Guyana chronicle e paper 08 26 2017

MV Torani will be salvaged soon Page 13

…Min. Patterson says PPP had condemned it to scrap

Stop the politicking No. 105016

SATURDAY,AUGUST 26, 2017

Price: $80

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…Min. Allicock urges Toshaos

Page 11

GDF ready to fulfil mission

Dead prisoner died of blood clot to the lungs

–President tells troops

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“Grey Boy” charged for threatening Crum-Ewing’s mother Page 16

Guyana Defence Force soldiers in combat mode during exercise IRONWEED held at Tacama on Friday (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Joe Singh, Housty on third GECOM list

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Caribbean Medical Supplies refutes blacklist claims

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

U.S. donates 200 bicycles to GPF, City Constabulary TWO hundred bicycles and accessories were handed over on Friday to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Georgetown City Constabulary by the United States, through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) at the Tatical Service Unit (TSU) Square, Eve Leary.

The donation worth over US$145,000, saw the GPF receiving 170 bicycles with 30 being assigned to the City Constabulary.

Speaking at the handing ceremony, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan thanked US Ambassador, Perry Holloway, and described the initiative as in keeping with the government’s ‘Green

Economy’ agenda. “I want to thank the Ambassador and the United States and its people for this wonderful gesture, a green gesture quite frankly that will go a long way,” the minister noted. He remarked that the bicycles will also keep officers active and healthy Minister Ramjattan said that the donation is the US government’s effort to ensure that there is a safer and more secure environment,t especially in the Americas and Caribbean.

He observed that it is vital for the country to continue receiving similar grants and donations, as it aids the development of the public security sector. “I want to urge that this continues because there is greater

U.S. Ambassador Perry Holloway hands over the bicycles and accessories to Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan

need for the strengthening of citizens, communities and national security as a result of these gestures and though it is bicycles, this will assist greatly,” the minister stressed.

Minister Ramjattan said the government recognised that the vehicles bought for the Guyana Police Force were damaged quite quickly which led to a number of officers being charged, when it is confirmed that they indeed drove recklessly, hence he urged the officers who will be receiving training to care and maintain the equipment.

US Ambassador Perry Holloway said that this initiative is one of the US government’s efforts to support Guyana’s Community Outreach Programme.

He noted that the donation will help increase the visibility of police officers and build trust with the citizens.

“On behalf of INL, I am delighted to be here today to underscore the United States’ ongoing commitment to promoting community policing in Guyana,” the US Ambassador said.

It was highlighted that the US government had provided training for 12 officers of the GPF and City Constabulary through police cycling training with

the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in 2016.

Holloway explained that the officers were exposed to practical and classroom exercises to help enhance their riding skills. They were also taught defensive tactics to employ while on patrol and how to best maintain and repair their equipment.

The officers were also taught how to ride in diverse traffic conditions so they could employ those techniques to maintain their safety while traversing public roads. The Ambassador assured that the US Embassy in Guyana and INL remain committed to ensuring the programme succeeds and will also provide more opportunities for training, advisory services, materials and technical support.

Mayor of Georgetown Patricia Chase Greene shared that the donation is part of a broader commitment to a stronger regional security, through the Caribbean based community initiative and programmes like this (police cycling training). She indicated that officers already trained in police cycling will instruct others how to ride the bicycles.

This initiative is part of INL’s mandate to assist countries in strengthening the capacity of their law enforcement and support their efforts to promote the rule of law.

Meanwhile, on behalf of Essential Supplies Incorporated, Clear Waters, Marketing Sales and Distribution Manager, Amarjeet Hardat donated 200 chairs which will be distributed to various police stations. “I think it is a great initiative and more businesses should join to support the Guyana Police Force, since the Force is not a one-man effort but the involvement of numerous stakeholders in effort to ensure the safety and security in Guyana,” Hardat noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

GDF ready to fulfil mission …President hails troops participation at ‘IRONWEED’

PRESIDENT David Granger on Friday congratulated the troops of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), who participated in the twoweek-long Field Tactical Exercise (FTX) ‘IRONWEED’, noting that the exercise has served to reaffirm and reassure the Defence Board and the people of Guyana, that the Force is always ready to fulfil its mission to protect Guyana’s territorial integrity.

Warfare (OCW) simulations of battle.

In his address to the troops President Granger said “military service in Guyana is being transformed. This exercise and this training course are very important. They are important because they signify the rite of passage of the people who are called upon to defend this country. We have challenges to face in Guyana and the biggest challenge is the security of our borders. This exercise

erals and other commodities so the GDF has to take on a greater role in protecting our territory and protecting our environment from degradation and from despoliation. We have to prevent illegalities throughout the country,” the Head of State said.

Additionally, President Granger added that mastering the country’s various terrains will increase confidence in Force readiness.

“The most important les-

gion across the country since it believes that more vigilance is needed, particularly in the border locations. “One of the things that we have embarked on already is to ensure that the People’s Militia is trained and deployed to every region. Every region will have a company or a battalion of the People’s Militia.”

“I have also asked the Chief of Staff to consider converting the coastal battalion to a border battalion so that we

were better equipped this year, while they were in operational mode due to the acquisition of the new equipment. Additionally, the Force was able to utilise its collapsible drone to conduct aerial reconnaissance, during the exercise.

Meanwhile, Major Natoya Fraser, a physician at the Force’s Medical Corps, provided the President with a tour of the new field hospital.

Major Fraser said that during the exercise, she was able to

personnel from the brigade down to the battalion. We can deploy medical facilities down to the company and right down to the level of the platoon,” Harmon stated.

He said too that the final attack of Exercise ‘IRONWEED’ showcased an improvement in the combat readiness of the GDF to operate in the various terrains of the country such as open country, close country and jungle.

Paratroopers of the Guyana Defence Force also participated in the final attack of Exercise IRONWEED, earlier this morning at the Colonel John Clarke Military School (CJCMS), Tacama (MOTP photo)

The Commander–in-Chief of the armed forces said the Force is in a state of preparedness for any security threat which may arise even as his government continues to make significant investments in re-equipping the Force. In addition to this Exercise, the Force is currently engaged in two major operations; ‘Operation Clean Sweep’, which is aimed at recapturing the four prison escapees still on the run and ‘Operation AXEL’, which is focused on border deployment and protection, the Ministry of the Presidency stated.

The ‘final attack’ of FTX ‘Ironweed’ was also witnessed

by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams; Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West and other senior officers at the Colonel John Clarke Military School (CJCMS), Tacama, Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice (Region 10).

The exercise commenced on August 11, 2017 with the final contingent of troops moving into the Exercise Area located in the jungle and savannahs of Tacama. The Exercise is designed to assess the GDF troops in Close Country Warfare (CCW) and Open Country

is an exercise dedicated to ensuring that Guyana is ready to protect its borders and this is something that you must never forget.”

He reminded the troops that Guyana has over 3000km of borders and a small population, but noted that in protecting the country’s borders, “we have to ensure that we have the mobility and the correct deployment so that every part of our borders would be secured.”

With the recent discovery of a twin-engine Beechcraft aircraft in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) on August 13 and another abandoned aircraft in September 2016, just miles away from the area, President Granger said that is it important, now more than ever, that Guyana takes the necessary steps to protect its borders. He said too that the GDF is equally responsible for helping to protect the country’s natural patrimony.

FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT “We have to protect our fragile environment. People can come across our borders with road-building equipment [unknown] to the centre, build airstrips and maybe get Guyanese to collaborate with them to remove our precious min-

son you can take away from this is the need to protect your territory, our country.

Without your vigilance, your effort, your expertise, this country will not be able to sleep safely at night. We have islands in the Essequibo River and three of those islands are bigger than the British Virgin Islands. We have wetlands in Canje and elsewhere. We have highlands, some covered with clouds, grasslands, you have lakes in the Essequibo, you’ve got rainforests, you’ve got rivers and rapids, but you; the soldiers of Guyana, have got to be able to operate [in] all of those terrains by day or by night, whether the sun is shining or the rain is falling.

That is why you must train rigorously and regularly and I never want to hear again that the GDF passed a training year or cycle without a major field tactical exercise,” he said.

To demonstrate its commitment to the protection of the Guyanese citizens and the country’s assets, the head-ofstate said that the Government and the Defence Board have been working with the GDF to ensure that steps are taken to equip the service members with the tools that they will need.

He pointed to the re-establishment of the Guyana People’s Militia in every re-

can deploy more troops on the borders and internally. I have also asked him to consider the reintroduction of mounted troops so that every graduate of the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School and the Colonel John Clarke Military School, who chooses to do so, will leave their training course able to ride horses to conduct patrols in the hinterland of Guyana,” President Granger continued.

In 2015, during a meeting with the members of the GDF at Base Camp Ayanganna, where he had announced the Total National Defence Policy (TNDP), the Head of State had committed Government’s support to the re-organisation and strengthening of the GDF on five pillars; personnel, readiness, infrastructure, morale and equipment, with emphasis on the Air Corps, the Coast Guard and the Engineer Corps.

The re-equipping process has begun and following the final attack, President Granger reviewed a display of new field equipment, which has been acquired by the force. This included a combat support field medical hospital and communications apparatus.

Lieutenant Commander Roger Nurse, who briefed the President on the communications apparatus, said that the ranks and officers of the Force

treat all injuries including lacerations from that facility.

The field hospital also boasts a well-equipped dentistry, which can provide services such as the extraction, cleaning and filling of teeth. Further, the President was able to take a first-hand look at new types of combat and operation meals, which are now, for the most part produced in Guyana, using local food items.

BUILD CAPACITY Minister Harmon, who serves as the Secretary to the Defence Board explained that this year, the Army has been better equipped as the Government is working with local and international partners to build capacity and strengthen security.

“The equipment, which you saw here this morning, has marked an improvement over what we had in 2016 on the exercise. Today you saw some improved equipment so far as our communication is concerned. We have some radios with the capacity to be able to do texts; to do data. For the medical corps, we have seen a field hospital, which included a dentist and full dentistry and a triage area and the other areas so we are able now to actually deploy medical facilities and medical

Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West said the lessons of Exercise ‘IRONWEED’ must be utilised to further improve operational efficiency.

“The GDF, as we continue to evolve, will continue to practise not only in this area, but other areas to ensure that we build proficiencies in every area. We hope that the force can do total deployments in the close country operations and total deployments for internal security operations, which are exercises that are planned differently. As we build the model of exercises for future years, we will further expand our platoon company and battalion training with more emphasis placed on the operational skills of the soldier,” he said.

Exercise IRONWEED follows last year’s successfully completed exercise HOMEGUARD, which was conducted at the same location. These Exercises are all part of the continuous training for the officers and ranks of the GDF, and are also designed to enable them to test theories and develop new strategies related to how OCW and CCW can best be executed, the Ministry of the Presidency stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

Hurricane Harvey roars toward Texas The eye of Hurricane Harvey began to push onto the Texas coast on Friday bringing with it winds of up to 156 miles per hour and 13-foot ocean surges as the most powerful storm in over a decade bore down on the mainland United States.

Harvey strengthened to a powerful Category 4 hurricane with cities from northern Mexico to Louisiana bracing for flooding, the National Hurricane Centre said. The storm was expected to hit land near Corpus Christi, Texas, around 9 p.m.

CDT (0200 GMT) and then dump over three feet (90 cm) of rain on the Texas coast and parts of Louisiana as it lingers for days.

The storm was about 35 miles (56 km) off Corpus Christi and packing winds of 130 miles per hour (215 km

per hour), the NHC said.

While thousands fled the expected devastating flooding and destruction, many residents defied mandatory evacuation orders and stocked up on food, fuel and sandbags.

“We’re suggesting if people are going to stay here, mark their arm with a Sharpie pen with their name and Social Security number,” Rockport Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Rios told reporters Friday, according to media reports.

“We hate to talk about things like that. It’s not something we like to do but it’s the reality. People don’t listen.”

As many as 5.8 million people were believed to be in the storm’s path, as well as the heart of America’s oil refining operations. The storm’s impact on refineries has already pushed up gasoline prices.

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As a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, Harvey could uproot trees, destroy homes and disrupt utilities for days. If it maintains its intensity, it would be the first major hurricane to hit the mainland United States since Hurricane Wilma struck Florida in 2005.

In Corpus Christi, a city of 320,000 under voluntary evacuation, strengthening winds buffeted the few trucks and cars that continued to circulate on the streets. The storm toppled wooden roadwork signs and littered the streets with pieces of palm trees as white caps rocked sailboats in their docks.

About 85 miles (137 km) north in Victoria, Mayor Paul Polasek told CNN he estimated that 60 per cent to 65 per cent of the town’s 65,000 residents defied the mandatory evacuation order.

Jose Rengel, a 47-yearold who works in construction, said he was one of the few people in Jamaica Beach in Galveston that did not heed a voluntary evacuation order.

“All the shops are empty,” he said as the sky turned black and rain fell. “It’s like

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a tornado went in and swept everything up.”

With the hurricane bearing down on the Texas coast, at least three cruise ships operated by Carnival Corp with thousands of passengers aboard were forced to change their plans to sail for the Port of Galveston. Two of them headed New Orleans to pick up fresh supplies, while the third delayed its departure from Cozumel, Mexico.

The NHC’s latest tracking model shows the storm sitting southwest of Houston for more than a day, giving the nation’s fourth most populous city a double dose of rain and wind.

“Life-threatening and devastating flooding expected near the coast due to heavy rainfall and storm surge,” the NHC said.

President Donald Trump, facing the first large-scale natural disaster of his presidency, on Friday tweeted: “I am closely watching the path and doings of Hurricane Harvey ... BE SAFE!” Earlier, a White House official said the president was considering a request to issue an emergency declaration, providing federal disaster relief.

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Louisiana and Texas declared states of disaster, authorising the use of state resources to prepare.

The city of Houston warned residents of flooding from close to 20 inches (60 cm) of rain over several days.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner advised city residents not to leave en masse, saying “no evacuation orders have been issued for the city.”

Chaotic traffic from a rushed evacuation in 2005 with Hurricane Rita proved tragic. “Calm and care!” he said in a tweet.

stressful. We’re just trying to get ahead of the storm,” he said. “We’ve never been through a hurricane before.”

More than 45 per cent of the country’s refining capacity is along the U.S. Gulf Coast, and nearly a fifth of the nation’s crude oil is produced offshore.

Ports from Corpus Christi to Texas City, Texas, were closed to incoming vessels and Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Anadarko Petroleum Corp, Exxon Mobil Corp and others have evacuated staff from offshore oil and gas platforms.

Concern that Harvey could cause shortages in fuel supply drove benchmark gasoline prices to their highest in four months, before profit taking pulled back prices. Meanwhile, U.S. gasoline margins hit their strongest levels in five years for this time of year.

The U.S. government said it would make emergency stockpiles of crude available if needed to plug disruptions. It has regularly used them to dampen the impact of previous storms on energy supplies.

(Reuters)

GASOLINE PRICES SPIKE Gasoline stations on the south Texas coast were running out of fuel as thousands of residents fled the region. U.S. gasoline prices spiked as the storm shut down 22 per cent of Gulf of Mexico oil production, according to the U.S. government.

At a Willis, Texas, station, about 50 miles (77 km) north of Houston, Corey Martinez, 40, was heading to Dallas from his Corpus Christi home.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

Trump slaps sanctions on Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that prohibits dealings in new debt from the Venezuelan government or its state oil company on Friday in an effort to halt financing that the White House said fuels President Nicolas Maduro’s “dictatorship”.

Citgo Petroleum [PDVSAC.UL], the U.S. refiner of Venezuela’s ailing staterun oil company PDVSA, is “practically” being forced to close by the order, warned Maduro, adding that a preliminary analysis showed the sanctions would impede Venezuelan crude exports to the United States.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Maduro, who has frequently blamed the United States for waging an “economic war” on Venezuela, said the United States was seeking to force Venezuela to default — but he said it would not succeed.

The order is Washington’s biggest sanctions blow to date against Maduro and is intended to punish his leftist government for what Trump has called an erosion of democracy in the oil-rich country, which is already reeling from an economic crisis.

It suggests a weakening in already strained relations between the two countries. Just three days ago, Maduro said the relations between Caracas and Washington were at their lowest point ever.

“All they’re trying to do to attack Venezuela is crazy,” said Maduro on a TV broadcast on Friday. “With the efforts of our people, it will fail and Venezuela will be stronger, more free, and more independent.”

Venezuela faces a severe recession with millions suffering food and medicine shortages and soaring inflation.

The South American nation relies on oil for some 95 per cent of export revenue.

He said he was calling “urgent” meetings with U.S. clients of Venezuelan oil.

The new sanctions ban trade in any new issues of U.S.-dollar-denominated debt of the Venezuelan government and PDVSA [PDVSA.UL] because the ban applies to use of the U.S. financial system.

As a result, it will be it tricky for PDVSA to refinance its heavy debt burden. Investors had expected that PDVSA would seek to ease upcoming payments through such an operation, as it did last year, which usually requires that new bonds be issued.

Additional financial pressure on PDVSA could push the cash-strapped company closer to a possible default, or bolster its reliance on key allies China and Russia, which have already lent Caracas billions of dollars.

“They want us to fall into default,” said Maduro, adding that just under two-thirds of Venezuelan bond holders are in the United States.

Maduro insisted that Venezuela would continue paying its debts.

The decision also blocks Citgo Petroleum from sending dividends back to the South American nation, a senior

official said, in a further blow to PDVSA’s coffers.

However, the order stops short of a major ban on crude trading that could have disrupted Venezuela’s oil industry and worsened the country’s faltering economy.

It also protects holders of most existing Venezuelan government and PDVSA bonds, who were relieved the sanctions did not go further. Venezuelan and PDVSA bonds were trading broadly higher on Friday afternoon.

“Maduro may no longer take advantage of the American financial system to facilitate the wholesale looting of the Venezuelan economy at the expense of the Venezuelan people,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Friday.

Venezuela’s Oil Ministry and PDVSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

PDVSA UNDER PRESSURE PDVSA, the financial engine of Maduro’s government, is already struggling due to low global oil prices, mismanagement, allegations of corruption and a brain drain.

Washington last month sanctioned PDVSA’s finance vice president, Simon Zerpa, complicating some of the company’s operations as Americans are now banned from doing business with him.

Trump has so far spared Venezuela from broader sanctions against its vital oil industry, but officials have said such actions are under consideration. The Republican president has also warned of a “military option” for Venezuela, although White House

national security adviser H.R. McMaster said on Friday that no such actions are anticipated in the “near future.”

Venezuela has for months struggled to find financing because of PDVSA’s cash flow problems and corruption scandals have led institutions to tread cautiously, regardless of sanctions.

Russia and its state oil company Rosneft have emerged as an increasingly important source of financing for PDVSA, according to a Reuters report.

On at least two occasions, the Venezuelan government has used Russian cash to avoid imminent defaults on payments to bondholders, a high-level PDVSA official told Reuters.

“At this point our view is that the country can scrape by without defaulting this year, largely with the help of Chinese and Russian backing and by further squeezing imports. Next year is a tossup,” said Raul Gallegos, an analyst with the consultancy Control Risks.

However, China has grown reticent to extend further loans because of payment delays and corruption.

Russia has been negotiating financing in exchange for oil assets in Venezuela, sources have told Reuters, but going forward it would be difficult for the OPEC member to provide enough assets to keep up loans destined for bond payments.

Venezuela’s government has around $2 billion in available cash to make $1.3 billion in bond payments by the end of the year and to cover the import of food and medicine, according to documents reviewed by Reuters. (Reuters)

16 US staff in Cuba hurt in ‘acoustic attack’

AT least 16 US government employees were treated for symptoms after a possible acoustic attack targeting embassy staff in Cuba, the state department says.

US media reports say the symptoms range from hearing loss to “mild traumatic brain injury”, which could include concussion or headaches.

A spokeswoman said the attacks seemed to have stopped.

Cuba denied involvement and said it was investigating the reports.

The attacks were first reported earlier this month when the US expelled two Cuban diplomats from Washington.

But it was not clear until Thursday how many US employees had been affected.

Embassy staff noticed symptoms late last year

The Associated Press reports that the sonic devices used may have been emitting inaudible sound waves that can cause deafness.

“We can confirm that at least 16 US government employees, members of our embassy community, have experienced some kind of symptoms,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

“We take the situation extremely seriously,” she added.

US embassy staff and at least one Canadian began to notice symptoms late last year.

The victims, some of whom have been withdrawn from Cuba, have been treated in the US and by US doctors in Cuba.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has described the incident as a “health attack”.

The incidents appeared to continue even after the US staff complained of them and as the Cuban authorities were investigating the cause, the BBC’s Will Grant in Havana says.

There are currently investigations under way by the Americans, the Canadians and the Cubans, and security has been stepped up around the diplomats’ residences in Havana.

Security analysts believe a third country with hostile relations with the US may be involved but no clear picture has yet been established.

Washington and Havana only re-established ties in 2015, following 50 years of hostilities between the two countries. (BBC)

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

Exxon Mobil and Guyana THERE exist general concerns about Exxon Mobil which has an Agreement with the Government of Guyana to exploit our oil and gas resources. These concerns include the non-disclosure of the agreement, how will local labour and the economy benefit, the company’s reputation, mechanism to prevent corruption and how this sector will impact on the proposed thrust of greening the economy.

None of the aforesaid concerns is without legitimacy. In societies such as ours where people have grown suspicious of government based on past instances such as the indiscriminate management of the economy, corruption, marginalisation, contracts shrouded in se-

crecy, which have hindered pursuits for upward mobility, they are hardly likely to remain silent in the presence of possibility for such advancement.

The APNU+AFC Government has inherited and functions in this reality and concerns are not going to dissipate, especially when experience has taught the consequences silence wreaked. There is a bitter taste in people’s mouth and whether the government acceded to this recognition, the sense is that nothing will contain the hunger to seek after information. While the Government, both PPP/C and APNU+AFC, have not made public the Agreement, Stabroek News made public an alleged copy. Further, given that Opposition Lead-

er, Bharrat Jagdeo, in June called on the Government to make public the agreement, many wonder why, when he as President, signed the Agreement (1999) it remained shrouded in secrecy.

Here is where suspicions would not only take partisan perspective, but could also hold sway there is something to hide. As intimated by Mr. Jagdeo, the Government is giving false hope to citizens.

There is also no denying that Exxon’s image, particularly in poor and small state societies, such as Equatorial Guinea, has been ensnared with allegations of cuddling and facilitating unethical practices in and out of government. In Guyana where citizens are badly scarred by corruption, the saying ‘once bitten twice shy’ holds true.

The media and stakeholders, individual or group, will continue to dig and in this glasnost era, they will likely find.

Oil or ‘black gold’ for many raised on the fable of El Dorado and its potential for the people, see this as the opportunity to make real promised expectations in their lifetime. Guyana, under David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo, is pursuing a green economy and where concerns have been expressed that this could conflict with the environmental protection, assurance was given that such is not likely to be.

Citizens will look forward to strong, enforceable environmental laws, including that of disposal and spill protection, and acceptance by Exxon of

Guyana’s green pursuit.

Amid the foregoing, Minister Raphael Trotman had an instructive interview with Kaieteur News (24th August). He said he “understand[s] this is a time of great excitement and a time of great anguish and we have never come face to face with this at any point in our lives. It is good for us to pay attention to what this company has

done elsewhere and how it behaves elsewhere.” He went on to advise, with the public being engaged Exxon will know citizens are watching their dealings and the politicians need to be sharp and honest in their dealings with the company.

Such frank recognition is not only a breath of fresh air but also assurance to citizens their interests are well-placed.

A Ram–Gaskin Plain Talk discussion: …the scripted double-talk of opinion makers Dear Editor,

W E D N E S D AY A u g u s t 23rd, I sat and encouraged my family to listen to a Plain Talk discussion hosted

by Christopher Ram that included Ramon Gaskin.

I know both men at an informal level; Gaskin and I have once before discussed WW2 and the crucial Russian Involvement.

What intrigued me was the dishonesty of some aspects of the programme that were said from a position, construing with an air of certainty aspects of the present Guyana condition. Gaskin was the protagonist, while Ram the antagonist. The script was closed to external interference, thus they held a fixed uninterrupted dialogue; there were no balances intended to enlighten the TV audience.

The economy and the legitimate question of employment and earning power of Guyanese were where it

began. This was however a lure, as no creative contribution came from Gaskin, the left wing protagonist of radical socialism as to the development of a pressure group to address the imbalances that affected current employment. For example:(a)Legislation to determine our dismal construction industry, with bogus contractors, and low interest financing to support standard work, extended to low income home buyers. (b) Legislation to ensure that the private security sector pays its employees properly and offer them real legal human benefits. (c) That promoters and entertainment houses follow a legal framework, which prohibits them from robbing talents. (d) That the cottage industries, cultural industries, artisans etc. be subject to serious programmes of training, soft loans with directives at replacing the inferior merchandise dumped on our market. Instead, ‘Rambo’ Gaskin wants to start another

small party. That skit is overworked and in my home we found it disappointing. (e) There was no reference made to the fact that we have lost thousands of jobs over the past thirty years to modernisation, to computers, modern shipping--the stevedores are gone, to new methods of construction, to the loss of the Bauxite market at Linden, and the marginalisation of small pork-knockers.

Then to the monster of money-laundering and the influx of illegal drug money that have through money washing saturation of cheap goods have wiped out cottage industries like seamstresses and tailors. Inflating real estate values, impoverishing thousands, but was encouraged through indifference by the PPP. (f) Then to crime, and the inference that the president is ‘soft’ on crime, what does that translate to, more extra-judicial killings.

Isn’t it obvious that most of the contract killers created

by this society were one time members of this or that legal police ‘Death Squad’? Isn’t it a first that recently prisoners surrendered their illegal weapons and apologised to the authorities, or was the reference made that drug addiction has fueled our crime rate? How many addicts are responsible for murders or were recruited for that purpose? The evidence is there, also, that lawyers and accountants do make a lot of money from the main narco players. (g) The statement by Gaskin that because of coming Oil Dollars the government will give up on Sugar and Rice, is political mischief.

It echoes Jagdeo; but only recently Gaskin called for the immediate closure of designated sugar factories.

He said that “Government cannot continue with its billions a month programme, but it must have plans for the people who will lose their jobs.” That was commendable, though in the article

he didn’t suggest how they should be redeployed.

The last insult was when Ram asked Gaskin if he can identify anything good about the current administration; he shrugged his shoulders and indicated... “nothing.” How could that be? When a PPP Minister had predicted an epidemic in Georgetown; that I wrote letters about complaining about the stench of human filth on Merriman mall; when friends living on Hadfield Street protested the dumping of rubbish in the night by trucks that were identified coming from out of Town. Georgetown is now transformed, Durban Park is a development; the rain floods are handled better; roads look better; we know where our tax dollars are being spent; the PPP extended a billion dollars to fix G/T and nothing happened; we agree that the City Council is still tremendously dysfunctional; that

there are also misfits in the coalition, but far less than the past administration.

There are evident encouraging and easily recognizable physical and attitude changes in Guyana today. I belong to an organisation [ACDA] that has always advocated a national power sharing Governmen. This coalition is what we lobbied for, that we must be active to ensure its success in the national interest is a citizens’ right that we will not surrender.

We will make public noise when necessary. From the Plain-Talk discussion one would believe that people in this country are either born PNC, PPP or UF; this is stupid and unscientific, nor is it a cultural fact,. Thus, we also have to be active with our ‘opinion shapers’ to remind you fellows, that we are not animate play-doh.

Not most of us at least.

Regards BARRINGTON BRAITHWAITE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

Four hinterland radio stations to be commissioned soon

THE Indigenous villages of Mahdia, Bartica, Aishalton and Orealla will shortly have commissioned radio outreach stations.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is also the minister with responsibility for public information, revealed this while being interviewed by Julie Lewis on ‘Let’s gyaff’ on the National Communications Network(NCN) radio pro-

gramme on 102.5 FM, Voice of Guyana, on Thursday.

The Prime Minister said that this will make it easier to transmit information in a timely manner to more hinterland communities. “Soon we are going to be commissioning radio outreach stations in Mahdia, Bartica and then we will move to Aishalton and Orealla. Apart from having a newspaper that will communicate with indig-

enous peoples in its written form, we are now adding the vital outreach.”

Reference was made to emergencies which arose in several hinterland communities and the importance of having broadcasting stations close by which aided in the dissemination of advisories and other public service announcements. “The fact that we were able to commission these two outreach radio sta-

tions means a lot for people in the hinterland, indigenous peoples in particular. As you can see, when we had the floods in the Rupununi, we were able to communicate directly to them all the alerts – that kids must not play in the water, there were snakes in the water, people were asked to remove from those areas that are likely to be affected by flash floods, etcetera, etcetera.”

Prime Minister Nagamootoo also said that work was done on Radio Paiwomak and it is now refurbished, with the ability to reach more persons with a better quality of radio service. Community radio stations were established in the newly-named towns of Lethem in Region Nine and Mabaruma in Region One this year. These two are in addition to Radio

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Paiwomak which was the first community radio station established in the early 2000. The aim of the government’s community radio stations project is to link the indigenous communities through communication. The established radio stations are all affiliates of the National Communications Network (NCN) and broadcast on the national frequency. (DPI)

‘Manners Matter’ programme a positive for Guyana Dear Editor, ON the National Communications Network VOG 102.5 FM, there is a morning programme called “Manners Matter” on the Breakfast Show at 07:40hrs. The programme is an excellent initiative. Such programmes should be expanded for airing by all other media outlets. The Broadcast Amendment Bill of 2017 allows for such possibilities under its provisions that 60 minutes be allocated each day for Public Service announcements by all national Radio and TV stations. After all, the airwaves is part of our national assets.

I would advocate for a proportion of that 1 hour allocation of Public Service

announcements on non-state media outlets to be directed towards sensitization and educational tips that will aid in the revival and improvement of good ethics and service standards in Guyana. The level of ethics and service standards can have positive or negative effects on national development. They are invariably linked to the social and business climate in countries and form indices which guide potential tourists and investors.

What obtains today as part of societal norms is simply pathetic; most people conduct themselves contrary to standard human norms and do not even realize that what they do would be deemed highly unacceptable in most civilised or progressive soci-

eties. Decorum seems to be dead in many places. Some may not even know what decorum is.

A case in point unfolded last Wednesday evening. I went to a popular road-side outlet to purchase dinner.

While waiting for our ordered meals, the kitchen staff proceeded to package former Magistrate Leslie Sobers’ dinner orders while still holding the receipts in her hand. Mr. Sobers politely objected to having her handle his ordered food with the pieces of paper still in her hand. She nonchalantly responded to the former Magistrate by saying “I like to hold the paper in my hand”. It was obvious that she felt she was doing the right thing or didn’t care to do what was proper. This is the level

of absurdity to which some have sunk, apparently oblivious that such practices are grossly unacceptable. Before departing the outlet to consume our respective dinners, Mr Sobers and I concluded that there is urgent need and concerted efforts to reverse the current service ethics and attitudinal retrogression plaguing our society.

Another glaring aspect of poor ethics which can be corrected as part of an overarching national awareness drive has to do with indecency and inconsideration. Some people do not realize it is ill mannered to cough and sneeze indiscriminately in public without covering their mouth and nose or turning away from others. They do not ask to be excused. They do not

realize that such actions are potential health risks, particularly if they are consciously or unwittingly infected by some form of communicable disease like a ‘flu’.

Additionally, public education initiatives like the “ M a n n e r s M a t t e r ” p r ogramme should seek to encourage the restoration of good corporate ethics and protocol. By this, I refer to the way some entities and their staff treat with formal and informal requests. Many do not offer basic acknowledgements and fail to address requests entirely. If, or when, responses to requests are provided, those responses are often prompted and therefore tardy. Timely responses are often seen as special favours and not as standard efficien-

cies. Confronting inefficiencies and prompting responses can be met with attitudinal hostility.

While some persons have become resigned pessimists towards positive behavioural change in our society, we should consider those countries that went through processes of restored socio-cultural development. Behavioural change is never instantaneous, but requires dedicated, determined and consistent efforts to support its process. Let us therefore endeavour to heighten the awareness with nationwide educational programmes to achieve its success!

Regards ORETTE CUTTING

Insurance for ministers new to Guyana, but not elsewhere Dear Editor,

I REFER to a headline titled, “Procurement procedures not followed in insurance deal for ministers --Ramsammy”, which appeared in the Kaieteur News, Friday, August 25, 2017, on page 8.

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy is alleged to have said that

ministers benefited from a large salary increase of “’up to 100%”’ almost immediately upon assuming office in May 2015. This is a blatant falsehood, one of which Kaieteur News is aware; yet, it was printed with not even an Editor’s Note. As all the public knows, the salary of the Prime Minister, Vice Presidents, Senior Ministers, Junior Ministers, Speaker

of the National Assembly, Leader of the Opposition, and other Members of Parliament were increased by varying percentages - from 5%, in the case of the Prime Minister to 50%, in the cases of Senior Ministers, Speaker of the National Assembly and Leader of the Opposition.

He is also quoted as saying, “They benefited from a further increase in 2016 and

2017 ...” Again, Editor, this is another falsehood. Since the salary increase of 2015, none of the categories of Parliamentarians mentioned above have been granted any further salary increases. As such, Ministers and the other categories are receiving the same salary today that they were receiving in September 2015.

Regarding the insurance

for ministers, I believe that the Minister of State can speak competently about the process that led to the selection of the present insurer.

Suffice it to say, here, that the government is meeting 50 percent of the monthly premiums. The other 50 percent is borne by the insuree.

The move to insure ministers and their families is new to Guyana, but not

elsewhere. At least, taxpayers would not have to bear the unconscionable medical expenditure incurred by a significant number of ministers, party and other officials, and other persons in the previous PPP/C administrations.

Regards WINSTON JORDAN Minister of Finance

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

Trotman vows to address concerns of Toshaos

By Svetlana Marshall

FACED with a plethora of concerns linked to mining and logging in hinterland regions, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman on Friday committed to addressing many of those problems when he attended the 11th National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference on Friday.

Minister Trotman was among government ministers and officials who attended the five-day NTC Conference with the aim of having a greater understanding of the issues facing Amerindian villages across the country and coming up with solutions.

On Friday, forestry-related issues took centre stage with Kabakaburi Toshao, Cleveland Simon, detailing how the village’s inability to

harvest lumber has crippled its local economy. Kabakaburi, an Amerindian village located in the Upper Pomeroon River in the PomeroonSupenaam District, had in the past depended heavily on logging but this dependency dwindled when the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) issued a ceased order, bringing a halt to all the lumbering activities there.

Simon told the Natural Resources Minister that as Toshao, he has requested a map of the village to bring an end to the issue of demarcation which is the root cause of the problem. GFC had argued that Kabakaburi was harvesting lumber from outside its boundaries.

“Residents are fully aware of the village’s boundaries, but having the Land Map would put the issue to

rest,” he emphasized, noting that matter is also before the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC). GLSC is responsible for the release of the map. Simon said as the village awaits the release of the map, over 200 fathers remain jobless and incapable of providing for their families at a time when the country is preparing for the new academic year.

Another Toshao, Paul Piere from Kwebanna Village in Region One, disclosed that in June 2017, the village council received a letter from the Guyana Forestry Commission indicating that the council has an outstanding fine of $2.1M. This fine, Piere posited, dates back to 2010, and is also hampering logging activities there as well. “I think it is unfair for the present coun-

cil to be burden with a fine that dates back to 2010. And we now got to find $2.1M to pay that fine. We don’t have that money,” Piere posited.

In the presence of his fellow Toshaos, Piere asked for leniency.

Minister Trotman, upon hearing the concerns, stated that in the name of good governance, the Kwebanna Village Council ought to take responsibility for the acts of the past and present Councils. New Government cannot ignore the actions of the previous Governments; he emphasised but noted that in the Bible there is what is known as “temper justice with mercy.”

As such, the Natural Resources Minister noted that he is working with the Commission to “work out either waiving some of those pen-

alties or work out a payment scheme” so as to increase production in Kwebanna.

“I am prepared to do that for you, but to say that all debts of the past will be written off because… that is not the type of good governance any of us should encourage,” he stated. GFC Commissioner James Singh, in responding to the concerns raised by Simon and Piere, acknowledged that the issues are engaging the attention of the Commission.

He noted, however, that in the case of Kabakaburi, the Commission would have indicated to the Toshao that it did not get the correct map from Lands and Surveys and a new request has been made. “We did not have the correct maps from the Lands and Surveys Commission, and when we plotted the

GPS points where the trees were cut, they were, in our estimation and with the data that we had, far outside of the boundaries. That is an issue that has to be resolved by us securing the accurate map,” Singh explained.

He noted, however, there is a non-contentious area in Kabakaburi where logs can be harvested. In the case of Kwebanna, Singh noted that only a few of the fines date back to 2010. “We have checked back the files and only two of the issues were in 2010.

All of them were pretty recent,” the GFC Commissioner posited, while noting that the Commission has been in constant communication with the village council on the issue. Singh posited that in all fairness, the GFC should be paid.

Five awarded UG scholarships -by Zara group of companies FIVE persons on Friday were awarded scholarships from US-based Zara Group of Companies as it launched its first scholarship programme. The grant covers tuition fees for four years at the University of Guyana (UG), Turkeyen and Tain campus.

The awardees are Jamal Joseph Austin, who will major in Geological Engineering; Jaya Devi Deonarine in Optometry; Javin Harris in Computer Science; Hester Hernandez in Chemistry and Denise Mona Saul, who will read for a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

The scholarship programme is a collaborative effort between Zara Group of Companies and Guyana Police Force (GPF).

In brief remarks at GPF Zara Computer Training Centre, Eve Leary, Senior Vice-President, Zara Group of Companies, Jay Sobhraj, congratulated the awardees for making their families and country proud in attaining the scholarships. “We look forward to seeing you through the four years, provided that you maintain your academic standards,” Sobhraj noted.

Information Technology (IT) Consultant, Nardeo Singh, explained that the creation of the scholarship programme is the company’s way of allowing the young people to make a difference in Guyana. In addition to its ongoing Information Technology training programme, he noted that the scholarship is also in keeping with the agency’s commitment to its corporate social responsibilities.

(Left to right) Zara Group of Companies official, Sarvan Kumar Budhu, University of Guyana Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Engagement, Michael Scott with the scholarship awardees

“We are in New York, we cannot do it, and we are too far from doing it. You (young people) have to invest in yourself and you have to invest in your country we (Zara group of companies) are here to just help you along the path,” Singh said.

It was highlighted that this scholarship programme between GPF and Zara Group of Companies is a five-year partnership that requires the students to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.

U.G Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Turkeyen Campus, Michael Scott, responsible for Academic Engagement, commended the founders for their contributions to the young people, noting that the opportunity provided to the awardees will benefit them greatly and they should

consider themselves fortunate since they will assist in the country’s development.

“On behalf of our university, which will have the benefit of having access to these young minds to be part of that institution because that is the contribution you are making, we are having yet another field to reap from so therefore this is another opportunity for us to be able to access excellent students to our institution,” Scott noted.

Hester Hernandez, who is from Lethem, Region Nine, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that he is fortunate to have been granted the scholarship because he had applied to several tertiary institutions in an effort to improve himself academically. “I know I am meant to do well, as well as to make

the company proud … and I intend to use my education to assist my community because I was a teacher for two years so when I am finished (the course) I will return to teach (St. Ignatius Secondary School),” Hernandez said.

Denise Mona Saul is grateful for the opportunity to begin her studies, since the scholarship will remove the question of student loans, while she continues to work.

Additionally, 522 young people today graduated from the Guyana Police Force Zara Computer Centre. There were participants from the Ministries of Public Security, Infrastructure, Finance, Education, Agriculture, and Health, among others.

In her overview with the ICT training, Information Technology Trainer, Corpo-

ral Andries Smith, revealed that the 21 programmes that were successfully completed, included eight adult courses comprising of four foundation programmes, one advanced and Personal Computer (PC) repair and maintenance programme, six Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) Electronic Data Preparation and Management (EDPM) and Information Technology (IT) programmes, four Summer programmes - two of which are from the C-Division Community Policing Outreach programme and five Police programmes.

Smith added that Electronic Data Preparation and Management (EDPM) received five distinctions, 15 Grade Ones, six Grade Twos and one Grade Three, while

IT received seven Grade Twos and six Grade Threes.

She noted that for the remaining of 2017, there will be continued emphasis on the training programme with a vision to surpass 2016 figures.

“We intend to train in two additional adult programmes, one young foundation programme, one advance and one PC repair and maintenance programme, which will give us an estimated 107 participants taking our total to 629 persons for 2017,” Smith explained.

Acting Police Force Training Officer, Assistant Commander Maxine Graham, encouraged the graduates to strive to build on the foundation received during their training, noting that technology is important and an integral part of society. “I urge you (graduates) to value the importance of the use of computer and the use of technology because computer literature make you marketable and an asset to any organisation,” Graham noted.

Over the past five years, Zara Group of Companies has trained over 10,388 young people since the launch of the IT training programmes.

The company, which was established some 35 years ago by a Guyanese family, was mainly involved in real estate business and managing apartment buildings. Today, the company has collaborated with several organisations, including the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) and the Guyana Police Force, in all three counties. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 26, 2017

Joe Singh, Housty on third GECOM list

-Opposition Leader hopeful

By Navendra Seoraj FORMER Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Major General (Ret’d), Joseph Singh is among the six nominees for the position of Chairperson of the electoral body submitted by Opposition Leader, Bharat Jagdeo, in his third list to President David Granger.

Singh, who was nominated by then Leader of the Opposition, Desmond Hoyte, in 2000, served at the helm of the Commission for approximately one year before resigning, making way for Dr Steve Surujbally in 2001.

Also included on the list are: former president of the Guyana Bar Association, Teni Housty; Attorney-at-Law, Sanjeev Datadin; Former Pilot and Environmentalist, Annette Arjoon-Martins; Pastor and Agriculturalist, Onesi La Fleur and Former Magistrate, Krishendat Persaud.

The specialities of the nominees were highlighted by Jagdeo in a press statement, which stated that Housty and Datadin are attorneys-at-law with over 10 years of good standing at the Guyana Bar and both of whom are qualified to be appointed as judges of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in Guyana in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana.

Persaud was described as an attorney-at-law with over 40 years of good standing and a former

magistrate who served in that capacity for over 20 years, while Arjoon was identified as a business person in the local airline industry who has received national and international acclaim for her work in protecting Guyana’s biodiversity. La Fleur, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, has been hailed as someone who has made a sterling contribution to Guyana and the Caribbean in the area of education and religion.

In March this year , the President had pointed out that Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana states that “Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4), the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person…”

Businessman Marcel Gaskin had, however, approached the High Court to interpret the article which resulted in Chief Justice George-Wiltshire confirming that the President acting on his own deliberate judgment must determine whether a person is ‘fit and proper.’

In her ruling, she advised that there is no legal requirement for the President to state reasons for rejecting a list, though

Major-General (Ret’d), Joseph Singh

Attorney-at-Law, Sanjeev Datadin

it is her belief that in the furtherance of democracy and good governance, he should, since Article 161 (2) speaks to the need for dialogue and compromise.

Despite having two lists rejected by the President, Jagdeo expressed confidence in his new list at a press conference on Friday at his office. The Opposition Leader said it is his expectation that the President will select a Chairman from this list, especially

now that they have the written judgment of the Chief Justice on this matter.

When asked what action will be taken if the third list is rejected, the Opposition Leader said on June 12, 2017, during a “high-level” meeting with the officials of the Government, it was agreed that a high-level Exploratory Committee be established and activated by the Government.

Former President of the Guyana Bar Association Teni Housty (Kaieteur News photo)

Former Pilot and Environmental Activist, Annette Arjoon-Martins

Pastor Onesi La Fleur

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Con man jailed for nine years A 37-year-old con artist was on Friday sentenced to nine years in jail by City Magistrate, Judy Latchman for swindling several women over fraudulent job employment.

Troy Webster confessed that, between August 17 and August 21, 2017, with intent to defraud, he obtained $7, 000 each from Nekeisha Haynes, Tamara Summerset, Marissa Williams, Kenisha Boyce, Lisa Prince and Ane-

sia Jones, by falsely pretending that he was in a position to offer them jobs, knowing same to be false.

According to Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves, the accused had posed as a businessman in search of females to work as sales representatives at his store in Parika and Giftland.

The women, upon meeting Webster had handed over the monies along with a copy of their ID card with

hopes of gaining a job. The man had told the women that he would have called them to inform when to start working.

However, the victims reported the matter to the Brickdam Police Station after they became suspicious since Webster never called.

Webster was arrested and during police investigation it was revealed that the man was not a ‘businessman’, neither does he own any

stores.

Gonsalves further pointed out that Webster was recently released from jail after serving three years of imprisonment for similar offences. Magistrate Latchman sentenced Webster to 18 months imprisonment on each charge, which will run consecutively. “Obviously you didn’t learn your lesson the last time,” the magistrate told the criminal.

Indian business magnate keen on investing in Guyana SOUTH INDIAN business and granite magnate, Mr. R. Veeramani, who visited Guyana recently on an investment scoping mission, is keen on returning to Guyana with a larger investment team comprising several Indian investors.

In a letter to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Mr.

Veeramani, Chairman of the Gem Group of Companies, expressed interest in investments in gold, black granite, bauxite and timber, a release from the Office of the Prime Minister stated.

Mr. Veeramani, according to the OPM, has committed to return in the near future with a view to conducting a

more detailed technical and economic feasibility analysis before the new investment group visits. Veeramani recently visited Guyana on a scoping mission while accompanied by his economic advisor, M.R. Gunasekaran.

The business magnate’s visit came in response to an open invitation by Prime Minister

Nagamootoo who visited Tamil Nadu last year, and addressed the World Tamil Economic Convention.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo welcomed Mr. Veeramani to Guyana and expressed pleasure in having received an enthusiastic commitment to investment opportunities in Guyana.

Caribbean countries rattled by two earthquakes Two earthquakes, including one with a magnitude of 4.4, rattled several Caribbean islands on Friday, but there were no immediate reports of damage, injuries or loss of lives.

The Trinidad-based

Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies, (UWI), said the first quake occurred at 5.29 am (local time) and was situated south west of Dominica.

“It was located at 14.93N and 61.56°W with a magnitude of 3.7 and depth of 178km,” the SRC said.

It noted that the second quake, with a magnitude of 4.4, occurred at 1.05 pm (local time) and was locat-

ed Latitude11.28N; Longitude: 62.14W at a depth of 96 kilometres (km). The quake was 95 km south west of St. George’s in Grenada and 98 km north west of Port of Spain in Trinidad. (CMC)

Man stabs cousin with broken glass bottle A 22-year-old East Ruimveldt, Georgetown man was on Friday released on $100,000 bail by City Magistrate Judy Latchman for allegedly wounding his cousin with a glass bottle.

It is alleged that Michael

Sam on August 22, 2017, at East Ruimveldt, unlawfully and maliciously wounded Rawle Welcome. He denied the charge.

According to reports, Sam and Welcome are cousins. On the day in question, Welcome visited Sam at

East Ruimveldt. However, there was an argument between the two cousins after Sam asked to borrow Welcome’s bike and was refused.

The accused, who then became annoyed ,armed himself with a broken glass

bottle and stabbed Welcome to his face. Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt made no objection to the accused being released on bail.

The matter was transferred to Magistrate Leron Daily for September 15.

Craft producer dies during CARIFESTA trip PRESIDENT David Granger has extended condolences to the relatives and friends of the late, Ms. Petal Frank, a self-sponsored Guyanese craft-woman, who died on Friday during her participation in the

Caribbean Festival of the Arts (CARIFESTA) in Barbados.

Ms. Frank died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being admitted there on Wednesday, August 23.

Ms. Frank and her sister,

Ms. Doreen Morrison, have been making hats, handbags, designer curtains and other novelty items from natural and local materials for over 20 years. The sisters often marketed their goods at the Guyana Exposition and

Trade Fair (GuyExpo).

President Granger, on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, extends heartfelt sympathy to the family members and friends of Ms. Petal Frank.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

240 youngsters complete recreational camp hosted by MOE, USAID THE Ministry of Education’s Youth Department and USAID on Friday hosted a graduation ceremony for 240 youngsters from Sophia, East Ruimveldt, East La Penitence and Lodge, who participated in a one-month recreation camp in their respective communities.

During the camp the youngsters were exposed to teaching in design, arts and craft, animation, sports and life skills. This year’s youth camp was held under the theme ‘Greening: Empowered to foster Development.’

The Department of Youth, in keeping with the five key strategies of the National Youth Policy, embarked on these summer camps. The aim of the five strategies were to: Improve the social; cultural and emotional skills of youths; Produce a productive and enterprising workplace; Develop quality education and market oriented skills; Encourage leadership, participation and representation; and Promote good health, security and safety.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Steve Ninvalle, in his remarks noted that the primary objective of the camps was to carry out a mixture of activities with youths that could improve their resilience to constant exposure and buffeting of negative social influencers. “Moreover, youths were provided with skills that could increase their employability and enhance their awareness of youth and citizen responsibilities, duties and rights,” he said.

“What’s more, is that one of the expected outcomes of the camp is that the teens, who have completed these camps,

are expected to influence other young people when they return to their communities. Their peers will gravitate to be like them and emulate their improved skills and behaviours, thus having a pull-effect,” Mr. Ninvalle emphasised.

This program must have been impactful since, during the period, participants were exposed to tailored training in selected life-skills, employability and citizenship set, not available anywhere else, but identified from the Government’s National Youth Policy.

“It can therefore be affirmed that this year’s youth camp serves as a testimony to Department of Youth and the Ministry of Education’s commitment to departing valuable knowledge and life-skills to the young people of Guyana,” the DPS indicated, adding that despite the many financial obstacles, youth camps will be a continuous feature of the DOY’s work plan as the Department will continue to make every effort to secure sponsorship to make these camps possible.

Thus, upcoming youths of Guyana can, therefore, rest assured that they too will be able to benefit from an extraordinary opportunity such as this.

In his remarks, Mr. Mark Oviatt – Principal Officer of the USAID recalled his days of attending camps. He noted that at those camps he made the best friendships. While emphasising the importance of the recreational camp, Oviatt indicated that the USAID partnership with the Department of Youth will continue to ensure the continued development of the youths. (DPI)

Stop the politicking

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 26, 2017

…Min. Allicock urges Toshaos

By Svetlana Marshall VICE-PRESIDENT and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, has accused the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Executive of speaking from both sides of its mouth, preaching political neutrality from one side and “igniting disunity” from the other, in their quest to gain political points ahead of the 2020 General Elections.

The Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister hit back at the NTC on Friday, one day after the Executive members of that body had accused operatives within the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government of political interference, at a time when over 200 Toshaos are meeting in the capital city – Georgetown – for the National Toshaos Council’s Conference at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

But according to the NTC Executive, the minister’s claims are “baseless” and “unfounded.”

In a statement on Thursday, the NTC expressed the view that the move to alter the agenda for the conference was a “blatant attempt to undermine the legitimacy and credibility of the NTC and its representatives.”

On the sideline of the conference on Friday, the NTC Chairman, Joel Frederick said the current rift between the Government and the NTC stemmed from the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry’s decision to change the agenda for the conference without consulting the Executive.

It was explained that after the agenda was submitted to the Ministry, it was amended to include presentations from Ministers of the Government, in the evenings from 18:00hrs to 20:00hrs, but the Executive felt that it would have been too tiresome for the Toshaos, considering the fact they were engaged in sessions all day for the five-day conference.

Frederick said their suggestion to have these ministerial presentations done on a single day, being Thursday, fell on deaf ears. “There was no consultation….and it’s like this ‘take this, you have to work with this.’ But that’s not consultation and that is why we have an issue,” the NTC Chair explained.

FAILURE TO PREPARE But Minister Allicock had a different story to tell. According to him, although the NTC Executive failed to prepare an agenda for the 2017 Conference within a timely and reasonable manner, it utilises every opportunity to spew disrespectful remarks and complaints.

Upset about the situation, the minister said that it was at the 11th hour that an agenda was presented to the ministry, and as such, the ministry took the decision to invite President David Granger and the Ministers of Government. And,

although there were objections on the part of the NTC Executive, Minister Allicock said a decision was taken to invite the ministers to interact with the Toshaos, based on the belief that in the past, many of them had returned to their respective villages with unanswered questions because they were not allowed to interact with the authorities. He opined that the nightly platform created an opportunity for the ministers to hear directly from the Toshaos and vice versa.

BUDGET The issue of the Government reducing the NTC’s budget was also brought to the fore. Cognisant of the geographical spread, and communication and transportation difficulties of hinterland villages, the NTC said in 2015, in keeping with its mandate under Section 41 of the Amerindian Act, it submitted a budget for 2016 to the tune of $38M, but in return was only allocated $12M. In 2016, the NTC once again submitted a budget for 2017 for $48M and was given $16M. “This year, realising the continued lack of finances to execute its mandate, the NTC said it submitted a budget for $87 Million. The NTC was subsequently told that any budget request should not in principle, exceed a 10 percent increase, thus we are expecting little to no change,” it stated.

However, the Minister in response said, “We were not able to get the funding that was requested, so we had to make do with what we have. Instead of being aware, and conscious and willing as leaders to stretch the dollar, they prefer to sit and complain.”

According to him, while the APNU+AFC Government is trying to “unify” the country, the NTC Executive is attempting to

“ignite disunity.” He opined that the tactics being employed by the NTC Executive are aligned with their “political ambitions.”

“They are already gearing up for the next elections,” Minister Allicock told reporters, adding: “Although the leaders of the NTC said this is not politics, this is exactly what they are doing…trying to ignite disunity.”

Minister Allicock said these attempts come at a time when the Government is trying to bring the nation together. “Our drive is unifying this nation – the coastal to the hinterland because we as Indigenous people have a role to play in national development.”

Instead of complaining, the Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister said the NTC should have used the opportunity to address critical issues and grasp a greater understanding about the budding Oil and Gas Sector.

“This was the opportunity to allow the Toshaos to understand how serious this is and what plans do they have to ensure that they begin to prepare their young people which would be the workforce for the eventual opportunity of infrastructure development, renewable energy development, communication development, better hospitals, better everything. When will we prepare our youths for this potential development? Time is short and that is what I was hoping that they would have been focusing on,” he stated.

However, Minister Allicock’s claims were rejected by NTC Vice Chairman, Lennox Shuman.

“I think those remarks might be slightly unfounded and baseless on the Minister’s part,” Shuman told Guyana Chronicle. The NTC Vice Chairman said he had held fast to the belief that Toshaos should participate in party politics based on

Vice President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, sharing a light moment with the NTC Vice Chairman, Lennox Shuman, on Friday on the sidelines of the 2017 NTC Conference at CPCE

the belief that they are very influential at the level of their villages.

Based on this belief, he opined that it would only be fair to demand the same thing from the NTC. Shuman, however, said objections usually cause problems.

“The minute you oppose anyone, you simply say no…this is not in our interest. Immediately, instead of attacking the issues, they attack

the personalities. They associate the fact that you would say no to something as a member of the opposition,” the NTC Vice Chairman stated.

“I think for a country so small, we should not be this divided,” he added.

Contending that the arguments put forward by the Indigenous Affairs Minister are “unfair,” Shuman

Russian Dorrick, a Toshao from the Yupukari Village in Region 9 staging a one man protest during the conference

noted that it was because the NTC believes in “good governance” it had engaged Ministers of Government, but made it clear that the Council has no legal obligation to consult with the Ministry.

“It is time we have objective discussions. There is no political agenda. NTC cannot be a political body, because when politics gets into indigenous communities, it divides the communities.”

Addressing the issue of the tardy preparation of the agenda, the Toshao maintained that the agenda needed to be adopted by the Executive before it could have been presented to the Ministry.

“The Executive could not have gotten out here any sooner.

So, until the executive actually adopts and has an opportunity to adopt an agenda, then we cannot present it to the Ministry because then we get lambasted for non-inclusivity.”

It was noted that the agenda was designed to gather detailed information about the issues addressing the various villages with the intention of having them addressed systematically.

For Shuman, both the Government and Opposition are afraid of the possibilities if Indigenous People unite. “Both political parties are afraid of the Indigenous Peoples uniting, both of them, because we pose a threat to them. At the end of the day, it is the Indigenous vote that determines who sits in office and that is the reality, it is not a threat, it is a reality,” he opined.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

City food vendors go back to school …retaught good hygiene, food preparation

Chief Meat and Food Inspector, Onica Alleyne-Blackman, addressing the gathering of street-food vendors on Thursday at City Hall

THE Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC) on Thursday held a food safety hygiene seminar with street-food vendors, who turned out in their numbers for the sensitisation exercise, which was geared towards the ‘know-how’ of safe food preparation and

cooking.

Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen speaking to the media at City Hall said that the session was a recap of what has been taught to food handlers and with the re-opening of schools they invited them to be reminded of the importance of proper purchase, preparation, storage,

and transfer of foods, which will be sold on the street.

She added that with the re-opening of schools it was necessary to remind the street-food vendors that they should only sell foods that are wholesome and are of good nutritional value. Chase-Green related that the street-food vendors

were also enlightened that they should prepare foods that will sell for the day because if they prepare 10 egg balls and some did not sell they would have to properly store the egg balls that did not sell for the next day to avoid contamination.

She stated that the M&CC is here to ensure that foods that are sold to children are properly prepared and cooked. ChaseGreen pointed out that all food handlers must be

certified, a process which determines if that person is healthy enough to prepare foods for human consumption.

Additionally, the Mayor said the M&CC has a responsibility to ensure that street-food vendors do not have “whittlers and other skin diseases and also they are properly attired with hair net.” She said, “The meeting was called so that food handlers know the importance of what they have to do to prevent food contamination that is why we send them for blood tests so if we find they have any diseases they can be treated.”

Chase-Green explained that the meeting with food handlers is relevant because they want children to have proper snacks and foods so when they go in class they will be able to be comfortable without running to the toilet or have their parents take them to the hospitals for food poisoning. “We at M&CC are taking our time through our food hygiene department to spell out everything in detail to food handlers.”

She noted that all food handlers are registered with the M&CC and when the schools re-opened their food inspectors will be visiting schools to ensure that

persons who are offering foods for sale are registered with M&CC and are wearing their badges and we have recorded their particulars. She said too that they will also be visiting the homes of food handlers to see where the food is being prepared.

Chase-Green also stressed the need for children to check for the expiry date on products they purchase such as the packaged snacks like corn curls. She said that food vendors on the streets sell from 6pm to 6am and they are not restricted in terms of time span and they should prepare that which is suitable for human consumption and is prepared under good hygienic conditions and free of contaminants.

Acting Chief Meat and Food Inspector, Onica Alleyne-Blackman, conducted the seminar touching on several topics: including the role of the inspection department, what is a food handler, food borne illnesses, how to handle foods safely, storing foods, handling raw meats, pest control, housekeeping, cooking foods at the correct temperature and managing personal hygiene.

Around 100 vendors attended the seminar.

A section of street-food vendors at the meeting called by M&CC

Bandits rob security guard, shop owner A SECURITY guard was on Friday robbed of all his valuables by four men on cycles, including one armed with handgun, as he was walking on a street in Nigg Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice.

Reports indicate that the victim was robbed of one haversack, cell phone and cash when the suspects, who were on bicycles approached him from the opposite direction.

He was held at gun point and relieved of the articles.

The bandits on cycles then made good their escape.

Meanwhile, in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), a husband and wife operating an off license liquor restaurant and grocery were having a drink with a friend at their business place when a gunmen pounced on them.

Reports indicate that the three armed bandits had

initially approached the victims requesting a cigarette when they were told no one has any. The suspects then walked away and later turned back, one pulling a gun from the waist.

The robbers then braced the victims onto the side of the shop and relieved them of over $400,000 in valuables, including cash and cell phones.

Police are investigating these incidents.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 26, 2017

MV Torani will be salvaged soon …Min. Patterson says PPP had condemned it to scrap THE former government had considered several options for the future of the MV Torani, including selling the historical vessel as scrap.

This was noted by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, who noted in a letter to this newspaper that a directive of the former People’s Progressive Party Government was that the vessel be cannibalised, thus making it unserviceable due to longstanding neglect from the former administration.

Minister Patterson was at the time responding to a letter penned by former Agriculture Minister, Leslie Ramsammy, in the Stabroek New recently, where he noted that it was under the current Government’s control that the MV Torani was “neglected through poor maintenance.”

Patterson said, “this is far from the truth.” In response to Ramsammy’s claims, he said the former minister should note that advertisements dat-

ed August 21 and indicating that the ship had sunk were placed in the daily newspapers and were published on Wednesday August 23. In particular, he said mariners were warned to keep clear of the wreck and to navigate with caution.

In addition, Minister Patterson stated that at least two responses were given to members of the media, including one from Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, even as the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) made every effort to investigate the situation.

He said too that efforts are being made to drive four piles around the ship to prevent it from slipping into the channel. It currently remains secured by a chain and will soon be salvaged.

“It must be emphasised that the MV Torani served the country and various communities, particularly those in the Berbice River, with

distinction for decades,” Patterson said. He noted however, that the state of the MV Torani is not an occurrence “that happened yesterday, or even two or three years ago.”

He said the ship had been moored since November 2012 and left in such a poor state that there was little the current government could do with it. He said that the T&HD turned its attention to servicing and rehabilitating operational ferries, such as the Lady Northcote and MV Kanawan, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

He said this was done since members of the public still needed to have their transport needs met and maintained.

“Rehabilitating a long-neglected and decommissioned ship would be even more costly to the people of Guyana,” Patterson said.

He noted that the former PPP Government considered several options for the vessel, including selling it as scrap metal. “It is therefore interest-

ing to hear Mr. Ramsammy, a former Cabinet member of the PPP, extol the virtues and importance of the MV Torani as more than a “trivial and useless heap of steel” when that was how he and his colleagues treated it during their time in power, “Patterson noted.

He questioned where Ramsammy was when the Torani’s service was taken offline resulting in a denial of residents of the Berbice River, a vital link to sell their agricultural produce.

In addition, Patterson asked where the former minister’s voice was, when speaking of the legacy of former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan in the ship-building industry, when the decision was taken to construct the Berbice Bridge at its current location, thus rendering the MV Torani obsolete. Patterson said the government agrees with Ramsammy, that the MV Torani is a part of Guyana’s history and a na-

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson

tional treasure. ”However, we urge Mr. Ramsammy to not be selective when he chooses to care about

issues. He does our entire nation a disservice when he finds his voice a little too late” he added.

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GPL promises normal power supply from today

THE Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) on Friday said despite suffering load-shedding for the past few days, normal power supply will be restored to citizens across the country today.

Speaking at a press conference held at its Kingston, Georgetown office, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Shevon Sears, told reporters that there was a generation shortfall in the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) representing all the served areas.

“Everything will return to normalcy on Saturday.

We expect to finish the Number 2 engine on Saturday. That would bring our generation capacity up,” she assured. Sears said too that the normally available generation capacity, including the Skeldon Wartsila Units and the Co-Gen Plan is approximately 137 megawatts. The total available generation capacity in the DBS currently stands at 106 megawatts.

“The day peak is approximately 109 megawatts, while the night peak is just about 110-112 megawatts, which means we are operating with a generation shortfall of approximately

GPL PRO, Shevon Sears (Kawise Wishart)

three megawatts during the day peak and six megawatts during the night peak.”

The PRO said too that there are two major reasons for the outages and categorised them as planned and unplanned. As it relates to planned outages, the three Garden of Eden plants (DP1, DP3 #2 and DP3 #3) were subject to planned maintenance. DP1 #1, which constitutes 5.5 megawatts, has been unavailable for about six weeks for major overhaul.

Those machines, Sears assured, should return to service soon.

In the case of DP3 #2,

6.9 megawatts remains unavailable due to a damaged alternator, while DP3 #3, carrying the identical megawatts engine, is unavailable for a “major overhaul.”

Meanwhile, as it relates to unplanned maintenance, the #1 Skeldon Energy Incorporated (SEI) 5 megawatts plant is unavailable, while another 2.3 megawatts out of the Onverwagt Power Station was lost as a result of a small fire which occurred Thursday night.

Repairs are currently being done at the Skeldon plant.

Those repairs should be completed within the next

two weeks.

When asked whether customers whose equipment would have been damaged as a result of the unscheduled power outages would be compensated, Sears said there is a process. She explained that while there are planned and unplanned outages, there are some instances where customers experience power outages for different reasons.

She said that there may be “localised faults,” where trees fall on the network, or there is a trip in the system in a particular area. “We advise customers to report the faults…so we can check our system.” Customers are required to fill a claim form and submit the required documentation. Upon submission, an investigator is dispatched and if GPL is found culpable, then “we compensate those customers.”

She described the process as “very successful” and assured that “if we are found to be guilty we pay.” Sears could not provide the statistics readily on the number of customers who were compensated by the Power Company for the year. She committed to provide same soon

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

Mayor has no ‘personal interest’ in parking meter project MAYOR of Georgetown Patricia ChaseGreen has completely recused herself from the parking meter project, saying it is a matter for the full Council to deal with.

She told reporters on Thursday at City Hall that the Council has not yet resolved the issues with the project and stressed she has no personal interest in the project.

“I have no personal interest and it was taken with the full Council; they will vote on it, it is not in my hands and the chairman presented the report but they are still working out issues.”

She related that the full report on the parking meter project will be posted at all public places and suggestions can be made after which voting will take place at a special meeting.

The government in March this year suspended the Parking Meter

Georgetown Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green

by-laws, by-laws No 1 of 2017, which allow for a metered parking system in Georgetown.

The move by the administration follows a recommendation by Cabinet for City Hall and Smart City Solutions (SCS) to suspend the Metered Parking System for a period of 90 days.

The suspension order was signed by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 26, 2017

NGO to launch mentorship, leadership programmes here

FIRST Lady Sandra Granger on Thursday met with Guyanese-Canadian and founder of the DeSantos Foundation, Veronica DeSantos, to discuss possible areas of collaboration.

The Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) provides school supplies and other basic necessities to children in need, especially those in New Amsterdam, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six).

The First Lady expressed gratitude to Guyanese in the diaspora who give back to their communities.

“It is always good when we have Guyanese in the

diaspora, who never forgot their roots and come back year after year and give back to their respective communities. It is a great help because some people are really in crisis and there are a number of other factors which make education a challenge for some people,” she said.

Mrs Granger enlightened the team on some of her on-going programmes, including the Self-Reliance and Success in Business, ‘Care for the Elderly’ and the Information and Communication Technology Training Programmes, as well as the Kind Soles proj-

ect, which supplies hinterland children with shoes to attend school.

DeSantos also shared her plan to launch mentorship and leadership programmes in Guyana for vulnerable youths, and said, “I am big on leadership. I do a lot of seminars. My goal here is… how do I get the students to go to university or college if they choose to? I have an idea of what I want. If you get one student to the university, hopefully that student would see the benefit and come back and help within their community.”

The First Lady encouraged the team to do fol-

First Lady Sandra Granger is flanked by the founder of the DeSantos Foundation, Veronica DeSantos (second from left),Celestine Kyte (left), and Sharon Cox (first right) (MoTP)

low-up sessions with the children they have assisted to monitor their progress and expressed gratitude for the offer of support on future projects.

The DeSantos Foundation was started in April

First Lady Sandra Granger shares some information with members of the DeSantos Foundation on the Kind Soles Project, during the meeting on Thursday (MoTP)

1986 and in addition to the work it does in Guyana, supports a number of charities, school snack programmes and food drives in Canada and has extended its mentorship and leadership pro-

grammes in the Philippines.

DeSantos was joined in the State House meeting by two members of her organization, Celestine Kyte and Sharon Cox, the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) said in a release.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

‘Grey Boy’ charged for threatening Crum-Ewing’s mother

REGAN RODRIGUES, called “Grey Boy,” was on Friday charged and released on $10,000 bail for using threatening language against the mother of dead political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing.

Rodrigues appeared before Magistrate, Dylon Bess and denied that on August 12, 2017 at Regent and Wellington Streets, he used threatening language towards Donna Harcourt.

Rodrigues who was unrepresented, told the court that the woman and her family have been making his life miserable since he was freed of the murder of her son.

He said too, that it has been difficult for him to land a job

since he noted that Harcourt has been making statements in the media, accusing him of the murder of her son.

Police Prosecutor, Christopher Morris, made no objection to the accused being granted his pretrial liberty.

Magistrate Bess who adjourned the matter to September 18, also placed Rodrigues on a bond to keep the peace until the completion of the trial.

Before the hearing, Crum-Ewing’s mother, who was standing on the stairway of the Magistrates’ Court, was observed taunting Rodrigues as he was being held in the prisoners’ lockup awaiting the call of his case. In June, Rodrigues, 40, was freed for

a second time by the court in connection with the murder of Crum-Ewing. Magistrate Judy Latchman had ruled that there was insufficient evidence against Rodrigues to stand trial in the High Court for the capital offence.

In September 2016, Rodrigues was freed of the murder charge by Magistrate Latchman, due to the lack of evidence. The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided to re-open the case for further evidence from police witnesses and for the magistrate to rule on the oral statements made by Rodrigues.

The bullet-riddled body of Crum-Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond Regan Rodrigues, called “Grey Boy.”

New Scheme, EBD, just days before the May 11, 2015 elections. He was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach.

The police in a statement had stated that the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body. It was reported that the killer (s) used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing. The political activist was well known for his one-man protest outside the office of former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall. Minutes before he was gunned down, he was reportedly heard via bullhorn urging residents of the neighbourhood to vote against the then ruling PPP/C party.

Man stabs cousin with broken glass bottle A 22-year-old East Ruimveldt, Georgetown man was on Friday released on $100,000 bail by City Magistrate Judy Latchman for allegedly wounding his cousin with a glass bottle.

It is alleged that Michael Sam on August 22, 2017, at East Ruimveldt, unlawfully and maliciously wounded

Rawle Welcome. He denied the charge.

According to reports, Sam and Welcome are cousins. On the day in question, Welcome visited Sam at East Ruimveldt. However, there was an argument between the two cousins after Sam asked to borrow Welcome’s bike and was refused.

The accused, who then became annoyed ,armed himself with a broken glass bottle and stabbed Welcome to his face. Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt made no objection to the accused being released on bail.

The matter was transferred to Magistrate Leron Daily for September 15.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday August 26, 2017

Caribbean Medical Supplies refutes blacklist claims --warns of legal action against media houses CARIBBEAN Medical Supplies Inc (CMSI) on Friday refuted allegations that it has been blacklisted by a board of inquiry established by the Ministry of Public Health to investigate perceived instances of mismanagement and malpractices in the procurement process.

In a statement to the media, the entity’s Co-founder and Area Manager, Davendra Rampersaud, criticised the statements and threatened legal action against media houses which publish statements he believes to be defamatory.

“What we have noted over the last six to eight months is that there have been several articles highlighting that our company is blacklisted, has faced criminal charges, is politically aligned; all of which are not true and would have created a really negative impact on our company thus far,” Rampersaud said.

He said as far as he is aware, the ministry’s inquiry was completed last November and his entity was not blacklisted nor is facing criminal charges.

“We are being grouped with companies that are blacklisted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and because of that, it is affecting our relationship with international allies and suppliers because

they keep asking us if we are blacklisted,” Rampersaud stated.

“We have laid back and tried to wait this out; we have tried to be humble human beings; trying to apply religious morale; to be tolerant, however at this time because of the effects it is having on our international allies, we need to issue a stern warning that should persons align our company with being blacklisted or facing legal charges and they have no proof of it we will take legal action against you,” the businessman continues.

However, in January, head of the Inquiry, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Winston Cosbert, found that the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has been in the practice of awarding contracts to suppliers of pharmaceuticals, services and products, though they were not authorised to distribute same.

In his report on the matter, Cosbert said the procurement and management processes by which the Health Ministry awards contracts for pharmaceuticals, services and supplies to bidders, were not adhered to in many cases.

The board of inquiry established to conduct the investigation and submit the report to Cabinet found that companies awarded contracts to provide supplies, though not authorised to so do, in-

clude Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc., which was awarded a contract to supply HIV Rapid Unigold Test kits, and Meditron Inc., for the supply of four haematology analysers.

According to the report, the Ministry of Public Health and CMSI singed contract #MMU10-2015-P6 for an agreed value of $70, 843, 202 on 100 per cent payment on receipt of goods; however, the money was paid and the items were not delivered.

Additionally, it has been recommended that the letter of authorisation produced by suppliers be certified and substantiated before contracts can be awarded.

CoI RECOMMENDATION The CoI recommended that a criminal investigation be launched to determine the authenticity of the letter produced by Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc., with a view to instituting criminal charges.

It was also noted that contracts are not properly drafted, as well as the non-publishing of some contracts. It was observed too that there is no monitoring of suppliers to ensure they fulfill their contractual obligations.

But in his missive, Rampersaud maintained his innocence and said CMSI is qualified to provide medical products and services and

stressed that the company complies with the required regulatory bodies.

Moreover, he noted that the company’s track record with current and past partnerships serves as proof that its work is of the highest standard.

“Apart from the Ministry of Public Health, we have worked with every private hospital in this country; we have worked with clinics, doctor’s offices, pharmacies, regional hospitals. We have a sub-office that we have just established in Antigua; we have contracts with the Mount Saint John Hospital in Antigua, which we are currently working with them on; we have a sub-office in Grenada, as well… we supply to St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica, several countries within the Caribbean,” Rampersaud stated.

CMSI was established in July 2011 by Rampersaud and his business partner, Andel Saul. The company started as a rapid kit supply company, but has grown tremendously over the last five to seven years.

“There is no doubt that we are the largest supplier of laboratory-oriented products.

We are among the top three to five companies within the Caribbean known for laboratory supplies,” the businessman stated.

According to the statement issued on Friday,

Rampersaud produced documents, which states that he is authorised to distribute medical supplies for companies in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean.

CMSI is also authorised to import or sell drugs and medical devices until December 2017 by the Government Analyst Food and Drugs Administration.

A microbiologist by profession, Rampersaud worked in the public health system at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for two and a half years, while Saul, a haematologist, worked over five years in the field.

BRIDGE GAPS “So because we know this field very well; we understand the customers’ needs because we were once customers, so we understand the issues faced here in Guyana and throughout the Caribbean and we have therefore tried to bridge that gap and provide excellent customer service,” he said.

Rampersaud attests that the company’s goal is one which holds Guyana’s development as a priority. He said the goal of his company is to ensure that the laboratory sciences get the recognition that it deserves, while improving the technology here. “… to bring a lot of first world technology - a lot of automated systems to our basically manual laboratory systems that we have right now,” he stated.

He added that CMSI has standing long term affiliations with several high ranking international companies, including Becton Dickinson, Beckman Coulter, Diasorin (Murex) and many others, which serve as testimony to the company’s authenticity.

“The products we supply are from strategic companies that we would have aligned ourselves with because of their quality. They are known to be high in quality the accuracy, and the way that they comply to WHO standards, PAHO standards, FDA standards, CE standards; our products meet the minimum requirements by any regulatory body,” Rampersaud said.

Meanwhile, on the issue of political affiliation, Rampersaud made it clear neither that he nor his partner are politically aligned.

“That is a private thing we don’t want to have a political affiliation,” he declared, while calling on the media to be careful when publishing information about companies.

“Understand that these are the giants in laboratory sciences and won’t align themselves with a company that is blacklisted or is banned by the IDB or is facing criminal charges.

We are just an honest company, trying to make an honest dollar to be able to sustain our employees, our families and contribute to the development of Guyana,” he said.

Dead prisoner died of blood clot to the lungs

By Michel Outridge

A POST-MORTEM performed on the body of Shelton George, the prisoner who was found motionless at the Lusignan Prison on Tuesday, revealed he died of blood clot in the lungs. A warhead was also recovered from his body.

The disclosure was made

by Commander of ‘C’ Division, Calvin Brutus, who reported that the post mortem was performed on Friday morning by government pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh.

George, called “Boories” who was awaiting trial for the 2014 murder of Debra Blackman at Delicious Chinese , was found motionless in the holding area at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara, early Tuesday morning and was taken to

the GPHC where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels con firmed that George was found at about 06:00hrs in an unresponsive state and taken to the hospital where doctors examined him and pronounced him dead. Samuels said that he is unaware George had received any injuries which could have contributed to his death, but a probe is underway. Rosaline Munroe, mother of the deceased, told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday that she witnessed the autopsy in the presence of the police and is aware of the cause of death, which now dispels rumours of him being poisoned and beaten in jail.

The woman added that George was a heavy smoker and had often complained of being short of breath

and having intense chest pains, and was even taken to the hospital for treatment during his incarceration.

He will be laid to rest on Wednesday following a church service. George was picked up by the police at his mother’s house at Lot 146 South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, where he used to reside, for the alleged murder of Debra Blackman.

George was first imprisoned in September 2015, when he served some time before he was placed on bail. The case of attempted murder was subsequently dismissed in June 2015.

Munroe noted that in February this year her son was picked up at her home by the police and told that he was wanted for questioning for murder. The woman reported that she went to

Dead prisoner, Shelton George.

Suriname and brought her son home after he was shot and had his spine damaged and could no longer walk.

In November 2014, po-

lice had released surveillance footage of a suspect who killed Blackman, who was a waitress at Delicious Chinese Restaurant on

D’urban Street, Georgetown. The footage showed a young man, dressed in a grey t-shirt, dark coloured pants and a red cap, entering the restaurant and standing by the counter. He was the shooter. He was also accompanied by two others. The shooter remained standing at the counter and was recorded gazing around the restaurant. His face remained visible throughout the recording. After the shooting, the man then left the restaurant and mounted a motorcycle which sped off.

On the second matter, George was accused of attempting to murder former magistrate, Mohamed Fazil Azeez, who is still bed-ridden. Azeez, of Kitty, was held up in 2015 at gun point in Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Scenes from EXER 18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

President David Granger on Friday visited the Colonel John Clarke Military Schoo Attack of the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Field Tactical Ex

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge is sworn in as acting Prime Minister before President David Granger on Friday at the Colonel John Clarke Military School (CJCMS) at Tacama

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West, briefs President David Granger, acting Prime Minister, Mr. Carl Greenidge; Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon and Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Ms. Dawn Hastings- Williams, on Exercise IRONWEED on their arrival at the Colonel John Clarke Military School (CJCMS)

Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) actively involved in the final attack of ‘Exercise IronWeed’ at the Colonel John Clarke Military School (CJCMS) at Tacama

President David Granger and team inspect military equipment during Operation Ironweed at Tacama on Friday morning

RCISE IRONWEED 19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

ol (CJCMS), Tacama, Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice Region, to witness the Final xercise (FTX) ‘EXERCISE IRONWEED 2017/01’. (MOTP Photos)

Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger, makes a point to Brigadier West, during the closing exercise of ‘Iron Weed’ on Friday morning at the Colonel John Clarke Military School (CJCMS) at Tacama

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger and Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West, observing the final attack exercise from their vantage point at the Tacama Airstrip

President Granger inspects the facilities and equipment on board one of the GDF’s Medical Ambulances, which were on the ground at the Colonel John Clarke Military School (CJCMS) at Tacama

President David Granger, acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge; Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon; and Minister within the Ministry of Communities are briefed on the Army’s communications apparatus by Lieutenant Commander Roger Nurse

Commander in Chief of the Guyana Defence Force, President David Granger addressing the troops at the Colonel John Clarke Military School (CJCMS) at Tacama, during his visit, on Friday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

GUYANA PARTICIPATES IN INTER-GUIANA GAMES

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is participating in the I n t e r- G u i a n a G a m e s (IGG) being held in Su-

riname from the 24th 27th August, 2017 with two teams - male and female 11-a-side. The female team is headed by

Akilah Castello and assisted by Tricia Munroe while the male team is headed by Sampson Gilbert and assisted by Levi

Braithwaite. In preparartion for the event, the teams were encamped from the 23rd August and had practice matches as

part of their encampment.

They departed Guyana on the 24th August for Suriname. Matches are scheduled for Friday and Sunday.

In the first match on Friday, the female team lost by 3 - 1 while the male team drew 1 - 1 both to Suriname teams.

BELOW ARE IMAGES OF RESPECTIVE TEAM ALONG WITH SOME OF THE FEMALE TRAINING SESSION.

PRODUCED BY THE GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF) AND DESIGNED BY THE GUYANA CHRONICLE

For further Information or should you have questions/comments , please contact: General Secretary Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 17 Dadanawa Street, Section “K” Campbelville, Georgetown TEL: +1 592 227 8758 ext. 102 FAX: +1 592 225 2096

e-mail: gff@networksgy.com WEBSITE: www.gffonline.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GuyanaFootballFederationInc INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/guyana_football_federation_inc/ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/guyana-football-federation-inc LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guyana-football-federation-inc TWITTER: @GFF_Inc_

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

The ultimate goal is to play for Guyana at the highest level, says Gordon

HOCKEY is a great way to come meet some new people and learn some new skills. These are the words of a young versatile midfield/attacking forward, Aliyah Gordon.

The exuberant 18-yearold student believes that the sport has helped her develop as an individual and she believes it can do so for others.

Her love for the sport began at the tender age of five.

“My mother had

stopped playing for a while but started back and joined GCC around that time and that’s how I got involved.

She used to take me to her practices and I used to sit and watch,” Gordon said.

What really drew her to the sport, she said, is “the ability to have that connection with your team, whether it’s training or playing a match, and to go out and act as one to execute a plan.”

While, she is unsure about the specifics of the

Aliyah Gordon works the field during a recent match.

Mayweather, McGregor poised for history-making fight LAS VEGAS, USA (Reuters) - After months of hype and profanity Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor take their war of words into the ring tonight for a boxing mismatch that is poised to become the richest fight in history.

From motorcycle daredevil Evil Knievel to off-thewall comedian Carrot Top, the Las Vegas strip has seen it all, but nothing quite like the crossover fight between undefeated boxer Mayweather and mixed martial arts champion McGregor.

Boxing purists have dismissed the bout as nothing more than a cash grab with McGregor in line for a $100 million payday and Mayweather adding upwards of $200 million to push his career earnings towards the $1 billion mark.

Despite what is by most barometers a massive mismatch, there is global fascination in the fight that could prove to be the richest in boxing history.

Promoters have sold the bout as “historical,” a fight that will be talked about around the world for years to come and many intrigued fight fans have bought into the hype.

A crowd of close to 20 000 is expected to fill the T-Mobile Arena, where ringside seats on resale sites are being offered for more than

$100 000, with millions more around the globe watching on pay-per-view.

There will be no titles on the line, only a gaudy ‘Money Belt’ with a strap made from crocodile leather and featuring 24 carat gold, 3 360 diamonds along with sapphires and emeralds, but much will be riding on the result.

For Mayweather it will be the culmination of a life’s work, a chance to surpass former heavyweight great Rocky Marciano, who retired with a perfect 49-0 career record.

For McGregor, a victory would give him the greatest upset in combat sports history and establish him as a crossover star able to choose big money fights in both the octagon and the ring.

The brash, charismatic Irishman, also known as ’Mystic Mac’ for accurately predicting the outcome of his fights, has gazed into his crystal ball and says he will knock out the 40-year-old American inside two rounds of the scheduled 12-round bout.

Mayweather, a 12-time world champion over five weight divisions who traditionally fights defensive battles, is also calling for a knockout, something he has not done since stopping Victor Ortiz nearly six years ago.

“I’ve said it’s not going

the distance and you can mark my words,” said Mayweather. “I know that I’m in for a tough fight but there is one thing I do know, this fight is not going the distance.”

McGregor, who was on social welfare from the Irish government as recently as four years ago, is the blue collar populist champion but the bulk of the money being wagered is all in Mayweather’s corner.

Smaller bets are going on McGregor with UFC fans backing up their loyalty with their wallets. But the Las Vegas smart money is all streaming towards Mayweather with reports of several $1 million bets being laid on the ’Money Man’.

So sure is Irish bookmaker Paddy Power of the outcome that they have already paid out on a Mayweather victory.

As far as McGregor is concerned, anyone betting against him should take their money onto the Strip and set it on fire.

“I will go forward and put the pressure on and break this old man,“ said McGregor. ”I don’t see him lasting two rounds, I feel I will have the decision to end it inside one.

“He’s a beaten man. He will not be able to take the ferociousness that I come with.”

Aside from McGregor’s cocky assurances there is

little in the tale of the tape to tip an upset.

Mayweather, who will bring a 49-0 record into the ring, is already recognised as one of the greatest fighters of all-time, a brilliant defensive tactician and counter-puncher who has ruled the ring for 21 years.

In the other corner stands hard-hitting McGregor, a two-time world champion in the octagon making his professional boxing debut who will try to do what a long list of great fighters have been unable to do - stop Mayweather.

McGregor’s potential to register the biggest upset in boxing history rests largely with the intangibles.

As aggressive in the ring as he is outside it, the 29-year-old Irishman will have youth and power on his side.

A fearless and vicious fighter taking on an ageing boxer who hasn’t fought in almost two years, McGregor’s best shot at a victory will be connecting with a thundering left hand like the one that dropped Jose Aldo 13 seconds into their UFC featherweight championship fight.

“Everyone knows I can fight. I can give it and I can take,” said Mayweather.

“After 21 years I’ve been hit with everything and I’m still right here.”

future for herself, one thing is certain: Hockey will remain one of her main goals.

“Hopefully, I would be graduating from University and would become a better player than I am now. The ultimate goal is to play hockey for Guyana at the highest possible level,” Gordon said.

Mixing school and hockey was no problem for this wonder-kid, who studied first at Queen’s College then Nations University.

“It was not too difficult;

I had been doing it from the beginning of my secondary school life so when the difficult times came around, like CSEC, I was so accustomed to having to balance them. Playing hockey was always a good way to relieve stress from the usual school day, so it worked out well for me.”

Aliyah owes it to her parents, she says. They have been her biggest supporters, along with coaches, family and friends.

Corporate Guyana continues to support RHTYSC

ROSE Hall Town Youth & Sports Club cricket teams received donation from M&M Investments, Harris Paints and Poonai Pharmacy.

The outstanding work of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS, and its eight cricket teams continue to attract the support of corporate Guyana.

The club and its eight cricket teams are currently organising a hectic calendar of activities to mark the 175th anniversary celebration.

As such, the management of M&M Snackette located at Peter’s Hall, East Bank, Demerara, handed over a cheque for $80 000 to club secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, while Harris Paints donated ten gallons of paint towards the decoration of the Township and restoration works at the Area ‘H’ Ground.

Poonai Bhirooj of Poonai’s Pharmacy also contributed financially towards the construction of a mini arch for the 175th Anniversary.

Foster, who is spearheading the historic celebration, praised

the donors for coming on board with the cricket teams.

He also disclosed that the cricket teams, the Club’s Over35 group and the M&M Investment Group would be working together with NAMILCO to host a massive Fitness Walk and Diabetes Clinic on the August 31, at the Independence Avenue, Rose Hall Town.

The Fitness Walk and Diabetes Clinic would form part of Ms Guyana World 2017 Vena Mookram’s personal platform for the Ms World Contest later in the year.

The walk is expected to attract hundreds of Berbicians including Law Enforcement Officers, GUYSUCO Training Centre students, RHTYSC members and others.

Meanwhile, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club has disclosed that its Patron His Excellency President David Granger has accepted the Invitation to be the Guest Speaker at the Grand Ceremony on the September 14.

The President would also take the salute at the 175th Parade.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (SATURDAY AUGUST 26, 2017)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-BOURDA MARKET & THE CITY MALL (TEL: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 GARNETT STREET, CAMPBELLVILLE, GEORGETOWN (TEL: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) DAVID WIESE-5/30 (WARRIORS VS TRIDENTS, 2015) (2) CHRIS GAYLE TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) How many ‘dot’ balls were delivered in the first CPL game at

Providence this season?

(2) Who faced the first ball in a CPL game at Providence?

Who delivered it?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

Guyana unrelenting on first day of IGG athletics

By Tamica Garnett in Suriname AFTER grabbing some of the easiest wins in track and field, the Guyana athletics team at this year’s Inter-Guiana Games, in Suriname, established that they are more than able to defend their title against the Dutch.

the quarter mile.

The Lindener registered an almost 25m lead in the first 200m, but coming off the turn his compatriot Samuel Lynch began closing in.

Lynch continued his momentum, but never caught Williams and had to settle for second place as he finished one second behind.

In the first competition of the day, in the multi-sport event, Raymond set a nice precedent for the country, as she picked

time that Dwayne Wee Wee clocked for second, leaving Guyana’s Umkosie Vancooten and Mark Solomon in third and

the 11.71m from Dorniegill Wersen.

Later in the afternoon, Bright nailed the Girls’ triple jump with an 11.2m leap, her only other competition, Virlyn Gibson, was second, with her best jump of 9.76m.

Gibson had a gold in the high jump, which was another all-Guyanese lineup, giving Gibson an easy win after

herself past her breaking point and could go on no longer, leaving Archer’s only competition being her compatriot Shaquka Tyrell.

Despite the tough track, Archer was able to easily defend her win and had a time of 5:04.5s. Staying the course Tyrell strolled in another four seconds later behind Archer.

The athletics continues

Guyana’s Joanna Archer comes in for the win of the Girls’ 800m.

Linden’s Daniel Williams takes a clear win in the Boys’ 400m yesterday at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Suriname. (Photos: Delano Williams)

Leading athletes like Chantoba Bright, Daniel Williams and Joanna Archer showed their Suriname counterparts that their athletics still has quite somewhere to go.

World Youth Championship silver medallist Williams could not stop beaming as he celebrated his first gold medal win abroad, taking a gaping win in the Boys’ 400m, despite clocking just 52.1 seconds in

Suriname’s Bengalvio Salesman trotted in third on 55.9 seconds.

Williams also had the joy of bringing the curtain down on the day’s athletics activity, as he anchored Guyana to a win in the Boys’ 4x100m relay.

Toyan Raymond had the same pleasure in the Girls’ 4x100m, where she was supported by Binka Joseph, Deshauna Skeete, and Bright.

up the win in the Girls’ 100m, with a time of 12.5 seconds, to the cheering from a small, but vibrant group of Guyanese that came out to catch the competition at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Paramaribo.

Suriname’s Sabrina Menso was able to take second for Suriname clocking 12.9 seconds, earning one of the few silver medals that the home side collected for the day. Binka Joseph ended in third place, with a time of 13.2 seconds.

Suriname had a good showing in the Boys’ 100m, however, where it was a 1-2 win, as Marciano Shepper dashed to a time of 11.7 seconds, the same

fourth respectively.

However, conceding in the Boys’ 100m was just a small dent to Guyana, who are sure to retain their title when the competition ends today.

Suriname’s low performance, coupled with lack of participation in a few events, would require divine intervention for a win.

Guyana’s Ronardo Greene had the first field event leaping to 13.81m in the Boys’ triple jump. On his final try Timmeon Spencer reached his maximum 11.78m jump, but still left him in fourth when sized up against the 12.31m from Suriname’s Ronaldo Letterbo, and

Suriname down Guyana Guyana make successful start at IGG Volleyball Girls 3-1 at IGG football … beat Suriname in straight sets

Guyana’s Ronardo Greene prevails in the Boys’ triple jump with a 13.81m leap.

she was the only one to clear the 1.40m height, Guyana’s Tayanna Blair unfortunately could not Joanna Archer was definitely in a class all her own in the Girls’ 1500m, and the Surinamese did themselves no favours by trying to keep up with her.

By a few laps Surinamese Abby-Jo Winter had pushed

at the Stadium today from 09:00hrs local time. Athletics is one of six disciplines being contested at this year’s IGG, the others being cycling, football, basketball, volleyball and swimming.

Volleyball, football and basketball also started last night. Swimming commences today.

Show your support

AS part of their off-field schedule, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will journey to the Essequibo Coast today.

The Warriors and their team sponsor, telephone giant Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), will pay a visit to the New Opportunity Corps at Onderneeming Essequibo Coast.

While there, members of the

Guyana Amazon Warriors and GTT will interact with the boys.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors will then journey along the Essequibo Coast to interact with fans at the Imam Bacchus and Sons Supermarket at Affiance and at the popular Anna Regina Market Square.

Residents are therefore urged to come out and show their support for the team.

Olympic cyclist accused of selling drugs

Tiandi Smith Guyana’s goalscorer

By Rawle Toney in Suriname GUYANA went down 3-1 to Suriname in their opening match in the female football competition at this year’s Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) in Paramaribo.

Playing at the Franklin Essed Stadion in front of a vociferous crowd, Suriname found the net through Candy Chin See Chong who netted a double, and Shifana Zesburg.

Tiandi Smith scored Guy-

ana’s lone goal in a spirited performance by the visitors.

Guyana had several chances but could not convert, owing to Suriname’s stubborn defence.

Twelve-year-old Jalade Trim had a sensational performance, but failed to find the net. She won the hearts of the crowd with her skills and speed, since they were amused at her ability for her size.

Guyana will have a chance to avenge their defeat tomorrow.

Renaldo Bobb goes up for one of his many spikes during Guyana’s win over Suriname last evening in Paramaribo. (Delano Williams photo)

By Rawle Toney in Suriname GUYANA defeated Suriname in straight sets to make a successful start of their Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) volleyball title defence.

The Levi Nedd-coached team won 25-17, 25-22, 25-14 at the Ismay Welgin

Sports Hall.

According to Nedd, while he was happy for the win, he was a little disappointed at his team’s performance.

However, Nedd said he’s expecting the team to play at their full potential today when they play their second of three games.

A TWO-TIME Olympic medal-winning cyclist, Jack Bobridge, has been accused of dealing drugs in his native Australia.

Mr Bobridge, 28, was arrested in Perth on Wednesday on five charges of selling and supplying MDMA, including two of a trafficable quantity, police said.

He was granted bail on Thursday and will face court again next month.

Mr Bobridge retired from cycling last year because of rheumatoid arthritis after a career filled with accolades.

He was arrested after police raided his home and gym in separate suburbs of Perth.

It followed a long-running in-

vestigation into the alleged dealing of illicit drugs in licensed venues around the city.

Police said they had charged 61 people and seized about A$1M (£600 000; $800 000) in drugs as part of their operation since June.

The drugs included MDMA, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine and cannabis.

Mr Bobridge competed in three Olympic Games, winning silver medals in the team pursuit in both 2012 and 2016.

He also won four Commonwealth Games gold medals, three track world titles, and broke the world record for the 4km individual pursuit in 2011.

(BBC Sport)

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

Guptill’s absence a big gap to fill, says Emrit

By Rajiv Bisnauth

NEW skipper of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Rayad Emrit, admitted that Martin Guptill’s absence from the squad for the remainder of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 tourna-

a family health matter unrelated to the impending birth of his first child.

The 30-year-old has been captaining the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Twenty20 tournament, but will miss the remainder of the competition.

He and wife Laura Mc-

Rayad Emrit

ment is a big gap to fill.

Guptill, the New Zealander opening batsman, has returned to New Zealand for

Goldrick are expecting their first child - a girl - next month, but it is understood that the health matter in-

CWI Regional Under-19 50-Overs tournament

Guyana maintain unbeaten streak

Spinners Ashmead Nedd (right) and Kevin Sinclair

G U YA N A U n d e r - 1 9 cricket team continued the dominant form on Thursday when they trounced Barbados by ten wickets in the fourth round encounter of Cricket West Indies Regional Under-19 one-day tournament, played at Conaree, St Kitts and Nevis.

The win is the fourth for the Guyanese in as many matches played to date.

Spinners Ashmead Nedd and Kevin Sinclair combined for eight wickets as the Bajans were dismissed for 166 in the

46th over. Nedd ended with 4-29 and Sinclair 4-23, while Shian Brathwaite scored 59.

Openers Raymond Perez and Joshua Persaud then went about dismantling the Barbados bowling attack, racing to the target without the loss of a wicket in the 40th over.

Perez ended on 87, while Persaud was sitting on 75 when victory was achieved. Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago, also boasting an unbeaten record, will clash in the next round today.

volves another Guptill family member.

“It’s definitely a big gap to fill, last year we had to do it as well, but I think we are in good shape now … we won two games at home, and hopefully we can carry that momentum to Barbados.

“We need to take one game at a time … that’s what we did in the last two games, take one game at a time, and if we play the cricket we know we can play, I think we can get over the line, but we have Barbados (Tridents) to play on Tuesday, and that’s our main focus now,” Emrit revealed yesterday after he was appointed to lead the Warriors for the remainder of the league.

Meanwhile, retired New Zealand batsman Luke Ronchi has been roped in as Guptill’s replacement.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who quit international cricket in June this year, has just finished a stint with English club Leicestershire.

He became available after the side was eliminated from the ongoing T20 Blast in a nine-wicket quarterfinal loss to Glamorgan.

Ronchi smashed 429

Martin Guptill

runs in 15 matches for Leicestershire, including three half-centuries, at an average of 33 and a strike rate of 180.25.

On Ronchi’s recruitment, Emrit said “Ronchi has been in some good form in the T20 Blast and that’s why we thought he will be a good addition to the team. He

Hamilton Green Cup K.O. football tournament to resume on August 30

THE Inaugural Hamilton Green Knock-Out football tournament will resume on August 30, with a double-header at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden.

The tournament, which was interrupted after just two days of competition due to inclement weather as well as the unavailability of grounds, will see two exciting matches contested.

The feature game involves Eagles United and Kuru Kururu from 21:00hrs while the opening fixture brings together Silver Shattas of Linden and Plaisance of the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) from 19:00hrs.

When the tournament got underway in late July, Mahaica, Ann’s Grove, Golden Grove, Plaisance and Buxton advanced to the second round.

Mahaica had defeated Mahaicony 3-2, Ann’s Grove beat Pele 3-1, Golden Grove got past Golden Warriors in a penalty shoot-out, Plaisance beat Cougars also in a penalty shoot-out and Buxton beat Pouderoyen in yet another penalty shoot-out.

According to tournament coordinator, Lennox Arthur, a former national player/coach, said inclement weather and the unavailability of venues were the main reasons the tournament had to be rescheduled continuously, but promises that the 16 teams contesting

the tournament will provide fans and supporters with lots of exciting and entertaining football throughout the tournament, which is scheduled to conclude on September 24 at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden.

According to the new fixtures, after next Wednesday’s double-header, the tournament will continue at the MSC ground, with another double-header that will see Winners Connection take on Riddim Squad from 19:00hrs and Milerock face Georgetown Football Club from 21:00hrs.

On Sunday, September 3, the tournament will continue with yet another double-header and this will be played at the Victoria ground, East Coast Demarara. In the feature match at 21:00hrs, Ann’s Grove face Buxton Bakewell, while in the opening match from 19:00hrs, Mahaica take on Santos.

The winning team of the competition will receive $500 000 and the Minister of Citizenship trophy, while the runners-up will earn $250 000 and the Busta Beverage trophy.

The team placing third will receive $150 000 and the John Fernandes Limited trophy. The fourthplace finisher will take home $100 000 and the Cummings Electrical trophy.

is excited at the top of the order, and I still think that’s the impetus that we need at the top of the order.

Chadwick (Walton) and Sohail (Tanvir) have done it in the last two games and if he (Ronchi) can come in and do the same thing it will be less pressure for the guys in the lower order and back end of the innings; so hopefully he can get it right and score some runs for us when he comes in and makes it easy for us as batters”.

On the other hand Emrit, the Trinidadian, said while the Warriors will be aiming to secure a third straight victory in order to boost their playoffs chances, playing the Tridents at home will be challenging.

“Our bowling unit has been doing excellent for us throughout the tournament, and I think if we continue doing what we doing, we on the right step. Having said that, I know it’s going to be a good battle, a tough battle. We know playing in

Barbados will be tough, but Guyana Amazon Warriors went to Barbados before and defeated them as well, so I think we are on a high. But the most important thing is to be consistent and hopefully we can go over there and play the consistent cricket we played the last two games,” he concluded.

The Warriors, with two key round-robin encounters remaining, have for the first time in CPL history found themselves in such a complicated position.

They must win both their games against Barbados Tridents on Tuesday (August 29), and Jamaica Tallawhas on Friday (September 1), if they stand a chance of qualifying for the playoffs.

Trinbago Knight Riders and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have already confirmed for the playoffs, which means the battle for the other two places will come from the Warriors, Tridents and the Tallawahs.

GCA cricket restarts today AFTER the prolonged inclement weather, the Georgetown Cricket Association’s cricket season will resume today, with two first division and one second division games.

In the GISE, Star Party Rentals and Trophy Stall first division two-day tournament, GCC will host Everest, with Andre Hurry and Ryan Banwarie the umpires selected, while Transport will play GYO at Everest, where Ravishwar Latif and Javed Persaud are the umpires in charge. Game-time is 09:30hrs daily.

Meanwhile, Transport and Diplomats will clash in the Noble House Seafoods second division two-day tournament. The game is billed for GYO, with Flemroy Lambert and Moses Ramnarine the on-field umpires. Game-time is 10:30hrs daily.

Over 100 graduate from DCC/GCC summer camp OVER one hundred students yesterday graduated from a youth camp that was the joint initiative of the Demerara and Georgetown cricket clubs.

Yesterday afternoon’s closing featured remarks by technical director of the camp, Roger Harper, who commended all those present for their commitment to the event.

Meanwhile, head coach

Mark Harper contended that the students must take what they have learnt and practise same if they wish to be successful in the future.

Also present during the ceremony was DCC president Patrick Harding, as well as sponsors, parents and well-wishers.

The two-week camp focused on bowling, batting and fielding among other aspects of cricket.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 26, 2017

Stokes shares honours with Gabriel, Roach SHANNON Gabriel and Kemar Roach combined to restore some pride to West Indies with a fearsome bowling display against England at Headingley.

West Indies’ recent Test exploits have all too often played out with an air of futility, but Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach flipped the script yesterday to raise hopes of an evenly-fought Headingley Test against England.

Ben Stokes’ sixth Test hundred was yesterday’s abiding memory after an evening session dominated by the all-rounder, but Roach and Gabriel dished out a wonderfully nostalgic display of bowling brilliance, albeit in a display from the tourists tinged with a whiff of ‘what might have been’.

Frightful fast bowling was the hallmark of the great West Indies teams and though Gabriel and Roach are far from Joel Garner and Michael Holding, theirs were performances steeped in classic Caribbean cleverness.

Four wickets apiece for Roach and Gabriel were rich rewards for their pivotal contributions to a first

Gabriel saw Joe Root dropped on eight before the hosts’ skipper went on to equal AB de Villiers’ record of notching a half-century in 12 consecutive Test matches, while Roach was a foot-stomping vision of anger when he found Stokes’ edge twice in quick succession, only to see the ball bounce out of Kraigg Brathwaite’s palms and then sail through a vacant thirdslip position.

Stokes was again put down on 98, bringing up his century the next ball, as Gabriel failed to hold onto a ball aimed at the centre of his chest - Roach’s rage was not sated by his bowling partner being the one to wrong him on this occasion.

Perhaps that error gave the strapping, but seemingly sapped, Gabriel the second wind he required because England did not score another run after he bounced out centurion Stokes with a well-aimed short ball reminiscent of so many of his

predecessors.

Such a clinical extraction of the tail gave a topsy-turvy day matching bookends Gabriel and Roach offering unplayable fare to England batsmen who could do little about it.

Only eight sides have scored fewer than 260 runs batting first here and won the Test match - another good omen for Jason Holder’s men, but five dropped catches in the England innings will leave the captain wondering what his hosts could have been restricted to on another day.

West Indies ended yesterday’s play on 19-1, still 239 runs adrift of England, but they now know that a better performance with the bat has a chance of being rewarded

by Gabriel and Roach’s highspeed heroics.

While the recapturing the fire of Garner, Holding, Andy Roberts and Colin Croft has probably never felt more unlikely, the incumbent pace pairing can at

least be the driving force for a return to some chest-puffing swagger in this Test.

(Sportsmax)

day in Leeds that saw some of the pride restored to this much-maligned Windies team.

A thrashing by an innings and 209 runs in the day-night series opener at Edgbaston was an inauspicious start, though the nature of that defeat was brought on by limp batting performances after England

had posted a domineering 5148 declared.

Those same batsmen that struggled in Birmingham ought to be re-energised in Yorkshire, however, with Gabriel and Roach especially giving them something to work with.

Absent at Edgbaston, Gabriel’s recall was immediately rewarded with fast, awkward bowling which accounted for Alastair Cook and exposed the hosts’ fragile underbelly.

It was Roach who tucked into the soft meat, trapping Tom Westley (3) plumb in front and then tempting Mark Stoneman (19) into a foolish shot - a far cry from the off-stump kissing beauty that had bowled the same batsman in Birmingham, but no less rewarding.

Though Dawid Malan was another underperforming England batsman to depart, there will remain fears that West Indies’ own flakiness could surface as this Test goes on - there were enough signs despite a successful day of it here.

By Rawle Toney in Suriname (compliments of Department of Public Information, National Sports Commission)

the games that expanded to include French Guiana.

Athletics, basketball and football are the games that

who gathered at Ismay Welgin Sports Hall.

She added, “By organising these games, we are giv-

ing the school youths under the age of 18 years the opportunity to interact through sports and culture and they

really deserve it. We must assure the continuation of these games in the upcoming years and the participation of

spite the games’ predecessors’ economic and political challenges over the past years, they were still able to manage and rise above those challenges and keep the games going.

Calling on Suriname’s Director of Sports Luciano Mentowikromo, Jones said “Director, ours is the task, now that the Baton has been passed, that we ensure we do everything necessary for future games so that the youths of Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana can foster that closer relationship through sports for the next 50 years and beyond.”

“It would be remiss of me not to thank His Excellency President Desiree Bouterse and his Government through the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs and of course you, Director, and your support staff for their hard work and dedication for organising these games,” said Jones.

Mentowikromo, echoed similar sentiments as Jones, and also said that his Government stands ready and willing to invest in the games.

Ben Stokes presses on to reach his sixth Test century

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st innings A. Cook c K. Hope b Gabriel 11 M. Stoneman c wkp. Dowrich b Roach 19 T. Westley lbw b Roach 3 J. Root c Blackwood b Bishoo 59 D. Malan b Holder 8 B. Stokes c wkp. Dowrich b Gabriel 100 J. Bairstow c Holder b Gabriel 2 M. Ali c Chase b Roach 22 C. Woakes c Dowrich b Roach 23 S. Broad b Gabriel 0 J. Anderson not out 0 Extras: (b-2, lb-3, w-4, nb-2) 11 Total: (all out, 70.5 overs) 258 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-26, 3-37, 4-71, 5-140, 6-152, 7-220, 8-258, 9-258.

Bowling: Roach 19.5-1-71-4, Gabriel 17-4-51-4, Holder 16-5-45-1, Chase 12-1-59-0, Bishoo 6-0-27-1.

WEST INDIES 1st innings K. Brathwaite not out 13 K. Powell c Cook b Anderson 5 D. Bishoo not out 1 Total: (1 wkt, 12 overs) 19 Fall of wicket: 1-1.

Bowling: Anderson 6-3-5-1, Broad 5-1-12-0, Woakes 1-0-2-0.

Position: West Indies trail by 239 runs with nine first-innings wickets intact. (Toss: England.)

Suriname, Guyana commit to the longevity of IGG THE 2017 Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) opened yesterday with Suriname and Guyana both committing to the continuity of the event which is celebrating its ‘Golden Jubilee’.

Guyana and Suriname will compete in the disciplines of basketball, football, swimming, volleyball, track and field and cycling from August 25 to 27 and according to Suriname’s Minister of Sports, Joan Dogojo, her government stands willing and ready to invest in making the games one of the biggest of the ‘Guianas’ (Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana).

In 1967, former President Forbes Burnham brainstormed the Inter-Guiana Games with the hopes of fostering a close relationship between Guyana and Suriname using Sports.

Derrick Whitehead, O.T McDonald and Eddie Van Genderen are listed as some of the founding principals of

Christopher Jones – Director of Sport (Guyana) (Photos: Delano Williams) were contested when the IGG started, but, 50 years later, the table tennis, cycling, chess, badminton and swimming are some of the disciplines included in the expansion.

“As Minister of Sports of Suriname, I would like to express our feelings of satisfaction, appreciation and joy to host the IGG 2017 in Paramaribo, Suriname,” stated Dogojo in her charge to athletes and other officials

Luciano Mentowikromo – Suriname’s Director of Sports

Joan Dogojo

French Guiana is important to complete the initial idea of this event.”

The Surinamese Sports Minister noted, “We not only want sports to develop holistically but also give school youth the opportunity to be aware of the benefits of sport and physical activities in order to have a healthy and productive community.”

Meanwhile, Christopher Jones, Guyana’s Director of Sport, explained that de-

Guptill’s absence, a big gap to fill, says Emrit See Page 34

Stokes shares honours with Gabriel, Roach See Page 35

West Indies were given the ideal start when Alastair Cook fell to Shannon Gabriel for 11. (Getty Images)

Kemar Roach traps Tom Westley lbw for 3 to boost West Indies’ confidence.

Mayweather, McGregor poised for history-making fight See Page 32

Team Guyana (Photos by: Delano Williams)

See Page 35

Suriname, Guyana commit to the longevity of IGG

Team Suriname

Undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. of the U.S. and UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor of Ireland face off during a news conference in Las Vegas.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017