next week, although the bowling will be considerably more testing.

Powell drove fluently through mid-off as he completed a fifty which included nine fours from 47 balls and it was a surprise when he played over a full-length delivery from Palladino eight short of a century.

Hope grew in authority and there were 15 fours in his hundred which came from 162 balls but he was beaten in the penultimate over before tea when 19-year-old left-arm spinner Matt Sonczak found some turn to hit his off stump and claim his maiden firstclass wicket.

The stand with his brother was worth 72 in 25 overs and Shai and Chase added another 62 in the increasingly bleak conditions until heavy drizzle forced the players off the pitch at 20:00hrs.

The umpires decided play could resume 40 minutes later which allowed Chase to complete his third 50 in as many innings from 55 balls when he straight-drove Greg Cork for his eighth four.

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES 1st Innings K Brathwaite lbw b Milnes 3 K Powell lbw b Palladino 92 K Hope b Sonczak 105 S Hope not out 69 R Chase not out 62 Extras: (lb3, nb6) 9 TOTAL: (3 wkts, 86 overs) 340 To bat: J Blackwood, +S Dowrich, *J Holder, K Roach, A Joseph, S Gabriel.

Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-159, 3-231.

Bowling: Taylor 15-3-68-0, Milnes 18-2-69-1, Taylor 10-140-0, Palladino 13-1-44-1, Cork 13-2-53-0, Sonczak 16-1-60-1, MacDonell 1-0-3-0.

DERBYSHIRE – Tony Palladino (captain), Charlie MacDonell, Ben Slater, Thomas Wood, Calum Brodrick, Harvey Hosein, Tom Milnes, Greg Cork, Tom Taylor, Matthew Sonczak, James Taylor.

Toss: West Indies.

Umpires: B Debenham, R Evans.

IOC snubs Infantino and Coe in new members list BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) The presidents of world soccer body FIFA and the international athletics federation IAAF have not been proposed for appointment to the International Olympic Committee when the IOC session votes in new members in September.

IAAF chief Seb Coe

IAAF chief Seb Coe and FIFA’s Gianni Infantino were passed over for a second year running as they battle doping and corruption scandals in their fields. Previous FIFA and IAAF presidents had seats at the IOC table for decades.

The IOC’s nine proposed new members, named yesterday, include Luis Mejia Oviedo, head of the Dominican Republic’s Olympic committee, Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, Thai entrepreneur and head of her country’s badminton federation, Ingmar De Vos, International Equestrian Federation chief, and Jean-Christophe Rolland, world rowing president.

The IOC gave no reason for the exclusion of Coe and Infantino, who represent two of the biggest federations of the Games.

The IOC also said Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee would not be up for membership re-election at September’s session in Peru at his family’s request due to illness.

The South Korean had been an IOC member since 1996 and played a key role in helping Pyeongchang win the 2018 winter Olympics. He was suspended for two years after being embroiled in a company scandal and was reinstated as IOC member in 2010.

Infantino was elected head of FIFA in 2016 to succeed scandal-plagued Sepp Blatter and lead the federation out of its biggest graft crisis.

Former double Olympic champion Coe took over the

IAAF in 2015 as a doping scandal unfolded, severely damaging the credibility of the organisation.

Coe triggered the ire of the IOC when the IAAF blocked Russian track and field athletes from competing at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics last year over the doping affair.

Coe’s predecessor Lamine Diack faces a bribery and embezzlement investigation in France.

Both Blatter and Diack were IOC members until 2015. Blatter’s predecessor at FIFA, Joao Havelange, was an IOC member from 1963 to 2011.

Diack’s predecessor, Primo Nebiolo, was also an IOC member.

FIFA’s Gianni Infantino

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

Going for gold – Guyana’s Jadyn George will be hunting medals at this year’s Goodwill “I just like the water,” the words of 14-year-old swimming enthusiast Jadyn George, one of Guyana’s brightest developing prospects in the pool.

Despite trying her hand at a number of other sports and extracurricular activities, including table tennis, tennis and dancing, swimming has always been the only thing that has managed to stick; all because Jadyn just could not shake her immense affin-

ity for being in the pool and competing.

She is well-known as half of the George twins, the other being her sister Danielle, also a swimmer. Both are sisters of former national swimmer Onika George.

It was actually Onika who sparked her younger siblings’ interest in swimming.

“She had started swimming and we just wanted to try out the sport, and we just ended up being in this sport.

Even though we did try other sports, swimming was the only one we stuck with,” Jadyn said.

That was over ten years ago. Today, George is Guyana’s leading swimmer in the Girls 13-14 category, which she has been dominating all season taking almost all of the age-group champion titles for every local meet this year.

“It was just fun. I would always get very hyper, just wanting to go in the pool,

when I was younger. Yea, it is hard at times but just as long as you push yourself, after a while it becomes easier,” she shared.

This will be her first year in this new age category, but she’s still going in with confidence.

The timid third-former was Guyana’s only gold medallist on a team of 28 swimmers at the Goodwill Swim Meet last year.

George went in as the underdog ranked as low as eighth in some of her races, at the time when she was

competing in the 11 to 12 category.

But she shocked all, even herself, when she was the first one the touch the wall - in her race, not once, not twice, but three times in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle.

The gold medal was the peak of Jadyn’s achievements as a swimmer, marking her first time medalling at the developmental meet, where Guyanese competed against swimmers from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, and St Lucia among other nations.

This year George is facing a similar situation, not ranking so well in several of her races, but she’s still holding out for another upset.

“I feel confident in myself. I know that I feel that I will improve my timings. I’m more and more confident that I could medal, day by day,” she related.

George is one of 40 swimmers who will be representing Guyana at this year’s Goodwill Swim Meet to be held in Guyana at the National Aquatic Centre from August 18 to 21.

Tickets cost $5 000 each for

the Red and Green Stands; $3

000 for the Orange Stand and $2 500 for the Grass Mound.

CPL Guyana ticket offices extend opening hours THE Management of the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Thursday afternoon announced the extended opening hours of the Ticket Offices in Guyana as the Hero Caribbean Premier League matches, scheduled for Providence, draw closer.

“Patrons may pick up their tickets between 08:30hrs and 18:00hrs Monday to Friday and 09:00hrs to 13:00hrs on Saturday and Sunday. Please be reminded that it’s reserved seating for all matches and cricket fans are encouraged to buy tickets early to avoid the rush,”

Guyana Amazon Warriors said

in an official release.

MATCHES IN GUYANA: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs – Thursday, August 17 at 18:00hrs Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight Riders – Saturday, August 19 at 12:00hrs Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Barbados Tridents – Sunday, August 20 at 18:00hrs Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St Lucia Stars – Tuesday, August 22 at 18:00hrs

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

RHTY&SC congratulates female team on U-19 Championship win THE Management of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, would like to offer congratulations to the Guyana Under-19 Female Cricket Team for their championship victory in Trinidad.

Special mention must be made of our eight members who made up more than half of the team while we must acknowledge the outstanding leadership of our member, Ms Shabika Gajnabi, who led by example on and off the cricket field.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, has always instilled in our members that success only comes through hard work, dedication and faith in God. The girls have done all of us proud and together they are the result of a carefully planned cricket development programme which allows them to fulfil their true potential.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, is the only cricket club to have a female cricket team

and it is simply unbelievable that ten years after the team’s formation, no other cricket club in Guyana has been able to do the same. Talking about the development of the game and doing something about it are two different things. One is left to wonder what would happen to female cricket in Guyana if the Rose Hall Town Metro Female Cricket Team ceases to exist. The Guyana Cricket Board has to do more for female cricket apart from hosting a sub-standard Inter-county tournament and

holding a one-week camp.

Special effort must be made to have at least a dozen female cricket teams in Guyana and this must done by investing heavily into clubs and the school system. To Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Plaffiana Millington, Mariam Samaroo, Rashana Lynch, Uma Matadin and Sleema Arokium a big congrats and we salute you for being outstanding representatives of our cricket development programme, which is led by our hardworking head coach

Delbert Hicks.

Congrats are also extended to Mandy Mangru who had an outstanding series.

Mandy has been registered as a Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club member but to date has not played a match.

A big congrats to Gajbaibi for becoming the first Guyana female captain to win a regional tournament!

The Management of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, would like to also express gratitude to Ms Avia Lindie and Metro

Kares Engineering/RHTYSC Patron’s Green Economy Trophy

Grill Master, Prophecy Boys, Hard Knock and Jai Hind advance to semis THE Area ‘H’ Ground was filled to capacity and the sun was out in all of its glory while action on the cricket field was of the highest standard as the second round of the Kares Engineering/RHTYSC Patron’s Green Economy Tournament was played on Sunday.

Described as the most exciting cricket tournament ever hosted by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, the event is being held in celebration of the Club’s Patron 72nd Birth Anniversary and to promote the country’s effort to develop a Green Economy. The tournament is also being used to educate youths on the effect of Climate Change.

On Sunday, four teams advanced to the semifinals of the biggest-ever cricket tournament in Berbice and have assured themselves a piece of the historic $1M prize package.

The teams who advanced were Jai Hind of Albion, Prophecy Boys of Port Mourant, Hard Knock of Manchester/Ulverston and Grill Master of Canje. In the first match of the action-packed day, Jai Hind defeated Letter Kenny by seven wickets. Letter Kenny amassed 68 for 8 off their allotted eight overs as only V. Narain and G. Narain 14 reached double figures. Andy Moonsammy claimed two wickets for eight runs for Jai Hind, who replied with 70 for 3 in 6.3 overs. Skipper Adrian Singh top-scored with an unbeaten 24 with two boundaries.

Tournament favourites Grill Master easily defeated Canje Pathfinder by 75 runs, as Vishal Phillips blasted an entertaining 83 not out from just 26 balls to lead his team

to 118 for 1 from 8 overs. The left-handed Phillips struck eight massive sixes and four boundaries as he added 102 for the first wicket with Imran Kishawn who scored 23. Needing to score 119 off eight overs to clinch a semifinal spot, Letter Kenny could reach only 43 for 8 as Kishawn returned with the ball to take two wickets for no runs and skipper David Looknauth 2 for 3.

five wickets. Batting first the powerful Hustlers I team were restricted to 83 for 4 as the boys from Central Corentyne fielded brilliantly. Jason Sinclair top-scored with 28 while Khemraj Mahadeo supported with 16. In response, Hard Knock reached 86 for 5 with five balls to spare. P. Tyndall top-scored with 21 while N. Emanuel supported with 17.

In the only playoff match,

organising skills of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Cricket Development Committee has resulted in the well-organised tournament.

The discipline of the teams have also been the highlight of the tournament while the semifinals, 3rd place playoff and final have been scheduled for Sunday August 27, 2017, at the Area ‘H’ Ground.

The winning team would

Prophecy defeated Chasers of Canje by 13 runs to take the fourth semifinal spot. Prophecy scored 85 for 7 off eight overs before restricting Chasers to 72 for 5 to spark off wild celebration by their supporters. Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, Hilbert Foster described the day’s event as a huge success and stated that the club was thrilled at the massive success of the Kares Engineering Inc/ Patron’s Green Economy Tournament.

Apart from the massive crown support, the standard of play was very high while the

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CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (SATURDAY AUGUST 12, 2017)

The Prophecy softball team pose after their match.

In the 3rd game, Prophecy Boys defeated a determined Shamie Grocery of Rose Hall Town by 13 runs. The visitors reached 118 for 4 with A. Marimoothoo 38 and N. Ramnauth 49 not out being the principal scorers. In response, Shamie Grocery reached 105 for 6 off their allotted eight overs as S. Thakurdin topscored with 40 while Mahendra Sewindra lent support with 21. Bowling for Prophecy Boys, Deonarine Itwaru claimed two wickets for 17.

Hard Knock created a major upset in the tournament by defeating Hustlers I by

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Office Supplies for their investment into the female team which has produced a huge pool of Berbice, Guyana and West Indies female cricketers.

As a club, we would continue and even expand our investment in female cricket. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would also be honouring our eight female members also Junior Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Sylus Tyndall and Kevin Sinclair who represented Guyana at the junior level during 2017.

receive $500 000 and the Green Economy trophy while the first runners-up would receive $300 000. The 2nd runners-up would pocket $100 000, 3rd runners-up $50 000.

The tournament is being sponsored by Kares Engineering Inc., KSM Investment, S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies, BK International, Bakewell, Annirud Ramcharitar Construction, V NetCommunication, Regal Enterprise, Ameerally Sawmill, Farfan & Mendes, F & H Printery and Fazal Habibulla among others.

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel; 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 39 players (2) Kieron Pollard Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was declared Man of the Match in the inau

gural game of Hero CPL 2017?

(2) Who was Man of the Match in the Hero CPL 2016

final?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 12, 2017

Cuba, Barbados play to amusing draw …Cuba, Guyana in interesting final Group ‘D’ clash Sunday

BARBADOS and Cuba played to an amusing scoreless draw yesterday at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, on the second match-day of the CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Caribbean Qualifiers.

It was not the result Cuba’s head coach Lazra Ruiz

Alfonso wanted, especially after he watched the girls from the Land of the Flying Fish defeat Guyana 5-1 on Wednesday.

Result meant that Cuba will now have to beat Guyana by five goals and, while for the ‘Lady Jags’ they will be playing for pride since technically the defeat

against the Bajans, coupled with yesterday’s outcome, was enough to eliminate them from the competition.

Meanwhile, the game between Cuba and Barbados was one where both teams came out looking hungry, but, the ‘Bajans’ stuck to their script – play deep in the defence and let Cuba attack.

It was a plan that was evident from the opening whistle by referee Joanne Monestime, since Barbados didn’t attack much on the counter, but rather defended like their life was on the line. After all, the team would like to qualify for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup next year in Uruguay.

Cuba came close on several occasions to scoring, but not as close as Elianne Valdes Sarmiento’s penalty midway through the second half.

Sarmiento was tasked with giving Cuba a lead and possibly the win, but her effort came crashing off the crossbar; much to the

dismay of the vociferous Cubans supporters in the stands.

The game offered little after the missed penalty and when the referee signalled the end of the game, it was Barbados who celebrated as if they won, because of their superior goal difference in the group.

Schippers defends World 200 metres title (SPORTSMAX) - The Netherlands’ Dafne Schippers defended her IAAF World Championship 200 metres title yesterday, relegating The Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller-Uibo to a bronze medal.

Schippers, winning in 22.05, also got the better of Côte d’Ivoire’s Marie-Josée Ta Lou, who was earning her second silver medal of the championships after her efforts in the 100 metres.

Then Ta Lou got the better of Schippers, pushing her down to a bronze medal.

Schippers benefited

from running a brilliant corner, to lead down the straightaway, just ahead of Ta Lou, who had all but made up the stagger at the end of the corner.

Ta Lou and Schippers were well away from Miller, whose very conservative corner left her fifth going into the straight.

Then the long legs of Miller-Uibo slowly began to draw the field back to her, but unfortunately for the tall Bahamian, she had not done enough work around the corner and ran out of real estate to finish fast in 22.15, well off her personal best of 21.91 this

year.

Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith with a season’s best 22.22, finished in fourth, the London crowd again having to watch one of their own finish just outside of medal positions.

The United States pair of Deejah Stevens, 22.44, and Kimberlyn Duncan, 22.59, were well beaten into fifth and sixth place, while Canada’s Crystal Emmanuel was seventh in 22.60.

Rounding out the field was another Bahamian, 24-year-old, Tynia Gaither, who finished in 23.07 seconds.

Schippers defended her IAAF World Championship 200 metres title yesterday, relegating The Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller-Uibo to a bronze medal.

Guyana Cup attracts more sponsorship THE organisers of the 11th Guyana Cup recently benefited from three more sponsorships towards Sunday’s race meet, scheduled for the Rising Sun Turf Club on the West Coast Berbice.

The Berbice River Bridge Company, along with Prem’s Grocery and Fix It Tyre Shop, joined the long list of sponsors.

Roy Jafferally, who is a member of the organising committee, recently collected the sponsorship cheque from representatives of the three business entities.

He expressed gratitude to the sponsors, adding that their support will definitely provide some assistance towards making the event a huge success.

Meanwhile, an update from the organising committee indicated that close to 100 of the country’s top horses gained entry for the day’s event.

Roy Jafferally, a member of the Guyana Cup organising committee collects the sponsorship cheque from a representative of the Berbice River Bridge Company.

The feature event, which is open to all imported and Guyana-bred three years and older, rated B Class and Lower will go for a distance of 1600m and a top prize of $2M. The main supporting race is the E3 and Lower, which will be contested over 1100m and has a winner’s purse of $1.2M. Other races on the day include the G1 and Lower (1400m), H2 and Lower (1400m), Two-year-old Guyana-bred (1100m), Three-year-old Guyana-bred and I1 and Lower (1400m), J2 and K Lower (1400m) and L and Lower Non-winners (1400m).

The top five finishers in all eight races would receive cash incentives, with over $15 million in cash and prizes to be distributed on the day.

Admission to the venue is $2 000 for adults; children will be admitted free.

SEE INSIDE

Cuba, Barbados play to amusing draw - Cuba and Guyana in interesting final Group ‘D’ clash on Sunday

See page 39

Cuba and Barbados in action yesterday.

See page 36

Kyle Hope drives through the off side. (Getty Images)

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Hope boosts West Indies in Day/Night fixture against Derbyshire SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 2017